Rick Riordan: The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles - Book 1)
Rick Riordan
Published May 4th, 2010 by Hyperion Books
ISBN: 1423113381
516 Pages

Synopsis
Sadie and Carter Kane are siblings who look nothing alike. They have been separated since their mom died, Carter traveling the world with his Egyptian Archaeologist dad, and Sadie trapped in London with her grandparents. On the one day a year the kids get to spend together with their dad, they disobey his request and watch him perform some world altering magic in the British Museum's Egyptian wing. Now there are Egyptian gods on the lose, both good and evil, and it is up to these to siblings to set things right.



Musings
Okay, so this was recommended to be by a friend. I read Riordan's Percy Jackson series, and it was pretty good - so I figured I'd give this series a shot. First impression - it's not really my cup of tea. I had to force myself to pick it back up (several times), just so I could finish.  And now, since I promised my friend I would read the whole series, I am starting Book 2. She ensures me it gets way better, the 3rd book being the best. We shall see...

I think my feet dragging on this book has more to do with personal preference & interest than the quality of the book. Riordan writes well, his story flows, and there are lots of plot devices and constant action. He manages to surprise you a few times, and the story is funny and fresh. Egyptian lore is limitless, and you can interpret and twist the gods and mythology as needed to complete the story. Maybe my problem is that I am a little too saturated with Egyptian fiction?  Stargate being my favorite show of all time. And then, every popular show has it's own take on the mummy, or some other popular Egyptian tale or artifact.

Riordan's interpretations are standard, and can be a little boring. He didn't experiment enough.  The two main characters Sadie and Carter are well rounded, but again - lack that punch that makes them someone you root for (or love to hate). And the method of story telling (transcribing a recording told by two characters)... annoying at times, confusing at others.

I would recommend this to the kids it was written for or anyone with a hankering for the author. It's good. Just not great. 3 stars!

-Rita

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Liz Braswell: Nine Lives of Chloe King

Nine Lives of Chloe King (Books 1-3, The Fallen, The Stolen, The Chosen)
Liz Braswell (as Celia Thomson)
Published June 7th, 2011 by Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1442435704
771 Pages

Synopsis
This was an interesting take on the wereanimals that have become so popular lately. It moves away from supernatural creatures controlled by magic and moon phases, and instead makes the transformation more nature based, less primal, and better rooted in ancestry and tribe than a virus, curse, or mysterious bite. Chloe King is remnant of Buffy, Elena, or any other good old high-school girl who suddenly has her world turned upside down. On her 16th birthday, Chloe not only has to deal with raging hormones and friend drama - she has to work around claws, increased agility, wacky dreams, and a psycho that keeps trying to kill her. Oh - and a deathly fall from Coit Tower. We discover that Chloe has nine lives, but even among the cat people (Mai), that is something pretty special.


Musings
This was an okay book. I could see a lot of similarity to other fantasy novels, even Star Wars - which it so aptly points out itself. I wouldn't have finished the series if it hadn't been presented together in a single book, but since it was all there, I was tempted to mow through and finish. The end is good, although anti-climatic.

I would recommend only to those familiar with the genre, and looking for an easy teen read. The ABC Series is way better...

-Rita

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Marissa Meyer: Cinder

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
Marissa Meyer
Published January 3rd, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends         
ISBN: 0312641893
387 Pages


Synopsis
This is a Cinderella story with a twist. It is set in the far future of Earth, where humans have long colonized the moon, and moon people have evolved into an entirely different species. Earth humans have become so technologically advanced that robots, androids, and cyborgs abound. However, Cyborgs are thought of as less than human, basically second class citizens, with very few rights and even less respect.

Cinder is a girl stuck in a household with two step-sisters and a cruel and unforgiving stepmother.  Her adoptive father died long ago, and her stepmother blames and resents Cinder. Cinder, a cyborg, makes a living for the family working as a mechanic. The plague hits her shopping market and people are getting sick all around her.  Cinder finds out much about herself and her past, falling for the handsome Emperor along the way. This is a complicated story of with humor and plot twists. The book goes beyond a simple Cinderella story and dives much deeper becoming an emotional and intriguing ride.


Musings
I thought this was a great twist on the stagnate and often overdone Cinderella story. I think the author favors the movie Ever After, because I saw a lot of similarities, however the added content, unique setting, and awesome storytelling kept it fresh and moving fast. I finished in one sitting, which I rarely have the opportunity to do anymore - but it was so good, I made time.

I would recommend it to most, especially those looking for a fresh twist on an old classic. 4 stars!

-Rita

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E.L. James: Fifty Shades (Books 1-3)

Fifty Shades of Grey (Book 1)
E.L. James
Published May 26th, 2011 by The Writers Coffee Shop
ISBN: 1612130291
360 Pages

                         Fifty Shades Darker (Book 2)

                         E.L. James

                         Published September 13th, 2011 by The Writers Coffee Shop

                         ISBN: 1612130585

                         532 Pages

Fifty Shades Freed (Book 3)
E.L. James
Published January 19th, 2012 by The Writers Coffee Shop
ISBN: 1612130291
466 Pages




Synopsis
Book 1: Anastasia Steel is a journalism student on the verge of graduation. Her best friend and roommate is the editor of the school paper, and asks her to conduct an interview of the rich and successful Christian Grey. It is a fateful meeting that has Ana tripping over her feet, and Christian aching to break her of her fidgeting habits - in a rather startling and pleasureful way. The story spins these two characters together, Ana into a dark and sexual world she has never experienced, and Christian into wanting more than he ever has.  Christan finds himself unable to resist this innocent girl, and breaks several of his own rules to have her.

Book 2: Ana has broken off her affair with Christian for both their sakes, but they soon find themselves back together under a new proposal. Ana has started her career, and endearing and racy emails set the stage for a majority of this book. Enter the mystery of the saboteur, more about Christian's past, and a few other twists - and this is probably the best of the three books.

Book 3: (It gets much more difficult to not give anything away!!) Christian continues to be a control freak, but they both now acknowledge their relationship is 'more' that they ever believed it would be. Ana is finally gathering together all the clues and history about Christian and his needs and desires; she finds herself willing to flex, and grows more confident in their relationship - and their future.

*The tidbits at the end of book 3 make the story worth while, and got my blood pumping to re-read the first novel. (Think: Midnight Sun)

Musings
Wow, what a book to pull me back into the review and discuss mindset!  Okay, so first the -gossip- I heard that made me want to read the book:

These books started as Twilight fan fiction. Christian is Edward, Anastasia(Ana) is Isabella(Bella). Christian is dark, rich, and leads a secluded and secretive life. Ana sees herself as plain, and is a typical college student, about to get her journalism degree (think about the plot - she couldn't be a minor and in high school!) Ana is dorky and clumsy, Christian becomes obsessed with her and her safety. Then there is Jose(Jacob), The psychiatrist father figure(Carlisle), the spunky sister(Alice), and even the self-centered best friend(Jessica). It is a total parody - down to Audi's instead of VW's.  But instead of Edward/Christian being a vampire... he is a sado-masochist, and into BDSM. He wants to bring Ana into his world, but can't stand the thought of actually hurting her.

I enjoyed E.L. James' rise to fame and proof of concept that a self-published, normal person, can write a best seller - and bring sex back to mainstream. However, I do want to say for all you scardy-cats out there: this is not a story about S&M. There is no bondage, beatings, or described acts that even come close to true BDSM. I will say it does have a lot of spanking, some fun toy use, and a little bit of 'tie me up, tie me down' - but it's mostly vanilla. That said... it is a LOT of vanilla, but well done. However, there is that room full of implements, and the constant threat that it could turn dark at every turn. By the third book, it begins to gloss over some of the sex scenes because the story of these characters is just as important (if not more so) than their vigorous exercise regime. Christian goes through a powerful character development and peaks over the course of the novels. You are given tidbits about his dark past, and begin to see what makes him tick.

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My favorite, and easily the most powerful scene in the books:  Book 2, page 319-325: Christian the Submissive. That he feels so strongly the threat of her leaving snaps him. Just a wow moment.

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4.5 Stars - I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and sexy read. It's quick and easy, and just racy enough to keep you on your toes, without losing the plot and character depth required for a good read.

-Rita

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