DOUBT STINKS

Been feeling kind of down lately (kinda like that guy up there).  There's no reason in particular, more like a whole bunch of small reasons/mostly dumb ones that I shouldn't let get to me.  SO, since we all know doubt stinks, I decided to post a little mood music.  Enjoy!!

And if doubt comes a-knockin' at your door, just kick it in the butt and keep on truckin'!

Hope everyone's having an awesome week--and if you're not, just know that it will get better :)

Ninja Girl

THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas

I LOVED IT!!!

Oh gosh, I can't even…I don't even have the words.  Honestly, I can't understand why someone wouldn't love this book. To each her own, but for real: This book was such a great addition to the fantasy genre, the girls-kick-a** genre, and the I'm-so-excited-for-Book-2-I-think-I-may-go-nuts genre.  If you've ever read a fantastic introduction to a series, you know what I mean J

According to the acknowledgements, Throne of Glass took Sarah J. Maas ten years to write (i.e. from word one to "The End" and finally to publication).  Ten years!  Believe me when I say that not a second of that time was wasted.  Her heroine, Celaena, was absolutely masterful.  And when you put a fierce girl like that into a book driven by character, supported by setting, and positively brimming with adventure, mystery, and plot, it is a beautiful thing.

The story opens with Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's #1 assassin.

For the past year, she's been imprisoned in the Salt Mines of Endovier--a place so brutal most people only last a month before they're broken.  When Chaol Westfall, the Captain of the Royal Guard, comes to escort her to the castle, Celaena thinks this must be it.  They must've finally decided to kill her.  However, the Crown Prince isn't interested in her death.  Instead he asks Caleana to be his representative in a competition to win her freedom and ultimately become the King's Champion.  Celaena isn't too concerned with the other 23 competitors.  She knows she's the most deadly of them all.  But when something starts attacking and killing champions, Celana discovers a terrible evil, long-forgotten magic, and a destiny that's been waiting for her.

Again, I really enjoyed Celaena.  One of my favorite things was that she knew exactly how deadly she was.  She was very guarded, having been betrayed once before (she believes that's how she ended up in Endovier; though it's never confirmed).  BUT, she's also impossible not to like/respect.  A will of steel, a kick-butt personality and the skills to back it up, Celaena Sardothien stood out in a crowded field of fantasy heroines.

And I might as well go ahead and say that I'm Team Chaol J

Loved Prince Dorian; he was carefree and sarcastic, yet capable of becoming a good king.  Still.  The Captain was my guy.  I loved Chaol Westfall more :-P  He was a little cold, a tougher nut to crack for sure than the playboy Prince.  Favorite line from the jacket cover: "The Crown Prince will provoke her.  The Captain of the Guard will protect her."  Explains both love interests in a nutshell.

Celaena didn't really need protecting, but when she did, Chaol was there.  Celaena had a deeper connection to him; plus, Chaol could totally kick Dorian's butt!  I REALLY hope they end up together.  The romance wasn't overpowering, but it was done with a deft hand.  Fan-freaking-tastic!

Oh, there's not enough room for all the awesome in this book.  It definitely reminded me of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (but better imo).  Maas put everything you need for a great fantasy into this book: great characters, plenty of action, a little mystery, a dash of romance and that certain something that makes the book completely unique.  Throne of Glass was tops.  I'd recommend it absolutely, without reservation.  If you're about fantasy girls kicking butt, you NEED this book!

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

P.S. Here's the jacket summary b/c I just don't think I did it justice :D

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle.  She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom.  If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King's Champion and be released from prison.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her.  The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she'd have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle--and it's there to kill.  When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival--and a desperate quest to root out the source of the evil before it destroys her world.

HIDDEN GEMS

Hi everyone!

There've been a lot of books that I've read that I just haven't had the time to review--BUT these are some of the best hidden gems I've found in YA.  Hopefully you guys will like them, too!!

 

Geek Magnet was hilarious!!  Literally laugh-out-loud funny :)  I can't belive I didn't know who Kieran Scott was before I found this!

 

 One of my absolute favorites by Meg Cabot!  This is still one of my favorite books!

 

 

Romance, creepy ghost story, everything.  Wake Unto Me was in a word: amazing :)

 

Have a great Labor Day weekend everybody!!

 

Ninja Girl

CROAK by Gina Damico

A sixteen-year-old Grim Reaper-in-training learns the ropes of the "family business" one summer in a town called Croak.  With a gripping hook like that, how could I resist? J

But I'll be honest it didn't really and truly HOOK me until I read the first few lines.  Want a tiny preview?

Teaser:

Lex wondered, for a fleeting moment, what her principal's head might look like if it were stabbed atop a giant wooden spear.

"I can't imagine why you're smiling young lady."--page 1 of Croak

Seriously???  I cracked up, right there in the bookstore!  If there's a better, more hilarious beginning for a reaper book, I don't know it.  So, anyway, that's what made me actually buy the book.  What kept me reading was the interesting, tongue-and-cheek tone.

Let's look at the facts: Lexington "Lex" Bartleby and her twin sister Concord "Cordy" Bartleby were named after the first battles of the Revolutionary war.  Lex has punched more people's light out then Rocky.  After one too many schoolyard fights, her parents ship her off to her Uncle Mort in a town called Croak--kind of a last attempt at curing her wily ways.  But there Lex learns that her attitude problem is just a sign that she's coming into her own as a Grim Reaper.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the scene where she meets Driggs--the oddball-kind-of-cute teenage guy living in her Uncle Mort's spare bedroom who (whom?) she walks in on in the bathroom.  Trust me, it was so unexpectedly funny.  And I also really liked Ferbus, Driggs's geeky gamer sidekick.  Ferbus was the funniest character in the whole book imo, even though he was only a side character.

I also loved how the book handled the Afterlife, an actual place where souls go once they've been collected by the Grims.  The scenes featured George Washington, Abe Lincoln, and a very morose, very funny version of Edgar Allen Poe, who had an ongoing tiff with Teddy Roosevelt.  Gina Damico's take on them--and the funny she was able to infuse into those stiff personalities--was nicely done.

I will say there were a few times--especially toward the beginning--where I felt like Lex sounded younger than 16.  The first half read more middle grade to me, despite the cursing.  And one more thing that I didn't love was the ending.  Kinda took a serious turn in the end and there was a death that I didn't think needed to be there, but again, that's just my opinion.

Loved all the funny parts, and I really thought Damico took this concept of Croak and turned it into a real town with real people.  It was a very cool read!

Hope everyone's enjoying their week,

Ninja Girl

TUNE IN TUESDAY: S. Carey and Ida

Hi there!  Tune in Tuesday is hosted by Greads--and even though it's technically Wednesday, the linky is list is still open so... :-)  First is "In the Dirt" by S. Carey.  Long intro, and I really love the lyrics.

This second vid is the live (and best imo) version of "I Can Be" by Ida, the X-Factor winner from Denmark.  Just discovered it last week and have absolutely NO WAY to get the song since I live in the U.S. :(  Guess sometimes it pays to be Dannish.  Enjoy!!

Hope everyone's having an awesome week!

Ninja Girl

MEANT TO BE by Lauren Morrill

Oh how I loved this novel, let me count the ways J

Right when I saw the cover for Meant to Be, my eyes smiled.  Then I read the book summary, and my brain and heart were both in agreement: I needed this book.  Pronto.  It even inspired a Waiting on Wednesday post--which I only do when I'm really, REALLY salivating over a book.

NetGalley was kind enough to provide the goods, and I have to say, Lauren Morrill did not disappoint.  Meant to Be delivers on every level.  The romance, the laughs, the great London adventure, and two memorable characters who are so different yet so right for each other.

Love it when a book can hook you and then actually fulfill what the jacket promises!

Julia isn't your typical teenage heroine.  For one, she doesn't just believe in love.  She believes in "meant to be"--true love, fated love that finds you when it's ready.  And Julia believes she's already found her MTB.  Even if they haven't spoken in years.  Even if he doesn't know it yet, the charming, handsome Mark Bixford is her fate.

Everything should be gravy, but when Julia goes to London and inexplicably starts to fall for Jason Lippincott, class clown and bane of her existence, it makes her question everything she's ever thought about MTB.

Jason annoys the heck out her with his crude jokes and wildly inappropriate behavior.  He makes Julia want to break the rules just to prove to him--and to herself-- that she's not just a boring "book licker."  But Jason's also charming and sweet when he wants to be.  Singing to her in the park, pulling her into an impromptu dance, kissing her on a rainy day.

Julia thought she had it all figured out.  But,is it Mark or Jason?  Who's really her MTB?  And when all is said and done, will he feel the same?

My favorite parts of the book were the romantic scenes between Jason and Julia.  *Sigh*  That one was a no brainer.  I absolutely loved the scene on the London Eye.  It was exactly what it should be--him catching her fall, both of them not wanting to pull away--so totally romantic.  And their first kiss!  A rainy day in London, in a deserted field far away from everyone, a moment purely theirs?  Miss Morrill certainly has a way with writing heart-melting scenes.  Loved it!

And I also loved that Julia was exactly the opposite of the teenage cynic.  There were times when she and Jason deliberately hurt each--which I didn't like.  But Julia's take on love and "MTB" was so fresh and endearing.  I liked her very much with her lists and her non-rule-breaking persona.  A young girl who actually believes in true love.  Imagine that J

I really liked this one.  I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, romantic YA contemporary!

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

CRUSADE COMPLETE!

Holy crap, is it August already?!? 0_0

And for the conclusion of Cupcake Crusade 2012, here are the best of the rest!

Most Photogenic goes to Jilly's Cupcakery in Alpharetta, GA.  That pic is a feast for the eyes, no?

Best Box is a two-way tie between Hello Cupcake in D.C. and Gigi's Cupcakes.

Biggest Disaster also goes to Hello Cupcake (which was totally my fault not theirs.)  Note to self: Do NOT ride circulator bus or crowded Metro with sweet treats.  Those poor, poor cupcakes...

Best Service goes to the staff (or owner rather) of CakeDreams in Maryland and to Gigi's in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The girl who served us at Gigi's actually reminded me of the main character of one of my books :D

Most Thoughtful goes to Ninja Aunt C who brought us Curbside Cupcakes and even joined me and Ninja Aunt P at a few stops on our Crusade.  She rocks!!

That completes Cupcake Crusade 2012!  Hope everyone has a great week with great eats and good company.  And when in need of a little pick-me-up: Keep calm and have a cupcake :-)

Ninja Girl