[Review] The Eternity Cure

(© goodreads)

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‘The Eternity Cure’
by
Julie Kagawa

Blood of Eden # 2

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Synopsis:
In Allison Sekemoto’s world, there is one one rule left: Blood Calls to blood.
Cast out of Eden and separated from the boy she dared to love, Allie will follow the call of blood to save her creator, Kanin, from the psychotic vampire, Sarren. But when the trail leads to Allie’s birthplace in New Covington, what she finds there will the change the world forever – and possibly end human and vampire existence.
There’s a new plague on the rise, a strain of the Red Lung virus that wiped out most of humanity generations ago – deadly to humans and vampires alike. The only hope for a cure lies in the secrets Kanin carries. If Allie can get to him in time…..  (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
I’m just speechless and that doesn’t happen very often
But after the end I don’t know whether I should be glad about the hopefully soon released next part or should cry because we don’t know what is going to happen next…

However, better I start right with the beginning:
Some months after Allie’s and Zeke’s ways have separated at Eden, she is still following the psycho-vamp Sarren, who has Kanin in his catches and torments and massacres him over and over again – Allie can feel this, because of her blood connection with Kanin. But instead of him, Allie hits in further results other old friends. At first by some of them, I immediately would have liked to turn around again and by others I’ve been enormously glad!! ♥
But about that I’m going to write more of it, further down.

Now to the writing style of Kagawa, which I find simply brilliant, admirable and desirable. Though she sometimes stretches her descriptions a little, but she makes the surroundings-descriptions so special and fantastic that it don’t disturbs me and so I’m just even more enthusiastic about it – whether it is about a fantastic fairy kingdom or like here about a cruel, somber area in tunnels or in wastelands, in which hope stands shortly before the end. *great*

Without any problems Kagawa also could create characters which got me, carried me away and with which, I simply fell in love with and I constantly worried about them. Even with Jackal I had this feeling, although I only wanted to strangle him at the beginning – but he could persuade me with his cheeky, unabashed behavior and change my opinion about him. (To tell the truth, he reminds me a little of Grimalkin from the Iron Fey series ^^)
But also Kanin was one of my favorites – and now that where I’m okay with the idea, that there will be no romantic incident with him – I’m glad about his fatherly behavior and for me he is a little like a grumpy bear, on which you also can lean on or is able to give you a good advice.

Now to the two main characters: Allie was just great once again and totally great. I like her even more than back then Meghan in the Iron Fey series, because she sorts things out and doesn’t hesitate long, doesn’t whine and in addition, she still has feelings and tries to hang on to her humanity. Alas, she is awesome and we could use more such female main characters in books.

And ZEKE – what I should say more about Ezekiel than that I’m absolutely in love with him! ♥ Although, in the first book I already liked him, but there he was sometimes too blue-eyed for me and was too nice for this sad, dreary world, which he lived it. BUT now he has grown up and has become more masculine and a fighter. That sounds stupid, but it is like that! Moreover I buy everything from him and he is in the right mood, he is still sensitive, sweet and caring, like in the first part. He virtually had a tuning, which made him a lot better and yeah – now, I’m in love! xD

So – and now to the end – which has totally got me down and made me cry like a little baby! Therefore, now I would like to address only those, who have already read the book – because I would like to know your opinion on this subject and what you think, how it goes on now in the third part … because on the internet I can’t find any info about when part three is going to be published or how it will be titled, never mind a synopsis! *whine*

So from here -> SPOILER!!!

I saw it coming when Allie has said goodbye in the evening to Zeke, especiallay because she saw Stick lurking around in the shadows … this was just soo evident! And then when Zeke was really gone and we hear the tortures and the screams – oh god, I’ve cried like a baby and also yet, when I think back of it, it’s killing me. It was really very hard and sad and I felt so sorry for Allie. :’-(

Now to my questions: What do you think after this prologue – do you think he has also become a vampire? Which I liked, to be honest – or do you think, Sarren just let Zeke live as a human? But this would be too easy for me! Moreover, then he could be together with Allie – be together for a long time, because they both would be immortal. Of course he didn’t wanted this, and hence, I think, the third part will be focused on the fact that Allie has to find her humanity again and Zeke has to master his existence as a vampire and to try not to perish – and yeah, they also have to find a cure against rabidsm and to kill Sarren – this psycho-asshole. Okay, do you think my opinion is right or is my supposition totally wrong? What do you wish for in the last part?

Cover:
Once again it fits perfectly to Allie, but I liked the cover from the first part a track better.

All in all:
An emotional rollercoaster, which though gets starting a little slowly, but then takes up such a rapidly drive and doesn’t stop up till to the end, until you are breathless when you read the last page. *wow*

Rating:
4,5 of 5 points (soo aswesome!)
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Quotes:  (Between Allie and Zeke)

Allie: “Promise me you’ll keep fighting, for as long as it takes. We’re not dead yet.”
Zeke gave me the smallest of grins. “Technically, you are.”

Zeke: “You haven’t changed. You’re still beautiful and dangerous and incredible. and I’ll keep telling you that for as long as is takes you to believe it. But right now, all I want to do is kiss you, except I’m terrified that if I try you might throw me off this balcony.”

Zeke drew back, looking a little dazed. Gazing down at me, he gave a wry smile, licking his lips. “That… didn’t have anything to do with him over there, did it?” he asked, sounding suspiciously amused, and a little breathless. I bit my lip.
“Does that bother you?”
“If it involves kissing you? Please, use me to prove a point anytime.”

His hand framed my cheek, brushing my skin. “No one who fights so hard to do the right thing is evil.”

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Succession:

# 1: Julie Kagawa – The Immortal Rules »»
# 2: Julie Kagawa – The Eternity Cure »»
# 3: Julie Kagawa – Untitled

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(© goodreads)

About the author – Julie Kagawa:
Julie Kagawa was born in Sacramento, California. To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. Then she worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time.
Julie now lives in Louisville, Kentucky. She lives with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and the latest addition, a hyper-active Papillon puppy.
(Source: juliekagawa.com)

Visit her Website »»

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[Snapshot] Dearly Beloved (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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‘Dearly, Beloved’  by Lia Habel.

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(© goodreads)

My opinion:
I‘ve really tried to like this book, more than part one, with which I already had my problems, but again it hasn‘t worked. If I had to use two words to describe it, I can only say ‚too long‘ or ‚boring’. Honestly, you just have to read the synopsis of the book to recognize that here is somebody, who has immense problems to be brief – and it’s like this in the whole book. I‘ve read more than 500!! pages, with a slow, tough course, which could also be written in 250-300 pages, and everybody would have been happier with it.

The plot ran incredibly slow without building up a great tension and it was a too much unnecessary gossip in between. As annoying was also the fact, that again with every chapter the narrator view changed from one character to the other. Of course this happened primarily between Nora and Bram, the main characters of the story, but nevertheless, many others figures also got a chance to speak, like the best friend Pamela, or also they ‚bad persons’ in the story, what I found absolutely unnecessary, because it didn’t interested me what they thought or felt. For me it’s enough to get a summary at the end, where I can read why they have done this or that.
Furthermore at the beginning were too many info and characters, so that it was hard to picture every character or to classify them properly.

In the second part, it was positive, that I’ve better got along with Pamela, because she appeared more realistic and authentic and also in spite of her big problems to handle all the things with the zombies, she didn’t duck her head, but instead admitted her weakness. But not in an annoying way, but it felt real, as one could imagine react, in such a situation. Hence her chapters were almost my favorite ones and I found her development with this Lord very interesting and this is also the reason, that I wanted to read on – and that I’ve got the second book on netgalley
Here I was also more thrilled by Nora than in the first book, though I found her sometimes a little too outstanding and too fearless, but then I also liked her cheeky, independent behavior. Whether her character fits in this described background of the story or not, because on the other side everything in the story is presented very strict and prude.

Moreover, I find it – sorry to all fans – disgusting, how Nora could make out with Bram. I mean, this guy is a zombie! Okay, sure – he is one of the zombies, who haven’t rotted yet in a strong way, like the others, and he also still looks rather nice …, however, but he’s still a zombie, damn! He has scars, his body is already patched up several times and he virtually rots away during the story … and Nora smooches with him! *gag*  – Here for example an extract from the story – this just doesn’t work for me at all!:

His lips found my brow, the sensation instantly identifiable due to the bit of thread that stitched his broken lower lip together. I loved his every scar.

After the second part I’ve decided to break up this series. But because I’m still a little curious what will become of the zombies (–I count on a healing, so that Bram don’t has to die), and I would like to know how the relationship of Pamela and this Lord develops in the next book. Therefore I simply plan to read the reviews from the last book. But not more, that’s really enough. .

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Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© netgalley.com

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[Review] Anna dressed in Blood

German Cover

English Cover

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‘Anna dressed in Blood’
by Kendare Blake

Anna #1...

Synopsis:
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn’t expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life. (Source: Goodreads.com)

My thoughts about the book:
I’ve not even read the first two chapters and I‘ve immediately known – YES, this is a book, which I’ll like and in the end it has turned out, that I was right. From the first pages on, I felt the same atmosphere, I’ve while watching the TV-series ‘Supernatural’ and also the language was similar to this show. What is fantastic for me, because I’m a huge fan of the series! Unfortunately, here there is missing the sexy brother, but I can live with that, because Cas is also not ugly, but exactly the contrary. Moreover, he is funny, charming, though a little bullheaded, but nevertheless he acts with caution, is cheeky and just refreshing!

Cas is in general a very likeable character, who though sometimes is a little bit arrogant about himself, when it comes to his specialty ->  killing ghosts, but the reader thereby also recognize a little his insecurity behind the cool facade.
Also Anna was an interesting character, who sometimes was also cruel and had a bad side in her, but she also has a good and disarming one, so that the read can’t divide her in ‘black and white’, but in grey shades.
It was like this also with almost every character in the book, that every figure showed their good and also weaker sides as well. As for example one of the characters later played the hero in the second row and he was a guy, who showed little courage at the beginning or Carmel, the blond beauty of the school, who later presents more than only her appearance.

In spite of the subject about ghosts and the creepy background, it is also really funny and is written very refreshing. The narrative view is from Cas, and I like it that once a guy is telling the story instead of a girl – and I’ve liked this much. Add to that the story was written in the present, which has fitted well to the plot and the tempo.
I find particularly the writing manner of Blake very easy, loosey-goosey and fast to read. It’s not overloaded, but contains nice approaches and descriptions of Cas’ feelings. Moreover, I think that the author writes the dialogues just great. I find some authors write them easier and other have more problems with dialogues. But Blake’s dialogues sounded absolutely natural and they always fits perfectly in the story. *great*

Up to now it sounds really great and now you probably ask yourselves, why the book hasn’t got five stars. This is due to the fact that the book has become weaker in the last third section. Not only by the plot, but unfortunately also by the characters. Anyhow Cas lost some of his spirit and also his connection with Anna wasn’t right. Though it was nice, but it was also too quick and also illogical.
The same happens with the famous ‚final battle‘, which got heightened till the end and then was solved too easily. Here for me the end was also over too quickly and too short. I would have wished for more information, because at the end, there were still some questions open.

Luckily there is still a second part, which I’ll read for sure and I hope that this will be published soon in German. In English you can already get the second part, so hopefully it won’t last long with the translation.

Cover:
It’s an absolutely brilliant cover, which has made me curious right from my first look. I think it doesn’t only looks great and special, but it also fits perfectly to the plot of the book! *top*

All in all:
I found this book really very entertaining, exciting and every now and then also creepy, but still within the scope for a YA book. The dialogues, characters and writing style were great and I like to recommend this book gladly, especially for fans of ‘Supernatural’

Rating:
4 of 5 points – (Great, Great, Great)
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A huge Thanks for the reviewer’s copy to:

© Random House

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Succession:

#1: Kendare Blake – Anna dressed in Blood »»
#2: Kendare Blake – Girl of Nightmares

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(© Kendare Blake)

About the author – Kendare Blake:
Kendare Blake is an import from South Korea who was raised in the United States by caucasian parents. You know, that old chestnut. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in Writing from Middlesex University in London. She brakes for animals, the largest of which was a deer, which sadly didn’t make it, and the smallest of which was a mouse, which did, but it took forever. Amongst her likes are Greek Mythology, rare red meat and veganism. She also enjoys girls who can think with the boys like Ayn Rand, and boys who scare the morality into people, like Bret Easton Ellis.
(Source: http://kendareblake.com/bio.php)

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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[Rezension] 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. (Quelle: Goodreads.com)

Meine Gedanken zum Buch:
Nach dem tollen ersten Teil, der mich komplett überzeugt und begeistert konnte, habe ich mich schon besonders auf die Fortsetzung gefreut, da es doch einen Cliffhanger am Ende von ‚Water‘ gab. Als ich das Buch dann endlich zu lesen beginnen durfte, war für mich vieles anders als erwartet.

Zu einem fängt die Handlung einige Zeit nach den Geschehnissen aus Band 1 an, aber ohne das wirklich viel wichtiges passiert ist in der Welt oder mit den Charakteren, die hier beschrieben sind. Was ich äußerst sonderbar finde, wenn man bedenkt, welche Beziehung Kaitlyn und Micah am Ende hatten, bevor das mit  Shawn passiert ist und dass Micah sie danach gerettet hat. Da redet man doch im Nachhinein darüber, oder? Aber Kaitlyn tut das nicht und sie hat es auch noch immer nicht geschafft, den anderen mitzuteilen, dass sie schwanger ist und hält komischerweise besonders zu Micah einen emotionalen, sowie körperlichen Abstand, der nie so groß war, wie in dieser Zeit.

Auch Micah, gibt wenig von sich preis oder macht wirklich offensichtliche Schritte auf Kaitlyn zu, was ich sehr schade fand. Und dann plötzlich kommt die große Offenbarung und von einer Sekunde auf die andere auch die große, unerklärliche Wende in ihrer Liebesbeziehung; als sich die Handlung rund um Shawn und seiner bösen Untergrundorganisation zuspitzt und die rasche und vor allem komplette Kehrtwendung von Micah bzgl. Kaitlyn stattfindet, was für mich zu rasch und auch unlogisch war.
Wochenlang wurde kein richtiges Gespräch zwischen den beiden Hauptcharas geführt und plötzlich ist Micah ein komplett anderer Mensch und erklärt ihr alle Liebe der Welt mit allen Konsequenzen und Verbindungen. Und was tut Kaitlyn? Natürlich nicht das richtige, was nicht nur in dieser Situation so ist, sondern durch das ganze Buch hindurch und besonders am Ende, wo ich sie einfach nur ohrfeigen wollte und solange schütteln, bis sie wieder zu Vernunft kommt. Aber leider kann man nicht in die Geschehnisse von Büchern eingreifen und so musste ich es über mich ergehen lassen und ihre Entscheidungen stumm und verzweifelnd mitansehen.

Natürlich ist es in diesem Teil zwischen Micah und Kaitlyn nicht nur schlecht, sondern es gab auch wirklich ein paar schöne, sehr romantische und knisternde Szenen, die auch mit Erotik punkten konnten. Aber trotzdem hat mir hier der Ausgang überhaupt nicht gefallen. Ich hätte sogar am liebsten zum heulen angefangen – was hier an dieser Stelle dann doch wieder zeigt, wie eingenommen ich von den Charakteren war, mit ihnen gefühlt und gelitten habe. Und das diese nicht immer tun, was man sich als Leser wünscht ist natürlich, den Menschen tun das auch nicht, somit kann man wieder sagen, dass die Charaktere und der Handlungsverlauf echt und authentisch waren, mit Menschen die Fehler begehen, unlogisch handeln, nicht perfekt sind und daraus lernen – hoffentlich!

Was mich neben diesen Punkten noch etwas gestört hat, war die Tatsache, dass der Mittelteil zäh zu lesen war. Für mich war der Teil mit Alex viel zu ausgedehnt und langwierig und generell konnte im zweiten Teil nicht die gleiche Spannung und Tempo gehalten werden, wie im Vorgänger.

Wie schon vorhin erwähnt, kann ich mich mit dem Ende des zweiten Bandes leider überhaupt nicht anfreunden und der einzige Lichtblick ist der, dass ich hoffe und weiß, dass die Autorin uns sicherlich einen positiven und sinnvollen Abschluss liefen wird – immerhin haben wir noch zwei Teile, auf die wir uns freuen können und ich hoffe inständig, dass mich dann, am Ende der auf und up und meinen Gefühlsgalopp ein Happy End erwartet.

Cover:
Das Cover ist wie immer einfach wunderschön und beschränkt auf das was im Buch wichtig ist und worum es geht – das Element und die Fähigkeit, damit umzugehen.

All in all:
Ein Lese-Muss für alle Fans von Fantasiebüchern, die sich mit der Kraft der Elemente beschäftigen und welche bereits Band 1 gelesen haben – es geht munter weiter und man darf sich noch auf zwei weitere Teile freuen, die Spannung und Knistern bringen werden.

Rating:
3 of 5 points (I liked it)

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Serienreihenfolge:

# 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

[Leserunde] ‘Spiegeljagd’ feat. Melanie

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Wie bereits angekündigt ist es nun soweit und Melanie @ Books for all Eternity und ich starten heute gemeinsam unsere Leserunde für das Buch ‘Spiegeljagd‘ von Ilona Andrews und wir werden dazu auch immer wieder Updates zum Buchverlauf und unsere Fortschritte auf unsere Blogs schreiben, um sie mit euch zu teilen.

Dabei haben wir auch beschlossen, dass wir versuchen werden alle 5 Kapitel ein Update zu scheiben oder auch, wenn gerade ein ganz besondere Stelle vorkommt, die für uns diskussionswürdig ist.
Spoilers sind daher sehr wahrscheinlich, also aufpassen beim Mitlesen oder bei der Leserunde einfach selber mitmachen und lesen! Wir würden uns sehr freuen. ♥

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Hier das Cover & die Inhaltsangabe:

© Egmont Lyx

Der Gestaltwandler William soll in den Sümpfen Louisianas einen Spion ausfindig machen, der sein Land verraten hat. Dabei begegnet er der magisch begabten Cerise, die auf der Suche nach ihren verschleppten Eltern ist. Als klar wird, dass William und die junge Frau denselben Feind verfolgen, schließen sie sich zusammen und setzen ihre gefährliche Mission gemeinsam fort. Schon bald übt der verschlossene Mann eine unwiderstehliche Anziehungskraft auf Cerise aus. (Quelle: Egmont Lyx)

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Vor-Update: Ich freue mich schon sooo auf das Buch, dass kann ich euch gar nicht sagen und ich hoffe es wird wieder so toll, wie der erste Band! ♥
Falls ihr meine Rezension zum ersten Teil ‘Magische Begegnung’ lesen wollte, klickt einfach hier: »»

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1. Update nach Kapitel 5: Habe nun die Seite 85 hinter mit, was bedeutet, dass die ersten 5 Kapitel gelesen wurden. Ich muss gestehen, dass ich sehr holprig in die Geschichte reingekommen bin und mir es anfänglich etwas zu langatmig war. Aber so ging es mir ja auch beim ersten Teil und man wartet eigentlich nur ständig darauf, dass endlich Cerise und William aufeinander treffen, damit die Action beginnen kann.
Was sie dann auch bald mal tun, obwohl ich das echt nicht sofort gecheckt habe! (@Melanie: Hast du sofort gewusst, dass sie das ist?)
Aber ich finde am Anfang klasse, dass man kurz einen Einblick bekommt, wie viel Zeit seit dem ersten Band vergangen ist, und dass er doch noch mit den Kindern in Kontakt ist. Das fand ich irgendwie total süß.
Bisher ist mir William noch nicht so ans Herz gewachsen, wie ich mir vor dem Lesen gedacht habe, aber das wird sicher noch. Er ist hat ein ziemlich schwieriger, verdrießlicher Charakter.   Dafür finde ich Cerise sehr frisch, aber auch ähnlich wie Rose. Bisher fehlt mir noch ein bisschen der Humor und Witz zwischen den zwei Hauptprotagonisten, obwohl das die letzten paar Seiten schon langsam ins rollen kommt
Freu mich schon auf mehr… ich gehe jetzt mal duschen und dann gehts weiter!

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2. Update nach 10 Kapitel: Die Seite 181 liegt hinter mir und ich habe das gleiche Gefühl wie Melanie, und zwar, dass ich schon nach dem neuten Kapitel das Update hätte schreiben sollen, da in Kapitel 10 alles nur aus Striders Sicht geschrieben ist (ja, er heißt auch auf Deutsch Strider, Meli).
Ich habe zugegeben, jetzt auch schon Kapitel 11 angefangen und ich muss sagen, hier im zweiten Teil stört es mich sehr, dass die Erzählsicht immer wieder wechselt, aber nicht nur zwischen William und Cerise, sondern es wird auch aus der Sicht von Strikder, Pove, Lagar usw. geschrieben, was alles verwirrender macht und mich nicht so sehr interessiert, weil ich lieber alles aus der Sicht der beiden Hauptcharas lesen möchte.
Aber dafür kann ich sagen, dass sich die Spannung nun immer weiter zusammenbraut und man nur mehr weiterlesen möchte ohne Unterbrechung, weil es so interessant ist und man endlich mehr von den Hauptfiguren erfahren möchte, bzw. sehen, wie es sich zwischen ihnen entwickelt. Langsam fängt es nämlich ganz schön zum knistern an, nur sind beide noch in der Phase des Ignorierens und es ‘sich nicht eingestehen Wollens’. Aber ich hoffe das ändert sich bald, denn ich kann es kaum mehr erwarten. *hehe*

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3. Update nach 15 Kapitel: Nach 15 Kapitel bin ich nun auf der Seite 260 angekommen, was ca. die Hälfte des Buches bedeutet und wenn ich daran denke, könnte ich schon jetzt heulen. Bin nämlich gerade jetzt total drinnen in der Geschichte und in der Welt der Charaktere. Endlich sind nämlich nun Cerise und William bei ihren Verwandten im Rattennest angekommen und William muss so einige witzige, wie auch skurrile Begebenheiten mit ihren ganzen Vettern und Tanten überstehen.
Es ist zwar etwas schwierig sich die ganzen Namen zu merken, und ich weiß nicht wie Melanie sich dabei tut, aber es ist manchmal etwas verwirrend in dieser großen Familie. Aber wird schon werden
Bin nun schon sehr sehr gespannt wie es weitergeht, und kann jetzt gar nicht so viel schreiben, weil ich gleich weiterlesen möchte! xD Also bis später dann. ♥

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4. Update nach 20 Kapitel: Mit der Seite 354 habe ich das Ende vom 20 Kapitel erreicht und ich bin gerade etwas weniger begeistert. Irgendwie hat es sich die letzten Kapitel etwas gezogen und ich verstehe nicht, warum sich die Autorin so viel Zeit lässt mit der Liebesbeziehung. Okay, ich mag es ja generell, wenn sich eine Liebesbeziehung langsam entwickelt und dadurch echt wirkt, aber hier könnte schon längst etwas passieren. Mir kommt vor ich warte ständig darauf und es passiert nichts. Also das hat sie meiner Meinung nach im ersten Teil mit Rose und Declan viel besser gemacht.
Schade – aber ich hoffe nach wie vor, dass sich bald was Romantisches ergibt!

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5. Update nach 25 Kapitel: Die Seite 447 kennzeichnet das Ende des 25 Kapitels und somit habe ich auch endlich den Punkt erreicht, an dem William und Cerise zusammen sind. Gott sei Dank!! Hat ja lange gedauert und jetzt bin ich froh, dass es endlich passiert ist. Obwohl ich auch hier sagen muss, dass es mir zu kurz und wenig detailliert beschrieben wurde und die Erotikszene mit Rose und Declan besser war. *leider*
Ich weiß, das klingt jetzt so, als wäre ich nur auf Sexszenen aus, aber das ist nun mal auch ein wichtiger Punkt in einem Erwachsenenbuch, also möchte ich davon auch etwas lesen. Aber vielleicht kommt das ja noch?! Wir werden sehen…

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6. Update nach dem Ende: Das Buch ist nun beendet und ich bin irgendwie enttäuscht. Sicher, ich habe schon viel schlechtere Bücher gelesen und dieses hier bekommt immerhin trotzdem noch 3,5 – 4 Punkte, aber ich hätte mir hier eigentlich gedacht, ein 5-Sterne Buch vor mir zu haben, nach meiner großen Begeisterung für Teil 1. Aber leider konnten mich die Charaktere, wie auch die Handlung nicht so fesseln wie im Vorgänger. Irgendwie hat immer der gewisse Funke gefehlt und einige Seiten darin waren meiner Meinung nach überflüssig und zu genau beschrieben.
Was mich wohl am meisten gestört und meinen Lesefluss gehemmt hat, war die Tatsache, dass es zu oft einen Wechsel der erzählenden Person gab und das dabei auch hin und wieder die ‘Bösen’ zu Wort kamen. Manche mögen das ja interessant finden oder wissen wollen, was sich die ‘Bösen’ dabei denken – aber mir was das hier total egal, ich wäre viel lieber nur bei Cerise und William geblieben!
Aber dafür hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen, wie das Ende beschrieben wurde – ACHTUNG SPOILER – und zwar, dass man lesen konnte, wie das Leben nun für sie im Weird ist, dass sie in der Nähe von Rose und Declan leben und auch die Kinder Jack, George, Gaston und Lake miteinander klar kommen. Fand diesen Ausgang total süß!
Was sagst du dazu Melanie – war das schon zu kitschig für dich oder im Rahmen?

[Ankündigung] Leserunde mit Melanie

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Nachdem Melanie @ Books for all Eternity und ich uns etwas über den ersten Band der ‘Land der Schatten’ (On the Edge) Reihe unterhalten haben, stand bald fest, dass wir es beide so toll fanden, dass wir den zweiten Teil gemeinsam in Angriff nehmen wollen.
Gesagt, getan und ein paar Mails später haben wir uns auf einen Termin geeinigt, um ‘Spiegeljagd‘ von Ilona Andrews als Leserunden-Buch auf unseren Blogs zu lesen und die Updates mit euch zu teilen.

Gestartet wird das Buch ab den 10.10.2012 (schönes Datum, oder?^^) und wir haben beschlossen, alle 5 Kapitel ein Update auf den Blogs zu scheiben und auch, wenn gerade ein ganz besondere Stelle vorkommt, die für uns diskussionswürdig ist.
Daher könnte es auch sein, dass Spoilers enthalten sind, also bitte nur mit Vorbehalt mitlesen.

Wer sich bei der Leserunde anschließen und mitdiskutieren möchte, ist natürlich herzlich dazu eingeladen. Wir würden uns freuen. ♥

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Hier nun die Infos zum Buch mit Cover und Inhaltsangabe:

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© Egmont Lyx

Der Gestaltwandler William soll in den Sümpfen Louisianas einen Spion ausfindig machen, der sein Land verraten hat. Dabei begegnet er der magisch begabten Cerise, die auf der Suche nach ihren verschleppten Eltern ist. Als klar wird, dass William und die junge Frau denselben Feind verfolgen, schließen sie sich zusammen und setzen ihre gefährliche Mission gemeinsam fort. Schon bald übt der verschlossene Mann eine unwiderstehliche Anziehungskraft auf Cerise aus. (Quelle: Egmont Lyx)

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Vor-Update: Ich finde das Cover wunderschön und ich freue mich bereits sehr auf den zweiten Teil, besonders weil mich der erste Band total begeistern konnte!  Ich hoffe, dass dieses Buch genauso toll wird und ich wieder in eine Welt voller Wunder, Gefahren und Erotik gezogen werde. ♥
Falls ihr meine Rezension zum ersten Teil ‘Magische Begegnung’ lesen wollte, klick hier: »»