Caesar’s Palace, inside the Forum Shops. Las Vegas, Nevada. 2013.
Book Review: The Girl with Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti
What would you do if you believed that love was a weakness?
Frenenqer Paje was created by her father. Everything she does and who she must become is destined by his vision of her.
Yet, she feels the beat of wings under her shoulder blades, aching to burst free from her cage whilst flying away to worlds unknown.
One day when at the markets of the Middle East, Freneqer rescues a cat near death.
This cat is not an ordinary cat at all.
Together, Freneqer and Sangris – a Free Person, a shapeshifter, a boy, journey around the world and inside themselves.
When one has their life cast for them, is it possible to break free?
I really enjoyed this story. It’s definitely off the beaten path and there needs to be more YA like this. Exploring other cultures and creating stories about growing up that teens of all races can relate too.
What a refreshing read with a main character that isn’t Caucasian! Finally a setting where English isn’t the main language! It’s written beautifully and true of the surrounding cultures. At times it can be harsh but this is not America and it’s brilliant to read about how other families function.
It’s such a touching love story, and doesn’t relate at all to traditional YA. The emotions are real and genuine. You feel the characters learning from one another. Not lusting after each other, but developing feelings based on similarities and longing for a true place to call home. As it’s also a standalone and quite short, it’ll make you thirsty and feeling the pulsing sun through your modest clothing.
Literary Item Spotlight: Library Candles from Assouline.com
Candles can sometimes be a girl’s best friend, but put them together with the luscious smell of a library? Match made in heaven I say!
Assouline.com – also known as the place for ‘The Most Sophisticated Books in the World’ has a range of candles inspired by the best teacher – The Library.
*All photos are courtesy of http://www.assounline.com.
The scents range from Books, Leather, Wood, Culture Lounge and Havana.
Each candle is $49.00, is 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5″ and weighs 6.8oz. A quote is etched on the glass container.
It’s also possible to buy four candles at once for a steal of $79.00.
I know the prices are a bit much for a candle, but you might spend the same amount for a truly beautiful book right? Exquisite and elegant these candles are high class and I wish I had the option of smell and sniff on the blog, because I bet the aroma is the big selling aspect for these candles!
Book Review: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Vanessa Alder has been haunted since her older sister Margaret’s disappearance. Three years later she finds herself in Margaret’s place as a standout freshman at the New York Ballet Academy. As the handsome Zeppelin Grey catches her eye and head choreographer Josef hints Vanessa could be up for the lead in the winter ballet, she’s easily caught up in the movements.
However, Vanessa isn’t there to dance. Her main goal is to find her sister. Reported as a runaway, Vanessa is positive that Margaret is lurking somewhere in New York. Yet as the pressures of dance begin to overwhelm her, Vanessa wonders if she is starting to hear and see things. There are secrets hidden within the NYBA and Vanessa will do whatever it takes to discover what happened to her sister.
This book was a real letdown. The cover? Fantastic! The blurb on the back? I need to read this now! The verdict? BOOOOOOO.
Let’s go over the reasons why. 1. The romance not only doesn’t make sense, but it makes the plot clunky and derails from a possible interesting plot. Zeppelin Grey? The name annoyed me so much I hated every scene he was in. 2. It wasn’t executed well. 3. The ending is blurry, and there are bits and characters that are completely forgotten about. This is a first in the series, but there was no alluding to ‘there’s more that lies ahead’ until the last page. 4. Vanessa as a whole is one-dimensional and her heart and soul for finding her sister isn’t followed throughout the book. It’s a mistake that could have changed the outcome of the book.
I really wanted to like this book; it had such promise. I was excited from the prologue and cover, but this was not carried through with each chapter. I loved the idea of a dark mystery surrounding an elite dance school in New York. The beauty and grace of ballet flitting through the pages. Perhaps someone else can give it a go. I won’t be continuing the series. There isn’t enough intrigue for me to want to know what happens, but kudos to the Bloomsbury marketing team! They did a standout job! I just wish someone had held the author to the same standard as the cover design. It really could have been a perfect match.
Why?
Mercer Island, Washington 2013.
Site Event: Challenges Update
In the beginning of this year I began three reading challenges. Goodreads reading challenge and reading 32 books each of both title and last name of the author for each letter of the alphabet.
My Goodreads count can be found on my Goodreads profile. My Alphabet challenges can found on my ‘Challenges‘ tab at the top of my blog.
As it currently stands for Goodreads, I thought 60 would be a good number to hit for the year. I attempted 80 last year and wasn’t successful, but as it turns out I surpassed my current goal in July! (although to be honest there are a couple of knitting books and Goosebumps, which shouldn’t count) Therefore I have chosen to increase my books for the year. I’ve doubled them to 120! I still thinks it’s achievable, but we’ll see how I get on.
As for my alphabet challenges, I have come to realize that I now need to be paying attention! Last month NONE of my six books counted, which is a problem! I’m at 13 out of 32 for both A-Z challenges! That’s not even half way! I want to participate because I know it’ll help me branch out for genres and authors. I’ve already got some acceptable books in the works so I’m hoping to make more progress in the next months to stay on track!
What about you? Are you currently doing a reading challenge? Is anyone else progressing nicely for Goodreads? Let me know!
Cheers,
Ashleyisee
xx
Through a Seattle Looking Glass 