The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa Review

Published: August 1st 2010 by Harlequin Teen
Paperback, 359 pages
Series: The Iron Fey (Book 2)
Book 1: The Iron Daughter For Review Click here.

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Favorite Quote...

"Tears filled my eyes and ran down my face, The gash on my cheek stung where they passed, but I didn't care. All I could see was Ash's pain, his loneliness, his yearning for someone who wasn't me..."

Another fun, entertaining read from the Iron Fey series. Julie Kagawa can do no wrong, her ideas and writing are once again, phenomenal!

So basically the story is another quest. It's a journey to find the Scepter of the Seasons that which was taken by "a new" kind of Iron fey. However close by, Meghan and the gang stop at nothing to win the oncoming war.

For the most part, this story was entertaining with all it's fun dialog, adventure and entrancing romance. Meghan, whose officially my favorite character in the books, is incredible. Her ways in handling a tough situation is still shocking...and so...inspiring. And how could I miss Grimalkin? the mysterious all-seeing cat. Team Ash? Team Puck?How can I choose from the two? They're both brilliant in their own personalities...

I can't get enough of puck and his witty remarks, nor can I ever forget the knowing, sweet and sexy Ash.

As for the rating, I didn't give The Iron Daughter a perfect mark because there were times, in just a few parts of the story, where I couldn't help but sigh boredom. But still a great book.

4/5

More from the Iron Fey Series...

Book 1: The Iron King ~*~ Book 3: The Iron Queen

Masks by Patricia Caviglia Review

Published: July 8th 2010 by iUniverse
Paperback, 128 pages

Masks tells the story of two teenagers struggling to be normal together, despite their dysfunctional families.

Rebecca Jacobs is an unremarkable teenage girl-at least, that is what she wants the world to believe. But her private life is made public when her verbally abusive father embarrasses her at a school dance, and soon gossip and whispers buzz throughout the school.

One of the witnesses to Rebecca's public humiliation is David Miller, the high school bad boy. Unsure about how to help her, he settles for becoming her friend. Rebecca and David grow closer with each passing day, eventually falling in love.

Rebecca's main priority is keeping her relationship with David a secret from her overprotective parents, but there are other problems she must also confront. First, Rebecca's best friend tries to steal David away. Then, Rebecca is forced to face David's violent behavior, which closely resembles her father's temper. Rebecca's worst enemy, though, is herself. In her desperate need to keep her home life separate from her love life, she lies to her parents and to David. When the truth is exposed, she must confront reality-alone. She quickly learns that sometimes secrets are harder to live with than the truth.

This reminded me so much of Junior High, but I have to admit, David is a better memory than I ever had with any of the boys in my tween years...he sweet, determined and sexy. At first I thought he was a walking cliche, I mean the girls claimed he was "so romantic"...I didn't see it that way but as read on I learned his side in the story and grown to really like him. Rebecca, whom David soon falls in love with, is not too aware of the cruel world of JHS. As she begins to realize and have a new take on her surroundings, David supports her with as much control as he can steady.

The book was a breath of fresh air but a few things I disliked about the story was the constant cigarette smoking, ranting teens, and their lives in general that seemed pointless.

But hey, I'm a teen myself and I know that's how we get sometimes at are early teen years. (Excluding the cigarettes...never smoked a day in my life)

Having said that, I wish the vocabulary was more colorful. I still have hope for Patricia Caviglia because I've seen the brilliance in her work...parts of Masks had my eyes glued to the page...

In all, it was okay...I'm curious to see what she comes up with next.

2.5/5

Challenges! Challenges! And more Challenges!

Wish I'd Read That Challenge 2011 by My Love Affair with Books

Hosted by My Love Affair with Books. This challenge is for all those books you wish you'd read. Starts now from the end of 2011. Open to Bloggers and non-Bloggers.
For more info on this Challenge Click Here.

1.
2.
3.
...

~*~

2011 Debut Author Challenge by The Story Siren

This Challenge is hosted by The Story Siren. It's basically a quest to read and find 12 or more 2011 debut authors and read their debut novel. Pretty Sweet!

1.

Choker by Elizabeth Woods

2.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

3.

Unearthly by Cynthia hand

4.

The Demon Trapper's Daughter (Demon Trappers #1) by Jana Oliver

5.

Labybird, Ladybird by Abra Ebner

6. Queen if Glass by Sarah J. Maas

7.

Bestest. Ramadan. Ever by Medeia Sharif

8.

Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

9.
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
10.

Warped by Maurissa Guibord

11.
12.

~*~

Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge by The Book Vixen

Hosted by The Book Vixen. The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010.

1.
2.
3.
...

(2) Follow Friday (2) Blog Hop

The Blog hop is a way to meet new book bloggers and share what they've got featured in their sites. I like the idea of supporting fellow readers, hurray for Blog Hops! Hosted by Crazy-for-Books

"What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I would have to say The Duff by Kody Keplinger (Click Here for my review). I thought it was cheap and awkward. The flow of the book wasn't great either. The twists in the story really threw me off because it felt pointless, I had absolutely no inspirations or feelings for the characters.

As for the my feeling for posting the review. Glad because it's good to have the world hear other opinions to what the hype claims to be over the top.





Here's a feature for book bloggers, such as myself *smiles*, who want to spread their joy of book blogging! There's even a weekly blog feature that anyone can sign up for so hurray for Follow Friday! Hosted by Parajunkee Blog

For more information and entry head to http://www.parajunkee.com/

What do you do besides reading / reviewing as a hobby?

Anything and Everything. Sports, cooking, baking, cleaning, knitting, drawing, painting, digital art, writing, photography, babysitting in counting. Whew!

Happy Follow Friday!

P.S If you'd like for me to check out your blog. Leave a comment below and I'll come visit. Smiles!

The Sapphire Talisman by Brenda Pandos Re-Create Cover Contest!

This is a contest hosted by La Femme Readers and Brenda Pandos (author of The Sapphire Tailsman, Book 2).

First, here's the original Cover.


This is my re-creation of the cover and back cover.





For a clearer and bigger picture of my cover. Click Here.


For more information and what you can win. Click Here.