[Review] Lover at Last

English Hardcover

English Paperback

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‘Lover at Last’ by J. R. Ward

Black Dagger Brotherhood #11/
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Synopsis:
Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young- just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one.  (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
I’m so glad that Ward has got her will and has written this great book. We had to wait so long for it and now finally we also have the story of Qhuinn and Blay. Though I still think that Blay is quite okay, but Qhuinn is just one of my favorites in the series (beside some other characters^^). And he has broken my heart over and over again with his past, his family and also now, when he had to watch almost a whole Blay with Saxton. Particularly because he now finally knows what he wants and what he feels – of course it is still a process also in this book, but finally he confesses his feelings to himself, instead of ignoring them.
Already only for Wards courage and balls, which she has proved by writing this book, she got an extra point from me because this wasn’t as easy as you would like to think. I’ve read in a book-forum that Ward even has to swicht her agency to fulfill her wish to write this homosexual love, because it’s not quite a conservative subject and some people still have a problem with that – which I personally find really sad in nowadays. But Ward hasn’t scared away of it and I find this great! Hats off.

The writing manner of Ward was again typical ‚wardic’ with her own expressions and many swearwords, curses and the famous f*** word. But here this language doesn’t disturb me because it simply fits to the brothers of the Black Dagger. They are hard men and also express themselves in such a way, which makes them only more real and authentic. For me the characters just feel so alive because of that and I can’t explain it, but for me they are kind of feel real… not like some novel figures, but almost like friends, who are really living somewhere. And I like this thought.

In contrast to ‘Lover Reborn’, in which the plot played over a whole year, here everything happens within some days, namely in the time frame sometime in the winter. Unfortunately I’m not quite sure, when it plays ecaxtly or whether it plays after ‘Lover Reborn’ or in between. Actually at first it also was intended that Qhuinn and Blay only get a short story, as well as Bella’s and Z’s baby story, but then we have got a whole book. For which I’m really glad, but it doesn’t happen much in the background story. As said, the period is quite short and also the Lessers remain in the background, as well as the Band of Bastards. The point, that it doesn’t happen a lot – except the love story of the two main characters, which work off their past and clear it, finally get together and solve their misunderstandings and really start talking – would have disturbed me. But again I’ve read in a book forum, that this was made on purpose (to write only a little about the background story) so that people, who have a problem with homosexual couples, can simply let this book out, and start reading the series right with book # 12, so they won’t miss something important in the main story of the Brotherhood. If this should be right, I can’t reduce the rating by one point and secondly, I would find it really sad and bad in the enlightened time, in which we live – or at least supposed to live. Apparently not everybody is yet as tolerant as I’ve thought. It’s a shame.

So instead of the plot, new characters are gotten embedded or other characters, which before always were shown briefly, got more space and the opportunity to tell also their story – for example Assail, Trez or Xcor. Unfortunately I found this not so great, because thereby a lot of it plays outside the basic formation of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but because of a special twist at the end of this book, I hope that the next part deals again more with the old characters (with JM, V, Z…).
And also the turn with Qhuinn’s brother Luchas was just awesome and I’m really very curious how this will turn out and I hope there will be more about him.

For me all in all it was really a very great book and I couldn’t put it aside. What surprises even me is, although I have no problems with homosexual love, were that I really liked the scenes with Qhuinn and Blay, which again were described very visual and they could persuade me completely. *really hot hot*

And the end was of course again completely for my taste. Maybe some found it too kitschy and, yes, something so soppy even for Ward is very rare at the end, but I was happy nevertheless with it and glad that it has come so. Isn’t it about the fact that you want to finish a book with a smile on your face? I think so and Ward has fulfilled this again totally perfect! Thanks!

Cover:
Great cover and I don’t know at all which one I like more – the hardcover or the paperback. I’ve got the paperback format of Pitakus at home and find it as great and suitable as like the hardcover version, which also shows Qhuinn perfectly.

All in all:
Almost all expectations were totally fulfilled and it was again a great trip into the world of the Black Dagger, which I love to visit over and over again and leave it again only with a sad heart. Still it is one of my favorite series and I hope it still will go on for a long time.

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points (soo awesome!)

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Quotes:

Qhuinn: “I think that’s Justin Bieber.”
Standing in front of a line up of Lay’s potato chips, Qhuinn looked overhead to the speaker inset into the ceiling tiles. “Yup, I’m right, and I hate that I know that.”
Next to him John Matthew signed “How do you know?”
Qhuinn: “The little shit is everywhere. I swear, that kid is proof the Antichrist is coming.”
John: “Maybe it’s already here.”
Qhuinn: “Would explain Miley Cyrus.” (*haha* )

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Vishous: “I’m sorry? I didn’t catch that.”
Qhuinn: “I left the keys in it.”
V: “That was a dumb-ass move, son.”
No. Fucking. Kidding.
V: “Listen, I gotta go. I need both hands to hold my gut as I laugh my ass off attcha. Later.”

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“You good?” Rhage prompted.
Qhuinn: “Yeah. Yeah. I’m okay.”
Rhage: “Fritz hates dead bodies in the front hall.”
“But there’s not a lot of blood with strangulation,” somebody pointed out. “Clean-up would have been easy.”
“Just a floor polish afterward,” another guy chimed in.
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Qhuinn: ‘As he washed himself, the soap wasn’t half as soft as Blay’s skin, and didn’t smell a quarter as good. The water wasn’t as hot as the fighter’s blood had been, and the shampoo wasn’t as soothing. Nothing came close. Nothing ever would.’
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Layla: “If any harm shall befall him, I will come after you, and find you where you sleep. I do not care where you lay your head or who with, my vengeance shall rain upon you until you drown.”
That last word was drawn out, until its syllable was lost in more growling. Dead silence.
Until Doc Jane said dryly, “Annnnd this is why they say the female of the species is more dangerous than the male.”

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Blay: ‘In the silence that followed, Blay knew he had something he was supposed to say. Yeah…it was right on his tongue. It was… Shit. With Qhuinn looking at him like that, he couldn’t remember his own name. Blaysox? Blacklock? Blabberfox? Who the fuck knew…’

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Qhuinn to Blay: “You guys were what got me through it,” Qhuinn heard himself say. “I lived for the night, because I could go over to your house. It was the only thing that kept me going. You were the only thing, actually. It was…you.”.

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Succession:
# 1: J. R. Ward – Dark Lover »»
# 2: J. R. Ward – Lover Eternal »»
# 3: J. R. Ward – Lover Awakened »»
# 4: J. R. Ward – Lover Revealed »»
# 5: J. R. Ward – Lover Unbound »»
# 6: J. R. Ward – Lover Enshrined »»
# 6.5: J.R.Ward – BDB: An Insider’s Guide »»
# 7: J. R. Ward – Lover Avagened »»
# 8: J. R. Ward – Lover Mine »»
# 9: J. R. Ward – Lover Unleashed »»
# 10: J. R. Ward – Lover Reborn »»
# 11: J. R. Ward – Lover at Last »»
# 12: J. R. Ward – The King
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copyright: jrward.com

About the author – J. R. Ward:
J.R. Ward is a #1 New York Times and USAToday Best Selling author of erotic paranormal romance. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. After graduating from law school, she began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot. (Source: jrward.com)

Visit her Website »»

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[Review] Air

(© goodreads)

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‘Air‘ by
Terra Harmony

The Akasha Serie # 2

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Synopsis:
She carries more than just elemental powers. In ‘Air’, the sequel to ‘Water’ of the Akasha Series, Kaitlyn has a secret. One she won’t be able to hide much longer. As the strongest Gaia the planet has ever seen, she must face mankind’s greatest enemy as he campaigns for ‘One Less: Depopulation’. Everything depends on Kaitlyn fully embracing her role as Gaia. Her family. The Seven. The Earth. Something has to give, and it won’t be Kaitlyn.
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
After the great first part which could persuades and inspire me completely, I just had to read the next part. And I’ve been glad about the continuation, because there was a little cliffhanger at the end of the book ‘Water’. When I finally get my hands on ‘Air’ to start reading the book, I was a little disappointed, because it was different than I had expected.

To one side the plot starts some time after the events from part 1, but without much of important thing happened in the world or with the characters. What I find extremely odd, if one remember which relation Kaitlyn and Micah had almost at the end, before the thing with Shawn happened, and that Micah has saved her afterwards.
After that you think that they would talk about it afterwards, or not? But Kaitlyn didn’t and she still couldn’t tell him or the others, that she is pregnant. And funnily enough she holds particularly to Micah an emotional, as well as a physical distance, which was never so big, as in this time.

Also Micah reveals only too little about him or he didn’t makes obvious steps toward Kaitlyn, what I found a great pity. And then suddenly there came the big revelation and from one second to the other, there also came the big, inexplicable turn in their love relationship; when the action all around Shawn and his bad underground organization tapers to a point and the quick and above all complete turnabout of the relationship of Micah and Kaitlyn takes place, which was for me too quickly and also a little illogical.
For weeks there was no real conversation between the two main characters and suddenly Micah is a completely other person and devote all love to Kaitlyn, with all consequences and relations. And what is Kaitlyn doing? Of course not the right thing! And this happens not only in this situation, but also throughout the whole book and particularly at the end, I wanted to punch or shake her so long till she comes to her senses again. Unfortunately a reader can’t intervene in the events of books and thus I was left watching her decisions silently and despairing.

Of course in this part there aren’t only bad things between Micah and Kaitlyn, but there were also really some good, very romantic and crackling scenes of them, which could also score with eroticism. But nevertheless, I’ve not liked the end at all. I almost wanted to start crying or scream or smash something – which on the other side, however show here, that I was completely taken by the characters and that I’ve felt and suffered with them. And that characters not always act like we readers wishes for, is natural, because people also often don’t act like they should. Therefore you could say that the characters and the plot course were realistic and authentic; with people, which make mistakes, act illogically or aren’t perfect and learn from it – hopefully!

What has disturbed me also, beside these points, was the fact that the middle section was to be read a little tenaciously. For me the part with Alex was too extended and drown-out, and in overall the second part couldn’t hold the same tension and speed, like ‘Water’.

As I’ve already mentioned, I’m not happy with the end of the second book at all, and the only bright spot is, that I hope and know, that the author will give us a positive and reasonable end after the fourth part – so, at least we still have two more books, for which we can looking forward to and I really hope sooo much, that after all the up and downs, we’ll get our deserved happy-ending!

Cover:
The cover is again just beautiful and is limited on what is important in the book and what it is about – the element and the ability of handling it.

All in all:
A must-read for all fans of fantasy books which deal with the strength of the elements and which have already read book 1 – it goes on interesting and we still can be glad about two more parts, which will bring us more tension and sizzle.

Rating:
3 of 5 points (I liked it)

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Succession:

# 1: Terra Harmony – Water »»
# 2: Terra Harmony – Air »»
# 3: Terra Harmony – Fire
# 4: Terra Harmony – Earth

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Terra Harmony:
Terra is a debut author, and currently has her first full length novel, ‘Water’, published. Water is a contemporary eco-fantasy and the first book of a four book series called ‘The Akasha Series’. The next book, ‘Air’ will be released mid-February in 2012.
Terra also has a vampire short story anthology. The first two books of ‘The Kindred Curse Anthology’, ‘Gleaming White’ and ‘Streaks of Red’ are self-published as e-books. Three more short stories will follow to complete the anthology. Terra was born and raised in Colorado but has since lived in California, Texas, Utah, North Carolina and Virginia. Terra has served a 5½ year enlistment in the Marine Corp, has earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree and presently runs the language services division of a small business.
Terra currently lives in a suburb of Washington, DC with her husband of 13 years and three children. (Source: Goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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[Review] White Horse

English Cover

German Cover

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‘White Horse’ by Alex Adams

White Horse #1
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Synopsis:
Thirty-year-old Zoe leads an ordinary life until the end of the world arrives. She is cleaning cages and floors at Pope Pharmaceuticals when the President of the United States announces that human beings are no longer a viable species. When Zoe realizes that everyone she loves is disappearing, she starts running. Scared and alone in a shockingly changed world, she embarks on a remarkable journey of survival and redemption. Along the way, Zoe comes to see that humans are not defined by their genetic code, but rather by their actions and choices. White Horse offers hope for a broken world, where love can lead to the most unexpected places.
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
The world is at the end and the people who are still alive, have either changed into monstrous beasts, or have lost all morality to save their own skin and to put off the fight against the omnipresent death. In the middle of this scenario the book begins and we follow the course of the tragic story with the help of the central character Zoey, who doesn’t only describe in the present how the world is destroyed, but also looks back to the time before the epidemic, before the war and before the downfall of humanity.
This happens mostly within the different chapters and thus is marked with a small heading (Then/ Now), so that the read don’t lose the orientation between the varying times, although the flashbacks into the past are also not written in a chronologically order and this got me confused sometimes. I don‘t know, whether others had also this problem or not, but at the beginning I had a hard time to follow the plot and I would have found it better, if at least a date would have been written at the flashbacks, to get a better overview of the events.

At the beginning of the book is an absolute chaos, not only in the destroyed world, but also for me as a reader and a big question mark stood here first of all. To be honest, I needed some time and chapters to understand the first relations, to form connection and to recognize a red thread. Although this is the case, nevertheless it was a great reading, full of tensions and ‘guessing game’ and I couldn’t stay away from book, because I just had to know how it goes on what happens next to Zoey on her way.

As you can see, Zoey is a character with whom I felt and for whom I worried throughout the book, because though Zoey is strong, grimly and aim-oriented to protect herself and the people in her surroundings and to get her to her goal, BUT still she tries to remain human, not to kill other if it can be avoided, and in spite of all cruel circumstances, tries to offer friendliness and helpfulness.
Which was amazing for me, because often I would have already giving up or have crept away in a cave, only by reading about the scenery and cruelty of some other people, because everything is simply so hopeless, desperate and somber. Moreover there are some scenes, which are really creepy and depressing and sad, so that sometimes I’ve just waited for some positive things, some small glimmers of hope.

Beside the plot and the great central figure, the writing manner of Adam was just wonderful and for me also like an own poetry. She has described everything very visually, put imagines in the reader’s head to grab Zoe’s feelings and to empathize, to feel and to see everything, as if the reader is a part of the story.
In my opinion this is partly good, but on the other side the book got too thick and the action thereby becomes also a little too slow, because of the detailed descriptions surroundings or the graphic representation and poetry of the sentences.
I think that is a personal preference and some will find it great and others won’t like it at all. I can’t choice between one of these two fractions, because I’m right in the middle, because I’ve loved her writing but also would have liked a little bit more actions and events and less descriptions.

Luckily for me, after all the sad things and strain, the end could again completely satisfy me and I was able to finish the book also with a good feeling. Otherwise I would have been – to tell the truth – a little bit mad. Because for what else we do everything in life and risk all, endure all adversities and hang on – just for love – and I think that is one of the basic messages of this book. And that in spite of everything, each of us is still able to decide how we care about others and whether we show humanity and cooperativeness, even if we receive none anymore ourselves.

German Cover:
For me the cover is succeeded brilliantly and it’s also one of the reasons, why the book has struck me. It tragically catches the plot and reflects perfectly the somber atmosphere.

All in all:
A book that leaves nobody cold and which pulls you into it from the first pages on, without a chance to escape. For me this one book would have been enough and hence, I’m really curious what the author has planned for the next installment. We’ll see what the future brings – I’m looking forward to it!

Rating:
4 of 5 points – (Great, Great, Great)
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Quotes:

Zoe: “When I awake, the world is still gone.”
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Zoe: “He reels me in, cups my face with both hands, and becomes my whole world. This is a kiss–maybe the last one we’ll ever know, so we stay there forever, warm and safe. When he pulls away, something is lost. I think it’s my heart.”
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Succession:

#  1:    Alex Adams – White Horse »»
#  2:    Alex Adams – Red Horse
#  3:    Alex Adams  – Untitled
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Success.

(© goodreads)

About the author – Alex Adams:
Alex Adams was born in New Zealand, raised in Greece and Australia, and currently lives in Oregon–which is a whole lot like New Zealand, minus those freaky-looking wetas. Her debut novel, White Horse (Emily Bestler Books/Atria) hits shelves April 17, 2012. Her fingers are crossed that the world won’t end before then. (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»
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.A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© Piper

[Review] Bayou Moon

English Cover

German Cover

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‘Bayou Moon’ by Ilona Andrews

The Edge # 2
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Synopsis:
Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.
But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.
When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive. (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
Maybe some of you can remember how much I liked and how much enthusiastic I was about the first book of Andrews’ series ‘The Edge’ and therefore I hardly couldn’t wait to read the second part, particularly because I also was already a fan of William in the first book, and secondly because I read it together with a blogger-friend in a reading-circle, which meant more fun for me or both of us.
But here in spite of all that, this book has disappointed me a little, although it’s not recognizable at the first sight, because of the average rating.

All in all it’s also not bad, and also better than other books I’ve already read so far, but if I compare it to part one, here it lacked at some places.
First of all I’ve only got very haltingly in the story and it was at first also a little bit too long-breathed to me. The surrounding area was described too detailed, many new characters were introduced and to be honest, I’ve only waited for the time, when the two central characters William and Cerise meet each other. And when they finally did it, then I even haven’t really recognized it immediately, but I don’t want to say much about it, otherwise I would spoil a lot.

And although also here these two characters have fitted greatly together, I just couldn‘t feel with them, as I did with Declan and Rose in the first book. This is probably due to the fact, that both characters are very determined, stubborn and like to look out for others and rather do something to defeat the ‘bad guys’, instead of take care for their own feelings, or just identify them. Unfortunately, hence it’s also clear, that here aren’t many romantic scenes and even in the second book there is even less fun and humor in it, than in the predecessor. What I found both a great pity, particularly the abstinence of the big feelings and the pleasant prickle in the belly, when the characters fall in love with each other. Okay, yes, it was also quite nice every now and then, but the big feelings were missing.

The second point, which has led to less joy of reading, was that Andrews were very often changed between the narrative perspective, which wouldn’t have disturbed me so much, if it had been only between William and Cerise, but unfortunately many other characters also got a chance to speak. Here not only from the good figures, but also every now and then from the enemies of the story, which was for me extremely unnecessary, because these chapters revealed no important revelations, but only made the book thicker. Here it would have been better to shorten the book by some chapter and to write it exclusively from the point of the main characters – I really would have liked that more. Furthermore also the certain spark has been absent anyhow all the time and as already said, some pages in it were unnecessary and described too detailed.
Also the plot couldn’t grab me like in the first part and often the pages got filled with too many details. Added to that comes that also the description of this surrounding area in the middle of the marsh brought an unwell feeling to me and the portrayal and the world in the first part of the ‘Edge-series’ were for me much better and more pleasant.

And now we are already at the end, which has allowed me to finish this book happy and peacefully. If you haven’t read the book yet, then please stop reading now, because – SPOILER ALERT –

I namely found absolutely great, that at the end it has worked with these two, although they are both stubborn as hell, and hence it was also really sweet, as her father has helped them a little. Moreover it was very nice that I could read how the life goes on now for them in the Weird, now that they’ve settled down there. And it was even better to hear that they live close to Rose and Declan and that also the children Jack, George, Gaston and Lake spend time together. Everything sounds very peaceful and like a nice, lovely family-life with friends and exactly that, the figures have earned, after all the strains. Hence this end was perfect for me and I found it absolutely cute!

German Cover:
Also here the cover is again a feast for the eyes and I like the picture very much, although it has little relation to the plot.

All in all:
Unfortunately part two is a little weaker than the great first book, but I’m sure, that this series still has to offer a lot and that the next book will fulfill my full expectation again. Andrews simply knows how to write exciting, amorous books and therefore I remain loyal to her.

Rating:
3 of 5 points – (I liked it)

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A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

Egmont Lyx

 

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Succession:
# 1: Ilona Andrews – On the Edge »»
# 2: Ilona Andrews – Bayou Moon »»
# 3: Ilona Andrews – Fate’s Edge
# 4: Ilona Andrews – Steel’s Edge

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Ilona Andrews:
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade.  (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit the Website »».

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[Review] On the Edge

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German Cover

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‘One the Edge’
by Ilona Andrews

The Edge # 1
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Synopsis:
Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.
Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn’t turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power)…
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
To be honest at the beginning I had a few problems with this book. Particularly the writing style was not mine and was for me a little bit too rough and intricate. In addition all the things, with the whole magic and the different worlds like the Edge or the Weird, were complicated explained at first and too much for me to comprehend all at once, so that I’ve already dreaded the worst. The fear, that the book wouldn’t be something for me, luckily changed fast and as soon as also William and Declan appeared in the story, there was no more hold for me and I just had to read on as quickly as possible, because I was so motivated!
I have read till late hours in the night and was finished with the book after 1 ½ days, because I couldn’t put it aside! *lol* And I think this fact already shows how much I’ve liked it later on and how moving and exciting it got throughout the course.

Beside the fascinating action I‘ve especially liked the matchless characters. Most of all Rose; independent and good-heart, she takes care self-sacrificing of her two younger brothers, who are rascally and ‘a sly old dog’. But Rose is also headstrong, can dish out, as well can take it and represents fiercely her opinion. To it fits perfectly the male character, called Declan, who drives her nuts over and over again and quarrels playfully with her. I’ve found them both together with each other delightful and they fit together magnificently, although they fight over and over again. Especially THIS was the right charm and has brought me often to smile.
Also the love scenes were great and suited the story and maybe I’m a little tainted, because I would have wished for more of it or for longer erotic scenes. But maybe in the next book!

Moreover the plot wasn’t foreseeable for me, like it is often for me with other books, and what has pleased me very much and has increased my reading pleasure. Also the whole points with the magic were clearly explained after the time, so that I could always follow and the plot curve grow on and on up to the end, up to the final highlight. I liked the book, the action and the characters. It was first-class and, hence it gets 4.5 points. The 0.5 point deductions are on account of the writing manner and because of the sometimes rough explanation, particularly at the beginning.

!! Little SPOILER!!

Relating to William, another important character in the story, I was glad like it has developed with him in the end. I liked it that I did not know exactly what he’ up to and on which side he stands and whether he plays on the good or the bad side. Very, very thrilling!
I found him really great and hence I’m already very glad that I know that the second part is about him and I hope that there he also gets his happy end.

Cover:
The English cover doesn’t appeal to me at all and I would also never have read it on account of that. While in comparison the German cover is really nice, but it rather looks like a YA book cover, which it’s definitely not!

All in all:
This is an exciting, magic story, which kidnapped me into a completely other world full of wonders and miracles, but also dangers. For fans of supernatural things, fantasy-lovers and for those, who appreciate a well built man’s body!

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points – (soo awesome)

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A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

Egmont Lyx

.Quotes:

Rose: “Give me a few minutes.”
Declan: “You have time.” He sat in the grass.
“Are you just going to sit there and watch me?”
“Yes. Watching pretty peasant girls is what we poor little rich boys do best.”
“Peasant?”
He shrugged. “You started the name calling.”
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“She handed him a glass of water and two Aleve gelcaps. “They’re anti-inflammatories. They will dull the pain a little bit and keep down swelling and redness. Swallow the pills, don’t chew.”
“Well, I thought I’d stick them into my nose and impersonate a walrus, but if you insist, I’ll swallow them.”
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Declan: “You’re a prickly, stubborn, spirited woman.”
Rose: “Don’t forget crude, rude, and vulgar.”
“Only when it suits you. You’re sly when occasion calls for it, direct to the point of forgetting tact even exists, sarcastic, fierce, I did mention stubborn, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” she said dryly.
“You’re also smart, kind, gentle, beautiful, and always cling to your personal integrity, even when it’s in your best interests to abandon it.”

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Succession:

# 1: Ilona Andrews – On The Edge »»
# 2: Ilona Andrews – Bayou Moon »»
# 3: Ilona Andrews – Fate’s Edge
# 4: Ilona Andrews – Steel’s Edge

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Ilona Andrews:
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade.  (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit the Website »».

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Review: A Clash of Kings

English Cover

German Cover 2.2

German Cover 2.1

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‘A Clash of Kings‘
by George R. R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire # 2
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Synopsis:
A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who hold sway over an age of enforced peace are dead, victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel…and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.    (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
‚Epical‘– that’s probably the word, which describes best the entire book and the story behind it, with all his unbelievable facets and heroic characters.

It happened so much in this book, that I don’t know at all where I should start!
The best would be to begin with the writing style of Martin, which is, as well as in the other books, to be read well and fast. He doesn’t exaggerate it with his descriptions, although everything is decorated nicely and vividly and a movie is running off before the inner eye. Unfortunately he talks sometimes a little bit too much and too exactly about all the family-stories of the single clan and their origin and their background stories – though not so exaggerated as Tolkien with Frodo’s related ones -  however, it quite scratches on the border and this is partially also unnecessary in my eyes and too exactly for my taste.

Otherwise there isn’t much which I could criticize. It was a constant up-and down for the characters in the books and I couldn’t really decide from which character I wanted to read more. Everybody has suffered many strokes of fate and the main characters came in this book only from a misfortune to the next and most times I’ve often been worried with them and have hoped for them that they don’t die. Since the end from ‘Game of Thrones #1’ we know that Martin doesn’t hesitate for long to kill and let also main characters die. Which I think is very extreme, because one never knows whether it goes well or an important character dies again, though on the other side, at the same time there’s more tension and thrill, just because one doesn’t know whether a favorite character comes out again healthy from an emergency or not.

My favorites in the books are still Jon Snow – he is and remains my absolute hero in the story, even if he shows sometimes too much heroism and gets himself because of that in dangerous situations, only to prove that he is good guy, that he can be more than just a bastard. Sometimes it breaks my heart and sometimes I only want to shake him, so that he gets a clear head again and not risk his life.
And it’s also very alike with Arya to me. These two are and act very similar in my opinion, with their stubbornness, as well as their power of endurance and ability to go on and on, no matter how precarious or hopelessly it may seem. Moreover Arya is cheeky and has a loose tongue and such figures can always conquer my heart easily.
Though Sansa and Catelyn got better in these books, they still don’t belong to my favorite characters. Now it has developed to the fact that I tolerate them, because they also have experienced a lot of awful things, but I don’t really feel for them and therefore their chapters also weren’t my highlights.
In return the dwarf Tyrion could persuade me once again and I also like Shae and I‘m curious how it will develop with him or maybe together with her.
Unfortunately in this book wasn’t really of a lot of positive or very interesting things with Dany, who I’ve liked particularly at the beginning of the series very much. But here she loses somewhat of her sympathy and sometimes works also to dogged and recalcitrant, although she must be it, because now she’s a ruler of a Khal, but nevertheless, I preferred her before and I hope this change again in the next part.

!!! SPOILER Alert from here on!!!

And I must confess that I‘ve also lost a few tears at the end. Though I’ve been glad to read again a chapter of Bran and to find out that he and Rickon are fine and high-spirited, but it was also sad to read how it ended with Winterfell. Also for me Winterfell is, since I started to read this book series, a small place to retreat and has become the ultimate home of the main characters and it has hurt me, to see them leaving everything behind deadly and lost. Also I found it very sad that so many characters had to die again. Although I always expected it and was prepared, it was awful and really a bad surprise.

German Cover:
Unfortunately I don’t really like the covers in this series and for me they are also absolutely not the reason why I read the books. So I’m happy I’ve encountered them another way and not with a catchy cover.

All in all:
Another masterpiece of Martin which I recommend to everybody who loves to read books like ‚Lord of the rings‘, or likes high-fantasy or is a fan of stories of medieval times, knights or bloody fights and which are also heroic and with big feelings.

Rating:
4 of 5 points (Great, great, great)

Quotes:

“People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it’s served up.”

Jon: “There’s no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it.”

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Succession:

# 1 : George R. R. Martin – A Game of Thrones »»
# 2 : George R. R. Martin – A Clash of Kings »»
# 3 : George R. R. Martin – A Storm of Swords
# 4 : George R. R. Martin – A Feast of Crows
# 5 : George R. R. Martin – A Dance with Dragons
# 6:  George R. R. Martin -  The Winds of Winter
# 7:  George R. R. Martin -  A Dream of Spring

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(© goodreads)

About the author – George R. R. Martin:

George R.R. Martin was born September 20, 1948, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and Marist High School. He began writing very young, selling monster stories to other neighborhood children for pennies, dramatic readings included. Later he began to write fiction for comic fanzines (amateur fan magazines). Martin’s first professional sale was made in 1970 at age 21: “The Hero”.

In 1970 Martin received a B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to complete a M.S. in Journalism in 1971, also from Northwestern. Martin became a full-time writer in 1979.

Martin’s present home is Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (he was South-Central Regional Director 1977-1979, and Vice President 1996-1998), and of Writers’ Guild of America, West.    (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit his Website »»

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Snapshot: The Woman in Black

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Snapshots are short- reviews of my already read books, which should give a litte insight of how I liked the books, if I think it’s worth reading and for which taste it would fit.

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‘The Woman in Black’
by Susan Hill.

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(© goodreads)

I don’t know exactly where I should start. I’ve read it in the English original and although I never had problems with the English language in other books, here in this book it has been difficult for me. The writing style wasn’t liquid at all, but had many nested sentences with which I couldn’t make friends, although it has become better after some time.

Moreover it was particularly at the beginning that a lot of the story was told from the past, so things which had happened to this Arthur Kipps and he described them like he was looking back. I was never a fan of that and therefore I also didn’t like it here. But luckily this changed throughout the story and it thereby also become better and more interesting.

Parts of the plot weren’t really bad and at times I have also been frightened and at some pages I also was interested tensely and wanted to know what to happen next. But more often it was only a reading to finally finish the book.
I recognize the fact that I don’t like a book very much, if I start to look occasionally at the page numbers and calculate for me how much I still have to read. If I start like that than it’s not good – and unfortunately here it was like this for the most part.

Moreover the construction of the arc of suspense, when it really became creepy and scary, was stressed too much and then it simply flattened, without something really happened, and the ghostly situation just passed and then it was over. *very strange*

Also the end was for me – the only shocking thing in it – because the rest of it with the children and the approximate family background wasn’t hard to figure out by myself.

But the fact that it really ends like this – okay, I also kind of saw that coming – but what was hard is that it came so all of a sudden and was simply over afterwards. There happened something big and then the book just ended without any concluding sentence or a final chapter and I found this a little awkward. On top of that the book often dragged for me and hence it gets only two points.

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I’ve read this book for the ‘Book2Movie – Challenge’ 2012 !

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Snapshot: The Fellowship of the Ring

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Snapshots are short- reviews of my already read books, which should give a litte insight of how I liked the books, if I think it’s worth reading and for which taste it would fit.

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‘The Fellowship of the Ring’
by J. R. R. Tolkien.

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(© goodreads)

I don’t know where I should start and it’s really hard for me to write an appropriate review. I love the films and I’ve seen them already countless times and so often that I’m already able to join in the dialogues. Hence, everybody can probably understand that the book hasn’t offered a lot of attraction or tension for me anymore and that it was a laborious reading. I have already bought the book years ago in English and since then I tried to read it twice and have broken off every time.
And also this time I have quarreled so much with myself, but everybody told to me and said that I just have to come to a certain point and then it’ll become better and more interesting. But unfortunately, this point has never really came for me, that I would say ‘wow, now I must read on because it’s so interesting’ but it was always a compulsion to finally finish this book, which I have already started at the end of December –> probably this says everything.

The writing manner of Tolkien was definitely not what I usually like. For me it was too overloaded, too poetically and everything was described too precisely. Particularly the beginning was a horror for me, when the whole family relationship by Frodo and Bilbo were explained. Does somebody like this our find this interesting?

I like it when something is happening, but here the real action has only begun after the first third of the book! Also everything wasn’t easy to understand and in my opinion at the beginning it was also difficult to come into the story, mostly because of the Old-English from Tolkien, which he has exaggerated too much and which I’ve not liked at all. Later when the story did go on, it become better, but the dialogues remained very ancient and conceited, so that I had to force myself to read on.

Nevertheless, now I can’t rate the book only negatively, because I love the main story and the characters in it so much …though, if I’m honest, mainly from the movies. But here I couldn’t really build up a good connection and it wasn’t a joyful reading. But as said, this is certainly because I already know the movies in and by heart. Hence, I would recommend this book for everybody who likes fantasy, but maybe for those who haven’t already seen the movies or not too often.

The plot and the action in the story gets better and more interesting after the point, where the hobbits leave the woods in which Tom Bombadil lives in. I know, some of you love Tom Bombadil but I thought he was only annoying with all his singing and prancing and therefore I’m glad he wasn’t also in the movie. Sorry- but that’s my opinion on that subject.
However, it become really exciting when they decide to destroy the ring, to bring him to Mordor and when they form the fellowship of the ring, to make their dangerous and almost impossible way there. My favorite characters are Sam (Sam is the real hero in my eyes!! Gandalf, Strider/ Aragon and of course Pippin *lol*)

I’m happy to be able to finish this book after nearly 3 months I certainly won’t read the other 2 books. There I‘m completely content with the movies.

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Quote:

Frodo: “I wish it need not have happened in my time.”
Gandalf: “So do I, and so do all who live to see such times.
But that is not for them to decide.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

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Succession:

# 1: J. R. R. Tolkien – The Fellowship of the Ring
# 2: J. R. R. Tolkien – The Two Towers
# 3: J. R. R. Tolkien – The Return of the King

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I read this book for the ‘Book2Movie – Challenge’ 2012 !

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