Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)

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Author: Marissa Meyer

Series: Lunar Chronicles, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Hardback

Pages: 390

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Original Price: $17.99

ISBN: 978-0-312-64189-4

Source: Local Library

My Rating: * * * * * (5 stars)

SIXTEEN-YEAR OLD CINDER is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interface has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.
Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her young stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.
But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

The Cover:
 The cover is really simple, yet completely astounding. It portrays the story's plot, especially with Cinder being a cyborg. The leg is see through, and you can see the metal bone. I love it! 5/5 cover rating.


The Review:
Let's see, I will admit that it took me quite awhile to finally finish Cinder. Why, you ask? Because the story lagged at first, but after about seven chapters it finally picked up. Then, I could not put it down for the life of me. It was amazing!


I felt sad, happy, and frustrated. It was an emotional ride and a unique retelling of Cinderella that ended in an astounding cliffhanger. I'm begging for more! I can't wait until 2013, when the second book will be released. The parts that were especially frustrating were the ones where Kai and Cinder where together. It was sweet, but I was constantly thinking, "Get on with your relationship already!". Well, the ending was bittersweet, because Kai and Cinder were left a bad point.


I adored Kai. He was a kind prince/emperor, but I did not feel a deep enough connection with him. I'm hoping I'll get to know him even better in the next few books. On the other hand, Queen Levana I do not want to get to know at all. Cruel, murderer, and all of the insults that can be thought of describe her. She is just terrible, one of the worst, the perfect villain. 


Lastly, I've always been fascinated with the moon, and how it would be amazing if people could live here, so when I saw Cinder I had to read it. Kingdom on the moon! Awesome! And Marissa Meyer is a fan of Sailor Moon, which is where I assume she got some of her inspiration from. A completely amazing read, that you will never regret reading!


The Author:
Marissa Meyer lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and two cats. She's a fan of most things geeky (Sailor Moon, Firefly, color-coordinating her bookshelf...), and has been in love with fairy tales since she was a kid, which she doesn't intend to ever grow out of. She may or may not be a cyborg. Cinder is her first novel.

Review: Enna Burning (The Books of Bayern #2)

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Author: Shannon Hale

Series: The Books of Bayern, #2

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Paperback

Pages: 317

Published: September 15, 2004

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Original Price: $9.99

ISBN: 978-0-7475-9799-5

Source: Local Library

My Rating: * * * * *(5 stars)

When Enna is given a mysterious piece of vellum that teaches her how to create fire--without a spark, without a fling--Enna cannot decide if this is a power she wants, or something that should be extinguished forever. Then war threatens her country and Enna's judgement becomes irrelevant. But she never imagined that control over the life-giving energy of fire could become something so destructive. It is starting to consume her and everything she loves.

The Cover:
Since I think covers should deserve a mention, I have now added this to. I'm thankful I got this version of Enna Burning. The cover is beautiful! Just look at it. If you look more closely, you'll see the flames coming out of the splatter of orange. It's truly beautiful!


The Good:
Just like The Goose Girl, Enna Burning was a lovely written book. The vocabulary was splendid, the details only adding to the beauty of Bayern. Shannon Hale is an amazing author, who I think deserves more credit and should be more popular. Everyone should read her books!


Now, Enna is just my type of heroine. She's strong-willed and stubborn. Plus, she can control fire! How cool is that?! First, we had Princess Isi with wind, and now we have Enna with fire! If you read until the end, you'll find two nice surprises. First, Isi and Enna learn something. And, something exciting happens to Isi!


The Bad:
There was nothing wrong with this book. It was perfect!


The Guys:
There were two main love interests. First, Finn. I will admit something. When I began the first book in the series, The Goose Girl, I though Finn would like Isi. Boy was I wrong! Finn is handsome, strong, and now, he's even a warrior! He's loyal and a really nice guy.


The second love interest is Sileph. He's the captain of the Tirdan army. Did I mention there's a war going on between Bayern and Tiran? So, Enna is semi-crushing on Sileph. How does she meet him if they are on opposite sides? Who does she end up with? Read and find out!


The Judgement:
This book was amazing! I definitely recommend it, and you should go out and buy/borrow it!


The Author:

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels, including the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, two award-winning books for adults, and the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012). She co-wrote the graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel with husband Dean Hale. They live with their four small children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Review: The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern #1)

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Author: Shannon Hale

Series: The Books of Bayern, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Format: Hardback

Pages: 383

Published: May 13, 2005

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Original Price: $17.95

Source: School Library

My Rating: * * * * *

She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt's stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. When she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.
From the Grimm's fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.

The Good:
This is my second time reading The Goose Girl, and I still thinks its amazing! I love it when fairy tales are retold, as long as they're retold well. I don't want an author to only put half her/his heart into it. And trust me, Shannon Hale has not put half a heart into this story, she has given one heart and a half. This tale is amazing! Ani/Isi/Crown Princes/goose girl/yellow lady(girl), whatever you wish to call her, is an amazing character. At sixteen, her determination was wonderful. Like all teenage girls, she wanted to give up at times, but she always ended up pursuing her crown. Plus, the writing is magical and wonderful. Always a bonus when a book has excellent vocabulary and writing style.
The Bad:
I don't have much too complain about for The Goose Girl. If I had to say something bad, it would be that at times the book became bland, and it took me awhile to get back to a good part. Otherwise, there was not anything really bad.
The Guy:
The main guy in this story was Geric, the soldier(or is he?). I liked that The Goose Girl, did not necessarily emphasize the romance. It was more a tale of adventure, which is a good change. These days, books revolve around girl x boy, which I enjoy, but like I said before, a change is always welcome. Well, let's describe Geric. He was tall, had broad shoulder, dark hair and eyes. The book was more descriptive but that's basically it. Geric was humorous, gentle, and loving. I admired him. But, I will say that he does not show up much in the book, so you don't really get to know him that well.
The Judgement:
I really enjoyed this book. And trust me, when I re-read a book, it's because I liked it. The characters are wonderful, and Ani has a superpower. Awesome, right? The writing is beautiful. What more could you wish for?
The Author:

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels, including the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, two award-winning books for adults, and the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012). She co-wrote the graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel with husband Dean Hale. They live with their four small children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Faerie Path (Faerie Path #1)

Author: Frewin Jones
Series: Faerie Path, #1
Age Group: Young Adult
Format: Hardback
Pages: 312
Published: February 1, 2007
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Source: Local Library
My Rating: * * * * *

ANITA WAS LIVING AN ORDINARY LIFE. UNTIL AN ELEGANT STRANGER PULLED HER INTO ANOTHER WORLD. 

Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie: the youngest daughter of Oberon and Titania. Since Tania's mysterious disappearance on the eve of her wedding five hundred years before, Faerie has been sunk in darkness and gloom. The courtly Lord Gabriel Drake, who Tania was once to marry, has found her and brought her back.

With Tania's return, Faerie comes alive again as a lang of winged children, glittering balls, and fantastic delights. But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there.

Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly comes to discover why she disappeared so long ago. She possesses a singular magical ability and she must use it to stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.

The Good:
Honestly, I think everything about this book is amazing! Frewin Jones is one of my favorite all-time authors, along with Rachel Caine, Shannon Hale, Cassandra Clare, and Cinda Williams Chima. What did I love about this book, you're wondering? I guess it would be the setting, England, which I love. The Arthurian dresses. The sisters were fun and delightful. Hopie, the healer, Sancha the reader, Rathina my least favorite, Eden and the Mystic Arts, Zara the flirter, Cordelia the animal lover, and the main character, Tania, who is in love Edric and wishes to keep her fairy wings forever.


Faerie was a beautiful land, similar to London, England. The palace was beautiful, large and grand. The fairy children could fly. I thought was pretty cool.


The Bad:
I honestly do not think there was anything that I did not like in this book. Everything was amazing!


The Guys:
The guys in The Faerie Path are Gabriel Drake and Edric. Gabriel is a duke, rich, handsome, powerful. And a practicer of the Mystic Arts. Beautiful yet eerie silver eyes. Polite, yet I think he is the "bad boy" in the story. Read the book and you will see what I mean.


Edric is the other love interest. At the beginning of the book, Edric and Tania/Anita are already dating. I liked him, but I thought he was weak. Not as a character, but physically and mentally. He seemed kind of hopeless. But, I did not mind. I liked the change. The Faerie Path made Edric sort-of like the "damsel-in-distress."


Random Quote:
Her face gazed back at her.
Queen Titania's face.
Her face.
They were one and the same. ~pg. 160


The End:
I urge you to read these series. This is my second time reading the series, and I still love them. The Faerie Path series is a fun, light read full of magic and wonder.


The Author:

Frewin Jones has always believed in the exsistence of "other worlds" that we could just step in and out of if only we knew the way. In the Mortal World, Frewin lives in southeast London with two mystical cats, Merle Oberon and Siouxsie Sioux.