Iron Queen Prize Pack

Hey all!
Today when I got home, I was surprised with a big package from FedEx; I didn't recall buying anything. Before opening it, I decided to check my email for any orders that I may have forgotten about. Saying I was surprised is an understatement; I won one of the Iron Queen Blog Tour contests! Here is what I got:

Thank you to Erica at The Book Cellar for hosting this wonderful contest!
Just wanted to share this with all of you.

Favorite Faery Novel

This is completely out of curiosity. All votes are anonymous.

A Tale of Two Pretties (The Clique) Review

A Tale of Two Pretties (The Clique #14) 

By: Lisi Harrison 

Overall Rating: 5/5

The Pretty Committee has been together for years, with Massie Block as the renowned leader; the PC has lead OCD, an all-girl, prestigious middle school from the start, but every empire eventually falls. Together, Massie, Alicia, Dylan, Kristen, and Claire have faced boy drama, mutinies, and fall-outs, but yet each of them are hesitant to tell each other their secrets, in fear of losing their spot in the PC. However, when they do tell each other their secrets, a bigger one appears. What is a clique without a leader? Can they overcome this and lead the rest of eighth grade, high school, and beyond?

I have read this series from the beginning when I was young, and this has always been one of my favorite series. I had followed the five girls all through these years and books. This one, the finale, was probably the best one out of all fourteen. I love how Lisi showed they have something real together, a best friends bond that cannot be broken underneath all the makeup, accessories, and designer clothing. Massie, normally indifferent about other people and even her friends, gave the most heartwarming speech to each of them individually. She truly deserved her "alpha" status and will continue to be one in her future adventures. ;) It was very well written and descriptive, making you feel like you are right there with the Pretty Committee. At the end, I nearly broke into tears along with the Pretty Committee. It was such a good series, and I don't want it to come to an end. 

Switched Review

Switched

By: Amanda Hocking

Overall Rating: 4/5

Switched is the first book in the Trylle Trilogy, it focuses on the main protagonist, Wendy, who lives with her over-protective brother, Matt, and aunt. These two people were the only ones that ever cared for her; Wendy's mother tried t kill her on her sixth birthday, claiming she was a monster. Wendy has never fit in anywhere, she is known as a trouble maker and has been expelled from a vast amount of schools. However, she later meets someone named Finn, a boy who constantly stares at her and she feels creeped by it. Little would she know, Finn would change her life. After a dance gone wrong with Finn, Wendy runs home crying and Finn later comes in through her window apologizing, and explaining who she really is: a Trylle princess.

First, I think the paranormal element Amanda Hocking decided to write about was very interesting and unique, I've read books about the ancient fey, changelings, but never about trolls, or as they are called in this trilogy, Trylle. In all the other fey books I have read, trolls were an uncivilized, arrogant group, but this book says otherwise. The powers were also very interesting, and I hope they're talked about more in the next book of the series. Normally I favor the dark, mysterious guy in the story, but I found myself liking for Rhys better than Finn; hes much more open and unlike Finn, he always makes Wendy smile when hes with him. I also found Wendy's characteristics a little annoying and it made her look immature at some points, but that may improve in the next two books as she grows mentally and start to understand. There were also several grammar errors and typos, but it didn't affect the reading much. Overall, it is a nice  unique and creative story for all paranormal novel fans.

A little update

Hi! :)
Some of you may have noticed I'm not posting reviews as often as I was before, thats because I've been really busy, I have six exams in the four three days! However, I have a winter break after this week, and I'll possibly add on some new stuff to this blog and change some things around. Also, I'm almost halfway done with Switched (Book 1 of the Trylle Trilogy) by Amanda Hocking and I'll post that review as soon as I'm done with it. Promise.

and...

~Ella

Tithe Review

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale
By: Holly Black

Overall Rating: 4/5

Tithe is about a teenage girl named Kaye Fierch, who has an alcoholic mother that plays in various bands around the country. The book starts out in Philadelphia, where Kaye's mother and her band is playing in a club. Lloyd, her mother's boyfriend and whose house they're living in, is enchanted by a knight of the Unseelie Court, Nephamael into attempting to kill Kaye's mother. Fortunately, Kaye sees just in time and stops Lloyd from stabbing her mom. Now having no where to live, they go back to New Jersey to stay with Kaye's grandmother, where Kaye had moved away from ten years ago. Once in New Jersey, Kaye meets up with her old friends in an abandoned warehouse. However, she unknowingly enchants her best friend Janet's boyfriend, Kenny. After a shock, Kaye runs away from the warehouse and sees a faery named Roiben, as she learns, wounded. She saves Roiben, granting herself three questions, and catching the attention of the Faery Unseelie Queen, whom Roiben works under. Kaye also finds two of her old "imaginary" faery friends named Spike and Lutie, whom she never saw after she moved away. They tell her that Roiben killed her other faery friend, Gristle. Shocked, Kaye tricks Roiben into telling her his real name, knowing the fey keep their true names a secret. The story continues as Kaye learns she isn't human, but a changeling; a replacement for a human child. Even worse, she has become involved in a dangerous faery ritual.

Tithe isn't your typical happily-ever-after fantasy novel, it is more of a dark and gritty tale. I looked at this book for quite awhile before I finally bought and read it. I don't know why I was having doubts now, I enjoyed it a lot. The only reason why it isn't a five is because some of the main characters could be a bit more developed, take Nicnevin and Silarial for example. We don't know much about their "sisterhood" at all. However, the names of the faery were the most creative I've heard of; Nephamael, Nicnevin, Silarial. Kaye's conflicted feelings for Roiben after finding out he killed Gristle was a great touch, it showed Kaye isn't an epic hero and more of a common person with heroic traits; someone we can all relate to. I would recommend this book to teenagers or even adults who enjoy this type of dark fantasy.

Iron Queen Review

The Iron Queen

By: Julie Kagawa

Overall Rating: 5/5 

The Iron Queen is the third book in the Iron Fey series. It follows Meghan, Ash, Puck, Grim, and a few other newcomers' journey to defeat the false Iron King once in for all. Despite their previous victories, this fight seems impossible as the Iron King as a massive army, twice the size of both Summer and Winter's forces put together. 

Meghan Chase and Ash are planning to go back to Meghan's family after they were exiled from the Nevernever, however, things don't go as planned and they are attacked by some iron fey sent by the false king. Knowing that if Meghan stayed, she would just bring harm to her family, so Meghan and Ash set out for Leanansidhe's, their safe haven from the iron fey. Along the way, Meghan claims back her memories of her human dad, bump into a certain redhead and a wise but sometimes infuriating feline, as well as many other adventurous events. Meanwhile, the two rulers of the fey, Oberon and Mab know the false Iron King's forces were advancing on them, and their only hope lies in Meghan. They offer a deal that Meghan cannot refuse, so the trio (and Grim, when he's not invisible!) leaves on their journey to defeat the iron king once more.

I really do not know what to say; I am baffled and absolutely speechless. I expect the best from Julie Kagawa, but this was beyond my expectations. Everything was so well-written, and I loved the new characters, especially Glitch. They all had different, unique personalities and were overall a great addition to the story. Ash completely took my heart...I don't even know how to describe it, and it was nice to see a bit of the real him - the person he stopped being long ago. I was tearing up throughout the entire book, but mainly towards the end.  It was even a bit upsetting to know the fate of Rowan. Sure, he is evil and such, but they're brothers nonetheless. In addition, I was even really upset when Grim parted with them, he is obviously now a "must" of the story. The part that was most upsetting was the very end - yep, not Meghan selflessly saving the Nevernever, not Meghan and Ash at the oak tree. The love that was never meant to be, but yet it probably wasn't the end, no matter how impossible that sounds. Furthermore, the very end of it was a great touch and it kind of gives you a tiny sneak-peek to The Iron Knight (guessing Ash and Puck will go and try to do the impossible - that is all I'll say!) One thing is for sure, you'll be shocked when you find out who the false iron king is, although if you pay attention to the small details, they will give you clues. I'll try to wait patiently for The Iron Knight. Lastly, I would recommend this book to anyone. I've never read any book, or series for that matter, even close to the excellent quality of The Iron Fey series.