The Demon's Covenant, the second book in a trilogy, takes place a few weeks after the events that occurred in The Demon's Lexicon. It follows Mae, onlThe Demon's Covenant, the second book in a trilogy, takes place a few weeks after the events that occurred in The Demon's Lexicon. It follows Mae, only a secondary character in the first one, who now has to deal with the fact that her brother, Jamie, has magical powers and is being recruited from magicians everywhere, including the deadly Obsidian circle, now run by Gerald. Mae once again enlists the help of of brothers Nick and Alan, who are entangled in their fair share of dangerous magical dealings themselves. If you had not read the first one yet, I suggest not reading the rest of the review, as it is impossible to discuss this one without mentioning some major plot twists of the first book.
It took me forever to get into this book. It took me five days just to get through the first half (which is incredibly slow for me). But just around the halfway point, I sat down to read it for more than five minutes at a time and actually got sucked in. I'm not a big fan of the writing, I think that's it. It's in a limited 3rd person POV, which is a little strange. I'm spoiled with first person. I also don't like Mae too much.
Come to think of it, I like hardly any of the characters. Nick is an ass (albeit a hot one), Jamie's out-of-place flamboyancies can get annoying, and Mae is just frustrating. I like Alan though. He's sexy in a smart, nerdy, one-step-ahead-of-you way. But I'm glad the book isn't in his perspective or else I wouldn't get the joy of his deceptions and motives being revealed. I'm not really attached to any of the characters. I feel distanced from all of them, despite the fact that Nick and Mae have narrated. If they died, I would just shrug my shoulders. I do like how Brennan seems intent on sticking with her characterizations of the first book. Nick's a demon, incapable of human emotion, and goddammit he will stay that way. Romantic touchy-feelyness be damned.
This book is a helluva a lot more complex than the first one, especially with the characters and their romances. I nearly drew myself a chart. Everyone is in love with the wrong person (except Nick who can't love anybody) and it turned out to be nearly Shakespearean in proportions. Everyone also had their own motives and plans. I didn't know where to look or who to trust.
Perhaps my weak mind finds this series kind of overwhelming, but I just don't understand the magic system. I mean, I get it, but not really. I'm confused as to where a magician's power ends and a demon's power begins. How is it that Jamie can wield magic if he's never made an offering to a demon? Does the magic ever run out? Where do the demons go? How do people get to know about the magical universe if they are not magicians, messengers, or demons? Are those the only magical beings? I just don't understand. I also could not understand the action sequences for the life of me. I was all "Wicka wicka what?" And all the *ahem* witty dialogue coming from the peanut gallery was a little distracting.
Overall, I do kind of like this series. It's not bad, but not a favorite of mine. I definitely will continue on to the next installment. But if you absolutely despised the first installment, I doubt it'll get much better for you. If you did like first one, but largely because of *sarcastic swoon* Nick, then you probably won't like this one as much as you have less of him and more of our pink-haired heroine.
East was written when fantasy could still be fantasy. When young adult books weren't required to have a love triangle, a sexy love interest, and a herEast was written when fantasy could still be fantasy. When young adult books weren't required to have a love triangle, a sexy love interest, and a heroine with low self-esteem. Rose, this novel's main character, is intelligent, resourceful, and courageous. She has a strong drive and a true moral compass. The plot reminds me of more classical fantasy that involves epic journeys over several countries over the course of years. The book is chaste and simple, which makes me think its more suited to a middle-school audience nowadays.
Yet, despite the intriguing premise, I found myself bored with it. There was little to none action, for instance. Since the book had such a large scope in following different characters over an extended period of time, it read like this: "We journeyed across the tundra. Weeks passed." (not an actual quote) It was just very slow pace, and there was more telling than showing.
Also, being a romantic girl, I wanted there to be more immediate romance. The romance was slow-building, more about trust and compassion, than about physical lust. Which, don't get me wrong, was certainly refreshing, but the novel was slow-paced already, and having nothing in the romance department along with nothing in the action department lead for a bored Morgan.
I did like this book, but when you are used to action-y, romance-y YA, it can be a bit too slow. I do appreciate it though. It was an altogether pleasant change of pace. ...more
I started this book the day the world ended. No, not in a literal 2012-tsunami-earthquake kinda way, but in a my-cell-phone-and-laptop-just-so-happeneI started this book the day the world ended. No, not in a literal 2012-tsunami-earthquake kinda way, but in a my-cell-phone-and-laptop-just-so-happened-to-break-on-the-same-day kinda way. And when you are a 17 year old girl, that is really, really bad. So while I was rolling around on the ground suffering from texting withdrawl, a thought occurred to me: Go read a book, you idjit! So I did. And in no time at all, I forgot the outside world existed.
To say I loved this book would be a severe understatement. So here is a list of adjectives I feel are adequate descriptions: (courtesy of Dictionary.com and my own unique vocabulary):
Awesome, addicting, seductive, intense, articulate, lush, fantasmic, suspenseful, beautiful, poetic, dark, amazing, unique, mysterious, romantic, excellent, gorgeous, wistful, eerie, superb, breathtaking, magnificent, wonderful, fascinating, Gothic, OMG, astounding, perfect, sublime, tender, painful, and last but not least, Jesus.
So, in short, it was damn good.
I just loved everything about it. The luscious writing, painfully real characters, intriguing premise and hushed tone. Everything, especially the ending, was just perfect. As soon as I was finished with it, I wanted to start it all over again (and I very nearly did).
Initially, I thought this book would scare the crap out of me, with the creepy cover and all. I read Laura Whitcomb's book The Fetch first, and I loved it, even though this novel is more universally loved. So perhaps I was biased going into it. But I'm positive I would have loved it no matter the scenario.
As for the SEQUEL *OMG SQUEAAAALLL*, I don't think it's really needed, but hey, I'll devour it anyway. I'm a little worried it won't be as good as Certain Slant. seeing as most unplanned sequels aren't, but even if its half as good, I'll still love it. ...more
Meghan Chase is used to being nothing special. Her father disappeared when she was six, and her family seems to forget she even lives with them sometiMeghan Chase is used to being nothing special. Her father disappeared when she was six, and her family seems to forget she even lives with them sometimes. At school its much of the same, her only friend being Robbie, a prankster who seems to be more and more protective of her of late. But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, she is sure that will all change. Her cool crush will notice her and her mother will take her to get her license. Meghan is determined that this will be the most special birthday ever. It is; but not in the way she imagined. Meghan begins to see mysterious figures and things she knows can't be real, and when her little brother disappears, a vicious, other-wordly creature in his place, Meghan will find out how special she is. Guided by the faery Puck, Meghan will have to travel into the faery realm, filled with magic and danger, in order to retrieve her stolen little brother.
One thing I regret is that I didn't read A Midsummer Night's Dream first. I would rather go into this book with Shakespeare's characters in my head, then got into Shakespeare's play with Kagawa's characters in my head. Hopefully, that does not effect my enjoyment of the play, which I intend to read one day on my own terms, seeing as my school system failed to force me to read it under a restrictive classroom setting.
One positive thing I can say about this book is that it is entertaining and undemanding. Everything is imaginable and easy to follow, and the action flows at a steady pace. It covered some really well-worn territory, but it did so in a charming way. Most of it was pretty standard fey book fair, but there were a few ideas (the Iron Court, for instance), that I felt were original.
Meghan, while not necessarily stupid, was not the brightest bulb in the bunch. She was rash and oblivious at the same time. She didn't seem to do much. The whole thing was quite repetitive. She would follow someone somewhere, they would run into danger, something would save her, and then she would begin to follow someone else to somewhere else, they would once again run into danger, she would be saved one again and so on and so forth. She wasn't particularly great.
The two love interests (because I assume Puck shall become a love interest) are pretty bland. I know, ladies, Ash is supposed to make me weak at the knees, but at this point he is pretty "eeeehhhh". Is he supposed to be the "bad boy"? And what is Megan being all "I am his beloved!"? They made out a few times. I do not consider that love. Certainly not love I would be willing to risk my future on, because if Ash's mom finds out she is going to be pissssssssed.
Overall, my impression of this book can be summed up in one word: "solid". Is that weird? To call a book "solid"? But thats what is was. Dependable, safe, and consistent.
The only character that I liked enough to make remarks over is Grimalkin. There should be a requirement for every fantasy to have a snarky talking cat, if there isn't one already. I just love those furry grumps.
I'm honestly surprised that I don't hate this book. I was expecting too, since I don't like Twilight in the least. It turns out I can tolerate StephenI'm honestly surprised that I don't hate this book. I was expecting too, since I don't like Twilight in the least. It turns out I can tolerate Stephenie's writing when it is in small installments and not so sappy.
I'm sad for Bree, Diego, and Fred. I wished things turned out better for them, even though I knew that wasn't going to happen.
It was short and sweet, and I don't regret reading it. ...more
I liked this one considerably less than the first for a variety of reasons. It just didn't (pardon the pun) have the magic of the first.
I preferred tI liked this one considerably less than the first for a variety of reasons. It just didn't (pardon the pun) have the magic of the first.
I preferred the story when there was less fantasy aspects, and it was mainly just a survival story. Now it is your typical I'm-so-special-because-I-gots-magic story. That just seems, I don't know, so conforming.
I also found the plot tedious. How many times can Yelena get captured and rescued? Apparently every flippin' times she goes outside.
And I hated everyone's attitude towards Yelena. They were either in lurvvvve with her or wanted to kill her. Quite extreme.
There were also useless characters and events that happened just to fill the pages. They had no significance on the plot or outcome of the book whatsoever.
Most of all, I hated what happened to Valek. Don't worry, people who haven't read this book yet, Valek is physically fine, if you don't count being whipped. I miss the old sexy mysterious Valek, the one who always had ulterior motives and something up his sleeve. I liked how his and Yelena's relationship developed in the first book. But now, I kind of wished that never happened. Valek is a changed man, and a boring one at that. We see him hardly at all in this book, and the times we do, him and Yelena are either jumping into bed or he is rescuing her one the many times she needs to be rescued. Yelena just tells him to do something and he does it. No mystery. And if I hear (or read) him say "My love" one more time, I will find him and punch him in the face. Yeah, I think I can take him.
Overall, I guess I liked it. It did get pretty annoying though. Hopefully, the third one will redeem it. ...more
Ever since a horrific car accident nine years ago, Megan has been haunted by the ghost of her dead twin sister, Remy. Megan, in an attempt to keep an Ever since a horrific car accident nine years ago, Megan has been haunted by the ghost of her dead twin sister, Remy. Megan, in an attempt to keep an eye on her boyfriend and his perky best friend, takes up a summer job at the amusement park, Land of Enchantment. On her first day there, Remy comes and gives Megan a horrifying vision. Megan isn't the only one who saw Remy this time, however. Luke, a cute guy who works at the park, is determined to help Megan and get her twin sister to move on. But Remy is becoming more and more insistent and much more terrifying, bringing violent visions of whats to come.
I would not call this book a retelling of Snow White. It's more of a continuation of "what-if". After the prologue, the only references to Snow White come much later in the novel. So I don't really recommend this book if you are looking for a good fairytale.
I didn't enjoy this book too much, but it was different. For me it fluctuated between original, weird, and just plain stupid. The writing is nothing to give a hoot about. Plot-wise, things were uneven. I think the book jumped into the story too fast, took a break, and then finished in a rush.
The characters were thinly developed, but some did manage to surprise me at the end. I didn't like Megan though. She devoted more time to fussing about relationships than in mourning when something horrific happened. She just wasn't very smart. Luke was of the typical love interest fare. He was cute, yet understanding. And terribly, terribly cliched.
I would have to say the tone was overall light, even though there were some pretty gruesome scenes. Not that the reader was given any time to make an emotional connection to the event.
The book wasn't good, but wasn't horrible. I know some people will like it. I wouldn't discourage anyone from picking this up, especially if they were looking for a book to go in between heavier reads. ...more
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