Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers

Dark Triumph by R.L. LaFevers

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Source: Finished copy c/o Thomas Allen & Son
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Format: Hardcover, 385 pages
Release Date: April 2, 2013

Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. The convent views Sybella, naturally skilled in the arts of both death and seduction, as one of their most dangerous weapons. But those assassin's skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

I was worried before starting this novel that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I did Grave Mercy because of the heroine, Sybella. We didn't see too much of her in the past book but the glimpses of her I did see gave me the impression that I wouldn't be able to relate to her as well, a factor that is always something I look for when reading a novel. It looks like my worries for nothing though because, if anything, I related to Sybella more than Ismae.

I found this to be a more emotionally-charged book than Grave Mercy. While the companion novel certainly had its moments of deep, personal issues, it just seemed more filled with action to me. And I loved the change! Dark Triumph has a personal, psychological lens to it and I couldn't be happier. I connected with the characters and their predicaments so strongly.

Speaking of characters? Beast. I have been waiting for a character like this my ENTIRE LIFE, someone that is just a good, strong, caring person but not necessarily the best-looking. He's physically unattractive but still able to draw people in and make them hang on to his every word? Yes please, male leads that are not shiny robots. Sybella, as mentioned before, was also an amazing protagonist. I loved how unapologetically fierce she was.

Just as with Grave Mercy, the older, more historically-rich feel of the book was great. I found myself slipping into the older speech patterns for days after finishing the book, that's how into it I was.

Well worth a read! I can't wait for Mortal Heart!

5 Golden Crowns!

Cover Comments: Still loving the fierce girls with weapons look. You go, Sybella. Also, have I mentioned I love the spines of these books? Because I love the spines of these books.

The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson

The Wrap-Up List by Steven Arntson

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Source: c/o Thomas Allen & Son (thank you! <3)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Format: Hardcover, 240 pages
Release Date: January 8, 2013

In this modern-day suburban town, one percent of all fatalities come about in the most peculiar way. Deaths—eight-foot-tall, silver-gray creatures—send a letter (“Dear So-and-So, your days are numbered”) to whomever is chosen for a departure, telling them to wrap up their lives and do the things they always wanted to do before they have to “depart.” When sixteen-year-old Gabriela receives her notice, she is, of course devastated. Will she kiss her crush Sylvester before it’s too late?

Friendship, first love, and fantasy artfully mesh in this magically realistic world that ultimately celebrates life.

Steven Arntson skillfully manoeuvres the topics of death and friendship in this relatively light-hearted supernatural read.

Gabriela has received notification that she is going to "depart" (die) in one week. Before this happens, she has been generously provided the opportunity to write up a list of the things she hopes to accomplish before her death and hopefully figure out a way to escape it. Gabriela's voice shines in this first-person novel with sharp wit and dark humour.

Despite the morbid concept, The Wrap-Up List is actually a refreshingly light read. Gabriela's final days are filled with family, friends and laughter rather than despair at her impending doom. Her wrap-up list, the list of things she'd like to accomplish before passing, was wonderful and I loved how much she discovered about herself and the people she loved in the process of trying to fulfil it.

The supporting cast of characters is a diverse and wonderful group of people, all there to support Gabriela and each other in their own special way. It's clear to see the unique place each holds in Gabriela's life and a nice change to see that they actually have their own lives as well. The fact that these characters have their own concerns independent of their friend is a welcome plot point in my eyes.

Despite the inventive concept, The Wrap-Up List is a novel you will find both easy to believe and easy to read.

Cover Comments: I love that the wrap-up list is featured so plainly. It certainly managed to get my attention!

4 Golden Crowns!

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

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Source: Raincoast Books for review
Publisher: Harcourt
Format: Paperback, 351 pages
Release Date: January 18, 2010

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . . 

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn’t fit into Jessica Packwood’s senior year “get-a-life” plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth—and he’s her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire’s Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war — and save Lucius’s soul from eternal destruction.

Vampires. Maybe you're sick of these fanged creatures or perhaps you're like me and can't get enough of them, but either way, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side provides a likeable and unique take on them.

I've heard different opinions on the tone of this novel ranging from more serious and probing to light and easy. Really, I'm going to say that this is one of those novels where it's up to YOU to decide how you want to take it. There were definitely some deeper issues about self-worth and coming into your own but if you want to take it at face-value as the wonderfully entertaining read that it is... go for it.

The novel is told in alternating perspectives with Jessica and Lucius at centre-stage. Both of these characters had strong, distinct voices and contrasted nicely with each other. I appreciated Jessica's analytical mind and loved Lucius' dry humour. Getting a chance to get into both of their minds was definitely an element that worked well for this novel.

Both of the these characters make some interesting transformations throughout the course of the novel. For Jessica, this means discovering who she truly is and learning to love herself. For Lucius, it's adjusting to a new life in America (however temporary it may be). In both cases, the characters are forced to change their way of thinking and watching that happen was one of my favourite things about the story.

A well-written novel that succeeded in making me both laugh and think.

Cover Comments: It's cute! Pretty standard but visually-appealing, I think.

4 Golden Crowns!

CANADIAN RESIDENTS: There's still time to win a copy of Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side HERE!

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

A Girl Named Digit by Annabel Monaghan

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Source: Publisher for review
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Format: Hardcover, 192 pages
Release Date: June 5, 2012

Farrah "Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actually enjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in . . .

Fast, fun, and just plain adorable... there's three words to describe Annabel Monaghan's fiction debut, A Girl Named Digit.

Farrah, code name nickname "Digit," is a secret math genius. She's tried to keep it secret from her normal, popular friends lest she get labelled as the numbers freak again, but there's no denying that she scored perfect on her math SAT. Now, as far as I know, Annabel Monaghan doesn't share Digit's genius-level affinity for numbers (WHO KNOWS) but she does do a wonderful job of setting the scene in Digit's head. This girl eats numbers for breakfast, breathes in patterns and trends like air and still manages to be a character I could connect with. Digit's wired for math, yes, but she's also into bumper stickers and boys (correction: one dedicated and likeable rookie FBI agent boy).

A Girl Named Digit is a short but action-packed adventure. I had high hopes for a light read that involved terrorist codes and secret hide-outs, chase scenes and romance, and Monaghan met them all. There was never a chance for me to worry about some of the more far-fetched concepts because I was having too much fun to notice!

With a romance that will keep a smile on your face and a plot that will keep you on your toes, A Girl Named Digit is one that I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Cover Comments: Fun and SHINY... what more could I ask for? I was seriously surprised when I looked at the size of it though... So much fabulous in so few pages! :)

4.5 Golden Crowns!

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

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Source: Won
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Hardcover, 549 pages
Release Date: April 3, 2012

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

You want to talk about a unique and interesting premise? Try this: ASSASSIN NUNS.

I can list many, many painful ways that this idea could go horribly wrong but R.L. LaFevers, as far as I’m concerned, nails it. I never had a moment of thinking that the ASSASSIN NUNS were just put in there for shock value and the way that they were integrated into the story made perfect sense. The historical aspect of the novel was also extremely well done and while this is quite obviously an alternate history, the details are rich and authentic.

Along with the premise, I loved the moral conflicts that were brought up. Ismae begins the novel as a skilled but relatively untested assassin (NUN) and while I admired her confidence and devotion to her task, I also really liked watching her question the things she had been taught. Ismae is forced to make some leaps of faith in the novel and focus on her own instincts and while this isn't the style I usually go for, I loved it on Ismae. 

As can be expected in a book about ASSASSIN NUNS (and no, I am never going to get over that), this book is rife with action, mystery and adventure. The novel boasts a rather hefty size but I didn’t even notice it as I tore through this read.

I’ll leave you with one last thought… ASSASSIN NUNS!!!

Cover Comments: Well first off, talk about an awesome tagline! I love that and if I were just browsing in a bookstore, I definitely think it would draw me in. Not that that’s the only thing either. I love the background tones and the bold, even font.

4 Royal Crowns!

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

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Source: Finished copy for review from publisher
Publisher: Harcourt
Format: Hardcover, 305 pages
Release Date: May 8, 2012

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?

Enchanted is such a charming, lovely read... Surely a group of bookish fairy godmothers have sprinkled some magic on to each and every page! :)

I lost track of the different tales and stories that Alethea references, however small. It's clear that a lot of thought and planning went into fitting them in seamlessly and it definitely pays off! The threads between stories are intertwined so perfectly and reading through the book to discover the next is a treat.

Sunday is a delightful main character. She is kind and interesting (no matter what that pesky rhyme says) and just generally good. I adored her relationship with Rumbold from the moment it began -- they were just way too sweet! Although they fall for each other very quickly, it's done in such a heart warming manner that I couldn't bring myself to mind.

Reading Enchanted made me want to fall into the world for myself and experience the magic and wonder that seemed to be everywhere. There's just some quality to this novel that I can't describe that really brought me back to when I was younger and reading all these fairytales for the first time. Alethea Kontis creates a mesmerizing atmosphere and doesn't release you from its hold until the very end.

Enchanted definitely lives up to its title.

Cover Comments: It's so pretty! Love the real fairytale look of it.

4.5/5

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm

Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink by Stephanie Kate Strohm

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Source: Publisher for review (ARC)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Paperback, 204 pages
Release Date: May 8, 2012

A story of crushes, corsets, and conspiracy

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. But at Camden Harbor Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

On the lookout for that fun and breezy summer read? Look no further than Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink.... Almost guaranteed to make you smile.

Libby was a super fun protagonist. She's a total history nerd, has a love for fashion and has quite a few sassy lines that will make you laugh. While I thought that Libby was heaps of fun, I did have my moments of annoyance with her. There was one big thing in particular that I thought Libby was so incredibly naive about. I understand where she was coming from but it just seemed like a very, very, very obvious mistake in my mind. That said, I think Libby's positive attitude and friendly character outweighed the negatives in her behaviour.

Libby's hilarious best friend, Dev, was definitely my favourite character in the novel. I laughed at every encounter with him and I really do think that he proved to be an amazing friend for Libby. Garrett, the local reporter, was great with his nerdy tendencies and quick comebacks.

The romance is fairly believable and makes for a read that is very easy to get through. I loved all of the historical details that are sprinkled throughout the novel -- Libby really knows her stuff! -- and I think of anything, that's what I would want to learn more of. Libby's group of camp girls were absolutely adorable and I loved every minute spent with them!

Fun, quirky and fast-paced, Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is the perfect summer read!

Cover Comments: It's so cute! It also matches the story quite well, which is always great.

3.5/5

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

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Source: Thomas Allen & Son for review
Publisher: Harcourt
Format: Hardcover, 534 pages
Release Date: March 6, 2012

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.

5 Reasons Why You Should Read Illuminate

1. You'll feel like you know the MC, Haven, from the very start.

Maybe you do know a Haven! You probably do. She starts off shy and bright but then you can see her confidence start to grow and soar throughout the book. She'll do things she never thought herself capable of and you'll cheer her on because she is so easy to connect with. Haven made some pretty good calls and I loved having her as my guide through this wonderful novel.

2. There are 534 pages to devour!

I get that for non-readers, this is probably more of a negative, but for me? Let the cheering commence! I'm pretty greedy when it comes to books - I just want more, more, more. With such a lengthy read, I was worried that my mind would wander, but it never did. Although the action doesn't start until later on in the book, the first portion will keep you well entertained with the characters and setting. Even just the set-up is fun!

3. The Lexington Hotel... it is gorgeous!

I'm not really a setting person so when I notice and comment on it, it's usually pretty notable. The Lexington Hotel, where the book takes place, has an amazingly vibrant atmosphere. There are such intricate details describing sections of the hotels and I really felt like I had been transported there. Plus, there are these hidden nooks and crannies which made me feel like I was on some kind of treasure hunt.

4. The suspense will grab you, slowly but surely.

So the whole situation behind the Lexington Hotel is kind of a creepy one. Haven sneaks in on some pretty freaky things and there is this almost tangible wrongness in the air amidst the gorgeous people working at the hotel. Even a lot is revealed in the summary, the tension and suspense still builds until you're desperately flipping pages for more.

5. The Two Ls <3

Oh, sigh. Lance and Lucian. Who will you pick? Lucian is almost irresistable with his charms and confidence while Lance is someone that you can always count on to be there right by your side. Personally, I'm definitely Team Lance, but I can see that I'm in the minority. Whichever type you go for, I'm sure one of these boys will win you over.

Are you convinced?

Cover Comments: It's absolutely gorgeous. I love the shimmer in the background and the swirly kind of lighting around the title. Haven's looking good (in her RED DRESS!) and I love the shadow of a wing in the place of a fully grown one.

5 stars

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for an interview with the lovely Aimee Agresti and a giveaway for Canadian residents!

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

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Source: Purchased

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Release Date: October 1, 2008

Format: Hardcover, 471 pages

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.     

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

WHY did no one tell me to read this book earlier? Oh... wait... you all did. Sorry about that.

If you were here a couple of weeks ago, you might have seen my Why Fantasy Rocks post, inspired by Graceling. Now, you can probably imagine that this isn't a very normal occurence with the books that I read. Hopefully that gives you a bit of an idea as to how much I seriously loved this book!

If I could use one word to describe Katsa, it would be a survivor. She does whatever it takes to keep herself alive and is probably the most fierce character I've ever read about. She has this focused, determined air about her and the strength comes in buckets. This isn't to say though that Katsa is a cruel, heartless killing machine. Kristin Cashore does such an excellent job in adding dimensions to her character that show her vulnerability and her deepest fear that she really is a monster.

The other two characters that really stood out to me were Po and Bitterblue. Po was a fabulous character and really perfect for Katsa. He had a more laid-back demeanour but could definitely hold his own in a fight. I thought it was amazing that even though Katsa wasn't shy about showing him up at times, he just accepted it humbly instead of sulking over the fact that he'd been beaten by a girl. HUZZAH for a guy that isn't intimidated by a girl being able to do something better than him. Then there was Bitterblue! I was bouncing around in my seat when she was first announced since the book with the same title is due out soon. I must say, I can't wait to read it! Bitterblue was young in this novel but already her tenacity shines through. I loved the relationship between her and Katsa!

The world that Cashore has created is nothing short of fantastic. The Seven Kingdoms seemed so well-developed with their visual descriptions, political plots and different rulers. It's kind of crazy to me that I could feel like I knew so much about a character without even actually meeting them but that's what was happening. Over and over again. The Graces were also an extremely well-done (not to mention cool) idea.

A new favourite!

Cover Comments: I like the use of colour! The eye reflecting off the dagger (or is it a sword?) is kind of creepy but it does work well with the story. I love how fantasy this cover looks!

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber

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Source: Review from Thomas Allen & Son
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Format: Hardcover, 192 pages
Release Date: October 25, 2011

Perry Stormaire is a normal high school senior– he is busy applying to college and rehearsing with his band –until he agrees to go to the prom with the Lithuanian exchange student who is staying with his family. It turns out that Gobi Zaksauskas is not the mousy teenager that she seems but rather an attractive, confident trained assassin. Instead of going to the prom, Perry finds himself on a wild ride through the streets of New York City as Gobi commandeers the Jaguar his father lent him for the prom in order to take out her targets. Perry learns a lot about himself – and ends up with some amazing material for his college application essays.

If you've been searching for a break from your typical reads, Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick is the way to go!

From start to finish, this novel is packed with action and excitement. Images will be shattered, punches will be thrown and bullets will be fired - all in a very short time. This is the kind of book I can totally picture becoming a movie. It's not exactly a complicated plot - more direct lines from Point A to Point B - but it was fun to read nonetheless.

The characters for me were... pretty good. Perry is responsible and good-natured. I liked the genuine effort he made to be a good person. I'm not really quite sure what to make of Gobi. There were things I liked about her personality and things I found a little under-developped. Overall, Perry and Gobi were interesting to read about but not incredibly memorable.

I really liked the inclusion of the college essay questions. I thought they were a creative way to kind of guide what in the following scenes to focus on and besides, they were so interesting! It was definitely cool to see what different universities had asked and the wide range of topics that were explored.

An adventure that is both fast and fun!

Note: While this is technically YA, I would say it's intended for an older audience, perhaps even better suited for adults. Just a thought!

Cover Comments: Hello NYC! Looking nice and bright there. Not quite sure what you're wearing, Gobi, since I distinctly remember the outfits you wore (trust me, you will too) and a brown leather jacket doesn't seem to fit the bill, but whatever.

3 stars

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis

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Source: Thomas Allen & Son (ARC)
Publisher: Harcourt
Release Date: November 14, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages

Seventeen-year-old Holly Mullen has felt lost and lonely ever since her boyfriend, Rob, died in a tragic accident. The fact that she has to spend most of her free time caring for her little sister and Alzheimer’s-stricken grandfather doesn’t help. But Holly has no idea that as she goes about her days, Rob’s ghost is watching over her. He isn’t happy when he sees his best friend, Jason, reach out to help Holly with her grandfather—but as a ghost, he can do nothing to stop it. Is his best friend really falling for his girlfriend? 

As Holly wonders whether to open her heart to Jason, the past comes back to haunt her. Her grandfather claims to be communicating with the ghost of Rob. Could the messages he has for Holly be real? And if so, how can the loved ones Rob left behind help his tortured soul make it to the other side? 

Told from the perspectives of Holly, Jason, and Rob, Wherever You Go is is a poignant story about making peace with the past, opening your heart to love, and finding the courage to move forward into the light.

Wherever You Go packs a heavy punch of emotion. With carefully chosen words and a fantastic set-up, it's no wonder that Heather Davis managed to ensnare me in Holly's world.

This novel is told from 3 different perspectives: Holly, Rob and Jason. This alone would usually be enough to give me something to love but with the 1st person, 2nd person and 3rd person, it definitely gave it an edge. The inclusion of Rob in 2nd person was a marvellous idea and it was so interesting to be able to put yourself in the place of a ghost.

Holly's personal story is really the thing that I liked most about this book. Her family is struggling to make ends meet and Holly has so much pressure on her to hold everything together. It is heartbreaking to see her try and balance Rob's death, school, taking care of her little sister, helping with her Alzheimer-stricken grandfather and sorting out the relatively new prescence of Jason in her life. Through of all of it, Holly's strength and kindness shine through.

The emotion conveyed in this novel is pitch-perfect. Rob's journey in particular is an emotional one, as he tries to figure out what exactly he should be doing now that he's left the ranks of the living. There is justifiable confusion in all of the characters and it was a well-paced progression to the places where they could deal with it.

Wherever You Go is remarkably real, even as slight paranormal elements come into play.

Cover Comments: I like it! The ARC I have has really washed-out colours, a lot more than the pictures online. It makes me curious to see what the finished hardcover looks like. Of course, that Laini Taylor blurb does wonders for the cover as well ;)

4.5 stars

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Source: Library
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 293

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.

When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.

I really should read more historical fiction. I rarely pick it up but I find that when I do, I enjoy it. The Vespertine was no exception.

The Vespertine drew me in from the first page with its beautiful prose and the lyrical dialogue that comes with a novel set in older times. The descriptions are lush and I felt like I had been transported back in time as I continued reading.

Saundra Mitchell blended paranormal elements in with more classic historical sections with ease. The prologue especially gave the novel an air of mystery and I was on tenterhooks trying to pinpoint the moment it would all start to go downhill.

The characters held my interest as well and really rang true to the time period. I liked the tight-knit relationship between Amelia and Zora who seemed more like sisters than cousins and the male love interests were pretty swoon-worthy themselves. We have Nathaniel, the more rebellious artist that Amelia enters a forbidden romance with and Thomas, the classic gentleman that Zora snags. I liked the build-up of both relationships and where we could see emotions start to shift and deepen.

Overall, The Vespertine was a gorgeous novel with a perfect surprise ending.     

Cover Comments: Okay, so I know that everyone loved this cover. Personally, I think it's okay but a little predictable. You know - sad girl, pretty dress, earth tones. I like the gold lettering though. Also, isn't there another book coming out in 2012 with the same girl/dress in red?