Book Entry March 2015
Book entry time on Maarten's birthday :D I would have liked to have read more this past month, but I guess I did read some bigger books in some cases. I do have quite the stack for April I'd like to get to, with one reread. There is another read-a-thon on Tumblr for 10 days, and at the end of the month there is also Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-thon.
Books read in March
17. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris - 2 stars
18. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy 5) by Richelle Mead - 3 stars
19. The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen 1) by Amanda Stevens - 3,5 stars
20. A Feast For Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire 4) by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
21. Shadow Scale (Seraphina 2) by Rachel Hartman - 5 stars
22. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J. Maas - 3,5 stars
23. Rip van Winkle, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving - 4 stars
The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris
Mythology
Goodreads Link
The novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods - retold from the point of view of the world's ultimate trickster, Loki. It tells the story of Loki's recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself.
2 stars
The Gospel of Loki is the retelling of Loki’s side. I was really looking forward to reading this. I do not know much about Norse mythology, but it has always interested me. So I headed into this epic story of the Trickster God, also as a buddy read. Sadly, this book never became epic.
A lot of issues I have with this book is the writing style. There is a certain way this is written where it feels very modern. The approach Loki has towards the other Gods is seeing them as the popular crowd. He even says this. This modern way of speaking did not work for me. I was expecting Loki’s way of talking would match more towards how some high fantasy novels are being written.
The voice of Loki was a bit annoying. Especially at the start he used a lot of Yours Truly and Your Humble Narrator. This got on my nerve after the first 30 pages. Luckily, once we really got into the various stories this became quite a bit less. Next to that he was whiny when he felt he was being slighted by the other Gods.
Maybe my expectations were too high of this book. I really think writing this from Loki’s point of view was a great idea. Unfortunately we didn’t get the real deep insight in his character. And I would have thought Loki was a bit of a better story teller than this.
Then there is the pacing. The whole book just trudges on in the same pace. It feels there is no high point at the end while in events there certainly is. I mean, the end of the world, Ragnarok. But as I read it, it didn’t really feel like it. It was boring. And when I got to the last page, I wondered, ‘This is it?’
Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy 5) by Richelle Mead
Supernatural/Paranormal
Goodreads Link
After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's and to her best friend, Lissa. It is at long last graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.
She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.
3 stars
After Blood Promise, which I did not like at all, I dreaded reading the rest of this series. The ending of that book, with the reveal that a Strigoi could be turned back, clearly indicated where this book was going to head to.
The first part of this book did not make me feel much better about this series. Rose going to break out Victor with Lissa and Eddie does not feel right. After everything that happened in the first book, she would so easily risk Lissa’s safety again for her lover? Rose would do anything for Lissa. It just doesn’t feel in line with her character. Next to that she is with Adrian all of a sudden which, again, did not feel right. She knows she isn’t over Dimitri. Why would she so soon throw herself in with Adrian? Clearly, she isn’t truly serious and I don’t understand why he would give her a second chance at the end. But Adrian is secretly a big softy, apparently.
However the second part of the book picked up when Dimitri had turned back to a dhampir. I am glad that this happened so soon to be honest. I was expecting it to be dragged out until the ending of the sixth book or something. I like how this has clearly affected Dimitri (and it isn’t just stepped over). Also the ending, with the death of Tatiana, I did not expect completely. Maybe it was obvious something like that would happen, but I wasn’t really focusing on that. Unfortunately the turn with Rose being the main suspect and all is a bit much.
The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen 1) by Amanda Stevens
Paranormal
Goodreads Link
My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.
It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer-and to his other victims-lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.
3,5 stars
3,5 stars
I am torn about this book. On the one hand this book isn’t entirely what I expected it to be, and parts made me roll my eyes. However the murder mystery and the paranormal world I found very interesting.
The story starts very fast with Amelia being asked for her expertise in the murder. But after that it is slow. It is building up for the rest of the series, giving us background information on the characters and the paranormal world. Not a lot of exciting things happened for a while because of that. I was also not entirely sold on Amelia being an advisor towards the police for the murder the way that she was or why the murderer seemed to also focus on her with communication. However I was pleasantly surprised with the ending of the mystery. I had no idea who it was. I had considered all characters except Amelia for it, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Though looking back I can see how a focus on one thing from this character was an obvious hint. However I was too annoyed by how they addressed it to really notice.
As for the paranormal aspect, it was a bit different than I had initially expected. But the hints towards her father’s past, and the ghosts in itself were pretty good for me.
The characters overall were okay. I do like Amelia. She is reasonably easy to follow throughout this story. I found it interesting to learn a bit more about grave restoration. Devlin is a bit harder. Less approachable to like but he has good reasons for that. The other side characters (with the exceptions of the ghosts) however are almost not worth it to remember. They just don’t stand out so much. The focus is very heavily on Amelia and Devlin.
There is also their romance. As seems to be often, I’m not quite sold on their romance. It starts of very predictable. I was however pleased to see that at the end of this book, they weren’t already talking about love.
All in all I am curious about the second book and to see where the paranormal aspect is going.
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire 4) by George R.R. Martin
Fantasy
Goodreads Link
After centuries of bitter strife, the seven powers dividing the land have beaten one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. Now, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed while surprising faces-some familiar, others only just appearing-emerge from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges of the terrible times ahead. Nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages, are coming together to stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests-but only a few are the survivors
3 stars
I had a bit of a hard time with this book. The start introduced us to some new characters and I found it hard to place everyone again. I had to really push myself to continue to read this book for the first 300 pages. After that I found the story to be more approachable and I had to question less and less who is who again.
This book focuses on a select few characters from those that we followed that were left after the third book. After reading the authors explanation for why he left out some characters for the next book, I do understand. However, with the exception of Jaime and Brienne (with Pod in this book), I don’t really care about a bunch of these characters. Which does make it less entertaining to read.
Other than that the plot is slow. There is a lot of talking. A lot of politics. I HATED the end with Brienne and Pod. I am not okay with this. Nope.
I am however curious to read the next one because it carries more of my favorite characters, and I am curious to learn what has happened with them after the third book.
Shadow Scale (Seraphina 2) by Rachel Hartman
Fantasy
Goodreads Link
The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself-for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.
As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?
5 stars
After Seraphina I wasn’t entirely sure what the grand finale was going to be to this duology. But in Shadow Scale this part of the plot slowly unfolds in pieces, showing us someone as an antagonist who I had wondered about since she was hinted towards in Seraphina. And I was glad to see her. Because she adds something to Seraphina’s past, that places things more easily. There is also something intricate about Janoulla. One would almost feel sympathy for her.
The pacing, especially in the first halve, is somewhat slow. This didn’t bother me as I was easily swept up into the world this all is set in, but most of all the characters. I still love Seraphina. She has grown as a character, and she still has some growing to do. Her relationship with Orma was felt throughout this book, even though he was barely in this one at all, and I am so upset with what happened to him. I am glad he was not forgotten. His place by Seraphina’s side was taken by Abdo.
Abdo is a great character to fill in the empty spot Orma left behind. His relationship with Seraphina and those with others around them is great. I have so many feelings about what happened to him. As for the other half-dragons that were introduced in this book, they were all great in their own way. They all have their own distinct talents and personality’s. So much detail was put in to some of them, and it made me glad there was such a build-up in this book.
One of the things I feared before starting this book was that after what happened in Seraphina, the romance would take over in this book. This did not happen at all. In fact Kiggs wasn’t even in this book a whole lot compared to Seraphina. Though their relationship was somewhat discussed more towards the ending of this book, it didn’t bother me. Honestly, I am even happy with the conclusion to this romance. I wasn’t expecting it when I started this book. It feels right, a bit open.
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads Link
Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies' blood - but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.
Torn between her two protectors - a captain and a prince - and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom...
3,5 stars
After hearing so often that the next books in the Throne of Glass series get better, I had high expectations of this book. Unfortunately it did not quite deliver for me.
The first part of the book could have been stronger. Personally I would have changed some things. For instance I found the scene where she tells us about faking the death could have been more exciting. I found that scene boring, added to that that this piece of information was already given in the synopsis which I do not understand. I don’t think that worked very well, and could have been done very differently. Added to that is the romance that is very heavily incorporated into this first halve of the book. I am not that moved by the romance, and so this first part did not get me excited.
However the twist at the ending of the first halve and the second halve of the this book were certainly worth it. The second halve of the book was strong and I flew right through it. The twist at the end of the book was for me a bit predictable. I suspected this since the first book, especially after knowing the titles for the next few books. However I do like the world, and magic system that is being set-up. I am curious to see how this will play out further.
As for the characters, Calaena did not sell me over once again. I had expected her to be more battle ready than the reluctance that she showed. I don’t mind following her as a main character throughout this series but I doubt that she will ever become a favorite character of mine. Chaol was okay. I really want to like Dorian. But in the first halve of the book there was such a focus on him being the rejected one that I had little interest in his paragraphs. However this was redeemed by adding in this story line with him and magic. Nehemia is a great character, but I feel there is still so much left to be explained about her. I wonder if we will find these things out after what happened to her.
Goodreads Challenge - 23/100
Books by Dutch Authors - 2/12
You all must read the Seraphina duology. It is my new favorite series!
So remember my March Book Haul? Well I ended up buying 4 more books. These were ebooks though, on sale, for 2 Euro each, in Dutch. Shhhh...
Does anyone want to do Dewey's Read-a-thon with me? You can find more about it here.
Books read in March
17. The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris - 2 stars
18. Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy 5) by Richelle Mead - 3 stars
19. The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen 1) by Amanda Stevens - 3,5 stars
20. A Feast For Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire 4) by George R.R. Martin - 3 stars
21. Shadow Scale (Seraphina 2) by Rachel Hartman - 5 stars
22. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J. Maas - 3,5 stars
23. Rip van Winkle, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving - 4 stars
The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris
Mythology
Goodreads Link
The novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods - retold from the point of view of the world's ultimate trickster, Loki. It tells the story of Loki's recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself.
2 stars
The Gospel of Loki is the retelling of Loki’s side. I was really looking forward to reading this. I do not know much about Norse mythology, but it has always interested me. So I headed into this epic story of the Trickster God, also as a buddy read. Sadly, this book never became epic.
A lot of issues I have with this book is the writing style. There is a certain way this is written where it feels very modern. The approach Loki has towards the other Gods is seeing them as the popular crowd. He even says this. This modern way of speaking did not work for me. I was expecting Loki’s way of talking would match more towards how some high fantasy novels are being written.
The voice of Loki was a bit annoying. Especially at the start he used a lot of Yours Truly and Your Humble Narrator. This got on my nerve after the first 30 pages. Luckily, once we really got into the various stories this became quite a bit less. Next to that he was whiny when he felt he was being slighted by the other Gods.
Maybe my expectations were too high of this book. I really think writing this from Loki’s point of view was a great idea. Unfortunately we didn’t get the real deep insight in his character. And I would have thought Loki was a bit of a better story teller than this.
Then there is the pacing. The whole book just trudges on in the same pace. It feels there is no high point at the end while in events there certainly is. I mean, the end of the world, Ragnarok. But as I read it, it didn’t really feel like it. It was boring. And when I got to the last page, I wondered, ‘This is it?’
Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy 5) by Richelle Mead
Supernatural/Paranormal
Goodreads Link
After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's and to her best friend, Lissa. It is at long last graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.
She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.
3 stars
After Blood Promise, which I did not like at all, I dreaded reading the rest of this series. The ending of that book, with the reveal that a Strigoi could be turned back, clearly indicated where this book was going to head to.
The first part of this book did not make me feel much better about this series. Rose going to break out Victor with Lissa and Eddie does not feel right. After everything that happened in the first book, she would so easily risk Lissa’s safety again for her lover? Rose would do anything for Lissa. It just doesn’t feel in line with her character. Next to that she is with Adrian all of a sudden which, again, did not feel right. She knows she isn’t over Dimitri. Why would she so soon throw herself in with Adrian? Clearly, she isn’t truly serious and I don’t understand why he would give her a second chance at the end. But Adrian is secretly a big softy, apparently.
However the second part of the book picked up when Dimitri had turned back to a dhampir. I am glad that this happened so soon to be honest. I was expecting it to be dragged out until the ending of the sixth book or something. I like how this has clearly affected Dimitri (and it isn’t just stepped over). Also the ending, with the death of Tatiana, I did not expect completely. Maybe it was obvious something like that would happen, but I wasn’t really focusing on that. Unfortunately the turn with Rose being the main suspect and all is a bit much.
The Restorer (The Graveyard Queen 1) by Amanda Stevens
Paranormal
Goodreads Link
My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.
It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer-and to his other victims-lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.
3,5 stars
3,5 stars
I am torn about this book. On the one hand this book isn’t entirely what I expected it to be, and parts made me roll my eyes. However the murder mystery and the paranormal world I found very interesting.
The story starts very fast with Amelia being asked for her expertise in the murder. But after that it is slow. It is building up for the rest of the series, giving us background information on the characters and the paranormal world. Not a lot of exciting things happened for a while because of that. I was also not entirely sold on Amelia being an advisor towards the police for the murder the way that she was or why the murderer seemed to also focus on her with communication. However I was pleasantly surprised with the ending of the mystery. I had no idea who it was. I had considered all characters except Amelia for it, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Though looking back I can see how a focus on one thing from this character was an obvious hint. However I was too annoyed by how they addressed it to really notice.
As for the paranormal aspect, it was a bit different than I had initially expected. But the hints towards her father’s past, and the ghosts in itself were pretty good for me.
The characters overall were okay. I do like Amelia. She is reasonably easy to follow throughout this story. I found it interesting to learn a bit more about grave restoration. Devlin is a bit harder. Less approachable to like but he has good reasons for that. The other side characters (with the exceptions of the ghosts) however are almost not worth it to remember. They just don’t stand out so much. The focus is very heavily on Amelia and Devlin.
There is also their romance. As seems to be often, I’m not quite sold on their romance. It starts of very predictable. I was however pleased to see that at the end of this book, they weren’t already talking about love.
All in all I am curious about the second book and to see where the paranormal aspect is going.
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire 4) by George R.R. Martin
Fantasy
Goodreads Link
After centuries of bitter strife, the seven powers dividing the land have beaten one another into an uneasy truce. But it's not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters of the Seven Kingdoms gather. Now, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed while surprising faces-some familiar, others only just appearing-emerge from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges of the terrible times ahead. Nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages, are coming together to stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests-but only a few are the survivors
3 stars
I had a bit of a hard time with this book. The start introduced us to some new characters and I found it hard to place everyone again. I had to really push myself to continue to read this book for the first 300 pages. After that I found the story to be more approachable and I had to question less and less who is who again.
This book focuses on a select few characters from those that we followed that were left after the third book. After reading the authors explanation for why he left out some characters for the next book, I do understand. However, with the exception of Jaime and Brienne (with Pod in this book), I don’t really care about a bunch of these characters. Which does make it less entertaining to read.
Other than that the plot is slow. There is a lot of talking. A lot of politics. I HATED the end with Brienne and Pod. I am not okay with this. Nope.
I am however curious to read the next one because it carries more of my favorite characters, and I am curious to learn what has happened with them after the third book.
Shadow Scale (Seraphina 2) by Rachel Hartman
Fantasy
Goodreads Link
The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself-for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.
As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?
5 stars
After Seraphina I wasn’t entirely sure what the grand finale was going to be to this duology. But in Shadow Scale this part of the plot slowly unfolds in pieces, showing us someone as an antagonist who I had wondered about since she was hinted towards in Seraphina. And I was glad to see her. Because she adds something to Seraphina’s past, that places things more easily. There is also something intricate about Janoulla. One would almost feel sympathy for her.
The pacing, especially in the first halve, is somewhat slow. This didn’t bother me as I was easily swept up into the world this all is set in, but most of all the characters. I still love Seraphina. She has grown as a character, and she still has some growing to do. Her relationship with Orma was felt throughout this book, even though he was barely in this one at all, and I am so upset with what happened to him. I am glad he was not forgotten. His place by Seraphina’s side was taken by Abdo.
Abdo is a great character to fill in the empty spot Orma left behind. His relationship with Seraphina and those with others around them is great. I have so many feelings about what happened to him. As for the other half-dragons that were introduced in this book, they were all great in their own way. They all have their own distinct talents and personality’s. So much detail was put in to some of them, and it made me glad there was such a build-up in this book.
One of the things I feared before starting this book was that after what happened in Seraphina, the romance would take over in this book. This did not happen at all. In fact Kiggs wasn’t even in this book a whole lot compared to Seraphina. Though their relationship was somewhat discussed more towards the ending of this book, it didn’t bother me. Honestly, I am even happy with the conclusion to this romance. I wasn’t expecting it when I started this book. It feels right, a bit open.
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass 2) by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads Link
Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan's deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies' blood - but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.
Torn between her two protectors - a captain and a prince - and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom...
3,5 stars
After hearing so often that the next books in the Throne of Glass series get better, I had high expectations of this book. Unfortunately it did not quite deliver for me.
The first part of the book could have been stronger. Personally I would have changed some things. For instance I found the scene where she tells us about faking the death could have been more exciting. I found that scene boring, added to that that this piece of information was already given in the synopsis which I do not understand. I don’t think that worked very well, and could have been done very differently. Added to that is the romance that is very heavily incorporated into this first halve of the book. I am not that moved by the romance, and so this first part did not get me excited.
However the twist at the ending of the first halve and the second halve of the this book were certainly worth it. The second halve of the book was strong and I flew right through it. The twist at the end of the book was for me a bit predictable. I suspected this since the first book, especially after knowing the titles for the next few books. However I do like the world, and magic system that is being set-up. I am curious to see how this will play out further.
As for the characters, Calaena did not sell me over once again. I had expected her to be more battle ready than the reluctance that she showed. I don’t mind following her as a main character throughout this series but I doubt that she will ever become a favorite character of mine. Chaol was okay. I really want to like Dorian. But in the first halve of the book there was such a focus on him being the rejected one that I had little interest in his paragraphs. However this was redeemed by adding in this story line with him and magic. Nehemia is a great character, but I feel there is still so much left to be explained about her. I wonder if we will find these things out after what happened to her.
Goodreads Challenge - 23/100
Books by Dutch Authors - 2/12
You all must read the Seraphina duology. It is my new favorite series!
So remember my March Book Haul? Well I ended up buying 4 more books. These were ebooks though, on sale, for 2 Euro each, in Dutch. Shhhh...
Does anyone want to do Dewey's Read-a-thon with me? You can find more about it here.