Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Before I start in on this review, I must let everyone know... I am no longer waiting on Mockingjay! Hip, hip hooray! Just got my copy today!

*clears throat* Now, let us commence with a review on the wonderful debut novel of Andrea Cremer... Nightshade.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


4.5 Stars. That's what I'll give NIGHTSHADE, for being an amazing read that held my interest and had me thinking about it through-out the week at least once a day.



I have to say that it was refreshing to hear Calla's voice. She was a strong character, but not without her weaknesses and it was nice to see that in a YA female narrator. I felt empathetic towards her during various scenes and wasn't the least bit annoyed with her at any stage in the story.



The love triangle was also nice. I could see how hard the choice would be for anyone in that position. Be with someone who has always been your destiny and you know you can learn to love over time? Or be with the one that you love and whom brings you freedom? I do have to say that I was Team Ren for the win through-out the entire novel, but right at about 3/4 of the story, I found Shay more and more worthy of Calla.



The world of NIGHTSHADE is very enthralling and mystical. I have to give Andrea Cremer mucho props for building a whole new world around the often-used werewolf niche. She really made it her own and it was believable.



The only two reasons that I didn't give this book a full 5 stars? One- I wasn't so completely enraptured the entire time. For instance, it took me a whole week to read it and I didn't mind putting it down. But I did want to finish it and I DID love the story. Reason Two- the histories of the Keepers and Searchers were a bit muddied. I would've liked some sort of wrapped-up explanation towards the end, but since this book is part of a trilogy I can put that aside and wait patiently for more to be revealed in the sequel.



I recommend NIGHTSHADE to anyone that loves werewolves and suckers for love stories. Also, I might add that if you love some good action sequences, pick this book up when it comes out in October! You won't be disappointed.



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I really, really love werewolves, people. No lie.

Waiting... Waiting... Still Waiting...

Mockingjay, oh lovely Mockingjay... Why do you taunt me so?

I'm still waiting on my copy that I ordered from Amazon. Darn standard shipping! Or as my nephew would say, "Oh, doughnut!" Of course, you couldn't arrive early for little ol' me. You had to wait until everyone ELSE read you a week ago. Lucky brats.

Still waiting as ever,
Impatient Katie.

P.S. You better get here tomorrow or I'm gonna throw a fit to Amazon! *makes angry face*

Matched by Ally Condie

Since I've been particularly inactive this month. And this is supposed to be a blog about Reviews, and I've been sorely lacking in adding reviews, I decided I would post about another book on the same weekend. Matched is amazing. I am VERY envious of Condie's writing style. If you haven't read it yet, you need to pick it up when it hits stores on November 30th.

Matched by Ally Condie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I don't know quite where to begin with this book. It was a truly beautiful piece. Ally Condie's writing is so lyrical and fluid, I felt as if the words were flowing from my eyes to my brain and ultimately to my heart like a steady stream of clear, crisp water. The way she writes is so beautiful that it makes me envious, being as I one day hope to be a published author, myself. She has a gift. And I'm sure glad she used it on MATCHED.



The story itself was inspiring. I loved that it wasn't just about love at a young age. It surprised me that I loved a story so much that didn't have any supernatural elements. The world that Cassia lives in is described so clearly that I could see through it as clear as glass.



The characters and the struggles they had to go through really spoke to me. The way Cassia felt and her thoughts were something that I could really relate to. The triangle between Xander, Cassia, and Ky was believable and realistic. I'm probably more torn than Cassia is.



Another thing that I absolutely loved about this book, and that goes hand in hand with Condie's writing style, were all of the metaphors. YA fiction usually doesn't have a whole lot of them and MATCHED had very strong ones. Each metaphor resonated through-out the entire book and connected to the core of the theme like branches growing out of a tree.



5 stars. Without a doubt, I'd read it again and I really hope that there is a sequel. I can't wait for the sequel.



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Finnikin of the Rock

I wasn't sure which book to blog about first. However, why not start with my favorite?

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sooo, I read this book a few months ago. I've been meaning to review it for a very long time, but as you can see, I haven't. The best word that can describe this book, in my opinion, and the way it made me feel, is "speechless". It is truly my favorite book so far.



The characters: What can I say? They're real. They're strong. They're all connected to one another and that in itself makes for an exceptional story. I fell in love with these characters. I lived and breathed them. Finnikin, Evangeline, Froy, Captain Trevanion, Sir Topher, Lady Beatriss, and everyone else! All of them have become my literary friends that I wish were real.



The story: It is one of the most moving, inspirational, and greatest stories I've ever read. The search for a lost identity and courage and hope; all of these themes are ones that echo in our daily lives. In this world, really. And the way that Marchetta uses them in FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK really brings them to light in our world. I loved it.



I found it a little funny, actually, because I wasn't so sure about this book when I first saw it. I figured it would either be epic or fall short. It took my about 70 pages to get hooked too, since I had come upon it with such uncertainty. But this book proves that you CAN find a gem among ordinary stones and I'm so glad that I gave it a chance.



I love this book. It is my favorite book so far and I hope that anyone that has a chance to read it will open it up and take the chance. It's a truly remarkable read.



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Contest Number Two!

Okay. Sooo there have been some pretty amazing giveaways up for grabs. Anyone who gives away an ARC to a lucky reader is a Saint in my book. I don't know if I could do it... But anyway! The two I want to win are the signed copies of Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness! I am a HUGE fan of Kami and Margaret's! The way they can describe the southern setting so well... and the characters... *gush... gush*

Anyway, I know I've kept you waiting long enough. Here's the link:

The Saint Who Is Giving Away ARCs Galore!

There's an ARC for everyone over there. You can't go wrong. Hands off the Caster Chronicles! I wants... I really, really wants!

Contest! Win a Book for 2011!

Sooo there have been so many contests lately, it's hard to keep up. But I couldn't resist this one:

2011 YA Releases Giveaway!

It's very exciting! You can win any of 6 books that aren't scheduled to be released until next year! However, it is simply pre-ordered for you, but that means it's still free! Go enter! :D

For the Love of Words

Words are some of my favorite things...
Hence the picture:


Hello all! If you're reading this you either randomly stumbled upon it, or perhaps you know me personally, or even read my other blog The Author's Journey. In any case, welcome! If you're from the ladder, then you already know from a post on my author's blog that I wanted to differentiate the posts about contests and books to a blog specifically designed for that purpose. I'm still unsure about it. If this doesn't work, I'll probably just delete it.

Books! Obviously I love books! I love writing them. I love reading them. And now I'm going to love reviewing them for you fine people on blogger! In some cases, I might cheat and copy/paste a review from my Goodreads account, tee-hee. And that's why I'm not so sure that this particular blog will work out. However, I must try!

Katie's Suspiciously Apt Book Reviews will have, undoubtedly, a large quantity of book reviews, but also updates on other blog contests, and perhaps if I can manage it soon enough, contests of my own accord. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could get author interviews too? Ah, but let's not push the envelope too soon! This blog doesn't even have wings yet!

Thanks for visiting! I will post again soon.