All Fall Down Review

A new series of global proportions -- from master of intrigue, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter. 

This exciting new series from NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Ally Carter focuses on Grace, who can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world, and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.

Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay--in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.
All Fall Down on Goodreads
Visit Ally Carter's Website

Welcome back to Paper Worlds and Swirls of Ink! Today, I'm reviewing a book that I heard about and was excited to pick up and read in January 2015, All Fall Down by Ally Carter. I've never read her Heist Society series, but I've definitely been curious to. I actually started the second book in the trilogy before finding out that I'd missed the first, so if you've read that series and enjoyed it, let me know! Unfortunately, I wasn't the biggest fan of this novel, although I did enjoy it. I gave All Fall Down 3 out of 5 stars.

To begin with, the plot development in this story was lacking. It didn't feel like much happened in this story in terms of plot until the very end, which felt abrupt. The ending didn't leave me completely shocked and amazed, but there were some plot twists that left me reeling. While the characters were unique, it felt like we didn't get much of a chance to get to know the secondary characters, and I would've preferred more character development from them.

I thought the story was unique in how it was different in terms of setting and the international intrigue that was interwoven throughout. I think it was an enjoyable read, but also that I probably won't be continuing on with the series. I'd recommend this for others though, especially if the story sounds like something you'd want to read, and I think that it's an interesting novel. If you've read her other series, let me know your thoughts about those! I still want to pick up the Heist Society trilogy, so let me know your thoughts on that series as well! Overall, All Fall Down was unique and an enjoyable read, but I found the secondary character development and plot development/pacing a little slow for me.

From the paper world,
V

Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake Review

*This is a review of the sequel to Antigoddess by Kendare Blake, so there will be spoilers for the first book in the synopsis and review. You can check out the first book on Goodreads using the link above or see my review of Antigoddess here.

Reading Review - Hourglass by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should've happened?

Hourglass on Goodreads

Visit the Author's Website

Rating - 3 Stars

Major Pros - Unique, Good Pacing

Major Cons - Protagonist

Continuing on with the Series?  - Yes (the sequels are told from other POVs)

How I Read It - Gifted

Hello, everyone! I return with yet another book review, this one is for a series starter that I've been wanting to read for awhile. Hourglass by Myra McEntire has always sounded really interesting, and so I'm really glad I was able to pick up the book and read it. However, I ended up having some problems with some key elements of Hourglass, so I ended up slightly disappointed in the book. I gave Hourglass 3 out of 5 stars.

To begin, my biggest problem was with the narrator and protagonist. She was awesome for the first bit of the book and then suddenly...insta-love struck. I actually had a whole discussion post on paranormal and my recent problems with it, unfortunately that got deleted. However, one of my main problems that I'd mentioned in the post was about how insta-love can take over a paranormal. I'm the sort that likes more supernatural powers and abilities and supernatural element building than romance build up. So I was disappointed in the fact that the protagonist's abilities came in second place to 'that guy with the dreamy eyes'. 

Aside from the insta-love, the protagonist was kind of obnoxious at points, especially during interactions with the love interest. The other characters were interesting yet felt underdeveloped. Typically the secrecy of the paranormal leads to the pre-supernatural adventure best friend being completely off topic in a paranormal and, most of the time, annoying to the point of making me want to skim. With Lily, however, I loved how unique and spunky her character was, and I honestly wish we'd seen more of her. The protagonist's family was another aspect I would have liked to see more of- her interactions with them were equally as annoying as the ones with her love interest, as the protagonist showed little consideration for others. Although the supporting characters weren't featured frequently, I was really impressed with McEntire's creation of a supporting cast so unique that I wanted to know more about them.

The pacing and unfolding of the story were overall well done. I was definitely invested in the story's action and mystery, and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen. The story, romance aside, was a perfect blend of action and paranormal aspects. I loved how unique the Hourglass and the protagonist's abilities were shown, although I wish there was more about the abilities of the characters. Hopefully, there will be more of that in the second book!

I've decided to start including whether or not I'll continue on with this series in my reviews. For the Hourglass trilogy, I'm definitely planning on continuing on. I've seen that the sequel, Timepiece, is told by another narrator that is a character I want to know more about. I'm excited for this one because I'm sure it will include more paranormal world building, and continue on with the overarching story and have some fantastic character development. While I was definitely not a fan of the protagonist, this is a unique paranormal that I can't wait to continue on with the world and series with another perspective in the sequel.

From the paper world,
V

Reading Review - Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.

Tiger Lily on Goodreads

Rating - 3 Stars

Major Pros - Writing

Major Cons - Characterization

How I Read It - Purchased

Welcome back to the Paper World! Pull up a plushy chair and let's talk. Today I'm reviewing Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson. This is a really unique Peter Pan retelling that expands upon the character of Tiger Lily and her relationship with the boy who won't grow up. I was apprehensive about starting this book, because I had always been a fan of Wendy's character more so than Tiger Lily's in the animated Disney movie and the play. However, after hearing many positive reviews I decided to pick up the book.

The writing is definitely a beautiful aspect of this book. I was immediately drawn into the story and this Neverland, although I found that I wasn't as immersed in the world as I'd expected. Tiger Lily's village seemed to be flat in comparison to other elements of the book, but even then the writing and setting were well done and interesting. As the book opened, I found myself curious as to how the characters would appear in this rendition of the tale.

In regards to characterization, I was disappointed. It felt as if the characters were overplayed, their flaws exaggerated from their appearances in the movie or play. It didn't read as getting a closer glimpse into Peter and Tiger Lily's characters; instead it was more like meeting new characters entirely that didn't mesh well. The ending was also a bit of a letdown for me. I had been expecting more of a connection to the characters and was surprised by how little I'd connected to Tiger Lily's character and how many of the other characters from the original work were simply irritating.

In general, I think that this book has some beautiful writing and qualities to it, and I can see why it is loved by many. However, for me I found it difficult to connect to the characters, and Tiger Lily especially. I think that it was an interesting read, and even though I was disappointed with some aspects of the novel, I'm happy I finally picked it up after being curious about it for awhile.

From the paper world,

V