The Demon King (Seven Realms, #1) by Cinda Williams Chima

Publisher: Hyperion, October 6th 2009

Source: Received for review

Edition: Hardcover

# of pages: 512

Rating:

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari. Ironically, the only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell. For as long as Han can remember, he’s worn thick silver cuffs engraved with runes. They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off.

While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer catch three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. After a confrontation, Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against them. Han soon learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returned to court after three years of relative freedom with her father’s family at Demonai camp – riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets. Although Raisa will become eligible for marriage after her sixteenth name-day, she isn't looking forward to trading in her common sense and new skills for etiquette tutors and stuffy parties.

Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her--plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

The Seven Realms will tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide in this stunning new page-turner from bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima.

Wow this book was really really great! Cinda created an awesome world filled with magic, wizardry, betrayals, deaths and romance all wrapped in one action packed book. I had read reviews of the book and had definitely heard good things about it but I really didn't know what to expect upon starting it. I usually don't like books with medieval themes, such as the kings and queens ruling sort of thing but to be honest, The Demon King was not politically boring at all. I absolutely loved the storyline revolving around the queens of Hanalea and the whole Queendom of the novel.

The characters in the book are so kick ass and unforgettable. Han, the main character, has a very raw personality and I absolutely loved reading his story and what he did to survive as an "ex-thief" in the poor side of his town. His background is mysteriously unknown and the silver cuffs around his wrists make you wonder what had happened to him in the past and as you read, the truth surfaces. The other main character, Princess Raisa, was also so very awesome. I loved reading from her perspective and I found myself really getting into her tangled love life with two very handsome and dangerous men ;)

Although the book was amazing, I found the beginning of the book wasn't as gripping as I would have liked and it took me a while to really get into the story but aside from that I thought that the book was original, suspenseful, gripping and eventful. I couldn't of asked for a better storyline and cast of characters. I recommend this book to everybody, you seriously need to read this series. It's freaking awesome! Stay tuned for my review of the second book in the series, The Exiled Queen.

The Pace by Shelena Shorts

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing, August 2009

Source: Received for review from author

Edition: Paperback

# of pages: 302

Rating:

Weston Wilson is not immortal and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and eighteen-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time. Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

First of all, I want to apologize for my lack of reviews on the blog and for all the book reviews that are now long overdue. I feel terrible but unfortunately school and such has taken over. Though, as of now, I'm going to try to and write more reviews. Starting with The Pace by Shelena Shorts :)

This book was pretty interesting right away and I liked Sophie a lot as the main character, there was just something different about her. Weston was also somewhat different from other male characters I've read about and I loved how he wasn't a vampire, werewolf, fairy, ghost or any other average supernatural creature. Shelena pretty much invented her own twist of a paranormal creature and I liked how Weston actually had a few weaknesses. I also thought that the chemistry between the two was well described and written.

As a whole the book was very good and I loved the flashbacks and the twists throughout the book. There were several parts in the book that surprised me and as the story went on, more and more things started to unravel and finally at the end Shelena finishes with a huge cliffhanger! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the good cliffhanger here and there but only when I can go out and buy the next book right away to figure out what happens. Unfortunately, the second book in the series isn't available in Canada yet, I think, so I'll have to wait for it!

Some things I didn't like about the book were that some parts of Sophie's and Wes' relationship felt rushed but I can understand why. I know that a lot of people have said that this book reminds them of the Twilight saga and it in fact did remind of me of the books too but I still enjoyed it and in all honesty, almost all books are similar these days.

To conclude, I recommend this book to all you teens who are in need of a fast-paced, heart pumping good read with a thrilling storyline.

Waiting on Wednesday (21)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.


Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11) by Charlaine Harris

*May contain small spoilers if you haven't read the entire series

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit - and the twisted motive for the attack. But her attention is divided. Though she can't 'read' vampires, Sookie knows her lover Eric Northman and his 'child' Pam well - and she realises that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot -which is much more complicated than she knows. Caught up in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will learn that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human - and that there is a new Queen on the board

I've read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series AND I watch/am an avid fan of True Blood so I'm really excited for when the 11th book in the series is coming out!! The date is supposedly around May 3rd 2011 :)