Now Reading: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Book Two in The Hunger Games trilogy
Published September 1, 2009
ISBN-10: 0439023491
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498

SPOILER ALERT: For those who haven't read The Hunger Games, I've blocked out bits here that would give big things away.

So, I haven't just started reading Catching Fire, but rather just got to posting it on the blog. I'm just getting into part 2, titled The Quell, which means we're getting into the Games again. What I'm absolutely loving about Catching Fire thus far is it is all about the repercussions Katniss is facing since she won the seventy-fifth Hunger Games.

I knew it would never just be that. Not in Panem. Here I find out that because of her little trick in the finale of the Games, which led her and Peeta to both win for District 12, all the districts are in an uproar. It's never been done. Never been thought possible. Now, there's rebellion and hope. President Snow won't let that happen, however.

Because of Katniss's display in the arena, I'm guessing she'll be the tribute pulled for the Quarter Quell Games, which is a series of the Hunger Games that only occurs every twenty-five years. Because it only occurs during these times, the stakes are raised and the dangers are increased. Will the "Girl on Fire" survive a more deadly version of the Hunger Games? I'm eager to find out.

Review of Catching Fire to follow.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
Book Two of The Infernal Devices
Published December 6, 2011
ISBN-10: 1416975888
ISBN-13: 978-1416975885

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

We continue the saga of The Infernal Devices (TID), a series that takes place hundreds of years before The Mortal Instruments (TMI). We meet various characters that are the ancestors of our favorite Shadowhunters in TMI, and we learn that in Victorian London, the Shadowhunters themselves were just starting to learn that they are not the most feared entity to Downworlders. Ever since the Magister raised his army of clockwork monsters, we've understood that the Shadowhunters' rule will be challenged. The back flap blurb makes me very excited to leap into Clockwork Prince so I can discover who the Magister is as related to the Shadowhunters and what exactly they did to force his hand against them.

I am excited to get back into the dark allies of Victorian London and experience how the Shadowhunters will react to this threat. Clare's writing never lets down. While the series is clearly Young Adult, it is so flawlessly written that you might think at times, it borders Adult. Her dark descriptions, her attention to detail. Oh yes, I'm ready.

Review of Clockwork Prince to follow.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Book One of the Hunger Games Trilogy
Published December 14, 2009
ISBN-10: 0439023483
ISBN-13: 978-0439023481

I really can't believe it's taken me so long to read The Hunger Games trilogy. I remember being a Junior in college and hearing about the first novel's release and how well it was received. And that might actually be an understatement. I don't have much to say other than I'm stoked. One, to actually have it downloaded on my Kindle and ready to go, and two, to have seen the fantastic new full first trailer of the film. I can't comment yet like real fans of The Hunger Games, but I'm ready to be impressed by that film.

I would normally spiel a little bit about the book for those who haven't read it, but this time, it's the other way around. Everyone knows what it is about and I'm the one in the dark. After this comes Divergent, by Veronica Roth. I do have to say the cover is stunning. It's simple and gorgeous. I've gotten to the part early in the book where Katniss is describing the Mockingjay pin, and how it's a cross breed of two birds. I'm ready to indulge.

I did preview the book a while back, but never got to read it. Here's that day! I need a tiny break from my urban fantasy kick, anyway. I'm sure the review will be within the next month, perhaps sooner.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: Hexed by Kevin Hearne

Hexed by Kevin Hearne
Book Two of the Iron Druid Chronicles
Published June 7, 2011
ISBN-10: 0345522494
ISBN-13: 978-0345522498

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, doesn’t care much for witches. Still, he’s about to make nice with the local coven by signing a mutually beneficial nonaggression treaty—when suddenly the witch population in modern-day Tempe, Arizona, quadruples overnight. And the new girls are not just bad, they’re badasses with a dark history on the German side of World War II.

With a fallen angel feasting on local high school students, a horde of Bacchants blowing in from Vegas with their special brand of deadly decadence, and a dangerously sexy Celtic goddess of fire vying for his attention, Atticus is having trouble scheduling the witch hunt. But aided by his magical sword, his neighbor’s rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and his vampire attorney, Atticus is ready to sweep the town and show the witchy women they picked the wrong Druid to hex.

There's really not much to be said for this post other than I'm stoked to start reading it. I literally just finished Hounded the other day and immediately downloaded Hexed to my Kindle. The cover art is a nice change up from the Hounded, also. You can clearly see the celtic knots on Atticus's arms (from which he can recharge his magic).

So based on the back cover run-down, I'm putting my guess on Atticus will be in deep shit this time around. In the climax of Hounded, he pissed off some people, but saved more. He has gods and deities watching his every move because he's finally shown how much a powerhouse a two-thousand-something year Druid can be. The flap makes me guess he's going to be taking on more witches and Atticus despises witches over any other creature. Should make for some good, clean family fun.

Review of Hexed to come.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: Hounded by Kevin Hearne

Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Book One of the Iron Druid Chronicles
Published May 3, 2011
ISBN-10: 0345522478
ISBN-13: 978-0345522474

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

I've been hearing only wonderful things about this new series, so I of course had to give it a try. Like all other reviews have stated, the first few pages have excitement. Atticus has magnificent voice that is reminiscent of Harry Dresden, which in all respect to Kevin Hearne, could very well be the druid's mentor. He has flare and style in the way he moves and talks, and that all shows in the writing.

Atticus wears an amulet imbued with iron, the natural weakness to faeries and all things magical. What I found instantly fascinating is the way that it all is described: Hearne has a finesse about giving you a lot about Atticus's history and what he did to get to this point in his life. I'm only three chapters in, but I can see this series being one to gobble up.

There's a great handful of mythology behind the story, too. Two characters that I've met in a previous series (The Secrets of Immortal Nicholas Flamel), the Morrigan and Hecate (or Hekate), make an appearance. Celtic lore is the backbone of this series and I'm extremely excited to learn more about it.

Review to come.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: The Warlock by Michael Scott

The Warlock
Book Five of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel
Published May 24, 2011
ISBN-10: 0385735332
ISBN-13: 978-0385735339

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series will easily go down as one of my favorite YA series to date. This is the fifth book of the series and in the next installment, The Enchantress, the war of Nicholas, the Twins of Destiny, and other famous Immortal warriors will end. They've been battling Dr. John Dee since the first book as the he grew an army of Immortals, Elders and baddies from all corners of mythology.

In this installment, we discover Nicholas Flamel is dying and fast. He will not live out the night. The Twins of Destiny, Josh and Sophie Newman, have been separated -- Sophie who has remained loyal to Nicholas and his wife, Perry, -- and Josh, who was taken and seduced by Dee and his minions to believe Flamel is evil.

What I know so far is that this novel will not take place in only one era. I'll say no more. Just know that time traveling is on the list of things to do.

These books are an easy and addicting read. If I haven't mentioned it in the original review of the first novel, my favorite part of the series is that it all takes place in the course of a week (so far). DANG! That's talent.

To send you off, here's a sketch I did of good ole' Nicholas Flamel. Yeah, I do remedial sketching when writing gets me down. It's nice to have a fall back.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels
Book Four of The Mortal Instruments
Published: April 5, 2011
ISBN-10: 1442403543
ISBN-13: 978-1442403543

Who will be tempted by darkness? Who will fall in love, and who will find their relationship torn apart? And who will betray everything they ever believed in?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.

I still remember the day I downloaded the sample of City of Bones. One week later, I blew through the first three books of The Mortal Instruments. It's the kind of YA fantasy that has characters you become attached to from the first meeting.

Now here, in the fourth installment of the series (something no fan of Clare saw coming), we're going to deeper into the world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders. The conclusion of City of Glass left a lot of us wondering what could have happened after "happily ever after" resolution. Of course, it was far from a "happily ever after." There were the hints that there was more story to be told. Is Valentine dead (again)? What's to become of Simon? Can all those hurt repair their pain after Valentine's war? Will Clary and Jace be together despite the truth? And something we all want to see happen, will Magnus and Alex be together?

I'm excited to jump back into this world. Review of City of Fallen Angels to come.

Now Reading: Beyond the Shadows by Brent Weeks

BEYOND THE SHADOWS
Book Three of the Night Angel Trilogy
Published: December 1, 2008
ISBN-10: 0316033669
ISBN-13: 978-0316033664

Logan Gyre is king of Cenaria, a country under siege, with a threadbare army and little hope. He has once chance - a desperate gamble, but one that could destroy his kingdom.

In the north, the new Godking has a plan. If it comes to fruition, no one will have the power to stop him. Kylar Stern has no choice. To save his friends--and perhaps his enemies--he must accomplish the impossible: assassinate a goddess.

I am very excited to finally finish the Night Angel Trilogy. Here in the conclusion, after so much happening in the second book, Shadow's Edge, you couldn't possibly think some greater scheme is at large. WRONG! Brent Weeks made the choice to throw the large battle of Pavvil's Grove in Shadow's Edge, ready to impress you in Beyond the Shadows. It was like the Battle of Pelennor Fields all over again.

So here, after only reading the back flap, I know I'm expecting a fireworks finale. Kill a goddess? A new Godking rises? This means Kylar is taking on a hit greater than the last -- he's going right to the source, the goddess Khali, who empowers the Godking, his Vurdmeisters and wytches with the corrupting "vir." It'll be one heck of a showdown, for Kylar is a user of Talent, the one force of magic that opposes the vir all together. It's like the two sides of The Force. Oh yeah, going to be fireworks for sure.

Review of Beyond the Shadows to come.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP

Now Reading: Shadow's Edge by Brent Weeks

SHADOW'S EDGE
Book Two of the Night Angel Trilogy
Published: November 1, 2008
ISBN-10: 0316033650
ISBN-13: 978-0316033657

Kylar Stern has rejected the assassin's life. The Godking's successful coup has left Kylar's master, Durzo, and his best friend, Logan, dead. He is starting over: new city, new friends, and new profession. But when he learns that Logan might actually be alive and in hiding, Kylar is faced with an agonizing choice: will he give up the way of the shadows forever and live in peace with his new family, or will he risk everything by taking on the ultimate hit?

I went out on a whim when I first picked up The Way of Shadows from my local Borders. It was the first novel of a new series from an author I had never heard of or even dreamed of exploring.

Am I ever glad I did!

Brent Weeks has a voice and rich world that rivals my other current great love, Jim Butcher. Where Butcher relies on his clever dialogue, Weeks's world is mighty, grand, and full of surprises. It is your classic fantasy setting, with a twist here and there. The city is falling apart in places and flourishing in others, and amidst all of it is the boy, Kylar Stern, who became one of the greatest wetboys (assassin) in Cenaria.

I am very excited to finally pick up Shadow's Edge after a long love affair with Butcher. I'm ready to return to the world of wetboys, prostitutes who are equally as dangerous (if not more), and magic that just astounds me. I'm a sucker for a fantastic magic system, and Weeks's use of "vir," tattoo-like magic, always draws me in. Then there is the mysterious "ka'kari," a series of artifacts each imbued with the protection of a single element. But there also exists the powerful silver ka'kari, which belonged to Durzo. Kylar has yet to fully explore the ka'kari's true potential, but I expect Shadow's Edge will deliver more explanation, more world, more character, and more gritty death and violence that made me glad I picked up The Way of Shadows.

Review of Shadow's Edge to come in recent weeks.

Peace and Writing Love,

JWP