Review: Griffin's Fire

Thanks to AToMR Tours for allowing me to participate in the Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire Tours.  Below you will find a link to the tour list and other sites should definitely visit!

Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut

Book 2

Twilight Times Books - April 14, 2012

200 pages - Young Adult, Fantasy/Myth, Fiction

http://darbykarchut.com/

http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Source: The author via AToMR Tours 

I received a digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest review. 

Summary from Goodreads: For centuries, there have been rumors about a lowly caste of supernatural beings known as the Terrae Angeli. Armed with the power to control Earth, Fire, Wind and Water, these warriors and their apprentices clandestinely serve as guardians for humans in danger. Forced to become mortal, ex-teen angel Griffin has been banished from the Terrae Angeli. Struggling to adjust, he enrolls in the heaven-and-hell known as high school. In spite of his friends’ support, Centennial High proves to be a battleground, complete with a malicious math teacher. And to make matters worse, his Mentor, Basil, has been ordered to take on a new apprentice, the gifted and egotistical seventeen-year-old Sergei, whose covert attacks make Griffin’s home life as bleak as a Siberian winter. Caught between school, Sergei, and a desperate secret, Griffin is certain of one thing: the only way to fight a Cold War is with Fire

            I really liked Griffin Rising, the ending was not expected. I may not have enjoyed that ending as much if I had not known that that the story continued, if I didn't know that something was up. But I did, so it didn't sting as much. With this installment, I kind of knew what to expect, but not in the way that it all came together. I loved Griffin's Fire! Loved it!  I liked it so much more than the first book! I wish that I could say  exactly what it is that I loved about this book, but there really isn't one thing. 

           The story is an interesting take on angels. It's not the usual winged beings either fallen or earth-homed (yep made that word up). And it's not even that I don't like the winged angels, I do. But this is more boy-next-door type of story. Griffin is a teenager, and he is going through the normal teenage stuff with a whole lot more. He was created to be an earth-angel. also known as guardian angel. That is what he has been aiming to become since his arrival.  When that gift and ability was taken from him, he was forced to become mortal.  Not so easy when you are so very different and you know you were created for one purpose, so much so that it's etched into your bones. But Griffin, finally accepts his mortality and goes about making those adjustments. 

            Once he kind of gets into the swing of things, he starts to regain his lost abilities. Griffin makes some stomach-clenching awful mistakes. A lot of  bad things/bad luck continues to happen to him. Now, he has the confidence to deal with it. Yes, he thinks he has to do it alone. Yes, he is often a bratty teenage boy. Yes, he makes some stupid - really stupid- mistakes. He still has the ability to lose more than what he knows he can. But in the end, you still root for him. You want things to work out because he genuinely cares and he truly wants to do the right thing.  I so enjoyed reading Griffin's Fire. I think it is worth checking out, and this is one that I will be recommending to everyone I can!

What's Next? Book 3: Griffin's Storm

                                      5 Stars *****

                                          Another favorite!

Special Deal: Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire will be discounted to $2.99 during this week's tour and next week's. Grab it while you can!!

Click here for more Tour information!

Always Shine, 

Starr K

Review: Griffin Rising

Thanks to AToMR Tours for allowing me to participate in the Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire Tours.  Below you will find a link to the tour list and other sites should definitely visit!

Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut

Book 1

Twilight Times Books - April 14, 2011 

176 pages - Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy/Myth

http://darbykarchut.com/

http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Yes 

Twitter: 

Source: The author via AToMR Tours 

I received a digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am not really sure what I was expecting, and I started reading this tentatively because not all angel books are created equally. But I will say that I was not disappointed, this was a fun read to say the least. It was fun getting to know Griffin and Basil. At the beginning I felt sorry for Griffin, and at the end I did as well. The difference would be that I think Griffin was at a place where he could handle himself a lot more.  I don’t want to get into the myths or beliefs in angels, because it’s a nonissue. Sometimes when someone is reading stories about things that may or may not exist the author/reader gets stuck wrestling with the belief of existence. Griffin and Basil are Terrae Angeli- Earth Angels. The whole point of their existence is to stay on Earth and help people. They have free – will and can be either good or evil.

                Griffin is a Tiro- an angel – in- training, so the story is about his preparing for the Proelium, a test that if passed he becomes an official Terrae Angeli and if failed he has to become mortal. Griffin had a rough start with his first mentor that was a tad abusive.  I loved watching Griffin grow from a shy and low self-esteemed Tiro to a strong and compassionate Terrae Angeli.  I loved the innocent romance that he found with his neighbor who is able to accept his angel-status.  The banter between Menotr/Tiro (Basil/Griffin) was hilarious but underneath you knew that they cared for each other. Karchut did an excellent job with the research an amazing job with the story-telling.  This was warm and fuzzy, but I found myself slowly getting wrapped up in the story, and I felt as if I was personal friends with Griffin and Basil.

                The ending? I liked it because it was the least expected route. But I didn’t because I knew what it would mean for Griffin, but again I think he is in a place where he can handle it.  I do have to say that I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.

Recommendation: Fans of YA and Angel books, this is a fresh look on such an ancient race of beings.

What’s Next?  Griffin’s Fire

Special Deal: Griffin Rising and Griffin's Fire will be discounted to $2.99 during this week's tour and next week's. Grab it while you can!!

4 Stars ***

More Tour Information

Always Shine,

Starr K

Review: The Darkening Dream + Giveaway

The Darkening Dream by Andy Gavin

Mascherato –January 14, 2012

http://all-things-andy-gavin.com/author/

Facebook: yes

Twitter: @asgavin

Source: The author, for review

Rating: I am left with mixed feelings.

Click here to read what this book is about.

Sarah and her three friends; Alex, Anne and Sam find a dead body.  Later, they discover that the dead boy has come back to be a part of the undead world. Instead of living in denial, the four decide to take matters into their own hands and kill the boy once again.  Then they decide to go after his maker. As they discover the truth about their enemy and some family secrets, they realize that they may be in over their heads. Really what can four teenagers and a mystical rabbi do to a 900 year old vampire, a demon-dabbling priest and an Egyptian beetle god?

I guess I should start with what I liked about The Darkening Dream. I mean overall I did enjoy the story. I like the characters, maybe not everything that they did, but they were strong and well developed.  Sarah, Alex, Sam, Emily, Anne and Mr. Englemann are flawed but they persevere and they do their best to do what’s right. (No I am not ignoring the fact that they do this while keeping huge secrets from each other, most of the secrets come out anyway). They could have chosen to stay blind the trouble that was unfolding until it was too late , but they didn’t.  When things started to get a little rough they didn’t give up, they fought harder. Honestly, I enjoyed the story up until the very end. That’s why I have mixed feelings. I haven’t made up my mind about the romance between Alex and Sarah. At first it was a little sweet and then it turned creepy gross. If you ignored the creepy grossness then the story was great. It was full with action, great character development, religious/mythical history and a splash of the supernatural. My favorite dark supernatural character was Betty, the succubus. Them mystery unravels in all the rights and at the right pace. Until the end, besides the romance, the ending ruined it for me.

I don’t think that every ending has to be happy. Most of the time, I prefer non-happy ending s. But it’s really about whether or not the ending is true to the characters and the story. In this case, I don’t think that’s what happened. The ending was shocking, yes and I don’t think that it came out of left field. But I don’t like it. Maybe I missed something or misinterpreted something.  Maybe the mixed feelings are my own fault. Maybe I should just go back and re-read the book.

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Recommendation: I do recommend this, it is well-written and it gives a fresh voice to vampire stories.

What’s next:   Untimed, a YA time travel novel.

This book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Always Shine,

Starr K

Review: Starring Me

Starring Me by Krista McGee

Thomas Nelson, July 10 2012

http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com/

Facebook: yes

Twitter: @Krista__McGee

 

Source: The publisher, for review

Rating: Light, funny, a perfect summer read and a new favorite

Clickhere to read what this book is about.

Yes, you saw correctly. This is the second book that I have said has been a favorite.  This is McGee’s second book, and it takes place sometime after First Date.  I have not read this, but I will be soon, so I don’t know if this is a series or just another stand alone with the same characters. From what I’ve gathered First Date focuses on Addy, who is best friends with Kara. Kara is the focus of Starring Me.  I don’t feel like I’ve missed anything and probably wouldn’t have known that this was not the first if I had not been looking for more by this author.

Kara McCormick has always wanted to act. Her dream has been to end up on TV. She gets her shot when she is one out of ten girls vying for a slot on a new teen variety show. Chad Beacon, recent winner of America’s Next Star, wants to do something more than singing. Neither really knows what it is that God has in store for them.

Wow! I have to say that I loved this book. Kara is such a funny girl. She is all about family, which makes sense since she has a huge one. I’m glad that she stands out form the other girls because of the goodness in her character.  That is not most often the case. Regardless of where she’s at and how far she makes it in the contest, she remains down to earth. She doesn’t get sucked into the glitz and the glamour of stardom. She’s still flawed-still human. She gets nervous and she second-guesses her talent. She has her own insecurities that are definitely relatable. The auditions and select people around her, begin to show Kara that there is more to life than acting, television and fame. At first Kara doesn’t get it, but then she starts seeking.

Her seeking is the critical part of the story. It has the potential to being overdone where it would have come across as cheesy. If it was underdone it would have been a complete miss, ruining the entire book. Instead, the seeking was perfect and fitting of Kara’s personality.  Chad is discontent but grateful for the opportunities that he has been given since winning America’s Next Star. He wants to do something that will allow him use more of his talents and gifts. He takes a step of faith,  despite his moments of doubt, and agrees to do the variety show. Though he’s nervous about what his decision will mean, he is excited about the show. It was refreshing to see the main characters not be your typical obnoxious teenagers. They had to deal with some real situations and find out the answers to their questions themselves.  Their faith was authentic and showed just how God meets people where they are.

Recommendation: I would recommend this to youth who are curious about Christianity, what it means to live out their faith, and to anyone who is looking for a good, clean, enjoyable read.

What’s next:   So far future works are not mentioned.  

This book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.  

I participate in Thomas Nelson’s Booksneeze Blogger program.

Always Shine,

Starr K