5 TERRIFIC STARS - Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

This book reminded me of why I love fantasy.. or in general, why I love reading.  Rosamund Hodge is a marvel at world building and knowing this book is her debut just makes her a writing God.

Original Title: Cruel Beauty

Author: Rosamund Hedge

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 28th, 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher, thank you!

Genre: Fantasy, Young adult

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

REVIEW

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE TITLE

This is so carefully thought out.  Yeah, this book is loosely based on "Beauty and the Beast".  But, it's nothing like the original, but I think it's equally beautiful in a dark way.  Our protagonist is not the kind soul that you hear about; she is flawed, she is cruel, she is rude and selfish...  "Cruel beauty" sounds such an apt way to describe her.  And that applies to this book too..  It's so beautiful, in a completely different way.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE COVER

When I first saw the cover, I didn't think much about it.  Now, I really just want to give a standing ovation to the designer.  The rose, the dark lonely endless corridors and the girl alone in all this - makes so much sense.  It's beautiful.  What is more beautiful is the words on the book.

Her mission was to kill him

Her destiny was to love him.

When this might sound as a simple plot line, this isn't.  It's as complicated as it gets.

ACTUAL REVIEW

When it started, I was having a very moody time, that I wanted to pick up another book.  That continued until 25% of the book.  Remember that this is not because of anything to do with the plot, but with the mood of the novel.  It was so gloomy, so even when I am sitting in a room filled with bright light, I was feeling all dark and glum.  This dark feeling didn't go throughout the book, because of the setting, but I got so immersed in it and started enjoyed so much after some time, that I want to give up my breakfast and sit with my book.

Both the main characters, Ignifex and Nyx, were not the regular good people, which is usually written about.  They are bad and they do bad things to hurt the people they love.  But, that's what make it realistic about the characters.  Jealousy between the siblings is normal; yes, it happens even to the adults.  And when Nyx's father 'sacrifice' her, instead of her sister, in order to 'save' their land, Arcadia, I understand the love-hate feeling she starts to develop towards her sister.  She is human, after all, and the need to be loved and get married like regular girls sure made her heart filled with some poison.  But, again, I know we are all capable of such thoughts.

I had thought the words so often, they felt like nothing in my mouth, like no more than a breath of air, and as easily as breathing I went on:
“The truth is, Mother died because of you, and now I have to die for your sake too. And neither one of us will ever forgive you.”
Then I shoved her aside and strode out of the room.

Yes, this is cruel..and she regrets it immediately; now you get a glimpse of who her protogonist is?  But, if you read the novel, you will really know what made her like that.

When she is pushed into the demonic castle to marry the Gentle Lord, the prince of the Monsters aka Ignifex, she hated her father, her sister, the Gentle Lord and herself (for being selfish).  Nyx is trained all her life to seduce the monster and kill him, even though it might mean killing herself in the process.  Now, Ignifex, her enemy, likes her for what she truly is.  Noone knows the true her; she had made sure to hide the venom in her to everyone.  Nyx can't help but feel happy for someone who loves her knowing everything about her, even though that someone is a monster, who bargains with innocent people and lead them to misery.  And there is this other problem where Nyx seeks comfort with - Shade, Ignifex's shadow.

"This house has many danger.  I cannot save you from most of them." I let go and forced a smile.  "I wasn't born to be saved."

Nyx soon learns that her plan to save the world is flawed and there are so many secrets that she didn't know.  In that palace which is a better-to-be-in-a-horror-movie-than-to-be-here labyrinth, Nyx should find a way to save her people and also make the decision of choosing between the "love and trust of Ignifex" to the "love and trust of her family and countless other people".

The world building was amazing or should I say darkly artistic?  As I said, the author has maintained the sullen mood of the book throughout, leaving me with the need to go out in the sun and breathe when I finished.  If you read about the world of Arcadia, you would know it's a wild imagination.  I don't want to spoil the setting for you, but I assure you that it's one of the best.

The writing was terrific.  The author has brought in so many Greek mythological parts in the book.  Though I felt this to be an info-dump at the start, after some time, these were small distractions between the complicated plot line giving me some break.

I enjoyed this book so much that I feel like crying.  Do I even have to say it?  Just read it!  But wait, you don't like fantasy?  Then read it just to feel Rosamund's extraordinary writing skills.

Over-the-top plot, graceful writing, achingly beautiful romance and outstanding setting.  This is a masterpiece!

5 STAR ARC Review: My Sort Of Fairy Tale Ending by Anna Staniszewski

When I read the second book in this series a few days ago, I immediately requested the review copy for the third one.  Not because it can't wait; no, it's not that.  These type of books makes your reading more light, fun and lovable.

Original Title: My Sort Of Fairy Tale Ending

Series: My Very UnFairy Tale Life #3

Author: Anna Staniszewski

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Release Date: November 5th 2013

Source: Review copy from publisher

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

Happily ever after? Yeah, right.

Jenny's search for her parents leads her to Fairyland, a rundown amusement park filled with creepily happy fairies and disgruntled leprechauns. Despite the fairies' kindness, she knows they are keeping her parents from her. If only they would stop being so happy all the time-it's starting to weird her out! With the help of a fairy-boy and some rebellious leprechauns, Jenny finds a way to rescue her parents, but at the expense of putting all magical worlds in danger. Now Jenny must decide how far she is willing to go to put her family back together.

REVIEW

Jenny goes in search of her missing parents to the fairy world.  But, if you imagine fairy world in your mind, just forget it and read on.  It's just a worn out amusement park, where all magical being were - kind of - tortured.  Well, Jenna is a prisoner now in the hands of the completely insane fairy queen.  With some help from a fairy boy, will she bring down the entire rule and also save the magical community as well as her parents?  Tough...

Great world building and great characterization.  In so few pages, I started liking the characters so much.

I liked the way the story winded up.  It was clean, just like a fairy tale.  Nothing to be sad of; I finished it just with fond memories.

If I am still a kid at school, I would want my teacher to read/recommend these type of stories to me.  It's fun and kids will love this.  Highly recommended for those who love middle grade fantasy novels.

5 STARS!

SERIES ORDER

0.5.  Jenny’s First Adventure - Read for FREE at Goodreads
1.  My Very UnFairy Tale Life - Amazon | Goodreads
2.  My Epic Fairy Tale Fail - Amazon | Goodreads | My review
3.  My Sort of Fairy Tale Ending - Amazon | Goodreads

5 STAR Review + Giveaway: Atone (A Fairytale Trilogy) by Jessica Grey

Again, I am saying - if you write fairy tale retellings, just let me know.  I am never going to back down on this genre.  But, please always do some justice to the original plot.. just like this novel.

Original Title: Atone: A Fairytale

Series: A Fairytale Trilogy #2

Author: Jessica Grey

Publisher:  Tall House Books

Release Date: July 8th, 2013

Source: From Xpresso Book Tours

Genre: Fairy tale retellings, Fantasy, Young adult, Paranormal Romance

Becca Ward knows that magic is real...

Two years ago not only had she and her best friend Alex found a real-life Sleeping Beauty in the middle of Los Angeles, they also discovered that they were powerful in their own right. They’ve managed to keep both their fae powers and their friend Lilia’s identity as a medieval princess a secret and live a normal life. Now their normalcy is threatened by the return of their former advisor at the Gem and Mineral Museum—and Becca’s least favorite person, Nicholas Hunt.

...and she’s about to find out that more than one fairy tale is true.

Nicholas has been obsessed with proving Lilia’s identity and the existence of magic. While working on an archeology dig he discovered an ancient fae artifact—a mirror that is imbued with a powerful protection spell that twists his obsession, and his body, until he is more beast than man. In order to protect her friends, Becca is forced to help him, and she is surprised to find that in spite of his outward appearance, Nicholas is no longer the beast she remembers. Will she let herself be the beauty that breaks the curse, or will she let her prejudice against him stop her from discovering true love?

REVIEW

Becca Ward has some 'metal' powers in her.  Her best friends, Alex and Lilia, are also magical.  When Nicholas poses a threat to their identity, Becca tries to find him and do what is necessary to keep him silent. This is going to be a problem, because Becca has never liked Nicholas.  And helping him is going to be difficult.

Nicholas Hunt, an archeologist obsessed with magic, comes across a magical mirror.  The spell in the mirror changes him to a Beast.  Even more unexpected is the girl who comes to help him, with whom he has always had a hostile relationship.  But, she is the one that brings out the man inside all his Beastly appearance.

The plot is not original (being a retelling and all), but it's a refreshing, cool take on the original plot.

The characters and the world building are amazing.  Each character is different and they stand alone independently.  Even the minor's characters, like Becca's cousin, are adorable and all of them keeps reminding me of some person that I meet in real life.  The understanding between Becca and her friends is something every person would crave for.  As I said, the characterization is great and memorable.

Having not read the first book in the series, there were some struggles initially to catch up with the plot, but soon Jessica brought out some scenes to explain briefly about the past happenings.

Becca is a strong protagonist and someone who has her own faults and still enjoys her life.  And Nicholas, although seems to be a jerk previously, changes drastically in his beast form.

The hostility, friendship and romance between Becca and Nicholas was so charming.  At least now I know how Beauty and Beast got close together emotionally.  When I started reading this, I seriously didn't expect this book to rock, but oh boy, it totally did.

And did I mention the climax?  Well, I love you Jessica!  That was one of the best HEA I have read.  I have always thought that Belle and Beauty's kiss at the end of Disney movie is the best kiss scene ever.  I was so happy that I was able to feel some of that magic here.

Loved loved loved!  Jessica --- Here you have earned another fan for you!  One of the best "Beauty and the Beast" retellings and one of my favorite reads this year!  And Jessica, thanks for not ruining my love for the original version and making me fall in love with fairy tales some more.

Do I even have to recommend this to you after all this?  Go on, read this already.

5 STARS!

Image courtesy: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/romantic%20kiss?before=60 http://collider.com/beauty-and-the-beast-disney-joe-ahearne/

GIVEAWAY Jessica is giving away one signed copy of Atone to one winner of the below Rafflecopter giveaway.  Open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Diamonds and Toads: A Modern Fairy Tale by K.E. Saxon | Review

Hmm, I am still thinking of what I would rate this novel.  Actually, I am still thinking whether I liked it or not..

Maybe, I will come to a conclusion at the end of this review.

Original Title: Diamonds and Toads: A Modern Fairy Tale

Author: K.E. Saxon

Publisher: Passion Flower Publishing

Release Date: September 23rd 2011

Source:Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Erotica, Fairy-tales

Sugar and spice and everything nice...and, oh yes, naughty—times twice. 

Together, sweet Delilah and wicked Isadora make the perfect woman. But the Perrault family fairy is a troublemaker and imbues diamonds upon one sister and toads upon the other. Now up is down and down is up in a world where no good deed goes unpunished. Leather, blindfolds, and handcuffs purge sweet of all reserve. A few misspoken words of lust gives wicked a whole new meaning. 

Once upon a time, there were two sisters, one cursed and one blessed by fairy magic… 

Bibbidee-bobbidi-boo, They’re naughty. How about you?

REVIEW

Delilah and Isadora are step-sisters in the Perrault family.  While Delilah is innocent and shy, Isadora, with her typical model-like body, is so outgoing, but mean to others.  The fate of these two sisters is decided when the Perrault family fairy blesses Delilah with diamonds and curses Isadora from the power of speech.

Actually, I think both the sisters are blessed, but differently, based on their attitudes.  Because it lead to good things in the end.  The sisters are strong and lovable.  Each have their reasons for being who they are.  And I was able to understand their positions well, because most of us are facing/hearing those issues often.  I enjoyed the way with which the author brought out both the stories in one situation, like during the marriage of Delilah, Isadora is already cursed, and the readers didn't know about it yet.

When I picked up this novel, I seriously didn't expect the plot to be like this.  What I explained above is not the story actually, it's the base.  The main story contains erotic contents as well.  Well, I am not complaining about that.  But, I think the title is the problem for me.  I am reading erotica in a fairy tale.  That statement sounds bad, right?  That's exactly my problem with the book.

Still thinking..

Did I like the book?  Yes
Do I have anything that I don't like?  Yes - the title and the guilty feeling that I have
Do you want to read more about this?  While I enjoyed this novel, I don't think I want to read it again or even read more about it.

The rating is 3.5 stars then.

Review: My Epic Fairy Tale Fail by Anna Staniszewski

I am not sure whether you know this..but recently, I am craving for fun, light reads.  It's like seeing some middle grade novel and I feel like I see a chocolate.  I NEED to have it, no matter what, especially if it's some fun read.  This novel sounded right up my alley.

Original Title: My Epic Fairy Tale Fail

Series: My Very UnFairy Tale Life #2

Author: Anna Staniszewski

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Release Date: March 1st 2013

Source: Review copy from the publisher

Genre: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Middle Grade

Fairy tales do come true. Unfortunately.

Jenny the Adventurer is back, and this time she's off to the Land of Tales: the crazy place that all fairy tales come from. If she can defeat an evil witch and complete three impossible tasks--all without getting eaten by blood-thirsty monsters--Jenny might finally get some answers about what happened to her parents.

This is one adventure Jenny can't afford to fail.

REVIEW

Jenny is an adventurer.  She has been one, since her parents disappeared seven years before.  She is going to solve a problem, again.  This time, it was in "Land of Tales", where Jenny's parents had last seen.  The Council is sending her to solve a problem: an evil witch sucking all of the magic in "Land of Tales" and if Jenny doesn't complete the three impossible tasks set by the evil witch within three days, the magic will completely be lost.  And so will be Jenny's parents. 

The characters were so relatable; Trish and Melissa's (Jenny's besties) made me laugh at a lot of places.  Those two were contantly thinking the more dangerous the events are, the more cooler it is.  I can totally understand it.  Being a fan of fantasy, that is how my brain works too. ;)  Anthony, Jenny's gnome guide, who will anything for a candy, is adorable.  And I love the "Sleeping Beauty" part in it; the author has some cool imagination.

Yeah, I didn't read the previous novel, but I have absolutely no problem in understanding this one.  Actually it was pretty cute and simple.  Have you read "Fairy-Tale Detectives" from The Sisters Grimm series?  If you loved that, you will definitely love this one.  And actually, I liked that this novel has more of a brighter approach..literally.  I felt like I was out in the sun (told you it was bright) with Jenny and seeing her adventures (this is usual to all readers, as far as I know, but I can feel the environment part only in very few novels).  This novel made me happy and satisfied and I cannot ask for more.

Perfect for kids! And adults who just love to have a fun read!

Waiting for more!

SERIES ORDER

0.5.  Jenny’s First Adventure - Read for FREE at Goodreads
1.  My Very UnFairy Tale Life - Amazon | Goodreads
2.  My Epic Fairy Tale Fail - Amazon | Goodreads
3.  My Sort of Fairy Tale Ending - Amazon | Goodreads | My review

Mini-Reviews: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver and My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Due to time constraints and piling up review copies, I thought I would post some reviews short.  Because these are the books, which already has many reviews for you to choose from in Goodreads and Amazon.

THE SPINDLERS

Series: (Standalone)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: October 2nd 2012

Source: Review copy from publisher

Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade

One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From New York Times best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.

REVIEW

A nice fantasy world which reminded me of Alice's wonderland, although this is more like terror world.  I liked the second half of the novel much better than the first.

I read this long ago, but its like I have nothing to say about it.  I had this "its neither good nor bad" feel.  Don't get me wrong..I like Lauren Oliver's writing, but I am not able to enjoy this one well.  Maybe because its slow, maybe I didn't expect such a plot, maybe its the boring first half..  Well, whatever! 

A simple but a good children's story!  So, I recommend this for children..as for the adults, this would not be 'my' recommendation.  But I still know many who will..  So, give it a try and see for yourself! :)

MY UNFAIR GODMOTHER

Series: My Fair Godmother #2

Author: Janette Rallison

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 12th 2011

Source: Bought

Genre: Fairy tale retelling, Fantasy, Young-adult

Tansy Miller has always felt that her divorced father has never had enough time for her. But mistakenly getting caught on the wrong side of the law wasn't exactly how she wanted to get his attention. Enter Chrysanthemum "Chrissy" Everstar, Tansy's fairy in shining, er, high heels. Chrissy is only a fair godmother, of course, so Tansy's three wishes don't exactly go according to plan. And if bringing Robin Hood to the twenty-first century isn't bad enough for Tansy, being transported back to the Middle Ages to deal with Rumpelstiltskin certainly is. She'll need the help of her blended family, her wits, and especially the cute police chief's son to stop the gold-spinning story from spinning wildly out of control. Janette Rallison pulls out all the stops in this fresh, fun-filled follow-up to the popular My Fair Godmother.

REVIEW

As its predecessor, this novel is also fun, fairy-tale-ish and adorable.  People need these kind of books once in a while.  It makes reading more light and safe from emotions.

This novel is about Tansy whose life is about messed up in the fairy tales of Robinhood and Rumpelstiltskin.  As much as I liked this novel, I loved "My Fair Godmother" more!

Loved it and recommending both the books in the "My Fair Godmother" series!

So readers, have you read or heard about any of the above two books?  What do you think about them?

5-STAR Review & Top Ten favorite Hollywood heroines: The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

Original Title: The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back
Author: Sariah Wilson
Publisher: Fire & Ice Books
Release Date: August 15th 2012
Source: Blog Tour
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.

REVIEW

THIS is what I call a good entertainer.  Although I give some books 5 star rating, only very few move on to my 'favorites' shelf.  And this book made it.

Sariah, you have got a die-hard fan from the minute I started this read.   Thanks, 1000 times thanks for making this book so much fun.  I JUST LOVED IT!!!

If there is some book this author is writing, just count me in!  I am going to stalk her from now on..

So, this is the gist of the novel:

Storyline: Mattie Lowe is in love with her stepsister, Ella's boyfriend, Jake Kingston, from nine years old.

Mattie's problem: Ella looks like a barbie doll.  How will Jake notice Mattie, when he has Ella?

About the cover: This cover is completely cool.  That Mattie loves J.K image is relatable and fun.

Fun Part: Everything

I am a sucker for fairytale retellings.  When this book came up, I just want to read it.  Even if its not the blog tour, I would just have bought it, if I had known about it.

Mattie and Ella are just perfect stepsisters.  Ella is super hard-worker, energetic, kind, polite and always there for everyone.  Mattie is just majority of the teen population - with no real aim in life, mediocre lazy, swooning over a boy and well, just regular girl.  Mattie has problem in understanding that she looks good and people really like her.  She thinks Ella is the Cinderella, who gets Prince Charming, and ugly stepsisters only get to swoon over the Prince.

Jake is a cool boyfriend and its really nice to read about some normal guy after a long time.  Its good that Jake can think differently and the romance parts are great and right.

Standing up to Mercedes, who has been a real witch to Mattie, is another cool thing.  The snarky and witty dialogues are great.  The thought process of Mattie is perfect.  Okay, see, I am really not exaggerating here.  There are some quotes I would like to share here, just to prove that I am not exaggerating.

Funny moments:

"You're running for senior class president?" Only she said it the same way someone else might say, "You're going to eat dog food?"

Laugh out loud moments:

My mouth hung open, until I realized nobody wanted to see chewed up cashew chicken.

I suddenly felt all giggly and girly, which was a completely foreign feeling.  If I started twirling my hair, I was going to have Trent shoot me.

"I'm pretty sure if you look up the word witch on Wikipedia, Mercedes's picture will be there."  I did not tell him that I was the one who posted it.

Some insightful moments: ;-)

I was constantly amazed by the depths of my own shallowness.  Wait.  Could a shallow person have depths?  Whatever. 

After a week of reading this novel, Mattie's way of finding love and herself still makes me happy.  And THAT is what made me give this 5 stars.  I just was laughing and laughing in bus, when I read this.  And I still feel a smile coming when I think of the book.   This book is everything I want - my favorite movie scenes, funny incidents, cheerful romance and the HEA.  Well done, Sariah Wilson!!!

Did I even mention that I liked this novel?  Well, what to say, I do believe in love and magic.

(Sariah, please tell me when is your next book released?)

All quotes in the review are quoted from the review copy received.  And yeah, thanks for the review copy.  You are awesome!

AUTHOR TOP 10 FAVORITES

I am very happy to say that today we have one of my most favorite authors, Sariah Wilson, with a cute Author Top 10!

Her list is from the point of view of the heroine of "The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back", Mattie Lowe, telling us about Mattie Lowe’s Top Ten favorite Hollywood heroines.  So here it goes:

Mattie Lowe’s Top Ten favorite Hollywood heroines

10.  Andie Walsh, “Pretty in Pink.”  Here’s one of the ultimate outsiders, even though she is Molly Ringwald, who manages to catch the eye of the most popular guy in school just by being weird, eccentric self.

9.  Korra “The Legend of Korra.”  What can I say?  I love a girl who can bend the elements and beat the crap out of everyone around her.

8.  Sidney Bristow, “Alias.”  I love her because of the coolness of being a spy and living a double life, but also because we have the same hair.

7.  Allison Reynolds, “The Breakfast Club.”  Let’s just say I can relate to the outsider, weird, basket-case, goth-type girl who gets a makeover and the cute, hot jock is finally able to admit how he feels.  *Sigh*

6.  Usagi Tsukino, “Sailor Moon.”  Just your normal, average, kind of ditzy girl who turns out to be an awesome superhero.  And in addition to much cool fighting and animation, this is a series that is all about love.  And yes, I’m a huge romantic sap.

5.  Katniss Everdeen, “The Hunger Games.”  She may not be a manga heroine, but she might as well be.  That girl kicks some butt and takes names!  I love strong girls who are such survivors.

4.  Sakura Haruno, “Naruto.”  “Naruto” is one of my favorite manga series, and Sakura is funny, strong, kindhearted, flawed, but can take on just about anybody in a fight and win.  She is also rocking pink hair, which I am partial to.

3.  Elizabeth Bennet, “Pride & Prejudice.”  Not just because she brought me and Jake closer together for our English project , but because she’s just all kinds of awesome.  How can you not love a girl who stays true to who she is and still gets Mr. Darcy?

2.  Samantha Baker, “Sixteen Candles.”  I know, Molly Ringwald again.  (Are you sensing a pattern?)  She’s a shy little no one who gets her dream guy, just like I got my dream guy, and he used the final scene of that movie to woo me.  (Yes, I said woo.  Because I was all woo-hoo when it happened!)

1.  Anastasia and Drizella, “Cinderella.”  You guys just have no idea how hard it is to be the ugly stepsister and have a real-life Cinderella in your family!  Those girls need to be cut some slack.

Well, enjoyed this?  Me too!  Thanks Sariah for stopping by!

Review: A Bite's Tale (A Furry Fable) by Veronica Blade

Original Title: A Bite's Tale (A Furry Fable)

Author: Veronica Blade

Publisher: Crush Publishing

Published Date: February 9th 2012

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Young-adult

Links: Goodreads | Amazon

A Cinderella who spends her nights as a wolf. A prince with a taste for blood.

Seventeen year old Cydney struggles against her werewolf nature, trying to keep everyone around her safe. No way will she risk exposing the beast at the prince’s ball, no matter how her two cousins try to persuade her. Even as she attempts to get on with her life, Cydney can’t forget the boy she loved three summers ago — or what she did to him after losing control.

Turned into a vampire to save his life, the prince refuses to live up to his royal duties. He just wants to find the girl he loved and lost...the werewolf girl who bit him. But his father, the king, commands him to attend a ball where he must choose a wife. Can he find his Cinderella before he's forced to marry another? He doesn’t even have her real name, much less a glass slipper.

REVIEW

Excellent, sweet and irresistable romantic fantasy!

Cydney meets a boy, Remy, while she visits her aunt's house.  They do not wish to share their identity, so they call themselves Cinderella and Jack.  In three summers that Cydney met him, they began to fall in love with each other.  That was the stage, when Cydney's werewolf father's gene became dormant.  When Cydney received her first kiss from Remy, due to excitement, Cydney morphed into a wolf and bit Remy without control.  Cydney left Remy and ran in her wolf form.  But, after some time, when she came to her senses, she feels terrible and goes in search of Remy, but, Remy was gone..no trace anywhere. 

Cydney was afraid that she had killed the only boy she loved, and started shying away from society.  Her mom takes her back to their place and she never came back again.....until her mom died three years later.  Now, she lives with her aunt, still worried about losing her control and living in guilt for what she had done to Remy (or her Jack).  What she doesn't know a lot.. The boy Cydney bit, is still alive, and is also the King's only son.  And yeah, he was changed to a vampire, in order to save him from dying from her bite.  And one more thing, that hot guy is getting married soon.  A werewolf Cinderella meets vampire prince!  Wait, actually, will they meet?

Now, if you are still not interested to read this novel after this, we won't get along! :)

This land of werewolves, vampires and witches is so great..so normal to read.  I am so very glad that I read this one.  There is no ugly step-sisters here..actually, I liked Cydney's sisters and one little brother in this book.  This, without a doubt, is the most happy and likeable read for me in this month.  The characters are not deep, but this is right for a short novel.  There is humor, adventure, action, romance and the most important of all - 'happily ever after'.  Its a satisfying read!

If you are into fairy-tales or fairy-tale retellings, then you should not wait another second to pick up this book.  I am sure you would enjoy this as much as I do.

Beastly

Nice modern-day retelling of "Beauty and the Beast".

Kyle a.k.a. Adrian has the misfortune to turn into a beast, due to the beastly (cruel, selfish, ..) ways, he behaves to others. The transformation does not take place in his body and face alone, but it also leads to his character transformation. Slowly, he learns to love and care, which leads him to his love to Lindy.

In some places, Adrian is pathetic. But, I think turning into a beast 'forever' can make anyone pathetic. Some quotes are beautiful..like..

Ending was awesome. And of course, it will be awesome, as its all about TRUE LOVE and HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

I was hoping for a light read and this book gave me that. Although I didn't expect much from this book, I had fun while reading this book. If you are into fairy-tale retellings or romance, this book is for you.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm #1)

Orphans Sabrina (11 year old) and Daphne (7 year old) go to live with their grandmother (who they thought was dead) in the town of Ferryport Landing. After the disappearance of their parents, they go through numerous foster homes. They soon find out that their grandmother is a very strange person who says that the town is filled with fairy-tale beings. 

Daphne believes her, Sabrina does not, until their grandmother gets kidnapped by a Giant that is the cause for the destruction in the town. Sabrina and Daphne, alone in the woods, soon meet Puck (From A Midsummer's Night Dream). He agrees to help them save their grandmother since she was kind to him and fed him sometimes. Sabrina, Daphne, and Puck escape the house on a magic carpet and fly to the Ferryport Landing jail where they rescue Jack (From Jack and the Beanstalk) to kill the giant. 

So, what happens afterwards, is a mystery for the readers, and I don't want to spoil them the fun. But, during the mystery, they learn something about their parents too - who the girls thought had abandoned them. 

The book is narrated from Sabrina's point of view. Everyone, who reads this book, will love the character of Daphne - her willingness to believe, the cute kindness and the way she deals with people. I seriously want to read the book from Daphne's side. I think it will be more fun. 

The author must have given a lot of thought, before coming out with this book. He brings in a lot of characters - from Brother's Grimm, Alice In Wonderland and Shakespeare. The book's mystery has been brought on in a nice way. Good start of the series, considering it as a children's book. ;-)