Witchy Review: Bleeding Hearts by Ash Krafton

Info:

Title: Bleeding Hearts (Demimonde #1)
Author: Ash Krafton
Publisher: Pink Narcissus Press
Length: 370 Pages
Release Date: March 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Misc: ARC
Kindle edition given by publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Synopsis:

Sophie Galen is an advice columnist who is saving the world - one damned person at a time. Shy and sensitive Sophie has all but given up on love until she meets Marek, a mysterious stranger who seduces her with his striking good looks and his take-charge attitude. Yet the darkness she senses within him may be more than she is prepared to handle when Marek draws her into a world of vampires, werewolves, and treachery. Forced to leave behind the comfortable routines and certainties of her past, Sophie makes unbearable sacrifices and uncovers hidden truths about herself and the world around her.

***

Honestly, I did not know what to think whenever I was asked to review this novel. As you all know, I am a sucker for vampires and witches, so the synopsis was right up my alley. When I saw the cover, I was a little if-y. I know, I know, I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I did. Bleeding hearts?
At that point, I did not know what I was getting myself into. But, putting my bias aside, I read the first chapter and was COMPLETELY hooked. The authors voice is strong and I really loved Sophie's personality. I could relate to her sarcasm in awkward situations. Throughout, Mrs. Krafton's detail of mummies and Egypt reminded me of a lot of Deborah Harkness's writing style. If any of you have read the Discovery of Witches, you will know what I am talking about. I actually learned a few things from reading this novel, which was a nice surprise!

Krafton's descriptions are original and witty. She has a wonderful way of describing some of the simplest things, but with a twist. Her words put a smile on my face and brought me through an emotional roller coaster! I couldn't read it fast enough. Sophie's cat was such a great touch to the story. I loved that cat! Seriously!

Now on to the vampires: I really liked Ash's vampires. Like I said earlier, I love vampires! I had never read demivamps or full vamps. The way she described regular vampires was brilliant and disgusting all at the same time. Demivamps are pure sex and regular vamps are evil and nasty! Marek was a heart-throb and so was Rode, yes we are on a nickname basis. The club and screaming girls, was a great touch. It was different! Bravo, Ash! The best friend relationship with the priest was cute. I just imagined this kick ass hot priest the whole time, which I know I shouldn't, but I couldn't help it! Blame Ash for that! Also, I would like to mention that I was happy the letter thing was cleared up at the end. Phew. I did not know if that mystery would be solved!

Thank you for killing Donna off! teehee!

What I didn't really care for:
The Insta-love. To me, I felt like Sophie accepted Marek too quickly. In one chapter, we are meeting him outside of a cafe as a predator. In the next chapter, we are meeting him in the museum. I knew instantly it was the same person! Then in another chapter, they have been seeing each other for a few weeks. I wanted some sort of conflict or more conflict between them at the beginning.
I was happy when he warned her and forced her into the church but I felt like that was a little too late. If there would have been more conflict between then earlier, then build a trusting relationship, and end it how it was, I think their relationship would have had a stronger impact on me as a reader but that is just my opinion!


Not really a "didn't care for" but I did find a few typo's throughout the novel. I am not complaining, but am a close reader. It happens to the best of us. I received an ARC so my version may not be the most updated. Here is one that was close to the end.
Jared says "Leave Sophie go, or else." I think it should say Let.
Another was: "he turn away from the crowd and slumped slightly as he rested his elbows on the bar."
I believe it should say turned. :) Not trying to nitpick, just an FYI for the publisher incase they wanted to update those. There were a few others closer to the beginning but I don't remember them. Those stuck out because I just read them.

***

Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this one. I would defiantly read the second novel whenever it is released. Krafton is such a talented author and has such a wonderful way with words... her voice is brilliant! I loved her vamps and the depth she gave them. The world she created was original and intriguing. Would recommend this one to others. I am totally looking forward to seeing what happens next!

Witchy Rating: 4 Black Cats

Opinion has been brought to you by Elphie at Witchy Reviews

Feature & Follow Bloghop #3

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted 

by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This is our 3rd week to participate!!!!!! YAY!!! So excited!! 

Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.

1. Insta-love. Cannot stand it when characters are instantly in love with each other. Why not create some sort of conflict? It isn't realistic and makes their relationship seemed forced.

2. Huge Cliff Hangers. When I am really into a book and the author purposely ends on a huge cliff hanger so you'll buy the next book. This is just a turn-off and makes me want to not finish. I don't demand an ending, just some sort of closure to book 1 with the lure of other cool things in book 2. 

3. When writers don't say what they mean. Recently, I have read a few novels where I have no idea what the author is trying to say. I love beautiful prose as much as the next person, but sometimes it is just toooooo much! 

Feature & Follow Bloghop #2

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted
by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This is our second week to participate in the feature and follow hop hosted by the amazing Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! Last week, we hopped around the internet, met so many cool people, and learned that we should read Anna Dressed in Blood!

Q: When you step out of your USUAL genre what do you like to read? Best books in that genre?

Many of us here at Witchy Reviews, really enjoys books with all kinds of different elements (just check our genre list). I (Elphie) have been popping out of the YA realm and hopping into books that have more adult related themes. I know this is an oldie, but I really liked The Help and actually read it before everyone made a big deal about it :) 


((Thanks everyone for stopping by!))

Witchy Review: The Dragon's Call (The Dragon Throne)

 

Info:

Title: The Dragon’s Call (The Dragon Throne)

Author: K.W. McCabe

Publisher: Fantafire

Length: 130 pages (Kindle)

Release Date: September 2012

Genre: Young adult, Fantasy, Dystopia

Misc: ARC, Kindle edition

Synopsis:

In a thoughtless final act of destruction, humans wake the one creature of legend they have no protection against. Years after the complete subjugation of the human race, Derek, heir of the Dragon Queen, and Cecily, create a tentative friendship. But something or someone is stalking the human enclave. Cecily and Derek must find out who and why before she's next.

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Upon starting The Dragon’s Call, I was slightly skeptical since I’m not familiar with this sub-genre of books. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how quick I was able to read and how fast I wanted to turn the pages.

With that being said, let me add that I thought it could have had more character and plot development. In the opening chapter and throughout the first half of the book, the reader gets a glimpse of, “The Recollection of Todd Burns”, a back story of what happened before humans were forced into submission and poverty. I was so curious to hear more, but the book is fairly short and the main storyline did not revolve around this. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more in the future.

To me it read a little like the romance in Twilight but with dragons or draakons, younger, teenage dragon who have not yet reached “mature” status. I enjoyed the climax of the book, the kiss between a young girl, Cecily and Derek, a draakon heir to the throne. It was in this moment that the reader knows these two are forbidden to love each other, yet couldn’t help cheering them on. McCabe definitely brought me back to my adolescent years of feeling in love and vulnerable. There was no turning back at that point, and there would be dire consequences for both of their actions.

I turned the pages more quickly than before after that and was immersed in the story until the very end. The ending was just how I wanted it to end, though; I was slightly disappointed at not being surprised. All in all, it was a fun, easy book to read with descriptive storytelling. I’m excited for the next book to hit the shelves so I can read more. Good job!

  Witchy Rating: 4 Black Cats

Opinion has been brought to you by Mombi at Witchy Reviews

Feature & Follow Bloghop #1!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted
by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

There are so many wonderful book bloggers out there 

....and we thought we would jump on the band wagon and connect with them!

This is our first week to participate...we are no longer Feature & Follow Virgins!

Q: What book do you think would make a great Halloween movie? Please explain in graphic detail of goriness... 

 

I haven't read any particularly gory books but I would say that the Cypress House by Michael Koryta would be an excellent choice.There are several scenes where they find dead bodies that have been rotting away in the swamps of Florida and another scene with a bloody heart in a box. Also, the main character sees people as skeletons if they will die soon.
The Cypress House would be absolutely perfect for the Halloween season!

Witchy Review: A Discovery of Witches

Hello All! We have been busy reading and reviewing some wonderful self-published books. We are hoping to have some of those reviews up and ready within the next few weeks. In the meanwhile, hope you enjoy this review of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.


Info:

Title: A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

Author: Deborah Harkness
Publisher: Viking Penguin
Length: 585 Pages
Released: 2011
Genres: Fantasy Fiction

Misc: Purchased, read softcover

Thought this would be fitting because Halloween is so close and WE love witches! 

Synopsis:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

In a sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches became the "it" book of early 2011, bringing Deborah Harkness into the spotlight and galvanizing fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and the descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar's depth to this riveting story of magic and suspense. And the story continues in Book Two, Shadow of Night.

*****

Review:

The Discovery of Witches is a different sort of vampire, witch, and demon novel. Mrs. Harkness is absolutely brilliant! Usually, when I come across a book this thick...I think twice about reading it but once started, I breezed right through. When I say breeze, do not think that it was an easy read. There was subject matter in the book that could potentially be hard concepts to grasp.
DNA? Yes, you learn the specifics but that is not surprising considering that Harkness is a professor in real life. Don't let that discourage you though, I caught on quickly. 

I love the relationship she creates between Matthew and Diana. Sigh. Yes, he is super hot and rich (kind of like every other vampire in novels these days) but he is genuine and caring. I loved the way Harkness wrote Matthews character. I couldn't stop imagining his sexy accent. The book has a perfect combination of sexy adventure, and romantic sweetness. 

Holy tea cups and wine bottles! Could this vampire drink wine? Each time I read, I wanted a glass of wine and a cup of hot tea. I secretly wish I could attend oxford and when I visit Europe, I will be visiting the Bodleian Library. Harkness world is brilliant and parts of it were different. I loved how she used the Bishop's as Diana's ancestors, that was the perfect touch of history in the story.

But there were times when I felt I could compare the basics of her vampires to other popular vampire novels which was somewhat of a turn off. As I read further into the novel, I felt the author hit the nail on the head and made her vampires so different they could only be described as her own. When I finished, I wanted the next book immediately!

If you love witches, deamons, sexy vampires that are wrapped in academia, romance, and history than this novel is for you. Mrs. Harkness did a wonderful job with her debut novel and I am looking forward to reading book 2 of the All Souls Trilogy. Bravo!

 Witchy Rating: 4 Black Cats

Due to complex content matter and some overly used characteristics found in other fantasy vampire novels.

Opinion has been brought to you by Elphie at Witchy Reviews