Review: Fiendish by Brenna Yovanoff

Title:  Fiendish 

Author: Brenna Yovanoff
Publisher: Razorbill
Publishing Date: August 14th 2014
Pages: 341
Genre: YA Gothic Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Source: Audio

  

Clementine DeVore spent ten years trapped in a cellar, pinned down by willow roots, silenced and forgotten.

Now she’s out and determined to uncover who put her in that cellar and why.

When Clementine was a child, dangerous and inexplicable things started happening in New South Bend. The townsfolk blamed the fiendish people out in the Willows and burned their homes to the ground. But magic kept Clementine alive, walled up in the cellar for ten years, until a boy named Fisher sets her free. Back in the world, Clementine sets out to discover what happened all those years ago. But the truth gets muddled in her dangerous attraction to Fisher, the politics of New South Bend, and the Hollow, a fickle and terrifying place that seems increasingly temperamental ever since Clementine reemerged.

I was really excited for this book. I read Paper Valentine last year and loved it. Brenna Yovanoff has a twisted way for telling stories and it amazes me. This book as good but not as good as I was hoping, expecting, or wanting. I felt it was a bit too strange for my taste and the pacing lacked a bit for me. What really made the book good for me were the characters. If it weren't for the character development, this book would have been a star lower for me. But alas the characters and the romance saved the day. 

Clementine was buried a long long time ago in a house that was set fire to. She was just a bity girl at the time and now its quite a few years later and she is now a teenager. She is found by a boy and is set free. Strange thing, only a very few and I mean very few know who she is or that she ever existed. The curse that was put upon her was strong. Clementine is determined to find why she was buried, cursed, and never killed. She doesn't know if she was cursed to save her life or to get rid of her. Along the way she falls in love, learns secrets, and figures it all out. 

So this book wasn't at all what I was expecting. I'm really not sure how to put many of my thoughts down. This book was strange, not a bad strange and not a good strange, just an out there strange. One thing for sure it was original, it was creative, it was it's own story. I have never read anything else remotely like it before. So if you are looking for a strange and mysterious gothic horror. This would be the book for you. 

I normally love strange. The more strange, the more original, the better. But I felt this one was a bit to much for me because at times I felt confused. I would get lost easily and have to reread or rewind a part of the book. I think I may have been better off reading and not listening to this book. 

Part of the problem with me getting lost was the pacing. This played a huge part in the strange and slow parts of the book that would send me in a vicious circle of confusion. The book may have not seemed as slow in parts, but on audio I would tend to get distracted during the slow part and get lost in the abyss. So if you tend to get distracted and lost easily, read the book, don't listen to it. 

Another issue that had me confused at times, there is no real explanation of why there is magic in this town, where it came from who all has it and why. Sometimes that seems add to my confusion. The story wasn't about why there was magic as much as why the magic has to hide. So it didn't make a difference to the story just to me. 

The story was just amazing. I loved the plot it was so dark and beautiful and wicked. I really can't express how different this book was from anything I have ever read. I really do think this authors mind is off the charts on the brilliance scale. The story was good and the romance was even better. I adored the romance. 

The romance was sweet and even though it was a bit fast it didn't feel too fast. It wasn't over the top romantic or passionate, just sweet. First love kind of sweet. Something I wish more  YA books would have. I fell for it, I believed it, I felt it. 

The book did have some amazing characters. The main character, Clementine was just so lovable. She was a good kid who just wanted to learn the truth. The fact that she lost most of her life and that she was trapped in a house of ruins, didn't seem to bother her, anger her, or frighten her. She just wanted to know what the heck happened. She loved her cousin strongly and she bonded well with those she came to know. She was sweet and kind and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. I liked her very much. 

Fisher is just amazing too. A scared boy living in a frightening world where his gifts are not accepted and he has to hide them all the time. Clementine makes that difficult and makes him stronger. This is what initially brings them together and strengthens their bonds but their romance is also just the normal teenage first love sickness and he makes it easy to accept. He was very easy to love. 

There were some pretty dark and gloomy moments in the book but nothing too hard to handle. There is lots of magic, witch hating, and just plain out judgy kind of behavior that was just enough to set me on fire at the right times but there wasn't anything to graphic or extreme. So even though I consider this a gothic horror, its not overly horrifying. There is the huge mystery of Clementine and what happened to her and that seemed to tone down the horror to a bearable fright. 

I think mystery lovers, strange read lovers, and horror lovers will like this book. 

If you are in for wild ride, give it a try.

Website/GoodreadsHere are some things about me (not book-related):
I’m good at soccer, violent video games, and making very flaky pie pastry.
I’m bad at dancing, making decisions, and inspiring confidence as an authority figure. I suspect this is because I am short, and also terrible at sounding as though I have any idea what I’m talking about.

Genre Definition and Recommendation #77

Genre Definition and Recommendation is a feature where I will define a genre and a sub-genre definition and the make some recommendations.  

Fantasy - Definition found on Wikipedia

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common. Fantasy is generally distinguished from the genre of science fiction by the expectation that it steers clear of scientific themes, though there is a great deal of overlap between the two, both of which are subgenres of speculative fiction.

Mythic Fantasy  Definition found on Wikipedia   

Mythic fiction is literature that is rooted in, inspired by, or that in some way draws from the tropes, themes and symbolism of myth, folklore, and fairy tales. The term is widely credited to Charles de Lint and Terri Windling. Mythic fiction overlaps with urban fantasy and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but mythic fiction also includes contemporary works in non-urban settings. Mythic fiction refers to works of contemporary literature that often cross the divide between literary and fantasy fiction

My Recommendations: 

Mythic Fantasy  Definition found on Wikipedia   

Mythic fiction is literature that is rooted in, inspired by, or that in some way draws from the tropes, themes and symbolism of myth, folklore, and fairy tales. The term is widely credited to Charles de Lint and Terri Windling. Mythic fiction overlaps with urban fantasy and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but mythic fiction also includes contemporary works in non-urban settings. Mythic fiction refers to works of contemporary literature that often cross the divide between literary and fantasy fiction

Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis 

Princess Snow is missing.Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

Splintered  by A.G. Howard 

  

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

What Do you Recommend? 

Review: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Title: Stitching Snow
Author: R.C. Lewis
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publishing Date: October 14th 2014
Pages: 338
Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fairy Tale Retelling
Series: Stand Alone
Source: Audio

  

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

I can never get enough of fairy tale retellings, especially when they are done right. This one was done oh so right. It was exciting, fresh but with all the remnants of the original. Great characters, thrilling story, great writing. It was just good, oh so good and I loved it from cover to cover...including the cover. 

Princess Snow has been missing for 8 years. She was believed to be kidnapped and due to the kidnapping planets are at war. There is one boy that is determined to find snow and bring peace... well at least help his people that are being held prisoner by King Mathias. 

Essie wants a peaceful life of hiding. She lives on a very cold and bitter planet, friends with drones, helping miners, and fighting for payment. She is pretty much a hermit, only comes out when she needs to. 

Dane crash lands on Essie's plant, Thanda. Believing she is the Princess Snow and can save his people, his crash landing brings the two on a crazy adventure full of betrayal, murder attempt, secrets, and of course love. 

Another retelling I just loved. The only thing that kept my rating down one star was the pacing. There was a bit of a slow beginning. But really that was it. I loved everything else. I have heard some say its too much like Cinder. I am a Cinder fan and this is nothing like Cinder except that it is a sci fi fantasy retelling instead of straight fantasy retelling or modern retelling. Yes there is a princess, a prince, a wicked step mother, robot friends, and inter planet travelling, but it all centers around a completely different tale of Snow White and it sticks pretty close the the tale where as Cinder was all a story on its own. 

Princess Snow is a bit more of fighter than the fairy tale portrayed her. In this book she kicks butt. She is more hesitant when it comes to saving people but she still has a heart of gold. She is smart, intelligent, witty, independent, and like a said she kicks butt. I liked the spin this author gave Snow in this book. Not the sweetheart she has always been but still brave and kind. 

The prince rocked too. He was pretty amazing. Swoon worthy. He starts off a bit of a jerk but not meaning to be. He is determined to save his people and doesn't know what's really at stake. Once he learns the truth and that he loves the princess...well its all over. He falls and he falls hard and he so brave and gallant. Yes just like I like them. 

So one of my favorite set of characters was the seven drones. Lets see there was Zippy, Clank, Clunk, Cusser, Swirly Gig, Dimwit... and I can't remember the last one. Of course Dimwit was the best. He was completely fun and kept me laughing out loud throughout the book. Cusser was a good one too. The seven drones were just amazing. I was able to know some more than other and my only wish was that I could have spent more time with all the drones. 

The story was good, really good. The plot just amazing. I liked how evil the stepmother was and how the father fit into everything. He wasn't so innocent either. I liked the war of planets, the sci fi stuff, and the real star wars kind of feel... I don't mean specifically the movie but the type of sci fi it was. I was written well and right to my liking. Funny and serious, in depth but not too much. I was never lost and never bored. It was great.

Just so much good about this book. I love finding stand alones, and this book has a super duper ending, but this time I kind of wish it wasn't a stand alone. 

Another phenomenal retelling to add to my collection. 

When I'm not writing novels, I'm teaching math. Or when I'm not teaching math, I'm writing novels. It gets a little confusing in here sometimes.

Stacking the Shelves #87

Stacking The Shelves is a hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Come join the fun and share all the book you received this week. 

For Review:

Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy 

         

In this high-flying, adrenaline-fueled debut thriller, America's best hope is the elite teen fighter pilots of the United Star Academy
Chase Harcourt, call sign "Nyx," is one of only two pilots chosen to fly the experimental "Streaker" jets at the junior Air Force Academy in the year 2048. She's tough and impulsive with lightning-fast reactions, but few know the pain and loneliness of her past or the dark secret about her father. All anyone cares about is that Chase aces the upcoming Streaker trials, proving the prototype jet can knock the enemy out of the sky.
But as the world tilts toward war, Chase cracks open a military secret. There's a third Streaker jet, whose young hotshot pilot, Tristan, can match her on the ground and in the clouds. Chase doesn't play well with others, but to save her country she may just have to put her life in the hands of the competition.

Audio: