ARC Book Review: Ink by Amanda Sun {Book 1: Paper Gods}

Title: Ink
Author: Amanda Sun
Series: Paper Gods Book 1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Expected Date of Publication: June 25, 2013
Source: e-Galley via Net Galley and Harlequin
Links to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

*this book satisfies my challenges: Debut Author Challenge 2013
YA Mythology Challenge 2013*

From Goodreads:

INK IS IN THEIR BLOOD.
On the heels of a family tragedy, Katie Greene must move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn't know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can't seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

When Katie meets aloof but gorgeous Tomohiro, the star of the school's kendo team, she is intrigued by him...and a little scared. His tough attitude seems meant to keep her at a distance, and when they're near each other, strange things happen. Pens explode. Ink drips from nowhere. And unless Katie is seeing things, drawings come to life.

Somehow Tomo is connected to the Kami, powerful ancient beings who once ruled Japan-and as feelings develop between Katie and Tomo, things begin to spiral out of control. The wrong people are starting to ask questions, and if they discover the truth, no one will be safe.

My Thoughts:

Okay so every since I first seen the cover of this book, I knew I was going to be reading it.  And then I got lucky enough to get a digital advanced copy of it and lets just say I woke the neighbors squeeing  as loud as I could.  
I love how the cover of Ink looks a little like a tattoo (which is the first thing I thought of when I seen the title ) but it is very detailed and very intense with the vibrant colors.  
And then I found out that the story was based on Japanese folklore/mythology and I was again squeeing like a ten year old girl.  I love mythology so much and I absolutely adore that this one is based on some lesser known mythologies.  
But Ink was so much more than just a YA mythology book; it was more like a cultural explosion.  Amanda Sun incorporates everything Japanese in the story line so it feels like we are immersed in the society.  I loved how she included Japanese words in the story to help us become more acclimated to the whole cultural difference.  
The way Amanda Sun sets up the world building and descriptions of the areas in Japan made me want to visit there in person so bad.  (Too bad I am so afraid of flying) She is very good with her descriptions and you can tell she truly has a passion for the community.

Besides the setting, the characters are pretty intense too.  
Katie is a very strong female heroine that definitely had me enthralled.  She thinks she isn't tough but I find that hard to believe.   Katie lost her mom and goes to live with her aunt in Japan.  She has learned so much and subconsciously finds she calls Japan home, while on the outside she battles with her acceptance of Japan.  
Katie is very well at adapting and I think that what makes her such a strong character is her ability to adapt to her surroundings as well as the reality that surrounds her.  
Then there is Tomo.  Oh Tomo.  What a snarky, brooding, artistic, gorgeous guy!  Tomo is an enigma indeed.  He has this tough guy exterior but we soon find out there is so much hiding in his many layers.  He has this amazing "old spirit" quality to him and the fact that he shares the same heartbreaking past as Katie has makes him that much more of a love interest.  
There is so much going on in Ink that it is hard not to fall in love with this story.  You get a true romance, a strong female character, and a plot that surprises us with its many twists.  And to top it all off: Japanese mafia.  You really can't beat it.  
Warning:  Every time I picked up the book and began to read I craved Japanese food.  You will too.  Probably.  If you are anything like me.  And don't feel bad Katie, I still can't use chopsticks either.  

Connect with Amanda Sun:

From Amanda Sun's website:

I’m a YA author and proud Nerdfighter. I was born in Deep River, Canada, a very small town without traffic lights or buses, and where stranger safety is comprised of what to do if you see a bear—or skunk. I started reading fantasy novels at 4 and writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. Hopefully my work’s improved since then.
​In university I took English, Linguistics, and Asian History, before settling into Archaeology, because I loved learning about the cultures and stories of ancient people. Of course, I didn’t actually become an archaeologist—I have an intense fear of spiders. I prefer unearthing fascinating stories in the safety of my living room.
​The Paper Gods is inspired by my time living in Osaka and travelling throughout Japan. That and watching far too many J-Dramas. I currently live in Toronto with
my husband and daughter. When I’m not writing, I’m devouring YA books, knitting nerdy things like Companion Cubes and Triforce mitts, and making elaborate cosplays for anime cons.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads |

International readers want to pre-order a copy? Check out The Book Depository where it ships free (as long as they ship to where you live)

The Book Depository  

ARC Book Review: Runes by Ednah Walters

Title: Runes
Author: Ednah Walters
Publisher: Firetrail Publishing
Expected Date of Publication: May 20, 2013
Source: e-ARC via NetGalley
Links to Buy: Amazon| Barnes & Noble | 
Challenge: YA Mythology 2013
*I received this book in exchange for my honest review of it.*

Book Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Raine Cooper has enough on her plate dealing with her father’s disappearance, her mother’s erratic behavior and the possibility of her boyfriend relocating. The last thing she needs is Torin St. James—a mysterious new neighbor with a wicked smile and uncanny way of reading her.
Raine is drawn to Torin’s dark sexiness against her better judgment, until he saves her life with weird marks and she realizes he is different. But by healing her, Torin changes something inside Raine. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Half the time, she’s not sure whether to fall into his arms or run.
Scared, she sets out to find out what Torin is. But the closer she gets to the truth the more she uncovers something sinister about Torin. What Torin is goes back to an ancient mythology and Raine is somehow part of it. Not only are she and her friends in danger, she must choose a side, but the wrong choice will cost Raine her life.
via Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Just the other day I was commenting to my husband how I really wanted to read more and more books that were centered around mythology, but not just Greek or Roman mythology.  Then I received this e-ARC from NetGalley and I found out this has something to do with Norse mythos.
Score!!

When I first started reading Runes, I did have a hard time getting into it.  I had a hard time connecting to Raine, our female protagonist.  She seemed hyped up on hormones, especially when it came to the sexy new neighbor that moves in next door.  It seemed like for a whole page she discussed how gorgeous Torin was and how he got her all hot and bothered but of course she couldn't stand him either.
That was somewhat typical YA romance, which doesn't really bother me but I did get tired of hearing the same thing repeated a bunch of times.
But just as I thought I wasn't going to like Runes, it started to pick up for me and I found myself completely hooked into it, staying up late at night reading just one more page.  I really enjoyed the different characters that know just enough to create this air of mystery around Torin, Raine, and the other newcomers that join the swim team.
We find out that these new guys are different than everyone else and they seemed fixated on Raine as well as her friends.  Just as Raine is trying to figure out who these people really are, she seems to be getting along with Torin easily now.
This is where some emotions really run high.  I love a story that can get me so mixed up with my feelings that I feel like I am experiencing everything right along with the lead characters.

Runes definitely had some surprises in store that I wasn't expecting.  And the ending was a true cliffhanger in every sense of the word.  I remember getting at the end and literally screaming at my Kindle, "WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!"  I feel like my world has been turned upside down and I feel like I had been through a hurricane.

So in the end, I did really enjoy Runes.  This was my first Ednah Walters book I ever read but I really dig her writing style.  I think I will be checking out some more of her books and definitely will pick up book 2 of the Runes series when it comes.
I give Runes four hearts.

Connect with Ednah Walters:
| Goodreads | Website | Blog |

Book Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton {Everneath # 1}

Title: Everneath
Series: Everneath # 1
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Date of Publication:Jan. 24, 2012
Genre/Challenge: YA, mythology, paranormal/2013 YA Mythology Challenge
Source: bought, Kindle, 384 pages
Links to Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

From Goodreads:

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s...She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s...

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her friends—before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

My Thoughts:

Okay, I have a confession to make.  I am not proud of it but I just couldn't fight either.
*deep breath*

I had a really hard time taking my eyes off this cover.  There I said it.  I even went as far as to imagine myself in that amazing dress while someone would carried fans behind me, all around me, just so the ends would fly carelessly like that.
I know that is vain but wow!  Those colors and the dress are just breathtaking.  If I had me a dress like that I think I would just do everything in it.  Laundry, homeschooling, sweeping.  Everything.
Okay enough of my fetish with the dress.  Sorry.  But I actually feel really better that I got that off my chest.

Now let's get on to the book, Everneath.

This was one of those books that I wasn't sure if I would like it.  There are a lot of books out there with different interpretations of the gods and goddesses of Greek Mythology.  Some I love and others I am just meh about.  I wanted to read this but I wasn't sure where it fit...at first.
When I first started reading it, I really got a Matrix kind of vibe.  Now wait a minute before you throw me out the door and tell me I am crazy...It was only when Nikki was "waking up" so to speak that I related it to Neo's escape out of the matrix.  So loosely reminded me of the Matrix.

The plot of Everneath is a dark one.  Sure it has some comic relief in it and there are some very intense romantic situations but for all intent and purposes-it is a dark story.  Especially after Nikki comes back from being under with Cole.  She comes back with this scary shell of what she was hanging over her, but she is a strong person and you can't help but root for her to find some kind of way out.  Even if every other line she is saying there is nothing she can do.  I almost got annoyed with that but remembering what she went through I guess I can understand that.
I also liked how she would glance back to what made her decide to choose Cole in the first place and the next chapter would be that memory.  At first, it got a little confusing but then once I got used to it.  I was good.  
The characters were pretty intense as well.  Our female protagonist, Nikki, was pretty good.  There were times I wished she had more patience and asked more questions but other times I felt she really did a good job portraying the pain she was going through with her actions and words.
Jack, one of our male protagonists, was one of those really good guys that you just want to pinch his cheeks (on his face, dirty birdies) because he is just an all around nice guy.  He does everything that the typical nice guy does and I liked him okay.
But I have to say I really really really loved Cole.  I know he is the "bad" guy so to speak but I just feel so drawn to him.  I think there is a lot more to Cole than we see in this first book in the series.  I really believe Cole will redeem himself in the rest of the series and I can't wait to read more about how Cole deals with his feelings for Nikki as well as the rejection he gets from her every time she looks at him.  Yes, what he does to people isn't the best thing in the world but I do believe there is a big story just bubbling underneath our Cole and I can't wait to learn even more about my favorite guy.
All in all I liked Everneath.  It lived up to a lot of my mythology rules, even if it was a bit different for how the gods had to survive.  I think this twist makes it even more interesting  and I would like to visit the Everneath more in the following books.
So I give Everneath:

Connect with the Brodi Ashton:
Goodreads | Blog | Twitter | 

Book Review: Grave Mercy { His Fair Assassin Trilogy } by Robin LaFevers

Title:  Grave Mercy
Series: His Fair Assassin book 1
Author: Robin LaFevers
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books 
Date of Publication: April 3, 2012
Source: bought, Kindle, 576 pages
Links to Buy: Amazon   | Barnes & Noble |

Book Synopsis:

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf? Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

-from Amazon page

My Thoughts:

This was such a killer of a book (sorry for the pun- couldn't help myself) and I absolutely loved every minute of it!  

Everyone that knows me, knows I am a huge fan of historical fiction.  I just love the old rustic medieval feel of a good story.  I love the outfits, I love the feel that comes with the sensation when I read about the Queen and her advisors, or those that mean to overthrow her.  Sorry, I just get excited when I think about historical fiction.  

So Ismae is probably one of my favorite characters of this year.  First, this lady is tough!  Oh my goodness I get chills thinking about how good she is at her calling.  She is like the James Bond of France in this book.  She even has some neat little tools she uses to get her "job" done.  I am telling you: Ismae is one tough female; almost like a Rambo in her day and age.  

But besides all the brawn, Ismae is no fool.  That is what I loved about her as well.  Sure she has been through a lot of anguish and yet she still uses her brain, instead of her hatred for men.  Even though I know there were times she wanted to go with that too.  

When I think of this book I think of the this quote:

Oh what a tangled web we weave;
When we first practise to deceive
- Sir Walter Scott

Grave Mercy is filled with so many plot twists, so many " oh my god" moments that I was just swept up into the rush of the story.  Everywhere you turn there is someone trying to stab someone else in the back; trying to up their political and court status at the expense of others.  Isn't it beautiful??? Sorry.

But then the author made this book even more tantalizing by adding an element of supernatural goodness to it.  Because not only are these La Femme Fatales a type of assassin they are a special type.  These are the daughters of Death himself.  Oh wholly goodness! Then she went and personified Death!  I love you,  Robin LaFevers! And it is an interesting mix of fear and understanding of Death throughout the story that I totally grips me and won't let go!

I fell in love with this story so deeply  I am having a very hard time waiting until I can buy the next book in the series, Dark Triumph.    I have to give this novel five hearts and I wish I could give it more like maybe a crazy looking out of this world heart for those that mean so much more to me than just five hearts!

The Mythology Challenge 2013: YAY!! I CAN DO THIS!

I am super excited to finally be writing my sign up post for this challenge.  I think The Mythology Challenge is probably my favorite one of all time!  I love anything mythos, even though the Greek mythos is my favorite, I am definitely up to try new things.  
I want to send a huge thank you to Tiffany@ For Those About to Read for coming up with such an awesome challenge.  And a great way to connect with other bloggers and lovers of books.  

I am hoping to make the 10 book list this year because I fell somewhat short of it last year.  But no worries!  I will do this! YEAH!

And if any of you would like to sign up for this really terrific challenge then head over to For Those About to Read and get started.  The great thing is you don't have to be a book blogger to participate in it.  
Good luck!

Book Review: The Goddess Hunt {Goddess Test 1.5} by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Hunt
Series: Goddess Test 1.5
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Date of Publication: March 1, 2012
Source: bought, ebook, 92 pages



Goodreads Summary:

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn....

 My Thoughts:
I love novellas because they are long enough to tempt you with the characters and story line but short enough that doesn't drag out either.  
The Goddess Hunt takes place between book 1 and book 2, when  Kate has to go out into the world for the summer and chooses to visit Greece with her best friend, James.  
And while there she meets the famous Castor and Pollux.  
I really enjoyed these two new characters.  They brought a lot to the story, especially helping solidify Kate's belief in the goodness of Henry and the rest of the gods.  Okay so maybe not Zeus but definitely everyone else.  
This was a quick read for me; I finished it in one night and I felt extremely satisfied.  I almost wished I had read it before I read book 2 just to have those warm fuzzy feelings.  I may not have wanted to knock Henry in head with a shoe the first time around.  
Although he does act like a butt.  
If you really enjoyed The Goddess Test stories then I definitely encourage you to pick up this novella.  You will enjoy the chase, the wisecracks, and of course Henry.  I know I did.  
Four hearts:

Get Your Own At:

 | Barnes & Noble | Amazon