Triple ARC Review: Storm Siren - Mary Weber

Storm Siren
Mary Weber
Series: Storm Siren #1
Genre: High Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Stars
Word Rating: A-
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Read this now.

Holy crap.

It's rare that I am so moved by a book of this genre, where the tropes and tricks are so well documented that it's become a chore to read the jacket covers. But Mary Weber, Unicorn Slayer, you have done me in with realistic and heart-wresting characters, your winding, well-orchestrated plot, punctual development, fantastic tension and suspension . . . Storm Siren is just textbook good. Since, as usual with good books, there's too much to talk about, I'll focus on a couple of things. Let's go.

Much of this, I think, has to do with the main character, Nym, our eyes and ears in the world of Faelen. Nym, at first, is shown to be effortlessly snarky, entirely contrarian, and with steel skin and an iron soul. This isn't entirely relateable for a first person POV novel, and relateability is usually the most effective way to bind a reader to wanting more. But Weber holds our attention -- with Nym's dark life as a slave girl (who shouldn't actually exist) sold fourteen times in a kingdom that's on the brink of destruction -- just long enough to reveal Nym's massive heart.

There's a scene early on in the novels where Nym, who is used to killing others with her powers, is carving a bird onto her left arm right after her owner has another ownership circle branded into her right arm.

"For a shame-filled moment, I wish [the bird] would free itself and carry me from what I am. But it doesn't. It just bleeds." (Weber, 71)

Nym is seriously damaged. She's even killed her parents with her powers. This type of character is usually not the protag in a High Fantasy and I like it, I like that instead of glimpses of shame and flickers of a fractured soul, there is an in-depth narrative about this type of suffering which has become a staple (come on, tell me who doesn't like a broken Will Herondale or, hell, Batman?).

Honestly there's a hell of a lot to say about Nym, especially on her development, and especially all of her scenes with Eogan, the first person she noticed caring about her, but in terms of characters, Nym is nearly overshadowed by the rest of the cast.

Breck, for example, is comedy gold in a world of Nym's haughty, dry wit. As funny as she is blind. And gods, I can hear her accent through the text. Weber's greatest gift probably lies herein, in the strength and depth of her secondary characters. Breck, who is overconfident and bold yet a servant girl, who eats as if she is going to starve and thinks the world of her brother. There's just so much to her, and Eogan, and Colin, etc. etc. etc.

At first the plot is a bit elusive, and it takes a bit of time for Eagon and Adora to sort Nym out and for the threat of Born (the nation currently attacking Faelen) to be a more immediate threat, but once things get going they do not stop.

The social issues like serfdom, racism, militarism, etc. are integrated quite nicely and with a contrarian and angsty protag, the issues are fleshed out just enough to make a point but without going full-rant. For example:

"I clench my teeth. She beat Breck without any idea whether I'd followed the rules or not." (180).

This book is just so damn good.

I have a couple of small gripes are with the philosophical bits where Nym's consolation is that she was Created for a Purpose with her great gift when she's already been consoled and begun the healing process with Eogan and Colin. That weird kind of false reconciliation (she still has to deal with the fact that now this Creator psychologically wrecked her for 17 years) was unnecessary in the face of the deep connections she was forming. The almost Game of Thrones level destruction of my emotional state around the last couple of chapters really makes those one or two moments forgettable.

Anyhow, this book is a refreshing must for any fantasy lover.

- Marlon

Noor's Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Enticing 

It's been a while since I've picked up a fantasy novel like this and before I started reading, I definitely had some reservations. A lot of times, authors will throw the world in the reader's face all at once like a tidal wave, or other times set up the story with pages and pages of background information before getting to anything interesting. I didn't know if this would read like one of those not-so-well put together fantasy novels that I personally suffer through. I'm very pleased to say that Storm Siren definitely lived up to its potential as a novel and Mary Weber has won me over onto this series and is definitely an author I'll be keeping tabs on in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book right from the get-go. Nym, our protagonist, is our first-person narrator and I absolutely love the way the story is told through her eyes. Even in the beginning, we can see that she is tough as nails and I really enjoyed seeing her get fleshed out as she continued to face her trials and meet certain people along the way. We can see her soften up in some places, while we understand why her heart is hardening in others. You know when you have clay and at first the block is hard and firm and you pull and squeeze it until it starts to give and become more pliable? Well, Nym started out harsh and rough and as once event after another unfolded, she began to adapt and change and you really see it come out in her personal growth. She was just a really well-written character who I found myself increasingly wanting to know more about as the novel progressed.

I also loved the way Nym's emotions were so raw and powerful, and it really helped set the scene for so many parts of the book. Take this part in the very beginning when she uses her abilities for the first time in the book:

"The familiar crackle rips along my veins, and then the pain pierces through as my muscles stiffen and coil inside me like the air above. Igniting. My body, both master and slave to the elements. And I don't know how to breathe, how to stop it, how to be anything but this thing fracturing the sky."

There's much more surrounding the scene but this was really one of my favorite parts and it was only 12 pages in so I knew I was in for a good book. For a protagonist who speaks so straightforwardly, Nym has so much force behind her words. I can feel all the power and intensity rushing out of her and I can tell that she is a character who experiences things very strongly and her writing made it so all those emotions hit you full blast in the face as you're reading so you can feel them too.

Speaking of which, this book was very well written, which was also a huge factor in why I loved it so much. Mary Weber has some serious writing skills and she put them to good use. The way she describes things really hooked me onto this book because she isn't overly descriptive but in a few, direct statements manages to capture the essence of everything she is trying to describe, which I think is amazing. Every statement has purpose and carries such a heavy weight and it's really hard not to fall in love with her writing when she phases things so well.

Every character in this book, even the bad ones, were exceptionally well-developed and really helped drive the story. Everything was integrated in such interesting ways and I really can't wait for the next book in the series because that ending definitely left me wanting much more!

- Noor

Amrutha's Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Genuinely phenomenal 

I am so SO glad I got this book at BEA 2014 and even more glad I kept reading read this book: and the reason I'm so happy is that I usually ignore my instincts about books. I am usually able to tell whether I'd like a book between the blurb and first couple chapters, but I continue reading regardless of how I feel about it. It is times like these that make me so glad I kept going with this book, even though it isn't really my style or genre (LOL edit: just read Noor's and Marlon's reviews, I'm glad we all have the same thoughts on this).

Let us talk about Nym, our protagonist. She is so hardcore - she's in the category of "teens with superpowers" as so many other YA protagonists are. However this book is filled with so many plot twists that it isn't the typical easy-to-predict-"wowza"-"I got superpowers" novel. Nym as a narrator is so descriptive and impassioned that Weber made it incredibly easy to see the world through her eyes. Also she's pretty sassy, which I love (who doesn't like a little bit of sass in their protagonists, especially in the 17 year olds girls who aren't even supposed to be alive).

The writing in this book was just straight up fantastic. The way Weber expresses Nym's voice, with all of the emotion that every 17 year old often feels like they are feeling, but placing it in a realm that is expertly built (seriously, there was just the right amount of description for building Faelen), makes the book so fascinating to me. The plot was not only fantastic, but the side description is really what made the book (this sounds a little strange coming from me, because I usually don't like patches of description, but this was done so well that I have to praise it).

Unlike Noor, I didn't love the opening of the book: it was a little dry. Do not let that stop you from reading this, because as soon as a real threat approaches Faelen, the plot picks up so quickly (but quickly in the way that makes you want to glue the book to your hands so you never have to put it down, not in the "this moves so fast that the characters aren't even developing" kind of way.

Also: Colin and Breck - even though these two are just supporting characters, they are so well constructed. Like Marlon mentioned, Breck's snark with Nym's PoV really come together to lighten the story with some humor. Even the tiniest details of this book were sorted out by Weber: she wasn't one of those authors who concentrates mainly on establishing a realm or on a budding romance or on the growth of the main character. Rather, she works with all of these aspects, and it really provides for an awesome book (cannot wait for the next one!).

This is yet another note to self never to judge a book by the blurb or first few chapters or the genres I have pigeonholed it into. This was absolutely fantastic and I can't wait for Weber's next book!

- Amrutha

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Review: We Were Liars - E. Lockhart

We Were Liars
E. Lockhart
Series: N/A
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Deceptively Enticing
On Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

ALTERT! SPOILERS AHEAD.

I am ridiculously conflicted

in

every

possible

way.

On one hand, I wanted to Five Star this post and get you good people on your way to buying this amazing book that kept me up until six in the morning because I could not stand to put it down.

On the other hand, if you head over to Goodreads or Amazon (or any review site) you'll find that this book has entirely polar reviews. Succinct and biting review's such as Mary Chirstensen's and positive, still analytical reviews such as Kristin's. This has seriously clefted my judgement and, because I do not want to feel like I am being deceived, I will do my best to reconcile my love with the problems that others have faced. Let's begin:

Maybe it is the five a.m. stupor talking. Maybe it is the chocolate. It doesn't matter, but for whatever reason, I fell in love with this book almost immediately and could not put it down. 

It begins quite deceptively smoot and then boom. Cady is shot in the chest with a handgun by her father (who is leaving her). Well, not quite. Cady has a knack for telling stories and letting the truth and the lie look awfully the same. And I love her for it. The novel unravels quite unassumingly, letting the secrets of the Sinclair family out. What I love is that it is nearly plot-less, it is deceptively expository, with random titbits about the Sinclair's, like who wants what property or who likes what pie or that someone can't suffer fools but will migraines or the other way around. Yet, despite this, and even the harshest critique's I've found generally agree with me, Lockhart winds up the pages with overflowing suspense. It is so hard to put this book down.

My favourite part seemed to be the pitfall for most others: the style of writing, including inlaid free verse, interjections, the "variations", etc. And this, of course, is purely preferential. If you do not like free verse poetry then you simply do not like free verse poetry and that's the end of it. I will say that at some times it was difficult to understand, especially when the novel began flashbacks. Lockhart seems to have tried too seamless an integration of styles and, despite her skill, she fell slightly short of her mark in Part 3-4. (Lockhart has Cay reflect often, so the flashback discrepancy isn't a huge deal, it can simply be jarring to a casual reader). Otherwise, unlike most, I found that the verse, "variations", etc. fit in extremely well with the rest of the novel, giving color and depth to the narrator who can be so easily denounced by the reader.

And is. Recall the handgun metaphor above. Or, if you've read it, just about any time Cady talked about her splitting migraines. Many complain that that's not how they would react to having a migrane, or complain that the author really should have emphasized that the handgun metaphor was in fact a metaphor. And then, after all of this, they have the audacity to say that Cady is unassuming, vague, indeterminate, and one-dimensional. This is not true. To me, the most obvious dichotomy of the novel is Cady Sinclair, the rich white heiress, and Cady, who experiences pain and loss. Reconciling these Cadies is difficult, and the novel ends up with a Cady who, because of her upbringing, is not fond of expressing herself, at least straightforwardly. She is a Sinclair, through and through, after all. But she has to express herself somehow, and all of the frustration and angst in being denied the right to do so properly is mirrored by her narration: it is covered up by poetry, erased by how she chooses to translate what she feels into words.. This is so important. I've seen so many reviews that denounce Cady as an empty shell for Lockhart's voice, but if you read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, the narrative voice does not remotely resemble the mannerisms that are threaded into Cady's, for example her tendency to tangent into slurries of "curse words". Similarly, the themes in that book are openly discussed and resolved. In this novel, Cady's character, who is a rich white heiress must be eased into this complex political battlefield. She learns much in the way of how to pursue answers through the simple conflicts that the three other main characters give, and though they may at points be predictable and twoish-dimensional, Cady is complex.

And let's not move on, because I find this notion of pouncing on Cady's empty, privileged, impulsive character (haha #firstworldproblems) idiotic considering one of the greatest works of literature -- Romeo and Juliet -- acknowledges this very stupidity, this very insanity that comes with impulsiveness, angst, and the desire to escape familial pressures and pursue love. We were liars does not, obviously, hold the literary weight that Romeo and Juliet holds, but just as Shakespeare does, Lockhart openly admits the impulsiveness and stupidity, the brashness of Cady's choices. The entire point of this book is that Cady, through her experiences and especially through the lens of Gat, learns of the superficial world which she is restrained to. But it takes so much trauma for her to realize this that she admits that she is not ready, that there will be things to know about her, but she will take time to heal.

Could there have been more? Could Cady have grown to confront the socio-political problems that the Liars tried to answer as teenagers? Yes, but that would have moved the plot too far for just social commentary.

This is becoming more of a rant than a review, but in any case, this is an amazing novel that almost gave me a heart attack. Read it, if anything, for the elegance in story-construction and because I'll devise creative ways to get back at you if you don't.

- Marlon

What's the most controversial book you've been torn up about?
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Review: Darkness and Light - Elle Casey

Darkness and Light
Elle Casey
Series: War of the Fae, #3
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Oh Gods, Hilarious
On Goodreads

Awesome. Generally, well done, Elle Casey. The best parts of the past two novels were been amped to new heights.

The drama flew through the roof. Jayne's powers are growing and the demand on her is insane. What I really loved about Call to Arms was the intricacy of the plot and how issues were placed against issues and desires were placed against desires to create a world that did not adhere to a strict and typical diet of 'paranormal young adult fantasy'. Jayne is still cracking jokes, is still cursing, is still making stupid decisions, is still relateable, still has ulterior motives, still is Jayne. The drama does change her of course, but she only becomes more erratic. As a reactive rather than passive character, Jayne must have these changes but her foundation is still there. I like that. The development is strong (especially when Jayne starts to develop and nourish her disinclination for the War and the Fae, which had been growing in Call to Arms).

Tony, Tony, Tony.

"But if I had to choose between them and Tony? It would be Tony every day of the week and twice on Sunday."

But the development isn't just strong with Jayne. The more cruel characters of this book (plot twists . . . so no names, sorry!) have been fleshed out, too. We know their motives and can sympathize.

Also, Ben? His 'kill you, love you' attitude was . . . weird in a cool way. He was mental, seriously mental. I thought he was a cool little shout out to the physical craziness that inhabits the Fae world.

Also the situations with Tim have become exponentially funnier. I needn't explain this, go see for yourself! Anytime Jayne and Tim were in the room

I like to think I looked like Tom Hiddleston when I laughed during this book (which was every page):

Unfortunately, the love triangle just has to develop. I had loved this quality in the past two books: relationships were hinted not just for the sake of the plot line of building characters but because in stressful situations a cocktail of hormones necessitated it. So I was thankful that insta-love culture and love triangles were, for the most part, not central to the text. Thankfully, Darkness and Light tamps the potential of the love interest influence down with Jayne's decisions and the fact that people are in constant danger of dying . . . or worse. Still, having the love triangle at all leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, because while I like the fact that Jayne is off with Spike, showing the realistic way some people act, I want Chase to 'get the girl'. He deserves to 'get the girl'. For fricks sake, he got himself cursed for her. He could have died. Twice. What did Spike do? Well, he kissed her a bunch of times. He was hot. Let's not talk about, you know, getting all incubus on her. And I shouldn't have to want Chase to 'win' because people are not objects, relationships do not develop solely on who deserves whom. And, Dear Agony, because I'm so tired of love triangles.

Also, a bit heavy on the fart jokes.

Another slight complaint I have is this: fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, shame on you. Fool me three times and it's a frowny face. This one: :(. The abrupt ending of the first book didn't bother me at all (I had Call to Arms ready and waiting). The abrupt ending raised my eyebrow but it was cliff-hangery enough to let it off the hook. However this just sort of ends . . . mid-scene. Come on!

Overall, though, more than four stars. Can't wait to get to Book # 4! Let's do this!

- Marlon

Can you handle life without your best friend?

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Release Day Review: The Waking Dark - Robin Wasserman

The Waking Dark
Robin Wasserman
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Mystery
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Forward
On Goodreads

Do you like easy-going romantic YA novels with a bit of the supernatural and a dash of fantasy and ooh, just a pinch of mystery? Do you like clear cut moral lines and protags that are just plain perfect? Do you like rainbows and unicorns and sunshine and not having detailed descriptions of all of your most realistic nightmares about murder?

Then turn around. Basically, run. This book is not for you. I'm not easily scared, but I'm a big boy and am willing to admit that this novel was chilling. It's rather in your face about the violent, aggressive details (not on the level but not unlike Stephan King), but it's not particularly scary. Rather, it, in detail, describes and defines the human mind in its extremes. It involves crucifixion, infanticide, even stake burning, from various points of views.

Enter Oleander, Kansas. Silent, small town that would have never made the history books. Until the Killing Day, where Oleander finds twelve of its own dead by their friends and family, who proceeded to kill themselves. All but one, who can't even remember the horrors she committed. The town is quarantined after a torndado, and something, some disease begins to manifest in the denizens of Oleander. The characters that deliver us this story are quite important: we've a baby-killer, religious nut, a girl whose family has ties in meth, a jock with a dark secret and a survivor boy.

Everyone's as screwed up and damaged as each other, then.

It is that disease, if I can call it that, that is the most terrifying and intriguing, appalling and consuming aspect of the novel. Within the first few chapters we are given firsthand accounts of all of the murders. We are given the reigns and the eyes of these characters and asked if we can handle the mental experience. We are drawn into the story, this disease, this insanity, might be a part of us as well, a part without control or what we so blindly label humanity.

I'm not going to quote here because that defeats the spirit of the book: the narrative (including diction, syntax, etc.) are all engines fueling excess of events. This is a plot-and-character-heavy novel. You will learn and question the human condition and various philosophical bits and whether or not to kill yourself. However, you won't receive it in long monologues or epic situations. It is highly experiential and Wesserman does a world of a job in simultaneously chilling his reader, connecting his reader, and challenging his reader.

For example, when the down was ravaged by the tornado, I felt genuinely concerned and scared. How bad can it get!? Well, Wasserman is the queen of plunging her characters into even deeper pits. After the tornado, the town is in a state of horrible disarray, everyone is frightened like mad. There is no circulation of any kind of reliable information or provisions, authorities are bunk, rage and a kind of exhaustion with the situation positively correlates with even more meth, and basically everything's gone to shit.

I've never read a YA book that was so . . . deadly. The conclusion may or may not have you wringing anxiety from your sweat-drenched hair (it did for me because of course, suspense does not let up), but in all I've got to give it to Wasserman for this really monstrous piece of literature.

- Marlon

Could you forgive yourself for committing a crime you didn't consciously commit, even if that crime was murder?

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Double Review: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress - Tina Ferraro

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
Tina Ferraro
Series: N/A
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Decent
On Goodreads

If you are ever in need of a quick fix, I recommend this novel. You'll fly through it in an instant and it will make whatever you're doing about three hundred percent better. This is because it simply accomplishes what it sets out to do, and nothing else. No random florid side bullcrap, just a good time.

This novel contains a few elements that defy the girly, romance-y, tackyness that you would expect from a pink polka-dotted cover. (Not that I think that but you know what I mean). It is absolutely hilarious (compliments of the narrator), has a bit of mystery and suspense, and tons of hardship that grip you all 222 pages.

There's humor:

"Hire me Who's to say you can afford me, Nic?" (Farrero, 5) 

There's tension:

"You're calling him tonight?" Rascal asked me, although you'd hardly know it from the way his gaze seared into Jared's. (12)

There's humor:

. . . when I could have been perfecting something constructive . . . Kickboxing. Karate. Projectile vomiting. (85)

And a damn good story-line packed in only two hundred pages:

I grabbed my books, slammed my locker, and walked off. I had an agenda. A class about to start. A mother to protect. (12)

Did I mention the humor:

Oh, you know what they say. If you are what you eat then fast-food lovers are cheap, fast, and easy. (107)

Seriously this book is hilarious and will make you roar with laughter and feel all the feels you can. Which is one of the main points of concern for me . . . how could you fit a decent romance into such a small book? Well, very carefully and with simple, simple exposition and little twists that make you adore it all.

One of my main loves: the back story. The whole plot is centered around a few events that transpired in the past and how ridiculously important they are now (like Nicolette's dad leaving her and having another kid -- scandalous!).

And also: Jared. Jared. He's everything you want when your life is falling apart.

Unfortunately: I felt as though a bit more could have been done characterization wise. The main character is perfectly fine and dynamic, but most of the other characters seem like still pictures. But other than that, this book is one of those rainy day, just got terrible news, anything kinda books.

- Marlon

Kiersten's Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress Review
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Word Rating: Unbelievably Fun

Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress follows the lovely Nic Antonovich through her various different struggles. Nic's prom date ditched her right before prom, leaving her to sulk with her unworn dress. Although the book starts out as Nic just trying to get over the embarrassment that came from being dumped at the last minute, the reader is gradually drawn into the messed up life of Nicolette Antonovich.

Every time I think about it, it amazes me just how many conflicts are packed in this book. Nic struggles in so many different ways throughout this book. From family to volleyball to boys, Nic's life keeps throwing problems at her. The greatest thing about Nic is how she gets through it all. She may need some support along the way, but that doesn't stop her from accomplishing what she sets out to do. I love the way Tina Ferraro built Nic with all these problems she faces and how she's such a fighter. There are so many sides to Nic that we get to see throughout the story and I absolutely loved all of them.

What I love about the romance in this book is how Nic's problems aren't magically solved when she falls in love, but rather that Nic falls in love as a boy she's known for so long helps her solve her problems. He's not the hero who magically fixes everything, but he provides a helping hand and comforts her when she's upset.

While Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress may not be some life changing book, it's definitely enjoyable. I bought this book several years ago, and I've read it so many times since. This is absolutely one of my favorite books and I highly recommend reading it if you want something on the lighter side and impeccably sweet.

- Kiersten

What would you do with an unworn prom dress?

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