Vampire Academy: Outside My Comfort Zone Review

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Goodreads' description: "Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever..."

Technically I read this one last year, even if I didn't get around to reviewing it until now, so I'm counting it towards last year's "Read Outside Your Comfort Zone" Challenge. (I'm not hosting this challenge this year, but I will still be trying to broaden my comfort zone boundaries a bit, so you'll probably see a few reviews like this throughout the year.)

Why is it outside my comfort zone? Vampires...something about the whole sucking-your-blood gorefest has me more than a little wary of this sub-genre of paranormal YA.

Did it win me over? Why or why not? Okay, I have to admit: I was wrong about this series! It's dramatic, very addicting, and so much fun. The parallels/allusions to mental health issues (depression, schizophrenia, addiction) were really fascinating, providing a connection to the 'real world' despite the fact that this is a book all about vampires. For someone with a psychology background like me, this added an extra layer of interest.

The characterization and world-building were solid, but I took some issue with the plot. This is one of those books where dribs and drabs of information are handed out to the reader as the story goes along, but it's information that the protagonist knows and is just withholding from the reader for the moment. I'm sorry, but that always feels like a bit of a trick to me. It was executed quite well here, but the device itself I personally find kind of annoying.

Best aspect? Difficult to pick! I enjoyed both the characterization and the world Richelle Mead has created.   

I liked seeing the bond that Rose and Lissa share, though I took issue with Rose purposefully using that connection without informing Lissa of it. I found Rose to be a complex character — immature in some ways, but I'm hoping to see her grow throughout the series. Her ethics are shaky, she uses guys and even her friends sometimes, she spreads rumours, and she's a tad too quick to judge people. She can be rude, abrasive, and dishonest when she wants to be. She acts (as she admits herself) recklessly and impulsively, and she often views the world in black and white...but she has some wonderful qualities too. She's extremely loyal and brave; she sticks up for what she thinks is right, but she'll admit when she's wrong (although it might take a bit.) She's tough, and very protective of Lissa.

Mead has laid out a solid foundation for the social strata of this world. Each group of beings has a clearly marked role in society to play — the Moroi to beget more Moroi, the dhampir guardians to defend the Moroi, the feeders to keep the Moroi sustained, the "blood whores" to be treated as deviant social pariahs, the Strigoi to threaten the Moroi. I think there's a lot of potential in the way the society is structured for interesting dynamics and interactions to occur between the different groups, and for the stereotypes of each group to be challenged.

 
If I could change something, I would... raise the stakes for the climactic scene — it wasn't exciting enough for me, and the villain reveal in particular was somewhat disappointing. The whole thing ended up being less "epic" than I had anticipated (although I suppose considering it's a series the author wanted to start small.) 

Also, a couple of the tactics used by the villains were far-fetched and require a serious suspension of disbelief (spoilers, highlight to read: seriously, a *lust* charm? Couldn't Victor have incapacitated Rose and Dimitri in some less convoluted way, that didn't rely on Rose actually deciding to wear the necklace? It seems a bit obvious that this was an attempt by the author to get the chemistry between Rose and Dimitri happening. Also, Natalie rotting the bench...how could she have had any idea Rose would jump up on it? Unless she was spying on her? This is never properly explained.)

Just one more thing I want to mention:  I wasn't entirely on board with the Dimitri/Rose dynamic. Perhaps it was the age thing, but it felt a little weird to me. However, I liked that she'd found someone she wanted to be with in a romantic way, that she actually connected with emotionally rather than just physically, someone that she respected.

Would I read more like this book? Yes! I'm definitely continuing on with this series.

Quote:
 

He let go of my arm, looking disappointed, and ran a hand through his bronze-colored hair. Yeah. Not being able to hang out with him was a damned shame. I really would have to fix that someday. "Can't you ever get off for good behavior?" he joked.


I gave him what I hoped was a seductive smile as I found my seat. "Sure," I called over my shoulder. "If I was ever good."


Final verdict: 4 shooting stars. I was really engrossed in this one!

Note: this book contains some violence, mature language, and sexual content.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Opposite of Tidy and Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

This week's picks:


The Opposite of Tidy by Carrie Mac

From the publisher's website:
 
"How do you come clean when your life is a mess?

Fifteen-year-old Junie is barely coping. Her mother has started sleeping in the chair in front of the TV, and the house is so packed with junk, newspapers, cupboard organizers and other helpful items from the Shopping Channel that she can barely get in the front door. Her father is no help, since he’s always with That Woman. To top it off, she’s failing math.

So when Wade Jaffre, the hot new guy at school, offers her a ride home from school, it seems too good to be true. Junie surprises herself by accepting—and even talking! But as they approach her house, her parents are outside, screaming at each other. Junie doesn’t have to think twice about directing him on to her best friend Tabitha’s house, nor about continuing the charade of pretending she lives there.

Tabitha and her mother are understanding—and willing to go along, for the moment. But as the weeks go by, Junie’s lies start piling up and the opportunity to tell the truth seems to slip away. Until the day Junie’s world—and her mother’s—is literally turned inside out for the world to see, and Junie and her mother must face the consequences of her mother’s illness ... and the lies they both told to hide it."

The premise of this one reminds me a lot of Dirty Little Secrets by C. J. Omololu, so I'm interested to see how it compares. There aren't very many YA books involving hoarding so I think it's great to have a new addition!

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn

Goodreads' description:

"Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether.

Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.

Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer, Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core."

This one does indeed sound like quite the drama! I'm thinking that the fact it's based on an actual crime will make it all the more emotionally resonant and genuine. And while books told from several different POVs can be a bit of a gamble, it sounds like the murderer's perspective will definitely add to the creepy, disturbing factor.

What books are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read YA Fantasy

This fabulous meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, and this week's topic is books we'd recommend to someone who doesn't read "X". I picked YA fantasy — probably not a big surprise to those of you who know my reading tastes! :) Many of these books may look familiar, since they have all popped up on Top Ten lists in the past, LOL.


So, here we go...

1.) The Song of the Lioness series by Tamora Pierce — I absolutely cannot write this list without giving a nod to the author who sparked my love of YA fantasy. Before I read the first couple Alanna books, I was not a big fantasy fan. I kept to my "realistic fiction" and I couldn't seem to get into fantasy books like the Narnia series (I never got into those, really, although I have read a few of them.) Then along came Alanna: the First Adventure and I was hooked. Big thanks to my sister for bringing it along on that summer trip years ago, when I finished my own books and wanted something else to read!

2.) Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine — all right, all right, it's more MG than YA. But it's absolutely phenomenal so that shouldn't matter a bit! I've read this so many times over that my copy is showing the worse for wear for it. This was my favourite book around Grade 7/8 and it still claims a place amongst my other favourites in my bookcase.

3.) The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale — Shannon Hale really has a wonderful ear for the way words fit together and the beat of a line. The characters are well-sketched and the system of magic is simple but effective.

4.) The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede — if you like to laugh, you will LOVE this series. It's light-hearted, comedic fantasy at its finest, full of entertaining characters that sparkle with personality, and rollicking adventures.

5.) The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander —speaking of humour... this series has it in spades! But it's balanced well with a good deal of drama, and the cast of characters is fantastic. Epic good vs. evil battle FTW! This one's also more MG, at least in the first few books, but the characters grow up along the way.

6.) Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevemer — if historical fiction is more your cup of tea, then pick up this one. It's composed entirely of letters between two cousins, is set in Regency England, and is chock-full of secrets, magic, and a splash of romance.

7.) Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith — I would be remiss if I didn't put this one on the list! When I was younger I re-read this one countless times. It features a gutsy heroine, a villainous king, a secret admirer, and a whole lot of adventure.

 

8.) Archangel by Sharon Shinn —technically this is actually an adult sci-fi/fantasy, but I think it would be suitable for older teens. Sharon Shinn wrote this long before the paranormal angel trend, and it shows. This is no jumping-on-the-bandwagon kind of novel, but rather a carefully crafted world in which angels are considered the highest of the social strata, and the Archangel the very highest of them all. When it's his time to marry, he seeks out the bride he is told is his destiny, Rachel — and is shocked to discover she is a slave. For those of you who enjoy hate-turned-to-love romances: this one's for you.

9.) Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones— my favourite of all the Diana Wynne Jones I've read. The characters are so lively and Diana Wynne Jones is a real fount of creativity. (Be warned: if you've seen the movie, the book is really nothing like it. I happen to prefer the book, but then I did read it first.)

10.) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman —and now for something completely different... this one's more "urban fantasy" than traditional. It's kind of dark and gritty, but the protagonist Richard is so very likeable and his journey is so very strange that it makes for a really interesting read.

The Faerie Ring: A Panoramic Review

 
"The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…" (from Goodreads)

 

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

My reaction:

Overall, I found The Faerie Ring to be quite entertaining. While the first half is pretty slow and somewhat repetitive — it mostly consists of information-gathering, and various characters (particularly Tiki) making decisions and then changing their minds — the plot and pacing do pick up considerably in the second half. The storyline becomes a good deal more intricate, and some important revelations happen (spoiler, highlight to read: I really liked the twist of Rieker being Wills!) 


The resolution of the story was too sappy for my taste, unfortunately, with an overly neat ending (although the last few lines were very cute, I have to admit.) The future of Tiki's family of orphans is decided without involvement by Tiki, really, but wholly reliant on another character instead. I would have liked to have seen Tiki actively helping to better their lifestyle herself, rather than depending on someone else's aid. 

Much of the mythology in The Faerie Ring is standard stuff you'll have seen in other faerie YA books — the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, the nix on faerie-human relationships, the lack of empathy on the part of the fey. But the concept of the faerie ring (as it is detailed in this book) is pretty fresh as far as I know, and I'd like to see this fleshed out in the next in the series. I must say I found it strange that Tiki didn't ask more questions (particularly of Rieker) about the faeries and their connection to the British royalty, especially given the events that happen throughout. I suppose this was done to draw out the mystery, but it resulted in Tiki acting on limited information. Had Rieker been a bit more forthcoming or Tiki a bit more inquisitive, she could have made some smarter choices.

Best aspect: the relationship between Tiki and Rieker was really enjoyable. I wanted to shake Tiki for making things difficult for the two of them! Rieker's snarky and teasing personality made him my favourite character. Just generally, actually, most of the characters were well-done. Tiki was a mix of annoying and admirable qualities: stubborn (to a fault), mistrusting of others, determined to believe she knows best, gutsy, incredibly loyal and protective of her "family," and street-tough. Sometimes I wanted to knock some sense into the girl, but I was still rooting for things to work out for her.


Larkin was a particularly interesting, complex character, and I'm very interested to find out more about her as the series goes on. Of all the characters introduced in The Faerie Ring, I think she may well have the most depth and shades of grey exhibited. There was one thing she did, though, that I thought was unbelievable given her apparent intelligence (spoiler: she "hid" Clara back at Tiki's place? How is that hiding?)

If I could change something... it often felt, particularly in the first half, that I was missing information. I don't know if it's the reader who's not privy to the information, or the characters themselves, but it made things frustrating and confusing to try to puzzle out. The reasoning of characters in making some decisions seemed absurd. I think a couple of the later revelations might shed some light on this, but at the time I know I was re-reading sections in an effort to figure out why characters were doing what they were doing.

And I wish Tiki's "siblings" had had more of a role to play in the story. There are several of them, but with the exception of Clara (and hers is a passive, unintentional involvement) none of them really take part in the plot! 

Read if: you like traditional faerie mythology, the streets of Victorian England, and adventure. Fans of The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope and Mairelon the Magician/Magician's Ward by Patricia C. Wrede might enjoy this one.

Quote: 

Satisfied the ring was safely hidden, Tiki swung down from the branch and landed in the thicket. She brushed off her trousers and smiled to herself before turning to gaze back across the lake toward the grand mansion. Though the trees eclipsed part of her view, from this distance she could see the building lit up like Big Ben. Her smile faded as cold fingers wrapped around her heart. She recognized that familiar silhouette.

It was Buckingham Palace.

She recalled the names of the young men in the library. Leo...Prince Leopold? And Prince Arthur? And the older woman...Mother...

Oh, bloody hell. She'd just stolen the queen's ring.

Hopes for the sequel? I think there's potential here, and I'd like to see Tiki mature and the world-building grow stronger. I'm also hoping that the romantic resolution of this book won't result in terribly cheesy dialogue in the next one. The Faerie Ring already had a bit of that towards the end, and I much prefer the "witty banter" type of dialogue to the oh-so-romantic-we're-in-love type. 

Final verdict: 3.5 shooting stars. It's clear from the writing this is a debut novel; it's pretty basic style-wise and falls prey to some amateur mistakes (for instance, the repetition of "smoky eyes" whenever Rieker is described.) While it doesn't add much new to the genre, and unfortunately does use some clichés and well-known tropes, The Faerie Ring does a fine job of providing an entertaining story with fun characters.  

Disclaimer: I received this book for review from the publisher.

Waiting on Wednesday: Between the Lines and Kill Me Softly

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and features books that we just can't wait to get our hands on!

It's been over a month since I've done this meme and I'm excited to be joining in again! This week's picks have a fairy tale theme, as you can see...

Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Goodreads' description:

"Between the Lines is a clever, funny, romantic teen novel about a fairy tale prince who wants to break free of the constraints of his storybook existence, and the girl who falls in love with him.

In this story-within-a-story, Delilah, a loner who feels happiest with her head in a book, is obsessed with a fairy tale about Prince Oliver at her library. And then one day, Oliver actually speaks to her. It turns out that Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince and is in fact a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence.

Once Delilah and Oliver connect, she decides to help him break out of the book and they begin to fall head over heels for each other."

This sounds really different from Jodi Picoult's usual fare! I'm interested to see how well she can do a lighter YA story, especially one with some fantastical elements, and how well the co-authoring with her daughter works. But the premise sounds like a lot of fun!


Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Description from the author's website:


"True love’s kiss just may prove deadly....

Mirabelle’s past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents’ tragic deaths to her guardians’ half-truths about why she can’t return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.
In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who’s a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren’t pretty things, and they don’t always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy-tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy-tale curses of their own ... brothers who share a dark secret. And she’ll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns."

Wow, the cover of this one is striking! It has more of an adult vibe than YA to me, but it's very effective. Love the thorns/vines with the title font. And plus the premise sounds a bit like the TV show Once Upon A Time, which I've been enjoying (anybody else watch that one? And if you do, can you explain WHY they killed off an important character recently? *is still mad*). I'm a sucker for books involving fairy tales so I'll definitely be on the lookout for this one!


What books are you waiting for?