The Space Between
by Brenna Yovanoff

Summary
Daphne, the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith has spent her life in a city made of steel. Unwilling to indulge in the common behaviour of her sisters, she has forgone the pleasures of earth for an eternity of nothingness in Pandemonium. But when Obie – the one person who breaks up the monotony of her existence – goes missing, Daphne sets aside her fears and ventures out into the world to find him. The only clue she has is Truman, the human boy she met when Obie saved him from eternal damnation in Pandemonium. With Truman’s help, she struggles to rescue the one person that matters most before it’s too late. In the process, Daphne discovers her true power and learns that life is full of the unexpected and people can be saved in more ways than one.

Review
The Space Between is a dark and haunting tale, written in wonderfully descriptive prose so that even the bleakest scenery appears vivid and harshly beautiful.  The story is broken up into three parts: Hell, Earth and Heaven. As is to be expected, Pandemonium (hell) is very bleak and as a result the story doesn’t fully come to life until Daphne ventures to earth. Yovanoff has an interesting take on good and evil, breaking out of the norm to allow angels to be harsh and demons to show kindness. Consequently, the characters in The Space Between are unique and original. And it was very refreshing to read a YA fantasy novel with NO love triangle!  The light romance that was in the story was subtle and believable. My one issue with The Space between was the shift between 1^st person and 3^rd person narrative in an attempt to show both Truman and Daphne’s points of view. It was too subtle to be effective and was often confusing. The final battle was somewhat anti-climatic, but the story continues after the final showdown, and I very much enjoyed the unexpected ending.

Verdict
A beautifully written and fresh take on the standard YA fantasy fare, The Space Between is both eerie and yet heart-warming at the same time.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Inheritance (Inheritance Cycle #4)
by Christopher Paolini

Summary
After the siege of Feinster, Eragon and Saphira continue to travel across Alagaësia with the Varden in an attempt to take control of the land and thwart Galbatorix’s supporters. The further they venture, the more they fear their enemy is too powerful to be defeated.  Eragon trains as hard as he can in hopes of becoming a strong enough fighter to defeat the all powerful Galbatorix, but nothing he does seems to be enough. When unexpected allies join their side, the Varden’s hopes rise, but will it be enough to bring down the most powerful magician in the land? Or will Eragon and the Varden be forced to admit defeat and live under Galbatorix’ rule?

Review
If you’ve come this far in the series then you’re probably already a fan of Paolini’s remarkable characters in the Inheritance series. I love each of the characters and would have a hard time picking my favourite (it’s Saphira). Each of the characters are complex individuals with both strengths and flaws, and their unwavering convictions make it hard to dislike even the most evil players. Rich background stories are woven throughout the four books and Inheritance is no exception, as we finally learn more about the Dragons history and the fall of the Riders.

While the books are sometimes criticized for being too long and drawn out, I for one don’t have a problem with how the story has progressed or its conclusion. While I must admit that Inheritance did drag a bit in the middle, I still enjoyed all the side adventures that brought Eragon and his friends to where they are today.

***SPOLIER IN THE NEXT PARAGRAPH***

For those of you expecting a big love scene, you may be disappointed… Eragon’s story has never been a romance, but a tale of growth, strength and overcoming obstacles against all odds. I think Paolini handled the Eragon/Arya situation perfectly in keeping with the true spirit of the novel.

Verdict
It was a long time coming, but Inheritance makes for a satisfactory conclusion to Eragon and Saphira’s story, while still leaving the door open for possible future Rider adventures. This fan is satisfied.

*I received this book for review from the Publisher.

Eona: The Last Dragoneye
By Alison Goodman

*Caution: This review contains spoilers for EON (book 1).

Summary
After discovering that the Mirror Dragon was actually a female, and revealing that she herself is also female, Eona is now on the run with the resistance. High Lord Sethon has taken over the empire, and has the only remaining Dragoneye – evil Lord Ido – in captivity.  Now Eona, Ryko and Dela must overcome insurmountable odds and find the true heir to the throne so that they can take back the empire from Sethon. But can an untrained Dragoneye and a small number of resistance fighters really accomplish such a grand feat without any assistance?

Review
In Eona: The Last Dragoneye, Alison Goodman continues to build on the rich and layered universe that she created in Eon, the first book in the Dragoneye series. This time Eona is away from the palace and her journey takes us through a variety of settings in the Empire.  The story starts out with plenty of action right off the bat, and as Eona and her friends travel across the countryside there are many battles along the way. Despite all the battles and action scenes, I did find the middle of the story a bit long and slow to get through. There is a nice twist that I wasn’t expecting at the end, and I was happy with where the story left off.

The characters in Eona are darker and possibly less likable than they were in EON, but with the Empire having fallen, times are harder, and as they are hunted by rebels at every turn, it makes sense that they would have to develop their darker sides in order to survive the hardships that seem to be following them.

Many interesting gender issues are touched upon, as Eona who spent the first novel desperately trying to pass herself off as male has to learn to play the role of a woman, and Dela who spent the first novel as a man presenting himself as a woman is now playing the role of a man. The struggle between ultimate power and right and wrong is also explored in detail, which always makes for fascinating reading.

Verdict
While not quite as captivating as Eon, Eona is an enjoyable read, and closes Eona’s story satisfactorily.

*I received this book for review from the publisher.

EON
by Alison Goodman

Summary
Eon knows that being chosen as the next Dragoneye Apprentice is his only chance to save himself and the rest of his masters’ servants from a life of slavery and torture. But Eon also has a terrible secret that could ruin everything… he is actually Eona, a 16-year-old girl who has disguised herself as a young boy because it is forbidden for females to practice Dragon magic.  A surprising turn of events finds Eon thrust into a dangerous world of political scheming and unrest, which far exceeds his experience. As his allies fall, and his enemies continue to gain power, Eon battles against the odds in an effort to save the nation from being dominated by evil.

Review
EON is an exciting and powerful tale filled with beautiful imagery, and plenty of action. The pace did lag just a bit towards the middle, but the ending was rewarding enough to make up for it.  The rich and layered universe in which Eon takes place is skilfully crafted in such a way that the reader will become absorbed in the surroundings as much as the story. The characters are well rounded and multi-dimensional, with both strengths and weaknesses. And Eon(a) is a strong female heroine, who fights against the odds to make things better for others, which is my favorite kind of protagonist!  My one complaint with the story was that a major question for the characters was painfully obvious to me, and I found myself wanting to shout at them so they’d clue in. While this issue was somewhat frustrating, the fact that Eon(a) was young, overwhelmed and had so much on her plate balanced out her shortsightedness.

Verdict
Well-written and original, EON is a great start to this promising fantasy series. I loved it and am eagerly awaiting the sequel, which is due out in the spring.

If you’d like to read an excerpt from Eon, visit http://www.eonbook.com/

*I received this book for review from the publisher.

Graceling
by Kristen Cashore

Summary

Katsa is Graced with a special ability to kill.  As a result, she’s used as a weapon by her King, a role that she does not want or enjoy.  Eventually Katsa decides she will no longer be a pawn in a battle she doesn’t agree with, and begins to disobey the King’s orders.  Then, on an unsanctioned mission she discovers a mysterious stranger in the night, and worries that by leaving him alive, she’s left herself in danger.  But when this stranger shows up in her life again, they embark on a perilous mission in an effort to stop the greatest evil the 7 kingdoms have seen yet.

Review

Filled with interesting and original characters, and based on a very unique concept, Graceling is the first book in what looks to be an exciting fantasy series.  Katsa is a strong heroine who struggles with her anger, but learns over the course of the novel to not let it form her decisions. She’s also strong in the literal sense. Her Grace allows her to kick some major butt, yet she always tries to avoid harming others unjustly. Romance takes a back seat to plot, which is a refreshing change in the YA fantasy genre. There’s definitely some romance in Graceling, but none of the typical teen angst and endless swooning. One of the things I loved most about Graceling is that it was never predictable. Each time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, something completely different occurred. And while the story felt complete at the end of this novel, the author has set up the next volume beautifully – I’m not upset because I was left with a cliffhanger, and yet I can’t wait to read more.

Verdict

I absolutely loved Graceling! The story sucked me right in, and I want to spend more time with all these characters. I’m very much looking forward to reading Fire, the next installment in the series.

*Graceling is book #8 for the 2010 YA Reading Challenge.

Dead in the Family (Southern Vampires #10)
by Charlaine Harris

*Please be aware, this review contains spoilers!

Summary

After the world-altering events of Dead and Gone (book #9), there’s still a lot of unrest and upset in Sookie’s life. The fairies and the Weres are displeased because both sides have suffered losses that tie back to Sookie in one way or another. Being married to Eric comes with it’s own set of problems as well. Who knew in-laws would be a part of the package?

Review

Though not as high-stakes as some of the other Southern Vampires books, I loved Dead in the Family. It’s a nice change of pace for Sookie to go almost an entire book without being seriously injured, and her life was only threatened once in this story! While I was sad to see Amelia go, I absolutely love Claude as Sookie’s new roommate and I hope they continue on with this arrangement. I’m not all that hyped about Sookie and Eric’s marriage, only because it doesn’t seem like something that Sookie has chosen, or would even choose again if she had the option. But as a means of helping keep Sookie safe, I can see the value in it. Personally, I like to have a bit more Bill in my Sookie stories, but I did enjoy the set-up with Bill’s sister, and I’m intrigued with where the Bill/Judith story will go in the next volume. (I’m also looking forward to seeing Sam and Jannalyn break up, because that girl seems like trouble!)  It was nice to see Sookie and Jason finally working together in the supernatural battle that seems to be their life, I hope we get to see their relationship continue to build in a positive way.

Verdict

Dead in the Family makes another great installment in the Southern Vampire series! I’m just sad to have to wait for more!

*Dead in the Family is book #7 for the TwentyTen Reading Challenge.

Happy news for fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series! It seems we no longer have to be sad that the original series has ended because a new spin-off series is in the works! According to the author Heroes of Olympus will be a five-book series. The new series is set in Percy Jackson’s world and Percy has an important role to play, but a new cast of main characters will take center stage this time around. The first book will be called The Lost Hero and is set to be released on October 12, 2010.

Here’s a brief description of the first new book from Amazon.com:

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently she’s his girlfriend Piper, his best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids.” What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea—except that everything seems very wrong.

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?

Leo has a way with tools. His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.

Rick Riordan, the best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series, pumps up the action and suspense in The Lost Hero, the first book in The Heroes of Olympus series.  Fans of demi-gods, prophesies, and quests will be left breathless–and panting for Book Two.

I already have a guess as to what Percy’s involvement might be, but it’s far too soon to start speculating. I’m just happy to hear there will be more Olympian and Half-blood stories. And this means I can go ahead and read books 4 and 5 of the Olympians series which I’ve been saving.

Have you read the Percy Jackson books? Are you happy to hear that there will be more Olympians stories? Will you read this new series?

Stoneheart (Stoneheart Trilogy, book 1)
by Charlie Fletcher

Summary
When 12 year old George takes out his anger on a stone carving, strange things start to happen. Suddenly, things that should not be moving at all begin to chase him around London. And to his horror, George seems to be the only one who can see them. He finally finds an ally when a statue steps down to help him, but his journey is only just beginning. Without any clue as to what’s going on, George is thrust into a world where nothing is as it seems and is forced to fight against time in order to get his life back to normal.

Review
The concept behind Stoneheart is one of the more original fantasy premises I’ve come across. Unfortunately the delivery doesn’t quite live up to the concept. Not that it’s a bad book by any means, it’s just a little… flat. As previously stated, the premise is fantastic, but while the characters are all quite original and likable, they’re not very layered. There’s plenty of action in Stoneheart, which helps keep the reader engaged, but a little too much of the action involves running away from things, which eventually loses its intensity. For the most part I enjoyed the book, but found it dragged a bit at times.

Verdict

For fans of the fantasy genre who’ve grown tired of vampires and wizards, Stoneheart provides a fresh new concept that will impress. For those who prefer characterization over concept, Stoneheart may be a bit of a letdown.

Feed
by Mira Grant

This piece is opinion. Take it as you will.
But get your opinions the hell away from my news.

I love this book.

And I want all of you to read it. Except, if you hate it, I kinda don’t want to know. That’s horrible, right? But that’s how much I love it. I don’t want to hear people ragging on it. Every time I see a review of it posted somewhere, I hesitate before clicking on the link, fearful that it’ll be bad and I won’t be able to deal. I may have issues.

Mira Grant (a.k.a Seanan McGuire) is a good friend and, while I love her other books, Feed was the one I couldn’t wait to own. The one I was dying to place on my bookshelf. From the moment I read the very first beta pages (and it’s only gotten better with each new draft!), I knew she’d sell it someday.

It’s not my book but having essentially watched it evolve from a few cryptic comments in an instant message to a honest-to-God book on sale at your local bookstore, I’m a tad protective of it. Which is exactly why I told Jody I didn’t want to review it. Quite frankly, it’d be impossible for me to assure you I’m capable of looking at it objectively. Instead I’m just going to reiterate my love for it and strongly recommend you check it out for yourself. I’m pretty sure you’ll be standing on my side of the Feed fence before you get to the last page.

In related “Objectivity, what’s that?!” news, I totally flew out to San Francisco just to attend the Feed release party!!

Sadly I’ve had to miss Seanan’s other release parties but there was no way I wouldn’t be at this one. We’ve literally been planning my attendance for months. It was everything I could have hoped. Seanan even read something! (She’s not a fan of this reading thing. I say she better get used to it.)

The party was at the nifty Borderlands Books in downtown San Francisco, complete with cats! It’s an awesome store. We had a bunch of other sugary treats from Cups and Cakes. YUMMY! Oh! And we had brains! Ok, ok, brains cupcakes but, really, isn’t that the same thing? Since the book takes place after the zombie apocalypse (stop judging, it’s good I tell you!), you can’t have a zombie book release party without people eating brains. Pretty sure you’ll find that in a rule book somewhere.

As I said, Seanan read the first chapter of Feed which is pretty damn fun. Later she read again, not from Feed this time but one of her Fighting Pumpkin short stories dealing with the undead. Even more fun. Or, more importantly, funny. The story got lots of laughs and was the perfect way to wind things down. In between her readings she also answered a crap load of questions pertaining to both Feed and writing in general. If I were a better blogger, I’d have written some of these down so I could share them with you. Suffice to say, Seanan did a lot of research for this book and is well-known at the CDC. The vote’s still out on whether this is something to be celebrated or not. But I’m pretty sure it’s a huge honor for Seanan.

If you can’t tell, I had a great time. There’s nothing like celebrating a friend’s success with other friends. And those piles of Seanan’s books on the bookstore counter? Amazing. I’m so incredibly proud of her and happy I there in person to show her.

Oh! And I picked up couple copies of the book that Seanan was nice enough to sign during the party and we’ll be announcing a giveaway for those soon. Plus, those answers I didn’t write down? Turns out we may have a few of them to share with you after all. Check back in a few days for With A Good Book’s interview with Seanan!

Shades of Grey
by Jasper Fforde

Synopsis
I’ve yet to find a quick and concise description of this book. Consider that your first warning. The world of Shades of Grey appears to be our own, far into the dystopian future after Something that Happened where everyone is divided into color classes. Not relating to the color of their skin but to their ability to see color. Purples rule the roost while the Greys are basically slaves to all the Colors. The book follows Eddie Russett, a Red, as he accompanies his father on a temporary assignment in East Carmine. It’s there he meets a Grey, Jane, whose cute little nose has him reconsidering his future. It’s not long before his journey sets him on a path to the one place he never expected: the truth.

Review
I’m a huge fan of Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series. HUGE fan.
And even though I never connected with his Nursery Crime books, I was pretty excited when I heard about Shades of Grey. That was until I downloaded the sample pages available for the Kindle and struggled my way through a few of them. I quickly decided this was a book I wouldn’t be buying. But then it was a table at my library a few weeks ago and I decided I’d give it another shot.

I’d like to say it was easier this time around but I can’t. The first half of the book feels, at times, like reading a foreign language. Even when you recognize words that you know, their meaning escapes you. It’s pretty frustrating. If it hadn’t been this author, I’d have given up on the book within the first 100 pages. But then the story finally picks up and I was really drawn in by it.

It’s possible I would have enjoyed the book if so much of the satire wasn’t lost on me. There were a few things that drew chuckles from me but, for the most part, I was too busy trying to grasp the world Fforde was showing me to catch on to the ways it poking fun at ours.

Verdict
The number of people giving this book five star reviews astound me. It feels a bit like the Emperor’s Clothes. Not that I think the book is without any genius, I just don’t think it deserves the accolades I’m reading. Though it answers the initial questions it set up, what the book really does is leave you wanting to know what happens next. It ends just as we finally get to the real story and that’s where I think its true potential lies. Not such a bad thing for the first book in a trilogy. But then again I’m afraid most stalwart of Fforde fans will even get that far. Because, man oh man, getting through the first half is rough.