A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

TITLE:  A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy)
AUTHOR:  Harkness, Deborah
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
DATES READ: 12/29/2011 - 1/22/2012
MY RATING:  4.5/5

This book was a surprise birthday gift from my best friend (thank you!).  I'm extremely excited to read it, and anyone who has looked at the back of it understands why.  I've always been interested in books about witches, and I've heard many a good thing about this book.

It took me quite a long time to read this book, but not because I couldn't get into it or because it was boring and slow.  In fact, I discovered that in all aspects it is quite the contrary.  A Discovery of Witches is vibrant, thick, and full of lush description.  I feel as though I've lived through several lifetimes within its pages.


I realize it took me almost a full month to finish it but I do not regret my pace at all.  It only gave me that much more time to enjoy it fully.  It was rich with history, depth, and fabulously detailed characters.

Diana was wonderful, and it was delightfully refreshing to read from her point of view.  She truly represents her namesake, the hunter goddess.  She is a powerful female presence with gumption, and a mind of her own.  I cannot wait for the sequel!

***Photo by B. Bumble***

City of Lost Souls: Cover Reveal!

I am so behind the times!  And to call myself a fan... I've been very busy lately clearly.  Or else I would have posted that the cover has been revealed for City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare much earlier!!!  If you have not seen it yet, you should look it up!

I cannot even begin to explain how thrilling this is.  I have to admit that neither Jace or Clary look exactly like I expected them too, but the cover is beautiful nonetheless.  I wish there were more updates to give on the Mortal Instruments movie production.  But I haven't seen anything as of yet.

I'm still fervently reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.  It's a lovely story, and I'm trying to take my time with it (I'm enjoying it immensely!).

Will read and write soon!

Crossed by Ally Condie

TITLE:  Crossed
AUTHOR:  Condie, Ally
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
MY RATING:  4.5/5
DATE FINISHED: 12/29/2011

To begin with, I would like to say how ashamed I am that it took me over a month to finish this book.  However, if you really added up only that days I actually read, I read it in under a week.  I suppose the knitting projects proved a little too much for me.  During the Christmas/birthday season I received a few excellent book choices so I figured I'd better get my tushy in gear.  Now, back to the review at hand.

I must say, I loved Crossed much more than Condie's first novel, Matched.  The characters became more developed.  It was nice to move further from the dystopian society, and more into places where the characters could make decisions for themselves.  I enjoyed Cassia's written company far more than in the first book.

The one gripe I had for this novel was the constant switching back and forth between the two character's points of view.  There were times where I would have to flip back to see who was dictating a chapter (because the character's voices were so similar).  Other than that, it was very fun to read.

On to a birthday present for my next book!

Book Source Coverhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15812814-crossed?from_search=true

AFK...

I must admit, for about the next month or so, I may be AFK.  For those of you savvy with computers, you may think this means Away From Keyboard.  But seeing as it is the holiday season (and my family friends will be receiving all sorts of goodies from me) it stands for Away For Knitting.

I'll still be reading, but I may not be able to update on a regular basis.  I'll make sure to keep a record of all of my reading, and I'll update whenever I get a chance.  Until then, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season (and that you all get at least one book under the tree!).

Happy Holidays!

Matched by Ally Condie

TITLE:  Matched
AUTHOR:  Condie, Ally
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
MY RATING:  4/5
DATE FINISHED: 11/28/2011

I've been wanting to pick up this story for the longest time (it has a great cover!), and I've also heard some wonderful things from my friends.  And this year, for our anniversary, my boyfriend of 4 years took me to B&N and said I could pick any book I wanted!!!  Talk about a keeper!  Not to mention a splurge on my favorite coffee and the cutest coffee mug to keep it in...  :-D

After plenty of hard work and turmoil, I have finally completed this book.   It wasn't hard to get through or anything, I've just been crazy busy!  If I really put my nose to the pages (as I should) I probably would have finished it within a day or two.  However, I've been knitting like crazy so it's been hard to find the time.

Now, down to business.  This book was extremely interesting.  For those of you who've read The Giver by Lois Lowry, it's kind of similar (except with a love triangle thrown in).  I must say, I agree with all of the reviews and give this book a solid 4/5.  I may have dropped it down to a 3.5 for predictability, but the characters and the setting were fabulous.  I've decided to pick up the recently released sequel, Crossed, as my next book of choice.  Pick up the first one, and let others know what you think.

Book Cover Source

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

TITLE:  Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
AUTHOR:  Maguire, Gregory
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
MY RATING:  4/5
DATE FINISHED: 11/12/2011

This book was lovely.  If you like fairy tales (or stories that turn fairy tales upside-down) then this book (or any of Gregory Maguire's books) are for you!  I loved the way this story unfolded and became a brand new version of Cinderella.


The constant mentions of paintings and the way painters see the world adds a fantastic parallel to the story.  Please pick this book up.  It's charming!

Book Cover Source

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

TITLE:  Neverwhere
AUTHOR:  Gaiman, Neil
GENRE:  Fiction/Fantasy
MY RATING:  4/5
DATE FINISHED: 11/2/2011

So, I finally got power back!  It's been a little rough, but now I can blog about the book I've finished and the book I started.  I recently finished Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (by the light of a candle!), and I have to say it was way better than anticipated.

When I started it, it seemed to be dragging its feet a little bit.  But once I got into the thick of the story, it flew right by.  The setting of the London underworld is spectacular, and its characters are extremely different and entertaining.  This is a gem within the fantasy genre.

Book Cover Source