Review: Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

SIHIR MEMANG BERBAHAYA—TAPI CINTA TETAP LEBIH BERBAHAYA

Pada zaman Victoria, Tessa Gray yang berusia enam belas tahun menyeberangi samudera untuk menemui kakak laki-lakinya di Inggris. Sesuatu yang mengerikan sedang menantinya di Dunia Bawah London, di mana vampir, warlock, dan makhluk gaib lainnya berjalan diam-diam di jalanan yang diterangi lampu gas. Hanya para Pemburu Bayangan, ksatria yang mengabdi untuk menyingkirkan iblis dari dunia, yang menjaga keteraturan di tengah kekacauan.

Tanpa teman dan diburu, Tessa berlindung kepada para Pemburu Bayangan di Institut London. Tessa segera tertarik dengan—dan terkoyak di antara—dua sahabat. Ada James, yang ketampanan rapuhnya menyembunyikan rahasia mematikan. Lalu ada Will, yang bermata biru, dengan kejenakaan tajamnya dan suasana hatinya yang cepat berubah-ubah membuat semua orang menjaga jarak... semua orang, benar, kecuali Tessa.

Dapatkah Tessa menemukan kakaknya? Kenapa Tessa diincar oleh Magister yang misterius? Akankah Will membiarkan Tessa memahaminya sebelum gadis itu luluh oleh kehangatan sahabatnya? (Goodreads)

~~~

Clockwork Angel, buku pertama dari seri The Internal Devices, yang juga menjadi prekuel dari seri The Mortal Instrument, membawa saya ke kota London pada zaman Victoria. Tepatnya tahun 1878. Saya tidak tahu banyak seperti apa kehidupan saat itu. Yang jelas dalam bukunya yang setebal 644 halaman,  Cassandra Clare, sang penulis,menyuguhkan kota London yang saat itu bukan tempat yang aman bagi manusia biasa. Karena Penghuni Dunia Bawah seperti vampir, warlock dan makhluk gaib lainnya dengan bebas berkeliaran. Sekalipun ada Hukum dan Pemburu Bayangan, bahaya bisa mengancam kapan saja.

Dunia Bawah, Hukum, Pemburu Bayangan hanyalah sebagian kecil dari istilah-istilah yang digunakan di buku ini. Jangan berharap akan mendapat penjelasan eksplisit untuk setiap kata. Karena sang penulis merasa tidak perlu repot untuk melakukan hal tersebut.  Awalnya membuat saya mengerutkan dahi, namun saya gaya penulisan seperti inilah membuat saya penasaran dan mau tidak mau harus membaca lembar demi lembar untuk mendapat jawaban. Bahkan ketika karakter-karakter yang ada tidak meninggalkan kesan mendalam.

Berbicara mengenai karakter, masing-masing mempunyai peran yang unik. Terkecuali Theresa "Tessa" Gray. Sangat disayangkan, mengingat di sekitarnyalah semua hal penting terjadi. Kalau bukan karena kemampuan yang dimilikinya, remaja enam belas tahun yang meninggalkan New York untuk menemukan kakaknya yang hilang, hanyalah gadis biasa. Jauh berbeda dengan William "Will" Herondale, James "Jem" Carstairs, dan Jessamine "Jessie" Lovelace bahkan Henry Branwell sekalipun. Walau tidak satu diantara mereka yang membuat saya benar-benar menyukai mereka, setidaknya ada hal yang membuat mereka berbeda. Lihat saja bagaimana tingkah Will yang serampangan ataupun canggungnya Henry di setiap kesempatan

Selain misteri yang menyelubungi Penghuni Dunia Bawah dan makhluk-makhluk clockwork, keberadaan serta asal usul Pemburu Bayangan, bagian lain yang saya suka adalah dialog antar tokoh. Bab yang berisi percakapan antara Will dan Jem adalah yang paling saya suka. Dari sana terlihat bagaimana dekatnya hubungan mereka, layaknya saudara ataupun sahabat dekat. Tidak pernah ada rasa sungkan. Perhatikan bagaimana semua yang diucapkan Will dapat di"tanggapi" dengan baik oleh Jem.

Beberapa bab awal termasuk prolog dari buku ini ditulis dengan sangat menarik. Terutama dengan munculnya Rumah Kegelapan beserta seluruh penghuninya. Sekalipun alurnya lambat, yang membuat saya sempat meletakkan buku ini untuk beralih ke bacaan lain, cerita Clockwork Angel tetap seru. Semua terungkap pada akhirnya terungkap. Bahkan ketika saya berpikir semuanya telah usai, ternyata Cassandra Clare masih menyimpan satu bagian yang mengejutkan. Sungguh tak dinyana. Begitu berada di lembar terakhir, yang terlintas adalah  bagaimana cara untuk membaca Clockwork Prince secepatnya.

Secara keseluruhan, tidak ada masalah dengan terjemahan, walau ada satu bagian yang sempat membuat saya seketika berhenti membaca. Yaitu ketika menemukan istilah "uang mudah" di halaman 242. Mungkin penerjemah ataupun editor luput untuk mencari padanan kata yang lebih baik dibanding menerjemahkannya begitu saja dari kata "easy money".

Walaupun disebut sebagai prekuel dari seri The Mortal Instrument, Clockwork Prince bisa tetap dinikmati bahkan tanpa membaca empat buku dari seri tersebut yang juga telah diterbitkan oleh Ufuk. Membaca Clockwork Angel, membuat saya penasaran dan ingin segera melahap City of Bones.

Cover

Salut untuk Penerbit Ufuk yang menerbitkan buku ini dengan sampul aslinya. Kesan gelap yang ada di dalam buku tergambarkan dengan baik di sampul ini.

4/5

Clockwork Angel

Penulis: Cassandra Clare

Penerjemah: Melody Violine

Penerbit: Ufuk Press

Cetakan: I, Maret 2011
Tebal: 644 hlm

Review: Blue Bloods (Darah Biru) - Melissa de la Cruz

Spoiler Alert!!!

Blue Bloods, buku ini diceritakan dari sudut pandang Madelaine “Mimi” Force, Bliss Llewellyn, dan Schuyler Van Alen. Mereka membawa saya menulusuri beberapa tempat penting di Manhattan, New York. Dari The Bank, sebuah gedung tua yang disulap menjadi klab malam sampa Duchesne, sebuah sekolah swasta tempat mereka belajar. Sejarah keluarga pun tak lupa mereka ungkapkan. Sehingga tidak butuh waktu lama untuk mengenal tiganya.

Mimi Force, seorang gadis enam belas tahun yang sangat populer.. Ketenarannya tidak hanya di sekolah. Bagi para wartawan New York, wajahnya yang cantik dan menarik tidak lagi asing. Ayah dan ibunya,  Charles Force dan Trinity Burden,  dua tokoh penting dalam dunia media dan masyarakat kelas atas di New York, membuat hal itu menjadi mungkin. Kepopuleran itu juga membuat hampir semua siswa perempuan di Duchesne ingin menjadi dayang-dayangnya. Seakan tak pernah ada masalah dengan sikapnya yang angkuh.

Bliss sendiri adalah murid pindahan. Seperti halnya Mimi, ayah Bliss juga memiliki pengaruh penting. Keadaan ini pula yang membuat ia mengenal Mimi  dan menjadi bagian dari kehidupannya yang glamor. Sayangnya itu tidak membuatnya betah.  Bahkan setelah berbulan-bulan sejak kepindahannya ke Duchesne, ia masih tetap saja tidak menyukai kehidupannya yang baru.

Berbeda dengan Mimi dan Bliss, Schuyler terlahir dari keluarga yang lebih sederhana. Walaupun memiliki sejarah keluarga yang panjang dan penting di masa lalu, ternyata itu tak cukup. Ia tetap saja menjadi kalangan yang tersisih di Duchesne. Tapi itu tak membuatnya kecil hati. Schuyler tidak kesulitan menjalani kehidupannya. Lagipula ia masih memiliki Oliver, sahabatnya sejak kecil. Dan itu sudah lebih dari cukup.

Walau terlahir dari latar belakang yang berbeda, Darah Biru menjadi benang merah yang menghubungkan ketiganya. Darah Biru adalah istilah yang digunakan para vampir untuk menyebut diri mereka. Sebuah pertemuan Komite mengungkapkan semua hal tersebut. Dari pertemuan untuk kalangan terbatas itu semua terungkap. Tidak seperti Schuyler dan Bliss yang baru mengetahui fakta tersebut, Mimi telah mengetahuinya setahun lalu. Namun ia tak pernah menyangka ketika mengetahui bahwa Schuyler, anak perempuan yang selama ini dipandangnya sebelah mata adalah bagian dari kalangan elite yang selama berabad-abad menetap di New York. Bagi Bliss, apa yang terungkap di pertemuan Komite adalah jawaban dari semua pertanyaan yang membuatnya bingung selama beberapa minggu belakangan. Walau terkejut, ia tak dapat menutupi kelegaan yang luar biasa.

Tak berbeda jauh dengan Bliss, Schuyler nyaris tidak dapat mempercayai apa yang didengarnya. Namun dari penjelasan Mrs. Duppont sang pemimpin Komite, ia akhirnya mengerti akan kejanggalan yang ia rasakan. Rasa Munculnya Beauty, anjing peliharaanya, secara tiba-tiba bukanlah suatu kebetulan. Kemampuannya melihat dalam gelap atau bagaimana badannya tetap kurus kini tak lagi membuatnya heran.

Lebih banyak rahasia terungkap sejak pertemuan Komite berakhir. Tidak hanya dari Neneknya, Oliver, pun ternyata menyimpan rahasia penting. Yang mengejutkan adalah ketika mengetahui banyak hal di balik kematian seorang anak perempuan di sekolahnya.  Insiden yang beberapa minggu lalu membuat gempar  itu bukan hal yang pertama kali menimpa kalangan Darah Biru. Kemungkinan terjadi hal yang sama dan lebih parah sangat besar. Keberadaan mereka terancam.  Walau oleh anggota dewan tertinggi dari kalangan membantah keberadaan berita ini, namun mereka tak dapat menutupi,  bahwa di luar sanaada sekelompok besar yang menamai diri mereka Darah Perak yang siap membunuh mereka kapan saja.

~~

Senang rasanya ketika mengetahui buku ini selesai diterjemahkan. Rating yang tinggi dari beberapa blogger luar membuat saya penasaran dengan cerita di dalamnya. Bintang-bintang yang mereka berikan untuk buku ini pun ternyata tidak bohong. Ide yang dituangkan Melissa dalam setiap babnya sangat menarik. Ia tidak ragu untuk melahirkan tokoh vampir yang berbeda. Di  dunia baru yang ia ciptakan, matahari, bawang putih, ataupun salib hanyalah mitos belaka. Sosok kejam Count Dracula pun hanyalah rekaan semata. Walau pada bagian awal siklus hidup para vampir pun dituliskan Melissa sedikit membingungkan, namun semua semakin jelas ketika saya masuk ke bab-bab berikutnya. Bagian yang paling saya sukai adalah ketika membaca bab yang bercerita tentang Darah Biru, Darah Perak dan Darah Merah. 

Melissa juga berhasil menghidupkan beberapa karakter dalam buku ini. Salah satunya adalah Mimi. Dari awal sampai akhir, saya dibuat kesal dan jengah dengan semua tingkahnya. Namun peran yang ia mainkan menjadi salah satu bagian yang penting dalam buku ini. Saya juga menyukai persahabatan yang terjalin Oliver dan Schuyler. Sikap misterius para Dewan Darah Biru ataupun Cordelia, nenek Schuyler juga yang membuat saya tetap penasaran.

Yang tidak kalah penting, hasil terjemahan Blue Bloods tidak sekalipun membuat dahi saya berkerut. Melahap Blue Bloods yang diterjemahkan oleh pihak Gagasmedia, membuat saya tidak ragu untuk membaca Masquerade. Buku kedua dari seri ini yang juga telah diterbitkan Gagasmedia. Semoga empat buku berikutnya akan secepatnya menyusul. 

Namun, beberapa catatan kaki yang terdapat di beberapa bab awal membuat saya sedikit terganggu saat membaca buku ini. Ada beberapa hal yang menurut saya tidak membutuhkan penjelasan tambahan. Entah apakah catatan kaki ini memang tertera dalam buku asli ataukah hanya sekedar tambahan yang dibubuhkan sang editor.

Bagi yang menyukai dan tidak pernah bosan dengan buku yang menyajikan sosok vampir, saya merekomendasikan Blue Bloods untuk menjadi bacaan berikutnya.

Cover

Dibanding cover aslinya yang memperlihatkan sebuah leher yang jenjang dengan bekas gigitan vampir, saya jauh lebih suka design dan warna yang dipilih oleh Gagasmedia. Walau saya masih tidak mengerti mengapa ada gambar kunci di sana.

4/5

~~~~

Judul: Blue Bloods 

Judul Indonesia: Darah Biru 

Penulis: Melissa de la Cruz 

Penerjemah: Christine Lianita Tumangkeng 

Editor: Ayuning 

Penerbit: Gagas Media 

Tebal: 351 hal 

Cetakan: I, 30 April 2011

Review: Firelight - Sophie Jordan

Buku fantasi adalah salah satu genre yang paling saya sukai. Terlebih ketika sang naga menjadi bagian dalam ceritanya. Ketika mengetahui bahwa buku yang ditulis oleh Sophie Jordan ini juga menuturkan kisah tentang si mahluk mitologi, saya sontak memasukkan buku ini ke dalam wishlist. Dari Goodreads dan Amazon, hampir semua blogger buku luar negeri menyukai buku ini. Terlihat jelas dari rating yang mereka berikan. Membaca beberapa review buku ini dan excerpt membuat saya semakin penasaran. Saat itu, akhir tahun 2010, saya belum mengetahui bahwa Firelight akan diterjemahkan oleh Penerbit Atria. Jadi, sempat terbersit keinginan untuk membeli buku yang diterbitan HarperTeen. Beruntung saya tidak terburu-buru melakukannya. Karena akhir Maret 2011, sang editor mengatakan buku ini sedang dalam proses pengeditan. Senang rasanya. Apalagi ketika buku ini dikirimkan langsung oleh penerbit untuk direview. Saya tidak perlu menunggu lama untuk mengetahui bagaimana kisah Jacinda, gadis keturunan naga.

Tidak seperti kawanan Draki- manusia keturunan naga- lainnya, Jacinda adalah jenis draki yang tidak biasa. Dia adalah satu-satunya yang memiliki kemampuan untuk menyembur api. Keberadaan Jacinda menjadi sangat berarti. Ia menjadi tumpuan harapan. Karena draki penyembur api akhirnya muncul setelah menunggu selama empat ratus tahun. Hal ini juga yang menjadi alasan mengapa Severin,ketua kelompok bersikeras untuk menikahkan Jacinda dengan pewarisnya, Cassian. Diharapkan, mereka berdua akan menghasilkan draki-draki penyembur api lainnya.

Namun ide itu ditentang keras oleh ibu Jacinda. Ia keberatan kalau anak perempuannya dijadikan induk pembiak untuk para penyembur api cilik. Malam itu juga , setelah kejadian yang nyaris merenggut nyawa Jacinda, bersama Tamra, saudara kembar Jacinda, mereka meninggalkan rumah secara diam-diam. Memilih kota yang cukup jauh dari jangkauan para draki. Tidak tanggung-tanggung, padang gurun adalah lokasi yang dipilih untuk menetap. Ibu Jacinda tahu benar, di tempat ini, anaknya akan kesusahan untuk berubah wujud. Dengan begitu, secara perlahan, naluri draki Jacinda akan padam. Dan itulah yang diharapkan ibunya.

Sayangnya tidak semudah itu membunuh naluri draki dalam diri Jacinda. Secara diam-diam ia menyusup keluar rumah untuk berubah wujud. Jacinda tahu resiko yang harus ditanggungnya jika ketahuan. Namun ia tak punya pilihan lain. Dorongan naluri draki dalam dirinya terlalu besar untuk dilawan. Masalah lain muncul ketika ia harus beradaptasi dengan lingkungan sekolah yang tidak semuanya ramah. Jacinda kembali bertemu dengan Will, salah satu kawanan pemburu yang dulu pernah ditemuinya saat insiden. Tak hanya Will, pemburu lain juga berada di sekitar Jacinda. Dari aura yang terpancar, mereka seakan siap untuk mengoyak tubuh para draki setiap saat.

Suka!!!. Saya menikmati semua hal yang diceritakan Jacinda. Dari cerita tentang jenis-jenis Draki, bagaimana mereka berubah wujud, semua fakta yang mengejutkan dari penuturan ibu Jancida ataupun cerita tentang kejam para pemburu. Kisah yang terjalin antara Jacinda dan Will juga sebagai pelengkap yang manis. Semua menjadi semakin menarik ketika fakta mengenai Will terungkap. Akhir yang dibuat oleh Sophie Jordan, sang penulis, membuat saya tidak sabar ingin membaca Vanish, buku selanjutnya yang akan dirilis September tahun ini.

Karakter-karakter di buku ini menarik.Walau banyak diantaranya membuat saya kesal. Nama - nama yang dipilih Sophie untuk para Draki dan keluarganya juga unik. Jacinda, Tamra,ataupun Cassian. Nama mereka tidak pernah saya temui sebelumnya. Saya jadi penasaran dari mana nama-nama itu berasal.

Jacinda menjadi satu-satunya karakter yang saya sukai selain Will. Semua hal yang dirasakan draki penyembur api ini dengan mudah saya mengerti. Bahkan Ibu Jacinda ataupun saudara kembarnya Tamra dengan cepat menyulut emosi saya. Bahkan keberadaan sepupu-sepupu Will juga sempat membuat saya takut.

Walau masih menemukan beberapa typo di beberapa bab, saya tetap salut pada kerja keras penerjemah dan editor. Karena mereka mampu menyajikan Firelight dengan sangat baik.

Untuk semua yang suka dengan cerita tentang naga yang tidak biasa, saya merekomendasikan Firelight menjadi salah satu bacaan kalian.

Cover

Dibandingkan dengan cover aslinya, design versi Atria nggak kalah keren. Namun kalau disuruh memilih, cover yang diterbitkan oleh HarperTeen akan menjadi pilihan pertama.

4/5

Sumber: Penerbit untuk direview

Penulis: Sophie Jordan

Penerjemah: Ferry Halim

Penyunting: Ida Wadji

Penerbit: Atria

Cetakan: I, April 2011

ISBN: 978-979-024-475-7

Review: Incredible Dreams by Sandra Edwards

Incredible Dreams is the story of a modern-day ghost whisperer who travels through time to save the life of a WWII fighter pilot and ends up jeopardizing her own existence. Izzy Miller prefers to call herself a spiritual therapist because she thinks it makes her sound more professional than plain old ghost-whisperer. She expects her latest project to be quick and easy because exorcising military personnel is pretty routine. But there's nothing easy or routine about Captain Jack Baker-he's a rather forgetful spirit and somewhat mischievous. And even though he's intrigued by the US Government's latest attempt to remove him from the only place he can ever remember being...he has no intentions of going anywhere. Plans to exorcise Jack are quickly sidelined when Izzy discovers a portal into the past inside her dreams and sets out to change his fate. Trouble is...when she gets back there, she can't remember anything but her name. She still sees ghosts, but is far less accepting of her gift. And, to make matters worse, a demonic force pretending to be the forgetful heroine's sister has her own plans-to steal Izzy's soul

My Thought
Izzy Miller had unsual ability. She could sense and see ghost, apparition, or spirit. She had helped many lost souls and convinced them to cross over to the next life. She did not have spells like Wicca or used high tech equipments. Spiritual therapist, that’s what she called herself. She was very capable in this field. So no need to wonder why, the United States Military used her service. A big fat bonus was offered for her but it was the challenges which became the main reason why she used her talent and answered all her clients’ demands.

One day, she was asked to “cleaned” one hangar. She could sense many creatures inside. In few minutes, all sprited and fairies moved away. But there was one soul left, a spirit of Air Force flyer with his unfinished stuff. Jack Baker never knew the way he died.What written in his files about the accident around the world war did not make him satisfied. It looked like there was a mist that block his memory. That made Izzy had to think harder to find a way out. Because she never met a forgotful spirit. Besides none of them were as old as Jack. Another problem appeared when she realized there was a passion toward him.

Incredible dreams was not the first book that told me about a character with a talent for ghost whispering. I have read some. So I was not that impressed much when her ability revealed. But I did wonder how she would solve the case. The more I read, the more I got surprised. I never thought that Sandra, the authors would bring Izzy and me to such adventure. The plot ran smoothly. The ending was also nice. Nothing that made me confused.

The bond between Izzy and Jack was written very well. I liked all chapters about them. Compared to Izzy, I prefered Jack. Not only because he was so charming but also smarter . Yeah, Izzy’s ignorance became something that bugging me. I thought she had lost her mind when she let Jennie, another character that you’ll find in this book, controled the way she moved.She should have done some checking in the first place. I wish I could shout at her. I know I might too emotional. Just cant help it. The appearance of her family was also awkward for me.

Although I found some holes inside, over all I enjoyed this light paranormal book.

Cover

However it does not belong to my favorite cover. I like the black car in the cover. It tells the book setting very well.

3/5

Author: Sandra Edwards | Website

Source: From Author for an honest review

Format: eBook: 267 Pages; Paperback: 230 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (September 1, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1453780874

ISBN-13: 978-1453780879

Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches

Buy Incredible Dreams at :

• Amazon
• Smashwords
• BN
  

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours and a copy was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Book Lovin' Bitches Ebook Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review nor was there an obligation to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Review: St. Martins Moon by Marc Vun Kannon

The Moon is haunted...

Joseph Marquand didn't want to go back, he really didn't, but duty called, curiosity beckoned, and besides, it's not like his nights could get any worse. A werewolf attack on the Moon itself was something of a novelty, especially for Earth's greatest werewolf hunter, and if he could lay a few of his own unquiet ghosts to rest at the same time...

Well, one ghost-Cynthia's ghost-the reason he'd quit space. The people of Coventry Base definitely didn't want him there. Except for Candace, who was definitely in the minority. The citizens had taken shelter there for a reason, and they were more afraid of the werewolf hunter than they would ever be of a werewolf. Then the nightmares began, and the wolves of Coventry Base found that they were haunted by far more than just their curse. They were being haunted by Marquand's curse as well. The werewolf hunter had become the werewolves' only hope for salvation, but Marquand's only hope for salvation was in one woman with no hope, and another who didn't even know she existed. ...but the werewolves don't know that!

My Thought

I am not a reader who judges the book by its cover. But when I saw the cover of this book and looked at those creepy eyes, I was so thrilled. I was so eager to read this book. My first thought, I was going to find many scary chapters that made me goosebumps. Those fierce werewolves were filled my imaginations. Something that made me more excited was its setting. It’s out of space! Its future technology also made me curious.

Sadly, I could not find what I was waiting for. I found it hard to finish this book. I was lost in some chapters. Starting with Joseph Marquand tried to blend with every thing in Coventry Base till the rest of the story. In the beginning, I thought I was the one who could not focus and missed all those crucial moments. So I decided to re-read it. But again, I felt bad. The more I read, the more I get confused. Not only had the plot trapped me, but there were too many characters. I just could not understand all Marquand’s thought and memory. This book seems get a thick shield and blocks me from any side. So I give up. This book might not for me. As they said, it’s not my cup of tea.

Cover

It was designed very well. I fall for it in the first glance.

Release Date: May 2011

Publisher: Echelon Press
ISBN: 1590806840
ISBN13: 9781590806845
Genre: Futuristic Paranormal
Review Copy Source: Ebook from Stacy - Urban Fantasy Investigation for Review

Review: No Rest For Wicca by Toni LoTempio

Communing with the dead is an everyday occurrence for PI Morgan Hawkes. A half-Wiccan witch who can commune with spirits of those caught between worlds, Morgan uses her talents to exorcise the trapped ghost or demon as part of the Paranormal Investigation Squad – until a string of murders with a voodoo slant prompts the Special Forces Agency to ask for her assistance. Someone’s killing pureblood witches- and the SFA’s convinced Morgan’s heritage (her father was a voodoo priest) could be instrumental in solving the mystery. Teamed with dashing SF agent Cole St. John – an Inheritor Vampire that sets her blood racing – the two of them fight their attraction for each other as they race to stop a madman from unleashing a demonic force upon the world

These few months, I read some indie books and No Rest of Wicca is definitely one of my favorites. I was hooked from the beginning. I enjoyed every chapter, from the plot till its characters. The ending was also nice. I never expect that I would find such closing.

Before reading this book, I knew nothing about Voodoo or Wicca. Fortunately, the author wrote anything related to it in simple way. So I did not find myself lost when he told me about the chant, the spell, even the rituals, No need to open any articles that related to those things.

I loved both of Morgan and Cole. Besides the magical abilities, they also got strong personality. I liked their sense of humor. All the conversations between them were hilarious. I caught myself smiling every time Morgan got annoyed with Cole’s words and cynicism. It was nice to know when the relation between them grew up.

Cover

However I am not a reader who judge the book by its cover, I think a good book should comes up with great cover.

4/5

Format: ebook, 309 pages

Published October 20th 2010 by Toni Lotempio

(first published September 6th 2010)

Buy No Rest for the Wicca (Amazon), Smashwords

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the BLB E-book Tours and a copy was provided by the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Review: Kissed From Beyond by Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner, Stacey Kennedy

One antique shop, four women experienced different exceptional and not to be forgotten moment.

I am not a big fan of novella. I have read many of them and end up with disappointment. Not only because they left me with unfinished things but also because some of them just did not let me get a bond with its characters. I felt they were in such a hurry. So when I received and started read this ebook, I did not put many expectation.

One remarkable thing from this anthology was each story connected with one red line, an antique shop. Each character met Mrs. Higgins and from one thing in her shop, they were brought to something peculiar. I found this unique.

I could not found appropriate words to revealed how the stories surprised me. My ignorance held the responsibility for this. Because the authors have warned me in advance about the genre. Still, It left me open-mouthed. I never expect for those kind of scenes. It is just too hot for me. But at least after reading this ebook, I finally understand what they called as paranormal-erotica.

From all of the stories, CRADLE OF DREAMS is my favorite. The ending was better.

For anyone of you who love romance, erotica, paranormal stories, you should read this book.

Cover
The reasons why I joined the tour and read this Anthology was the cover. It's lovely.

3/5

Authors: Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, Elise Hepner, Stacey Kennedy

ebook, 149 pages

Published March 16th 2011 by Goodnight Publishing

Buy the ebook at Smashwords

~~~

Synopsis

CRADLE OF DREAMS
Keta Diablo

With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins’ Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.

Kendrick can’t believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.

A LOVE SOUL DEEP
Amber Scott

If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams, and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.
Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.


ONE RUB MORE
Elise Hepner

Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voodoo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could be summoned by the rub of a woman’s palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again he’s resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.

Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn’t satisfied when Helena didn’t want to be barefoot and pregnant. She’s resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she’s put to the test when she accidentally summons Flynn from his teapot prison.

‘TILL WE MEET AGAIN
Stacey Kennedy

Ethan Thomas has spent years alone―forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he’s now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He’s spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…

Cassandra Cole is an interior designer hired to restore an old Victorian home. As she begins to furnish the house, strange happenings erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie sets out to discover who the ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him. The answers will surprise her in ways she never imagined.

~~~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches E-book Tours and a copy was provided by the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

Review: Immortyl Kisses by BK Walker

Synopsis From Goodreads
"You are a Warrior, you just don't know it yet."
~Jin Cao

Raine was an average girl with an average teenage life. Always loving anything to do with vampires, she never expected they would be real. When a Rogue vampire hunts her, she not only learns that vampires are real, but that the two boys that her heart is caught between are in fact a vampire and a werewolf.

As both boys vow to keep her safe, Raine learns of her true destiny...she is a Shijin Warrior born to win the war against an evil Warlock named Fala. Fala is creating half vampire half shape shifting creatures to take out all of immortal kind.

Will Raine be able to fulfill her destiny and save immortals, or will her hearts desires make her lose everything in the end?

~~~

It was nice to find various stories about vampire and werewolf. Each book has its own words and Immortyl kisses gave me another one. In its world, those two creatures could live side to side without any hatred. That become one big question in my mind. How come they could live in peace? There were still many questions that popped up as I turn the pages.

The plot was flowing too face. Kept running even when I have not been into the characters. It did not made me wait. Surprised by surprised appeared everywhere. Something to be noticed, I found too much conversation and lack of description. I am not a reader who fond of details. But I think this book needs it.

Raine, Tristan, Logan, were three characters who helped me understand the story inside. That was what I liked from this book. I got not only one but three points of view in a row. At first, I thought that I would fall for one of them, sadly I was not. I felt no emotional bond.

If you want to find something different from vampire or werewolf, you can read this book.

Cover
I found some pictures inside this e-book. I think one of them is cool enough to replace the recent cover.

2/5

~~~

Author: BK Walker; Facebook, Blog, Book Website ; Author Website
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Lulu; December 24th 2010
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English

You can buy the e-book here

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of the Book Lovin' Bitches E-book Tours and a copy was provided by the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obligated to write a positive one. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Waiting On Wednesday (2/9) : A Discovery of Witches

Synopsis From Author's Website
When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans—and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

Author: Deborah Harkness

Hardcover, 592 pages

Published February 8th 2011 by Viking Adult

I just saw the cover of the book few days ago. The cover and color are nice. Looking at the witches word in front makes me curious what the story inside. As you can read in synopsis, it is not only about witches but there is vampire also. Yummy.

I have checked in Deborah's web, A Discovery of Witches has been translated in many languages. Unfortunately, Indonesia is not on the list (yet). I hope by posting this book here, the local published will take a look at it. On Goodreads, I saw three different covers, but I still prefer the original cover.

You can read the excerpt here

I hope this book will find its own way to my mailbox :)

~~~

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine

Vampyre Kisses

Synopsis From Goodreads

Vampyre Kisses is an enthralling story about a young woman named Faith, who seems content with her life, but deep down craves more excitement. Then a mysterious man named Trent enters her world and everything changes. Surprising to Faith, Trent is a green-eyed vampire from Ireland. She is even more amazed to find out that she is a witch, and the last of her kind.

Faith learns that she is destined to restore her witch line and becomes more powerful as she gains confidence and knowledge, but danger lurks everywhere -- especially when unknown assailants steal the most important gems from the vampire master and werewolf royalty.

Now surrounded by a world filled with mystifying vampires and werewolves, can Faith gain enough power to help her friends and rescue the stolen gems?

Review

From the title, I can directly guess there will be vampire in this book.I thought it would give me a same legend with what I have got in some book with same genre. But I was wrong. Elizabeth gave me many different things about vampire, werewolf, slayer even witch with her familiar. It looks like opening book which is totally new. I like all her ideas. She wrote the details very well. Nothing stopped me from reading it to the last pages, although in first few chapters, there are some disrupting repetition. But after that the pace was flowing fast and well explained. Another interesting part from this book was the surprises which could be found almost in every chapters. It kept me guessing what happened next.

The story was told by two different point of view, Faith and Trent. There was also from Morgan and one from the sight unseen. I thought it was little bit inconsistent and just too many. But I knew everyone in the book better with this kind of format.

Faith, the main character in this book. She was a fragile, independent woman. Nothing was interesting in her life. she was far from what we mentioned as happy. Those were all things that I could describe about her before Trent, whom Faith fell for, came and everything seemed to changed. From his eyes, I got many new thing about Faith. He himself was one reason why I read this book until the end. It was not difficult to fall for him. I loved the relation between them.

Besides Faith and Trent, I met many characters. It was not hard to distinguish each of them. Although I do not write them here, all I can say is some of them are quite interesting. Let's say Akilah, Max, Oran the Familiar, or even Gordon. You can find them all by reading this book. I recommended this book for those of you who are a big fan of vampire or any supernatural creatures.

Cover

The dark story inside is drawn well in the cover. But I do not get why they chose red rose and put it in front.

4/5

~~~

Author: Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

ebook, 271 pages

Published June 2nd 2010 by Eloquent Books (first published May 11th 2010)

Language: English

Source: ebook from the Author