Giveaway Link: Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn

Tynga's Reviews is hosting a giveaway for Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn.  Click HERE to enter and for more info.

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren.  Now that life is starting to get back on track after the birth of my son, James, last month, I'm hoping to be more consistent with my blogging schedule.

So for this week, I just have one.  I received it in exchange for a review.  I'm just about finished with it, so look for a review sometime next week (after I finish getting caught up with what I read in July).

Book Review: Adam Runaway by Peter Prince

Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 438
Acquired: 4/17/10
Book of Your Shelf? Yes
Series: No

Adam Hanaway, also known as Runaway since he tends to run away from confrontations, is trying to return his family's fortune. His father lost it all and then killed himself. Adam left London to go to Portugal and work for his uncle's import company. He is hoping to prove himself so he can eventually move up the chain of comman and help his mother and sister financially. While there he finds himself accused of fraud, falls in love, and is eventually involved in a dangerous scheme with the possiblity of making him a fortune.

The story itself was quite good, but it was a bit drawn out. While I enjoy reading a character's internal dialoge, there was a bit too much of it for my taste. It seemed a bit repetitive. He continually talked about how he was tired of be cowardly but never really tries to be any different. I did enjoy his relationship and interaction with his neightbors very much. They were the highlight of the book for me.

2/5

Book Review: Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 704
Acquired: ???
Book of Your Shelf? Yes
Why I read it: Re-read to continue series
Series: Kushiel's Legacy (2)

In the second book of the Kushiel's Legacy series, Phedre and her Cassiline, Joscelin, journey to La Serenissima in search of Melisande. But, as always, there is more to the game than anyone suspects at first. Phedre must learn to navigate her way through a whole new politcal climate and use all her wits to try and decipher the clues she has which lead her on a not so merry journey across the seas, where she encounters pirates, gods, and ancient rituals. She is forced to look at herself in a new light time and time again, and make sacrifices she never thought she would have needed.

I was happy to see so many of my favorite characters back for a second book. The change of scenery and introduction of the La Serenissiman characters was the perfect addition to her already fantastic mix. The people and the setting meshed in a way that improved the flow of the story. Throwing in the action, which never seems to stop for Phedre, you have the perfect combination for an amazing book.

5/5

Giveaway Link: Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Stop, Drop and Read is offering a great giveaway for a fantastic author.  She has a copy of  Retribution (Dark-Hunter Series #20) by Sherrilyn Kenyon up for grabs.

For more information and to enter click here HERE.

Giveaway Link: Kill Me If You Can by James Patterson

Bookin With Bingo is hosting a giveaway for James Patterson's new book, Kill Me If You Can .  Click HERE for more info and to enter.

Book Review: The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Pages: 496
Acquired: 6/20/11
Book of Your Shelf? No
Why I have it: NetGalley
Series: Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms (1)

The Five Hundred Kingdoms continually live the fairy tales. It is part of the magic that holds the realms together. Elena was destined to follow in the footsteps of Cinderella, but her prince was just a baby so the fairy tale went wrong. The magic of the realm built up around her until her kingdom's godmother takes her in as an apprentice. Her life is filled with directing the magic to make her realms a better place and keepp the evil ones away. Throughout it all she makes brave and very inventive solutions to keep the tales alive but under control. At least until she breaks with tradition and takes an unruly prince under her wing. She is determined to make him a better person, but the fairy tales have another idea altogether.

I loved Elena. She was just the right mix of bold and confident with an underlying insecurity and doubt that she is good enough to perform her new role as godmother. She rises to the challenge and succeeds in ways she never quite thought possible. She is surrounded by a host of mythical creatures, each with its own unique personality and part to the story. The romance was definately there, but in a way that made it part of the story instead of the point of the story. I'm going to have to keep my eyes out for the others in the series.

4/5