Book Review: The Sword Dancer

Sword dancer Li Feng is used to living life on the edge of the law—a woman alone in the dangerous world of the Tang Dynasty has only her whirlwind reflexes to trust. She will discover the truth about her past, even if that means outwitting the most feared thief-catcher of them all...

Relentless, handsome and determined, Han sees life—and love—as black and white. Until he finally captures the spirited, courageous Li Feng, who makes him question everything he thought he knew about right and wrong. Soon he's faced with an impossible choice: betray the elusive sword dancer he is learning to love, or trust his long-disregarded heart and follow her to dangerous, tempting rebellion...

All right folks I've said this before, but I'll say it again because I think it bears repeating--Jeannie Lin rocks.  I may be predisposed to thinking like this, given my (almost obsessive) love of Asian dramas, but more then that Lin writes historical romances that are different.

Harlequin has a formula for their books, but its not any different then other romance publishers.  Man and Woman meet, they maybe get along/probably clash/have this moment of awareness, repeated situations have them growing closer, possible misunderstanding/obstacle or two and viola! They end up together.  That's your basic romance plot boiled down without all the artifices of plot. 

What has Lin's books standing out though (aside from the different location/time period) is that her characters often face situations that force a change of circumstance.  Regardless of how much I love my wallpaper historicals very few of the couples end up in drastically changed circumstances (for both of them. I'm not counting the courtesan to lady or guttersnipe to lord tropes).

This is no less true for The Sword Dancer.  Neither Li Feng nor Han are living the life of luxury at the beginning of the story, but they are living different lives from each other.  Li Feng is nomadic, wandering troupe to troupe in search of a life she barely recalls and living more or less a moral grey life.  Han, though also wandering, has a purpose that calls to him desperately and determinedly seeks lawful justice.  This becomes an important component of their relationship as they argue over which is a fairer way of life.  Li Feng's almost Robin Hood approach (stole a horse from the State, gave it to a poor farmer) or Han's strict every crime deserves a punishment (that varies based on the severity). 

Han believes in the system of Law while Li Feng has seen nothing but how it can be abused.

Throughout we follow as they chase each other, coming together at various points as it suits their needs, but as each meeting seems less about capturing a criminal and more about learning the truth the ease of familiarity deepens.  More than the moments of passion between the two, I found myself enjoying when Li Feng would tease Han or when Han would flirt and catch Li Feng unaware.

The underlying conspiracy and mystery surrounding the jade pendent that Li Feng had unraveled quite nicely, as did the truth surrounding the night her mother told her to run.  We hear the events from two different sources--the official record as well as from a child's memory, though the truth is more in the middle.

The change of circumstance occurs about a third from the end.  Han comes to it quicker than Li Feng, realizing that a black and white outlook can breed just as much corruption.  From the beginning Li Feng had more at stake and as such it takes her longer to realize that bending doesn't mean breaking, and loving doesn't mean forgetting.

#BEABlitz Interviews: Baily of IB Book Blogging

Welcome to BEA Blitz!  Today I'm interviewing the ever lovely and gracious Bailey of IB Book Blogging!  Many thanks to Hannah for setting this up!  Don't know what BEA Blitz is?  Head over to my BEA Blitz Master Post to find out and see who else is being interviewed!

How many years have you attended BEA?

This will be my second year attending BEA. :)

l-r: Kresley Cole, Bailey

What was your first impression of BEA when you walked in?

I've been to other conferences before so I thought I knew what to expect, but boy was I wrong. It's much more crazier than I expected but I honestly loved it. I got to the convention center at 7:30 AM which I thought was really early, but the line was already super long. I had no idea just how many people would be going to BEA. I kinda love it, though. :)

What's the craziest thing you saw happen?

Probably just how early people line up for the signings. I got to the Harlequin Teen Hour about 15 minutes before it started and they were already running out of the tickets they give people to ensure they get books. I was shocked!

What's your favorite BEA memory?

Thats's a really tough one. There are so many great memories that I made in the few days I was there. If I had to choose one it would be running back from picking up my badge at BEA in the pouring rain. As my mom and I were walking back to the hotel, it starting raining all of a sudden. We had not come prepared with an umbrella and we were blocks from the hotel, so by the time we made it back we were drenched. I had a party to attend right after this, and my hair was a frizzy mess so I was not pleased. Looking back though it's kind of hilarious. My mom and I booked it faster than we ever have before through that rain. :P

How does BEA compare to the other conferences you've been to?

It's definitely the most competitive and fast conference I've ever been to. I think I love it the most because I get to meet the contacts that I deal with weekly there. It's so great to be able to put a face to the name! I also love it because a lot of my blogger friends attend BEA so it's great to be able to see familiar faces, and new ones as well.

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Thank you so much Bailey!  I hope we get to meet :D Bailey blogs over at IB Book Blogging and has a wonderful Tips and Tricks series for the BEA goer!  She's also on Goodreads, Twitter and of course hanging out at the Book Expo America group on Goodreads :)

OSW Readalong May: The Naming

Old School Wednesdays Book Club

The OSW Readalong:

Old School Wednesdays is a weekly feature on their blog where Ana and Thea review books at least 5 years old.  Due to the overwhelming response in March to the idea, the Readalong was created.  At the beginning of each month a poll will go live with 5 books as suggestions for the next month's book, at the end of 2 weeks they will announce the title chosen by the readers for the next month.

May's chosen book is The Naming by Alison Croggon, the first book in the "The Books of Pellinor" quartet detailing how a young girl with an extraordinary gift is set to save her world from an untold evil.  What makes the book interesting is, much like Jane Yolen's "The Books of Great Alta", Croggon presents Maerad's story as something that happened, but was lost to time.  "A new translation of an ancient text" as the website puts it.

Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child after her family is destroyed in war. She is unaware that she possesses a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the School of Pellinor. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true heritage and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now she and her new teacher must survive a journey through a time and place where the forces they battle stem from the deepest recesses of otherworldly terror.

Linkage:
Free Prequel Short Story "The Friendship"
The Book Smugglers Discussion Post
The Books of Pellinor Website
Teacher's Discussion Guide
Alison Croggon's Website
Reimkennar: Alison Croggon's Blog
Alison Croggon's Twitter

eBook Review: The Wretched of Muirwood

In the ancient and mystical land of Muirwood, Lia has known only a life of servitude. Labeled a “wretched,” an outcast unwanted and unworthy of respect, Lia is forbidden to realize her dream to read or write. All but doomed, her days are spent toiling away as a kitchen slave under the charge of the Aldermaston, the Abbey’s watchful overseer. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned at the kitchen’s doorstep, an opportunity arises. 

The nefarious Sheriff Almaguer soon starts a manhunt for Colvin, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her fate. In the midst of a land torn by a treacherous war between a ruthless king and a rebel army, Lia finds herself on an ominous journey that will push her to wonder if her own hidden magic is enough to set things right. At once captivating, mysterious, and magic-infused, The Wretched of Muirwood takes the classic fantasy adventure and paints it with a story instantly epic, and yet, all its own.

I've had my eye on this series for a while now.  I'm a sucker for fantasies and this more or less hit a lot of my target points.  This isn't a perfect book, Lia is a wee bit too good considering everything stacked against her and by in large Colvin spends much of his time either grouchy or sullen which doesn't show why Lia feels such a need to help him.  Also Almaguer is a rather standard villain who's dealt with anticlimactically (tho more on this later).

For that however I found myself immersed in the world of Muirwood.  Found myself intrigued by the 'Leering' stones and the Maston's and Aldermaston's.  I wanted to see where ultimately Colvin's quest took him and how it affected Lia.  Even though much of Lia and Colvin's time together is spent sniping and bickering, the rare few moments of truce painted a world of magic and mystery at odds with itself.

The final scene with Almaguer, who Lia and Colvin have spent the better part of the book afraid of and who everyone has warned them is quite fearsome, kind of just happens.  However Wheeler meant for it to be taken I thought it was a rather good stepping stone for Lia.  She spent her journey with Colvin doubtful and afraid, building Almaguer up into this towering demon.  The man is no less cruel or evil than those imaginings, but he is just that--a man.  A fact that Lia has to face and one she has to overcome.

Given everything that happens Lia gets off rather lightly.  The repercussions she feared were non-existent, the family she didn't think she had was there all along and the dream she thought was being denied without reason was given solid footing.  There are consequences, grave ones in fact, but the end is hopeful rather than bleak.

Book Review: Copper Girl

Sara had always been careful.

She never spoke of magic, never associated with those suspected of handling magic, never thought of magic, and never, ever, let anyone see her mark. After all, the last thing she wanted was to end up missing, like her father and brother.

Then, a silver elf pushed his way into Sara's dream, and her life became anything but ordinary.

First things first, the copper raven up there is in the wrong spot--Sara describes it as a tramp stamp so that's a bit high (and for anyone who has the paperback version, the picture of Micah on the back cover has his silver tattoos pretty much on point I think).  As for the book itself...the narrative took some getting used to.  The best way I can describe it is like this: Sara is telling the story to someone (its in first person POV).  Just like in any story being told, the teller will digress or add in tidbits to help the listener understand why this or that piece of the story is important, while in the middle of telling the story.  Provost did this a lot.

It made reading awkward at times because Sara would get into the middle of the 'present' action and suddenly it would divert into the first time her older brother Max tried to teach her (and their younger sister Sadie) magic.  It felt like info-dumps and read like info-dumps.  Sometimes interesting information, but a good percentage would than be organically built into the story later on.  Her father's disappearance, Max's disappearance, Sadie's studious nature--Sara would explain this all to us, but a couple chapters later we would read about it again in a much more genuine manner.

What I did like was that Sara wasn't quite the pushover she begins the story as.  Once you untangle the narrative to figure out the history of the world, it becomes quickly apparent that Sara plays the peon to avoid bringing the consequences down on what's left of her family.  She's quick to decisions, which is both a strength and a weakness.  And once I learned why she was so tetchy about trusting Micah, it made a lot more sense why she reacted as she did.

Let me talk about Micah for a second.  This guy.  Other than the aggravating use of 'My Sara' constantly, he's pretty awesome.  The one time he is at all jerky he has every right to be.  Sara basically threw him under the bus by not giving him all the necessary information, which in turn hurt her position as well.  I'm uncertain why that scene with the Iron Queen had to occur since the solution Sara comes upon could have just as easily been something Micah could have mentioned. 

This is the beginning of the series, but the end felt a bit more hurried than it should have.  The end result of the stand off comes not because of cleverness on Sara or Micah's part, but because of a whimsy of another character who took a shine to Sara.  Its difficult to imagine that if this character hadn't shown up, things would have turned out so well.

I'm intrigued by the world and Maeve (Sara's mother) certainly proved herself more interesting than her first impression.  There's a couple mysteries left to solve, as well as a promise Micah makes that had me grinning (I'm not sure Sara found it quite as amusing), so the next book should be interesting as a follow up.  In all worth reading and checking out.

PR Special Edition: Christopher Healy Guest Post + Giveaway!

Poisoned Rationality Special  Edition

Welcome to another Poisoned Rationality Special Edition!  Our guest today is Wrathgar who is...well let's just say he's not a hero (I mean really with that beard--ow ow ow!  Wrathgar I'm sorry but maybe so braids--okay!  OKAY I won't mention your beard.  Jeez sensitive much?) in The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle.  He's kind of..well he's kind a bad guy.  But really its not his fault.  Seriously.  I'm not just saying that because he promised to squash me like that bag of walnuts he's munching on if I wasn't nice.  I mean anyone can be a hero, it takes some panache to be a villain!

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Summary: Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You remember them, don't you? They're the Princes Charming who finally got some credit after they stepped out of the shadows of their princesses - Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Briar Rose - to defeat an evil witch bent on destroying all their kingdoms.

But alas, such fame and recognition only last so long. And when the princes discover that an object of great power might fall into any number of wrong hands, they are going to have to once again band together to stop it from happening - even if no one will ever know it was they who did it.

Christopher Healy, author of the acclaimed The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, takes us back to the hilariously fractured fairy-tale world he created for another tale of medieval mischief. Magical gemstones, bladejaw eels, a mysterious Gray Phantom, and two maniacal warlords bent on world domination - it's all in a day's work for the League of Princes.

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Wrathgar

Occupation: Dungeon Master, Human Wrecking Ball
Affiliation: Lord Rundark’s Darian Army
Kingdom of Origin: Dar (which, being ruled by a warlord, is technically not a kingdom)
Current Residence: The dungeon of Lord Rundark’s fortress in Dar
Parents: Unknown (some believe it’s possible he never had any)
Known Associates: Madu the Snake Keeper, Redshirt the barbarian, Jezek the bodyguard (not that he likes any of them)
Longtime Foe: None of his foes live long enough to be a “longtime” foe
Likes: Escape attempts (so he can crush them), enemy invasions (so he can crush them), walnuts (so he can crush them)
Dislikes: People who flee, people who make negative comments about his facial hair, tofu (he doesn’t care for the texture)
Signature Move: The One-Handed Choke Slam
Quote: “Go ahead. Try to escape. It’s been days since I’ve broken anybody’s bones.”
Little Known Fact: Once rode a wild scorpiogre into battle. And then ate it.

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Uhhh....okay so maybe he's not perfect...but um...look don't judge him too harshly okay?  He takes it a bit personally and when he gets upset well...I mean did you see what his quote is?  That can't possibly be good for anyone's health.

Wanna know more?

Twitter Chat: Join New York Times Bestselling author Marissa Meyer and Christopher Healy for a Twitter Chat on fractured fairy tales on Monday, June 3rd at 9pm ET. Hashtag #talesretold. There will be giveaways!

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom Trailer:


The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle Trailer:

About the Author

Christopher Healy has spent nearly a decade immersed in children's pop culture as a freelance reviewer of books, movies, music, toys, and video games. His work has appeared in multiple magazines and websites, and he continues to post reviews to his own blog, KidPop and Beyond (kidpopandbeyond.blogspot.com).

His first novel, The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, is a comedic adventure that follows the exploits of four different Prince Charmings in the aftermath of their not-quite-accurate fairy-tale fame. It will be published on May 1st, 2012, by Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Chris lives in New Jersey with his wife and two children. And he can assure you that everything that appears in his book has been studied and approved by his nine-year-old daughter.


Linkage

Author Website // Amazon // Twitter // Goodreads // Official Hero's Guide Site // Blog Tour

The first THREE entrants today will receive signed copies of THE HERO’S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE and EVERYONE who enters is eligible to win a $200 gift card to the bookstore of his or her choice. You will need this SECRET CODE to enter the giveaway: Prince Charming. Enter here.

Want another chance to win?  Head over to Buried in Books tomorrow!

#BEABlitz Interview: Tasch of Bloody Bookaholic

Welcome to BEA Blitz!  Today I'm interviewing Tasch, my bestie extraordinaire.  Seriously, how this girl has put up with my space case self for 4 years is way beyond any scope I understand. I swear I don't pay her. Don't know what BEA Blitz is?  Head over to my BEA Blitz Master Post to find out and see who else is being interviewed!

How did you originally hear about Book Expo America(BEA)?

I was a newbie blogger when I found out about BEA. I was following other more experienced blogs at the time, and all I read about was this BEA. Once I found out about it, I couldn't stop. I had to get all the information that I could, until I finally figured out that I too could attend. It was terrifying because I was still a high school student and I had never been to the big city. Luckily my mother went with me that first year, and the second. Ever since that first time it has been a given I'd go every year.

What are you looking forward to the most? Dreading the most?

I am looking forward to the blur, the instant decisions, getting ahead of the game, the rush of getting the perfect rhythm in order to get all the books you want and meet all the authors you love. I am dreading the expected BEA drama and "talking behind each others back" that usually happens. Specially Twitter, ugh how I hate it.

Which author would you sacrifice a limb to meet at BEA?

Sarah J. Maas, Sarah Beth Durst (met her last year on a line to get another book, and she was the sweetest ever!), Katie McGarry, Tahereh Mafi, and of course Julie Kagawa.

Is this your first time in NYC? What do you plan to do while not at BEA?

(l-r) Tasch, Ally Condie, Me

Not at all, this will actually be my fourth time! I plan to do many things, hit the clothing stores with the roomies (Briana already promised, and I am sure Tegan won't mind, nor Chaz, all I have to do is either bribe Lexie or drag her along), have dinner at fantastic places (by this I mean chinese food wherever) and who knows, go to author events. If all else fails I shall be at the hotel room with the roomies laughing it off or sleeping. As long as my roomies are with me though, I don't really mind were we are :)

What has been the single most practical advice you've seen about attending BEA?

Make a squeedule ahead, or at least have roomies who are SUPER organized and can let you borrow their schedules :D Also, wear practical shoes people! BEA is not the time to wear fashionable shoes that make your feet bleed (believe me). And the best practical advice, make sure you bring your biggest and baddest suit case to check in at the Javitz, cause believe you me you are going to need it (remember, biggest and baddest).

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All right it may not take a lot of bribery to get me to go to the clothing stores (she's laying the love on thick up top huh?).  I met Tasch four years ago rather randomly.  Let me just say energizer Bunny can't top Tasch on the first couple of days.  This'll be our 3rd year rooming together!!  Lots of excitement I assure you!

Wanna know more?  Find Tasch at twitter // Goodreads or her blog: