Mini Reviews: the First in the Summer Catch Up Addition

In order to do a review catch up, I've decided to share some mini thoughts about the books I've read in the last few months. Here's the first batch.

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Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

The heart-pounding sequel to the acclaimed romantic fantasy

For star-crossed lovers Nimira and Erris, there can be no happily ever after until Erris is freed from the clockwork form in which his soul is trapped. And so they go in search of the sorcerer Ordoria Valdana, hoping he will know how to grant Erris real life again. When they learn that Valdana has mysteriously vanished, it's not long before Nimira decides to take matters into her own hands-and begins to study the sorcerer's spell books in secret. Yet even as she begins to understand the power and limitations of sorcery, it becomes clear that freeing Erris will bring danger-if not out-and-out war-as factions within the faerie world are prepared to stop at nothing to prevent him from regaining the throne.

Review:

It seems like with every one of Jaclyn Dolamore's books her talent as an author grows tremendously, and that was just the cause with Magic Under Stone, Dolamore's third book and the sequel to Magic Under Glass. From the first page, I was thrown back into the mysterious, deadly, and thrilling world of Nimiara and Erris, who are still on the search to find a way to free Erris from the clockwork. However, the trail is filled with twists, turns, and surprises that no one could have expected. I loved nearly every single moment of this one. Nimiara and Erris grew as characters, and I felt like they're bond as a couple was stronger and more magical than ever. Plus I enjoyed the vast set of secondary characters introduced in this one. The ending provided was extremely satisfactory, and even though everything seems to be warped up for good this time, I'm still hoping for a third book. In all, if you loved or even just liked Magic Under Glass, be sure to give Magic Under Stone a chance! Trust me...it's even better.

Magic Under Stone (Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Netgalley

Loss (Riders of the Apocalypse #3) by Jackie Morse Kessler  

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on. But things change drastically when Death tells Billy he must stand in as Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Now armed with a Bow that allows him to strike with disease from a distance, Billy lashes out at his tormentors...and accidentally causes an outbreak of meningitis. Horrified by his actions, Billy begs Death to take back the Bow. For that to happen, says Death, Billy must track down the real White Rider, and stop him from unleashing something awful on humanity—something that could make the Black Plague look like a summer cold. Does one bullied teenager have the strength to stand his ground—and the courage to save the world?

Review:

After completing both Hunger and Rage, the first two books in the Riders of the Apocalypse series, I've come to eagerly anticipate a new Kessler book every spring. I admire the way in which Jackie picks a tough issue or two and tackles them in every one of her books, because not only does she provide a realistic and believable story, but one that offers a leg of support and help to teens going through the same thing. This book in particular discussed the topics of Alzheimer’s in a family as well as bullying through Billy Ballard's life. At the start of the book, Billy is a sad and lonely teenager going through his grandfather's failing health as well as his own problems at school. Billy lacks the courage and strength to stand up for what he wants, but with the help of Death as well as the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Billy begins to grow as a character tremendously as well as help solve a life or death situation. Furthermore, I really enjoyed Jackie's writing in this one. In all, Loss is yet anther intriguing addition to the series. I can't wait to see what's next!

Loss (Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Netgalley

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

Review:

Despite hearing excellent thing after thing about Graffiti Moon as well as its author, it took me a while to give both a try, but now that I have, all I can say is "WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?!" To say the very least, this book was spectacular! I adored the whole premise from the very start as well as the idea of the whole story taking place over one single night. It made everything move in a super fast pace, but one that never left me felt like I was missing anything. Quite the opposite, actually, because I felt this one was beautifully developed and executed. I really enjoyed the characters of Lucy and Ed, two teens who seem to fit the stereotypes they've been given, but don't...not at all actually. I also enjoyed the wide variety of other characters introduced. Each added perfect little sparks to the book to make it nothing short of perfect. Lastly, the conclusion? LOVED IT! In all, Graffiti Moon is certainly a book you can't miss this year!

Graffiti Moon (Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Netgalley

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Check back for some more mini-reviews tomorrow, as I continue to play catch up! :)

Review: Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

She comes from the oceans; 

he comes from the skies. 

They'll find love somewhere in between

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

Review:

As soon as I first heard about Between the Sea and Sky, I knew I had to read it. Because not only did it contain two of my favorite topics in YA- mermaids and mythology- but it also was a book by Jaclyn Dolamore, an author who managed to enchant me with her first release, Magic Under Glass. Luckily, Between the Sea and Sky was everything I hoped it would be and even more!

Between the Sea and Sky had many good things going for it, and one of them, without a doubt, was the world building. I always love reading about mermaids, and when they’re underwater world is beautifully described and easy to picture, it makes it all the better. But the lovely descriptions and world building didn’t end there. Instead, Jaclyn also managed to bring to life the human world as well as the winged people’s world. I especially loved seeing more about the winged people, because I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with creatures exactly like them.

Going along with the world building was the plot. As briefly mentioned before, I always found it interesting to read about the customs and such the mermaids as well as the winged people had. Plus, the main plot line in this book- Esmerine searching for her sister with the aid of Alandare- was well delivered as well as action packed. What I enjoyed most about it, however, were the things that came from it, such as former friendship between Esmerine and Alandare rekindling and Esmerine’s own feelings about the human world as well as her own reforming because of it. It made for an interesting book to say the least.

In addition, the characters…would it be hard to believe to say that I loved nearly every one of them? Because I did. Esmerine was easy to root for and love from the beginning, because her search for her sister showed what a kind person she was and it would be hard not to like someone who saw the world in the  innocent way Esmerine did. Moreover, Esmerine loved books. So how hypercritical would it be if I didn’t enjoy reading about her? ;) Another favorite of mine was Alandare. He was somewhat standoff-ish at first, but it was easy to see how much of a softie he was deep down, especially when it came to Esmerine. I also enjoyed the addition of Alandare’s friends at the bookshop and Esmerine’s as well as Alandare’s families.

Last but not least, I really enjoyed the writing in this one as well. Jaclyn wrote Between the Sea and Sky in such a simple yet breathtaking way. Plus her descriptions were some of my absolute favorite parts of the book!

Enchanting as well as romantic, Between the Sea and Sky is one book I can’t suggest highly enough, especially to those of you who love fairy tale like books. However, word of warning: this book will probably add a new favorite author to your list: Jaclyn Dolamore. 

Grade: A

Between the Sea and Sky (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out! 

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Quick Qs and As with Jaclyn Dolamore

Today, I have a very special guest here on Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf! Who is it, you may ask. Well, no one other than the fabulous Jaclyn Dolamore, author of Magic Under Glass! So, without a further ado, here's my interview with her.

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What are three words that best describe Magic Under Glass?

Three words? Do you know how long writers spend trying to get it down just to one sentence? How about:

Automaton Love Angst.

That sounds kind of like an album.

Which character in Magic Under Glass do you relate to the most?

Maybe Erris? Because he is more open with his emotions than the other characters. I'm definitely not so tough and proud as Nim. Not that she doesn't open up emotionally in this novel, but... yeah, none of them are that much like me, but they all have aspects I relate to.

Do you have a favorite scene or line in Magic Under Glass? If so, would you mind sharing with us a bit about it?

I must confess I really love to torture the love interest. My favorite scene is near the end where the villain is having his "moment" and subsequently Erris and Nimira are in considerable agony. Of course, I can enjoy this knowing it will all turn out, but nevertheless... enjoy it I do. Muhaha.

How did the title Magic Under Glass come to be?

It's kind of funny. Originally there was this magical machine that looked like a glass coffin that played a huge part. By the time my agent acquired it, the role of the machine had been much diminished, and my editor asked me to cut it entirely. Originally, that was actually the magic under glass! The title just came to me and felt right. But I kept it because there are still the fairies under glass, and their imprisonment mirrors the character's situation.

If Magic Under Glass had a theme song, what would it be?

The Everly Brothers' "Love Hurts." Everyone in the book seems quite unlucky in love! I always imagined this montage to that song of everyone brooding about alone.

What’s one of the most interesting comments you’ve received about your book so far?

Well... if you read reviews, which I have tried to stop doing, you see some very strange comments. There is a review out there where someone says they got a giggle from a statue described comparably to the Statue of Liberty being called the Goddess of Wisdom. That made me blink a bit... I had never considered the Statue of Liberty! I just think "green" and "crown" with the Statue of Liberty, never considered what she was holding. It's strange to see other people noticing things in your book that you never thought of. Sometimes it's cool when they make a connection, and other times it's just like... "huh?" or "oh dear."

How does it feel knowing your book is in stores?

Um...scary? Haha.

Is there any book out there that you just wish you had written yourself?

Not really, because I like my books and I like other people's books, but other people's books aren't MY book. But, I have been blown away by Kristin Cashore's first two novels. The emotional depth is just incredible, and I love the characters, and that's something I strive for. I'm crazy-excited for BITTERBLUE.

I'm crazy-excited for BITTERBLUE too! What’s your typical day like?

I get up, check my e-mail, then do some stretching, and make lunch which is usually salad. I usually do my writing after lunch, and some reading too if I've gotten in enough writing for the day. I have to take it really easy lately because I've had a repetitive stress injury and I've realized I'm a workaholic. I have to force myself not to do more work than I need to. Then I make dinner, and usually spend the rest of the evening with my partner Dade or whatever else calls to me. My life is fairly boring. But being boring is cheap.

What’s up next for you book-wise? A sequel to Magic Under Glass perhaps?

The next book is Between the Sea and Sky. It's about a mermaid in love with a winged guy. It's set in the same world as Magic Under Glass. After that, the sequel to MUG, Magic Under Stone!

Ooh, both sound great! Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thanks for having me!

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No, thank you! :)

Further links:

My Review of Magic Under Glass
Jaclyn's books on Amazon/Barnes and Noble
Jaclyn's website

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Summary:

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

Review:

Magic Under Glass was a magical and enthralling novel that was easy to get lost in.


From page one, you are introduced to Nimira, a girl that went from lavish everything to barley getting by day by day. Though she is given the chance of a lifetime when Holin Perry hires her. Nimira was a likable character from the start because she just brought such a fun light to the story and I loved seeing her friendship with Erris develop over time. Holin Perry, on the other hand, was someone I didn't like a whole ton because of the fact that he was weak and just an overall pushover who needed to get in control of his life. Moving on, Smollings was simply the definition of a perfect villain and while I did loathe him much because of the fact that the ruined many things, I still found it interesting to see just how far he would go to make Nimira, Hollin, and Erris' lives a living nightmare.
 
The whole premise was intriguing and fully original. I mean faires and characters falling in love with a person locked in an automaton? How could you go wrong? Plus, as said briefly above, Jaclyn Dolamore writing was up to par and the world she created was easy to get lost in.

My only complaint? Well, I felt the ending could have tied things up a bit better. Though, maybe that lack of tying things up means a sequel is coming soon. :)

In all, Magic Under Glass is yet another debut book that introduces you to a fab new author that you should definitely be keeping an eye out for.

I suggest this to fans of Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy.
 
Grade: B+
 

Magic Under Glass is now out in the U.S. and will be released February 1st in the UK, with the cover shown to the left!
 
Source: Publisher. Thanks Anna!