What Kills Me

Author: Wynne Channing

Series: Stand Alone (for now??)

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Action

Publisher: Jet & Jack Press

Released: June 6, 2012

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.

So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire blade smith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

For Fans Of: Hush, Hush, Forbidden, Angelfire, Crave, Graceling.

My Review: I acquired this eBook from Wynne Channing about a month ago (I geeked out after reading a text from Hopeless Wonderer while camping that we got a free copy--Thank you!). It saddens me that it has taken me this long to read it. Not that it was boring; it was far from being dull! I’ve read my fair share of vampire books and this one was far different from all the others I have read. Zee (Axelia) isn’t the torn between staying human and trying to stay with her vampire lover. It is the exact opposite. Zee kicks butt! You all know that I love a strong heroine and Zee definitely delivers! She’s the reluctant vampire who thrills in finding out her superhuman powers are unmatched by any other vampire. I love how Channing has written Zee’s character. She is like the innocent, carefree girl who suddenly finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time but is very good at adapting to any of the circumstances that stand in her way. Zee’s wit was fantastic and I loved how light hearted she was and loved her even more when situations got dirty and serious.

The love story between her and Lucas seemed rushed. I’m a hopeless romantic (part of the reason for my pen name) and I love to read budding and blossoming romances that tend to bloom and grow throughout the entire book, not the last 4 chapters. I feel that Channing could have made more subtle hints about Lucas and Zee liking each other. It seemed too much like Lucas was constantly annoyed with Zee and mad that he had to honor his father’s wish to watch over her. I am happy they ended up together though, don’t get me wrong!

Sometimes the transition between chapters and scenes were too choppy for my taste. There were a few where I thought I had a bad copy and that somehow my Kindle left out a chapter or two. However, it did make the book flow very fast. It almost had a ‘movie’ feeling to it, like how you can suddenly jump from one minute to 2 days later and you knew exactly what was going on. I got that feeling after a few times of encountering this little irk.

Oh yes! I absolutely loved the fight scenes. They were very detailed and I could almost see them happening! Through all the fights, I thought, “gee this would make an excellent action/martial arts movie!”

All in all I found What Kills Me a really fun, fast paced, original read. Definitely worth a few hours of your time!

The Bandit King

Author: Lilith Saintcrow

Series: Romances of Arquitaine # 2 (Formerly the Hedgewitch series)

Genres: Fantasy, Romance(ish?), Adult

Publisher: Orbit

Released: 1 June 2012

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com Tristan d'Arcenne is what he always wished to be--Vianne di Rocancheil's Consort. But Vianne is no more a noblewoman, she is the Queen of Arquitaine, faced with treachery, invasion, war, and a Consort whose secrets may well shatter their marriage. For before Tristan was hers, he belonged to a King...and that King died by Tristan's hand.

Arquitaine needs them both. The country is locked in a deadly game whose rules change by the moment. The Queen is an adept player, but hardly ruthless enough. The contest requires a man who has nothing to lose, a man who has already done the worst and will continue to do so for his wife, his country, and his own salvation.

The Bandit King approaches...

For Fans Of: The Hedgewitch Queen

My Review:  If you want to read about how I felt about The Hedgewitch Queen (the first in this duology) click here.  But, let me update, when I reviewed the first one I had (obviously) not read the second one.  So some of the problems that I had with the first one were redeemed in the second because the slowness I felt in the pacing of the first was really a setting up of sorts for the second.  Phew, I hope that made sense, probably not.

Anyways, The Bandit King is told from Tristan’s point of view.  Now Tristan was the character that kept me interested in the series so I was pretty excited to read this one purely because it is his point of view.   What I wasn’t expecting: How dark and dreadful Tristan’s mind was.  I thought all those brooding stares were out of love.  Nope.  Well, kind of.

And that sums up how I felt about this book.  Kind of good about it, but kind of annoyed.  I feel like Tristan and Vianne never really get on the same page with each other.  They’re always one step behind or ahead of the other.  Vianne is cutting Tristan out of everything and does quite a few things without asking for his advice, though in her defense Tristan is kind of a lying dog jerk face meanie. The thing with these books is that I went into them thinking they were a fantasy-heavy light-romance fun kind of read it is not that.  The Bandit King is based more on politics, intrigue, magic, and the inner workings of the aforementioned topics.  The love story that we were first introduced to takes a complete back burner (if not being completely obliterated altogether).

I felt that this was a good conclusion, and I can’t say I didn’t like hearing from Tristan, he just wasn’t what I expected him to be.  Then again, if I think about it, he was exactly what you would expect from a trained assassin and King’s Left Hand.  I’m giving it a three because I was satisfied, but I was bummed about the stuff that went down romance-wise.

Something, Maybe

Author: Elizabeth Scott

Series: Stand Alone

Genres: Realistic, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Released: 24 March 2009

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showcasing photos of pretty girls and his party lifestyle all over the Internet, and her mom was once one of her dad's girlfriends and is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for way too long, Hannah has mastered the art of staying under the radar...and that's just how she likes it.  Of course, that doesn't help her get noticed by her crush. Hannah's sure that gorgeous, sensitive Josh is her soul mate. But trying to get him to notice her; wondering why she suddenly can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn; and dealing with her parents make Hannah feel like she's going crazy. Yet she's determined to make things work out the way she wants—only what she wants may not be what she needs...

For Fans Of: Perfect You, Bloom, Keeping the Moon, and The Truth About Forever

My Review: Something, Maybe falls perfectly into the category of “Dessen-esque” as in, this book reminded me a LOT of Sarah Dessen’s work.  I loved Sarah Dessen when I was in high school, and usually I’ll pick up her books if I see that she has released a new one.  She has a formula, of course, but I love her characters so much that I don’t really care. So, anyways, Something, Maybe felt like her books.

I enjoyed Something, Maybe it was a pretty entertaining read, and Hannah’s voice had that insecure, realistic mood to it as well as that all-encompassing crush on the wrong guy that happens to all of us at least once.  You know, the guy all of your friends warn you about.  She works in the fast food industry  and sometimes she gets to school late.  Basically Hannah is the epitome of a “normal” teenager.  Except for her family life.

Dysfunctional families are truly what Scott excels at, and Something, Maybe may have been the most dysfunctional of them all.  Hannah’s dad is a Hugh Hefner like character with her mother being an Ex-Bunny.  Her dad has a television show that is basically a Playboy version of Jersey Shore.  I don’t watch enough tv, but I’m pretty sure there was actually a reality show about the man who doesn’t know how to get dressed in normal people clothes.

Anyways, this was actually the one problem I had with Something, Maybe.  Hannah is so normal and Finn is a cutie, but it seems strange to me that she can be that normal with a mother and father who literally don’t seem to care about her (and basically just use her throughout the entire book).  How do normal kids come out of these warped environments?  I feel like this book is definitely more for the older set because in a lot of scenes Hannah’s mother is wearing basically nothing but lingerie.  What’s even stranger is that this is a book, in which a major plot line is about the pornography industry, is quite obviously meant for High School and Middle Grade readers. 

Although I liked the book, it was fun to see Hannah and Finn fall in love, and Hannah’s personality is one that kept me laughing, plus it’s pretty short, coming in at just over 200 pages.   I was disappointed with that major part of the subject material.  Basically, I’m not sure I would want my 13-16 year old daughter reading this (I mean in the future, when I have kids, but still).  I mean, I get the YA books are trying to be current on today’s issues, and bring a different focus to things, or whatever.  But seriously, what happened to Caroline B. Cooney?  I mean, she was awesome.

The Last Princess

Author: Galaxy Craze

Series: Stand Alone

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance.

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Released: May 1, 2012

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.

Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.

For Fans Of: The Lost Code, Revived, Renegade, The Forsaken, and Survive.

My Review: I picked up this book because 1. It takes place in England. I love anything English. 2. It was yet another dystopian novel which I’m obsessed with at the moment. 3. It involves a princess. I like the fantasy incorporated in a dystopian society.

The beginning was almost exactly like the story of Princess Anastasia; the Royal family destroyed and one princess escapes. I mean Eliza sneaks out through a secret passage way in Buckingham Palace. Doesn’t Anastasia do that in the movie?

Eliza joins the enemy forces trying to find the man that destroyed her family. The girls in the army are ruthless. I felt so bad for Eliza when they began to bully her. The army and the Death Camps for those still loyal to the Crown reminded me a lot of World War II because of one man trying to rise to power (Hitler) and the Death Camps (Holocaust) to kill the royal prisoners.

However the one crucial thing missing was the romance. The ‘romance’ was brief and feeble. I was more under the impression that the book was about Eliza defeating all odds and coming out triumphant; getting rid of those who wish harm to the Crown. That is what I thought was the main plot of the story. It really didn’t need romance, but it is mentioned and when romance is mentioned you have to follow through with it. I just wasn’t convinced with the little love blossom.

The Last Princess was a very quick moving story. It doesn’t leave time for you to breathe. It’s one scene to the next and by the time I knew it, I had finished the book.

I will warn those setting out to read it; I don’t get queasy easily, but this book had me cringing at some parts. Galaxy Craze (awesome name) is very detailed in her writing, so beware.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I like how it ended summing everything up but leaving a chance for perhaps a sequel. 

Along for the Ride

Author: Sarah Dessen

Series: Stand Alone

Genres: Realistic, Summer, Young Adult, Romance

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Released: 16 June 2009

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.
A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.
In her signature pitch-perfect style, Sarah Dessen explores the hearts of two lonely people learning to connect.

For Fans Of: Something, Maybe, The Truth About Forever, What Happens After Goodbye

My Review:  I love Sarah Dessen books, mostly because they all follow a familiar pattern, and Along for the Ride is no different.  However, maybe because I loved some of Dessen’s other novels so much more or maybe because this is set in a different town than the atypical “Sarah-Land” I had a little bit of a harder time.

Sure, the Eli/Auden relationship is incredible and I loved reading it, as is the insomnia (this made me wish I had insomnia) and I loved the bike riding thing, and the fact that both characters had some pretty big issues that they needed to overcome, however the problem for me with Along for the Ride is the fact that I felt like all of these scenes were being checked off of a list.

Normally I don’t feel this way about Dessen’s books, normally the flow is effortless and lovely and completely enamoring, but this time around I didn’t feel that way I felt like “oh, I’ve reached X amount of words, insert first kiss where” and so on. There was just something about this one that felt so much more chemical than the others.

I always recommend Sarah Dessen books, especially to girls in high school because I feel like Dessen really gets things right, but I would probably recommend The Truth About Forever, This Lullaby, or Just Listen before this one.  This one felt like Sarah Dessen meets The Hills.  I liked it, but I didn’t love it.

Hereafter

Author: Tara Hudson

Series: Hereafter # 1

Genres: Paranormal, Ghost Story, Young Adult, Romance

Publisher: HarperCollins

Released: 7 June 2011

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com Can there truly be love after death? Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but "will" him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive. Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever. Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, "Hereafter" is a sensation you won't want to miss.

For Fans Of: The Ghost and the Goth, A Certain Slant of Light, and Spellbound

My Review:  Hereafter was definitely one of those books that I liked, but it didn’t necessarily stick with me.  Amelia is such a lovable ghost.  She is sweet and fun and I really enjoyed her voice in the novel.  The same can be said for Joshua, he accepts all of the things that are happening to him with ease, and you can really feel that his love for Amelia goes beyond simply lust.  I think those were my favorite things about this novel though.  The ghost story is a little bit dated, like I had seen it somewhere on television, or I had read it somewhere before.

There was just something about Hereafter that made me keep saying to myself, “oh, well that’s typical” like there was a checklist of things that belonged in a ghost-story and the author went through and checked everything off that list and then sent it off to her editor.  It wasn’t that there was anything bad about this book.  There wasn’t.  It was well written, and pretty light material.  There were definitely some tense moments where you wonder what will happen next, but in the end I definitely felt like it was more typical than most, it didn’t really exceed any expectations that I had for a story about a ghost and a boy falling in love, but it did meet them.

Where She Went

Author: Gayle Forman

Series: If I Stay # 2

Genres: Realistic, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Released: 5 April 2011

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

For Fans Of: If I Stay, The Piper’s Son, and The Sky is Everywhere

My Review:  Okay, I’ll admit, when I saw Where She Went at the bookstore, I kind of freaked out.  I had no idea that Gayle Forman was planning a sequel, and because of that I was really hesitant to pick this one up.  If I Stay was such a good read for me, and I felt like it ended in a really good place without having to continue onwards.  So, it was with this attitude that I picked up Where She Went.  Purely to see what Forman had done.

And I’ll admit, I was a little bit surprised.   And, I’ll admit, kind of bummed that Adam and Mia weren’t together.  That Adam had, in fact, turned into kind of a dick.  Maybe I needed a refresher of If I Stay before I headed into this one, but really?  I don’t remember Adam acting this despondent.  Of course, If I Stay was told from the perspective of a loving girlfriend, and not from Adam’s point of view, but still.  A little confused at the character turn.

However, by the time Adam ends up in New York with Mia on their last night, I felt like he had begun to redeem himself a little bit.  Where If I Stay was all about Mia and her healing, or at least acceptance process, Where She Went is all about Adam’s acceptance and healing process.  I’ll admit, I spent a lot of time in this novel kind of wanting to rip my hair out, but in the end I was glad I read it.  If only to see what happened after If I Stay.  It was a quick read that definitely made you think, and if you’ve read If I Stay, I definitely recommend that you also read Where She Went.

If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Series: If I Stay # 1

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Paranormal

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Released: 2 April 2009

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

For Fans Of: The Sky is Everywhere, Saving June, and Before I Fall

My Review:  If I Stay, to me, seems like the book that every other book wants to be.  And I get it, really I do.  But if every book is trying to be If I Stay than what happens to other books?  Like, really original books that are just as good, or better than If I Stay?  Just wondering…

Anyways, I really enjoyed it (like many) it was both heart wrenching and hopeful and seeing Mia’s memories from the perspective that they’re shown is something really different and incredibly enjoyable when it comes to ya lit.  I felt like everything flowed together really nicely, especially considering the fact that not all of her memories are going in chronological order.

I really enjoyed that Forman gave us all a playlist at the end, music plays as much of a role as most of the characters, so I was grateful for that added help (and some of the songs became my favorites!) and thought that was put into this novel.  I liked that at the end the choice is still Mia’s.

This book definitely makes you think about what happens after death, do the dead linger with us?  Forman explores a lot of these concepts and really makes you think about what it’s like to die, and yet she still has a way of making you not think about death.  This novel wasn’t morbid, nor was it incredible hopeful.  It was about a life, and a choice.  Sometimes I think that the simplest of plots turn out the best of novels, and that’s how If I Stay was for me.

Unraveling

Author: Elizabeth Norris

Series: Unraveling # 1

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance.

Publisher: Blazer + Bray

Released: 24 April 2012

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life. But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process. From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

For Fans Of: Obsidian, Glitch, Glimmer, Twilight, and The X-Files (television show)

My Review: There is a book that I’ve read recently that this book really reminds me of, or maybe it’s a television show that I’ve watched?  That is how this book felt to me.  Like I had read everything in it somewhere before.  Don’t get me wrong, it was good.  I liked the characters (could have done with out so many F bombs, though) and Janelle and Ben played really well off of each other in that cutesy first love sort of way.  The science fiction aspect was pretty hard core and the author is pretty smart for being able to put it all together (although it did come out in the atypical “let me tell you everything about me” scenes) so that aspect I was a fan of.

I liked the action sequences, I loved the messed up character of the mom, but still, there was something that felt so familiar about this book…oh yes.  Because it reminded me of Twilight.  As in the epic read that everyone read and no one will admit to reading anymore.  Yep, that Twilight.  It felt like Twilight 2.0, with Norris going that extra half-inch with her characters that Stephanie Meyer never did, a lot of scenes felt like they were straight out of that read (the truck scene at the beginning, the big reveal, the in-fighting of a select group) it was a more action/adventure, science-fiction version of Twilight.  I promise that I don’t say this lightly.  Rarely do books remind me of other books, but as I was discussing this one with New Romantic I could not stop thinking about how familiar it felt, to the point where she wondered if I’d read it before (impossible, seeing as it only came out a week ago).

Unraveling was an entertaining read, it had everything that a reader is looking for in a young adult book, action/adventure, mystery, romance, a hint of the paranormal, some laughs, and some tears.  It was well written, though at times became a little redundant plot-wise.  It left me feeling a little bit ‘meh’.  As in: maybe I’ll read the sequel, but maybe I won’t.  It was really quick, pacing wise so you can read it in a few days, but it isn’t one that I would keep going back to like a bad habit, one read was enough for me.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns #1
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance.
Publisher: Greenwillow
Released: September 20, 2011
Summary:  courtesy of goodreads.com Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. Elisa is the chosen one.
But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will. Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young. Most of the chosen do.
For Fans of: A Beautiful Dark, Eragon, Rangers Apprentice Series, The Demon King.
My Summary: I have mixed feelings about this book. There were really good parts and other parts that could use some revamping. The first 3/4 of the book moved sooo slow. I don't know if it was because I didn't sit and read it in one sitting rather I read a couple of chapters then had to be somewhere and was constantly being interrupted. I don't know, but it moved quite slowly for me. The last 1/4 was like, boom bada bing it's done! And I was left scratching my head muttering to myself if that was really the end or not. I also thought it strange that when a close character died, Elisa didn't show any emotion after they died. Especially since they were really close. It almost felt like she just shrugged her shoulders and went on with life. I was left wondering if this person will come back later because of the lack of loss/emotion, how fast it happened and that the death was never really mentioned again after it happened. Pretty much I just didn't like the slow moving pace. But it's understandable, setting up for the whole story.
I loved Elisa! She seemed so real and down to earth. I loved her transformation, going from a girl of no confidence, always following and never leading and not the skinny beautiful type to a powerhouse leader who changed not only physically but became a strong heroine. I loved how well developed the world she lives in is. I love fantasy books and my favorite part is entering into a new world/land. Carson is wonderful and describing everything in detail. I got a perfect picture of what she was trying to show us readers. I also thought her story/plot was also very intriguing. Very original I thought. It was a good read and I can't wait for the next in the series. I give this a 3 out a 5 because I liked it but it moved too slow for it to really wow me.

The Hedgewitch Queen

Author: Lillth Saintcrow

Series: Hedgewitch # 1 (Now The Romances of Arquitiane series)

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Adventure

Publisher: Orbit

Released: 1 December 2011

Summary: courtesy of goodreads.com Vianne di Rocancheil is a lady waiting at the Court of Arquitaine, where she studies her books, watches for intrigue, and shepherds her foolhardy Princesse through the glittering whirl. Court is a sometimes-unpleasant waltz, especially for the unwary, but Vianne treads its measured steps well. Unfortunately, the dance has changed. Treachery is afoot in gilded and velvet halls. A sorcerous conspiracy is unleashed, with blood, death, and warfare close behind. Vianne must flee, carrying the Great Seal of Arquitaine with her. This is the one thing the conspirators need to rule, and they won’t rest until they have it. A life of dances, intrigues, and fashion has not prepared Vianne for this. Nor has it prepared her for Tristan d’Arcenne, Captain of the King’s Guard and player in the most dangerous games conspiracy can devise. Yet to save her country and avenge her Princesse, Vianne will become what she must and do whatever is required.
For Fans Of: Touch of Power, The Girl in the Steel Corset, and The Girl of Fire and Thorns

My Review: The Hedgewitch Queen was…well, it was.  There were a lot of things about The Hedgewitch Queen that I liked, and a lot that – fell short of what I wanted to happen. Let’s start with the bad news and work our way towards the good stuff.  First, this was long.  Exponentially long, and slower than molasses.  There were a lot of scenes that I kept thinking afterwards, “couldn’t that have been cut out?”  I mean how many times does a girl need to get a fever and nearly die, right?  However, I did feel as though the book was original, the ideas and the love story were both pretty gripping, but I found myself stumbling over certain words, a lot of words in Hedgewitch are in some sort of French that I couldn’t really understand, I got the jist of their meaning because of context, however I felt like they were overused.  Also: the ending was a cliffhanger!  After an extremely slow paced book there comes this big old blam of cliff-hangeryness that I hated.  Include the fact that after all of that un-needed fluff and stuff I was thrown said cliff hanger and that made me annoyed.  No, no thank you.

Tristan, however, Tristan was someone that I could latch on to, where Vianne seems to do a lot of stupid things regarding magic, Tristan remains (seemingly) levelheaded throughout the entire book, although I think my opinion of him will change with summaries, and reviews of The Bandit King coming out.  I would recommend this book with a warning, although I found it to be satisfying, a well thought out historical action/adventure/romance it will take a while to read.