Review: Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

   

My Thoughts

Cinders & Sapphires is an English Estate drama following the family and staff of the Somerton Estate set in 1910 England. Within the pages you will find yourself whisked away to another time and place, wrapped up in the intricacies and lives of both the “upstairs” (high society) and “downstairs” world. Find yourself entangled in their dreams, schemes, scandals, and dramas.

This was a very fun, easy, and light read. This would be a perfect fit for fans of Downton Abbey, and YA historical dramas and romances. The story had allusions to Cinderella, and was definitely reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Personally, I am a huge fan of period dramas (and of Downton Abbey!), so when I saw a Young Adult historical drama that sounded Downton Abbey-esque I was in! I definitely enjoyed this one very much, I read it in a day, and I found it to be a quick, refreshing, and easy read. I also found that it helped with my Downton withdrawals. I loved the whole premise of the upstairs/downstairs, the estate politics, the manners, etiquette and values of the time, and the looming threat of the ever-changing modern world infringing on all they know.

For me, feeling as though I’m being transported to another time and place always makes a book more enjoyable. I found myself, wrapped up in the drama and intrigue of the book. I loved that you got to meet so many characters, and that you were able to get some depth and fleshing out of a fair few. I enjoyed that the main heroines had forward-thinking, unusual dreams (for the time). I also enjoyed the references to actual issues of the time: the Indian Independence Movement, British Imperial Rule in India, Women’s Suffrage, Women’s Education, etc. These kinds of things always keep me interested and add some nice historical tension and authenticity. They also make me want to go read more about the events so I better understand the history.

I did get a hint of insta-love (which is not something I like to see in a read), although on further reflection it did kind of fit with the time and courtship/romance beliefs. I will also say that at the beginning it did jump around a bit and seemed to switch viewpoints suddenly, but as I got to understand the characters this wasn’t an issue any more.

Overall, I found this a truly enjoyable read, and I honestly cannot wait to start the second one. I would definitely recommend this one as a fun, light period piece romance – or to help fill the Downton void for you Downton fans.

Recommendations:  

If you enjoyed this book and are looking for more Historical Drama-esque reads try:

The American Heiress – Daisy Goodwin

Ruby Red – Kerstin Gier

Keeping the Castle – Patrice Kindl

The Hawk and the Jewel – Lori Wick

           

Rating:

 4 out of 5 Doxies* –   Liked it a lot, definitely worth a read!

*I debated my rating on this one for a bit, going back and forth between a 3 or 4 Doxie rating. However, after weighing it out, for the genre, age, and type of read it was – it really made me happy overall. Also, I went and bought the second one as soon as I finished, which made me decide I’d give it a 4. J

Jenn

 Tale of Two Doxies

www.taleoftwodoxies.blogspot.com

Review - Cinder by Marissa Meyer

  

Title:                          Cinder (Lunar Chronicles 1)

Author:                     Marissa Meyer

Release Date:         January 3, 2012

Publisher:               Feiwel & Friends

Genre:                       YA, Fantasy

Pages:                       387

"Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth." (pg. 170)

My Thoughts

A futuristic Cinderella retelling like no other -- Cinderella isn’t quite what she seems and in this retelling she is called upon to do the saving. It is the perfect choice for fans of sci-fi, dystopian novels, and fairy-tale retellings with strong female leads.

Personally, I love fairy tale retellings; they are among my favorite reads to come across. However, I wasn’t sold on Cinder – I wasn’t really feeling the description at first, the cover art didn’t reel me in, and even when I saw favorable reviews I still wasn’t sure. Luckily, my friend insisted that it was an amazing read.

Ultimately, I loved this reimagining of Cinderella. Cinder pulled me in quickly, with its fast-paced plot line revolving around a cyborg, mechanic with a mysterious past, a handsome prince, a plague, and a looming threat of war. I loved that Cinder was not your typical fairy-tale lead: she was strong, independent, and smart. Even with the odds stacked against her, Cinder didn’t wail for help; she didn’t need saving, she rose to the challenge herself. I enjoyed the unique element of a futuristic setting with touches of sci-fi and an elaborate back-story to our heroine Cinder. The book held many memorable characters and left me wanting more. I ran out to buy the next installment immediately to find out what would happen next.

My wishes for this novel would have to be a bit more of an ease in period for the romance; I did get a bit of a feel of insta-love. However, with a speedy plotline and knowing it was a fairy-tale reimagining of Cinderella, it wasn’t completely unexpected or inappropriate. Otherwise, I can’t complain other than to say I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Scarlet and find out what happens next! Overall, I loved it and thought it was a fantastic read and a really fun, unique take on the classic Cinderella story. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series and highly recommend it to others.

Recommendations:  

If you enjoyed this book and are looking for more fairy-tale-esque retellings try:

Princess of the Midnight Ball – Jessica Day George

Princess of Glass – Jessica Day George

A Kiss In Time – Alex Flinn

Beastly – Alex Flinn

Ella Enchanted – Gail Carson Levine

Shadow Spinner – Susan Fletcher

Amaranth Enchantment – Julie Berry

Rating:

4 out of 5 Doxies -  Liked it a lot, definitely worth a read

Review: Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Title:                             Crash Into You

Author:                        Katie McGarry,  www.katiemcgarry.com

Release Date:            November 26, 2013

Publisher:                   Harlequin Teen

Genre:                          YA, Contemporary Romance

Pages:                           474

Synopsis (Goodreads) –

From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.           

Goodreads.com

Review:

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry is the third installment in her Pushing The Limits series. The book is a compelling Contemporary Romance, where McGarry has used the tried and true bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks meets good, preppy girl and falls in love. Somehow, once again McGarry takes this plotline of star-crossed lovers and makes it feel unique and new. Crash Into You is a troubled boy meets good girl story, yes, but it is also about so much more – dysfunctional families, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, loss, grief, finding yourself, and of course street racing.

            For me, picking up this book was a no brainer. I had this one on my pre-order list the day it became available of Amazon, and was awaiting its release eagerly. In my experience so far, McGarry can do no wrong. I have loved all of the Pushing the Limits books. McGarry has this enviable knack for creating characters that are relatable, sympathetic and quite honestly – feel like friends by the time you’re through. I love the fact that she writes from a dual perspective in each of her novels, and that she really delves into and fleshes out each of her characters. I like that I really get to know them, and because you see the same characters from book to book, you see multiple sides to them and it can change your perception.

Characters/Plot:

The story itself focuses on returning character Isaiah, a senior in high school and a foster kid who will soon age out of the system. Isaiah is currently living with his best friend Noah, another foster kid who has aged out of the system recently, illegally. Isaiah doesn’t wish to return to his foster home, so in addition to trying to finish school and find a mechanic job for when he graduates and ages out, he is struggling to find a means to help pay the rent so he can remain living with Noah. We learn a lot about Isaiah throughout this book, about his past, his fears, his hopes, and his values. His need to stay living in the apartment with Noah (and not return to his foster home), is what drives Isaiah to get involved in a street race where he ultimately meets Rachel.

            On the surface Rachel appears to have the perfect life: she’s pretty, her family is well off, her parents and siblings love her, she goes to a great school, etc. However, Rachel has been forced into the unfortunate position of living her life for someone else. Rachel was born to replace her older sister, who died as a child. Rachel herself, struggles to maintain the façade of being just like her sister, there by allowing her family to function and keeping her mother from sinking back into depression. Rachel struggles with Anxiety and Panic Disorder, which just exacerbates the issue for her, and makes it that much harder to go against the status quo. Rachel’s only release is when she is able to sneak off and drive her Mustang GT at night. This attraction to speed and the release it allows her, are what eventually lead Rachel to an illegal drag race one night where she meets Isaiah.

            One thing leads to another, and Rachel and Isaiah find themselves in a situation where both of their lives are at risk and they need to work together to find a way out.

My Thoughts:

            I loved it! Once again, McGarry has won me over and found a way to create a place in my heart for her characters. I was definitely cheering them on, and I was so sad to once again have to leave the Pushing the Limits world behind. I would definitely recommend this book to others to read. The story was compelling and kept me up at night needing to read. The characters were relatable and sympathetic, and I really liked the topics the book touched on: grief, Panic/Anxiety Disorders, family situations, etc. I loved Isaiah, possibly more than Noah, which I did not originally think was possible. Rachel was not my favorite character, but I still really felt her struggle and sympathized with her.

            My one wish for this book would have to be…more Abby! She was a secondary character, but she stole my attention. I couldn’t wait to see more of her, and I loved her and really wanted to know more about her. I would love to see an Abby story, and while I know the next is a West story (one of Rachel’s brothers), I hope an Abby story is coming soon!

Recommendations:

If you enjoy this book, for more Contemporary Romance/Star crossed lovers, try-

·      Pushing the Limits or Dare You To – Katie McGarry

·      Wild Cards – Simone Elkeles

·      Perfect Chemistry, Chain Reaction, or Rules of Attraction –

Simone Elkeles

Rating:

4 out of 5 Doxies – Liked it a lot, definitely worth a read!

Jenn

 Tale of Two Doxies

www.taleoftwodoxies.blogspot.com