KEEP CALM AND LOVE BOOKS: book

Pages: 404

Publication Date: October 7th 2003

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

ISBN: 0425226883 (ISBN13: 9780425226889)

On the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, alone in her apartment, Air Force Sergeant Christine Canady wished for one thing: a little magic in her life. After drinking way too much champagne, she performed, of all crazy things, a goddess-summoning ritual, hoping that it would somehow make her life a little less ordinary...but she never believed the spell would actually work.

When her military plane crashes into the ocean, CC's mission overseas takes an unexpected turn. She awakens to find herself in a legendary time and place where magic rules the land—occupying the body of the mythic mermaid Undine. But there is danger in the waters and the goddess Gaea turns this modern, military gal into a beautiful damsel so that she can seek shelter on land.

CC is soon rescued (literally) by a knight in shining armor. She should be falling in love with this dream-come-true, but instead she aches for the sea and Dylan, the sexy merman who has stolen her heart.

Now, What I Thought:

WOW. WOW. WOW. WOW. I was so not expecting to like this book. I couldn't believe how hooked I got!! Immediately I thought our protagonist, CC, was weird and that I was not going to like her at all. Yep. As you guessed it, I was 100% wrong. It took a couple chapters (maybe up to 4) for me to really start to realize how great this story was. It's not a regular, stereotypical siren/mermaid love tail (no pun intended) but instead, the love was magical and CC's transformation between a strong, Air Force and independent women to this love filled, desperate mermaid was incredible!! There are 7 books in this series and when I saw that, I was immediately confused. The novel ended beautifully and I couldn't imagine continuing CC and Dylan's story anymore but then I realized they're all different plots!!! Every book in P.C. Cast's series has different settings, plots, God's and characters. I can definitely say I will be reading more of her works because she is a fantastic writer. Now, just for reader's discretion, this should be labeled Rated R considering there is sexual content in this. I've definitely read worse but some people might find the sex scenes in here a little too much. I truly didn't mind it at all, I found it fitting because it showcased Dylan and CC's love perfectly! I will admit I did not get how Dylan and CC had sex. Sorry, I'm just going to put it out there... It didn't make sense to me but oh well.

CC was incredible. She was brave, strong, independent and hello! An Air Force Sergeant!!! I love anything with a strong female lead, especially one in the army, so this was perfect. She really knew when to stand her ground and make herself known to the empowering men. CC goes into a realm and world where on land, women are looked down upon and beauty is considered a sin and evil, especially a women's beauty. So of course, CC in this beautiful body of Undine, demands attention by her very existence. The abbot running the monastery where she resides, does not take to her and instantly hates her. Lot's of drama transpires but I managed to stay so impressed with CC and her strong will and not giving up even though the situations were SO degrading to women, I wanted to scream.

"I did so enjoy learning the Poultry Dance," Gwenyth said, waving a hand in front of her heated face.

"Chicken Dance," CC corrected with a giggle.

"Chicken Dance," Gwenyth repeated. The old woman's eyes sparkled."

Dylan was just sooooooo fine. He was perfect. From the moment we met him to the very end was amazing. He was such a good match for CC and I loved that he made sure to mention from the beginning that he loved CC for CC, not Undine's body. He really, truly loved her and it was love at first sight. I liked that we got his P.O.V sometimes because it allowed us to see his true intentions and make us fall in love with him even more! Gaea was so sweet. She was just so lovely to read about! I loved her immediate love and protection for CC, even though her own daughter was away from her. She really was a great mother and Goddess. I liked when we met Lir in the end. Lir was definitely not what I was expecting though! Usually with Greek mythology novels, I detest when an author makes God's and Goddess's nice and sweet, because in myth and legend, they were brutes that loved to kill and have sex. Cast really held that balance with Gaea and Lir, whom is Poseidon by the way, and we really saw that they were capable of in the last couple chapters. Let's not forget Lynelle. I knew from the beginning they would be close friends. Lynelle really shown through on her trust and support for CC even after she found out what she was. I liked that Cast gave Lynelle character growth as well!

“True love is not a potion one person can swallow and another refuse to drink. It happens only when the souls of two join together to form one."

There were a lot of moments in this book where I wanted to scream at the abbot, Andres, Sarpedon and many more characters but that was just the thrill to see the judgment get passed onto THEM in the end. Really guys, this was a wonderful book and I assure you I will be reading the others in this series because I can't get enough of Cast's writing!

P.S. Yes, the original cover was just so boring I had to use the 2008 paperback edition one because it's clearly more interesting. The ISBN is of that edition, just to be clear.

air force - 2:22:00 AM

Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning #1) by P.C. Cast | Review

Pages: 404 Publication Date: October 7th 2003 Publisher: Berkley Sensation ISBN: 0425226883 (ISBN13: 9780425226889 ) On t...

Pages: 355

Publication Date: March 4th 2014

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

ISBN: 0374384681 (ISBN13: 9780374384685)

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.

Now, What I Thought:

I don't exactly know how I did it but I managed to read this whole book in about 4 hours... That is the BEST record time I have for reading a book. I'm pretty proud of myself and clearly this book lived up to it's hype by how fast I read it. I honestly just seemed to speed through it and ~~wanting~~ needing to know how this book will end! I really liked the world this was set in. I felt as if it was so different and unique that it was refreshing to read about. The politics, history and war in this world is just amazing. I LOVED reading all about the past and what happened with the war between Herrani and Valorians. It was interesting to read that the Herrani's were the ones on 'top' before the 'brutish' Valorians came and took it from them. Instead of causing excitation with the Herrani race, the Valorians took them as slaves. Pretty sad for the Herrani's. Obviously towards the end of the book I wasn't a big fan of the race but I get why both sides did what they did. The great thing about this book was that the politics, history and even the way the dystopian world was, was so logical. I actually made sense of what was law and the rituals/customs they had. I've never read anything by Rutkoski but I really like her writing and how she made this dystopia so believable and understandable. I didn't find myself confused at any of the 'ways of life' the Valorian's lived as well as the Herrani.

As for the characters!!!! Let's start with:

Kestrel: Absolutely amazing. I've always said my favourite protagonist from any book had to either be Celaena from Sara J. Mass's, Throne of Glass series or Taryn from Tijan's, A Whole New Crowd series. Well, Kestrel definitely tops those by a long shot! I was so impressed that Rutkoski managed to make her so strong and liked even though physically, she wasn't much of a fighter. Instead, her main weapon was her mind. In the beginning chapters her father even compliments her saying,

"Her father gave her a level look. “Your military strength has never been in combat.” Which was another way of saying that she was a poor fighter. More gently, he said, “You’re a strategist.” Kestrel shrugged. Her father said, “Who suggested I draw the Dacran barbarians into the mountains when they attacked the empire’s eastern border?”All she had done then was point out the obvious. The barbarians’ over reliance on cavalry had been clear. So, too, had been the fact that the dry eastern mountains would starve horses of water."

I mean... It's pretty clear she knows her shit and she's very talented in the sense that she knows how to think her way out of any problem! We do however get to see her physical strength get put to the test, which to be honest, was one of my favourite scenes in the WHOLE book. The fight she had with Irex was just laughable. She would have clearly lost if she hadn't used that strategist brain of hers and think her way out of being killed! I honestly think Kestrel was such a brilliant character, I can't wait to read her smart and witty mind in the next novel!

Arin: The first time we get introduced to him and Kestrel described him was basically when I knew that this rough around the edges, hot ass looking dude would be our love interest. I, at first, liked him a lot! I thought he was great and understandable considering he was just bought to be slave for a family, I would be pretty hostile as well. And finally when we get that knowledge that he's actually not all innocent as he seemed to be. AND. What he had been doing around the house was so not innocent AS WELL. Well....... I kind of freaked. I almost put the book away because I couldn't stand him anymore. I can say 100% having finished the book now, I still very much dislike Arin. Maybe the next book will change that but honestly, that betrayal and then for him to expect her to still be all lovey eyed with him.. As Cher would say from Clueless, AS IF.

Jess: From the beginning to the end, I always liked her. Her loyalty really showed towards the middle and that touching devotion Kestrel shows Jess at the end is truly touching. I LOVED Jess. She was such a breath of fresh air and seemed to be the perfect best friend Kestrel needed. It's no secret that Kestrel is a strange, non conforming to society norms, type of girl. And Jess is honest about that and even says so out loud about her friend. They are the two perfect duo that I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more of in the next book! Though, I wonder if the events that happened in the last chapter of this novel will throw a rift between them two, concerning Ronan. And speaking of Ronan...

Ronan: Super hot. Super available. In love with Kestrel. What's not to love back!?!? Well the fact that Kestrel knows in her heart that he's not for her. Towards the end I really did think Ronan had a chance, I was actually routing for him more than Arin, since my hatred for him was stronger than ever, but poor Ronan. He does get shot down indefinitely and I'm sad to say that I'm pretty sure tat ship has sailed 100%. We know he's Jess's brother but we don't really touch on their family other than the siblings. I wonder if we will get to learn more of their family and how they are so close to the general's daughter.

General Trajan: I just wanted to touch upon this character because Rutkoski really did go all out with her characters and made the stereotypical father in charge not so typical in this book. It was a welcome refreshment when I realized that the general isn't all that mean and typical 'dad' like in many YA dystopia novels. I actually quite like Kestrel's father and I'm glad we'll get to read about him in the next book. After what's happened now, I hope we'll actually get to see more of him and understand him better! I liked how he could be nice and caring yet have that fatherly figure in him. He made sure that his daughter knew he was to be obeyed but not out of cruelty or oppressiveness, but out of caring and the love for his daughter and her safety. He was just another one of Rutkoski's great characters in this series.

The book ended with a satisfying cliff hanger for what is to come in the next book, but it wasn't unbearable. I quite like how abruptly this ended and I'm pretty glad I read this so late because now all 3 books are out, YAY. Time to get reading and hopefully I'll have read the whole series by the end of this week, or at the rate I'm going, by at least Friday. Also, the cover is just so impeccable, definitely a plus for me!!!!!!! LOVED THIS!

as if - 4:44:00 AM

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski | Review

Pages: 355 Publication Date: March 4th 2014 Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux ISBN: 0374384681 (ISBN13: 9780374384685 ) Wi...

Pages: 279

Publication Date: October 10th 2000 (first published January 28th 1813)

Publisher: Modern Library

IBSN: 0679783261 (ISBN13: 9780679783268)

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

So begins Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--that features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues.

Now, What I Thought:

The novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen is a classic romance story. Published in 1813, the story is about a girl, Elizabeth Bennet, and how she comes across issues, such as love, manners and marriage in the early 19^th century in England. The novel was originally named First Impressions but was changed because the publishers wanted Austen to have a theme with her other book titles, such as Sense and Sensibility. The book itself has become one of the most popular novels in the Romantic and English literature categories. The novel is so popular that the book has sold 20 million copies worldwide. Many books after this, tried imitating Austen’s writing and themes but no one could ever match her specific writing style. Austen portrayed an excellent view on social standing and wealth, also, how they are not necessary in that word. The novel has various aspects to it; most of them are about love, social class, marriage and wealth. In the entire book, Elizabeth Bennet has to struggle with decisions that involve marriage and family. There are many factors that cause social dilemmas in Pride and Prejudice. Three examples of social dilemmas are: marrying for love and not for wealth, social class, and reputations to uphold.

The first line in the novel is, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”. This is a perfect example of what the most known theme is in the book, marriage. In the 19^th century, when the novel was set in, it was known for wealthy men to marry wealthy women. It was very uncommon for a wealthy man to marry out of love, and not social status or for their social benefit. In Pride and Prejudice, a great example of this is Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. At first, they both thought it was absurd to think of each other romantically because of their different social backgrounds. As the novel progresses, it is clear that both Darcy and Bennet forget the stigma against marrying for love and do end up falling in love and finally, marrying each other. Another example of this would be Mr. Collins and Elizabeth Bennet. Collins, being a wealthy but insensible man, tries to court Bennet and even asks to marry her. After refusing him because of the fact that she did not love him nor liked him at all as a person, it showed that even a refusal to such a wealthy man would be a crazy notion in those times. Again, this is another good example of marrying for love and not wealth because Bennet did the right, but unusual thing. That would have changed her social reputation completely.

Another social dilemma in the novel is reputation. In that time, a women’s reputation was one of the most important things to uphold. There are numerous times when a person’s reputation is almost ruined. For example, it is common knowledge that Mrs. Bennet only wanted her daughters to marry wealthy men, to uphold and improve the Bennet’s reputation and status. This is almost ruined when Darcy sends a letter to Elizabeth explaining that he refuses to let Mr. Bingley marry her sister, Jane. He states,

“The situation of your mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father".

It is clear that Darcy disapproves of Mrs. Bennet’s ways and will not let his friend be used just for reputation and to improve their family name. Another example is Lydia Bennet and Mr. Wickham. He, being an officer in the militia, seemed charming but secretly, a man in debt that runs off with a 16-year-old and ruins the family’s reputation. Mrs. Bennet is obliviously thrilled that her young daughter is the first to marry and to what seemed to be a respectful young man. Even after the fact that the knowledge of his debt was made publicly and he runs away with her out of wedlock, she (Mrs. Bennet) is still very oblivious and exclaims her joy. By Lydia running away, even if under the influence of charming Wickham, it ruins any chance her other sisters had for marrying a respectful man.

Lastly, social class was and still is a very popular theme in the 19^th century. Austen did a very good job portraying that in her novel because it is a reoccurring feature that can be found in different spots in the book. Similar to reputation, the lines of class are strictly drawn in society. The perfect and most popular example in the novel is Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. When they had just met each other, it was clear that Elizabeth was not impressed by Darcy’s attitude. Darcy’s biggest struggle in the entire book was the fact that he was falling in love with someone of a totally opposite social class as him. Back then, this was a foreign concept to everyone and that resulted in him being confused and his attitude towards Elizabeth. He thought that if he outwardly showed disgust towards her, he would force himself to dislike her. This attitude does in fact really offends her and made her determined to hate him. This is why she refuses his first proposal. He did state,

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you".

This showed the transformation of his earlier thoughts about her “not handsome enough” to his unrequited love, or so he thought. There is a reason why that quote is one of the most famous romantic lines in the history of romance. That single line showed that Darcy had overcome the borders and lines that social classes have and it showed that finally, true love wins over everything in the end.

In closing, the novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen is one of the most cherished, love stories in English literature. Austen wrote the most memorable characters, some being Darcy and Elizabeth. Their love story is known throughout all over the world. In this novel, the idea of marrying for love and not wealth was accomplished, the reputation of someone did mean a lot back then, and the lines of social classes were broken in the end. The message that is portrayed in the novel is one of the best-known messages out there- love conquers all.