Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang ~ New Release Review

Title: Dragon Springs Road
Author: Janie Chang
Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal Elements
Length: 400 Pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Source: Amazon Vine
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

From the author of Three Souls comes a vividly imagined and haunting new novel set in early 20th century Shanghai—a story of friendship, heartbreak, and history that follows a young Eurasian orphan’s search for her long-lost mother.

That night I dreamed that I had wandered out to Dragon Springs Road all on my own, when a dreadful knowledge seized me that my mother had gone away never to return . . . 

In 1908, Jialing is only seven years old when she is abandoned in the courtyard of a once-lavish estate outside Shanghai. Jialing is zazhong—Eurasian—and faces a lifetime of contempt from both Chinese and Europeans. Until now she’s led a secluded life behind courtyard walls, but without her mother’s protection, she can survive only if the estate’s new owners, the Yang family, agree to take her in.

Jialing finds allies in Anjuin, the eldest Yang daughter, and Fox, an animal spirit who has lived in the courtyard for centuries. But Jialing’s life as the Yangs’ bondservant changes unexpectedly when she befriends a young English girl who then mysteriously vanishes.

Murder, political intrigue, jealousy, forbidden love … Jialing confronts them all as she grows into womanhood during the tumultuous early years of the Chinese republic, always hopeful of finding her long-lost mother. Through every turn she is guided, both by Fox and by her own strength of spirit, away from the shadows of her past toward a very different fate, if she has the courage to accept it. 

**********

I quickly fell in love with Dragon Springs Road. The character of Jialing is adorable at the beginning, and watching her grow into a strong woman willing to push the boundaries of what society allows her do was incredible. As a Eurasian, Jialing doesn't fit within any society and both look down on her as something less.At first she accepts this role in her life, but after making friends with the daughter of the Chinese family she lives with and attending a mission school, her views begin to change. She doesn't understand why she is worth less than Chinese or European women, why she can't do anything they do.

Pushing her, and helping her behind the scenes is Fox, an ancient Chinese animal spirit that befriends her after her mother abandons her. Fox nudges the people in her life in directions to help Jialing along the road she needs to follow. Fox was a very interesting character. At first she seemed very frivolous and selfish, but as I got to know her better I discovered how selfless and giving she was. In the end, I think she was one of my favorite characters of all.

Jialing has to navigate a very difficult Chinese world. There is murder, coups, wars, and so much political drama. And each one threatens in some way to tear apart the little world she's made for herself. Dragon Springs Road was a fascinating tale, and I think I'll have to explore more from Janie Chang soon.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book**

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The Immortal Crown by Kieth Merrill ~ Review

Title: The Immortal Crown (Saga of Kings #1)
Author: Kieth Merrill
Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Length: 544 Pages
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A thousand years ago, the Navigator possessed thirteen stones touched by Oum’ilah, the God of gods. Over time, these power-ful stones of light were scattered and a prophecy arose declaring that a “child of no man” would gather them again, and he would be given immortality and reign forever as god and king of Kandelaar.

Now, in an age of chaos, the time has come for the prophecy to be fulfilled. Light and darkness have each chosen a champion to claim the legendary stones:

The sorceress of the cult of she-dragon has chosen Drakkor, a warrior and mercenary who travels with bandits and a corrupt stone of darkness.

The Oracle of Oum’ilah has placed his faith in Ashar, a young postulant who is unsure the stones of light even exist.

Meanwhile, miles away, a slave named Ereon Qhuin dreams of freedom. Abandoned at birth, his only possession is a strange stone that he believes is the key to his destiny and freedom.

A mercenary, a postulant, and a slave—which one is truly the child of prophecy? Who will wear the immortal crown? 

I love finding a good epic fantasy series to really dig into. The Immortal Crown has a lot of the elements I love to see. We start out with a prophecy - one that's changed over the years and over the miles. We even start with a hint of dragons.

Eventually we follow several potential prophecy fulfillers as they journey into new parts of their life - from adventure to first tastes of freedom to potential love. There are sooo many characters, but each story seems to entwine itself in the overall storyline in an easy and memorable way. I didn't once have a problem remembering who was doing what and where they were in the journey.

Some of the characters and lore were a little expected - the girl who prefers pants and is surprisingly good at swords, the ancient people who left a forgotten legacy, but it was done with just enough of a twist or with a little bit extra that it really made the characters stand out.

I would have liked a tad more excitement. There are a few great moments, but I feel like I missed a bit of the "sword" in the "sword & sorcery" book. 

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Beware That Girl by Teresa Toten ~ Review

Title: Beware That Girl
Author: Teresa Toten
Genre: Young Adult, Psychological Thriller
Length: 336 Pages
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Release Date: May 31, 2016
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The Haves. The Have Nots. Kate O'Brien appears to be a Have Not. Her whole life has been a series of setbacks she's had to snake her way out of--some more sinister than others. But she's determined to change that. She's book smart. She's street-smart. And she's also a masterful liar.

     As the scholarship student at the elite Waverly School in NYC, Kate has her work cut out for her: her plan is to climb the social ranks and land a spot at Yale. She's already found her "people" among the senior class "it" girls--specifically in the cosseted, mega-wealthy yet deeply damaged Olivia Sumner. As for Olivia, she considers Kate the best friend she's always needed, the sister she never had. 

     When the handsome and whip-smart Mark Redkin joins the Waverly administration as head of fundraising, he immediately charms his way into the faculty and students' lives--especially Olivia's, although she doesn't share what's going on. It becomes increasingly obvious that Redkin poses a threat to Kate, too, in a way she can't reveal and can't afford to ignore. Mark has his own plan for a bright future and never doubts that he can pull it off. How close can Kate and Olivia get with Mark without having to share their dark pasts? 

Holy cow! I thought I had this book all figured out - but I totally didn't. Biggest curve ball I've seen in a long, long time. 

Kate will do just about anything to keep her scholarship and get into Yale. Step one, befriending one of the haves by the name of Olivia. She's an easy mark, looking for a new friend. And things seem to go along very nicely. She's managed to become Olivia's best friend. But then things get a little weird.

Enter Mark Redkin, the new employee at the private school that all the girls (student and faculty alike) are head over heels for. But he's more than what he seems on the surface. Kate doesn't trust him, and soon she finds out why. Things quickly spin out of Kate's carefully constructed plan. Mark is out of her league, but she's determined to come out on top.

This is where things took an interesting twist that I never saw coming. I don't want to give it away, but it's a good one. Excellently done Teresa Toten.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Bird by Crystal Chan

Title: Bird
Author: Crystal Chan
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A girl, who was born on the day her brother Bird died, has grown up in a house of silence and secrets; when she meets John, a mysterious new boy in her rural Iowan town, and those secrets start to come out.

Don't let the fact that the book summary really doesn't say much turn you off of this one.  It was an amazing story about a family trying desperately to move on after a tragedy - and so far failing to do so.  Their 12 year old daughter is feeling the brunt of this tragedy - the death of her brother on the day she was born.  Her family has never come out from under this cloud, in fact her grandfather doesn't even speak anymore.

Jewel has learned to live life this way, until she meets a new boy in town.  He helps her see herself as something valuable and smart.  He shows her that she has something to contribute.  It was beautiful to watch this family slowly begin to pull themselves back together and build their life all over again.

There was a surprising amount of culture in this story.  An interesting mix of Jamaican and Mexican.  I learned a lot about Jamaican superstitions and they play a role in how this family functions.  They are also the cause of many arguments and long time hard feelings.  Yet more things for Jewel to find herself stuck in the middle of.

Bird was a great coming of age story about a family that has hit rock bottom and the daughter that pulls them back up again.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Fates (Fates #1) by Lanie Bross

Title: Fates (Fates #1)
Author: Lanie Bross
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

One moment. One foolish desire. One mistake. And Corinthe lost everything.

She fell from her tranquil life in Pyralis Terra and found herself exiled to the human world. Her punishment? To make sure people's fates unfold according to plan. Now, years later, Corinthe has one last assignment: kill Lucas Kaller. His death will be her ticket home.

But for the first time, Corinthe feels a tingle of doubt. It begins as a lump in her throat, then grows toward her heart, and suddenly she feels like she is falling all over again--this time for a boy she knows she can never have. Because it is written: one of them must live, and one of them must die. In a universe where every moment, every second, every fate has already been decided, where does love fit in?

While Fates got off to a bit of a slow start while it introduced all the characters, it was amazing once it picked up.  Using the theory of multiple universes all influencing each other, Lanie Bross was able to create several diverse worlds and outcomes for our characters to explore - even if they didn't actually want to.  I really enjoyed how different each world was and watching our characters' reaction to each one of them.

Corinthe is an exiled Fate - she now works on earth to ensure that humans meet the fates the "Unseen Ones" mete out.  She has assisted life, love, and even death in hundreds of lives, but her last task leaves her feeling unsure about if it is the right thing to do.  All the worlds in existence will be effected by her decision.

Luc was a bit dry as a character for me.  He was very focused on getting his sister back, and until the very end he didn't seem to care about much else.  While that is a noble goal, I had hoped to see more about his life goals and desires - especially during his internal dialog sections.

This was a very exciting story overall, and I want to read book two to find out what Luc is going to be up to next - and just how he plans to solve his new problem.  While the ending is not a cliffhanger, the author made it very obvious that the story will continue.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Pull Down the Night (The Suburban Strange #2) by Nathan Kotecki

Title: Pull Down the Night (The Suburban Strange #2)
Author: Nathan Kotecki
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release Date: Octoer 8, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

This year at Suburban High School is just as troubling as the last. A curly-haired girl ghost is disrupting lives with dreaded “kiss notes,” and students are inexplicably sinking into depression. Bruno—the new kid on the block—finds himself at the center of the mystery when he discovers his natural map-reading abilities are actually supernatural. When the reluctant hero isn’t engaged in cosmic battles against evil, Bruno is swooning over the mesmerizing Celia (from The Suburban Strange) and navigating the goth sensibilities and musical obsessions of the Rosary, her über-chic clique. A hypnotic coming-of-age novel that chills and thrills.

The Suburban Strange (The Suburban Strange #1): Review

Book Two wasn't quite as exciting for me as book one was.  There was still a lot going go, so the book moved forward a nice pace.  Two of the orginal Rosary members have left for college, but there are two new students that slip into place fairly nicely, Bruno and his brother Silvio.  Now Bruno starts off the year with a huge crush on Celia.  She seems to be the center point of the story again, even though much of the book followed Bruno this time instead.  

I really enjoyed Bruno - he was a very dynamic and interesting character.  We get to follow Bruno as he discovers he is Kind, and his experience is very different than the story we hear from Tomasi in book one.  His power is very similar, but manifests in a different and fun way.  We also meet another Kind that has found themselves at Suburban High that gives some interesting insights into things.  The ghost "haunting" the school is a familiar face that I was very happey to see.

The Unkind in this book takes a very different twist that I really loved.  There is also a gatekeeper type that we meet who has a lot of interesting things to say and do, expecially towards the end of the story.  A lot of the story was figuring the new characters out and showing how they fit in the grand scheme of things.  There just wasn't as much action as there was in book one.  Very interesting characters, but a little bit slower.  Still a great story, and I'll be watching for book three.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by Bob Pfugfelder and Steve Hockensmith

Title: Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle (Nick and Tesla #3)
Author: Bob Pfugfelder and Steve Hockensmith
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Middle Grade
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

In this third installment of the series, 11-year-old whiz-kids Nick and Tesla discover that someone in the quiet town of Half Moon Bay has placed their beloved Uncle Newt under electronic surveillance—but who is spying on him, and why? To expose the secret agent, Nick and Tesla build all kinds of outrageous contraptions. Throughout the book, the narrative is interrupted by blueprints and instructions so that budding young inventors can follow along. Science and electronics have never been so much fun!

Another great story for Nick and Tesla.  In this adventure they are trying to find out who is spying on them.  The authors provided us with a handful of very humorous possibilities.  I loved watching Nick and Tesla try to figure out each and every one of them.  The techniques they used and the gadgets they build have instructions that are very easy to follow once again.  It was a perfect mix of fun and education.  My 11 year old daughter is loving this series as well.

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Review: The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson

Title: The Tyrant's Daughter
Author: J.C. Carleson
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

From a former CIA officer comes the riveting account of a royal Middle Eastern family exiled to the American suburbs. 

When her father is killed in a coup, 15-year-old Laila flees from the war-torn middle east to a life of exile and anonymity in the U.S. Gradually she adjusts to a new school, new friends, and a new culture, but while Laila sees opportunity in her new life, her mother is focused on the past. She’s conspiring with CIA operatives and rebel factions to regain the throne their family lost. Laila can’t bear to stand still as an international crisis takes shape around her, but how can one girl stop a conflict that spans generations? 

J.C. Carleson delivers a fascinating account of a girl—and a country—on the brink, and a rare glimpse at the personal side of international politics.

*Bonus Backmatter includes a note about the author's CIA past, and a commentary by RAND researcher and president of ARCH International, Dr. Cheryl Benard. Recommendations for further reading are also included. 

This book was not at all what I had expected at first - it was different, but in a good way.  The story follows Laila as she tries to adjust to life in America after fleeing from her country.  The country remains unnamed for the entire story - the perfect choice by the author in order to avoid some backlash I'm sure.  The country created is a merging of several that have had struggles over the past few years - all we know for sure is that it's in the Middle East.  While the country may not have had a name, it definitely had an identity.  It's culture and people come to life in many different ways - Laila's memories, news articles she reads, and in stories from other refugees.

But this isn't a story about a war-torn country.  It's the story about a girl trying to find the truth about her past and live with her future.  She was sheltered before she came here, but in a good way.  She understands American culture, she's just never had to fit in in the middle of it.  Surrounded by new people and places she begins to find herself and a new place.

Just as she begins to settle, things begin to fall apart again.  Having been a large part of the politics in her country, her mother isn't content to start over.  Her plots and schemes are twisted and I was amazed at how devious and cunning she was at the end.  This is a must read in the YA contemporary genre.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen

Title: This Wishing Thread
Author: Lisa Van Allen
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

For fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Sarah Addison Allen, The Wishing Thread is an enchanting novel about the bonds between sisters, the indelible pull of the past, and the transformational power of love.
 
The Van Ripper women have been the talk of Tarrytown, New York, for centuries. Some say they’re angels; some say they’re crooks. In their tumbledown “Stitchery,” not far from the stomping grounds of the legendary Headless Horseman, the Van Ripper sisters—Aubrey, Bitty, and Meggie—are said to knit people’s most ardent wishes into beautiful scarves and mittens, granting them health, success, or even a blossoming romance. But for the magic to work, sacrifices must be made—and no one knows that better than the Van Rippers.
 
When the Stitchery matriarch, Mariah, dies, she leaves the yarn shop to her three nieces. Aubrey, shy and reliable, has dedicated her life to weaving spells for the community, though her sisters have long stayed away. Bitty, pragmatic and persistent, has always been skeptical of magic and wants her children to have a normal, nonmagical life. Meggie, restless and free-spirited, follows her own set of rules. Now, after Mariah’s death forces a reunion, the sisters must reassess the state of their lives even as they decide the fate of the Stitchery. But their relationships with one another—and their beliefs in magic—are put to the test. Will the threads hold?

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This was an amazing book!  The magic was perfect, the sisters were perfect, Tarrytown was perfect.  In a world where magic just may be possible - people still shun it and the Van Ripper sister responsible for guarding it.  The Stitchery has been a place of magic for generations, knitting solutions for the residents of Tarrytown for generations.  But when a death in the family brings the Van Ripper sisters back home for the first time in years, things take an interesting turn.

The Wishing Thread has so much happening that each page flew past.  The Van Ripper sisters have a relationship that is anything but good, but we get to watch as they come to terms with their past and make new lives for themselves.  We get to watch a town struggle for survival against the inevitable push of progess.  There is romance and heartbreak - betrayal and forgiveness - and a couple of cute kids that end up being the glue holding much of it together.

For lovers of contemporary family dramas - this will offer so much more than you are used to and I'm sure you will love every minute of it.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Reviwe: The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland

Title: The Shadow Queen
Author: Sandra Gulland
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Historical Romance, 1660's France
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

From the author of the beloved Josephine B. Trilogy, comes a spellbinding novel inspired by the true story of a young woman who rises from poverty to become confidante to the most powerful, provocative and dangerous woman in the 17th century French court: the mistress of the charismatic Sun King.

1660, Paris

Claudette’s life is like an ever-revolving stage set. From an impoverished childhood wandering the French countryside with her family’s acting troupe, Claudette finally witnesses her mother's astonishing rise to stardom in Parisian theaters. Working with playwrights Corneille, Molière and Racine, Claudette’s life is culturally rich, but like all in the theatrical world at the time, she's socially scorned. 

A series of chance encounters gradually pull Claudette into the alluring orbit of Athénaïs de Montespan, mistress to Louis XIV and reigning "Shadow Queen." Needing someone to safeguard her secrets, Athénaïs offers to hire Claudette as her personal attendant. 

Enticed by the promise of riches and respectability, Claudette leaves the world of the theater only to find that court is very much like a stage, with outward shows of loyalty masking more devious intentions. This parallel is not lost on Athénaïs, who fears political enemies are plotting her ruin as young courtesans angle to take the coveted spot in the king's bed. 

Indeed, Claudette's "reputable" new position is marked by spying, illicit trysts and titanic power struggles. As Athénaïs, becomes ever more desperate to hold onto the King's favor, innocent love charms move into the realm of deadly Black Magic, and Claudette is forced to consider a move that will put her own life—and the family she loves so dearly—at risk. 

Set against the gilded opulence of a newly-constructed Versailles and the War of Theaters, THE SHADOW QUEEN is a seductive, gripping novel about the lure of wealth, the illusion of power, and the increasingly uneasy relationship between two strong-willed women whose actions could shape the future of France.

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The Shadow Queen delivered much more than I expected.  Full of intrigue, scandal and secrets - religious cults and fantastic plays.  The tale of Claudette begins as a poor player and spans many levels fame.  From helping her mother become a famous actress to being the confidante of The Shadow Queen - with much in between.  

As part of a family of players, Claudette leads a very interesting life surrounded by some very unique people.  One of these people is knows as Athenais - met in a variety of ways throughout the year, Claudette finds herself the woman's confidante.  This leads to quite an interesting series of events as Athenais tries to maintain her place as the king's favorite mistress.  There was a surprising amount of action in this - duels, floods, missing people - at times the book got quite exciting for a historical fiction novel that wasn't about a war.

I loved the way the story was told.  I really felt like I was there watching it all from a hidden little nook in the wall.  The clothes, the rooms, the people - all come to life very nicely.  The ending was very nice and I loved how Sandra Gulland wrapped up so many of the pieces so nicely and naturally.  I don't know much about the time period, but she did include a little bit at the back covering where she too literary licence and what was considered fact which helped me understand the time even more.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak

Title: Empress of the Night: A Novel of Catherine the Great
Author: Eva Stachniak
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Historical Fiction (Russia 1790)
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The follow-up to the #1 bestseller The Winter Palace--perfect for the readers of Hilary Mantel and Alison Weir. 

Catherine the Great, the Romanov monarch reflects on her astonishing ascension to the throne, her leadership over the world's greatest power, and the lives sacrificed to make her the most feared woman in the world--lives including her own...

Catherine the Great muses on her life, her relentless battle between love and power, the country she brought into the glorious new century, and the bodies left in her wake. By the end of her life, she had accomplished more than virtually any other woman in history. She built and grew the Romanov empire, amassed a vast fortune of art and land, and controlled an unruly and conniving court. Now, in a voice both indelible and intimate, she reflects on the decisions that gained her the world and brought her enemies to their knees. And before her last breath, shadowed by the bloody French Revolution, she sets up the end game for her last political maneuver, ensuring her successor and the greater glory of Russia.

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I have not yet read The Winter Palance, but I just added it to my Amazon cart to pick up with my next batch of books.  Eva Stachniak just may be getting added to my "but everything she writes" list.  Her writing was caprivating and very descriptive without going too far and giving too much.  

The court and life of Catherine the Great was very different from many of the European courts I have read about during that time.  Stachniak captured the grandoise lifestyle and obsession with impressing Russia's European counterparts and need for expansion.  There was so much I never realized about Catherine the Great - such as she wasn't really Russian and her name wasn't originally Catherine.

Her story was amazing, told as a memory she has after a fall towards the end of her life.  She had many enemies, but many people also truly loved her and relied on her rule to make life in Russia better.  I can't wait to see what The While Palace is like - told from the point of view of a close servant instead of Catherine.  It's amazing how the same story can be completely different when told from two perspectives.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Studio Saint-Ex by Ania Szado

Title: Studio Saint-Ex
Author: Ania Szado
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: April 2, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

A deeply evocative love story of a literary giant set in the glittering world of French expats in WWII Manhattan-for fans of The Paris Wife

Set in Manhattan and Quebec City in 1943, Studio Saint-Ex is a fictionalized account of the love triangle among Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, his mercurial wife, Consuelo, and a young fashion designer. Mignonne Lachapelle leaves Montreal for New York to make her name, but is swept away by the charms of France’s greatest living writer. Nothing about their relationship is simple—not Antoine’s estranged wife who entangles Mig in her schemes to reclaim her husband, not his turmoil, and certainly not their tempestuous trysts or the blurring boundaries of their artistic pursuits. Yet the greatest complication comes in the form of a deceptively simple manuscript: Antoine’s work-in-progress, The Little Prince, a tender tale of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss in the form of a young prince fallen to earth.
 

Studio Saint-Ex is a deeply evocative love story of a literary giant caught between two talented and mesmerizing women, set in the glittering world of French expatriates in Manhattan during World War II. Reminiscent ofThe Paris Wife, Loving Frank, and The Rules of Civility, Studio Saint-Exexplores themes of love, passion, and creativity in sophisticated, literary prose.

The majority of Studio Saint-Ex is told by Mignonne Lachapelle as she thinks back over the beginnings of her career in New York.  The world of fashion has been devastated by WWII and the fall of France.  Now this may seem like a trivial thing to most, but to the artists, it was a horrible thought.  Mignonne is willing to fight tooth and nail to make sure her ideas are seen - and this is what leads us into the strange story of the beginnings of Studio Saint-Ex.

The story of Mignonne, Consuelo, and Antoine is a very complicated one.  There are feelings of love, betrayal, passion, and loss being thrown around in all directions.  But ultimately they all need each other - for a variety of reasons.  Their time together allows each of them to become more than what they already were and create something that brought hope to the French that fled their homeland.

The writing of Ania Szado was amazing.  It was incredibly fluid and full of imagery.  I don't know a whole lot about fashion, but I could see each and every stitch as a garment took on its shape.  I could feel the aching back and the aching hearts from page to page.  This was a fantastic look into WWII America (and even a bit of WWII Canada) as well as an amazing view into the beginnings of the American fashion world.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: When the Cypress Whispers by Yvette Manessis Corporon

Title: When the Cypress Whispers
Author: Yvette Manessis Corporon
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Contemporary, Greece
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

On a beautiful Greek island, myths, magic, and a colorful cast of characters come together in a lushly atmospheric story about past and present, family and fate, love and dreams that poignantly captures the deep bond between an American woman and her Greek grandmother

The daughter of Greek immigrants, Daphne aspires to the American Dream, yet feels as if she's been sleepwalking through life. Caught between her family's old-world traditions and the demands of a modern career, she cannot seem to find her place.

Only her beloved grandmother on Erikousa, a magical island off the coast of Greece, knows her heart. Daphne's fondest memories are of times spent in the kitchen with Yia-yia, cooking and learning about the ancient myths. It was the thought of Yia-yia that consoled Daphne in the wake of her husband's unexpected death.

After years of struggling to raise her child and pay the bills, Daphne now has a successful restaurant, a growing reputation as a chef, and a wealthy fianc?-everything she's ever wanted. But across the ocean, Yia-yia can see through the storybook perfection of Daphne's new life- and now she is calling her back to Erikousa. She has secrets about the past to share with her granddaughter- stories from the war, of loyalty and bravery in the face of death. She also has one last lesson to teach her: that security is not love, and that her life can be filled with meaning again.

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Erikousa was a refuge for Daphne.  Spending summers with her grandmother, listening to the old myths, and finally being able to be herself.  But many years later Daphne is grown up, and she is finally returning to her refuge after many years.  Only now she is truly an American - running her own restaurant, 5 year old daughter in tow, and engaged to a wealthy banker.  She thinks she's finally made it.

When the Cypress Whispers shows that sometimes what you think you want isn't what you really want.  It takes us back to Daphne's Greek roots.  While there is no huge action scene or great mystery, the story unfolds beautifully.  Through Daphne's grandmother and friends she is able to reconnect with the stories she knew so well as a child and learn new ones, real ones, a part of her history that is inspiring but immensely sad at the same time.

The story isn't just about Daphne, it is also about her daughter who seems adrift when she first arrives in Greece.  She was adorable and watching her come out of her shell while surrounded by her extended family was a lot of fun.  There's a bit of a love story, but it's not a romance and it's hidden deep for most of the story.  Now that spring is here and the weather is getting warmer, this would be the perfect book to enjoy with a cool drink and a fresh breeze.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1)
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

The Winner's Curse is a very interesting look at war and strategy.  I have read several reviews that list this as a romance - but I saw it as more of a fantasy novel about revolution, compromise, and war.  Kestral is the daughter of the general and many expect her to follow in her father's footsteps, becoming a great soldier and leader.  But Kestral has a secret - she can't fight.  While she is excellent at strategy, she has never been able to grasp the fine art of physical combat.

Arin is a slave.  He is Herrani, one of the people captured by the empire and forced to choose death or slavery.  But he is more than just an ordinary slave.  When Kestral purchases him she discovers that he is intelligent and sly.  As her strategic mind begins to put the pieces together, she isn't quite fast enough.  Disaster strikes Kestral's people and while she may be the only chance they have of survival, she is also the reason it succeeded.

I think I loved the mental sparring in this book the best.  It was very political, with moves and counter-moves throughout society and on the field of war to be analyzed with fast minds that could make quick decisions.  Is there a romance?  Sort of.  It certainly isn't one that I would want to be a part of, but it is incredibly important to the story.  There was not a lot of physical action or conflict until after the half way point of the book, but the author managed to create a lot of tension without it.

I found this book very hard to put down.  There were a few small things that bothered me about Arin and the way he reacted and accomplished things - especially when it came to Kestral.  I'm definitely going to be watching for the next book.  While the story didn't exactly end in a cliffhanger, you can tell there is much more to come and I'm hoping some things aren't exactly as they seem.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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