*Book Review* The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine

Title: The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1)

Format: eArc
Pages: 400
Published: 23rd Feb 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Fantasy, Fairy tale Retelling
Shelfability: Acquire
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US

**About The Book**
 Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

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Fairytale Friday #2

Fairytale Friday is a fortnightly feature where I will showcase some of the amazing fairytales out there and some of their retellings.

This week: Red Riding Hood!

I am slightly obsessed with Red since watch Once Upon A Time. I love the character on the show. Now Won't tell you anyhing about Red on the show incase you haven't seen because it is just WOW! 

The Tale of Little Red Riding Hood dates back to the 10th Century and over time the story has changed. The earliest printed version according to Wikipedia is by Charles Perrault in 17th Century and is a lot more sinister than the later adaptions. And then again by the Brothers Grimm in 19th Century.

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Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 400
Published: 5th Jan 2012
Publisher: Puffin
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Retelling, SciFi/Dystopian
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository

Description:
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl ...CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation. Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future. This is not the fairytale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.

Review:
Cinder is retelling of Cinderella but with a fresh and funky twist. Set in the future in New Beijing, this Cinder is a mechanic, slaving away to support her wicked Stepmother. However, Cinder is your ordinary home girl, she is a Cyborg! And when her stepsister Peony catched the plague, Cinder lifes is turn upside down and secrets from Cinder past are revealed!

Honestly when I first heard about this I was sooooo excited. I had heard nothing but good things about it and when I got a chance to review it I am over the moon. However, I personally found the beginning to be very slow and it didn't grip my imagination straight away but my gut told me to keep reading and when that happens I do it. And boy I am so glad I did. Cinder is like nothing I have ever read before. After the first 100 pages I was completely engrossed in the storyline that I simply couldn't put the book down.

Cinder is such a strong heroine. She is smart, strong, witty and really stands out against some of the YA Protagonist's that are in books just now. I really enjoyed the relationship she had with Iko the family android. It was a really fun and caring relationship and Iko is adorable! lol. When Cinder stepsister, Poeny gets sick she is devastated because Peony is the only one in her family that cares about her and Cinder truely loves Peony. It was heartbreaking reading the aftermath of it. However, being a such a strong character Cinder deals with everything even though she is scared. (So trying not to spoil anything LOL)

Of course being a YA it wouldn't be complete without a romance right? Well there is one kind of with Prince Kai. Now I personally didn't think this was a great part to the story.I get that its Cinderella you need a Prince Charming but Prince Kai just doesn't come across as a "Prince Charming" he lacks personality. But in a way that's good because the romance doesn't take you away from the actual story.

As I said, it was a slow start for me but once I got into it, it was unbelievable. It was truely different to anything that is out there at moment. The storyline was a bit predictable and I knew exactly where it was going but there was no denying that the ride along the way to there was freaking magical, exciting and full of drama that keeped me from the book down.

Marissa Meyer has delivered a fantastic debut novel. If this is how her debut is I am really excited about reading the next book. But I don't think I can wait until 2013 for it. So if you like your fairy tale retelling with a twist I urge you to give this ago!!

Rate: 4/5

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Abandon (Abandon #1) by Meg Cabot

Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 304
Published: 2nd Sept 2011
Publisher Macmillian Childrens Books
Genre: YA Paranormal, Mytholocial Retelling
Buy on Amazon: UK I US

Description:
Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.


There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says.

Review:
I have never read a Meg Cabot book in my life (I know where I have been right? ) Her books never really caught my interest. Until I see this one. I thought the cover was stunning and the description sounded so exciting and after reading The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter I was really exciting to reading another Hades and Persphone retelling. However, sadly this book falls flat and left me seriously disappointed.

Usually here is where I add my own little description of the plot of a book. However, this book didn't seem to even have a plot. It basically involves Pierces a young girl who died two years ago and goes to the Underworld but manages escape from John Hayden (ruler of this underworld) by throwing a cup of tea in his face. ?!? I mean eh? John is meant to be ruler of the Underworld, strong and full of power but a 15 year old girl manages to escape by throwing a cup of tea on him I mean come on!

Abandon seems to take place over like one day but with loads of flashbacks telling us about what happened to Pierce after she came back from the underworld. Pierce OMG, I have never hated a main character so much in my life. She is so annoying. She is one dimensional and just comes across very immature. Here is this guy who loves her wants to spend forever with her and she doesn't even see it until the very end of the book. ARGH!!! John I actually did like him. I would loved to have seen more of him in the book, since he only appears a few times. The book would have worked if it was in his POV i think. He is interesting, powerful and dangerous and kinda yummy. He could have took me to his underworld. I would have gladly stayed lol.

The story itself its very very very slow, boring and very anti climactic. I kept waiting for some awesome thing to happen and makes the story amazing but it never comes. The writing is all over the place. One minute Pierce is talking about something then the next without any warning she does a flashback that has nothing to do with the original point and then doesn't go back to her original point until about 20 pages later.

However, it was all bad at around page 263 there is an interesting turn of events that was exactly rather good. So for that I probably will pick up book 2 when it comes out just to see if it gets better.

And even though this book wasnt really for me. I will still read more of Meg's book. I have read so many great things about her work and want to try more. If you like Meg Cabot or retellings please give this book ago. Just because I didn't really like it doesn't mean you won't. :)



Rate: 2/5

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The Goddess Test (The Goddess Test #1) by Aimee Carter

Pages: 297
Published: 19th April 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy, Retelling, Myths

Description:

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails.....

Review:
The Goddess Test is nothing short of Amazing! It's fantastic and unique. And its Aimee's debut novel. Seriously you wouldn't think it was a debut novel.

Th Goddess Test is a retelling of Persephone. The Greek Queen of the Underworld. I am not a big fan of retellings in general. However, this has me hooked and I sat and read in about five hours. The story follows Kate, as she and her mom move to a smal town called Eden, a dying request from her mother. As Kate tries to settle into life in Eden her life is turned upside down by a prank that goes horribly wrong.

I really felt for Kate. She has been looking after her sick mother since she was a freshman. At first I couldn't really connect with her. I don't really know why. However, within a couple of chapters I started to like her. She is a very strong main character. She has her head screwed on properly and all she wants is to spend time with her mom. So when she arrives at her first day of school she very quickly befriends James. I really liked James. He was a nice person who geniunely seem to care for Kate.  When Kate meets Henry everything changes for her. Henry comes across quite brooding. At first there is no romantic link between Kate and Henry but as the story unfold we learn more about him and Kate finds herself falling for him. The character that really suprised me was Ava. I can't really say too much about Ava without major spoilers but she at didn't like Kate then she does a complete 180 and I actually began to like her.

Now I haven't read any books that involve retelling of Greek Mythology and the Gods. I know of some of the Gods from watching movies and such. However, it wasn't really an area that really interested me. When I first seen The Goddess Test. I did a little research about the story and decided it sounded pretty interesting so I'd give it a whirl. So glad I did. Aimee has took the Greek Gods and put her own spin on it.

Overall, The Goddess Test is fresh, unique and beautiful written. With twists and turn you seriously will not see coming and it will have you begging for the next installement.

Rate: 5/5

Aimee's Website: aimeecarter.com

Pre-order Your Copy


As far as I know there is no release date for the UK. However you can preorder the book via The Book Depository : The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

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