Review: Venom by Fiona Paul

Publisher: Philomel
Series: Secrets of the Eternal Rose #1

Pages: 432

Received: Borrowed copy from Christa @Hooked on Books

Release Date: October 30, 2012
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Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

My Review:

First I need to express my absolute love for this cover! It's so gorgeous (and I can imagine the shinieness of the mask on the hardcover of this book). The cover really shows off that this book is intriguing (in my opinion). The first couple of chapters of this book does start out a little slow, it opens up with the funeral of Cass' friend Liv. But just keep going because the story gets intense and does it when you are not expecting it at all.

This book has everything in it, a murder mystery, romance and even a masquerade ball (seriously I love books that have a fun party like that included). I also love that it takes place in Venice... I am all about the Italian settings in books, it's so romantic and beautiful. What really perked my interest in this one is that it's a historical book with no magic or anything, this is a book set in real life and those books are becoming few and far between in YA (other than contemporary books). I also love books with mystery to them.

The characters in this book really caught my attention. I loved how Cass is a character that nobody can control, she acts like a teenager, sneaking out and having her own fun despite rules (but she does feel guilty about things at times). Each of the characters were so unique and so much fun, I loved Falco (who was very swoon-worthy) but also Cass' fiancé, it's such a hard choice between these two guys, they were both so awesome!

I loved that everything that happens in this book is so surprising. I could not guess what was happening with the murders, I would flip a page and my guess would continually change, and yet I was still left flabbergasted with what actually happens. This book had me gripping my chair and needing more information on everything. I absolutely love the ending and what Cass decides in the end, even though this is the beginning of a series, I was so happy with her decision. I'm excited to see what will come next for Cass and friends.

I definitely think this book should be at the top of your Penguin Breathless Reads choice! This story epitomizes a breathless read! :)

Review: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Series: For Darkness Shows the Stars #1

Pages: 402

Received: Won from EpicReads contest

Release Date: June 12, 2012
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Goodreads Synopsis:

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jump-starting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret—one that could change their society... or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

My Review:

Wow, how do I actually put this review into words. This book was so heartbreakingly beautiful that it is hard to actually write about it. I love the Austen novels that I have read so when I heard that this was based off Persuasion I know I needed to read it (even though that is one of the books I have yet to read). And this book is in my list of top books of the year, there were just so many emotions going through me while reading this book it was an amazing experience.

One thing that really made the book for me was the letters between Kai and Elliot, though readers hear about their story throughout the book, these letters give us the chance to experience their past ourselves. I was a little confused at times because the letters are not presented to readers in a chronological way, there is a lot of back and forth between many years, but you really get to see the change in the characters.

I really loved Elliot in this book. She knows what she believes in and she does everything to protect those she loves the most. Seeing what Elliot has to deal with on her own really makes her shine, she is strong and really tries to do her best while helping her family (not that they deserve it).

The romance in this book was beautifully written as well. Elliot and Kai were childhood friends but were on different sides of the fence, and now he is back with a huge chip on his shoulder. These two are so hot and cold around each other that you feel it when you're reading as well. Everything between these two is said between looks, there is barely any touching, which makes this romance even more heartbreaking.

This book has definitely made me want to read Persuasion with how beautiful the story was. I am so happy that I finally got to read this one! I'm also happy that the story of Kai and Elliot ends with this book, though it is part of a series, it's one that has other characters in the next book (I don't think it's necessary to read them in order)

Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Series: Mystic City #1

Pages: 416

Received: Received from publisher through NetGalley

Release Date: October 9, 2012
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Goodreads Synopsis:

For fans of  Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

My Review:

From the opening of this book I was hooked, the prologue definitely grabs readers attention. My first thought was... THIS is how you start a book. It is such an intense opening scene and leaves you needing to know more about what is happening. There is a huge mystery aspect to this novel involving Aria and her memories, I could see where the story was going with the memories as we slowly watch Aria begin to remember.The air of mystery behind each of the characters (who they are and what they really want) and what happened to Aria really keeps you invested in the story as well.

There was so much happening throughout this book that at times it was hard to wrap my head around everything. I liked the aspect of magic throughout this story. There are certain people that have magic (known as the mystics) and everyone is scared of what they will do to those without the powers, so magic is used to power the city. But there is more to the story, there is an politic aspect in the background of the story, and we are watching as the non-mystics attempt to join forces against the mystics.

I do admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of Aria, for a main character I found her getting on my nerves at times. Though later on in the book when she started figuring things out I became to like her a little more, she's just one of those characters that it takes time for them to grow on you.

My favourite part of this book was the ending, there is this huge fight scene that gets quite disturbing at points. But throughout you can't stop reading because it's the one thing that you are really waiting for throughout the book and it definitely is awesome. You get your fix of action in this one scene (not that there isn't some action throughout other parts of the book).

I was so excited for this book because it just sounded so interesting (disregard the idea that it is all those books mixed in one, this book is all it's own), and I have to say that it definitely delivered. I suggest checking this one out for those who are a fan of dystopians with some magic involved as well.