[Snapshot] Death and the Girl next Door (eng.)

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Snapshots are short- reviews of my already read books, which sould 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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‘Death and the Girl next Door’
by Darynda Jones.

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(© goodreads)

My opinion:
For this book I’ve got high expectations, because I’m a huge fan of Jones’ adult series ‘Charley Davidson’ and hence, I’ve been very glad about this new series here. Unfortunately, it couldn’t keep up with my big hopes.
I was aware beforehand that this one will be a Young Adult book and therefore it’ll have some big difference to the other books, but however, it was more different than I had expected.

First of all I found some occurrences in the book full of cliché and stereotyped, with this dark, foreign, sexy boy, who is immediately interested in the main protagonist Lorelei, even though she doesn’t look especially beautiful, or that at the moment of their first meeting she would have said something great/ funny/ special to him, which would have caught his attention. Nope – but still he was only focused on her. *sure*
And situation I’ve already got this too often and read it in too many other books and hence, I’m disappointed in Jones, because she has also taken this way and I’ve wished for more creativity from her.

As well as in the other book series of her, there are supernatural occurrences and beings in the book, only not a reaper or such, but other things. I won’t tell you much about it, because I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the solution at the end, which is presented and clears up everything, wasn’t my taste and I don’t really liked it. It was too outlandish for me – and concerning fantasy, I’m usually quite open-minded.
So actually I really love fantasy and supernatural elements, but here this was even for me too overstrung and simply too much in all, so that it seemed fulsome and fake.

I had also my problems with the characters and wasn’t such a great fan of them as for example of Charley or Reyes, from Jones’ adult series. Partial they appeared like an imitation of them, but only trimmed to teenagers and Jones has reached a little bit too deep in the box of ‘stupid jokes and imbroglios‘. Though Lorelei was quite okay and I also could get along with the other characters, but unfortunately not more than this, and sometimes also here, I had to roll with my eyes irritated. I noticed here, that Jones tried to write juvenile for teenagers and, hence, it was too volitional for me and not authentic.

Unfortunately, this was not a book for me, after the great Charley Davidson world and I don’t know, if Jones just should stay at what she can – namely to write erotic, amusing and exciting adult books, instead of distinguishing herself also in the Young Adult genre. For me this attempt hasn’t really worked. Nevertheless I give still rate the book with three points for the quick and rapid reading, which the book has to offer. At this moment I’m not sure, whether I’ll track this series in the future or not, that remains to be seen.
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Quote:

Brooklyn: “If Cameron kidnaps you, kills you, then buries your lifeless body in a shallow grave in the desert where your remains lay decomposing for several decades until they’re accidentally discovered by some guy on a journey to awaken his spirit at the Salinas Pueblo Missions, can I have your iMac?”
Lorelei: “You’ve really thought this out.”
Brooklyn: “I love your iMac.”
Lorelei: “I love my iMac too, and you’re not getting her.”
Brooklyn: “But you’ll be decomposing.”

Brooklyn: “That boy needs a hobby.”
Lorelei: “Stalking is a hobby.”
Brooklyn: “So is serial killing.”

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Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© netgalley.com

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Review: The Lost Prince

(© goodreads)

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‘The Lost Prince‘
by Julie Kagawa

The Call of the Forgotten # 1

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First Sentence:
“‘My name is Ethan Chase. And I may not live to see my eighteenth birthday.”

Last Sentence:
“And for the first time, I wasn’t afraid.”.

Synopsis:
Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.
That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’s dare to fall for.
Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myths and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.
(Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
I was back again in the Nevernever and I have enjoyed my visit! Particularly, because it was already a certain time ago that I’ve read the ‘Iron Fey’ series and I’ve missed the world and some characters in it so much.

I’m aware that I’m prejudiced and that I can’t rate the books of Kagawa any more objectively because I am simply just so a big fan of her and her world full of fairies. Other readers might like this book not so much than I did, because I also see the weak spots in the story and within the characters, but nevertheless, I was totally enthused – I think it’s always like that when you’re in love, as well as I’m with her stories. And also her writing style is as usual always just indescribable magnificent, with wonderful and dreamlike descriptions of the scenery – picturesquely like a famous painting.

This book now is about the younger brother of Meghan, Ethan Chase, who isn’t so small at all and nice, like we have got to know him in the ‘Iron Fey’ series, but he has become stubborn, recalcitrant and tall– also built very well and attractively. (You only have to look at the incredible cover! ^^)

Ethan is able to see the fairies since he was born, but he dissimulate this secret because the fairy only gets him in trouble, in big trouble, what leads to the fact that Ethan is reserved and therefore also lives a more or less lonesome, dreary life. The only ones, who know about his ability, are Meghan – who left to life with the fairies – and his mother, who doesn’t speak of these things, because she fears them. So he is totally on his own. Hence it’s understandable that he is quite a sourpuss, at least at the beginning. Of course this changes after his acquaintance with Kenzie, where we are already by the female main character.

I have really liked both, Ethan and Kenzie, and I could get involved with them very well and fast. They were also a great couple and they showed a nice see-saw. And I also must confess that Ethan reminds me a little of Ash, with his often rotten mood and his constant humming. But in return Kenzie is completely different than Meghan! She is a disobedient, headstrong, cheeky and strong personality and has whined not once, although she also has to deal with some hard things. I also think now for me she is one of my newest favorite characters and I find them both great, really great and I’m already looking forward to read more about them in the next part. To be honest – I can’t wait and I’m dying here while waiting for the second book. :/

But unfortunately I couldn’t completely feel with in the same way like I did with the first series (with Meghan and Ash) what is probably due to the fact, that Ethan is telling the story from his POV and therefore it’s clear that there are mentioned less feelings and emotions, which rules in him (but otherwise it also would be a little unsexy ^^). Often I also felt that he brooded constantly and too often over the same problem, although it was already discussed and I fear that this will also go on in the next part.
But nevertheless I’m really looking forward to the second part, because I want to read more about them and I also want to know how it goes on with the other characters. Particularly with Keeiran and Annwyln.

However, I think it’s a little pity that though Ash, Meghan or Puck showed up, they only were present for a very short time and hadn’t an important role in it. For me that would be okay, if it was just Meghan and Ash, but that also Puck and Grimalkin were very absent, has surprised me. I’ve really hoped for Puck that he gets a nice part again and gets this time also his happy-end, but unfortunately no. And instead of Grimalkin,  these Razor got the steadier role beside the main characters and though it was also funny when he has chirped the first time ‘bad Kitty’, it become dull after the third time.

Also the plot wasn’t so very surprising  in the story, because I’ve foreseen parts of it, which were also confirmed later on, for example the thing with the queen or with Kenzie. There Kagawa has probably already pointed to it too early, as well as the thing with the mysterious ‘Forgotten’ was no surprise for me. But I think that I see that rather fast in such a way, because I’ve already read all the other books from her. For somebody who doesn’t know ‘The Iron Fey’ series, the book offers more new things and surprise. However then the joy of seeing all the other characters from the first series again, is missing, which I really liked . So everything has his own advantages.
But I think, one can also read this book without having read ‘The Iron Fey’ series before. Everything is explained and one can follow the story also without foreknowledge.

Cover:
This is an amazing cover which shows Ethan matchless at it. It’s really brilliant and there you only want to start reading the book immediately, right?

All in all:
Not as good as ‘The Iron Fey’ series, because in my opinion there were many similar things in it, but nevertheless still a highlight and Kagawa writes for me the best and most fantastic fairy stories.

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

Quotes:

 Kenzie: “No need to be nasty,” she said, seeming unconcerned with my aggressiveness. “I’m not asking for a date, tough guy, just your name.”

Grimalkin: “Well, well,” answered a cool, amused voice from somewhere above us. “And here you are again. Ethan Chase, your family does have a knack for getting into trouble.”

Ethan: ‘The cat trotted briskly ahead, neither slowing down or glancing back to see if we were still there, and we had to scramble to keep up. I wondered if Meghan hat this same problem when she first came to the Nevernever.’

Puck to Ethan: “Sit down. Geez, kid, do I look like a nurse? Why are you always bleeding whenever I see you? You’re worse than ice-boy.”..

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A huge Thanks for the eBooks to:

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Succession:

# 1: Julie Kagawa - The Lost Prince »»
# 2: Julie Kagawa - The Traitor Son
# 3: Julie Kagawa – Untitled

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© goodreads.com

About the author – Julie Kagawa:
She was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel. (Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

English Cover

German Cover

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‘Daughter of Smoke and Bone’
by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone # 1

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Synopsis:
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself? (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
Finally again a book that after my high expectations has fulfilled and even excelled them and all I can say is, that I love this book! After many positive reviews and because I found the cover pretty amazing, I was really looking forward to read this book and honestly, I feared that I’ll be disappointed like so often, when I’ve high expectations. But exactly the opposite has happened and now I can join the whole masses before me who loved it, because the book is really wonderful and the best discovery for a long time.

I don’t want to tell much about the plot and describe here everything because I would like to give every reader the chance to discover it for yourself, to solve the riddles and to see the miracles with your own eyes. I only want to say so much that it is about Angels, which aren’t shown as usual as bighearted and kind, but who can be also deadly and unmerciful.
In the book you find yourself in a world full of wishes, filled with me chimeras which couldn’t be more differently and the plot is scattered all around the world, now it’s Prague, then Marrakech or Paris. Everything is a big scene, full of tension and emotions in whose middle the central figure Karou stands; a 17-year-old student with bright blue hairs and many unbelievable secrets, and also riddles which she must work out by herself throughout the story, together with the reader.

The book is stuffed with original ideas, new notions and thus begins already with the first pages and starts with the unique names of the protagonists, like Karou, Twiga, Assil, Kishmish or Akiva. It is also a different atmosphere in this book, stamped by the scenery in Prague, as well as by the unique characters and their own world, like for example in the magic store of Brimstone.
Moreover, Laini Taylor has a wonderful writing style which underlines this fantastic story as well, and you also notice that Taylor has a lot of know-how and has well investigated. This book has brought an absolutely new and fresh wind into the fantasy genre, like a strong gust which carries the ‘boat of the imagination’ even further out in the never-ending ocean. *wonderful*

Furthermore what I’ve liked very much was that though it’s a YA book, that it also fits well for older readers and therefore it’s written more attractively to adults.

The only deficiency which I have to criticize is that at the beginning it was difficult to get into the story because of the writing style and therefore it was also a little slow going, but which changed soon. At the start was just a big question mark but which has changed after some pages.
And also the fact that though I liked Karou as a character and she was totally a great and very strong main figure, she sometimes appeared too great and too good – she was missing a little negative side and therefore she seemed too perfect.
Moreover in the later middle section was a little too much about the past and the whole Madrigal-story, which was described too precisely and it could have been shorter in my opinion.

But otherwise, I was inspired by this book all the time and I could empathize fantastically and felt with these wonderful characters throughout the plot and now I’m really looking forward to the second part in this incredible series, which hopefully will be released soon.

German Cover:
It’s breathtaking and the nicest cover which I have in my collection so far. Special is, that under the envelope is also a printed picture on the hardcover. *awesome*

All in all:
For me an obvious Must-Read! At which I have to say that it’s rather for fantasy fans. For Jodi Picoult-readers or for fans of non-fictional books, this book will be maybe too extraordinary.

Rating:
5 of 5 points

Quotes:

Karou: “It’s not like there’s a law against flying.”
Zuzana: “Yes there is. The law of gravity.”

Madrigal: “Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”

Akiva: “Your soul sings to mine. My soul is yours, and it always will be, in any world. No matter what happens. I need you to remember that I love you.”

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Succession:

# 1: Laini Taylor – Daughter of Smoke and Bone »
# 2: Laini Taylor – Days of Blood and Starlight
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(© goodreads)

About the author – Laini Taylor:

Hi there! I’m a writer of fantasy books for young people, but my books can be enjoyed by adults as well. My ‘Dreamdark’ books, Blackbringer (2007) and Silksinger (2009) are about faeries — not dainty little flowery things, but warrior-faeries who battle devils. My first young adult book, Lips Touch, is a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award! It’s creepy, sensual supernatural romance. . . about kissing. I am also an artist with a licensed gift product line called “Laini’s Ladies.”
(Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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Review: My Soul to Take

English Cover

German Cover

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‘My Soul To Take‘
by Rachel Vincent

Soul Screamers # 1
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Synopsis:
She doesn’t see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who’ll be next. (Source: Goodreads.com).

My thoughts about the book:
The book delivers a direct entrance in the story of Kaylee who has the morbid ability to feel the coming death of other people. She doesn’t know it with certainty though, but always when she sees somebody wrapped in shades, the menacing death is omnipresent and she must struggle with all her strength against an ear-deafening scream from her own throat. Up to now she was never sure if the people really died or if she was just crazy. Up to that evening in a disco when she gets this frightening feeling again and can just barely disappear, before the scream leaves her throat. The next day she finds out in the news that her foreboding has become true and the girl has really passed away; without evident reason. Kaylee is despaired and turns to her best friend Emma, and also to the attractive Nash, because of several different circumstances. Both of them stand aside Kaylee to solve her mystery.
From the story and the plot this book was really exciting and a real page-turner but parts of it didn’t work for me, nevertheless. In fact the writing style of the author is okay, but then she writes single words in her sentences over and over again, like Kaylee is thinking them. For example: ‘damned!’ or ‘Oh no!’ which is too sloppy for me and doesn’t fit to the rest of her writing.
Here, moreover, I have AGAIN the same problem, like with many other YA books, that especially the best friend is constantly lifted up and in the foreground, above all because of her extraordinary attractiveness. Emma is blond, brown-eyed, incredibly pretty, has a great body with the right curves and every guy at school would do everything to be together with her. In contrast Kaylee looks with her blue eyes, her slight build and brunette hair totally average and these facts are mentioned in the book every few pages.

If this wasn’t already enough, that it sounded very similar to other books, then there are also some other facts which seemed to me very copied. Namely one of the hottest guys of the whole school falls in love with Kaylee and although he is, actually, a womanizer, he means it serious with the average Kaylee… Okay? To whom this seems familiar and who can’t read it anymore – please, just raise your hand! Thanks – you can take your hand down again.
What I liked in this book was, that it was written thrilling and was an absolutely a fast read, although I could foresee some things in it and they particularly didn’t surprised me. But well, it is just a YA book and hence, I probably must throttle my expectations a little. Unfortunately, the anticipation for the book was once again higher than the actual reading pleasure and in the future I’ll have to pay less attention and better not to listen too much to other opinions and reviews.

Cover:
A great cover which has immediately made me to buy it. Nice and interesting at the same time, and above all once also something different. I really like it very much.

All in all:
An interesting book with an exciting plot but which also possesses a few weaknesses.

Rating:
3 of 5 points

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Succession:

#0,5: Rachel Vincent – My Soul to Lose
# 1:     Rachel Vincent – My Soul to Take »
# 2:     Rachel Vincent – My Soul to Save
# 3:     Rachel Vincent – My Soul to Keep
# 3,5: Rachel Vincent – Reaper
# 4:     Rachel Vincent – My Soul to Steal
# 5:     Rachel Vincent – If I Die
# 5,5: Rachel Vincent – Never to Sleep
# 6:     Rachel Vincent – Before I Wake

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Rachel Vincent:

A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.
(Source: goodreads.com)

Visit her Website »»

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Review: Hush Hush

(© goodreads)

(© goodreads)

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‘Hush, Hush’
by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush # 1.

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Synopsis:
Nora is a common High School student, intelligent, a little shy and friendly. She is focused on her future, on her apprenticeship and therefore she isn’t very interested in the boys who are attending the same school. But that changes abruptly the day she meets the dark and mysterious Patch, who emerge in her class and becomes her classmate sitting right next to her. Nora feels attracted to him, though she recognize that something is strange about him and that something evil is inside him, a dark secret. Therefore she has to make a decision: should she ingest with Patch and his dangerous game or should she stay away from him for her own safety? Soon Nora finds herself between an ancient war between good and evil and fallen angels…

My thoughts about the book:
I had really high expectation for this book because on one hand it was recommended form different sides and on the other hand because it was listed high on best-seller lists. Therefore I was piteous disappointed – like so often, when I’ve got high anticipations. The story was okay, the twists in it were also okay, but all together not more than just ‘okay’. It didn’t entertain me or was thrilling like other books. Only Patch was an interesting character – though when I think about it, then I’ve to say that he was just hot and a nice guy to look at but nothing more. Especially in the beginning while Nora fall for him, he was just an egoist and totally manipulative. Only after a while he became more acceptable when he lowered himself to fall for the human Nora. So, now we are at Nora: Although she is kind of an ‘Einstein’ at school and seems to know every answer there, but in real life in everyday situations she is totally naive and foolish. Sometimes she has more luck than any sense and goes through dangerous situations which could have killed her, just because she is lucky and not using her brain. And what should I say about her supposed best friend Vee? At first I liked her because she was funny and said amusing things but throughout the book she became more and more egoistic, annoying and mean. And to be true if I could decide I wouldn’t want to have such a friend like her- I would rather be alone!
And now to the end which was not very surprising and very predictable and I already know who the real villain was after the first 50 pages, while Nora needed the entire book to make it out. Therefore it was boring and the book has lost much suspense and thrill. For me the whole story and as well the characters appeared very dull and just one-dimensional, flat and also in parts very boring. This book wasn’t really my taste thought I liked the beginning but it sucked more and more with every chapter, but I’ll give the next one (Crescendo) a chance and will try it in the future and I hope that it will be better.

German Cover:
The Cover is the best of the whole book and I really love the design and the picture because it is sexy, mysterious and wicked. Great body and great staging, which couldn’t have shown any better the ‘fallen angel’. The cover is really one of my favorites and definitely the reason I read it.

All in all:
The first book in this new series was really a disappointment for me but I’ll give the next one a chance and keep on reading the ‘Hush Hush’ books.

Rating:
2 of 5 points

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Succession:

# 1: Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush
# 2: Becca Fitzpatrick – Crescendo
# 3: Becca Fitzpatrick – Silence

Review: The Iron Knight (engl.)

(© goodreads)

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‘The Iron Knight‘
by Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey # 4

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Synopsis:
Ash and Puck are on their search for the cat sidhe Grimalkin to ask him for a favor, to help them, so that Ash cans earn a soul and become mortal. After their successful search they continue their way to a special seer, who knows the way to the end of the world and can tell them the secret, how a fairy can gain a soul. But when they arrive their Ash has to ask himself if you really want this? If he really wants to stay with Meghan and wants to become a mortal who will die in the end? And if he says ‘yes’, is he doing it because of his own freewill or because of his oath? …

First Sentence:
“Oy, ice-boy! You sure you know where you’re going?”. I  ignored  Robin  Goodfellow  as  we  wove  through  the  gray  murk  of  the  wyldwood,  pushing  farther  into  the  soggy  swamp  known  as  the  Bone Marsh.

My thoughts about the book:
Like in the other books before Kagawa did here a nice and great job as well and her writing is still just admirable. She has a great feeling for writing wonderful descriptions of the surroundings, with all their miracles and colors and extraordinary creatures. Furthermore she came up again with many great and spectacular twists and plot and in my opinion her creativity knows no bounds.
About the plot I’ve to say that it is just ‘top’ and there are just a few points, which I didn’t like so much. On one hand the beginning tracked a little and was not such as thrilling as in the other books. At first they searched for Grimalkin, afterwards they searched for the seer and then they searched for the end of the world. Of course Kagawa didn’t let them just walk around and have a little talk- there were fights, wild creatures, new characters and thrilling moments as well… but not like in the usual style and so it wasn’t so exciting and fresh like in the books before. But on the other hand I really liked it that it was written from Ash’s POV and we got the chance to look behind his façade, and what we saw was just indescribable und beautiful – brave and strong with stamina and in spite of everything he’s still capable of loving completely and with no hesitates. *sigh* If Ash would be a real man und not an imaginary one, then there would be no hold of me and I would try everything to go to this fairyland to get him.
But enough of Ash – we already know what we have with him. Let us talk about the other characters, for example Puck, whom I really like as well and who is still a great and funny character and can always put a smile on your face. And therefore I really hope that Kagawa is continuing to write another book in which Puck find his true love, and I wouldn’t care if there also other characters in it, but want I would want is a happy ending for Puck – he just deserves one In this book I also liked Grimalkin’s quotes again; they were funny and sniffy, like a real cat behaves. I just missed Meghan in it – something that was obvious because she could be with them, but I would have appreciate it, if there would have been more dream frequencies, in which Ash and Meghan could be together. Or I would have liked some reviews of shared moments of Ash and Meghan from the past, to read them from Ash’s POV.

And now – I just have to write some spoilers now – so please stop reading now if you haven’t read the book yet. !! SPOILER ALERT !!

For my taste the ending was there too fast, after the long way and their hard trails, which Ash and his companion had to survive. I would have liked to read more about what happened after their happy meeting in the iron court – did they really get her baby boy? Did they marry as well? What about Puck? Or about the other courts – will there be a war or not? And is Ash now still an immortal fey or not? And what about Meghan’s family in the mortal world – will she see them again or not?
All this questions unanswered questions leave a bitter taste in my mouth after I finished this book (also because I was said it’s really over now). Furthermore the solution Kagawa wrote with Ariella and how everything happened was great and I really thought of this idea in the second and third book. Ariella hast do show up, because Ash would have never been really happy or couldn’t really love Meghan with his pure and full heart, because he was still blaming himself for her death and was still mourning her. And so they got their ending and he could finish it – though some parts of her are still with him and so he can go on now with a new love. So great plot and great idea and great ending – just perfect!
But I also have to admit that from the time she showed up till the time Ash chose Meghan for his future, I had a really hard time to read the book. All this chapters I felt like I had heartache and lost a love… it felt like he was betraying Meghan because he was so confused and couldn’t decided what he want – and it got even worse when he told himself, he has to be with Meghan because of his oath – I really felt like crying because this was befouling Meghan’s and Ash’s moments together… So I really was glad how it turned out in the end. Kagawa did a great job playing with my feelings – it was a steady ‘up and down’ of the feelings. But now with a great ending, which leaves me with a sad heart because it’s over, but also with a smile on my face because it was just a beautiful and unique journey.

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Julie Kagawa wrote a short story especially for Valentines Day 2012 and if you want to read about the date of Meghan & Ash, then
follow the »» LINK!!
 ♥ I really love it, but take care, it also contains spoilers!  ♥

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English Cover:
Like the other covers, this one is great as well and now Ash’s face is gazing at us (though I’ve imagined him more distinctive) and his Cover has also these great lines and ornaments, which I also love on the other books. *nice*

All in all:
For all fans of this series an absolute highlight and a ‘must-read’! For all who haven’t read this series yet – start with the first book right now – you won’t regret it!

Rating:
3,5 of 5 points..

Quotes:

Grimalkin:  “Additionaly, you can paint a neon sign over our heads that says, ‘Easy meal, fol ow the flashing lights.”

Ash:  “I am still yours, my queen, if you’ll  have me.”

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Succession:

# 1: Julie Kagawa – The Iron King
# 1,5: Julie Kagawa – Winter’s Passage
# 2: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Daughter
# 3: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Queen
# 3,5: Julie Kagawa – Summer’s Crossing
# 4: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Knight

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Review: Summer’s Crossing

(© goodreads)

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‘Summer’s Crossing‘
by
Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey # 3,5

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Synopsis:
This short story tells us about Ash and Puck, which actually where on their way to find a solution so that Ash can be with Meghan again in the future. But then Leanansidhe shows up and she claims the favor Prince Ash has given her in the past. She wants from him that he breaks in the summer court to steal a precious violin – but from none less than from queen Titiana…

My thoughts about the book:
I guess I don’t have to say anything further about the great writing style of Kagawa. Everybody who already read something of her knows how nice and fluently her stories are to read, although she puts much love and effort into the details and in the building of the fairy land and their creatures.
The characters are charismatic and authentic as always and you just have to like them, regardless of what you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re Team Ash or Team Puck, you can’t really decide between them and chose one. Especially in this story, which tells nearly only about this characters. And although I liked it to read it from someone others view, in this case from the view of Puck, I would have loved also some parts form Ash’s POV. But I guess we’ll get that in the next book *hope so*
The story was okay, she wasn’t extremely emotional, but she was funny and explosive – typical if Ash and Puck are on an adventure together. A short moment Kagawa really got me and I almost believed that Puck was going to go through with it (at the summer court – who has read it will know what I mean with it), and then I really would be angry with him. But then everything turned out good in the end and I was not disappointed. Although I don’t think this book is necessary to read to understand the next/ last book in this series, it was a nice read and I got a better insight into the friendship of Ash and Puck and their feelings.

Cover:
It has the same style like the ‘Winter’s Passage’ and with a great attention of the black bird – nothing would have shown better, that this book is written in Puck’s POV.

All in all:
Nice story, nice insights – although it wasn’t a ‘must-read’, it is still special for fans of this series.

Rating:
3 of 5 points

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Succession:

# 1: Julie Kagawa – The Iron King
# 1,5: Julie Kagawa – Winter’s Passage
# 2: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Daughter
# 3: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Queen
# 3,5: Julie Kagawa – Summer’s Crossing
# 4: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Knight

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Review: Iron Queen

(© goodreads)

(© goodreads)

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‘The Iron Queen‘
by Julie Kagawa

Iron Fey # 3  I.

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Synopsis:
Meghan and Ash are on their way to Meghan’s family, after they were banned from the Never never because of their love for each other. But there they get attacked by some iron feys, because the false Iron King wants to kidnap Meghan and then to kill her. Therefore Meghan has to realize that she can’t have a ‘normal’ life before she hasn’t got rid of the false Iron King and killed him – again. Ash stay’s the whole time at her side and shortly after they all, to say Meghan, Ash, Puck and Grimalkin find themselves in a hidden house of Leandsidhe, where they plan their next moves. But then one day the summer and the winter courts come to them to ask Meghan to kill the false Iron King for them, and in exchange the exile will be lifted and they will be free to go back to the fairyland…

First Sentence:
Eleven years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

My thoughts about the book:
This book has more than fulfilled my expectation and I don’t know where to begin my review… there were so many beautiful moments, which I will re-read again in the future, but there were also sad and desperate ones, which made my heart ache and which made me cry till I was sitting on my couch sobbing and the tears just flowed over my cheeks *it was great*.
The story began when Meghan and Ash were together, and this time they were totally alone, in the mortal world and there they wandered around to accomplish one by one some ‘tasks’ to draw near their goal to end the false Iron King’s life. To be hones Meghan didn’t want to have to do something with all this fairy stuff anymore and we all were hoping for some break or some special time for Meghan and Ash, where they could enjoy being together. Should be too much to ask for after Meghan killed the first Iron King, then fighted for Ash and their love and saved her little brother and thousand of feys by the way. But I guess it would become boring if there wouldn’t happen something interesting and if Meghan and Ash wouldn’t go back to Never never to fight there against many more dangers and threats. NO! So they went back and fighted like crazy and it all made it more thrilling and exciting and for me the whole book was an emotional rollercoaster and at some points I even got a little heart attack. What I want to say with this is, that even though there were some moments they were going slower, that the book all in all was more rapid and thrilling than any other book of this series so far. The fights were more blood lusting and also the input from Meghan were definitely higher, so that she fought with her own sword and didn’t stand on the side like it the other books and were thinking “Oh, what should I do?” – So I really liked that change. And also her whining, about everything that concerns Ash, was less annoying and often than in the books before. (If you ask me, it was no wonder- because of all Ash did for her and what he all said to her *so sweet*) und now she also finally knows where to put her feelings for Puck and that they should just be friends *surprise*. I really like Puck and he can make you smile and lift your spirit, but he’s just not the right one for a romance, because he’s too hyped and flippancy. And let us be straight, but who doesn’t really want hard muscles, a great six-pack, sexy messy hairs and a hard shell, which we have to break up to get to the sweet and delicious soft heart – like it is with Ash. Kagawa has made a great job with him and it was great how she build his character: at first an arrogant and unreachable Prince of the unseelie court who appears that he doesn’t care of anything but of himself. And then from book to book this wall breaks and shows us his history and his feelings – and we loved it (or I did). And Kagawa did it so well, that he doesn’t become too soft or sensitive, no, he is still a fighter and an ice-cold killer – he is still or beloved ‘ice-boy’!
All in all I’m really happy how everything turns out in the end, even though I cried like a baby at the end. But I guess it just has to be this way or otherwise we wouldn’t get a next and the ultimate last book (Iron Knight #4). And so I’m sure everything will be fine and that Kagawa will make a great and breathe taking final we all will love.

English Cover:
Like all the other covers in this series, this one is great as well and just beautiful and adorable and with great details. Also the German cover which is also great, especially the leaves on the eyelashes are great.

All in all:
This book has ALL what a book can have – love, jealousy, drama, heartaches, humor, strong characters and funny dialogs and passionate love scenes (though there could have been more and they could have been more intense *lol*). Please read it!!

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points

Quotes:
Meghan: “We could die tomorrow,” I whispered back. “I want to be with you tonight. I don’t want to have any regrets, when it comes to us. So, yes, I’m sure. I love you, Ash.”

Ash: “If I’d thought I would regret it,” he said calmly, “I never would have made that oath. I knew what becoming a knight would mean. And if you asked me again, the answer would still be the same.” He sighed, framing my face with his hands. “My life… everything I am… belongs to you.”..
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Succession:

# 1: Julie Kagawa – The Iron King
# 1,5: Julie Kagawa – Winter’s Passage
# 2: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Daughter
# 3: Julie Kagawa – The Iron Queen
# 3,5: Julie Kagawa – Summer’s Crossing
# 4 : Julie Kagawa – The Iron Knight

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