Book Review – Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin and Rising
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Published: June 17, 2014


SYNOPSIS:

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.


MY REVIEW:

This book was a perfect ending to the Grisha story. Perfect. A lot of times, you can guess the ending of a book or series, but not this one. There were surprises, both heartbreaking and wonderful, throughout the entire story and I enjoyed every minute of the nerve wracking ride. I often questioned Alina's motives and choices, her greed for power and her ability to turn away from true love, but she was the perfect imperfect heroine who made decisions not for herself, but for others. And in the end, the self-sacrifice she made ultimately led to her own happiness. I absolutely loved Nikolai's sense of humor, Mal's loyalty, and the vastly different personalities of all of the Grisha — David, Genya, Tolya, Tamar, Zoya, Adrik, Harshaw, and Nadia. The story and characters were so complex and rich. It is a fantastic addition to the fantasy genre.


SUM IT UP:

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Book Review – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Siege and Storm
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Released: June 4, 2013


SYNOPSIS:

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.


MY REVIEW:

A fantastic addition to the fantasy genre, The Grisha Trilogy introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters. They're not perfect, which makes them so easy to love. The story of Alina and Mal swept me up in a continual battle of hope and heartache. And I can't help but love Nikolai and his humor and hope he somehow gets all that he deserves...in the best way. I also hope that all the lost get their redemption in the last book....Genya, Zoya, David, and even Alina and Mal. The Darkling? I'm not sure how I feel about him...


SUM IT UP:

"Innocence once lost, can never be regained. Darkness, once gazed upon, can never be lost." – John Milton


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Book Review – Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha Trilogy
Published: June 5, 2012


SYNOPSIS:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.


MY REVIEW:

Another fabulous fantasy series. If you liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore or Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, this series is for you. The characters were interesting, the setting was exotic, and the storyline was something completely new and interesting. Grisha, the wielders of magic, are little more than servants to the people of Ravka and are hunted and killed in other countries in Bardugo's world. Secrets are plentiful, trust is in short supply, and unexpected twists trump all. One thing is for sure, the choice between darkness and light is not always a clear one.


SUM IT UP:

"There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast." – Charles Dickens


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Book Review – Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

Title: Wallbanger
Author: Alice Clayton
Series: The Cocktail Series #1
Released: February 14, 2013


SYNOPSIS:

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she's gaining an intimate knowledge of her new neighbor's nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy's athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed dating hiatus, and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly...

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight...


MY REVIEW: 

I absolutely loved this book, it was so entertaining and fun. With hilarious sexual innuendo, snark, and wit on every page it was hard to put down. I thought it was clever how the author set up the events of the story to mimic Caroline's missing O. I think we were just as frustrated (but entertained) as Caroline was the entire story. And then the last 40 pages....thank God!!!!!


SUM IT UP: 

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My Writing – Conviction Released

Conviction is the second book in my Sophisticates series and was released on June 2, 2014. It is available on Amazon in ebook and paperback format. Check out the giveaways and the kindle countdown deal that are available for the Sophisticate Series books, Deviation and Conviction.

Synopsis of Conviction:

The Others are out there. Somewhere. And the Program wants the Deviant Dozen to find them.

As a member of the Dozen, Cleo is still learning to master her deviation and she’s not having much luck. With the ability to cause explosions with just a thought, losing control always results in fiery disaster, making Cleo feel like a monster. She vows to ignore the urge to use her deviation and reclaim her humanity. But when terrible things start to happen at the Academy and Cleo is blamed for actions and events she doesn’t remember, she fears that the monster is taking over and she is becoming the dangerous weapon the Program created her to be.

The one bright spot in Cleo’s life is Ozzy, the cocky Sophisticate with perfect aim who makes her heart race. But it seems whenever things start to heat up between them, Ozzy is sent away on another secret mission, and Cleo is left alone to ponder their relationship and deal with the aftermath of the accusations made against her.

As the evidence against Cleo becomes more compelling and her closest friends turn against her, she finds her own conviction waning as she wonders if she really is as innocent as she wants to believe. And Cleo isn’t the only one struggling. Ozzy has always defined himself by his perfect aim and superior deviant skills, but after failed missions and bad choices, he realizes he can no longer trust his skills—or himself.

Caught in a storm of shocking allegations and harsh punishments, will Cleo’s conviction finally break her?


GIVEAWAYS:

There are a couple of giveaways going on right now.

1. Of Spectacles and Books Blog is hosting a giveaway for Deviation and Conviction. Up for grabs: $25 Amazon gift card, paperback copies of Deviation and Conviction, and a Damsels in Distress t-shirt.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Deviation Giveaway on Goodreads. Win one of five paperback copies with bookmarks.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Deviation

by Christine Manzari

Giveaway ends July 21, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

3. Conviction Giveaway on Goodreads. Win one of five paperback copies with bookmarks.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Conviction

by Christine Manzari

Giveaway ends July 21, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

KINDLE COUNTDOWN DEAL

Deviation is currently available on Amazon for the kindle for $.99 until June 23, 2014. Don't miss this low price! Get Deviation for less than $1!

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New Book on the Shelf – The End of a Trilogy!

What's new on Tine's shelf? Grishas, a Darkling, a Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and an outlaw prince.

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

I'd seen the first book in the Grisha trilogy in the bookstore many times and was sort of curious about it because the jacket copy was compelling, but I was never able to bring myself to buy it because I didn't like the cover. (Never judge a book by its cover! I should know better. I know, I know.) I finally decided to pick up the first book, Shadow and Bone, after reading about it on the Broke Book Girls blog. I'm so glad I did. I fell in love with the series and the characters. Ruin and Rising is the last book in the trilogy and I was at the bookstore today (release day) to get my hands on it.

Synopsis:

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Giveaway:

Broke Book Girls Blog is hosting a giveaway to celebrate the release of Ruin and Rising.  Check out their fantastic blog at Broke Book Girls to see what the giveaway includes (pssst...you could win some awesome, one-of-a-kind cookies inspired by the book covers and characters).

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www.christinemanzari.com

Indie Book Review – Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Title: Crossing
Author: Stacey Wallace Benefiel
Series: Open Door Love Story #1
Released: May 8, 2013

SYNOPSIS: 

He stole her lipstick…and her heart.

Twenty-year-old Dani Walker can’t believe her luck when she’s paired up with the gorgeous Liam Garrett as her Acting I scene partner – or when he ends up in her bed. Being a Plain Jane with a mouth on her hasn’t exactly served Dani well in the guy department. In fact, she’s had nothing but one night stands. Still, she lets go of her insecurities and falls for Liam, despite feeling like he’s holding something back.

When Dani finally discovers Liam’s secret, she must learn the true meaning of accepting the ones we love for who they are, or risk losing the best thing that’s ever happened to her.


MY REVIEW:

I've never read a book before with this subject matter. It's hard to talk about why I liked it so much without being spoilery. All I can say is that Ms. Benefiel was just as brave in writing this story as her characters were in dealing with their feelings, urges, and choices. I especially loved Dani's sense of humor and her ability to see beyond outer appearances to find love.

I think if you can read this book with an open mind and heart, you will be rewarded with a great story and characters who will touch your thoughts long after you finish the last page.


SUM IT UP: 

"I think being happy makes the biggest difference in your physical appearance." – Drew Barrymore

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Book Review – Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Released: March 18, 2014

SYNOPSIS:

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…


MY REVIEW:

This book was so perfect in every way. The summary on the back of the book? Can't even prepare you for the emotional annihilation this story puts you through. The writing was achingly gorgeous, the characters were complex and flawed and brilliant, and the story was unlike anything I've ever read. Really. The connection between Ridge and Sydney was more than you could ever ask for from characters. I could feel every one of their emotions as if it was my own. 

On one hand, I'm glad this book is over because my heart was so torn apart during the story I didn't think there was ever a way CoHo could make it right again. But at the same time, I loved having my heart destroyed by Ridge and Sydney's love and I was sad to get to the last page. 

And that last page? Could there be a more perfect sentence to end a book? No. Because Colleen Hoover is the master. Please continue to rip my heart to shreds, CoHo. I beg you.

Note: Another amazing aspect of this book is that it includes a free soundtrack specifically written and recorded for this book by Griffin Peterson. It is awesome. I have several tracks downloaded onto my ipod that play in my regular playlist. My personal favorites? Maybe Someday and I'm in Trouble.


SUM IT UP:

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New Books on the Shelf

What's new on Tine's Library shelf? Danger, Death, Heavenly Fire, Gods, & Monsters.

1. Dangerous Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Dangerous Creatures is a spinoff story from the Beautiful Creatures series in which we get to follow the bad girl Ridley and her lovable boyfriend (normal guy turned incubus) Link as they navigate New York...and love.

Synopsis:

Ridley Duchannes is nobody's heroine. She's a Dark Caster, a Siren. She can make you do things. Anything. You can't trust her, or yourself when she's around. And she'll be the first to tell you to stay away-especially if you're going to do something as stupid as fall in love with her. 

Lucky for Ridley, her wannabe rocker boyfriend, Wesley "Link" Lincoln, never listens to anyone. Link doesn't care if Rid's no good for him, and he takes her along when he leaves small-town Gatlin to follow his rock-star dream. He teams up with a ragtag group of Dark Casters, and when the band scores a gig at a hot Underground club, it looks like all of Link's dreams are about to come true. 

But New York City is a dangerous place for both Casters and Mortals, and soon Ridley realizes that Link's bandmates are keeping secrets. With bad-boy club owner Lennox Gates on her heels, Rid is determined to find out the truth. What she discovers is worse than she could have imagined: Link has a price on his head that no Caster or Mortal can ever pay. With their lives on the line, what's a Siren to do?

2. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

I've heard a lot of buzz about Dorothy Must Die, so when I saw it in the store I had to have it. I'm a sucker for retellings of fairy tales and I'm really looking forward to the twists in this story.

Synopsis:

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be a hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.
What happened?
Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.
Steal the Scarecrow's brain.
Take the Lion's courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

3. City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire is the last book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare and at just over 700 pages, it is HEFTY! I love this series and the characters so I'm totally ready to get lost in the world of Shadowhunters for a week or so. 

Synopsis:

Darkness has descended on the Shadowhunter world. Chaos and destruction overwhelm the Nephilim as Clary, Jace, Simon, and their friends band together to fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell. Nothing in this world can defeat Sebastian—but if they journey to the realm of demons, they just might have a chance…

Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world will change. Who will survive the explosive sixth and final installment of the Mortal Instruments series?

4. Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

Dreams of Gods & Monsters is the final book in Laini Taylor's beautifully written trilogy about chimaera and angels. It's also quite a beast itself, weighing in at over 600 pages.

Synopsis:

In this thrilling conclusion to the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, Karou is still not ready to forgive Akiva for killing the only family she's ever known.

When a brutal angel army trespasses into the human world, Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat--and against larger dangers that loom on the horizon. They begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves--maybe even toward love.

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera, and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.


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Indie Book Review - Peacemaker by Eva Gerald

Title: Peacemaker
Author: Eva Gerald
Series: Peacemaker Series
Released: January 11, 2014

SYNOPSIS:

Maya Voland doesn't want to spend her senior year in the cold, isolated town of Shine, Vermont. Reeling from the death of her father and the discovery that her life is a carefully constructed set of lies, Maya wants to escape to a place where she can be invisible.

The residents of Shine can’t let Maya leave. She’s too important to their cause. A manipulator by nature, Maya was born with an extraordinary ability to influence the emotions and actions of others. Shiners will go to great lengths to train her to use those gifts to further their agenda, before other, more sinister forces intercede.

Shea Knightly has been waiting most of his life for Maya to come back home to Shine. He, too, has powers of persuasion and he’s never encountered a girl who can say no to his stunning looks and overwhelming charm. He’ll pull out all the stops to bring Maya into the fold.

Now Maya must decide—is the intense attraction she feels for Shea reciprocated, or is he just feeding her more lies to draw her into the dangerous world of the Shiners? Even if there is something real between them, what price is she willing to pay to make his cause her own?
This is the first book in the Peacemaker Series.


MY REVIEW: 

A great Indie read!

I really enjoyed this story because the concept was new and different. Ms. Gerald created an interesting community of people (Shiners) who not only have strange powers to influence others, but who use those powers to change the world for the better. 

Maya is a headstrong girl who moves to the strange town of Shine after the death of her father. As she gets to know the residents of the town better, secrets are exposed and she soon finds herself immersed in a world of supernatural powers and unbelievable expectations. If she accepts the responsibilities that the Shiners demand of her, she will have very little choice in her future, including who she should love. Maya has to decide if she can trust the Shiners . . . and her heart.

The premise for this story was really clever and well thought out, seamlessly bringing several mysterious storylines together in the end. If you're looking for something completely different in paranormal romance, Peacemaker delivers. I'd say fans of Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters will really enjoy this book. 


SUM IT UP:

"It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence, the power you have over other people's lives." - Clint Eastwood

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Book Review - The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy
Released: March 4, 2014

SYNOPSIS:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.


MY REVIEW:

My. Heart. Is. Broken.

The world building was fantastic, the story felt unique and volatile, and the characters were strong and complex. I admired Kestrel for her cunning and street smarts, but loved her for her soft heart and ability to sacrifice for others . . . despite the fact that she was high society. 

Always a fan of the tortured bad boy, I admired Arin for his conviction and loyalty to his people, but loved him for the way he allowed Kestrel into his heart . . .despite the fact she was his enemy. 

The ending was so amazing and so crushing. Kestrel and Arin are one of those timeless sort of love stories, the kind where the lovers are willing to give up their own happinesses for the survival of one another. I'm desperate for the rest of this story.


SUM IT UP:

"The sun loved the moon so much he died every night to let her breathe."

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