BEKA COOPER SERIES by Tamora Pierce: Review

BEKA COOPER SERIES

Genre: High Fantasy
Author: Tamora Pierce
Publisher: Random House
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Goodreads Description:
Beka Cooper's journals describe her training, promotion, and success as a policewoman (dog) in Tortall. From the back alleys of Corus, to the sewers of Port Caynn, to the backwoods of the north country, Beka will not let her quarry escape. 

Tamora Pierce's first tales told in first person give marvelous insight into the complex and wonderful character of Beka, whose strength, loyalty, and goodness are an inspiration to all those around her . . . except perhaps the criminals.

MY THOUGHTS

I realize that this series is not a new series, but I thought it would be a good one to test out this new method of reviewing. Please let me know whether or not this review style works for you!

Who do I recommend for? Those who enjoy complex epic fantasy with low romance, an emphasis on plot, and in-depth world-building.

Happy Wednesday!

THE BURNING SKY by Sherry Thomas

Genre: Historical Fantasy
Author: Sherry Thomas
Goodreads Description: 
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

THIS IS GENIUS. 
It's several days after I finished this book and I am still marveling over Sherry Thomas' ability to weave a tale. I feel like this is the story I've been craving for years.
I'm giving you a direct link to both Amazon and Barnes and Noble because this book deserves to be on your bookshelf.
*dusts off hands*
There.
Now, if that wasn't enough of a review ;) …

Romance:
Slow burn. Definitely integral to the story. There's a touch of unrequitedness.

World:
Set in both our world and the "mage world" that is full of magic--both good and bad. When they are not in the mage world, they are in a historical London, England. 
I don't remember a lot of setting descriptions, but my mind has every single setting fully furnished and clearly pictured. To me, this is a sign of an author's deft skill at world building. Sherry Thomas has it!

Adventure:
The overarching goal of the story is to defeat the nefarious Inquisitor and the even more evil Bane. In the process, Iolanthe (our female protagonist) must convince the world that she is a boy, come into her long-suppressed powers, put up with an arrogant prince, and adventure into worlds only ever told in fairy tales. Titus (our male protagonist) must convince the world that he is an arrogant and immature boy, come to grips with the reality of his prophesied death, and convince Iolanthe to destroy the Bane.

The book is written in dual POV and it also contains footnotes. Yes, you read that correctly. Footnotes. This jarred me at first. It wasn't until I was about a third of the way into the book that I started to view the footnotes as genius instead of obnoxious. The footnotes allow you to sink into the world to a far greater degree than would otherwise be possible. And if footnotes do not appeal to you in a novel, then ignore them and read without interruption. It's worth it.

Do I recommend? If the rest of this review didn't tell you, YES.

SNOW LIKE ASHES by Sara Raasch

Genre: High Fantasy
Author: Sara Raasch
Favorite Quote:
"Everything must be dead to make way for Spring."
Goodreads Description:
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. 

This book pleasantly surprised me! An epic fantasy about sixteen-year-old Meira and her struggle to restore the Kingdom of Winter.

Romance: 
The romance was not the main focus of the plot, but it was beautifully done. It was realistic--full of sad revelation and letting go and moving on. And it was not what I first expected! I'm afraid to say too much, so I'll leave it at this: the romance was both fast and slow. ;)

My favorite relationship of the story, however, was not romantic at all. It was the relationship between orphan Meira and the man she wishes was her father. It is a poignant exploration of wanting to be loved without condition, and falling short time and time again.

World:
The world was certainly map-worthy! There are eight kingdoms--the Rhythm kingdoms and the Season kingdoms. Each kingdom has its own magic. And the detail of the settings! O, the detail! It was not cumbersome, but it was intricate nonetheless.

Adventure:
The plot is constantly moving from one conflict to the next. It swept me away. I kept expecting the murky middle where things hit a plateau, but there was no plateau. Things pushed forward at a fast clip.
And while there's nothing new in YA about a strong-willed girl fighting for her homeland, Raasch's spin on the trope is well worth the read.

Do I recommend? Yes. To anyone who loves high fantasy. Yes. 

Blog Refocus

The New Year is upon us! And with the New Year comes change. 

In the past, I have written arbitrary posts about arbitrary things related to reading and writing. I lacked the kind of focus I needed to be both enthusiastic and deliberate about my posts. So, I've decided to focus on making this blog a place for readers of YA speculative fiction to go for recommendations of good books. If it turns into a community of readers who can bond over similar taste in books, that's grand! If not, then it will simply remain a resource for readers.

As a writer myself, I know how hard it is to write and publish a book and I therefore have the greatest respect for those who undertake such an endeavor. I will not bash books in my reviews. I will seek to be graciously honest.

To get an idea for my taste, take a gander at the sidebar where I list some of my favorites. For a more in-depth explanation of how I review, click on the "Review Style" tab.

The market is becoming increasingly saturated with YA novels. It seems that should make finding a good book easier. But, if you're anything like myself, it almost seems harder to find the kind of books you like. I hope that readers of fantasy, dystopian, and some paranormal will find this blog to be a useful resource for shortening their search for good books.

A Mark-Your-Calendar Book: THE LAST STORED

All right, friends. This is my time to GUSH! 
Sonia Poynter, another from my wonderful online writer's group, is getting published. Her book, THE LAST STORED, is due for release January 6, 2015. 
I am so doggone excited! Here's why:

After the sudden death of her parents, making it through the day is a struggle for Amber Megan Peel. In the midst of her grief, an exquisite bird perches on her garden fence and shows her visions of a vivid landscape and a dark lord slouching upon a throne. [Ooohh I'm such a sucker for this imagery!] She thinks the visions are tied to her sorrow. But when a boy flies through her kitchen window to tell her she’s the Last Stored, she wonders if she’s just lost her mind.

Cree of Din [Do you not just love that name? Heavens! I think I'm already in book-love with him.] is tasked with one job: Bring Amber home. For seven years, Cree has trained as her protector and it is the ultimate responsibility. Failure means Amber’s certain death, and that’s not an option for Cree – especially since he’s falling in love with her. [I'm telling you. Book-love. Serious book-love.]

The Returning has begun. Now all Amber and Cree have to do is enter Tali, a world of unimaginable splendor and equally unimaginable horror, and defeat Lorthis. If they can’t, not only will Tali plunge into darkness, but so will Earth. [Oh my crocodile tears! THESE STAKES ARE SO INTENSE!]

I am a sucker for fantasy and this has every element of fantasy-goodness that inevitably makes me fall head over heels into a story. 
An empathy-worthy protagonist. 
A dark lord. 
A protector. 
Romance. 
Lots of mysterious titles and names that relate to exotic places of adventure. 
And SUPER high stakes.  

Mark your calendars! January isn't far off. :)

         

Sonia Poynter is a homeschooling teacher, an active youth volunteer, and a writer. For Sonia every day is an adventure, providing her with an endless parade of eccentric characters and vivid worlds. Currently, she lives in the sleepy community of Pittsboro, Indiana, with the love of her life and God has blessed them both with three amazing kids.

          

Website: http://twowillowswriter.blogspot.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SoniaPoy

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SoniaPoynterAuthor

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/8009965-sonia-poynter

The Writer's 777 Challenge

I have been tagged by the talented Maria Ann Green, author of IN THE REARVIEW, to participate in the 777 challenge!

The challenge is quite simple, really: open manuscript, scroll to 7th page, read until the 7th line, paste the following 7 sentences onto your blog for the world to see!

My 7 sentences are from my YA fantasy novel, THE THIRD QUIVER.

Why hide in the shadows?

The king peered past me toward the square I had just left, his expression shifting in a way that turned my blood to ice. It was the way that a father might look as he punished his son in hopes of guiding the child toward better behavior. It was the grim look of hard-dispensed justice. 

“You probably think me a harsh man,” the king said. 

Harsh? To call the king harsh would be a disservice to the word.

And that's all you get. Challenge completed. :)