Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

(All Souls Trilogy #1)

Hardcover, 579 pages

Published February 8th 2011 by Viking Adult

Rating:   4 Stars


Summary: 

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together. 

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. 

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

My Thoughts:

I have to say that when I first got this book I had never heard of it before. I was at my library looking through my new book section, thought it looked interesting, and took it home. It really was a pleasant surprise to realise that I had found a little treasure trove of awesomeness in the novel I had picked up. Granted, it did take me a while to finish (it's pretty big), but I finished it none less. Diana, a powerful witch who refuses to use her powers, teams up with Matthew Clairmont to protect an old book that may hide the key to not only vampire's existence, but for witches and dameons alike. 

It really was a great book with a really interesting plot. There's just enough of romance and really juicy historical facts to keep you going and the many characters are always nice. It does have some downers, like the fact that the ending leaves you hanging and the fact that there are moments in the book that make you want to throw in down or fall asleep. But I think because it's so large it makes up for its disappointments. 

What I liked about it:

• The Story. It was really different from anything that I had read recently and definitely refreshing. I like to think that there really are witches and vampires out there.
• The Romance. Diana and Matthew have that romance that we all want to have. If they ever make this into a movie I nominate Richard Armitage for Matthew!
• The History. Considering that the author's a history professor at USC, the stuff in the novel was really interesting and I could relate a lot of what was mentioned with the knowledge of the time period they spoke of.
• The Characters. There were so many and each was a interesting as the next with rich history (the main characters anyways).

HIGHLIGHTED CONTAINS SPOILERS 

What I didn't like about it:

• The "In-between" Scenes. Between the main events of the little multiple climaxes of the story there seemed to be resting periods for the characters. Not that I mind, but simply nothing happened and there didn't seem to be much plot development. There's only so much I can take of horse back riding.
• The Minor Characters. There were some really interesting people that never got to be explored. 
• The Yoga. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it. But there's so much of it and it does nothing for the story. It's like the author just put it there so she could introduce new settings.
• The French. Because some of the characters are french the author felt like it would be cool to write some of the passages in french. Now, I take french in school, but I still had to visit Google Translate for some of the lengthier passages.
• The Kidnapping. You'd think in a house full of vampires and witches she wouldn't get kidnapped. 

Should You Read it?

If you're in for a long read that's filled with romance, historical tidbits, and an interesting story line, that go for it. 

Cover Rating:  3.5 Stars

Not the prettiest thing out there, but it does grab you attention.

Happy Holidays!

I know you probably won't read this, but seeing as Christmas is very nearly over and the New Years celebrations are about to begin, I thought, why not start up the old book blog again, eh? That should be my thing. 


So yeah... here there it is. My New Years resolution for 2012. Read and blog more! 


I've also just watched Doctor Who and I'm emotional right now. That show really gets my tear ducts going. 


Anywho, watch out for me in the coming year and even a little bit before then too. I have a lot to catch up on. 


Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Review: Tangled by Carolyn Mackler

Tangled by Carolyn Mackler
Hardcover, 308 pages

Published December 29th 2009 by HarperTeen (first published December 16th 2009)

Rating:   3.5 Stars

Summary:

  Paradise wasn't supposed to suck.

  Not the state of being, but a resort in the Caribbean.

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all there for different reasons, but at Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Paradise will change them all.

  It will change Jena, whose first brush with romance takes her that much closer to having a life, and not just reading about those infinitely cooler and more exciting.

It will change Dakota, who needs the devastating truth about his past to make him realize that he doesn't have to be a jerk just because people think he's one.

  It will change Skye, a heartbreakingly beautiful actress, who must come to terms with the fact that for once she has to stop playing a role or face the consequences.

And it will change Owen, who has never risked anything before and who will take the leap from his online life to a real one all because of a girl he met at Paradise. . . .

From confused to confident and back again, one thing's certain: Four months after it all begins, none of them will ever be the same.  (Goodreads)

My Thoughts:


Must I say that this is definitely a nice breath of fresh air. With the different point of views we get a glimpse inside each of the characters mind. Jena was so relatable that I could almost find myself doing some of the things she does. Dakota, although definitely a jerk, grew on me and became a very well thought out character. Skye, a conflicted teenage movie star, gave me the wrong impression at first and I immediately hated, just as Jena did. But, similar to Jena, you realize that she's going through things as well. And Owen was just utterly adorable. If I could imagine my future husband I would definitely say it would be him. He's sweet, but insecure. He's awkward, but understanding. I love 'em.


What I Loved:

• Jena and her book of everything. Her numerous quotes and ideas. And her similar thought processes as my own. She's awesome.
• Dakota and his character dynamics. He changes for the better and realizes what his faults have been and seemingly tries to be a better person. And, after everything he's been through with his girlfriend, I'm glad he's moving on.
• Skye and her problems. They were so real and completely plausible. I'm glad she was able to get help.
• Owen! He's so sweet. Period.

What I Didn't Like:

• I just couldn't grab my interest. Believe me when I say that it wasn't the book, it wasn't me.
• The ending wasn't satisfying enough.

Should You Read It?

If you're in the mood for a sweet romance with real, authentic, original characters, then yes. You really, really should.

Cover:  3 stars

It's cute enough I suppose. The ribbons were sweet and quirky and metaphorical.

Review: The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published August 10th 2010 by Razorbill

Rating:

5 stars

Summary:

Haven Moore can't control her visions of a past with a boy called Ethan, and a life in New York that ended in fiery tragedy. In our present, she designs beautiful dresses for her classmates with her best friend Beau. Dressmaking keeps her sane, since she lives with her widowed and heartbroken mother in her tyrannical grandmother's house in Snope City, a tiny town in Tennessee. Then an impossible group of coincidences conspire to force her to flee to New York, to discover who she is, and who she was.

In New York, Haven meets Iain Morrow and is swept into an epic love affair that feels both deeply fated and terribly dangerous. Iain is suspected of murdering a rock star and Haven wonders, could he have murdered her in a past life? She visits the Ouroboros Society and discovers a murky world of reincarnation that stretches across millennia. Haven must discover the secrets hidden in her past lives, and loves¸ before all is lost and the cycle begins again. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts:


 When ever I'm looking for a new book to read, I don't normally go for the reincarnation themed loved stories -not after my experience with Evermore- but the hype surrounding this book and it's plot sounded really interesting. What I didn't expect was what it actually was: an amazing, original piece of literature. It's a story of mystery, romance, and a hint of fantasy with unexpected surprises around every turn. It's just really, really, really, really awesome and before you know it, it becomes one of those books that you won't be able to put down.


What I Loved About It:

• The first part of the book is set in Haven's tiny home town of Snope City, Tennessee where we're first introduced to the characters. Miller's writing is charming and really draws you in, getting to to care for -or in some cases- hate characters right away.
• I now it might sound weird, but I really liked Haven's uber religious and extremely mean grandmother, Imogen. I hated her with a passion, and because of that, I got really involved with the book.
• I loved Beau, Haven's gay best friend. He was so nice and became an awesome addition to the plot. 
• Now, Iain Morrow. What can I say? Is it weird that I'm completely in love with this fictional character? Dreamy, mysterious, rich, and a seemingly nice person. 
• The plot twists in the novel were unexpected and every chapter you had no idea what to expect.
• The Ouroboros Society was an interesting component. Something that seems really plausible. :)
• The ending. 

What I Didn't Really Like About It:

(As I write this, I can't really find much I don't like about it. But I'm sure I can think of something...)

• A lot of the people in her home town get on your nerves really easily. 
• Some of the characters seem really unbelievable and really shallow.
• I would've liked to read more about Leah and her church. She helped Haven a lot and we don't really learn much about her.
• Some of the dialogue kinda sucked, especially the southern expressions and such. 
• I didn't get to see as much Rebecca and Adam as I would have liked.
• That priest guy, Dr. Tidmore, personality change was weird...

Is it Worth the Read?

If you want an interesting mystery with equally interesting characters and an awesome plot, it's definitely worth the read.

Cover: 3 stars

I didn't actually realise the cover was a snake until I read about what it symbolized. Plus, it's kinda plain...

Review: The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Hardcover

184 pages

Published October 27th 2009 

by Farrar Straus Giroux 

Rating:

3.5 Stars 

Summary:

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?
With overtones of Jane Austen’s Emma and brimming with humor and heart, this sweet, frothy debut will be savored by readers. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

It had been one of those weeks were I really couldn't get into a book. Everything I picked up lost my interest instantaneously. Maybe it was school, maybe it was the family, but it really doesn't matter. I came back right after I finished this book. I have to admit, I was kind of hesitant. As much as I loved the cover, I was worried it wouldn't be something I'd like because it's really short.


The story is told from first person POV. Jane, our main character is an "equal opportunity ditcher", spending her time away from her classes working at a coffee shop and studying the relationship that drinks have with people. Before she knows it she's setting people up and becoming the local matchmaker.


What I loved about it:

• The entire concept of the story was too cute to resist. Coffee and Love? As cliche as it may seem you can't resist it.
• Jane seems like someone you can really relate to. She's not perfect and can sometimes be sorta thick headed. But, in the end, she's just like everyone else.
• Throughout the book you get to learn new coffee terms and what she thinks of each person that drinks it. My favorite:

Small Pumpkin Spice Latte

 Lots of fun and a bit sassy. Up-to-date with a the latest trend and has a bit of an exotic flair. Wants to have a good time and not be tied down for long. Cute and playful. Likes a good thing but not too much of a good thing. Not the commitment type. She's the kind of friend who is a lot of fun to hang out with and doesn't make you feel like you owe her anything...

• The various love stories that go about along with the many different characters she gets to meet.

 What I Didn't Like

• Jane and Em got on my nerves sometimes...
• You'd expect that the matchmaker herself would hook up but you don't know whether the one guy she likes is a douche or even likes her at all. Then she gets with someone unexpected and your like: "WHAT?!" 
• You can't believe that some of the characters are that stupid.
• Some what unbelievable -cute- but unbelievable.
• A lot of characters are introduced and you'd expect to get to know them better, but they don't really amount to anything. I guess, this being a short book you'd expect that, but still...

 Should You Read It? 

Yes. It might not be stellar writing, but it's definitely worth a quick read.

Cover: 4 stars 
It's cute and really inviting. Plus the coffee looks yummy! 



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