NICOLE'S REVIEW: Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley

Title: Rites of Passage

Author: Joy N. Hensley

Format Acquired: eARC

Publication Date: September 9 2014

Publishing House:  Harper Teen

ISBN: 0062295195

Source of Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: 

Sam McKenna's never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.

So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She's expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility from some of the cadets who don't think girls belong there. What she's not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty...no matter how much she wants him.

As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don't just want her gone - they will stop at nothing to driver her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active...and determined to force her out. At any cost.

Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust...and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

        (Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review: 

Normally, I wouldn't even bother to pick a book like this up. The cover wasn't exactly the most appealing and the genre? Contemporary. I rarely read contemporary. So I'm really thankful to whatever force made me download a copy off of Edelweiss because this book was amazing. I couldn't put it down (I tried) and read it late into the night. It was worth the loss of sleep.

Sam McKenna is incapable of turning down a dare. Especially not when it's the last one her brother will ever give her. So she packs up and hauls herself over to a prestigious military school, becoming one of the first girls to join the ranks. She's a military brat so she's expecting long grueling hours of rigorous training. What she didn't expect was the hostility towards her, the brutal hazing and the taunting coming from some of the cadets who think that girls don't belong in military school. Add to that her startling attraction to her drill sergeant and uncovering a secret society determined to force her out, Sam isn't sure who to trust and she's got to make it through the year.

I love this book to bits. Sam and I could not be more different but it was the easiest thing in the world to connect with her character. She's physically and mentally strong with a terribly pragmatic mindset. I loved her tone of voice and the glimpses of femininity that pop up once in a while. She might be in a male-dominated school but Sam can bring it just as much as the boys. When all that hazing started and some idiots started picking one her I just wanted to tell them all to stop. When she was left all alone, wondering just how she was going to push through I wanted to tell her that I was cheering for her. And that she should totally smack those boys around because I was pretty sure she could have taken them. 

Then there's Drill. The totally swoon-worthy drill sergeant whom Sam can not have a relationship with. He's the one person she can truly trust and they're so perfect for each other that sometimes I just wanted to reach in and bump their heads together and scream 'KISS DAMN IT. KISS.' The story isn't romance driven so savor the moments guys. Savor. Them. Also, while Drill may be macho and definitely alpha, he's no douche and he respects Sam's strength and determination and admires her for it. He doesn't treat her any different than the other guys.

You know what else I love about this book? The secret society. It didn't sound like a bunch of utter bull and Hensley managed to seamlessly weave it into the story which made it seem believable and totally creepy. The hazing was brutal too and I'm pretty sure I couldn't have survived that, even if I wanted to. 

So I'm giving this book a 4.5 and I really recommend this to everyone. I'm practically shoving it in people's faces. The book practically oozes tension and suspense, boasts a protagonist who's got a great character arc and the pacing was just perfect. I'm really, really hoping a second book happens because while the book ended well it's just one of those books I wouldn't mind seeing more off. Girl power please. 

Can't wait for my own physical copy of this book and I'm buying anything with this author's name on it, no questions asked. You have totally restored my faith in contemporary. 

Rating: 

        

                          

The Twins on Thursday + Novel Nails #2: Vortex by S.J. Kincaid

"The Twins on Thursday" is reserved for the Twins' joint reviews. It is a special feature of our blog that discusses books that we either both like, dislike, or have mixed feelings about. This is also the day where we post reviews for books (and ARCs/Galleys) that have been sent to us by authors/galley sites/publishing houses. And because we don't believe much in uniformity, we'll be trying to mix things up a bit by adding random stuff in relation to our review (well, mostly for books we purchased anyway).

Title: Vortex
Author: S. J. Kincaid
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: July 2, 2013

Publishing House: Katherine Tegen Books

ISBN: 9780062093028
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:


The impossible was just the beginning. Now in their second year as superhuman government weapons-in-training at the Pentagonal Spire, Tom and his friends are midlevel cadets in the elite combat corps known as the Intrasolar Forces. But as training intensifies and a moment arrives that could make or break his entire career, Tom's loyalties are again put to the test.

Encouraged to betray his ideals and friendships for the sake of his country, Tom is convinced there must be another way. And the more aware he becomes of the corruption surrounding him, the more determined he becomes to fight it, even if he sabotages his own future in the process.

Drawn into a power struggle more dramatic than he has ever faced before, Tom stays a hyperintelligent step ahead of everyone, like the exceptional gamer that he is - or so he believes. But when he learns that he and his friends have unwittingly made the most grievous error imaginable, Tom must find a way to outwit an enemy so nefarious that victory seems hopeless. Will his idealism and bravado cost him everything - and everyone - that matters to him?

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

(You can check out our review for Insignia, the first book here.)

Tom and his friends are back in the Pentagonal Spire as Middles, and it's time that they started courting the five fat cats at the top into sponsoring them. When Tom mucks everything up, he'd sooner rather eat a super incredible Exosuit than accept any of Vengerov's terms and conditions, because what Vengerov wants is more than Tom is willing to sacrifice for a guy like him. However rebellious Tom may be, he may find that he might have to unwillingly give in, especially when Vengerov starts to press certain buttons. But with a little cunning and help from his friends, Tom has a fighting chance at doing things the only way he approves of - his.

There is no possible way that you can pick up Vortex and not expect to get sucked up. The shenanigans and hijinks the gang gets into are plenty and will not leave you with a dry eye from laughing so hard. In Insignia, the mood was a bit more serious and characters were empathized with. But in Vortex, the characters are given more breathing space to actually live like real teenagers so you actually feel like you're part of the gang and just hanging out.

Tom was similar to Sage/Jaron from Jennifer Nielsen's The Ascendance Trilogy in the sense that they both have problems with authority figures, and are both sarcastic and stubborn to a fault. Both Tom and Sage also do  the opposite of what anyone would normally aspire to do given certain conditions, but that's what makes them both dynamic characters. Tom is raised by a gambler, so his skills are finely honed as to predict certain outcomes and to look for other alternatives when stuck in a pinch. In Insignia, we loved Tom because he was so realistic. His unpredictability only shone through at the end, so if you caught your breath at those parts and wanted more, then you will really appreciate Vortex because it showcases one gasp-inducing scene after the other because his insolence, while very much detrimental to his future, was highly entertaining for us. Another dynamic that we really enjoyed was the friendship between the four friends. While Tom is determined to let his past stay in the past, and another may have unknown secrets of his own, it is in Vortex where their friendship - almost the only thing that keeps them alive most of the time - is tried and tested.

The difference between Insignia and Vortex as we've found, was that in the first book, Tom's reckless ways have always worked for him but in Vortex they cause problems upon problems. 

Vortex is certainly more humorous than its predecessor, which was certainly unexpected for the both of us. Not in a bad way of course even if Vortex had us laughing and chortling at the most inopportune moments. (Nicole read it in class and Michelle in her school's library, because we are thrill-seekers and engage in illicit book reading.) But this book is also intense as Kincaid manages to unveil an epic conspiracy little by little coupled with the messy situations that Tom usually finds himself in.

Rating:

We made a playlist for Insignia because it was hard not to come up with songs that just reminded us so much of the book. Well, the same thing happened with Vortex, so we just had to come up with another playlist. Enjoy! :)

                                                       Now The Spark, Next The Ashes from thetwins.read on 8tracks Radio.

"Novel Nails" is a feature of the blog that showcases nail art inspired by books and their covers. Nail art will be created by either Michelle or Nicole and will be featured alongside their reviews.

Hello! Nicole here for today's feature of Novel Nails. Here's the nail art I made inspired by Vortex. I made a dark to light blue gradient and drew on the vortex/hurricane/tornado symbol on the cover on my ring fiver to serve as an accent nail. I made these using the following colors.

Gradient base: Orly Sweet Peacock

Gradient tips: NARS Night Flight

Free-hand vortex: NARS Space Odyssey

I hope you guys like this and yes, I promise, more pictures next time from different angles. I'm going to use my DSLR now too for clearer shots.

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Fuse by Julianna Baggott

Title: Fuse
Author: Julianna Baggott
Format Acquired: eARC

Publication Date: February 19, 2013

Publishing House: Grand Central Publishing

ISBN: 9781455503087
Source of Copy: NetGalley

Summary:

When the world ended, those who dwelled within the Dome were safe. Inside their glass world the Pures live on unscarred, while those outside - the Wretches - struggle to survive amidst the smoke and ash.

Believing his mother was living among the Wretches, Partridge escaped from the Dome to find her. Determined to regain control over his son, Willux, the leader of the Pures, unleashes a violent new attack on the Wretches. It's up to Pressia Belze, a young woman with her own mysterious past, to decode a set of cryptic clues from the past to set the Wretches free.

An epic quest that sweeps readers into a world of beautiful brutality, Fuse continues the story of two people fighting to save their futures - and change the fate of the world.

                          (Image, summary, and information courtesy of Goodreads)

Review:

Holy cow. Whereas I was on the fence about fully recommending Pure to other readers before, Fuse had just made me want to take back all the half-answers I gave, run to the bookstores, and duct tape Pure and Fuse together. (Hehe, "fused" together.)

Fuse reunites us with Pressia, Partridge, and their motley crew. In the midst of all the chaos, Lyda is trying to establish her own identity, but there is one particular person she's   particularly attached to. Partridge thinks that bringing down the Dome will be the perfect revenge for his father, the Dome leader. El Capitan and Helmud want to punish the Dome for all the horrors they've done. Bradwell just wants the truth. As Partridge's father sends people to "persuade" Partridge to come back to the Dome, Pressia and Bradwell are racing against time to unlock the secrets to a black box that may contain a secret that could save them all.

In Pure, I wasn't really sure that I liked any of the characters, save for Bradwell. But in Fuse, I began to appreciate each and every one of them in a new light. I loved them because they have their own clear, and very distinct voices. Before, I couldn't come up with any ounce of feeling for El Capitan and Helmud. Partridge was just a spoiled boy who was looking for trouble. Lyda was just a girl who was foolish enough to lie for a guy who initially didn't seem to be much into her. In Fuse, I adored Helmud. Even when he just echoes El Capitan's words, he times it perfectly and manages to make it sound totally different. You could probably tell by now that my mind is just reeling from the awesomeness that is Helmud. Partridge had already acclimated to the drastic change of scenery, and knows what he has to lose to gain leverage over the Dome. I always knew Lyda had a tough streak in her, but in this one, me-ow! Lyda's claws are out to play and she's not afraid to get some scratches and bruises. Pressia was still as adorable as ever, and her interactions with Bradwell had me either grinning from ear-to-ear or swooning. How could anyone not swoon over Bradwell? Go away, Peeta. Four? Who's that? I'm sorry, but no one could possibly hold a candle to Bradwell. 

"Now I feel like we weren't made for each other. We're making each other... into the people we should become." - Bradwell

Fuse expertly weaves together action scenes and emotions, and I must say that it's definitely what kept me up until the wee hours of the morning. I've read this in one sitting, so you can only imagine how horribly fatigued I was after this. The beauty of Julianna Baggott's writing style is that she somehow gives you the impression that you should pay close attention to each and every word that she puts on paper. Just like its predecessor, Fuse is a heavy read. If you're in the mood for fluffy, irrational dystopian books, this series is not for you. This book only served to remind me of the parallels of our universes. Religion plays a minor role in this book, where we have people who worship the Dome. Otherwise, what else would they have left to believe in? In a world where the completeness of the human body is deemed precious and upper class, the wretches can only hope to see any kind of beauty that even our heroine, Pressia, is affected by it. The obsession with physical perfection will resonate perfectly with today's readers.

Baggott has redefined the dystopian genre by making her readers all the more aware of the issues we're currently dealing with today. I think so many authors keep focusing on what will happen in the worlds they've created instead of carrying over the problems we face now to make the whole ordeal richer and relatable. If like me, you were unsure about your feelings for Pure, I'd say that you should take the plunge and get a copy. Believe me when I say that I am itching to get my own copy to reread it. The characters are wonderfully diverse, the beauty and heaviness brought about by the language is heady, and the conditions are brutal and intense. Baggott has set an impressive standard for dystopian novels, and I will wait with bated breath for the next installment.

Rating:

         

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: If I Lie by Corinne Jackson

Title: If I Lie
Author: Corrine Jackson
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: August 28, 2012

Publishing House: Simon Pulse

ISBN: 9781442454132
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

Quinn's done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey's not just any guy - he's serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she's vowed to keep - secrets that aren't hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she'll go to protect her boyfriend... and her promise.

                        (Image, information, book summary courtesy of Goodreads)

Review:

I could actually count on one hand the books that have made me cry. There was Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, Morgan Matson's Second Chance Summer, and now this book. Mind you, these are not the kind of tears that just gently rolled down my face. These are the kind of tears that had me wanting to reach into my chest, rip out my heart, and throw it in the trash bin. I am generally not a weepy person, as I do have tear ducts made out of steel, but goodness, did this book have me wishing that I could stuff tissue in my eyes.

With Quinn's ex-boyfriend Carey away in the war, Quinn has to deal with the little military town bearing on her because of the scandal. Her scandal. Before anyone ever knew that they were over, Quinn was caught in a compromising photo with a guy who is obviously not Carey, but nobody knows the truth of that night. Nobody knows that Carey asked Quinn to keep a little secret that could change everything. After all, it's not lying if it's the omission of truth... Or is it?

If I Lie has got to be one of the best contemporary novels I have read - and I have read a lot of them. Quinn lives in a military town. Her father is a military guy himself, and even he can't tolerate her when the scandal erupted. Carey was kind, compassionate, and perfect - the town hero. Everyone in town knew that they were it, the serious couple who will eventually settle down one day. Quinn could walk away from it all, if they only knew the truth, but it's a secret that Quinn will take to her grave if she has to.

Goodness, did I feel Quinn. I felt that she was one of the saddest protagonists I have ever come to know, but did I ever love her. She was rejected by her so-called friends, the guy she was in love with, her father, and even by people who didn't really know her, and the only person who knew the truth was thousands of miles away. At least she had George, the wonderful, wonderful old guy Quinn visits in the Veterans' Center. George was Quinn's pillar of strength, and you could not imagine how pained I was when the realities of life caught up with him. It was one of the hardest scenes I have ever read, and I literally had to stop and bawl my eyes out. (Tear ducts of steel? What tear ducts of steel?!)

There were a lot of times in the book that all I wanted to do was scream at Carey and tell him to tell the whole town what he's been hiding all along, if only to get everyone off of Quinn's back.  I thought that Carey was very selfish in allowing Quinn to take the brunt of the situation, but then, I guess I could imagine all the stigma that Carey was envisioning for himself, especially when a lot of people look up to him. However, it is also in these tough times that Quinn finally does away with her identity as only Carey's girlfriend, and establishes herself as someone who sticks to her guns and has her own principles. It is in this time that relationships have been tested - most have been severed, and only few have stayed true. At the same time, Quinn also reminds us that there is a time to heal, to lick wounds, and a time to finally get on with life. All I thought of in the entirety of the book was that there are people out there who are as misunderstood as Quinn, and that it is very much a human error to immediately judge someone without fully knowing the entire situation. But in the same manner that others have wronged us, Quinn reminds us to be the better man and learn to forgive, in our own time.

I simply could not recommend this book enough. I would strongly urge you to read this when you're sure that you could dedicate your entire time in soaking up all the emotions that this book evokes. Pick up Corinne Jackson's If I Lie with a box of Kleenex and a pint of ice cream, if only to soothe the emotional turmoil Jackson will ultimately put you through.

Rating:

         

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

Title: The False Prince
Author: Jennifer Nielsen
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: April 1, 2012

Publishing House: Scholastic

ISBN: 9780545284134
Source of Copy: Purchased from National Bookstore

Summary:

Four boys.
One treacherous plan.
An entire kingdom to fool.

In a faraway land, civil war is brewing. To unify his kingdom's divided people, a nobleman named Conner devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him on the throne. Four orphans are forced to compete for the role, including a defiant and clever boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point - he must be chosen to play the prince or he certainly will be killed. His rivals will be devising their own plots devising their own plots as well, so Sage must trust no one and keep his thoughts hidden.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of deceit unfolds, until finally, a truth is revealed that may very well prove more than dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

Jennifer A. Nielsen has woven a heart-racing tale full of danger and bold adventure, lies and deadly truths that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Review:

Truth be told, I bought this one on a whim. I know, I know. I did say that I would kick that habit to the curb but I just couldn't resist! The blurb, "A bold plot leads an orphan on a terrible journey... to the brink of treason.", totally caught my attention and if there's anything that I find utterly fascinating (amongst millions of other things), it's a.) historical fiction, b.) cruelly brilliant manipulation, and c.) treachery. 

But you know what? I'm glad I was feeling particularly spontaneous that day, because this one is absolutely phenomenal. (And you guys know how rare I rave about books.)

The False Prince kicks off with Sage, a delightfully cheeky young orphan, who has been turned over to the possession of Bevin Conner, a minor nobleman of the land of Carthya, for a quick coin. Sage soon finds that he is not alone, however; three other boys have also been "recruited" by Conner to play the part as the long-lost prince. To be chosen as Conner's prince, these boys must learn all they can to trick the entire kingdom of Carthya, all the while outsmarting each other in order to ascend to the throne. But Sage has other plans, and they may not exactly coincide with the ones of those around him. It will then take an orphaned young boy more than his cunning to make sure that he stays alive.

Mott sighed and left the room. He returned several minutes later with a larger chair in each hand. Master Graves was incensed and said, as punishment for my disruption, I would have to write my letters an extra ten times that day. 

"Ten times the better I'll know them, then," I said. "How strange that you should punish me by ensuring I come out more educated than Roden, who has tried to obey you." p. 80 

Sage is a clever, clever protagonist and I must say that he could just very well be my favorite main character of all time! Goodness knows that I never will quite know what to expect with this boy. Sage's every step always has me thinking of what purpose it could serve him, as he really is quite the strategist. His shrewdness is mind-blowing and the more I got into the book, the faster my fingers turned pages. His transition from the unfeeling, detached adolescent to a thoughtful, responsible one is quite breathtaking, and I have never read anything like it. Sometimes, I do find myself forgetting that he's just what, 15 years-old?

"They look angry," Tobias said to me. "What did you do?" 

"Is it always something I've done?" I asked. "Don't you and Roden ever do anything worth their attention?" 

"It's always something you've done," Roden agreed. 

Nielsen has not only created a witty hero, but has also churned out a wide spectrum of characters ranging from the insanely brilliant, to the power-hungry, and to the abused. 

This book also allows the reader to delve into questions with regards to identities, as they are questioned not only as the shallow physical limitations would allow per se, but the identity of the human being at his/her core. Can an orphan be a prince as long as he chooses to see that he is one? Likewise, can an orphan not be a prince because he simply cannot be, then? Being a prince, being an orphan... does it make the person any more or less different than one already is? Cannot one just simply be?

Another brilliant thing I found about this book would be the symbolisms. They are rife throughout the novel and I just couldn't help but grin every time I found one. I would like to think that even their names are symbolisms. Aside from Sage being fitting for the main protagonist, I found Conner's amusing although I have no way to discern if it was indeed intended by the author (Conner the con man, get it? No?). I also scoured the internet for the other names. Interestingly enough, goody-goody Tobias, being the most self-righteous of the boys, means *the divine being is good, and that Jaron, the name of lost prince, means *descent in Hebrew, and *brave with the spear in Germanic. If you have read this book, you might find these definitions fascinating.

The characterization is highly commendable, the pacing is perfect. (I could even swear that this book has a live, thrumming heartbeat.), and the political intrigue is simple yet singlehandedly delivers a solid punch. Nielsen's ability to weave a simple, seamless storyline that sends its readers into a frenzy of page-turning is something that I would gladly go through again and again.

It then goes without saying that I highly, highly recommend you to pick this one up. Once the second book comes out, you can be assured that I will not hesitate to brandish my sword just to get a copy.

The sequel, The Runaway King, comes out on March 1, 2013.

Rating:

    

              

*reference: www.babynamespedia.com

NICOLE'S REVIEW: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Title: Stormdancer
Author: Jay Kristoff
Format Acquired: Hardcover (USA Edition)

Publication Date: September 18 2012

Publishing House: Thomas Dunne Books

ISBN: 9781250001405

Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

A Dying Land

The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

An Impossible Quest

The hunters of Shima's imperial court are changed by their Shogun to capture a thunder tiger - a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shogun is death.

A Hidden Gift

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that, if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shogun's hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is that he'd rather see her dead than help her.

But together the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

The moment our local bookstore sent me a text saying my copy of Stormdancer was available for pick-up, I rushed over there salivating, threw my money at them, grabbed my copy and rushed back to my cave. I've been waiting anxiously for my copy to arrive and I have to say that the long wait was definitely worth it. Stormdancer is amazing. And the USA version of the cover is quite fitting and the illustrations are gorgeous.

The first few chapters are quite slow in their pacing, but I liked it because it gave me time to adjust to the wonderful world that Kristoff managed to create. The amazing world-building and attention to detail makes it easy to imagine the polluted streets of Shima, the blood red skies, the blood lotus that the nation revolves around and the mechanization that threatens to consume what little nature the island of Shima has left to offer. Detailed descriptions painted pictures in my mind of the clockwork industrialization and the deadly politics that takes place within the ruling class. Stormdancer also features very well described action scenes involving chain katanas which were very entertaining to read.

The characters were also easy to fall in love with. Yukiko is a fiercely independent and intelligent girl. She grows and matures as a character and it was interesting to read her interactions with the arashitora, a thunder tiger named Buruu. HE is who I totally fell in love with and is my absolute favorite character in the book. Buruu starts of as an aggressive, short-tempered creature that Yukiko is forced to journey with. But as they spend time together and their friendship solidifies, it was great to see how smooth Buruu's transition was from a creature of simple thought to one who could understand more complex thinking as a result of his interaction with Yukiko. Also, can I just mention that Buruu speaks in ALL CAPS and his humorous moments made me squeal in delight. 

I especially love the action scenes in the book, further highlighting how perfect Buruu and Yukiko fight as a unit. Let's also not forget the scenes where the hunters first spot the thunder tiger and then proceed to capture it.

Stormdancer is an amazing book that boasts of political intrigue, a strong main protagonist, and wonderfully majestic arashitora; it also has very descriptive action scenes and astounding world-building that will suck you in and never, ever let you go. Can I please have the second book now? 

Rating:

       

                             

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

Title: The Brides of Rollrock Island
Author: Margo Lanagan
Format Acquired: Hardcover 

Publication Date: September 11, 2012

Publishing House: Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780375869198

Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

On remote  Rollrock Island,  men make their living - and fetch their wives - from the sea.

The witch Misskaella  knows how to find the girl at the heart of a seal. She'll coax a beauty from the beast for any man, for a price. And what man wouldn't want a sea-wife, to have and to hold, and to keep by his side forever?

But though he may tell himself that he is the master, one look is his new bride's eyes will transform him just as much as it changes her. Both will be ensnared - and the witch will look on, laughing.

In this magical, seaswept novel, Margo Lanagan tells an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also of unspoken love.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book) 

Review:

As soon as I closed the book, all I could think of was, "Good God - did the author's parents force-feed her poetry book after poetry book?" When I was engrossed in the short stories (Yes, it's a collection of short stories. I was surprised too.), it felt like I was actually on the ethereal island, commiserating and celebrating with the characters of the novel. When they felt, I felt more, and there could possibly be no greater anguish than the fact that what these characters shared with the readers, they couldn't - and didn't! - share with the inhabitants of Rollrock Island. 

When I first spotted this on GoodReads, I jabbed a finger at my computer screen and boldly proclaimed, "Now that is a book that could take me away for a while." And I was right. (I'm rarely right, as attested by the fact that a lot of the books that have low ratings on this site are mostly mine.) The Brides of Rollrock Island did not just take me away; the imagery was wonderfully vivid, the words were delicate and harsh at the same time, and the storyline was both refreshing and sensual. 

We passed between the Heads, the rocks piled like messy gateposts either side of us, the swell making the ship restless. The sun came out like a cheer, and the water was the loveliest color, bright blue-green, and the foam curled like cream on some of the waves. The Heads fell behind, and there was nothing but sky and sea ahead of us, and each one's weather. The towns and farms and all their fuss and clutter of memories, I was shrugging them off like a heavy cloak, and sailing free. (278)

It is here we meet our characters, most of whom Lanagan does not spare in fleshing out, like the crafty storyteller that she is. Lanagan's characters are very real, very much alive, and I couldn't help but be swayed by the emotions and the inner turmoil her characters face. It did not matter whether the protagonist was selkie or human or witch, the honest words that come pouring out of their mouth will ring true in any reader's heart. 

"Yes, but only because... Down there, you see, I did not care and I did not feel. Whereas here-" I laid my head on my arms; he would only have been able to see the rounded-over back of me beyond the table now. "Here it is all feeling and caring, and it makes me so tired." (271)

If Lanagan's selkies can lure the men, her hauntingly decadent writing can very well lure me into the sea. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races will undoubtedly want to pick up this book. 

Rating:

            

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Title: Outpost

Author: Ann Aguirre
Format Acquired: Hardcover 

Publication Date: September 4, 2012

Publishing House: Feiwel & Friends

ISBN: 9780312650094

Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary: 

Deuce's whole world has changed since readers first met her in Enclave.

Now living topside in a community called Salvation, she has a new set of problems. Down below, she was considered an adult and she contributed to the enclave. Now above ground, she's viewed as a brat in need of training by the people of Salvation. She doesn't fit in with the other girls: She hates cooking, sewing, and school. Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven't changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce pursues a chance to serve in the summer patrols - those responsible for making sure the growers and planters can work the fields without danger of Freak attack. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks are smarter. They're watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don't intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn the tide.

           (Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

I don't know why it took me this long to read Outpost, and I seriously want to kick myself for letting it collect dust in my TBR pile. While Enclave (you can read Nicole's review of it here) was an okay read for me, I was totally caught unprepared at the completely different tone of its sequel, Outpost. It seems that 2012 is proving to be a good year for sequels (Rae Carson's The Crown of Embers and Moira Young's Rebel Heart left my co-blogger and I reeling and wanting for more), and Outpost is definitely included in that list.

Outpost brings us to where we we once again meet Deuce and her band of misfits, who are having quite a hard time adjusting to the culture and mindset of the people in Salvation. Deuce is taken under the wing of Momma Oaks, Fade is left with the guy in charge of the animal husbandry, Stalker's an apprentice smith, and Tegan is being taken care of by the community doctor's family. And the Freaks? Ever present as always. But whereas Deuce knows of Freaks that thrived underground, these Freaks - or Muties, as the Salvation folk call them - are something different altogether. When the Muties' devilish cunning threaten the stability of her new home, to what lengths will Deuce go to to save the community that's starting to grow on her?

Outpost proves to be the sequel with the capability to catapult the novel into tugging at your heartstrings. In Enclave, we are introduced to teens who are forced to act as grown-ups. In Outpost, we are introduced to teens who - hesitantly - begin to act their actual age, and I love it. I can't help but feel that the voices of these teenagers will resonate in the hearts of readers. These characters are very true, and I don't think I have ever encountered a dystopian novel or series that has this much realness - for lack of a better term - in their characters. Too often have readers been dredged in information about their "different" way of living, but Outpost promises to grab you by the collar and shake you. It is, in fact, not hard to think of this world as a possible - albeit, future - reality. The people of Salvation do not know the pangs of hunger, the painful practicality, the horrors of killing for self-preservation, nor the denial of simple pleasures - and sometimes, even of basic needs - that Deuce and her crew has been long accustomed to, in the similar way that some of us do not know the pains and sufferings that our fellow human beings face. 

It then goes without saying that this is definitely a recommended book. If you've picked up Enclave and weren't quite blown away with it, I must insist that you give Outpost a chance. While the first in the series may not be the best for me, Outpost has proved that Aguirre  has found the voices of her characters, and judging by the looks of things, it can only get better from here. 'Til we meet again then, Deuce.

Horde, the third in the Razorland series, comes out sometime in 2013. 

Rating:

          

[CLOSED] Christmas 2012 Giveaways Now OPEN [International and Philippines-only]

Title: The Storyteller

Author: Antonia Michaelis
Format Acquired: Paperback 

Publication Date: January 1, 2012

Publishing House: Abrams

ISBN: 9781419701221

Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

A good girl. A bad boy.

A fairy tale that's true.

A truth that is no fairy tale.

Anna is fascinated by Abel, the moody school drug dealer with the military haircut and the deep blue eyes. One day she discovers a secret: Abel is caring for his six-year-old sister, Micha, alone. Despite friends' warnings, Anna is draw to Abel and Micha, and falls under the spell of the fairy tale he tells his sister about a little orphan queen who is pursued by hunters for the treasure she carries: her diamond heart.

It's a story with parallels to reality. Social services and Micha's abusive father could take her from Abel if they discover the truth about their situation.

But when people Abel has woven into his story turn up dead, it's Anna whose heart is in danger. Is she in love with a killer?

Antonia Michaelis has written a spellbinding tale of suspense, danger, and transformative love.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book) 

Review (the only review where I should not write so much as to give anything away):

This book has left me and my co-blogger absolutely in tatters. Michaelis' The Storyteller was like a long roller coaster ride, complete with 180 turns and sudden drops. You know how there's this violinist playing in a film where the suspense is eating you and you can't help but dangle at the edge of the seat as the violin-playing gets faster and faster? That could be the only way to properly describe this book - gripping, tense, and eerily beautiful at the same time. 

Anna is a sheltered seventeen year-old, who becomes enraptured by the mysterious and charming Abel Tennatek. As she finds out more about Abel, his dreamy stories, and his sister Micha whom Abel loves and protects more than life itself, Anna is caught in a fairy tale that has become deadlier than anyone has ever expected.

It may come off as a cliche, but trust me when we say that this is a book that you'd love to hate, and hate to love. Pick up this stunning and heart-wrenching novel by Antonia Michaelis (or better yet, win it through our local and international giveaways!), and fall in love with Anna, Abel, and Micha. Set in winter where everything is coated in sheets of virginal white, let The Storyteller take you to highs and lows, and experience heartbreak and pain in a European background.

Rating:

         

And now for the awesome part.

Antonia Michaelis' The Storyteller left us dumbstruck, and we felt all kinds of pain. And because we love you (and we're kind of sadists and masochists), we want you, dear reader, to bear witness to their story as well.

We're giving away 4 copies of The Storyteller for our 2012 Christmas giveaway, and what better way to share the love than to let the winners share the books with their friends. Yeah, that's right. The 2 winners from the international and the Philippines-only giveaway get to receive another copy so that they could share it with their friends. When we finished the book at the same time, we bonded over it. Let the same book bond you and your friend as well.

As we've learned from our mistakes last giveaway, we therefore introduce our terms and conditions. We apologize that it's lengthy, and that it may put off some of you, but this is only to clarify what can / can't be expected from the giveaway. We are nothing but very thorough this time, so as not to confuse any of you guys.

Terms and Conditions:

1. There can only be one (1) winner per giveaway. Each winner will receive two copies of The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis to share with a friend. All in all, there will be a total of two (2) winners.

2. Entrants should be of age 12+. If you are underaged, kindly ask a parent or a guardian to join the giveaway for you.

3. Entrants must join the correct giveaway corresponding to their location. If you currently reside in the Philippines, you must join the LOCAL version of the giveaway. If you reside in other areas of the world, then you must join the INTERNATIONAL version of the giveaway.  To make it perfectly clear, entrants can only join one giveaway. Entrants who do not comply with the aforementioned rules will be subject to the removal of their incorrect entries.

4. The Twins Read will not be held liable for any tax, customs, or tariffs, etc., that your country imposes on you with regards to the package. Likewise, The Twins Read will also not be held liable for any lost or damaged packages.

5. If the entrant uses only ONE account to do all these tasks and enter under different names, they will still only constitute as ONE entry.

6.  Additional entries and their corresponding entry numbers will be up to the The Twins Read's discretion to input, therefore entrants may not complain about the random number their entries are assigned to.

7. It is the responsibility of the entrant to make sure that his / her entries are qualified. The Twins Read is very thorough when it comes to validating entries, and they will not hesitate to remove unfit entries when both giveaways close.

8. For verification purposes, please make sure that the Facebook / Twitter / etc. links you leave on the Rafflecopter forms can be viewed by The Twins Read. If the The Twins Read duo can not view it, then the entry does not count, and will be subject to removal.

9. Rafflecopter only accepts submissions beginning December 4, 2012 12:00AM until December 18, 2012 12:00AM (GMT+8:00). 

10. The Twins Read will begin qualifying entries on December 19 - 20, 2012. Any e-mails  / messages sent after midnight of December 18, 2012 (GMT +8:00) to The Twins Read regarding qualifications of entries will not be entertained.

11. Upon announcement of the winners on the blog, The Twins Read will send e-mails / Facebook messages / Tweets to the winners. Failure to respond within 48 hours will result in forfeiture, and The Twins Read will be forced to select another winner.

12. For the international winner, books will be sent by BookDepository.co.uk. For the local winner, books will be sent via Xend. 

                        

     International giveaway:
(Join here if you do not currently reside in the Philippines.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

                     
                                                                                Local giveaway:
(Join here if you currently reside in the Philippines.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway