Review: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon

Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander #2) by Diana Gabaldon
Publication Date: July 1, 1992
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 743
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For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....

Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves....

The second Outlander book picks up not only right after the first one ends, but also twenty years in the future. That doesn't sound possible now does it? The beginning picks up twenty years later. Claire has returned to the land that she had once fell in love with, Scotland with her grown daughter. At some point Claire had returned to her time, back to Frank pregnant. Frank made Claire promise that as long as he lives she won't tell their daughter, Brianna, who her real father is. Now it wasn't made clear to me if Frank ever believed her story or not. Just that he's not the biological father of the baby. But with the passing of Frank, Claire knows it's time to tell Brianna the truth.

Claire seeks out Roger, the adopted nephew of the Reverend, the close friend of Frank's in the first book. She wants him to find out what happened to a list of Scottish warriors. In their search, Claire makes a devastating discovery that could change everything. She then reveals the truth to her daughter, and tells her and Roger her journey through time. This is where the book picks up from the last one. Jamie and Claire are in Paris pretending to be Jacobites to prevent the Highlanders from going to war. 

Although I did love this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one. I've heard many complaints about how long the book is, and how a lot of it could be cut out. But that's one of the things I love about these books. We get to see their everyday lives, and it seems more realistic. Like you are right there with them. I do have to admit the beginning with them being in Paris kind of moved slow. Maybe it's just my bias towards Scotland, but the scenes placed there were my favorite.

I didn't think my love for Jamie could grow after the first book. But once again I was wrong. We saw Jamie and Claire grow as a couple. They weren't perfect, they had their ups and downs, arguments, and then there was even a few situations you weren't sure they could work through. Their love is realistic. You don't just fall in love and then happy ever after, you have to work for it.

Trying to change history isn't an easy task. And with a few surprising discoveries, they aren't sure if they can. But  with a twist of turns of events we discovered why Claire went back to her own time. I thought that at some point the story would go back to the present time and Claire and Brianna would venture back to Jamie's time, and was kind of disappointed that they didn't.

Like the first book, I thought this was just amazing. The same conflicts show up in this one as well, violence and rape. If you can't handle those subjects this isn't the series for you. Also the Scottish dialect is used and sometimes took me a few times to read a sentence to understand.

Rating: 4/5

Teaser Tuesday 27

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Want to play along?

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share 2 "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• Be careful not to include spoilers
• Share the title and author

I know, I know, it's been months since I've done one of these. I always remember the day after. To make up for lost time I will post a few teasers.

The first one comes from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, the second novel in her Outlander series. I just finished this one today, and I absolutely love me some Jamie Frasier.

“I will find you," he whispered in my ear. "I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you - then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is the one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest."

This next one comes from On the Edge by Ilona Andrews. I've only read the first book, but I can't wait to read more of the series.

"Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get the guns. We're going to Wal-Mart.”

 

Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl with the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3) by Kady Cross
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Number of Pages: 384
Format: Hardback
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When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....

Not sure why it's taken me a few months to read this since I've been dying to get my hands on it. Maybe since it's been a while since I read the first two? Out of sight out of mind?

The book books picks up a few months after the second. There's something wrong with Griffin and he's hiding it from not only Finely but the whole gang. He's not sleeping, eating, or even really coming out of his room majority of the time. But he most pull it together when Emily is kidnapped. Finding her is important to everybody, especially Sam. Right before she was kidnapped Emily confessed her love to Sam. Before he could respond Jasper says he needs his help. He's determined to find Emily and tell her how he feels before it's too late.

What makes this series so unique is that it focuses on each person in the whole group instead of just Finely. Very rare in YA. While I do adore Emily, I just really couldn't get into the book. I found myself for the most part skimming over her parts, just wanting to get back to Finely and Griffin. I was glad to see that there was more Jack Dandy in this one than the previous. Watching Griffin get all jealous over him always made me smile. Which in this book the relationship between Griffin and Finely definitely heats up. There's just wasn't enough of them in this book, which is understandable. This book was more of about Emily and Sam. Which Sam and Finely were able to be more civil towards each other. And I am glad. I want the whole group to be close.

Like I said, I ended up skimming through a lot of the book. It just couldn't really hold my attention. I honestly can't tell you about them saving Emily. By the time I realized she was saved and the Machinist was dead again, I was already beyond that point. I hope future books are better, especially since I fell in love with the first two books.

Rating:3/5

 

Review: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon
Publication Date: June 1, 1991
Publisher: Delta
Number of Pages: 627
Format: Paperback
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Unrivaled storytelling ... unforgettable characters ... rich historical detail ... these are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon's work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured millions of readers.

Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages....

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon — when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach — an "outlander" — in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord ... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life ... and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire ... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

I only have one word...AMAZING! This book blew me out of the water. I had a friend that told me about the series a few years ago right after I discovered the Fever and Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning. It's been on my tbr list ever since, even though I have had others tell me how amazing the series is. I just never got around to reading it. Finally I made that my goal this year. And now I'm wondering why the hell did this book sit on my tbr list for three years?! I could smack myself.

Claire Randall and her husband Frank have pretty much been separated for the past six years during the war. Finally reunited they are taking a holiday in Scotland-where they got married. Frank is a historian of a sort and is trying to trace his family back, and learn more about Captain Jack Randall. Clare stumbles upon a mini version of Stonehedge, and walking through it she is suddenly taken back almost 200 years to 1743. The first person she runs into is Jack Randall, who she first mistakes for Frank. Before Jack could attack her, she is saved by some Highland warriors who take her back to their land, the MacKenzies.

The book takes some time getting used to, with it written in a lot of Scottish dialect and even how Claire phrases words since she is from 1945. And at the first it's a little slow, and really didn't pick up until about 100 pages in. But once I got past the hump, I couldn't put it down. Felt so realistic and like I could be reading someone's diary. Claire is determined to get back to the standing rocks and go back to her own time and Frank. But it proves to be a problem time and time over. But when Claire is forced to marry Jamie Fraiser, the nephew of the cheiftan of the clan and outlaw, she wonders if she will ever get back home.

It's not long before Claire actually starts to fall in love with Jamie, and her heart torn into two. And oh Jamie...along with Claire you will fall in love with him. Even has some funny lines. It was easy to forget that he's a good five years younger than Claire; a very unusual twist to the story.

I've heard complaints about abuse and rape in this book. You have to remember what time this book is set in. And the abuse, for the most part isn't really. That was how they discipline. And it's not like they beat the crap out of the women or children. These issues didn't really bother me because I'm aware of how it was back then. And how it is written, somethings it reveals it never officially confirms. You have to read between the lines.

I fell in love with not only this book, but Jamie and Claire. And ever since I finished I've been dying to get back to the bookstore and get the second book.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Number of Pages: 568
Format: Hardback
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Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

The conclusion to Clare's The Infernal Devices trilogy is probably one of most anticipated books of the year. The book picks up not long after the last one left off. Tessa is busy planning her wedding, while Will trains his sister Cecily to be a Shadowhunter. And due to tragedy, which honestly I thought was very clever of Ms. Clare, Gabriel comes to the Institute to live.

Even though it's been quiet, Mortmain looms over everyone's minds. Having brought all of the drug Jem needs and even stopped shipping, Jem doesn't have much time left. In which Mortmain makes his move and kidnaps Tessa. Jem, on his death bed, tells Will to go after her and bring her back safe.

I don't want to go into much detail, trying to keep everything spoiler free. But there are a few twists. Most of the theories out there are right in some way. I wished Magnus was in the book more than what he was. But he was amazing as always. And the couples that end up together! Everyone is perfect!

One of my favorite quotes, it's just perfect and I can't stop laughing everytime I read it.

"The next time one of our esteemed members turns into a worm and eats another esteemed member, we will inform you immediately."

Most of our questions were answered in the book. I was more surprised what Tessa ended up being, and thinking about it more raises a few more questions. I'm still not sure how I feel exactly about the ending. One part of me feels like it was a copout. But the majority what I feel is it's perfect ending.

This book was an emotional roller coaster.It will make you laugh, cry, even cuss and want to throw the book out the window. Which I will admit I had wanted to do a few times. Did I mention that it will make you cry? There were several times I had to stop reading because I couldn't see the words through my tears. YOU WILL NEED TISSUES WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK. This book was just about perfect. A few issues I had, but overall amazing.

Rating: 4.5/5

 

Jen's review of 'Grave Mercy' by R.L. LaFevers

Grave Mercy {His Fair Assassin #1} by R.L. LaFevers
Published date: April 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Number of pages: 560
Format: Kindle | Netgalley
Buy: Amazon | The Book Depository

Description:  Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae's most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

In the first book to this new historical trilogy, comes a seventeen year old, Ismae. After escaping her arrange marriage she finds herself at the convent of St. Mortain, where she soon discovers the true reason they have accepted her. St. Mortain isn't any ordinary saint, he is the god of death and whom they worship. It's said that he has given special gifts to certain people in order to do his bidding, and thus the girls at the convent believe it under blind faith.

Ismae spends three years defining and sharpening up her skills, which include learning about the histories of the royals, how to seduce men, poisons and all sort of things that would be required to kill their marks.

Her final test is being able to work and yet spy on Gavriel Duval at the high court. And in doing so, the closer she becomes to him.. the more she starts to question the motives of the convent, and the discovering of her new growing feelings for him.

The romance between them was marvelous. It was something that grew over time as they continued to work together, and then when it was so built it everything exploded and there was no denying what was between them.

This book has everything you could want. It's set in history, which would be the 1400's Brittany. A historical romance to die for, a strong heroine and full of action to the punch.

I love the way, in the beginning Ismae was scared and vulnerable, and with time she grew into a strong and confident woman. She just needed that push to make her go down that line, and I bet for one, she is glad she did.

While this took be while to get into it.. I had to re-read the first part of the novel twice to grasp what was going on.. I did end up enjoying it as the story progressed.

This comes out in April. It's a must buy. What are you waiting for? Pre-order now if you think it's something that's up your alley.

Thank you to Netgalley for supplying me with this book.

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