Book Review: SCORCHED by Mari Mancusi

Mari Mancusi takes on one of the less common creatures in young adult sagas: the dragon, and goes on a rip-roaring tear with it.

After a family tragedy, it’s just sixteen-year-old Trinity and her grandfather trying to hold it together and they’re hanging on by a thread. Grandpa is sure life is about to change when he finds what he believes to be a rare dinosaur egg, but it just leaves Trinity rolling her eyes. She’s accustomed to her grandfather’s eccentric ways. He’s right about one thing, though. Life is about to change, but in ways neither he nor Trinity could ever imagine. It all starts when Trinity hears voices in her head. Is she turning into her mother or is it coming from that egg? Two brothers from the future have their opinions about the matter and they’re diametrically opposed. Trinity finds herself right in the middle—with a dragon by her side. The only thing any of them is sure of is destruction, of man or dragon, unless someone figures out what to do. And time is running out.

Scorched has clearly infused some of the elements from The Terminator movie and made it it’s own. In case you think you’re imagining it, one of the brothers is named Conner and our protagonist, Trinity, makes reference to the movie several chapters in. Instead of this coming off as a warmed-over rehash, it feels like a cool insider joke. The author has carried you along to that point, eliciting flash points of familiarity. When Trinity casts that thought—something those familiar with the film may be thinking—it makes for a hearty and well-earned confirmation.

Scorched is an excellent example of how one can take a known pop cultural moment, gain inspiration from it and use it to weave a new work into something fresh and different. This novel doesn’t let you put it down for long. The crescendo builds as a consistent thread, pulling the reader along. You have to know what happens! Are one of the brothers lying? If so, which one? Why? Will Trinity regret trusting either of them and will it cost her the ultimate: her life and that of those she loves? You have to keep reading to find out.

This tale ends with a solid conclusion, but it’s clear the story is not over. Wherever it goes, if Scorched is any indication, Ms. Mancusi is sure to keep the excitement and the questions coming.

Scorched released September 3, 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire.

Toodles, ya'll!

Book Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

Book Two

If you haven't read the first book in this series, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I suggest you get on it--immediately! The writing is poetic, lyrical; the story--awesome! It's a fresh, original premise, filled with fantastical creatures and a intense love story that will leave you breathless trying to figure out how it's all going to come together.

The second book, Days of Blood and Starlight was a total surprise. First check out the description...

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou, finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is--and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. It's filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

I was expecting a continuation of the love story essentially, but that's not what happened. This is about about war! It's not entitled Days of Blood and Starlight for nothing--emphasis on the blood! Hold your horses.  Don't let that scare you. I don't mean that the story is filled with unspeakable gore. Nothing could be further from the truth. But Karou has been betrayed and she's not taking it. She's intent on revenge and making the guilty parties pay--in the only way she knows how. I don't want to spoil your discovery, so you'll have to read the novel to learn how she does it...he he he....

Book One

As I implied earlier, the author took the story in a completely different direction--and I love it. She wrote the chapters from the perspectives of different characters beyond the two lovers, Karou and Akiva. This provides an opportunity to get to know old favorites better and meet new ones. I really enjoyed learning more about some of the unusual creatures in the story and getting a more intimate view of them--how they think, what they feel...The entire world of this story was fleshed out more. One is drawn into and immersed in it.

I'm already chomping at the bit to read the next book...*sigh*...I don't think Taylor is finished writing it yet...*double sigh*...but, I have something great to look forward to! I have a friend that I'm sending this book to as a gift. I gifted her the first book in the series now she's as hooked as I am, including her daughters...lol... All three are waiting for me to get it into their hands.

Make sure you don't miss out. I think it's been optioned for a movie. I don't know how they're going to get all these intricate plot points on the screen. Read it now! You won't regret it.

Toodles, ya'll