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HBIC Review:Emily @ What Book is That?

Title: Wondrous Strange
Author: Lesley Livingston
Page Count: 327 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: fantasy, young adult
Copy for review compliments of the public library

50 words or less: Kelley Winslow gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she gets promoted from understudy to Titania in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. For Kelley, though, faeries are about to become a very real part of her life.

Cue a dreamy sigh here, because this book is a cream puff wrapped in a doughnut with a big pile of whipped cream on top. I know the world of books is kind of saturated with faerie books right now, and personally I do find them hit or miss myself, but Wondrous Strange is a sure bet if you love creative plots, clever storytelling, enjoyable characters, and a sweet, blossoming love story.

The main character, Kelley, is an extremely likeable one- she doesn't have any kooky exceptional understanding of the extraordinary events in the story, she just rolls with the punches and tries to make the best of every day, which is admirable in the extreme. Sonny makes an excellent hero/knight in shining armor/love interest- Darklight cannot arrive soon enough at my house for me to find out what happens between them.

The politics of the faerie world are, as always, complex, and treachery lurks around every corner- Kelley finds out that she has a far more central role in all the faerie hoohah than anyone could have ever imagined. Sonny, too, finds out more about himself through the course of the book, and it'll be interesting to see what impact all these revelations have on future books. Darklight, I'm coming for you!

If you've never read a young adult book featuring faeries before or if you've read one and been disappointed, I really recommend giving Wondrous Strange a try. It's very different from other books out there and reminds me of all the reasons I fell in love with books and reading in the first place. Give it a shot!

Overall Grade: A
Blog with Bite Score: 4/4

Discussion Questions:
1.Faeries seem to be very big in YA lit lately, how does Wondrous Strange compare to others in its genre such as Lament, Wicked Lovely, etc.? Wondrous Strange is one of my favorite fey-related stories out right now, and I think it's as much because of the writing style as anything. I loved the Shakespearean parallels, and I thought the world building was very well done, and as everyone knows, I'm all about the world building.

2.How did you view the relationship with Kelley and Sonny, was it a believable romance? I thought their relationship was very sweet. I like that they didn't just jump all over each other and that they had a lot to learn about each other. It was very romantic.

3.Wondrous Strange was written in the typical fashion of paranormal literature, with the protagonist unaware of her supernatural abilities, meets boy who introduces her to the world... do you find these plot lines tiresome in their likeness, or do you believe there are always similarities within fiction and it is all about the deeper story? I admit, I'm a pretty big bossyboots when it comes to this element of stories. I don't mind if a character is just finding out about the supernatural world as long as they are not a complete doof about it. I can't stand books that go one and on and on about the character's inability to process what's going on. I find those stories repetitive. I'd much prefer a character who rolls with the situation and allows the story to keep moving to one that keeps asking "wait, what?" I think that this is one element of paranormal stories that does have to be addressed, but I think it can be skillfully done.

H B I C R E V I E W  - by Parajunkee

Wondrous Strange  by Lesley Livingston 
Paid for by me, and downloaded to my Kindle


Author's Website

PJV's Quickie POV:   Parajunkee seems to be stuck in faerie land a lot lately. Faerie themed YA, all the rage, speak to our inner child that still secretly believes in faeries. Luckily the faeries that I believed in as a wee babe weren't the scheming, sociopath faeries that Ms. Livingston brought to life in Wondrous Strange. Ms. Livingston's tale of the faerie Otherworld and the group of changelings that guard the human population from being over run by faerie monsters is fast paced and a little sweet.  Her tale brings alive a world that you can almost believe is true.  She meshes "real" faerie tales within her fiction, bringing forth characters such as Puck and Herne the Hunter, giving them personalities and back-stories that justify their legendary stories. Wondrous Strange was a fantastical, modern story of love, deception and triumph, I was thoroughly entertained and engrossed.  Can't wait to read Darklight.

Review:   Kelley Winslow, aspiring actress, has landed her dream job.  Luckily for her the actress that was playing the lead of Titania the Fairy Queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream twisted her ankle, and now Kelley has the lead.  Unfortunately, she can't seem to remember her lines. Which is how she ends up in Central Park after dark, meets a handsome, yet kind of deranged stranger, and rescues a drowning horse that later follows her home and takes up residence in her bathtub.

Talk about our weirdness.  But things don't get better, they just seem to get weirder and weirder.  Handsome Stranger, turns into crazy stalker.  Her fellow actor Bob, who is playing Puck starts making cryptic statements, her usually militant roommate is actually infatuated with the horse in the tub, even after it eats her very expensive soap. Oh yeah, and she might have glowed a bit at some point.

The stories underlying plot might not be an original one, there is a girl, who might be a bit supernatural.  Girl meets boy, who may or may not also be a bit supernatural. Boy instructs girl on her supernatural roots and they just may move to happily ever after, just if they can over-come an evil plot that is directed at the girl.  Yes, we've read this story in numerous ways, with numerous kinds of supernaturals, but as normal as the storyline is, Livingston takes the story to new heights with excellent characters, a wonderful back-drop and new spins on the tried and true paranormal YA plots.

Entertaining, well written and engaging, Wondrous Strange had me cringing in some scenes, sniffling in others and basically wanting more when it was over.  Can't wait to read Darklight. 


Recommendations:   Lovers of faeries, the supernatural and young adult novels you'll really enjoy this novel.  There is nothing vulgar or sexual in the pages, so parents have no fear.  The story can be a bit trite in some instants, but it still has a maturity that adults will enjoy.  BWB rating 3/4.

BWB Discussion Questions

1.Faeries seem to be very big in YA lit lately, how does Wondrous Strange compare to others in its genre such as Lament, Wicked Lovely, etc.? The thing I enjoy about stories of the fae is that there is such a large world out there to pull from that authors can go in so many directions.  Wonderous Strange might not have had the ethereal beauty of Lament or the gritty contemporary feel of Wicked Lovely, but that was a good thing, because it was it's own creature.  In comparison though, WS falls short of Lament, only because Steifvater is a force to be reckoned with, but surpasses Wicked Lovely. All three books were wonderful though.

2. How did you view the relationship with Kelley and Sonny, was it a believable romance? I really liked the romance, and thought it was hilarious that Kelley thought Sonny was stalking her. I think it evolved perfectly.  I can't wait to read Darklight.

3.Wondrous Strange was written in the typical fashion of paranormal literature, with the protagonist unaware of her supernatural abilities, meets boy who introduces her to the world... do you find these plot lines tiresome in their likeness, or do you believe there are always similarities within fiction and it is all about the deeper story? There is no tune that hasn't already been heard, or a story that hasn't already been told right? I think she replayed same old same old in just the right way.  There is only so many ways you can fashion a paranormal romance, just like there are only so many ways you can tell a romance.  Boy meets girl...etc.  If I start to fine these plot lines tiresome I guess I will have to find a new genre or something, on to westerns??? OMG no.

Wondrous Strange- HBIC REVIEW

Wondrous Strange - HBIC Seeker Review
Posted by Tina at Tinasbookreviews
Wondrous Strange was a love letter to all those who dream of dancing with pixies and meeting shimmering knights on horses. I loved, loved, loved it!!!!

We open our tale with flavor of A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Kelley Winslow, an aspiring actress living in New York City, practicing her lines in central park when she draws the attention of Sonny, a changeling and guard of the faerie realm. He is mysterious and intrigued by Kelley’s spark that drew him to her. That same fateful night she rescues a horse from a pond; the horse follows her home and proceeds to live in her bathtub. (The horse scenes were hilarious!) What she doesn't know is that the horse is a kelpie and Sonny is a part of the Unseelie King's elite guard, the Janus. Things get stranger as Kelley tries to figure out who Sonny is, and how she and the bathtub horse are involved.

Wondrous is told through the voices of Sonny and Kelley. Sonny fits the stereotype of a conflicted magical assassin perfectly; down to his unexplainable love of Kelley. Where things are predictable with them I loved that it wasn’t a pop out of nowhere romance. Kelley is a bit freaked out by Sonny and has normal stay away from me freak feelings. Reading through Kelley’s perspective was humorous as it was fun. I loved reading her come to terms with being a fairy, and at points the plot was a little to clean, to resolved for believability, the charms of the characters made up for that immensely. The action scenes and magical world Livingston created were doused with detail and rich visuals that portrayed a fantastic view of the Fae world.

I found the writing to flow at a fast past and thought the humor, drama and magic worked together beautifully resulting in a big cloud of cotton candy.

Swearing is minimal and the biggest sex scene is kissing, this is a lovely tale for teens and adults alike. Id recommend this for 14 and up. Blog with Bite Rating 4/4

Discussion Questions

1.Faeries seem to be very big in YA lit lately, how does Wondrous Strange compare to others in its genre such as Lament, Wicked Lovely, etc.? I think the world of the Fae was more believable and more fairyish (is that a word?) than the trendy stuff out right now, it was edgy without being extreme, ie like Tithe which took the darkness, trend and drugs to far IMO for YA.


2.How did you view the relationship with Kelley and Sonny, was it a believable romance? I loved the romance....I think it started the right way....kelley was freaked out at first but then slowly fell for him, as slow as you can in a 200 something book.

3.Wondrous Strange was written in the typical fashion of paranormal literature, with the protagonist unaware of her supernatural abilities, meets boy who introduces her to the world... do you find these plot lines tiresome in their likeness, or do you believe there are always similarities within fiction and it is all about the deeper story? Im finding them a bit overdone.....but I did enjoy this story, I thought it was sweet.........

Wondrous Strange - Deadline Today & Discussion Questions

Don't forget today is the deadline for the Wondrous Strange reviews. Our Top Reviewer will receive a signed copy of Darklight provided by the author, Lesley Livingston! {DETAILS}

You can have reviewed Wondrous Strange at any time, as long as you submit it here (link above - Submit Review - ) and include a Blog with Bite banner.

Review deadline is at midnight tonight CST.  Judging of the reviews will begin tomorrow. Thanks!

Here are some discussion questions for everyone, purely optional, to spark conversation about the book.

1. Faeries seem to be very big in YA lit lately, how does Wondrous Strange compare to others in its genre such as Lament, Wicked Lovely, etc.?
2. How did you view the relationship with Kelley and Sonny, was it a believable romance?
3. Wondrous Strange was written in the typical fashion of paranormal literature, with the protagonist unaware of her supernatural abilities, meets boy who introduces her to the world... do you find these plot lines tiresome in their likeness, or do you believe there are always similarities within fiction and it is all about the deeper story?

Blog with Bite February Features!

February Blog with Bite Features - Polls Are Closed and the Winners are in!

Our February Adult Selection will by The Host, by Stephanie Meyer. 

Description (Barnes & Noble):
Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.

February YA Selection will be Firespell (Dark Elite, Book 1) by Chloe Neill

Description from Amazon.com

New Girl.
New School.
Old Evil.

From the author of the Chicagoland Vampires novels.

A new series about a boarding school filled with something worse than homework.

Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...

Wondrous Strange Tid Bits

Fun Book Trailer Time...

Major Announcement!!!! Signed Copy of Darklight!

For those of you planning on reviewing Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston.  Major News! Ms. Livingston was gracious enough to offer a SIGNED copy of Darklight for our Top Reviewer. 

That's right! Your talented review can get you the next book in the series. Personalized just for you.

Note: Some reviewers have already turned in their reviews.  Reviews have not been read yet...if you would like to revise in the spirit of competition, we will not be judging until probably Feb 1st.  Winner will be announced shortly after.

This is not a giveaway, this is a competition, reviews will be judged on writing ability and content.  Here are the rules & judging guidelines:

1. Winner of our the Top Reviewer award will receive a signed copy of Darklight by Lesley Livingston
2. To enter this competition, please submit a review of Wondrous Strange through our Submit Review link above
3. Deadline to enter your review is January 30th
4. Blog with Bite banner must be placed on the review
5. You can have written this review at any time in the past, just have your link ready and the banner on the post

Judging Guidelines:

1. Judging will begin the day after all reviews are entered
2. Judges are the Blog with Bite HBIC's, Parajunkee, Tina & Emily
3. Judges promise to comment on your review once they have read it.
   
4. Like all past Top Reviewer judging, reviews are read through and the following criteria is taken into account:
1. Is the review coherent and makes sense?
2. Are there spelling errors & grammar issues?
3. If the reviewer stated likes and dislikes did they give examples?
4. Were you entertained by the review?
5. Was there a Blog with Bite banner on the review?

If you have an questions, please comment and we will try our best to answer as soon as possible.

Thanks everyone, and I'm hoping this will be come a common occurrence with our group reviews.

Winners! Beautiful Creature Winners!

Thank you for every one who entered the Beautiful Creatures Giveaway here at the Blog with Bite.  I think this was our biggest giveaway turn out yet, with just under 100 entrants with a total of 349 entries in all.  Thanks guys, and stay tuned for the next contest, coming sooner than you think!  Also if anyone has read Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston, the review deadline is the 30th...and word on the street is that there might be something special for this books Top Reviewer!


Ok enough with all the yammering, here are our winners. Courtesy of random.org #s 1-349


#36 Elizabeth Lefebvre
#123 Stacy Stew

Thanks again to Alice Morley @
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for offering up the copies of Beautiful Creatures for Giveaway!

READ WONDROUS STRANGE ONLINE FOR FREE!

What timing! Woot Woot. Whoa is us that already bought this book, but if you haven't here is the link from Goodreads.com that brings you to the HarperTeen Website:

http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061575372&WT.mc_id=PBAN_GOODREADS_DARKLIGHT_012010

Wondrous Strange - January YA BWB Book

Blog with Bite's January YA Feature is Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

The review deadline for the feature is January 30th so pick up your copy today!

 

 

From Author's Web Site:

Kelley Winslow is living her dream. Seventeen years old, she has moved to New York City and started work with a theatre company. Sure, she's an understudy for the Avalon Players, a third-tier repertory company so far off-Broadway it might as well be in Hoboken, but things are looking up—the lead has broken her ankle and Kelley's about to step into the role of Titania the Fairy Queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Faeries are far more real than Kelley thinks, though, and a chance encounter in Central Park with a handsome young man will plunge her into an adventure she could never have imagined.

For Sonny Flannery, one of the Janus Guards charged by Auberon, the King of Winter, with watching over the gate into the lands of Faerie that lies within Central Park, the pretty young actress presents an enigma. Strong and willful, she sparks against his senses like a firecracker and he can't get her out of his mind. As  Hallowe'en approaches and the Samhain Gate opens, Sonny and Kelley find themselves drawn to each other—and into a terrible plot that could spell disaster for both New York and Faerie alike.

This debut novel that puts a fresh new spin on classic fairy lore. Wondrous Strange blends a gripping plot with fully-believable characters, fascinating ideas and just the right amount of romance to create a story that is vivid, thrilling and engaging.  Readers of Herbie Brennan, Holly Black and Melissa Marr will find a new favorite in Lesley Livingston.

Vote for February Books- Adult Title! (book 1)

It's time to pick books for February! Don't forget, we'll be reading/reviewing one adult title and one young adult title. Reviews for book one are due February 13th. Reviews for book two are due February 27th. As always, all images and descriptions are from Goodreads.

Here are the choices for book one, the adult title for February:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer- The author of the Twilight series of # 1 bestsellers delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake.

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves-Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel that will bring a vast new readership to one of the most compelling writers of our time.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley- Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, lives a quiet life working at her stepfather's bakery. One night, she goes out to the lake for some peace and quiet. Big mistake. She is set upon by vampires, who take her to an old mansion. They chain her to the wall and leave her with another vampire, who is also chained. But the vampire, Constantine, doesn't try to eat her. Instead, he implores her to tell him stories to keep them both sane. Realizing she will have to save herself, Sunshine calls on the long-forgotten powers her grandmother began to cultivate in her when she was a child. She transforms her pocketknife into a key and unchains herself--and Constantine. Surprised, he agrees to flee with her when she offers to protect him from the sun with magic. They escape back to town, but Constantine knows his enemies won't be far behind, which means that he and Sunshine will have to face them together. A luminous, entrancing novel with an enthralling pair of characters at its heart.

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep- "My name is Gin, and I kill people."

My name is Gin Blanco. They call me the Spider — the most feared assassin in the South (and a part-time cook at the Pork Pit BBQ joint.) As a Stone elemental, I can hear the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet and feel the vibrations of the soaring mountains above me, though I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

After a ruthless Air elemental double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way. I may look hot in a miniskirt, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble when irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine agrees to help. The last thing a coldhearted killer needs when she's battling a magic more powerful than her own is a sexy distraction ... especially when he wants her dead just as much as the enemy.

Darkborn by Alison Sinclair- For the Darkborn, sunlight kills. For the Lightborn, darkness is fatal. Living under a centuries-old curse, the Darkborn and the Lightborn share the city of Minhorne, coexisting in an uneasy equilibrium but never interacting. When Darkborn physician Balthasar Hearne finds a pregnant fugitive on his doorstep just before sunrise, he has no choice but to take her in. Tercelle Amberley’s betrothed is a powerful Darkborn nobleman, but her illicit lover came to her through the daytime. When she gives birth to twin boys, they can see, something unheard of among the Darkborn. When men come for the boys, Balthasar is saved by the intervention of his Lightborn neighbor—and healed by the hands of his wife, Telmaine. Soon he finds himself drawn deeper into political intrigue and magical attacks, while Telmaine must confront a power she can no longer keep sheathed in gloves, a power she neither wants nor can control.

Beyond the Night by Joss Ware- A man with no future...
When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott's extraordinary new "gift" – he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences.

A woman with a past
Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one... until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart?

If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that takes them beyond danger.

Beyond desire.
Beyond the night.

Vote for February Books- YA Title! (book 2)

It's time to pick books for February! Don't forget, we'll be reading/reviewing one adult title and one young adult title. Reviews for book one are due February 13th. Reviews for book two are due February 27th. As always, all images and descriptions are from Goodreads.

Here are the choices for book two, the YA title for February:
The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore- Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.

Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?

The Devouring by Simon Holt- "When dark creeps in and eats the light,
Bury your fears on Sorry Night.
For in the winter's blackest hours,
Comes the feasting of the Vours,
No one can see it, the life they stole,
Your body's here but not your soul..."

THE VOURS: Evil, demonic beings that inhabit human bodies on Sorry Night, the darkest hours of the winter solstice.

When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?

The Devouring is an engrossing tale of terror that will have you wondering: what if your worst fears became your living nightmare?

Firespell by Chloe Neill- As the new girl at the elite St. Sophia’s boarding school, Lily Parker thinks her classmates are the most monstrous things she’ll have to face…

When Lily’s guardians decided to send her away to a fancy boarding school in Chicago, she was shocked. So was St. Sophia’s. Lily’s ultra-rich brat pack classmates think Lily should be the punchline to every joke, and on top of that, she’s hearing strange noises and seeing bizarre things in the shadows of the creepy building.

The only thing keeping her sane is her roommate, Scout, but even Scout’s a little weird—she keeps disappearing late at night and won’t tell Lily where she’s been. But when a prank leaves Lily trapped in the catacombs beneath the school, Lily finds Scout running from a real monster.

Scout’s a member of a splinter group of rebel teens with unique magical talents, who’ve sworn to protect the city against demons, vampires, and Reapers, magic users who’ve been corrupted by their power. And when Lily finds herself in the line of a firespell, Scout tells her the truth about her secret life, even though Lily has no powers of her own—at least none that she’s discovered yet…

Evernight by Claudia Gray-

Bianca wants to escape.

She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in.

Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him.

"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would."

But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner- The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

Janni Lee Simner’s first novel for young adults is a dark fairy-tale twist on apocalyptic fiction—as familiar as a nightmare, yet altogether unique.

Soulless Top Reviewer - Strange & Random Happenstance

Miss Eliza @ Strange & Random Happenstance

Support her blog by becoming a follower!

Here is her review:

Soulless: The Parasol Protectorate Book 1 by Gail Carriger
Published by: Orbit
Publication Date: September 29th, 2009
Format: Paperback, 382 Pages
Rating: ★★★★
To Buy

It is the reign of Queen Victoria and the British Empire is vast and ever expanding, thanks in part to the Werewolves and Vampires. The supernatural are acknowledged the world over, but only England has truly accepted them into their daylight world and even into Victoria's government. They even have their own watchdog agency, BUR, the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. This revelation has resulted in technology exploding in the industrial era to harness the power of steam and create a veritable Wellsian world. Now Alexia Tarabotti enters into our story. Alexia deftly straddles these two worlds, not supernatural and not fully human, she is preternatural, soulless, and can cancel out supernatural powers. Preternatural's being used for centuries, particularly by the Templars, to hunt and kill supernaturals. But these are not Alexia's concerns...she's more worried about finding a nice cup of tea and a little something to eat...if a party says that there is to be food, food there should be! What else is a spinster who tragically takes after her dead Italian father in looks and is extremely outspoken to do at parties specifically designed to marry off her two step sisters? But her peace, and the treacle tart, are destroyed by a surprisingly ignorant vampire. She prevailes with her trusty parasol and BUR, in particular, Alpha Lord Maccon and Beta Professor Lyall, arrive on the scene to tidy up the loose ends.

The next day dawns surprisingly normal, till out on a walk with her best friend, and fashion victim, Ivy Hisselpenny, Alexia is invited to the hive of the Vampire Queen, Countess Nadasdy. From there everything goes pear shaped and it's up to Alexia to sort it out, despite Lord Maccon's interference, in more ways then one, some of them surprisingly intimate. There are disappearing rogue vampires and werewolves, and not even her trusty go to gossip, the vampire dandy Lord Akeldama knows what to make of it. With the full moon fast approaching will Alexia be able to keep her overly large nose out of this supernatural business? Or will she storm into the fray, trusting parasol (made to her specifications) in hand And will she get the man even though she has been a resigned spinster since the age of 15?

Soulless is the author Gail Carriger's first published work. I have to say I'm surprised and impressed. Surprised in that it is such a well written polished piece with great Victorian vernacular and lots of wit. Plus as an aside, I only found maybe two typos, it's unheard of for a book to be that well copy edited! But what impressed me was the author's world creation. The England of dirigibles and dandys is wonderful. I found the science and the history she created to be easy to understand, despite it's complexities, and I can't wait till the next book to re-immerse myself in this world...too bad I have to wait till March! The interaction of science with the supernatural was also so well done and logical, you never once felt that she was trying to force one or the other on a preexisting history of the British Empire, but was explaining the oddities of the British Empire itself with the world she created. If only Prince Albert were still alive...I can picture him with Professor Lyall, both equipped with Glassicals and studying the latest scientific aspects of chloroform while waiting to give a presentation to The Royal Society.

Overall the book was able to work on many levels, one of which was to overcome typical romance genre stereotypes. I don't think I'll ever really like Ivy Hisselpenny, she is too, wide-eyed innocent best friend who Alexia will endeavor to find a good match for in subsequent books. Also the throwing together of the heroine with the gruff hero so early in the novel was surprising to me, usually they wait till the very last moment. But Carriger made this work in the end with not the least bit of diluted suspense and the conclusion made me wish I hand Changeless right away to dive into to read of Maccon and Alxia's further adventures. Alexia herself is so wonderfully abrasive and forthright and knowledgeable with such a love of food you can't help embracing her instantly. Who cares that she's the typical spinster stereotype, because when you get down to it, there is nothing stereotypical about her. She is a woman who takes after Victoria herself, not those insipid heroines always needing a man to save them.

But now I must get to my favorite character, Lord Akeldama. He's a dandy to be sure, and a rogue vampire due to a mysterious disagreement over waistcoats, but he's so much more. He's a complex little spy who loves Alexia because she makes him feel human. But his spy network is really where it's at. His trusty Drones, led by Biffy. These dandy's are everywhere and hear everything, but at the same time are so stereotypical and a product of their time that they are a part of the scenery. They are perfectly calculated by Akeldama to be his eyes and ears lending him the appearance of omniscience. Also lets not forget they are great little helpers, in every sense of the word. Do to their cackling dandy herd mentality and the name of Drones and knowing that the author is a fan of P.G. Wodehouse, I can't help myself envisioning a whole different take on the Drones Club. This one would be more stylish, with lots more purple silk and more overt Wildean overtones. I would pay to read about that...really I would. Perhaps in an upcoming sequel by Gail Carriger...

I'm reposting my review as part of Blog with Bite's Soulless propaganda. This book is so wonderful and original and funny and easily one of the best books I've read recently! So, I figured, if you're on the fence or newer to my blog, you might need a gentle prod... consider yourself prodded!

Soulless Reviewers

Thank you to all the participants of the Soulless review! If you didn't get to participate in Soulless, we will be doing our next review on January 30th for Wondrous Strange.



Here are all the Soulless reviews, which one is your favorite??

Poisoned Rationality
Fishmuffins of Doom
Book Rat
My 5 Monkeys
Strange & Random Happenstance
The Bibliophilic Book Blog
Not-Really-Southern Vamp Chick

TinasBookReviews
What Book is That?

Parajunkee's View

Emily @ What Book is That? HBIC Review: Soulless

Title: Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
Page Count: 373 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: steampunk, paranormal romance
Copy for review was from my personal library

50 words or less: It's Victorian! It's steampunk! Vampires! Werewolves! Love! Society! Manners! Sentence fragments!

I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of a fan of paranormal romance/urban fantasy books. It's hard for me to articulate what, precisely, it is that I like about them; I just know that I really enjoy them and that I have read a lot of them.

I can safely say with 100% certainty that I have not read anything like Soulless. This book takes a variety of concepts that seem to have nothing in common, throws them in the literary SlapChop, and comes out with something droll, unique, and quite, quite fun.

I will say at the onset that I don't think this is a book for everyone; it does appeal to a certain sense of humor, and if you like your paranormal romances all dark and brooding and serious and self-absorbed, then you might have to look elsewhere for your literary indulgence. If that sort of thing reminds you of having a rash, then odds are you'll find something that stands up and grabs you about Soulless.

For me, there were three things that grabbed me about Soulless. First and probably foremost, the cast of characters. This is not your typical vampires-and-werewolves book, nor is the heroine (Miss Alexia Tarrabotti) your typical heroine. Alexia is quite aware of all the supernatural shenanigans and goings-on in her world and deals with them in a sensible and straightforward way, thank you very much. I LOVED THIS. All too often I find myself wanting to grab female lead characters in these books and shake them and ask what the hell is wrong with them. I did not have that problem in this book at all.

Lord Maccon makes an excellent hero for this book, if only because he's such a perfect foil for Alexia. They work together perfectly, and their relationship develops at just the right pace, giving the reader plenty of time to enjoy my second favorite thing about this book, which is...

The steampunk element. If you haven't read anything in the steampunk vein before, this is a good introduction. The author's website has a really good page describing what, exactly, steampunk is as well. I'm a complete detail and gadget nerd when it comes to steampunk novels; the more details the better, but I understand that not everyone has this condition. As a book, Soulless understands this as well, and provides enough details to be descriptive without being overbearing.

Did someone say details? That, conveniently, is the third thing that really stood up and shouted hooray about this book. The author works a variety of details about clothing, food, fashion, mannerisms, and Victorian society into the novel without ever bogging it down. I especially loved the descriptions of the food; the fact that Alexia gets into the predicament that becomes the basis of the book because there were no acceptable snack offerings at an event struck me as exceptionally funny.

All right, time for me to think of a criticism for this book. I suppose, if I had to pick, I would say that the book, in terms of dialogue especially, assumes a certain level of familiarity with the time period and with ideas, attitudes, and modes of behavior therein. I found a lot of the conversations regarding science, for example, to be quite funny, but those who aren't familiar with what ideas were prevalent at the time might wonder just what in the hell the author is going on about. Personally, it made me want to dig out my history books.

Overall, Soulless is a fun, enjoyable read that's currently enjoying a prominent place on my keeper shelf. I will totally be buying Changeless, the next book in the series, when it comes out in March.

And now for something completely different:

Thank you.

Overall Grade: A+
Blog with Bite Grade: 4/4

HBIC Review Soulless

Soulless by Gail Carriger posted by Tina at Tinasbookreviews

A Blog with Bite January Adult Selection

Tinas quick synopsis: Soulless is a blend of Victorian romance, screwball comedy and paranormal goodies galore. Prickly Alexia Tarabotti is unmarriageable, she's also soulless, an oddity and a secret even in a 19th-century London that accepts and integrates werewolf packs, vampire hives and ghosts. Lord Maccon, an Alpha werewolf and government official, is causing many problems for Alexia…one of them being hot flashes everytime he looks at her……..another being the fact they can’t stand each other....sound familiar, yet another I hate you, NOW kiss me you fool books. After Alexia kills a vampire with her parasol, (which was hilariously funny) she and Maccon must work together to solve a supernatural mystery that grows quite steampunkly (is that a word?) romantic.

The world-building in Soulless was clever and well written in regards to creating steampunk London; the visual detail really put you in this crazy world, though I didn’t connect to the paranormal aspect Carriger tried to create. I loved the British dialog but the mixing of Jane Austin meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn’t work for me. Perhaps I’m in a foul mood today, because my love going into Soulless dried up after page 100. The dialog to me became verbose and all of Alexia’s funny quirks that I liked in the beginning of the story got on my nerves towards the end of the book.

I did enjoy the love story between Alexia and Maccon, it was like reading about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett only Ninja style with mad skills. The book was very humorous, yet I felt the mixture of plots were competing against each other. It was hard to immerse myself in this environment because the story couldn't decide if it was a love story, a gothic story, a paranormal story, a British humor story or a book all about Alexia's prominent nose. Is there a problem with olive skinned, dark haired women in England or something??????

Every author puts their own spin on concepts of vampires and werewolves, and for the most part she sticks to the basics (like blood and undead) she adds her own flare to things - like how vampires have influenced fashion and I quote, "pale, my dears is very much in"….ugh- vampires with fashion how delightful!! I think I prefer the sparkly ones next to high society vamps. Not all the paranormal aspects were bad, I loved the werewolves in this and Alexia's gifts as a soul sucker kicked major how do I say this...Arse....I'm so not up to date on my British lingo, I've begged my husband to speak in a British accent...its so sexy....he won't do it...shucks.......guess all those Brit actors will have to do it for me.....

The book was a quick read and at points very fun, I like my paranormal edgy so this didn't deliver for me...... Steampunk and British culture fans will have a blast with this one….hard core paranormal junkies- it’s a toss-up.

BWB Rating 2/4,  Paranormal, steampunk, love story

Discussion Questions

1.With the rise in popularity of steampunk trends, do you think the dialog and environment created in Soulless fitting within the paranormal genre? No- the reason being, I couldn't connect the steampunk with the society and the paranormal. Perhaps I like my PR dark and edgy and intense, I thought this was more of a comedy.

2.For better or worse, Soulless throws together a lot of unconventional story elements. What ones worked for you? What ones didn't? Will you be reading the next book in the series, Changeless?

I liked the love story, and the whole society Carriger carried, but I couldnt connect them all to the paranmoral world, it was funny for a few hours then I just lost my interest......I will not read Changeless.

3.The comedic tone of the novel was ever present even when the novel was at it's darkest plot-threads. Do you think this added to the depth of the novel and characters or did it trivialize the plot? For me it was trivialized, and thats why I thought the paranormal threads didn't work, thunking a vampire on the head with a parasol....(funny, but not typical vampire genre)

Soulless by Gail Carriger HBIC Review - Parajunkee

H B I C R E V I E W  - by Parajunkee

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate)

Downloaded to my Kindle from Amazon.com - paid for by me.
Author's Website

PJV's Quickie POV:  A charming and very witty mix of a multitude of sub-genres.  Soulless kept me fixated on the plot while entertaining me throughout with laugh-out-loud moments and I think I might have even blushed a few times.  Even the author description was entertaining in its hilarity.

Review: Miss Alexia Tarabotti has accepted her spinster status and the fact that she is not in possession of soul like a true lady.  Her mother and two half-sisters might be veritable dim-wits and they even might have given her the worst room in the house, but life isn't that bad.  She has a wonderful library left to her by her deceased father (the originator of her soulless status) and she is allowed a bit more freedom now that she is a spinster.

Miss Tarabotti's life has taken on a certain pattern, that is of course until she kills a vampire - and all she really wanted was to get something to eat! Lord Maccon, a werewolf, whom seems to be just barely civilized, is sent to investigate the murder of the ill-fated vampire and the shenanigans begin.

This novel is in possession of a wonderfully witty tone, a boat-load of refreshing secondary characters and descriptions that suck you in and make you believe you are in the Victorian age. I enjoyed everything about this book.  The plot is deep and well thought out.  The main characters are wonderful and very likable. The tone is consistent with gritty humor and almost a sexy innocence. The dialog was excellent! I'm usually not a historical fan, but I'm a fan of this book.  Can not wait to read Changeless. 

Problems with the book were few and far between.  The author does tend to be a bit long winded, but the descriptions paint a wonderful picture.  I thought the epilogue was a bit too much, could have edited a bit of that out.


Recommendations: This is an adult novel, but is not over the top in the sexual escapades or violence, I would not be opposed to passing this on to a teen. Pick a sub-genre any sub-genre, fans of urban fantasy, steampunk, historical - take your pick fans of any and all of those genres should read this book.  I must state that I am not the biggest fan of steampunk or historical and I still very much enjoyed this book.

BWB Rating 4/4

Blog with Bite Discussion Questions:

1. With the rise in popularity of steampunk trends, do you think the dialog and environment created in Soulless fitting within the paranormal genre?

I think the novel worked perfectly.  The unique steampunk/urban fantasy world was a refreshing take on the normal paranormal tones that are rampant in books these days.  This was a very unique perspective and I don't believe books should be fettered to any particular parameters set by other novels in the genre. 

2. For better or worse, Soulless throws together a lot of unconventional story elements. What ones worked for you? What ones didn't? Will you be reading the next book in the series, Changeless?

They all seemed to work for me, I highly enjoyed this novel and I loved the mix of story elements. I thought the comedic tone worked very well with the Victorian setting, mix that all together with the paranormal aspects and it was even more entertaining. I will be reading Changeless, if I didn't have some review deadlines I would have downloaded it today.

3. The comedic tone of the novel was ever present even when the novel was at it's darkest plot-threads. Do you think this added to the depth of the novel and characters or did it trivialize the plot?

During the climax when all the action took place the comedic tone wasn't as prevalent but the lightness of the author's voice was still there.  This may not have conveyed the severity of the situation like another novel might have - SPOILER - they were draining her friend of all his blood and still there was a light tone, which might have trivialized it a bit.  But I think I grasped the intensity of the climax.

Soulless Discussion Questions

1. With the rise in popularity of steampunk trends, do you think the dialog and environment created in Soulless fitting within the paranormal genre?
2. For better or worse, Soulless throws together a lot of unconventional story elements.  What ones worked for you?  What ones didn't?  Will you be reading the next book in the series, Changeless?
3. The comedic tone of the novel was ever present even when the novel was at it's darkest plot-threads. Do you think this added to the depth of the novel and characters or did it trivialize the plot?
   
   

BWB Contest! Beautiful Creatures Giveaway!

The Blog with Bite is giving away 2 copies of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Provided by Alice @ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Scroll down for contest rules.

From authors' website:
Some loves are meant to be…
others are cursed.

There were no surprises
in Gatlin County.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have
been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end,
there was a grave.


To read the Blog With Bite Top Review for Beautiful Creatures Click Here


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• Contest Ends January 22nd Midnight CST
  

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Soulless Blog with Bite January Adult Feature

 Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate) by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Blog with Bite is doing thing differently this go-round.  There will be no sign up deadline.  Just a review deadline.  Review deadline is January 15th.  So get your reviews in by the 15th and they will be counted for the Top Reviewer awards.