Book of the Month: sequels and three-quels: Scorched Skies

So instead of reviewing all of the sequels together I’ll be giving each its own spotlight. The second book in the Fire Spirits series is Scorched Skies and it picks up almost immediately where the last one left off. While the first one was really about Ari discovering she was Jinn, this one is about her dealing with the threats of being one and it sets up the rest of the series nicely. You’re being warned now: If you haven’t read/finished the first book don’t read on. There are some major spoilers.

Charlie is now a sorcerer, something I’m really glad of because he’s not the “delicate flower” of the bunch anymore. Of course, that means Ari is. And she should be because she’s the one everyone’s trying to kill, and, actually, listens when people talk her out of bad situations and lays low when she needs to rather than put herself in undo risk (while I’m all for the tough-girl thing, it’s really annoying when they don’t listen to reason; I wish more characters did!). Back to Charlie, though, now he’s kind of shed his bad-boy image and is little more than a recovering drug addict. Nothing too special or lovable about him anymore. Which is also a conclusion Ari reaches, ending the love triangle when she chooses Jai. Jai himself doesn’t really grow in his character, except that he, too, realizes he wants to be with Ari and won’t let his family or job get in his way.

In the way of new characters there are only two big ones: Dali, who’s the villain of this story, and while not a great character, he does his job in the book; and Fallon, who’s the one to fill the hole Ari left in Charlie’s heart. I like Fallon, but I feel like her addition was very… unnatural. She totally needed to be there, but she didn’t need to show up when she did. I almost wish she hadn’t been introduced till book three where there is much more room for her.

There was a lot more of the hunter’s side of the Jinn world but it wasn’t really anything stunning. I liked it and all, but it wasn’t really necessary. Plot wise, there’s a major something at the beginning (I’m not spoiling THAT) that changes everything.

This book gets 3 ½ of 5 stars.

Book Review: You Against Me

It has a steady pace and a hint of mystery to it. You’re trying to figure out if Tom actually raped Karyn or not. It has you biting your nails in anticipation, for the first half. Pretty soon, sooner than half, you’ve figured out who’s in the wrong, and then most of the struggle turns to Ellie’s internal conflict. That Mikey and Ellie have sucky lives gets old pretty fast and you just hope they someday end up happy together in a cottage by the sea because they deserve it. Really, it gets old fast. (SPOILER: highlight to see what I said) The biggest disappointment was when Ellie and Mickey had sex. In my opinion, the book radiates this idea that love does not mean you need to have sex. When they do it, it feels wrong, and backwards. I wish the author had found another way to convey their feelings for one another. (END SPOILER)

The narrators are Mikey and Ellie. Mikey’s sister was raped by Ellie’s brother and their both dealing with different kinds of fall out. Like I said above, their lives pretty much suck. They’re strong characters, but about half-way through, they become boring and bland. They’re just not as compelling to read about. Near the end this all picks up again, with the case going to court, and resolutions.  

A friend of mine recommended this to me about a year ago. I finally picked a copy up from my library with really high expectations. Maybe too high, because while this was a good book, I really just wanted to get it over with by the end.

The writing was nice, although not stand-out beautiful. The book takes place in London (well, really the suburbs) and I liked that change of scenery. I think my biggest problem was that it wasn’t as good as I expected it to be, which is a shame. I also don’t read that much contemporary, so the change may have just been what hit me. Too, it took me forever to read this book because I was so busy. That probably did have something to do with my problems. All in all, the book is getting 3 stars, but I don’t plan on reading anything else by this author anytime soon.

Book of the Month: Sequels and Three-quels

Continuing on with the book of the month, here’s a review of the other two additions in the series. Book three isn’t out yet but is expected late this year. Warning, there may be spoilers, so read at your own risk.

This is a novella published between Hidden Wings and Broken Wings. However, it actually tells the story of Alaine and Samuel and manages to clean up the mythology very well. There are some subtle mysteries hinted at that I’m hoping will enrich the rest of the series, as well.

The novella takes place from the Fall to Emma arriving to live with Alaine, but it is told sporadically, almost like a cliff note version. We see nearly all of Samuel and Alaine’s lives, both before they met and also after. It shows how Alaine grew up, how they met, how Emma was born, how Samuel “died”, how the guardians came to live with Alaine, and so on. It was a pleasant read and I would definitely recommend it if you want to have the full experience of the series.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

The second book in the series, Hidden Wings, felt a little more rushed then the first one.  I liked how they condensed the character's to a select few, but I was mad that Kade left so early on.  I feel like the author changes her mind while in the middle of writing things and the book has an unpolished air to it.  Honestly, at some points I felt like I was reading a rough draft.  This really got on my nerves but didn't detract from the story, which is still very good.

I don't want to give too much away, but most of the novel takes place in Hell.  I really liked this.  Hell made it a "dangerous" story and brought the stakes up.  Plus, it helps that pesky problem of time lapse.  Again, this story only took place over several "days" but whereas the first one felt like it was much longer this one fit into that time frame nicely.

There weren't as many Darkling in this one which I appreciated and the "villains" were actual monsters who didn't have any sort of conscious.  Always love a good monster and these were pretty unique for the most part.  The "quest" in this story brings the characters down to Emma, Kade (who leaves early), Danyel, and Samuel.  At one point Malachi and Dom help out, but besides that we really don't see anyone else from the last book.  There's a new character introduced at the end and he's pretty important so I won't say anything.  Let me just say, though, I was a little disappointed with what he brings to the picture.  Oh, yeah, and Kade now being human (not too much of a spoiler, I promise) totally made me go "awww" in a good way.  Heart melting.

I am excited for what the next book brings, so finger's crossed it comes soon.

Rating: ***3 Stars***
Series Rating (so far): ****4 Stars****