The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley Review

The Fairytale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Published: 2005

Genres: Middle Grade, Fairytale, Fantasy, Mystery

Synopsis:

For Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, life hasn't been a fairy-tale. After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, the sisters are sent to live with their grandmother - a woman they believed was dead! Granny Relda that the girls have two famous ancestors, the Brothers Grimm, whose classic book of fairy-tales is actually a history book that documents magical mischief. Now the girls must take on the family responsibility of being fairy-tale detectives. Their first case? a roller-coaster ride of an adventure to stop a giant from destroying their new home town.

Thoughts:

I picked up this series based on some very high recommendations from friends of mine.  And I am SO GLAD that I did because I absolutely adored it. 

I love the premise of this series.  Our two main characters, Sabrina and Daphne are the descendants of the brothers Grimm.  Therefore, they are responsible for keeping the peace and solving the crimes between the “everafters” and the humans.   In this world, the fairytales aren’t fairytales.  Those “stories” that the brothers Grimm wrote were very real.  And it’s their job to maintain the fragile balance between everything.

Sabrina and Daphne are both adorable and instantly likeable.  Sabrina is the older sister, and always used to taking care of Daphne.  They’ve both been through so much since their parents disappearance and they’re both such strong girls.  Sabrina can be bossy at times, and is somewhat distrusting and headstrong.  She is stubborn a lot of the time and doesn’t want to listen to anything or anyone.  Daphne is so sweet and adorable.  She’s more friendly and trusting, yet still had great instincts.  Daphne is always great for a laugh, but she can be serious when needed.  It seems like sometimes Daphne’s really the one in charge and she’s definitely smarter than everyone probably gives her credit for. They complement each other so nicely, both have great instincts, and street smarts, and know what to do in a tough situation. 

Their relationship with Granny Relda was adorable.  They are apprehensive at first (mainly Sabrina) but I loved seeing them come around.  Relda has to be the most awesome grandmother ever.  There were so many times when I was like”she’s SO awesome!!”  I did really love that the girls were able to have Granny Relda.  It’s so great for the girls to be back with family again, especially after so long when they didn’t have anyone.   

I also just really love Sabrina and Daphne’s relationship.  It seems like you don’t often get two sisters as the main characters.  I love sibling relationships in books, and I love that this series focuses on that.  They reminded me a lot of me and my little sister.

I thought the world was so cool and really unique.  Having all of these fairytale characters and creatures all in one town was awesome.  I love how they were a part of the town, (such as the police or the Mayor).  You felt like there was so much history between all of these characters and things that we don’t really know yet.  We’re discovering things just as Sabrina and Daphne are. 

Rating:

To Conclude:

I loved this book so much and can’t wait to continue on with this series.  Even though it’s a children’s series, it’s fun and appealing to all ages.  There’s so many endless mysteries to solve and histories between the character and in the town.  I know I’ll be eagerly following Sabrina and Daphne along on their journeys as long as they continue.  

Olivia

Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish.

This week’s topic is… Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

I LOVE doing seasonal TBR Top Ten Tuesdays.   There’s something so exciting about TBRs for a new season.  All of these are books I sincerely hope to be getting to this fall and I want to try to do better in regards to my TBR this season. 

Ten books I want to read the most this Fall

1.     Queen of Shadows

By Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows is #1 on my list.  I’m actually proud of myself because I’ve started this one already and am ten chapters in.  I’m reading this with the #AEJreadsQoS read-a-long and having the best time.  If this is on your TBR, start reading it now and join in!

2.     Cress

By Marissa Meyer

I haven’t read Cress yet and it’s not okay.  I’ve talked about it before and have had approximately 1000 people tell me that I need to read this.  Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorite series and I can’t wait to read finally read Cress (sometime) soon. 

3.     A Court of Thorns and Roses

By Sarah J. Maas

ACTOAR was on my Top Ten Fairytale Retellings TBR I believe too.  Basically, it’s been on every TBR of mine ever since it came out.  It’s Sarah J. Maas,  I know I’ll love it.   Even one of my mom’s friends was like “Have you read this book? It’s really good!”  YES I KNOW.  I’M WORKING ON IT.  

4.      The Winners Crime

By Marie Rutkoski

This is absolutely deplorable.  This book was on my May TBR.  No joke.  I REALLY want to continue on with this series and see what happens with these characters.  And I intend to soon. 

5.     The Hero of Ages

By Brandon Sanderson

I’ve been working my way through the Mistborn trilogy and I’ll be so sad once I finish the final book.  I’m not ready for it to be over!  Thankfully, Brandon Sanderson has plenty of other fantasy book for me to read once this is over.  

6.     Legacy of Kings

By Eleanor Herman

I’m SO HAPPY that Legacy of Kings is finally released.  This was one of my most anticipated releases and I can’t wait to read it.  It sounds amazing and unique and right up my alley. 

7.     The Unusual Suspects

By Michael Buckley and Peter Ferguson

This is the second book in the Sisters Grimm series.  I just recently read the first book and LOVED it.  It’s like Percy Jackson but with fairytales.  It’s incredible.  I can’t wait to get my hands on the other books in the series.  (Frustrating story: I tried to buy this at Barnes and Noble the other day and they DIDN'T HAVE IT. *anger*)

8.     Night Film

By Marisha Pessel

I’ve heard good things about Night Film and have been meaning to read it for a while.  It sounds like a perfect book for fall and I’m hoping to read it very soon.  

9.     Kiss of Deception

By Mary E. Pearson

I’ve been meaning to read Kiss of Deception since it came out over a YEAR ago.  It has a sequel out now.  That’s how long it’s been.  Once again, I know I’ll love it, so it’s just a matter of finally reading it.  

10.     Queen of The Tearling

By Erika Johansen 

This is kind of my wild card.  I don’t actually have this book yet, and my reading it very much depends on when I can get my hands on a copy.  But, lately, I’ve been itching to read this series because it sounds great and it’s Fantasy.  So, of course I’m going to read it.  

There you have it!  There’s much more, but those are the main ones that I need to get to. 

I can’t wait to see everyone else’s lists (because I really need more books for my TBR. Lol.)  Also, if you’ve read any of these, let me know what you thought.  Thanks for stopping by!

Olivia

Inherit The Stars by Tessa Elwood Review

Inherit The Stars by Tessa Elwood

To Be Published: December 8th, 2015

Genre: Sci-Fi 

*I’ve received an E-ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis:

Three royal houses ruling three interplanetary systems are on the brink of collapse, and they must either ally together or tear each other apart in order for their people to survive.

Asa is the youngest daughter of the house of Fane, which has been fighting a devastating food and energy crisis for far too long. She thinks she can save her family’s livelihood by posing as her oldest sister in an arranged marriage with Eagle, the heir to the throne of the house of Westlet. The appearance of her mother, a traitor who defected to the house of Galton, adds fuel to the fire, while Asa also tries to save her sister Wren's life . . . possibly from the hands of their own father.

But as Asa and Eagle forge a genuine bond, will secrets from the past and the urgent needs of their people in the present keep them divided?

Author Tessa Elwood's debut series is an epic romance at heart, set against a mine field of political machinations, space adventure, and deep-seeded family loyalties.

Thoughts:

Inherit the Stars was different from what I thought it would be, but not in a bad way.  I expected this action packed, space adventure.  Instead, I was sucked in the middle of this futuristic world of feuding interplanetary systems.  I felt like this book focused more on the political aspects of what was going on in their world, and I loved that.  We get a glimpse into the different houses –especially Fane- and realize that their world is nowhere near stable. 

I really liked the world in this book.  I feel like it was different from other Sci-Fi books I’d read, and I liked that.  The idea of these different “royal houses” ruling different systems was really cool and gave it a unique twist.  Their system is in the middle of a horrible energy and food crisis, and the people are getting restless.  As the smallest house, Asa and her family are fighting to keep their system afloat.   

I loved her relationship with Eagle and how it changed throughout the book.  Despite the strange circumstances, I think they really made it work.  They’re so cute together and I definitely ship them.  The dynamics between all of the other characters were so complicated and politically influenced and I really liked that.

Once I started Inherit The Stars, I couldn’t put it down.  Something about it just completely drew me in and I ended up reading it in one sitting.  I loved how unpredictable it was.  With this book, I never knew what was going to happen next.  It kept me on my toes and there were so many crazy twists and turns and drama.  I could seriously never guess what was going to happen next.  Every time I thought I knew what was going on, something completely unexpected happened.

I will say that this book wasn’t perfect.  Some things could have been better explained, or fleshed out.  There were times when I was confused and had to read a chapter over again.  I found the writing a little bit strange at times.  I didn’t feel like I knew the characters as much as I’d have liked, and the world definitely could have been more fleshed out. 

But, despite all of that there was something that really made me like this book.   Even with all of its’ imperfections, In Inherit the Stars, I saw the beginning of a series that has great potential.  There is room for improvement in various areas, but through it all I saw a series with the potential to become really great. 

There’s so much potential for more character development and world building in this series and I hope we’ll get to see more of that in the sequel.  I’d love to see this series and these characters reach their full potential.  I’ll definitely be picking the next one up to follow these characters and see what happens next in this crazy world.  

Rating:

In Short:

Tessa Elwood has created great characters, a unique and interesting world and such complicated character dynamics.  All she needs to do is build on those things and develop them more fully.  I was sucked in by the story and plot and she has the ability to create such great twist and turns.  I would definitely recommend picking up Inherit the Stars, and I look forward to this series only getting better.

Olivia

Have you read Inherit The Stars?  What were your thoughts?  Are you planning on picking this one up?  

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Need To Finish

Top 10 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish.

This week’s topic is… Ten Finished Series I Have YET to Finish

I’m pretty bad at finishing series.  Everyone seems to have those series that they haven’t finished yet that are just sitting around. 

Series I really need to finish

1.     Splintered Series

By A.G. Howard

I read the first book, Splintered, and adored it.  This is one of the series I’m most excited to finish on this list.  Hopefully, I’ll get to it soon!

2.     Poison Study Series

By Maria V. Snyder

I read the first two books and I’m completely in love with this series.  The original series was three books, and they’ve been out for a while.  Recently, she’s continued it so I look forward to more Poison Study books!

3.     The Selection series

By Kiera Cass

I’ve only read the first one (again) but I did enjoy it.  I didn’t LOVE it and I don’t like the MC, America.  BUT I do want to finish this because I need to see how it ends. (even though I already sort of know) So, I will finish this series sometime whether I buy them or just get them from my Library.

4.     A Series of Unfortunate Events

By Lemony Snicket

After hearing so many things about this series, I decided I had to see what all of the hype was about. So far, I’ve only read the first one but I did really enjoy it.  My library has all of them so I can work my way through them little by little. 

5.      Woodcutter Sister Series

By Althea Kontis

This is a fantasy retelling series that I absolutely LOVE.  Seriously, check it out.  I’ve wanted to pick up the other books in this series since the beginning of time.  It will happen sometime soon.

6.     The Monument 14 Series

By Emmy Laybourne

This is a wonderful series about a group of kids trying to survive during the apocalypse.  I LOVED the first two, so once I get my hands on the last one, I WILL be finishing it. 

7.     Top 8 Series

By Katie Finn (AKA Morgan Matson) (AKA Goddess of YA Contemporary)

I read the first two books in this series but not the last one.   I really liked both of the first books.  Overall, this series is cute and funny and all very quick reads.  I really want to finish this series very soon. 

8.     The Graceling Realm

By Kristin Cashore

I absolutely LOVE Graceling and Fire, the other two books in this companion series.  I have absolutely no excuse NOT to have read Bitterblue because I know I’ll love it.  Next time I’m in the mood for a great YA fantasy, I’ll have to pick it up. 

1.     The Ascendance series

By Jennifer Nielsen

I was absolutely blown away by the first book, The False Prince.  I had every intention of finishing this series very soon after.  Well, it’s been two years now.  Ooops.  But, in all seriousness, I want to read the rest of this series VERY VERY soon. 

10.     The intern Series

By Gabrielle Tozer

I really loved the first book, but I couldn’t find the second one.  Not online. Not in stores.  Does anyone know what the deal with that is?  They’re kind of hard to find in the US, because I think it might be UK YA?  Or maybe Australian?  IDK. 

I didn’t realize how many series I needed to finish until I had to make this list.  BUT now I have them all in one place and  I’m really hoping to finish these soon. Sometimes I just forget that I need to finish them, you know? 

I look forward to seeing what’s on your list!  Hopefully all of you can get around to finishing your unfinished series. 

Olivia 

Review: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Published: 2006

Genre: Fantasy




                                                                                    


Synopsis:
     In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. The future of the empire rests on the shoulders of a troublemaker and his young apprentice. Together, can they fill the world with colour once more?
In Brandon Sanderson's intriguing tale of love, loss, despair and hope, a new kind of magic enters the stage - Allomancy, a magic of the metals.

Thoughts:

Like any great heist, a crew get assembled, a crazy plan gets made and the crew has to come together to make their intricate scheme work.  But this isn’t a heist.  No.  They’re going to overthrow the Final Empire. 

The Final Empire exceeded my expectations by 1000%. I had heard fantastic things, of course, but nothing compared to how amazing it actually was. I just wasn't expecting to love it this much.  I picked The Final Empire up rather on a whim.  Even though I love fantasy, I wasn't sure what I'd think about this one. But, I absolutely LOVED IT.

The characters and the story drew me right in.  I loved Vin and seeing how much she developed throughout the book was great.  She is thrown into this world that she isn’t familiar with.  She has to learn how to control powers that she didn’t know she had.  Vin is new to all of this and seeing her go through all of these things for the first time was great.  It made her so relatable.  Seeing her interact with the nobles in court life was so interesting because it was so different from the world she grew up in, yet she fit in well. 

And can I just say – Elend is such a sweetheart.  I love that how different he is from everyone else and he cares about important issues and wants to help people and make things better.  He reads pretty much all the time (like during balls) and I love him for that.

Vin is taken under Kelsier’s wing and I loved their relationship.  I loved how Kelsier took the time to train her and teach her all of these things that years ago, someone taught him.  Because of their circumstances, they have this bond that nobody else in the crew has. 

Let’s talk about Kelsier.   I LOVED KELSIER.  His personality was just so great.  He is smart and charismatic and MAN does he know how to scheme.  He brings life to the crew and gives people hope.   He’s such an incredible Mistborn and he’s been through so much.  Kelsier has pretty much been through hell and back, yet he’s still here.  Kelsier is really a survivor and I admire him so much for that.  Even if at times he can get a little dark, and is kind of callous when it comes to killing nobles.  He too goes through a lot of development in this book even if it’s a little hard to realize.  His viewpoints and attitudes on certain things change and it makes him better.  Kelsier is my favorite character in this book and he’s just amazing.  I really can’t explain it.  Especially at the end of the book you realize just how incredible he is. 

 

I loved each and every member of their crew.  Each person had their own purpose and personality and they fit so well.  Each and every person was there for a reason and crucial to the plan.  I liked how at times each of them would take Vin aside and teach her something.  They all trusted and looked out for each other and it really felt like a family. 

But now to the magic.  The magic system was unlike anything I’d ever heard of before.  The idea of ingesting metal and “burning” it is so cool.  Each metal lets you do something different or gives you a different power.  Some people can’t do this at all, and some people specialize in one certain thing.  But the people that can burn all 8 metals, that’s what they call a Mistborn. 

The “Lord Ruler” completely baffled me and yet intrigued me.  Who really is he?  What is he doing?  How is he controlling these people?  The whole government was creepy and I just am still wondering HOW. 

I loved the world in The Final Empire.  I feel like there’s so many aspects of it to explore and learn about.  SO many other lands, stories, and people to discover.  The Terrismen especially shocked me and I think that they’re SO AMAZING.  

But honestly, I’m not even going to try to explain too much more to you because I can’t do it justice.  I think it’s best just to go into this book not knowing a lot about it. 

Rating:

In Short:

I immensely enjoyed each and every second of this book.  The world building and writing was absolutely incredible.  I loved each and every one of the characters.  And even though this book was around 800 pages, it still seemed to short.  I never wanted it to end.  This was by far one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read.  Reading The Final Empire really reminded me why Fantasy is my favorite genre and made me love it a little more.  I’m so excited about continuing on with this series and reading more Brandon Sanderson books.  

Olivia

Have you read this series?  If you have, what were your thoughts?  What other Brandon Sanderson books would you recommend?