DEITY by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I finished Deity on Sunday, and I'm still a little devastated. 0_0

Loved the book/story as usual.  Seriously, LOVED IT!  But the events that took place, the total change of character (one character in particular), and just the overall outcome…  My ninja mind just can't take it in.

*If I knew how to put in a gif, this would be where the person is crying, bashing their head against the wall, crying out "WHYYYYYYYYY" at the top of their lungs*

Anyone reading Deity--the third book in the Covenant series--most likely knows anything I'd reveal as a spoiler from previous books.  Plus, I don't know how to talk about the things I want to talk about without including at least some spoilers.  With that in mind, here are my thoughts.

First off, let's list the things I loved: Alex and Aiden's relationship, Alex's Uncle Marcus (I knew I liked you, sir!), the fast pace of the book, the writing, the Underworld scene, LEON!!!

And now, what made me so, so sad.

Team Seth took a major hit.  We're all still lying on the floor in our own tears, trying to recover from the Seth-bomb that exploded in our faces.  JLA completely flipped the script on us.  If you go into this expecting the same Seth from Pure, you're going to be disappointed (or, if you're like me, totally devastated).

I can't say I didn't see it coming.  Whenever there's a love triangle, especially in YA, the story usually takes one of two routes: 1) Make us hate one of the guys, or 2) Make one guy dull as dirt, so that no one in their right mind would choose him over the other guy.  As we know, Seth would never fit into category 2.  So, we're left with the hate option.  Why not just make the two guys different, each an equally viable love interest, and then have the girl choose?

Seth did some awful things in this book, but the one that really got me was how he mistreated Alex.  He was literally abusive to her (locking her in her room, not letting her leave, draining her life energy ON PURPOSE).  I couldn't believe it--until I remembered the Hate Rule.

In Pure, Seth was cocky and conceited (and already under the influence of Lucian and his evil ways).  But he was NOT a soiciopathic megalomaniac bent on getting power at the cost of the one girl he truly cared about.  Alex was his friend, if not the girl he was in love with.  I never got a clear answer on why he made that leap to the Dark Side.

Though I got plenty of reasons/answers for Aiden's actions.

*Sigh*  That's another thing that bugs me about love triangles.  Even when the narrator discovers that one guy did basically the same things as the other guy, the girl always sees one as the knight in shining armor and the other as doggy poo.

Or in Seth's case, a calculated, psychotic evil dude.

I'll just say this (***MAJOR SPOILER WARNING HERE***): If Aiden had had more time, he would've hunted Minister Telly down just like he did that daimon guy Eric--which, of course, we don't see on the page.  No doubt in my mind.  And Alex would've probably kissed him for it.

In short, LOVED the book.  HATED what was done to Seth's character.  Can't wait to read Apollyon in hopes that Seth will redeem himself.  Though at this point, he'll probably have to die in some incredibly brave way to do it L.

Happy Reading,

Ninja Girl

POW (Page One Wow): CINDER by Marissa Meyer

 

Hi there!  I'd been trying to think of something I could post on a weekly basis (besides reviews, of course).  And there are so many great meme's out there--which I love participating in--but I kinda wanted to do something different.  Something ninja-based.  Something with a kick.

Thus, POW (Page One Wow) was born :-).

Books I love usually draw me in from the first page.  Not always, but 95% of the time.  They kick me in the teeth.  They grab me by the shirt collar.  They make me swoon, laugh, hold my breath.  The books I love make me pay attention.  I think POW is perfect for me as a reader (plus, it has a snappy ring to it lol!)  So, I'm going to post a few lines from the first page of a book (current or past read), and say whether or not I think it has POW.  Feel free to chime in!

First up: Cinder by Marissa Meyer.

"The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle.  Her knuckles ached from forcing the screwdriver into the joint as she struggled to loosen the screw one gritting twist after another.  By the time it was extracted far enough for her to wrench free with her prosthetic steel hand, the hairline threads had been stripped clean.

 

Tossing the screwdriver onto the table, Cinder gripped her heel and yanked the foot from its socket.  A spark singed her fingertips and she jerked away, leaving the foot to dangle from a tangle of red and yellow wires."--page 1, Cinder

 

So, does it have POW?  My answer would be a great, big YES!  I was immediately pulled in.  Loved the visual of her unscrewing and then yanking off her own foot.  I was curious.  I wanted to know more.  And I hope the rest of the book packs as much oomph :).

What did you think?

Hope everyone had a great holiday,

Ninja Girl

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

 

I have so much to be thankful for: family and loved ones, my good health and theirs, Ninja Aunt P's Thanksgiving meal (it's A-mazing!), my support system (Agent T is the best agent a girl could ask for, and my family's belief in my books never fails to inspire me).  The love and passion I have for writing.  The fulfillment I find in my job.  My awesome students, who make that job worth going to every day.  My fantastic followers.  Great music, great reads.  Speaking of...

 

I'm super thankful for whoever delivered BAM's latest book shipment!  Tonight, I'm starting Deity-- and if tradition holds, I'll be reading into the early morning hours.  Is there a better way to ring in Turkey Day than with a great book? ;)

 

Ninja Girl out!

JACK FROST IS A...SLYTHERIN?!?

Okay, so this is where I let my geek flag fly lol.  I recently saw the trailer for the movie Rise of the Guardians, and imagine my surprise when I spotted a familiar face.

You've gotta admit...there's a definite resemblance.  And if that wasn't enough, Jack even has a wand.





I'm onto you Dreamworks.  White blond hair, fair skin, moody expression.   Just smack a slytherin tie on that kid, and we could call him a Malfoy.    Draco is not amused.





Thought this was funny (but it's probably just me).  Hope everyone has a great week!

Ninja Girl a.k.a. Harry Potter nerd for life :-)

GRAVE MEMORY by Kalayna Price

 

One of my first reviews when I started the blog (2 years ago this coming February!) was of this series.  I loved it then, and I love it now.  Let me 'splain.

The Alex Craft Novels aren't as well-known as some other urban fantasies.  I can kind of understand b/c there are so many great UFs out there.  But as far as story goes, I'm not sure why it's not as popular.  I dig that, though, because it makes me feel like I'm part of some special, super-secret club.

Those of us who know Death vs. Those of us who don't.

Believe me, you want to know Death.

 

The hero in this series is irresistible.  First, he's Death with a capital "D," like the personification of death itself.  Second, he's a reaper ,and Alex is a grave witch (i.e. human who can raise shades and speak to the dead).  The reapers have all these rules--including this whole "no fraternizing with humans" rule--so if you want forbidden romance?  There you go.  Third, Death is a rule breaker.  This is probably my favorite reason to fall for Death.  He steps in to save Alex's life time and time again, sometimes in heart-stopping ways.  This book was no exception. 

Oh yeah, and he looks great in a pair of jeans, has a thing for coffee, and is willing to give up his immortality for Alex.  Death = Reaper rule-breaking heartthrob.  There is a lot of Death in this book, so yeah.  The romance was on point.  I laughed, swooned, held my breath.  Some might say there's a triangle, but I only see Alex and Death.  Hope to see more of their relationship in this series.  And thank you Kalayna Price for choosing the right guy for our girl!

Another great reason to read these books (and this one in particular) is PLOT.

I'll be honest.  This book didn't pick up for me until about page 100.  That's because, as with most series, authors feel the need to "catch everybody up."  The first hundred were basically a reintroduction to the world of Alex Craft.  I didn't need it--but hey, new readers might have.  For me, page 124 is where it really took off.  I'm about to reveal a bit of the plot, so if you don't want to read, skip down past the ***SPOILER*** labels.

***SPOILER***

"A queasy uneasiness reverberated through every cell in my body.  Three bodies couldn't be a coincidence.  Nekros had a serial killer.  Weapon of choice: suicide."--page 124

***END SPOILER***

That made the sleuth in me sit up and say, "Ooooh."  The plot itself was inventive and unique.  The part where Alex finally figured it out made me perk up, and I read the last 2/3 of the book a lot quicker.  And then, of course, Death played a key role in the last half of the book, which really made this one a winner in my eyes.

I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that Kalayna Price is my new best friend.  I'd make coffee for Death any day.  Caleb, Alex's fair-weather fae friend, is currently on my "you kinda suck" list.  Agent Falin needs to get his crap together.  Alex and Death forever.  And I can't wait to read book 4!

Happy reading,

Ninja Girl

DEBUT AUTHOR CHALLENGE 2013

 

Hi there, everyone!  I decided to do a challenge, and this one looks right up my alley :D.  I love discovering new voices in YA.  A lot of times debuts are my favorites.  I don't know if that's b/c the authors just seem fresh to me or b/c they put everything they had--soul, passion, creativity--into that first book, but it's true: Debuts rock!!

My goal for this challenge is to read and review 12 YA debuts.  See that new page up there?  The one labeled DAC 2013?  Yep, that's there to keep me honest lol!  That way I'll have a written record of my goal (along with this post, of course) to keep track and to remind me to read on.

Here's my list:

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Uses For Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield

Reboot by Amy Tintera

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson

Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory

The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door by Karen Finneyfrock

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Sheperd

 

Looks pretty good, right?  Honestly, the books all sound amazing, so I don't think I'm going to have any trouble completing the challenge.  Not picking favorites or anything, but the one I'm looking forward to most...

 

 

Yeah, I'm not even going to front.  I've been dying to get my hands on this book since I found out Gail Carriger was trying her hand at YA.  The title, the description, that COVER!!  *faints*

 

Hope everyone has a great holiday,

 

Ninja Girl

THANKSGIVING READS AND FOLLOW FRIDAY

Hi there!  Here's what I'll be reading over the break :-)

Both books sound fantastic--and just look at those eye-candy covers *__*  I loved Cat Patrick's Forgotten, so I have high hopes for Revived.  I also have another book heading my way courtesy of Ninja Aunt P.  Hint: It may feature a hot/loveable apollyon and a fiesty half-blood.  Hopefully, it will arrive some time next week :).

 

It's been a while since I've done FF!!  Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, two awesome ladies with crazy good blogs.  Features for this week are Reach For the Stars and Bookworm8921.

 

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book?

 

I'm not sure this would be a "great" book.  It might be awful.  Actually, it would probably be awful.  BUT it's the one that popped up in my head first, so...

 

 

Either that or...

 

 

So apparently, I just want to convert dance movies/musicals into books lol!  The reasons are pretty simple.  If someone could capture the passion of Dirty Dancing in book form, I think it'd be literary gold.  And I'd love to pick up a book and find Jack Kelly/Christian Bale as the male lead.  I mean, come on.  He's the Batman!

 

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!

 

Ninja Girl