Day 3: Top 10 Villains of 2014

Day 3 of 5

Welcome to Day Three of the 'Top of 2014' event hosted by Two Chicks on Books, Fiktshun, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and Tales of a Ravenous Reader.

Today's topic is...

Best VILLAINS of 2014 

Rule #1 is to choose from: villains, contemporaries, dual POV’s, Novellas, Adult titles, New Adult titles, love triangles, couples, bad boys or debuts. 

Rule #2 is that the list of whatever you choose to base your post on must be from books you’ve read in 2014. 

Oddly enough, I could not recall any villains from books I've read recently, let alone those that stood out the most. This was weird because surely there must have been a villain in one of them, right? Why can I remember the cute guys and the strong women/girls but not the baddies? Villains bring twists and danger to a book, making it all the more interesting. Heroes and Heroines would have nothing to do if there were no bad guys to fight!

After a LOT of thinking, here are my top 10 villains and why I think so (aside from the fact that I couldn’t think of any others):

1. Valentine Morgenstern from the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare because he was a brutal father, a power-hungry husband and he experimented on unborn children!

2. Queen Levana from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer because she wants to kill Prince Kaito as soon as she marries him.

3. Lord Voldemort! Yes, I am aware that there have not been any 2014 HP books but since I am always re-reading the series and he is my favouritest villain, the list would have been incomplete without him!

4. The fat, creepy baker from Far, Far Away because he’s so crafty and he lures little children away under false pretences. Never take candy (or cakes) from a stranger, kids.

5. Jack Randall from the Outlander series. OMG, I can’t believe I almost forgot him. Psychotic, obsessive and a rapist. Urgh, he was the worst.

6. Sang’s mother from the ghostbird series by C.L. Stone. If you’ve read my previous posts you will know that I am a huge fan of C.L. Stone’s Academy books. It’s YA fiction about a girl called Sang Sorensen who meets a group of secretive boys from the Academy that essentially save her life time and time again. There are a lot of villains in this series but Sang’s mother is the worst. She has brought Sang up in fear, physically, mentally and emotionally abusing her to the brink of near-torture. I understand she has mental problems of her own but the woman was pure evil. 


7. Thiago from Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor. Well, I mean the Thiago from the previous books, not the reincarnated version, but you get the gist. He was so evil and blood hungry, plus he was a rapist so I wasn't sad to see him die. 


8. David from Allegiant by Veronica Roth. he supposedly loved Tris' mum but when she was in danger and needed his help he did nothing. Horrible man performing cruel experiments on people and essentially killing someone I'd rather he had left alive!

9. Jaha from the 100 and Day 21. Most people wouldn't consider him as a villain but sending out 100 kids to earth to die is evil. Maybe it was the best decision given the circumstances but I thought it was plain wrong. As a leader he shouldn't let personal relationships get in the way of his work but frick sake, at least let your only son off the hook!!

10. Bullies. I was going through my blog posts and I remembered reading Every Ugly Word, which is about dealing with bullying. God, I hate bullies. They belittle a person for their own satisfaction or maybe to build on their insecurities, I don't know what goes through their heads but they have no idea how crap they can make someone feel. Bullies are the ultimate villains. 

So, overall, there were two female villains and the rest were men. I wonder what that says about evil characters???

Day 2: Top 10 book covers of 2014

Day 2 of 5

It is Day 2 of the 'Top of 2014' event hosted by Two Chicks on Books, Fiktshun, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and Tales of a Ravenous Reader.

Today's topic is...

Best Book Covers of 2014 

Rule #1 - Must be a book released in 2014.

Semi-Rule #2 - Would be ideal if it's a book I've read in 2014, but this is not a requirement.

Never judge a book by its cover? How can you not when there are so many pretties around. 

Here are 10 that caught my eye, which one is your favourite?

Day 1: Top 10 Best Books of 2014

Day 1 of 5

I am participating in the 'Top of 2014' event hosted by Two Chicks on Books, Fiktshun, Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and Tales of a Ravenous Reader, which is a five day event on various themes on books we loved in 2014 and those we're looking forward to in 2015. The first topic of this event is...

Topic: Best Books I’ve Read in 2014 

Rule: Doesn’t have to be released in 2014, just a book I've read in 2014

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I am guilty of reading the Outlander books after I watched the TV series, which is something I hate when others do, but I honestly hadn’t heard of Outlander before. It is apparently huge in the States but In the UK, the show was the first I had heard about it. Lord, was this series hilarious! Claire and Jamie are the cutest and funniest couple ever! Their banter, chemistry and odd adventures made this book one of my top 2014s!

2. The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees-Brennan

Magnus Bane. Need I say more? He is smart, funny, eccentric and unbelievably calm in the direst situation. A legend of a Warlock.

3. We Were Liars by Lockhart

This book has received sooooo much well deserved hype although I fear that the greater beings out there will end up making a cheesy movie out of this soon enough, which will probably ruin the entire thing. If you haven't done so already, please read this book. It is AMAZING and so worth the awards it has won this year (I'm not making this up because it has definitely won the goodreads best of 2014).

4. Cress by Marissa Meyer

Oh, so many twists and turns, I am in love with this series and the variations on classic fairytales Meyer portrays. 

5. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

This is my most recent addiction. I love, Love, LOVE the Iron Fey Series. I have read many dystopian and fairytale retellings this year but not so many books about faeries, which is partly why I immensely enjoyed this series. I'm currently reading the Iron Knight, which I believe is the fourth book and I have been approved to read Talon via NetGalley, so I'm looking forward to begin that!

6. Master Over You: A Dark Romance Novel by Cerys Du Lys & Ethan Winters

You probably haven't heard of this book and neither had I until I saw it on NetGalley, but it's one of those reads you won't forget in a hurry, hence why I've added it to my top 10. Disturbing, intense and mind-blowing.

7. Every Ugly Word by Aimee L. Salter

I had to add this to my list of favourites because it is a touching, thought-provoking read and it sends out a strong message about bullying and how it can affect someone's way of living. I urge everyone to read this, purely because each of us needs to be aware of our actions. Something trivial to us can have a big impact on those going through tougher times.   

8. Darkness by Elizabeth Arroyo

Another story about someone suffering from mental issues. I didn't deliberately choose books with this theme in mind but it was a mind-boggling read and I loved it. 

9. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

This was one of my emotionally lighter reads this year. A quirky, cute romance, which is not my usual type but due to the uniqueness in the way it was written, it is my recommended read. There were like a gazillion (actually 14) points of view ranging from the squirrel in the park to the nut

ty English teacher, making the odd love story a fun read.

10. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

If you haven't heard of the Mortal Instruments series, do you live under a rock?!! I was equal amounts dread and excitement when I read this book, since it was the final in this series. At 725 pages, I think it was the longest in TMI but somehow it still wasn't long enough! Cassie Clare outdid herself and I look forward to the Dark Artifices in 2015.

I hope you enjoyed my top 10 and feel free to comment on your favourites from this year. Zed (: 

Review of the Messenger

The Messenger 

(Mortal Beloved)

By Pamela DuMond

About:

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? 

Read The Messenger (Mortal Beloved, Book One) and feel that beautiful—again. 

Sixteen-year-old Madeline’s meant to fall in love with Samuel in every lifetime. But she meets him for the first time when she accidentally time travels into the past—hundreds years before she’s even born! 

Their relationship is forbidden—Samuel’s half Native, Madeline’s white. Every rendezvous they share must be secret. Each moment they spend together tempts the odds that they’ll be discovered and brutally punished. But their love is fated—they musk risk all. 

Danger intensifies when Madeline learns she’s in the past not only to fall in love, but also to claim her birth right as a Messenger—a soul who can slip through time’s fabric at will. 

Deadly Hunters, dark-souled time travelers, crave Madeline’s powers and seek to seduce or kill her. Can Madeline find her way back to the future in time to save herself and Samuel?

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 3.5/5

My Thoughts:

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

If you've read the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon or watched the show then you'll find that there are a fair few similarities between that and 'The Messenger.' The main things were that both female protagonists accidentally travelled back in time, found themselves in the middle of a war and because of their oddities were suspected of being witches, which at the time was a death sentence. Both ladies also fell in love, the deep-shit-soul-consuming-forever-and-ever-after kind. Until they're forced to part of course because, as is the case in most love series, the happily ever after doesn't last for very long.

The similarities should have bugged me but they didn't because they were outweighed by a lot of differences. Yes, time travel and forbidden love was crucial to the story, but in this book Madeline finds out she is a Messenger and that she plays an important part in the lives of others. She learns about birth and rebirth, and how souls travel many lives. She might not be any good at the messenger business, but it was interesting to see her learning, and trying to use yoga to focus! Whilst in the past she comes across souls from her future, both good and bad. Most importantly (spoiler alert) she finds out the truth about why her mother left her as a baby just after a car crash.

Unfortunately, the story was predictable at times, and often the dialogue was stilted. But at other times I found myself lost in Samuel and Madeline's adventures and eager to find out what happens next, which made the book a success in my eyes.

I loved Angeni's character, the blind, yet gifted, healer. She brought the element of magic and mystery into the book, and helped teach Madeline (Abigail at the time) to face her fears. 

Madeline / Abigail was funny and lightened the story up. At 16, her reaction to this 'ancient' and backwards way of living made the time travel believable. Her 'eternal love' was a leeetle intense considering she barely knew the guy, but I'm a cynic so what do I know?!

In conclusion,this is a series I would like to continue reading. I'm particularly intrigued given the twisted ending.

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes:

Nah, this wasn't another dream. Just a continuation of my previous nightmare.

"Oh." It seemed being labeled different wasn't trouble-free in any year. People would make your life a living hell in the year I came from. But in the year 1675, they would torture and kill you.

I was in my pilgrim underwear. These were definitely not Victoria's Secrets-more like Victoria's Rejects. They were hideous, fluffy pajamas with a big girdle around the middle. The girdle, called a corset, was most likely damaging my organs, and I was done with it. 

"Sa means forever. Infinity. Some souls meet. They fall into hate, or crash into love and chase after each other, through different bodies and lifetimes. They are meant to be together, but they must first learn lessons in order to figure out how to do that," Angeni said.

"If I fall, I'd die," I said. "If I live, I'm in heaven."

Just get on with it, I thought. Tell me the next thing I have to practice, or say, or do, or attempt to become a Messenger. Don't flirt. Please don't mess with my heart.

I felt like I was falling. But for once, falling was a good thing.

"Why did you take the dark medicine?"
"What's the dark medicine?" I rubbed my head. "Is this what a hangover feels like?"
"No. It is what nearly dying from poison feels like," Angeni said.

Review of Token

 

The Token: A Breed Apart

 

By Natasha Rogue

About:

Callie Michaels isn’t pretty or popular, but her singing more than makes up for all she lacks. And as long as she focuses on what’s really important, she can survive high school. But how can she focus with all the drama? Between her best friend’s odd issues and a daily dose of weirdness from the social elite, she’s starting to wonder if she’s the only normal one around.

He pulled the front door open. “That’s how it’s done.”

I rolled my eyes and made my way through the crowd that had spilled into the hall, muttering. “That’s how it’s done. Yeah? Where? In the jungle?”

“Yeah.” James’ breath on my nape sent a chill down my spine. “Something like that.”

Just as her life begins spiraling out of control, the answer comes to her in a dream. In exchange for a token of blood, a demon will give her everything she desires. She says “yes.” From that point on, she finds herself changing, becoming something far from normal. Something dangerous.

No one is what they seem—least of all her. While the supernatural creatures around her struggle to maintain their humanity, Callie slowly loses hers. She doesn’t even know what’s important anymore. Friendship, the future, love? And is there anyone who can make her care?

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 3/5

My Thoughts:

**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Demons, magi and shape-shifting giant cats is most certainly a unique combination! I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the latter, because it was rather confusing because all the supernatural aspects were bombarded in one go. Callie might be able to accept it with few questions, I on the other hand, found it harder to digest!

Another thing that semi-annoyed me was that the bad guys changed like the weather, one minute it was Nick, then Tammy, Callie’s mother and even James’ ‘pack’ weren’t the friendliest bunch. Come to think of it, wasn’t part of the demon inside Callie at one point too? So many villains, so much strange drama...

Callie’s trust in Tammy, considering everything that happened, was highly unrealistic. The girl was supposed to be her best friend and had been using Callie for god knows how many months, keeping life-threatening secrets and making deals with demons; it doesn’t exactly scream ‘trustworthy’ to me.

On the plus side, Callie and James’ chemistry was sort of cute, a little too soppy towards the end but that was to be expected. They had a jokey relationship and I did question how quickly everything returned to normal after years of not speaking to each other, but maybe these things aren’t as foreign as I thought.

The Token had an interesting concept, and although it was unrealistic many a  time, it wasn’t difficult to finish reading.

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes:

Into the basement. Down steps. Grab hammer. Drink a little more. Get nails. Convince self that plank is sturdy. Another drink.
Nail door shut.
Hope I die quickly.

James held me away from him and took my chin in a firm grip. “You listen to me. The thing that tore my throat out was not you. It is the thing we are going to find and kill, so that we can get your life back. I am not giving up on you, so don’t you dare, because if you do, you’re giving up on us both.”

Will went very still. “Or what?”
“Oh god, not again.” I moved to step between them and then just threw up my hands and turned away. “I don’t know where I signed up for a lifetime supply of testosterone, but I’d like to take myself off the list.”

Ethan made a sound of disgust and muttered under his breath. “Not sure if you two are brave, or brain-dead.”

 

The Orphan of Torundi review

The Orphan of Torundi

By J.L. McCreedy

About:

To find the truth, she must first uncover the lie ….

Orphaned as an infant, Sam is raised by a pharmaceutical research mission in the rain forests of Torundi. She wields a mean machete, makes soap from candlenuts and is a fairly astute amateur entomologist. You know, the normal stuff. But a month before her seventeenth birthday, she is exiled to an American boarding school in Malaysia.

Armed with little more than her unusual upbringing and church-lady clothes, Sam must contend with her new existence as the world's most socially unprepared high school senior. Well that’s just fine. Because she is determined to solve the mystery behind her banishment and return home tout de suite.

But when she discovers the unthinkable – that her banishment is tied to an enigmatic corporation with illicit designs on Torundi – she realizes the real mystery she must uncover is ... why? Soon, Sam is caught in a whirlwind of intrigue, danger and greed. As she chases this thread of truth to its end, she unravels a plot that threatens her beloved Torundi, her trust in the boy she has grown to love and her own existence.

Blending espionage elements akin to The Bourne Identity with those high-school-awkward-moments (hey, it could happen), THE ORPHAN OF TORUNDI is a quirky, cross-cultural tale of adventure, suspense and romance. 

Source: Goodreads

My rating: 4/5

My Thoughts:

**I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.** 

Half the time I request books from netgalley, I forget the synopsis and why I found it so interesting to begin with. The other half I get rejected so it doesn't matter anyway! When I was approved the orphan of torundi I couldn't remember what the book was about and I didn't want to read the synopsis to spoil it either. 

Surprisingly witty with an interesting storyline, this author is one to watch out for. Sam is a funny character, she's so out of her element when she's forced to move to a new place; living all your life in a town in the wilderness probably does that to people. What I found surprising was how much she missed her home, Torundi. She's not used to the hustle and bustle of an urban town/city and despite her poorer lifestyle, she misses the simplicity and the peace of her home, and plans to find a way back. Her down to earth and often crazed philosophy was refreshing to read. She's definitely not like other female protagonists! 

Although the chemistry between Sam and Gabe felt real, I couldn't help but think that Sam fell for him way too quickly and deeply. It's like what Gajendra says to her; she feels too much. At the same time it makes sense, in this foreign place Gabe is the only connection she has to home and the only one that appears to understand her. I felt pretty bad for her new friends though, because Sam ignores them for most of the story. They make a constant effort to involve her and she always finds a way to disappear, which was funny too. 

The twists at the ending shocked me but I won't reveal any spoilers here, although I did think that There were too many surprises to keep up with. One aspect I didn't enjoy was when Gabe explain his backstory, I don't know why but all the names and the people were very confusing. I understand why Sam panicked and felt like she was being bombarded with life altering information. 

Overall, i enjoyed this read. It had a good mix of humour, twists and interesting characters to make me continue to turn the pages.

Zed (:

Favourite Quotes:

It seems impossible to be transplanted so efficiently from one's idyllic island to this place. There should be a law against it, or at least guidelines. Even goldfish get acclimated first. 

"Are you really a Samuel?" she whispers.
"Oh, good grief, EJ, I'm NOT a boy!"
"Agreed!" says Mr Krikorian, but he looks confused.

"This is going to be epic!" Caleb says.
I try my best to match his enthusiasm as we push the behemoth into the warm, lapping tide. But I wonder if he realizes that in actual epics...people tend to die. 

There is something about the dark that changes how you consider things. It heightens your perceptions, certainly, but it's more than that, too. There is something about the dark that makes you face all those things inside that you don't want to face, makes you realize those things are real - maybe more real than everything else - and that they're not going away.

I cross my legs in front of me and try to ignore the pain in my joints. Everything aches. I am hungry. I am tired. I am really, really grumpy. And for reasons that make perfect sense to me at the moment, all of this is his fault.

"I'm swimming in that dark, deep ocean, and there's a light, a glow so beautiful it can't seem real, but I'm swimming toward it anyway."

I am alone. Most people get some kind of choice, don't they? Most people can choose one thing or another; like conformity or individuality, safety or adventure, love or money, career or family. Isn't that how it works? Mine was all or nothing, and I didn't even get to choose. 

Review of The Iron Queen

The Iron Queen

(The Iron Fey #3)

By Julie Kagawa

About:

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

Source: Goodreads

 

 

Rating: 4.8/5

 

My Thoughts:

Can you believe that the third story in The Iron Fey series is more affecting than the others? I was almost drawn to tears at the end! The Nevernever is dying at an alarming rate, whilst the iron realm prospers. Meghan might have killed Machina but the false Iron King has proclaimed war on both Summer and Winter courts. However, he needs the powers that passed to Meghan in order to be completely successful.

Forced by the dire circumstances, King Oberon and Queen Mab have agreed to lift Meghan, Ash and Puck's exiles from the Nevernever if Meghan destroys the false king. Although Meghan thought she was finally going back to her normal life (albeit with a faerie boyfriend) she's dragged back into the magical world of fey for another dangerous adventure.

We see Meghan trying and failing to wield her Summer and Iron glamours (powers) and her constant worries over the land of the fey, because as the Nevernever dies, so do the faeries within it. She might consider herself to be a human and wish for things to return to normal, but the fact remains that she belongs to this new world and her heart is set on some of the beings in it.

Grim is back with a vengeance! Yay! And there are crazier characters to accompany him, like Razor the eccentric gremlin. The gremlins remind me of the houselves from HP, slaves of the iron master. Ironhorse died in the last book, but I was glad to see his 'spirit' again, which was sweet but a leeetle creepy.

Puck is around as always, as is Ash, but the character that showed the most change and strength was of course Meghan. In Iron Queen she realises that she can only expect the boys to protect her for so long. In the end she needs to learn how to fight, and I enjoyed seeing how she takes charge of her situation and makes her own decisions despite being the half breed in a strange land. Ash’s belief in her is inspiring, and if I was unsure about being Team Ash before, there is no doubt now!

Now for the heartbreak... We all knew it was a love that wasn't meant to be, but having it confirmed is far worse. I won't spoil it too much but I hope Ash keeps his promise!

Zed (: 

Favourite Quotes:

Summer and Winter were supposed to be enemies. We were not supposed to cooperate, we were not supposed to go on quests together and, most important, we were not supposed to fall in love.

"I'm just giving you a friendly warning, I thought, hey, she's killed the Iron bastards before. She might want to do it again."   [weird one-eyed dude]

"I don't see how you mortals do it, these feelings you must endure. They will ruin you, in the end..."   [Puck]

"You are beautiful, you know that, right?" he murmured, all seriousness, one hand gently framing my cheek. "I know I don't say...things like that...as often as I should. I wanted to let you know."   [Ash *sigh*]

 

"Come on, Meghan. A little faith, please?" He crossed his arms and gave me an annoyed look. "You're writing us off before we even get started. Me and ice-boy both. I've been around a long time, I intend to be around awhile longer."   [Puck]

I couldn't let him go. Gods forgive me if I was being selfish, but I wanted nothing more than to stay with him forever.   [Meghan]

Oh, of course, I thought, as my gut twisted and sank down to my toes. This impossible situation also comes with a time limit. No pressure.

"Isn't it traditional to celebrate after you win?"
"And what if there is no tomorrow?"

Great, now the cat was made at me. Knowing Grimalkin, I'd have to beg and plead for him to tell us what he knew, or offer up my firstborn son or something.

"Rats? Giant iron rats? Oh, thank goodness, that's so much better than spiders."   [Puck]

"For the record," Grimalkin stated as we ventured, single file, into the black, "I do not think this is a good idea/ But, as no one listens to the cat anymore, I will have to wait until we are completely lost to say 'I told you so.'"

Puck winced. "Ouch. Well, you know what they say-you always hurt the one you love. Or is that the one you hate? I can never remember."

"Why do you think I brought you that creature, human? To keep up my stalking skills? I assure you, they are quite adequate already. Please attempt to use the brain I know is hidden somewhere in that head..."   [Grim]

"Do try to stay out of trouble, human. I will be terribly annoyed if you manage to get yourself killed."   [Grim]

"I love you, Meghan Chase," he murmured against my skin. "For the rest of my life, however long we have left. I'll consider it an honor to die beside you."   [Ash]