The Storyspinner Review

Drama and danger abound in this fantasy realm where dukes play a game for the throne, magical warriors race to find the missing heir, and romance blossoms where it is least expected.

In a world where dukes plot their way to the throne, a Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.

The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess—the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up—girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna.

With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.

The Storyspinner on Goodreads

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Today I'm back with a review of The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace. This is a novel I was really excited to read, as it was one of the 2015 debuts I was most excited about and I featured in my Can't Wait Books of 2015 post as well as my Top Ten Tuesday post about 2015 debuts I was most excited for back in January. The Storyspinner is a unique story that had my attention from the synopsis, so I was excited to read this novel. I ended up definitely enjoying it and thinking it was a great read. I gave The Storyspinner 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book was one that had a lot of intrigue surrounding the stories, and I loved reading about the unique world building and magic system. I think that the world and story set the stage well, and I loved how the different countries were developed to have different cultures and life styles. I think that the multiple point of view narration was another strong point of this novel- it gave the opportunity to get to know the characters more, and have a really in depth understanding of the story and the plot from a lot of different narrations. I don't think I had a particularly favorite narrator, but all of them had a unique way of relating to the story and further adding to the tale of The Storyspinner.

One of my main concerns with the book was that I felt like there was some lacking in characterization. After reading all of the different points of view, I still felt like we hadn't gotten to know the characters as well. To me, the story was a little predictable in the sense that I saw a lot of the major plot points coming, but there are definitely some twists and turns I hadn't anticipated in the novel as well!

So, here's my review of The Storyspinner. I'm so happy to have read this novel, as I've been excited about picking it up and exploring the world since last year. I think this is one with incredibly unique and dynamic world building, and I'd love to know your thoughts about it as well. Before I go, I wanted to introduce a short little snippet saying "If you liked this sort of book you might like this book" which I know is something that's been done, but it reminded me of my If, Then for Books! posts, and I thought it might be a fun little tidbit to add to the end. So...

If you liked Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder and Graceling by Kristen Cashore, then you might like The Storyspinner!

Let me know your thoughts, on the book and the If, Then recommendations, and I'll be back soon with another post!

From the paper world,
V

A Little Something Different Review

Goodreads Description:

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.  But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship. 

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together....

A Little Something Different on Goodreads

Visit Sandy Hall's Page on Swoon Reads

My Rating: 3.5 Stars (4 on Goodreads)

I purchased a copy of this novel.

Today I'm writing my first review of 2015! It's been awhile since my last review, but I'm excited to talk about A Little Something Different. This was my first finished read of the year, and I think it was a fun, interesting contemporary to start the new year off with. The characters are all unique and memorable, and the writing of this book is, as the title says, unlike any other. The format of this book follows 14 different perspectives on this one romance, which I really enjoyed because it brought a lot of characterization in to the side characters and really made me appreciate the different points of view. However, I will say that in some places I wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing, but overall this is a really enjoyable novel, and a great read.

Reading from all the different POVs made the characters all stand out in their own ways. Sometimes it's easy for side characters to lose depth as a story continues on if the plot needs to be furthered. But here, all the characters were narrating the story in such a way that the plot flowed through that. I found this idea refreshing and entertaining. Each change brought a new little scene to the overall story. I didn't connect as much to some of the characters, but I appreciated how each viewpoint contributed to this kind of storytelling and how it emphasized the plot development. 

During the plot development and the story, I did think that sometimes the pacing was a little sporadic in rushing at points and not much happening at others, but it didn't bother me too much because the nature of the story was that it was developing by so many different narrations. 

Overall, I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, but rounded to 4 stars on Goodreads because I did really enjoy it, and I appreciated the storytelling style. I think this is a fun contemporary read that's refreshing and different. 

Have you read this book? If so, let me know what you thought in the comments, and if you have any good YA contemporary recommendations, let me know!

From the paper world,
V

Reading Review - You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

Find it on Goodreads                                  Visit the Author's Website

Today's review is on You Are Mine by Janeal Falor. I had never heard anything about this book before, but when the author contacted me and asked if I wanted to review it, I was intrigued by the summary.

Honestly, when I started the book I wasn't enthralled by the first part. The characters seemed to be missing some development, and the world was lacking magical elements. There was a lot of abuse Serena goes through, and that was difficult to read about, but also because her situation seemed so hopeless. However, the story definitely got interesting after about 50 pages in.

As I read on, the characters became interesting, and the interactions between Serena the others. Intrigue begins to surround her and her household as danger presents itself, and Serena became a really unique character. The ending was really fantastic, and there was a lot of character and plot development. By the end, I was really happy I'd read this book, and found it a really unique addition to YA.

I gave this book 3.5 stars, and I think it's a great start to the series. This isn't a fantasy with a heavy concentration of magic and world building. It's pretty character driven, and so in the beginning it can drag, but quickly becomes an interesting and dynamic read.

Thank you so much to Janeal Falor for providing me with a copy for review! I have expressed my own thoughts and opinions on the book.

Have you read You Are Mine? What are your thoughts?

From the paper world,

V