Starbound #1 These Broken Stars

A love story in times of space travel. Presenting Starbound #1 These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner.

Here is the summary of the book:

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

--

A timeless love story, THESE BROKEN STARS sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

A tale of the space age. This is sci-fi, with a big survival focus in there, and a big classic romance with the dazzling and eye-catching cover setting things off perfectly. Literally.... Jaw-droppingly swoonworthy..... A gripping and recommended debut to the Starbound series.

Lilac & Tarver. Find themselves stranded on an unknown planet by Icarus, the luxury space liner destroyed killing everyone on board. Started out as hating each other's presence but slowly seeing and assimilating the benefits of co-operation on a strange planet as they want to be rescued. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man of the galaxy and Tarver is the decorated war hero, quite the tabloid and holovid fodder but not of a high social ranking. But these two creatures at odds grudgingly join hands to face the unknown and somehow fall truly and irrevocably in love with each other.... *squeals*

One of the major points to this story is the gradual character development that takes place throughout the book. You see them squabbling for control, be wary of each other, but slowly coming to an understanding, a shared load of pooled talent needed to comb the planet and hope for rescue. And that planet sure has its share of mysteries too, the strange inhabitants of the planet.

'These Broken Stars' is a journey like no other. I truly enjoyed Lilac and Tarver and their sizzling chemistry. The romance between them does take time to build up making it an even more of an interesting journey. It is circumstances that got them together and pitted on an unknown planet and it is these circumstances that give them the strength to battle all the twist and turns thrown their way as they become much stronger and much more in love than when they first began......

"A captivating and enticing sci-fi survival tale helped together be the love story of the millenia"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Romance, ,Dystopia

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: 10th December, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Madman's Daughter #1 The Madman's Daughter

Presenting The Madman's Daughter #1 The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard.

Here is the summary of the book:

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

Based on H.G. Wells' famous gory saga, The Island of Dr. Moreau, this dark and immensely creepy representation from Megan Shepard definitely does it justice..... I had heard of the original tale but haven't had a chance to go through it yet so I can't compare it but from where I am standing The Madman's Daughter does its dark and sinisterial work perfectly.

I've read a fairly less number of the horror genre, so the one's that do find themselves to me are definitely enough to give me the goose-flesh and i'm adding this one in that category. Definitely.

Juliet Moreau's story and her character really won me over. She is a girl born in riches but for whom fate had dealt a heavy hand and must now work hard to stay off the streets. With a dead mother and a mad scientist for a father, and no living relatives or money what so ever, she maintains a stubborn disposition. And that dark side, it takes over when you least expect it. It is this side of her that gives her a dynamic character and the strength to put a live cut open rabbit to rest when even the boys were finding it very difficult to.

And then there were two. Montgomery and Edward. Two love interests. A love triangle. The former a childhood crush and the servant of her father and the latter a mysterious castaway found drowning in the waters as they neared the island. The former able to get her warm and tingling to her core and the latter part of her cold, dark and sinister dreams upon that cursed island...... I don't think I need to explain more. I was already rooting for Juliet and Montgomery since he entered the scene. There is an undeniable and passionate chemistry there that can't be missed.

And then there is Dr. Moreau and his island full of creatures. This was definitely the heart of the story. "Science leads" our resident time lord, the Doctor said. But science is just the tool, it is how you use it that matters. The hunchback, the beastlys', the horned one and the animalistics. That island is filled with enough dark and mangled creatures to fill a lifetime. While yes Dr. Moreau is definitely a madman to experiment on humans and animals and the chaos is enough to keep us interested, but there is order too. An almost dictatorial order. Somehow all these creatures stay focused on track and maintain an almost sense of peace.

Got to hand it to Shepard, her way of presentation and ghostly environment of the book is what sets this thing off. But the beauty of it all..... the evident character building seen throughout the entirety of the book. There is no clear cut good and evil here, just the gray. Almost all of them have a dark side and there are secrets shrouded among layers and layers of soot. Good on to the author, your Gothic thriller sure gave me the creeps. Excited to begin the next leg of this creepy and dark journey with 'Her Dark Curiosity'.

"Dark and sinisterly creepy with a disturbingly graphic plot-line to keep you on the edge of your seats"

Genre :      Young Adult, Gothic, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 29th January, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Heroes of Olympus #4 The House of Hades

This is another one of those masterpieces. Presenting The Heroes of Olympus #4 The House of Hades by Rick Riordan.

Here is the summary of the book:

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

A masterpiece in a long line of masterpieces..... If you are privy to Rick Riordan's books, then you know what I am talking about.The mythology, the godly action, the quests and the humor..... If you don't know what I mean, well I suggest you go and buy his book because I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

..... Alright I AM STUMPED..... I have no idea where to start..... Rick Riordan keeps improving and amazing with that brain of his with his every release. Notably this is much darker and much more serious of a book than the previous one. Well expected since Percy and Annabeth fell into Tartarus at the shocking cliffhanger ending of the previous book and the others must follow the original plan and hope their fallen comrades can fight their way through from the other side in time to be saved.

This is a big and a rather heavy read with many perspective changes and a crew of protagonists but not complaining since Riordan balances them all equally - they all get equal and a fair chance to sine and impress and they all bring equally something new to the plot of the book..... Big character development can be seen throughout the lines of the plot.

Percy & Annabeth's harrowing journey through Tartarus surviving on fire and help from Titan, Bob. Jason's character bit more explored. Piper kick-ass. Leo and Calypso hitting it off. Hazel and Frank discovering their worth and maturing considerably.... BUT MAN...... NICO STOLE THE SHOW...... His is one character development I did not expect...... Although now that you think of it...... a lot of his actions make sense..... POOR GUY.....

EPIC STORY...... EPIC..... I can't even pic any faults in it because it was done so beautifully.....All said and done.... NOW BEGINS THE EXCRUCIATING WAIT FOR 'The Blood of Olympus' after a much calmer ending this time. 

"Another epic chapter in the lives of our favorite demigods"

Genre :      Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Mythology

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date: 8th October, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 The Lost Hero
              #2 The Son of Neptune 
              #3 The Mark of Athena

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Copernicus Legacy #1 The Forbidden Stone

Presenting The Copernicus Legacy #1 The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott.

Here is the summary of the book:

Rick Riordan meets Dan Brown in this exhilarating and adventurous new tween series from beloved and bestselling author Tony Abbott.

The Copernicus Legacy has everything middle-grade readers love-an international adventure, a compelling friendship story, and a mission that draws on history and astronomy. Readers who loved Percy Jackson will be eager to follow our heroes on this six-book, six-novella journey and excited to enter a sweepstakes to participate in a real-life scavenger hunt hosted by Tony Abbott that lets the reader become part of the story.

It all began when four friends-Wade, Lily, Darrel, and Becca-received a strange, coded email from Wade's uncle Henry shortly before the old man's sudden death. They set off for Germany to attend the funeral with Wade's father, Roald, and discover that Uncle Henry left them yet another baffling message that they suspect is the key to figuring out how and why he died.

The message leads to a clue, and the more clues they discover, the farther they travel down a treacherous path toward an ancient, guarded secret. Soon they are in a breathless race across the globe, running for their lives as a dangerous shadow organization chases them around every corner. Their only hope of saving themselves-and the world that they know-is to find twelve magical relics from a hidden past that will unlock the Copernicus Legacy.

A conjugation of Dan Brown and Rick Riordan? Totally. I got this from edelweiss and I must tell you, you just won't be able to keep it down at all..... This is a smart read..... I love a smart read..... do you love a smart read. That gives you the perfect balance between real and fiction, forces you to study the facts yet still keep it action-packed and adventurous? Well you should definitely get down to reading this book.

Astronomy form the core of the series. As such it is named The Copernicus Legacy after Nicholaus Copernicus, who was famous for establishing that it in fact the Earth that moves around the sun and not the other way around.This is one globe trotting action you don't wanna miss out as the author Tony Abbott masterfully combines history, astronomy and science (yes there are the formulas and the scientific instruments to keep us on our toes) as four unlikely teenagers and one adult, unwittingly get drawn into centuries old cults and Orders and a race around the globe to keep the bad guys from getting the artifacts.

Wade and Darrel. Step brothers. But I loved their dynamics.Wade is the science geek, loves maths and particularly astronomy. Darrel on the other hand only dreams of sleep, food and music. Lily is the tech geek and rather resourceful with her Ipad and Becca loves to study anything she can get her hands on. All 4 may be as different as day and night but when they pool their resources together, well they have the makings of an efficient team. And Wade and Darrel's father Dr. Kaplan is the key to this chase.

MAN WHAT AN ADVENTURE..... Clues.... Clues everywhere, of chases, of riddles, around the globe, to protect a centuries old guarded secret and keep it from the treacherous hands of the bad guys. The Forbidden Stone lays down a solid foundation for this brand new and fresh series packed with breadth taking action and pencil sketched illustrations.... What I am trying to say is - I loved this book and I will definitely come back for more!

"Tony Abbott's Ode to Copernicus - A globe trotting, action-packed, thrilling and an unputdownable ride, he better come up with the next one soon" 

Genre :      Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Sci-fi

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 7th January, 2014

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Hourglass #3 Infinityglass

A good end to a marvelous series..... Oh I hate endings...... Why did it have to end.... Presenting Hourglass #3 Infinityglass by Myra McEntire.

Here is the summary of the book:

The stakes have risen even higher in this third book in the Hourglass series.

The Hourglass is a secret organization focused on the study of manipulating time, and its members — many of them teenagers -­have uncanny abilities to make time work for them in mysterious ways. Inherent in these powers is a responsibility to take great care, because altering one small moment can have devastating consequences for the past, present, and future. But some time trav­elers are not exactly honorable, and sometimes unsavory deals must be struck to maintain order.

With the Infinityglass (central to understanding and harnessing the time gene) at large, the hunt is on to find it before someone else does.

But the Hourglass has an advantage. Lily, who has the ability to locate anything lost, has determined that the Infinityglass isn't an object. It's a person. And the Hourglass must find him or her first. But where do you start searching for the very key to time when every second could be the last?

The cover blurb proclaims this one to be 'Doctor WHO in YA Package'... I totally agree. It has a story definitely good enough to parallel a solid WHO arc....  and just like the resident regenerating timelord from Gallifrey, I detest endings too. I know everything has an ending. Without an end there is no beginning but seriously I hate it when a good series ends. Maybe that is why I read it so late when I actually got a review copy from Netgalley around the time it was released..... *sighs*

Well no use whining now.... back to the story. McEntire follows the same pattern from the last two books. Hourglass introduced Em & Michael. Timepiece got Kaleb & Lily. Now Infinityglass does it with Dune and Hallie. Introducing new characters as protagonists per book in a series is always a risky business because we readers spend a considerable amount of time with one set of characters and then changing the focus for the next book or series can sometimes be quite jarring and many lose interest. But hats off to Myra McEntire. Not only does she introduces new characters every book but she does it with enough substance that us readers can't help but fall in love with each and every character and enjoy their leg of the journey to the fullest.

Dune & Hallie. This book belongs to them.... and Poe too. Dune...... well..... I like him. He is a brainiac, a well established one and equipped with a cool ability too. But what actually shines through about him.... his compassion. That raw passion..... AND BLOODY HELL....... WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN HE WAS SUCH A DEEP THINKER AND A PASSIONATE ROMANTIC. There was stubborn too, now that I think of it and a vigor to learn as well.

But  the highlight was totally the climax and his strong chemistry with the sassy and snarky Hallie. Where Dune has the ability to control the tides, Hallie can transmutate. She can will herself to look like anybody she wants to be. And I definitely liked the slow build up of romance between Hallie and Dune, strong enough to even take us readers in its throughs as things progressed.

Then there was Poe. We saw him in Timepiece with that mysterious guy look. His friendship with Hallie really defines him. It is clear enough that he would do anything for her to keep her happy..... totally feeling the dynamics of the Doctor & the companion there, with a vortex manipulator.

And the author adds every little detail to the max. Each and every twist & turn. All the paranormal action & exhilaration and the romance of our lead couple..... a perfect ending....... a perfect ending..... Oh Emerson & Michael and Lily & Kaleb were in here too if you are wondering and loving every bit of it.

"An action packed and exhilarating finale to this wonderful series that began with Hourglass"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Egmont USA

Release Date: 6th August, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 Hourglass
              #2 Timepiece

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Perfect Chemistry #1 Perfect Chemistry

Presenting Perfect Chemistry #1 Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.

Here is the summary of the book:

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

HOT! HOT! Why didn't anybody warn me that it was this HOT! You all ready know i'm not a big fan of contemporary but once in a while I get these gems..... *squeals* some Mexican HOTNESS to perfectly set it off...... *squeals* SO AWESOME.

By no means is the concept or even the plot new. the same thing has been done hundreds of time before, with the love story at the crux of the matter. Go along the lines of 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'West side Story', you will have an inkling as to what it is all about...... Some of you may already be swearing of off it but it won't matter as you finish a few chapters because the continuous flow of the story, Elkeles' use of alternating perspectives and the natural and simple telling will be enough to captivate you and make you only put the book down after you have read, fantasized, squealed and swooned at this unputdownable book.

Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes from the core characters for this book. Brittany is the typical high school head cheerleader, the head bitch, the Princess. She is rich, she is perfect and as fated, dates the football captain of her school.... But all that is just the standard camouflage. Raised by a perfectionist mother, Brittany's home life is far from perfect.... Perfect clothes, perfect hair, perfect gait..... Not a toe out of line.... Scratch the surface and you will find that it is all a defense mechanism, perfected after long years of practice.

And then there is Alex. The gang man. Lured into that life with his father's death..... A boy every father would not want their daughters to associate with. A misguided attempt to keep his family away from the deep dark pit of this profession.

You'd have thought, how is the author going to make a gangster like this redeemable..... well she does.... Paired up for a full session as chemistry lab partners, Alex's fellow gang mates bet he can't get it on with her. With the male pride and his trusted motorcycle on the line, he begins his seducing Brittany 101. But what he deduced as touch & go turns out to be more complicated than it first appeared. He expected a perfect girl and a one night stand but finds her to be even more imperfect, more natural taking care of her disabled sister and desperate for love. A match made by the fates.

Simone Elkeles tells of a gutsy tale of hope, of dreams and a swoon worthy and memorable romance. A well written tale of the ruggedly handsome Alex and the pure and imperfect high school princess Brittany. taking along some pretty heavy societal topics along with a captivating love story..... This is one contemporary I highly recommend.

"A captivating love story that has the power of breaking every barriers of society - I RECOMMEND THIS"

Genre :      Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: 23rd December, 2008

My Copy: Bought (paperback)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

A Gift to Remember

A sweet and lovely mystery. Presenting A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill.

Here is the summary of the book:

Discover the magic of Melissa Hill this Christmas... Darcy Archer works in a small bookstore on Manhattan's Upper West Side. A dreamer who secretly wishes for true love similar to that in her beloved novels, Darcy refuses to settle for anything less than being swept off her feet by the perfect man.

One day, when cycling to work, Darcy accidentally crashes into a sharply dressed man walking his dog. He is knocked unconscious and rushed to the hospital, but his dog gets left behind. Wracked with guilt over the accident, Darcy resolves to care for the dog and reunite him with his owner. But the dog is not the only thing that's been left behind and when she finds a small beautifully wrapped package - suspiciously shaped like a book - she becomes curious. She decides to try and figure out all she can about this man, and make the delivery herself. Darcy gradually becomes drawn into his life; one that she soon discovers is filled with books, travel, adventure and all the wonderful things she's ever dreamt about. It doesn't take long before Darcy builds up a picture of this man's lovely life, and feeling an immediate kinship towards him, tries to make things right.

It might be a challenge but doesn't she owe it to him to try? But does fantasy match reality? And what happens when he finally wakes up?

This is my first review copy from Simon & Schuster India and i'm happy to report that this little book is one page turner fit for a relaxing read...... A right contemporary romance with a side of mystery.

Darcy Archer is a right big dreamer. She is a bibliophile and works in a book store surrounding herself with the thing she loves the most, aka books. A bit naive, she is one of those who love a good read every waking moment of the day and is of the opinion that real men can never be like her literary heroes and most of all..... She likes a good mystery itching to be solved.

If you are a bibliophile then you may find you share a lot of similarities with Darcy. I did see myself in these pages with some exceptions here and there.One thing I didn't like about her. She is far too judgmental for her own good..... So not everybody has read the books you have but it doesn't mean you need to judge them on that.... I actually got a little bit annoyed with Darcy and her need to showcase that she has an extreme case of bibliophilia.

The Story does start out slow but soon catches upto speed when Darcy crashes into the mysterious Aidan Harris and his dog on a cold winter morning with her bicycle. Rendering Aidan amnesiac and Darcy just can't help herself but to go beyond limits to help this attractive stranger. The book alternates between Darcy and Aidan's perspective and the most surprising way ever, rather ingenious if you ask me.

Although the whole thing was rather fluffy and overkill on the sweet but it made for a good change of reading genre.

"A sweet escapist contemporary romance that is enough to give you a sweet tooth..... A recommended lite read"

Genre :      Contemporary, Romance, Chick Lit

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: 24th October, 2013

My Copy: Simon & Schuster India

Rate:              4/5 (Really liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

Absent

Presenting Absent by Katie Williams.

Here is the summary of the book:

When seventeen-year-old Paige dies in a freak fall from the roof during Physics class, her spirit is bound to the grounds of her high school. At least she has company: her fellow ghosts Evan and Brooke, who also died there. But when Paige hears the rumor that her death wasn't an accident--that she supposedly jumped on purpose--she can't bear it. Then Paige discovers something amazing. She can possess living people when they think of her, and she can make them do almost anything. Maybe, just maybe, she can get to the most popular girl in school and stop the rumors once and for all.

I won this in a twitter contest from Chronicle books and before I begin my review I must tell you, this is one of the shortest and the most beautifully decorated book I ever read. Then of course, be able to tell a story in no more than 180 pages is no joke..... So naturally I fell in love with this touching story into the after life.

What happens after death? Is there a life after life? What happens to the soul?Some pretty good questions but nobody knows the true answers for it. Every religion have their own beliefs. Every such genre focused anime, books or movies & tv have their own stories to tell. Katie Williams adds her own twist to this life after life show.

This is the story of Paige Wheeler who died in high school in an accidental roof jump but instead of moving on she gets stuck there alongwith her two inmates Brooke and Evan. life as a ghost is not something desirable. You can do nothing but sit around and watch as each day passes and if worst comes over be helpless to do anything as your reputation falls over. Then miracle..... Paige finds out that there is something she could do and after many hits and misses, she finds out what he had been looking for all this time.

Katie Williams really did something here All of Paige's ghostly shenanigans, and the drama that progressed..... well suffice it to say that the book may be 180 pages only..... but it says more that what those pages contain..... And that ending sure was unexpected!

"Of Ghostly shenanigans and all the high school angst..... Katie Williams presents a mysteriously fun tale with some pretty heavy subjects in the context"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Contemporary

Publisher: Chronicle

Release Date: 21st May, 2013

My Copy: Won hardback in a twitter contest

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Baskerville Affair #3 A Sty in Ashes

Presenting The Baskerville Affair #3 A Study in Ashes by Emma Jane Holloway.

Here is the summary of the book:

As part of her devil’s bargain with the industrial steam barons, Evelina Cooper is finally enrolled in the Ladies’ College of London. However, she’s attending as the Gold King’s pet magician, in handcuffs and forbidden contact with even her closest relation, the detective Sherlock Holmes.

Not even Niccolo, the dashing pirate captain, and his sentient airship can save her. But Evelina’s problems are only part of a larger war. The Baskerville Affair is finally coming to light, and the rebels are making their move to wrest power from the barons and restore it to Queen Victoria. Missing heirs and nightmare hounds are the order of the day—or at least that’s what Dr. Watson is telling the press.

But their plans are doomed unless Evelina escapes to unite her magic with the rebels’ machines—and even then her powers aren’t what they used to be. A sorcerer has awakened a dark hunger in Evelina’s soul, and only he can keep her from endangering them all. The only problem is…he’s dead.

I'd say..... this one, I lost interest after painstakingly reading till the middle of the book, using the long way route but somehow I just couldn't take it in at all. It seems like the downward spiral for this series, I actually liked the first one more, then liked the second one less and liked this third one lesser.

There isn't much improvement in this book. Although I liked how Tobias turned out in here and somehow Evelina gets her happy ending too but the other things just seemed to drag on and one. I'd say this again.... the only two factors were the saving grace of this series were steampunk element and the steam council.... totally the only things i enjoyed in this book.... It all ends in ashes I suppose.

"This series was definitely not for me"

Genre :      Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Steampunk

Publisher: Del Ray

Release Date: 31st December, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              2/5 (It was Ok)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 A Study in Silks
              #2 A Study in Darkness

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Baskerville Affair #2 A Study in Darkness

Presenting The Baskerville Affair #2 A Study in Darkness by Emma Jane Holloway.

Here is the summary of the book:

When a bomb goes off at 221B Baker Street, Evelina Cooper is thrown into her Uncle Sherlock’s world of mystery and murder. But just when she thought it was safe to return to the ballroom, old, new, and even dead enemies are clamoring for a place on her dance card.

Before Evelina’s even unpacked her gowns for a country house party, an indiscretion puts her in the power of the ruthless Gold King, who recruits her as his spy. He knows her disreputable past and exiles her to the rank alleyways of Whitechapel with orders to unmask his foe.

As danger mounts, Evelina struggles between hiding her illegal magic and succumbing to the darker aspects of her power. One path keeps her secure; the other keeps her alive. For rebellion is brewing, a sorcerer wants her soul, and no one can protect her in the hunting ground of Jack the Ripper.

Following my unsuccessful stint with book one, since I have the whole trilogy to report on, I thought why not start it. Maybe it will be better...... But no it happened again and I did not like it (A Study in Silks was way better).

The author does a disservice to the name of Sherlock Holmes in her book. She may have put him in it, made Evelina Cooper his niece but then particularly relegated him to a tiny spec within the rather big list of perspectives used in the book. Evelina Cooper is the protagonist, but as usual her sleuthing skills have much to be desired. There is foul play afoot and she is tasked to finding out the villain but somehow you don't see her do anything. And the Jack the Ripper arc was well put but still it seemed to be resolved towards the end.

The triangle of love..... well love triangle I liked somewhat in the first book takes a turn for the worst. I can almost pity Tobias right now for his misfortune. And there is the fact about the magic, I definitely liked Evelina tapping into much darker powers and her chemistry with Dr. Magnus truly set the stage..... The premise of the steam council was explored more. But again I saw all of it lost in the echo of the chaos and an abnormally long and boring finish...... I know a lot of people are loving it but somehow it didn't stick with me and I was actually hoping it would be much better than the first book.

"An intriguing leg of the journey that lacks finesse"

Genre :      Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Steampunk

Publisher: Del Ray

Release Date: 29th October, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 A Study in Silks

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Baskerville Affair #1 A Study in Silks

Another one of those tales with the main character a relative to Sherlock Holmes. Presenting The Baskerville Affair #1 A Study in Silks by Emma Jane Holloway.

Here is the summary of the book:

Evelina Cooper, niece of Sherlock Holmes, is ready for her first London Season - except for a murderer, missing automatons, a sorcerer, and a talking mouse. In a Victorian era ruled by a ruthless steam baron council, mechanical power is the real monarch, and sorcery the demon enemy of the empire. Evelina has secretly mastered a coveted weapon - magic that can run machines. Should she trust the handsome, clever rake who speeds her breath, or the dashing trick rider who would dare anything she would ask?

A Lot of steampunk authors are concocting tales fashioned around a niece or relation to the famous sleuth Sherlock Holmes and Emma Jane Holloway seems to be one of them. But must say I actually got bored with this one.

That's not to say this was a bad read. Some of it was very interesting but it suffered a lot from my perspective in some big ways. If we go by the synopsis, then Evelina Cooper, the niece to Sherlock Holmes is out protagonist of the story. But something with with differing and constantly changing POVs she gets sidelined and is not given room to flourish.

Even Evelina's sleuthing skills had much to be desired for. I commend the author for trying to give her a normal background, life spent with the gypsy travelling circus and the other in English society but somehow that doesn't give her character much depth. It is good she wants to study, likes to tinker and can do magic but they don't help to cement her character at all. When you hear the term, niece of Sherlock Homes, you form the image of a somewhat female version of the detective but she somehow doesn't fir in at all. She actually concealed evidence and was very much biased towards her friend Imogen Roth's family, of the shame. Understandable for girls of that era, but still doesn't establish her credibility.

The only two things I liked about this book was the romance (and that triangle) and the steampunk English setting, that part was very well done. Nut if you go by the book, then it could have been done much better if the while thing was in Evelina's POV and even that mystery lost its vigor in all chaos.

"Good effort for the author but not quite there"

Genre :      Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Steampunk

Publisher: Del Ray

Release Date: 24th September, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

2014 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year 2014 everyone....... HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A BOOK-WORTHY YEAR IN READING AHEAD!!!!

Personally Book wise my reading in 2013 was quite good. I took the challenge to read 100 books in a year and finished 140..... quite a feet if you ask me ..... YAY!!!!

Hope this year remains the same......

And I'm again taking part in Book Chick City's 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge.....

HAPPY READING!!!!