Tuesday 24 May 2016
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater.
Why do readers not believe authors when they tell you at the very beginning of a series that they are going to kill a character? Or when they do it again throughout the series? Right up to the beginning of the last book? Because of the thing with feathers (and not ravens, contrary to what the title might suggest). We readers love to fall for the lost cause; and what clever move to define the most lost cause among lost causes very early on. But really who of them is the most lost? You could also argue for the undead dead boy. Or the nightmare dreamer. Or the untaught magician. Or the cursed psychic who wants to fall in love. It's all equally horrible and very much on a slippery precipice. Add to that Maggie Stiefvater’s truly addictive writing and you'll understand why this book is worth reading in one sitting.
The previous three books added so many layers that I possibly lost sight of a few of them. In an ideal world I’d re-read the series once I’ve finished it to catch all of them. But so many books so little time! I have a few series I want to re-read in their entirety once they are out, maybe I'll carefully place this one among them.
Are you prone to route for the lost cause? Which broken hero are you holding out hope for? Share them along with your teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater.
 |
| The Raven King – Scholastic Children’s Books |
It was easier to tell hero from villain when the stakes were only life and death. Everything in between gets harder.
— Chapter 11
He was a book, and he was holding his final pages, and he wanted to get to the end to find out how it went, and he didn't want it to be over.
— Chapter 55
Why do readers not believe authors when they tell you at the very beginning of a series that they are going to kill a character? Or when they do it again throughout the series? Right up to the beginning of the last book? Because of the thing with feathers (and not ravens, contrary to what the title might suggest). We readers love to fall for the lost cause; and what clever move to define the most lost cause among lost causes very early on. But really who of them is the most lost? You could also argue for the undead dead boy. Or the nightmare dreamer. Or the untaught magician. Or the cursed psychic who wants to fall in love. It's all equally horrible and very much on a slippery precipice. Add to that Maggie Stiefvater’s truly addictive writing and you'll understand why this book is worth reading in one sitting.
The previous three books added so many layers that I possibly lost sight of a few of them. In an ideal world I’d re-read the series once I’ve finished it to catch all of them. But so many books so little time! I have a few series I want to re-read in their entirety once they are out, maybe I'll carefully place this one among them.
Are you prone to route for the lost cause? Which broken hero are you holding out hope for? Share them along with your teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 17 May 2016
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi.
Before I say anything about this book, let me vent one general grievance I have: Why is it that every time a specific type of tree is mentioned in a book chances are at about 80% that this tree species is a pine? Maybe I’m being ridiculous, but I feel haunted by pines. There are so many other lovely trees and if you absolutely need a coniferous type why not choose larch or fir or cedar for a change? Sorry, rant over.
Other than being the last book in a row with haunting pine trees, this was a really lovely story that provided a nice one-session-read for a gloomy afternoon. I really appreciated the interweaving of Greek mythology (which is played at but if you’re not a mythology geek you can still enjoy the story) with Indian folktales and culture. Though I would have liked a sort of glossary at the end about all the different types of Otherworld creatures. This is also blessedly a standalone with a planned companion, but if you want you can put the book aside and not miss anything because the plot is perfectly wrapped up in this one book.
I will admit that I enjoyed the second part of the book a little more where Kamala, the demon horse, enters the scene. She’s my secret hero of the book and if I ever own a horse again, I want her to be as spirited and witty as Kamala. Maybe without the flesh-eating tendencies, but I could work around that. The first half is nice and all, and I possibly wouldn’t sent Amar away if he came to rescue me from a forced fake marriage ceremony, but between his beautiful notions on justice and fate and Kamala’s crazy sharp wit and repartee there would be no contest.
If you had to choose between a sensuous, secretive love-interest and a quick-witted, loyal but possibly demonic best friend, what would you do? Share your choices and teasers in the comment.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi.
 |
| The Star-Touched Queen – St. Martin’s Griffin |
Memory is a riddled thing. I would caution you from making promises you cannot keep.
— Chapter 11
“How do I curse them?” Wouldn’t be a useless skill to have, all things considered.
“Oh, I don’t know. You could set me on them?” Kamala smiled and her eyes flashed red.
I cringed. Horses should not smile.
— Chapter 21
Before I say anything about this book, let me vent one general grievance I have: Why is it that every time a specific type of tree is mentioned in a book chances are at about 80% that this tree species is a pine? Maybe I’m being ridiculous, but I feel haunted by pines. There are so many other lovely trees and if you absolutely need a coniferous type why not choose larch or fir or cedar for a change? Sorry, rant over.
Other than being the last book in a row with haunting pine trees, this was a really lovely story that provided a nice one-session-read for a gloomy afternoon. I really appreciated the interweaving of Greek mythology (which is played at but if you’re not a mythology geek you can still enjoy the story) with Indian folktales and culture. Though I would have liked a sort of glossary at the end about all the different types of Otherworld creatures. This is also blessedly a standalone with a planned companion, but if you want you can put the book aside and not miss anything because the plot is perfectly wrapped up in this one book.
I will admit that I enjoyed the second part of the book a little more where Kamala, the demon horse, enters the scene. She’s my secret hero of the book and if I ever own a horse again, I want her to be as spirited and witty as Kamala. Maybe without the flesh-eating tendencies, but I could work around that. The first half is nice and all, and I possibly wouldn’t sent Amar away if he came to rescue me from a forced fake marriage ceremony, but between his beautiful notions on justice and fate and Kamala’s crazy sharp wit and repartee there would be no contest.
If you had to choose between a sensuous, secretive love-interest and a quick-witted, loyal but possibly demonic best friend, what would you do? Share your choices and teasers in the comment.
Tuesday 10 May 2016
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas.
It is usually due to one of two reasons why I can’t or won’t talk too much about a book’s content: Either it didn’t click for me or I loved it entirely too much and I don’t want anyone to be spoilt the chance to read and love it for the first time. The latter is completely true for this book, multiplied by the fact that I also don’t want to spoil anything about the first equally amazing book in the trilogy.
Maybe some reading observations: I was suspecting (hoping or praying really) at the end of book one that something might be afoot and even though that became obvious pretty quickly I was still invested in how and when it would happen. And the way there was such a delight to read with wonderful storytelling and perfectly executed plot manoeuvres. I haven’t giggle-snorted at a book for quite a while. And it has been even longer that I threw my book down at some point and started weeping like there was no tomorrow because it really hurt so bad. I know that at the end of book two in a trilogy not all can be well, but that twist completely wrecked me and if that had been a cliffhanger I don’t know what would have happened. I don’t think that I’d have survived the wait with my heart intact.
So if you’re into anything fae or retellings or amazing love tales... or just into honest to goodness epically well-crafted stories and haven’t heard of or read A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book one) or Sarah’s equally magnificent Throne of Glass series, I urge you to drop everything and “get thee to a bookish place of your choice”.
A little Shakespeare allusion hasn’t ever hurt anyone, right? Not like being so enchanted by a book that you more than suffered with the characters. What is the last book that has made you feel like the floor had been ripped out right under your feet? Share them along with your teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas.
 |
| A Court of Mist and Fury – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
I love my people, and my family. Do not think I wouldn’t become a monster to keep them protected.
— Chapter 17
He thinks he’ll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key.
— Chapter 43
It is usually due to one of two reasons why I can’t or won’t talk too much about a book’s content: Either it didn’t click for me or I loved it entirely too much and I don’t want anyone to be spoilt the chance to read and love it for the first time. The latter is completely true for this book, multiplied by the fact that I also don’t want to spoil anything about the first equally amazing book in the trilogy.
Maybe some reading observations: I was suspecting (hoping or praying really) at the end of book one that something might be afoot and even though that became obvious pretty quickly I was still invested in how and when it would happen. And the way there was such a delight to read with wonderful storytelling and perfectly executed plot manoeuvres. I haven’t giggle-snorted at a book for quite a while. And it has been even longer that I threw my book down at some point and started weeping like there was no tomorrow because it really hurt so bad. I know that at the end of book two in a trilogy not all can be well, but that twist completely wrecked me and if that had been a cliffhanger I don’t know what would have happened. I don’t think that I’d have survived the wait with my heart intact.
So if you’re into anything fae or retellings or amazing love tales... or just into honest to goodness epically well-crafted stories and haven’t heard of or read A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book one) or Sarah’s equally magnificent Throne of Glass series, I urge you to drop everything and “get thee to a bookish place of your choice”.
A little Shakespeare allusion hasn’t ever hurt anyone, right? Not like being so enchanted by a book that you more than suffered with the characters. What is the last book that has made you feel like the floor had been ripped out right under your feet? Share them along with your teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 3 May 2016
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh.
As a person who works with words and stories on a daily basis the art of storytelling reflected in a story itself has a very special appeal to me. Therefore, anything involving the legends of One Thousand and One Nights is an almost certain sale. And after I could hardly get enough of the first one I was very interested if this high level could be maintained. Let’s just say that I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t go there for roses and soap bubbles and there certainly aren’t any at the moment. The title itself attests to that. But roses and daggers can both be quite beautiful and disguise their sharp thorns and tips. And you probably wouldn’t admire a blunt blade quite as much as a wickedly sharp one. I admire the story for its equally wicked sharp twists and high stakes. The setting is wonderful and feels incredibly real. And while I don’t mind my favourite characters suffering for a bit (for the good cause of a great plot, not unnecessary suffering) there better be a solution in store for the handmaiden and the caliph’s cousin.
This book series has some seriously pretty declarations of love, too. Do you have a favourite quote from that department? Share quote sources and teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Rose and the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh.
 |
| The Rose and the Dagger – G.P. Putnam’s Sons |
Here, she was truly boundless.
Fear would never overtake her again.
— Chapter 11
“Do not make me beg you. Because I won’t. I’ll merely lose my temper or cry. And I have always secretly despised those who cry to wheedle their objectives. But if you force me to do it, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid, I will. And I cry beautifully.”
— Chapter 15
As a person who works with words and stories on a daily basis the art of storytelling reflected in a story itself has a very special appeal to me. Therefore, anything involving the legends of One Thousand and One Nights is an almost certain sale. And after I could hardly get enough of the first one I was very interested if this high level could be maintained. Let’s just say that I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t go there for roses and soap bubbles and there certainly aren’t any at the moment. The title itself attests to that. But roses and daggers can both be quite beautiful and disguise their sharp thorns and tips. And you probably wouldn’t admire a blunt blade quite as much as a wickedly sharp one. I admire the story for its equally wicked sharp twists and high stakes. The setting is wonderful and feels incredibly real. And while I don’t mind my favourite characters suffering for a bit (for the good cause of a great plot, not unnecessary suffering) there better be a solution in store for the handmaiden and the caliph’s cousin.
This book series has some seriously pretty declarations of love, too. Do you have a favourite quote from that department? Share quote sources and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 26 April 2016
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.
To play along just do the following:
The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Córdova.
Merpeople and stories about them used to be my go-to fantasy folklore. The little mermaid (the original, not the Disney version) is one of the first stories I remember to ever make me cry when I was a child ... and I realise that in my still going back and wanting more there might be the foundation to why I love so many authors who live on their readers tears. So if you offer me a merpeople story with a halfway decent sounding plot, I’ll bite (sorry, not sorry about the pun, there will be more). I enjoyed the first two books in this series well enough as a quick and entertaining read and then I somehow lost sight of it when it came to the third book. It recently resurfaced on my reader (that thing is a black hole and I’m so very guilty of feeding it) and I was between books and could use a fun and quick comfort story. Squid was I wrong about the comforting part, there is quite a bit of rough seas and whirlpool turmoil in this final instalment, which brings the series to a satisfying and fitting close. I would have loved a little more introspective and maybe a little less action and fighting, but all in all it remains in my mind an enjoyable and fun series that I’ll recommend if you are asking for something with fantastical creatures and are not at all afraid of the deep sea. Water can be lovely and refreshing, but it can and will drown you if given the chance.
As I just confessed to forgetting about a book in a series ... has this happened to you? And did you pick it up at some point and dive right back in? Let’s hear from you in the comments along with your teasers!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Córdova.
 |
| The Vast and Brutal Sea – Sourcebooks Fire |
Except that he doesn’t worry enough, so I have to worry for both of us. Smooth seas means the storm has past, or is only just arriving.
— Chapter 15
By now I should be used to people trying to kill me.
But somehow, it always comes as a bit of a shock.
— Chapter 25
Merpeople and stories about them used to be my go-to fantasy folklore. The little mermaid (the original, not the Disney version) is one of the first stories I remember to ever make me cry when I was a child ... and I realise that in my still going back and wanting more there might be the foundation to why I love so many authors who live on their readers tears. So if you offer me a merpeople story with a halfway decent sounding plot, I’ll bite (sorry, not sorry about the pun, there will be more). I enjoyed the first two books in this series well enough as a quick and entertaining read and then I somehow lost sight of it when it came to the third book. It recently resurfaced on my reader (that thing is a black hole and I’m so very guilty of feeding it) and I was between books and could use a fun and quick comfort story. Squid was I wrong about the comforting part, there is quite a bit of rough seas and whirlpool turmoil in this final instalment, which brings the series to a satisfying and fitting close. I would have loved a little more introspective and maybe a little less action and fighting, but all in all it remains in my mind an enjoyable and fun series that I’ll recommend if you are asking for something with fantastical creatures and are not at all afraid of the deep sea. Water can be lovely and refreshing, but it can and will drown you if given the chance.
As I just confessed to forgetting about a book in a series ... has this happened to you? And did you pick it up at some point and dive right back in? Let’s hear from you in the comments along with your teasers!
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