Review: The Golden Cage by Kaitlyn Davis

The Golden Cage by Kaitlyn Davis

 

Series: A Dance of Dragons (0.5)

Release date: March 27, 2014

Publisher: Smashwords Edition

Format: ebook, 51 pages

Source: Purchased from BN

Genre: Fantasy, YA, Romance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

The Overview

 

 

  In the land of Ourthuro, cruelty is a way of life. The king rules with an iron fist and no one dare defy him—no one except his daughter. Princess Leena is keeping a dangerous secret, she has fallen in love with a soldier and it would mean both of their lives if her father ever discovered their affair.

  But Leena will risk it all to be with the man she loves—her heart, her life, her freedom. And when her brother's birthday celebration takes a dangerous turn, Leena is forced to make a decision that will change the fate of her nation and eventually the world.

 

 

My Thoughts

   I found this novella (and the next book in the series) by complete accident. I was just browsing the BN bookstore and was intrigued by the cover.  I'm way too often guilty of picking books simply by how much I like the cover.  I end up with a lot of new books I like most of the time.
   This story follows one of the many princesses of Ourthuro, Princess Leena, who is keeping a most dangerous secret.  She has fallen in love with her personal guard, Mikzahooq, something that could mean Mikza's death if brought to light.  Together they fight for the life they want together.
   Even though the novella was only 50 pages, it was so wonderfully written that it completely ensnared me in and left me wanting to know the rest of the story.  I've always been a big fan of books that featured fantasy worlds so different from our own.


My Rating: 5 Stars

 

Review: Hidden by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Hidden by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

 

Series: House of Night (#10)

Release Date: October 16, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Format: Hardcover, 320

Source: Borrowed from a friend
Genres: YA, Fantasy

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Overview:

 

   Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight. Chaos reigns at the House of Night.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

   I had really high hopes for this book. I've read the entire House of Night series, and waited so eagerly for this one.  The series has always been one of my top favorite YA series, but this book moves it down my list a little.
  In my opinion, this book is nothing more than a filler book, something that's really not necessary.  I've almost given up trying to make sense of all the different POVs, because really, who needs to know what almost every character is thinking about the same thing.  I didn't feel like this book moved forward at all. 
   I love that Kalona is trying to move on and become redeemed in Nyx's eyes.  I love that the characters are evolving.  I did not, however, like how Zoey freaked out every time she got around Aurox.  She's been in the vampyre world for how long and still thinks it's impossible for Aurox to be who he really is as well?
  I simply didn't resonate with this book like I have some of the others.  Of course, I know not every book is a gem, but like I said, I had high hopes for it that just didn't pan out.  Not saying I'm not going to read the next one, but I sure wish I could forget this one.


My rating: 3 stars



Review: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

   Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren

Series: River of Time (#3)
Publisher: Cook, David C.
Release Date: September 1, 2011
Format: eBook, 290 pages
Source: Purchased through Barnes and Noble
Genres: Romance, YA, Historical Fiction

The Overview:

 

 

“Hold tight,” I said. “No matter what happens, do not let us go.”

“We won’t,” my dad said.

“Never,” Mom added.

And with a look at Lia, we laid our hands upon the prints.

   Gabriella and Evangelia Betarrini are just two normal American teenagers. Normal except for the fact that they time travel to fourteenth-century Italy, where they’ve lived in castles they’ve seen as crumbling ruins, become swept up in historic battles, and fallen in love with handsome knights willing to do anything to keep them alive.

   

   They’ve returned to the present to save their father, just short of his tragic death, and now all four return to the place that holds the girls’ hearts, medieval Italy. But remaining there means facing great risk as the battle for territory wages on and the coming Black Plague looms. Can they convince their parents to stay and leave behind everything they’ve worked so hard to accomplish? And will the girls sacrifice their futures in an uncertain past? Or in facing death head-on, will they discover life as it was always meant to be lived?

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

 

   In this final installment in the River of Time series, Torrent picks up where Cascade left off.  Gabi and her family has managed to save her father from his future death.  Together, they all travel back to 14th century Italy.  More than a year has passed for Marcello, making him even more eager to marry Gabi. 

   But before any of this happens, they must try to rescue Fortino, Marcello's imprisoned brother.  With poor Fortino's fate, Gabi realizes too late it was all a trap to simply spirit her away to become another man's wife.  She has to deal with coming to terms with the fact that she actually feels something for someone other than Marcello, which she feels really guilty about.

  All in all, this was an amazing book. I find myself really sad that it's over, besides the two novellas that I haven't had a chance to read as of yet.  But that's for a later date.  I would completely recommend this book for anyone looking for a little adventure.

 

 

My rating: 4 stars

Review: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren

 

 

Series: River of Time (#2)

Publisher:  Cook, David C.

Release Date: June 1, 2011

Format: eBook, 290 pages

Source: Purchased through Barnes and Noble

Genres: YA, Romance,

 

 

 

 

The Overview:

 

 

 

 

   When Gabi and Lia find themselves back in the fourteenth century-and in the middle of major battles alongside romantic knights in shining armor-they have no idea if they can get back. Or if they even want to. In the first book of the River of Time series, two bored American sisters stumble on a door to the past, where Gabi is rescued by a handsome knight who vows to love her forever. But there is a rival for his affections, and the girls flee into the present to escape. 

  Now lovestruck Gabi persuades Lia to help her return, even though she knows dangers abound in medieval Italy, including an entire city that seeks revenge. But Marcello awaits, and Gabi must decide if she's willing to leave her family behind for love.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

 

   This was a great followup to Waterfall.  After fleeing back to the future, Gabi and Lia convince their mother to return with them.  Gabi is desperate to return back to Marcello as she realizes that for every minute they dally in the present, a day passes in his time.  But before they can go back, Gabi must convince Lia, who is reluctant to return after the near demise of her sister at the Rossi's hands.

   After returning, Gabi is reunited with Marcello, and Lia with Luca. Arriving at Castello Forelli, Gabi is very pleased to find that Fortino, Marcello's brother, in better health.  However she is horrified to find that Lady Rossi (once Marcello's intended) is now Fortino's intended, as Marcello now only wants Gabi.

   This book really shows how much stronger Marcello and Gabi's relationship is becoming.  I liked how the sisters were becoming stronger and more independent from the girls they were when they first came back into time. While I am not a huge fan of cliffhangers, I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, Torrent.

 

 

My Rating: 4 stars

Review: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

  Waterfall by Lisa T.  Bergren

Series: The River of Time (#1)
Publisher: Cook, David C.
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Format: eBook, 384 pages
Source: Purchased through Barnes and Noble
Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy








Overview:

     Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents - framed Etruscan scholars- among the romantic hills.  In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archaeological site... until Gabi places her hand atop a hand print in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy.  And worse yet, in middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.
      And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince, Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father's castle-- a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy in much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

My Thoughts

 

    I really enjoyed this book, and it took only a couple of hours to read.  I haven't read too many time travel books, but if all are as good as Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren, I would love to read them all. The book follows the Bentarrini sisters as they follow their mother on archaeological dig.  Gabi is our protagonist, and I found her to be very likable like her sister, Lia. Together the girls explore the old ruins and find hand prints in tombs in which they place their hands and find themselves transported to medieval Italy. 

   Sometimes I found how easy Gabi's transition was to medieval Italy unbelievable.  I'm sure if any 'regular' teen was just tossed a couple of centuries back into time, (s)he  would promptly freak out.  I know I would.  But maybe that's because even though I excelled in history, I probably wouldn't be able to remember half of what I was taught so long ago. 

   Waterfall is so cleverly written and wonderfully described I don't have any trouble picturing myself there with Gabi.  There is a ton of adventure and romances, sure to please everyone.  After reading this one, I am definitely excited to read the next novel, Cascade.

 

    My Rating: 4 stars