Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Rating: 5- Got to have a copy. Gotta reread forever
PLOT

Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

First of all when I first chose this book to read one lazy afternoon, I knew nothing about the guy called Chris Colfer. Seriously, I don't watch Glee nor do I bother myself with tabloids or whatever. Anyway after the first few pages, I was hooked, I became an instant fan. Like what I've mentioned in my earlier blog entries, I love fairy tales and any good adaptation of any of the stories is worthy of praise. But Land of Stories is just so different, over-the-top good story telling that made me go "Why did I never thought of that?"
 First there were so many characters. Almost everything is covered: Snow White, Goldilocks, Jack, Rapunzel, trolls, Cinderalla, Sleeping Beauty and all the Prince Charmings (Because in this world, Charming is apparently a last name).

Then that thing about the Evil Queen, the mirror is actually her cursed, and when he became enamored with Snow White since she looks like the Evil Queen during her younger years, the Evil Queen became angry and we know what happened next. Whoops, sorry for the spoiler, but it was just so good. 

Highly recommended, their adventures are quite entertaining, never a dull moment and love all the characters as much as you could. PS: This is a trilogy too so there are still two more books to watch out for!

The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone

PLOT

A tale of archetypal heroes and sweeping adventures, of dragons and princes and evil wizards, here is epic fantasy as only Stephen King could envision it.

Can't put it down. Stephen King should make more novels on fantasy. Seriously, I'm screaming for moar

The book started and ended in typical  fairy tale or mythological fashion, thus, I am not surprised to see the protagonist, Prince Peter as almost perfect--no actually, really perfect. I have no problems with characterization and stuff, and I enjoyed the book through and through. King once more, did a superb storytelling, I am just in love with the way he delivered descriptions and back stories. Especially the part of the queen's dollhouse. Reminds me of the real-life Queen Mary dollhouse, only King made it sound more fantastic in words.
I wouldn't want to be disturbed when pulled into the land of "The Eyes of the Dragon". However I'm not so satisfied with the ending, and makes me wish there had been a princess for Peter to fall in love or something. But it's still good.

The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff

Rating: 3- Good, Average, Alright, you name it
PLOT:

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil has never been easy. Daphne's father has no time for her, her mother no interest, and her status in the upper echelon separates her from the working-class demons that populate Lucifer's metropolis. When her brother and only confidante goes missing, life in the restrictive city of Pandemonium becomes intolerable. Now, in an attempt to find him, Daphne sets out for Earth - and finds it larger and more chaotic than she imagined: a dazzling expanse of noise, dirt and random violence. Despite her bewilderment, she navigates the mortal world with growing fascination, gaining an ally when she saves a dying boy from her father's minions. For Truman Flynn, the last year has been one long downward spiral, but when Daphne arrives just in time to save his life, he finds himself unexpectedly glad to have another chance. Together, Daphne and Truman go in search of her brother, braving the hazards of Las Vegas and the perils of first love, even as it becomes increasingly clear that her brother might have had a secret and compelling reason for leaving. Lucifer's agents aren't the only creatures on the prowl, and Daphne soon finds herself the target of a plan to rid the world of demons for good. Now she must evade a demon-eating monster, rescue her brother from an angelic zealot, and save the boy she loves from his greatest enemy - himself.

I cannot understand WHY would anyone write a synopsis that long.
This novel is interesting due to its plot and characters, Yovanoff did a great job with making twists and turns with heavenly creatures. As you could see, my rating's 3, So it is neither bad nor super amazing, but has a share of both worlds in teeny tiny bits.

The first thing that I liked about it is Daphne and Truman's love story, Daphne isn't one of those cutesy female leads that is annoying yet gets the best slices in the story. She's in fact quite smart and calculates her every move, she's kind and her worries really makes you worry, and convinces readers she isn't from our world without making her look too stupid at the same time she looks reasonably ignorant (because she lived all her life in Hell), she somehow reminds me of Castiel...

yep out of this world

Truman is messed up, I could name a few people I know personally who are very much like him. His relationship with Daphne is nicely done, they didn't have a good start nor did they go on having too much of the love hate relationship thing which most novels love to use in every page. They have disagreements once in a while but their love blossomed later on in a realistic manner.

Like I mentioned, I am into the series Supernatural, so the idea od angels and demons appeal to me, but there sure are some confusing parts here on the 'rules' both sides have when it comes who to kill etc. Some of the conversations of the older characters are just boring to read. the ones that can be skipped and the plot still survived.

So all in all, it's average for me.

The Catastrophic History of You And Me by Jess Rothenberg

Rating: 4- Would recommend it to everyone
PLOT:

Brie's life ends at sixteen: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart--literally. 

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy Brie loved and lost--and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul...who just might hold the key to her forever after. 

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Why didnt movies ever thought of this concept before? Literally dying of a broken heart... because of being heartbroken. Oh the pun. But The Catastrophic History of You and Me not only gave justice to that idea but also succeded in breaking my own heart for Brie, and mending it up again.Romance, betrayal, bestfriends and boyfriends, these are the typical ingredients for any teenage novels, yet I was still surprised at the twists Rothenberg gave the story. 

First, we all knew from the first pages that it when Jacob broke up with Brie, he killed her, but then you can't help to actually like him a bit since there were flashbacks of how the popular girl Brie fell in love with him in the most sincere, honest way.

But then again you will come to hate him once more when Brie comes back as a ghost weeks after she died and saw Jacob in a party talking to his friends about being with some other girl.

Oh the heartbreak again. Then she also saw her family falling apart, since her mother and brother are depressed, then she saw her dad's other woman, her best friend was also betraying her. Plus the only living creature who could see her was her dog. She also has an also dead companion called Patrick to whom she is falling for but their relationship degrades later on. 

So near yet so far, So sad yet so sweet. If Brie were alive she would die all over again. How much could a dead teenager would take?

In all of this, there are funny parts and Patrick's constant jokes with Brie helps to lighten up things. With all the lessons you could learn and the easy way a reader could relate to Brie, this novel is truly worth reading (but be ready for a diverse offers of emotions)

Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone

PLOT

Miriam Black knows when you will die.

Still in her early twenties, she's foreseen hundreds of car crashes, heart attacks, strokes, suicides, and slow deaths by cancer. But when Miriam hitches a ride with truck driver Louis Darling and shakes his hand, she sees that in thirty days Louis will be gruesomely murdered while he calls her name.

Miriam has given up trying to save people; that only makes their deaths happen. But Louis will die because he met her, and she will be the next victim. No matter what she does she can't save Louis. But if she wants to stay alive, she'll have to try.

Stories about girls seeing the future sounds familiar, somebody might have already used that idea but Ihave never read a novel on that theme, thus it is with great pleasure I was able to read Blackbirds. Miriam was sharp-tongued, restless, and had given up hope on changing people's fate. I mean who could anyway? When chance made her meet the driver Louis, hope began gnawing at her, as well as conscience to try saving him from the violent death she had foreseen.

It's really nice to see their relationship develop later on, even though Miriam wants to keep herself from caring about him. When a companion dragged her into a dangerous mess of illegal drugs and psychotic enemies, her resolve to make a change one and for all is quite honorable for her. Gaaaah I love her! Maybe having her as a sister would be so great. Plus Louis is truly lovable too, like a gentle giant (I honestly think that is the best description of him) 
and if I am ever going to meet him in their world I would go fangirling on him

I love Urban Fantasies, Dark novels and all, and I could say this one is worth the read (n__n)/

Prince of Thorns (The Broken Empire) by Mark Lawrence

Rating 4- Would recommend it to everyone
PLOT:

Once a privileged royal child, raised by a loving mother, Jorg Ancrath has become the Prince of Thorns, a charming, immoral boy leading a grim band of outlaws in a series of raids and atrocities. The world is in chaos: violence is rife, nightmares everywhere. Jorg's bleak past has set him beyond fear of any man, living or dead, but there is still one thing that puts a chill in him. Returning to his father's castle Jorg must confront horrors from his childhood and carve himself a future with all hands turned against him.

This book blew me away. 
One thing I loved about this novel is its unique protagonist, Honorous Jorg Ancrath, a prince who saw enough bloodshed to make him ran away from his home to seek for vengeance in a most brutal, wild, motivation. Willing to sacrifice any of his comrades, use necromancy and dirty tactics. 
Oh and one thing that came out cool for me is he is just thirteen years of age, like WHOOAAA a teenage genius, who had killed too many men for his age, been in too many fights, and on a path to becoming an Emperor? This is one neat prince. 
I dont understand how some book reviewers were having reactions like "revulsion" at Jorg's evil cold-hearted manner, I enjoyed it. I understand how Jorg would want to make his mother and brother's killer to suffer, If were to have a saintly mother, and a brother with an angelic face, AND a father who doesnt care (and him being a king and all) , I would have put justice into my own hands as well. Jorg ceased to be a child when he was forced to see his loved one dying in a most brutal manner, in the company of thorns and hopelessness.
It is quite funny how people take Jorg for granted just becuase he's a kid, like haha he kills! he kills!! reminds me of Madoka Magica's Kyubey, looks can be deceiving.

Wanna watch a movie with me?

The flashbacks and action scenes were nicely written too, wont make any readers feel confused. This novel had been a good read, and I am so happy to hear that the second 
Since this is the first book of a trilogy; This novel had been a good read, and I am so happy to hear that the second book would show Jorg being more mature. The young reckless Jorg was fun, but its nice to see some character growth, so now, I will gladly wait for the next two novels. 

The Toyminator by Robert Rankin

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone
PLOT

Somewhere over the rainbow and beyond the Yellow Brick Road stands Toy City, formerly known as Toy Town. And things are not going well for the city’s inhabitants. There have been outbreaks of STC—Spontaneous Toy Combustion—and strange signs and portents in the Heavens. Preachers of Toy City’s many religions are predicting that the End Times are nigh and that a Toy City Apocalypse will soon come to pass. But can it be true? Or is there a simple explanation—alien invasion, for instance? With the body count rising and the forces of law and order baffled, it’s time for a hero to step forward and save the day. Well, two heroes actually. Eddie Bear, Toy City Private Eye, and his loyal sidekick, Jack. And they are about to face their biggest challenge yet—to save not only toykind, but mankind as well.

Yep you read the description right. Toy City is a world of toys, like literally walking, living talking toys.It is actually the sequel to The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse,but once again, I read the sequel first and havent got the time to read the first one.Yep, can't tame me


So anyway, the novel starts with Eddie Bear , a teddy bear, once upon a time mayor of Toy City itself. With Jack ( of Jack and Jill only, they kind of well, drifted apart) decided to 'open' their detective agency once more to investigate the muders around Toy City; thus discovering they have dopplegangers who suck the life off the victims.


Then the adventure begins: flirting, wallets, grenades and UFOs. They followed their alien dopplegangers through "The Second Big O" which on the other side proves to be the "O" of Hollywood sign.They have finally came to our world so to speak.


The aliens it turns out were chickens! Chickens planning to take over the land of men. 
aww that had been a pleasant treat for me, I was actually already hoping for something unexpected, I mean the novel started with a walking talking teddy bear after all; but I was still surprised with the chicken part like \(n_n)/ 

yep yep this are the alien chickens,evil chickens

The novel had ended well, I enjoyed the fight scenes and the asurdity of imagining a chicken head off a teddy bear body (becuase beneath their doppleganger's faces were chickens just wearing mascots). So all in all, It a pretty funny, weird and enjoyable read. It is not really homourous all throughout mind you, but nicely paced and fun enough to continue reading, plus it's a great way to exercise your imagination.

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone
PLOT:

My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me... So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view—a story unequalled in fantasy literature...

ahh the story of Kvothe the Bloodless, who gets orphaned, gets educated and became a sword brandishing hero. This novel is actually the second part of The Kingkiller Chronicles, but I haven't read the first one.

The novel has everything, it begins with Kvothe, now an innkeeper telling his audience, the Chronicler and Bast, his story as he went through his studies, his intelligence , his escapades, his travels and love life.
There is more to his story of course but a summary is tiring since this book has about more that 900 pages.Took me a long time to get through

check out this fanart i saw in deviantart, real cool this is exactly how i imagined kvothe to look like

I dont like Kvothe, he's alright though, annoying, hot tempered, kind still and really wise, but I dont feel any warmth towards him. Yet I like all the other characters actually, I also love the detailed descriptions of the places our hero had been to-the University, The Archives, Maer's kingdom, etc etc.
But those seems to be just for entertainment purposes, so many things had happened and I dont know how it would all add up to one solid plot, so as for now I have no idea how the 3rd novel would be, no expectations, no hints.

But I hate the part of the Adem and all the Lethani is painfully boring...sorry it is just weird to s ee some deep philosophy, but it did helped Kvothe with his fighting prowess, so i can forgive

Rothfuss is truly one of the best writers.The world he made is perfect, amazing, created realistic characters, It is still a fantastic read and worth the time, no wonder it is such a commercial success.

The Princess Curse by Marie Haskell

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone

PLOT:

Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling—and downright silly—curse. Ridiculous though the curse may be, whoever breaks it will win a handsome reward. 

Sharp-witted Reveka, an herbalist’s apprentice, has little use for princesses, with their snooty attitudes and impractical clothing. She does, however, have use for the reward money that could buy her a position as a master herbalist. 

But curses don’t like to be broken, and Reveka’s efforts lead her to deeper mysteries. As she struggles to understand the curse, she meets a shadowy stranger (as charming as he is unsettling) and discovers a blighted land in desperate need of healing. Soon the irreverent apprentice is faced with a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?

The Princess Curse is is one addition to story retellings that had been read over the years.

However this version of The Twelve Dancing Princesses is actually just a part element of the whole story for it also has its share of Beauty and The Beast, as well as Greek Mythology.This is simply a impressive rendition. It even introduced me to this Romanian mythological creature called zmeu

if you ever had problem in imagining him, lol like i did,just stare at this red colored beauty

The narration tends to be slow and some political issues are told in a boring manner, but hey you're the reader, so skip and go to the meaty parts.

Anyway Reveka sacrificed herself and agreed to be the zmeu's wife, thus saving her father and the princesses. She then lived in the Underworld, a world of total darkness and discovered how the dark kingdom of souls suffer from deterioration that she could, in a way, help to stop.

Reveka and the zmeu had a quiet, civil relationship that grew with Reveka able to understand Frumos' (zmeu's name) problems. 

All in all, the book isnt perfect, but the way the plot was presented was nice and the later part of the whole story showed maturity and understanding. Yep its squeaky clean, nice romance for Frumos and Reveka too, something that is realistic for a 14 year old to experience.

And now for me, I am lusting for one thing : a sequel.

I have read books before that has open endings that is up to you and all, but the ending Haskell gave the readers is not satisfactory,  you know how that feels? The ending is quite good and win-win I tell you, nothing to be worried about. But still I want Reveka’s adventures to continue. The publisher however hinted he will ask more if the sales are good, and I hope it does \(n_n)/

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Rating: 4-Would recommend it to everyone
PLOT:

 Book trailer here

In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.

Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after

One of the best known fairy tales Gidwitz was able to create a horrifying yet clever narration of Hansel and Gretel, also featuring less known tales such as "Faithful Johannes" and "The Seven Swallows". As Gidwitz babbles on, he keeps on interrupting the reader with humor and warnings, of course since this book has parents chopping off their own children's heads and putting them on later and are alive once again! Statues coming to life,  facing Hell and The Devil (and its mother), fighting dragons, talking raindrops, even the moon eats children:

i know...creepy

No children in reality would of course endure what Gidwitz's Hansel and Gretel experienced, but A Tale Dark and Grimm tells us a lesson that children are not always as innocent and as stupid, and fairytales can be awesome.