Since I wanted to share the books I've been receiving lately IMM seems like a great way :) To learn more go to The Story Siren's post. And technically I include that which I buy as well.
While I loved the format with the covers and descriptions, its easier for me to just do the title/how I got them (seriously it took me hours to format the posts because my OCD would start nagging me about how this wasn't aligned properly or that was uneven...).
+++
The Bought:
Yen + Vol 2 #12 December 2009
((my boyfriend got tired of me whining)
The NEW Bedside, Bathtub and Armchair Companion to Agatha Christie (circa 1990)
Diagnosis Murder: The Double Life by Lee Goldberg
New Vampire Miyu vols 1+2 by Narumi Kakinouchi
((I love goodwill--all that for $2))
Goose Girl pb and Book of a Thousand Days pb by Shannon Hale
((at her signing in PA, for christmas presents))
The Received:
For Review:
Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
e-book:
Black Dragon's Heart by Anita Philmar (NOR)
From Paperbackswap:
none
From Contest:
In Over Her Head and Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell
@Wendy's Minding Spot
From Holiday Secret Santas:
2 packages from Amazon--one from Amy M. and one from Kristy R.
((I'll post what I received from them later, I just wanted to make sure they knew they arrived safely!))
From Rewards Program:
Amazon package!
Red River 27 by Chie Shinohara
The Eternal Kiss edited by Trisha Telp
Immortal: Love Stories With Bite edited by P.C. Cast
My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent
The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Book Review: Queene of Light
Title: Queene of Light
Series: Lightworld/Darkworld Book 1
Author(s): Jennifer Armintrout
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher/Year:
-Webpage: Jennifer Armintrout
-Blog: I'm sick of sitting 'round here
Synopsis:
Review: Queene of Light is the first book in Jennifer Armintrout’s new series Lightworld/Darkworld. This time she focuses more on Fae creatures and the Faery Court than vampires, however (which suits me fine).
Discussion Questions
#1 Did you have an understanding of the world created by this novel, or did you find the complexity too much?
I wouldn't say that I found it to complex to understand, but I did certainly have some nagging questions in regards to motivations and societal justifications. As a rule Armintrout didn't stray too far from the well known ideas of the various creatures and the inhabitants lived a pretty easy code of 'me first, all you guys come in distant places behind me' ways of life.
#2 In a book that it appears many have trouble liking, what is one thing that you like about this book?
Keller. I'll be flat out honest, I would have smacked Ayla or Malachi pretty quickly otherwise. He amused me to the point where I went along with the rest of the book and ignored the nagging doubts I had about decisions made.
#3 Did you agree with the author’s decision to make Ayla a fierce assassin in battle and a weakling in her emotions? For example her obvious contempt for Garret but yet her willingness to be his mate and subject herself to his demeaning manor?
I think that its a classic archetype for female roles. The strong, stoic fighter who can't handle being thanked or complimented without getting anxious. She wasn't raised in a very warm and loving environment to begin with and the Court minions lived to prey upon weaknesses and emotions. In the Garret case, Ayla began the book with very certain ideas about how things go. Through the course of the novel she didn't see evidence that those certain ideas weren't the best way to survive so she stuck to them.
#4 What do you think the significance of the the baby Ayla carries is/will be?
Ahahahaha...I actually can't answer this one because I *know* what the significance is (having read half of book 2) so I can't remember what I thought was the significance and what I learned was the significance. It doesn't mean rainbows?
#5 What do you think of Ayla's ascension to the throne? Do you believe she accepted her own destiny too easily?
I want to say that her ascending the throne was well-earned and in no way a cop out for her...but I didn't see it coming at the end. Heir or otherwise, the book didn't seem to point to the conclusion that the novel drew. It was one of the more confusing aspects honestly.
Series: Lightworld/Darkworld Book 1
Author(s): Jennifer Armintrout
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher/Year:
-Webpage: Jennifer Armintrout
-Blog: I'm sick of sitting 'round here
Synopsis:
Review: Queene of Light is the first book in Jennifer Armintrout’s new series Lightworld/Darkworld. This time she focuses more on Fae creatures and the Faery Court than vampires, however (which suits me fine).
The book begins with Ayla in the middle of an assignment tracking a werewolf through a disgusting, stinky sewer. Armintrout does a very good job of setting atmosphere throughout the entire book—from the dank, dreary, and stench-ridden Darkworld to the only slightly better-off Lightworld—visually. Actually, I thought I could smell the sewers that are Ayla’s home at one point.
The world Armintrout builds is just this side of desperately bleak. Between the denizens of the Lightworld (who seek to re-take the above from humans by any means necessary) and the inhabitants of the Darkworld (who at least don’t want to eradicate humanity, but are nasty critters in a multitude of other ways), hope seems to be as foreign as sunlight. Selfishness, greed, violence, hatred...these emotions drive most of the characters’ actions.
Ayla and Malachi's relationship begins rocky, continues to be pretty rocky and manages to smooth out just enough so that they're not at each other's throats, at least. They don't go from enemies to "'Oh, my God, I love you!" quickly (thank goodness). In fact, Malachi spends a good deal of his time away from Ayla devising ways to kill her with his bare hands, and Ayla alternately hates him and feels guilty over his condition.
My favorite character, hands down, is Keller. He is a Bio-Mech (a human that believes that a body's everything can be easily interchangeable with mechanical parts...pretty much a cyborg, but seems to be more a way of life/belief) and helps Malachi out. He’s just plain fun—takes the world as it is and makes something from it. I wouldn’t say he’s an optimist, but he’s a good deal happier than almost every other character we meet.
A good start to the series, I’m eager to find out the consequences of the final chapter and see where the future shall bring Ayla (nowhere comfortable and happy, I’m willing to bet).
Discussion Questions
#1 Did you have an understanding of the world created by this novel, or did you find the complexity too much?
I wouldn't say that I found it to complex to understand, but I did certainly have some nagging questions in regards to motivations and societal justifications. As a rule Armintrout didn't stray too far from the well known ideas of the various creatures and the inhabitants lived a pretty easy code of 'me first, all you guys come in distant places behind me' ways of life.
#2 In a book that it appears many have trouble liking, what is one thing that you like about this book?
Keller. I'll be flat out honest, I would have smacked Ayla or Malachi pretty quickly otherwise. He amused me to the point where I went along with the rest of the book and ignored the nagging doubts I had about decisions made.
#3 Did you agree with the author’s decision to make Ayla a fierce assassin in battle and a weakling in her emotions? For example her obvious contempt for Garret but yet her willingness to be his mate and subject herself to his demeaning manor?
I think that its a classic archetype for female roles. The strong, stoic fighter who can't handle being thanked or complimented without getting anxious. She wasn't raised in a very warm and loving environment to begin with and the Court minions lived to prey upon weaknesses and emotions. In the Garret case, Ayla began the book with very certain ideas about how things go. Through the course of the novel she didn't see evidence that those certain ideas weren't the best way to survive so she stuck to them.
#4 What do you think the significance of the the baby Ayla carries is/will be?
Ahahahaha...I actually can't answer this one because I *know* what the significance is (having read half of book 2) so I can't remember what I thought was the significance and what I learned was the significance. It doesn't mean rainbows?
#5 What do you think of Ayla's ascension to the throne? Do you believe she accepted her own destiny too easily?
I want to say that her ascending the throne was well-earned and in no way a cop out for her...but I didn't see it coming at the end. Heir or otherwise, the book didn't seem to point to the conclusion that the novel drew. It was one of the more confusing aspects honestly.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge
hosted by: J.Kaye
Challenge Begins: January 1, 2010
Challenge Ends: December 31, 2010
Challenge Levels:
Post Your Reviews
Completed Challenge
Challenge Ends: December 31, 2010
Challenge Levels:
- The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.
- Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.
- Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.
- Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.
Post Your Reviews
Completed Challenge
I have no idea which level I will end up finishing, but I'm going to stick with the Just My Size for certain.
- Gone Book 1: Gone by Michael Grant
- Soul Screamers Book 2: My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent
- Midnighters #1: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfield
- The Great Tree of Avalon Book 1: Child of Dark Prophecy by T.A. Barron
- Wake Book 3: Gone by Lisa McMann
- Darkest Powers Book 3: The Reckoning by Kelly Armstrong
- Mercy Falls Book 2: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
- The Hollow Kingdom Book 1: The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle
- Wondrous Strange Book 2: Darklight by Lesley Livingston
- Dark Guardian Book 1: Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne
- Night World Omnibus 1: Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, Spellbinder by L.J. Smith
- Night World Omnibus 2: Dark Angel, The Chosen, Soulmate by L.J. Smith
- Night World Omnibus 3: Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight by L.J. Smith
- Night World Book 10: Strange Fate by L.J. Smith
- My So Called Undeath by Stacey Jay
- Zombie Settlers Book 2: Undead Much? by Stacey Jay
- Evernight Book 3: Hourglass by Claudia Gray
- The Midnight Twins Book 1: The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
- Leland Sisters Book 1: Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
- Leland Sisters Book 2: Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle
- Faire Folk Book 1: The Tree Shepherd's Daughter by Gillian Summers
- Dark Reflections Book 1: The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer
- Wave Walkers Book 1: Pirate Curse by Kai Meyer
- Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
- Jennifer Scales book 1: Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
Riese
Watch Episode 1 ** Episode 2
Ordinarily I wouldn't promote something so clearly *not* book related on this blog (I'd save it for my personal blog), but I think that as a reader base you might find this web series interesting.
Series Website: +Riese the Series+
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Steampunk
Synopsis: Riese is a world of moral ambiguity and political intrigue. A decimated land populated by characters from dreams and nightmares. Loyalties are ever in question, suspicion in the minds of all. The realm, however, was not always so cruel. Everything began with a peaceful nation called Eleysia.
The Kingdom of the Wolf, Eleysia was once prosperous due largely to the influence of Empress Kara and Emperor Ulric. This all changed when a coup d’etat, orchestrated from the shadows by a religious cult, brought about a total regime change.
Taking the throne was Amara, the Empress’s cousin. A power-hungry tyrant, Amara immediately utilized Eleysia’s wealth and power to begin colonizing the world, crushing nation after nation in order to unite the people under one banner. Even as she assaulted the world, an ominous, enigmatic group clearly wielded power over her. Called The Sect, they purported themselves to be the official religion of Eleysia, and began to spread alongside Eleysia’s borders.
Since the coup, the land has begun to die, resources are dwindling and compassion is fading. Humanity itself is seen as impure. People have grown restless, almost feral. Rituals and mythology have resurged, and the darker side of mankind has begun to reveal itself.
The true horror of the world is not in how it ends, but what will become of mankind as it fractures.And yet, despite the impending doom, a single beacon of light shines in Riese. A mysterious wanderer, she travels with her wolf Fenrir across this barren land. Branded as heretics by The Sect, Riese and Fenrir will pause to aid those in need as they travel, but they must evade capture at all costs. As she flees, she’ll piece together her past and her destiny, in a conflict that will hold the fate of this world in the balance - and the once peaceful kingdom of Eleysia will be the battlefield.
This is the world of Riese.
E-book review: Silent Blade
**Samhain Publishing Week**
Title: Silent Blade (purchase here)
Author(s): Ilona Andrews
Genre: Futuristic, Romance
Publisher/Year: Samhain/2009
-Webpage: Ilona Andrews
-Blog: One Crazy Dame
Samhain Warning: Contains a heroine who excels in moving targets, a hero who can’t get into her pants fast enough, and implant-enhanced sex (no, not that kind of implant…).
Synopsis:
Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.
On Meli Galdes’ home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport—in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family’s interests. She’s more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask.
Kill the man who ruined her life.
Celino Carvanna’s razor-sharp business acumen—and skills with a blade—won him the freedom to do as he pleases. There’s only one thing he can’t seem to control—his reaction to the mysterious woman who tantalizes his senses. Her eyes alone set his blood simmering, stirring ridiculous adolescent fantasies about breasts and honey. With a few words she dissects his soul. Who is she? And how does she slide so easily under his well-guarded skin?
It’s almost too easy to draw Celino within the kill zone. Meli plans to revel in him. Drink him in. Wring every drop of pleasure out of every moment.
And when she’s sure he belongs to her, she will finally repay a decade’s worth of pain—in a single, brutal dose of reality.
Review: Its honestly not an exaggeration when I say that this story made me tear up. Look I have read a lot of romance novels (and I do mean a lot) in my life. Everything from early Harlequin romances to yaoi and I can name on my one hand the amount of books that have made me so happy that HEA's exist in romances. Silent Blade made the list.Meli and Celino were both defined and restrained by who their families were. What it meant to be kin, the sacrifices you had to make to keep the family strong. I'm also fairly certain that neither of them had families worth sacrificing for, but that's just my opinion.
The world that Andrews creates is brutal and devestating and neither of them are completely innocent. Its dog eat dog, where ruthlessness will win you more brownie points then mercy. This isn't to say they are evil doers killing the innocent and such, but they have a certain pragmatic viewpoint of the world. You hurt mine, I'll hurt you.
Meli's revenge is poetic and says much about who she is. I'm not entirely certain why her family put the hit on Celino--I doubt they waited 12 years to administer payback for what he did to Meli--as that was a gray area unexplored. Meli didn't question it, her father and brother weren't offering the reason and no one seemed overly concerned if Meli turned it into a personal vendetta against Celino.
I'd be lying if I didn't say I wanted to read more about this world of theirs--where its practically Mafialand in the future, but this small taste proved again why Ilona Andrews should be a must buy for anyone and everyone.
Book Review: Wild Blue Under
Title: Wild Blue Under
Series: Tritone Series(?) Book 2*
Author(s): Judi Fennell
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Comedy
Publisher/Year: Sourcebooks/2009
-Webpage: Judi Fennell
-Blog: Judi Fennell
-My In Over Her Head Review
Synopsis:
Its not really an exaggeration to say I adored the first book, In Over Her Head about Rod's younger twin brother Reel and his love o'life Erica and eagerly looked forward to what adventures the stick in the mud Rod could get into while getting his own love o'life. Mer people are one of those devices in fiction that catch my attention pretty quickly. Hot Mer Men with ironic names, pop culture references with a distinctly Mer people twist, snarky fish, belligerent seagulls...honestly I can go on like this forever.
Rod, who in the first book was an all around stiff-necked goody-goody, shows an entirely different side this time around. While not as carefree as his twin, he relaxes to the point where he made a joke of the situation and it was funny. We learn a little more about why he was so adament about Reel staying Under the Sea--overwhelming and misplaced guilt being a big factor--as well as what is was like for him as the Heir. It wasn't all bubbles and kelp wraps that's for sure.
Valerie is different from Erica in that not only does she technically belong to the underwater kingdom to begin with, but she also rejects it for the better part of the book. Her reasoning behind it is a little iffy--the whole deal with the mother and father that is--and could have done with a bit more fleshing out though. She's a spitfire though, and once the ball gets moving she digs her feet in and she goes with it as much as possible. Not without calling herself insane the entire time, but she at least rolls with it.
The sparks are immediate for Rod and Valerie, and Rod is certainly rather funny. Unlike Reel, who didn't fight his attraction for Erica at all, Rod tells himself, repeatedly, that its just not possible. Or its something in the air. Or the fact her shell-fillers are filled out nicely. He comes up with some pretty creative excuses for his attraction. Valerie on the other hand has to constantly catch herself because she spends a lot of time with her mind wandering off to wicked ways they could be enjoying their time together.
Livingston, yes he's a seagull and yes that name is rather ironic, is an entertaining side companion. He spends a lot of time ribbing Rod for his attraction to Valerie or almost breaking some pretty confidential secrets (or urging Rod to do it). Several characters from the first book make re-appearances. Fisher (Rod and Reel's father), their mother and their younger sister Angel (who has her own book due out in Feb, Catch of a Lifetime). Drake, who I 'm guessing will be the main focal bad guy in the third book as well, also makes a reappearance and is just as nasty as before.
We spend a bit more time with Charley in his role as messenger between the Gods above and the Mer Folk. And we see Fisher not really learning from his mistakes.
So to conclude--great second book, I love Rod (though not as much as Reel) and I'm eager for book 3!
Also head over to Judi's website to enter to Win One of 2 Romantic Getaways! There's still time to enter Wild Blue Under's contest and you'll be automatically entered to win Catch of A Lifetime's (though you can only win one of them!).
(*) I don't think there's an official series name for this so there you have it
Series: Tritone Series(?) Book 2*
Author(s): Judi Fennell
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Comedy
Publisher/Year: Sourcebooks/2009
-Webpage: Judi Fennell
-Blog: Judi Fennell
-My In Over Her Head Review
Synopsis:
The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen…
Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it's not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water…
She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she's a princess…
Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible—but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her?
Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?
Its not really an exaggeration to say I adored the first book, In Over Her Head about Rod's younger twin brother Reel and his love o'life Erica and eagerly looked forward to what adventures the stick in the mud Rod could get into while getting his own love o'life. Mer people are one of those devices in fiction that catch my attention pretty quickly. Hot Mer Men with ironic names, pop culture references with a distinctly Mer people twist, snarky fish, belligerent seagulls...honestly I can go on like this forever.
Rod, who in the first book was an all around stiff-necked goody-goody, shows an entirely different side this time around. While not as carefree as his twin, he relaxes to the point where he made a joke of the situation and it was funny. We learn a little more about why he was so adament about Reel staying Under the Sea--overwhelming and misplaced guilt being a big factor--as well as what is was like for him as the Heir. It wasn't all bubbles and kelp wraps that's for sure.
Valerie is different from Erica in that not only does she technically belong to the underwater kingdom to begin with, but she also rejects it for the better part of the book. Her reasoning behind it is a little iffy--the whole deal with the mother and father that is--and could have done with a bit more fleshing out though. She's a spitfire though, and once the ball gets moving she digs her feet in and she goes with it as much as possible. Not without calling herself insane the entire time, but she at least rolls with it.
The sparks are immediate for Rod and Valerie, and Rod is certainly rather funny. Unlike Reel, who didn't fight his attraction for Erica at all, Rod tells himself, repeatedly, that its just not possible. Or its something in the air. Or the fact her shell-fillers are filled out nicely. He comes up with some pretty creative excuses for his attraction. Valerie on the other hand has to constantly catch herself because she spends a lot of time with her mind wandering off to wicked ways they could be enjoying their time together.
Livingston, yes he's a seagull and yes that name is rather ironic, is an entertaining side companion. He spends a lot of time ribbing Rod for his attraction to Valerie or almost breaking some pretty confidential secrets (or urging Rod to do it). Several characters from the first book make re-appearances. Fisher (Rod and Reel's father), their mother and their younger sister Angel (who has her own book due out in Feb, Catch of a Lifetime). Drake, who I 'm guessing will be the main focal bad guy in the third book as well, also makes a reappearance and is just as nasty as before.
We spend a bit more time with Charley in his role as messenger between the Gods above and the Mer Folk. And we see Fisher not really learning from his mistakes.
So to conclude--great second book, I love Rod (though not as much as Reel) and I'm eager for book 3!
Also head over to Judi's website to enter to Win One of 2 Romantic Getaways! There's still time to enter Wild Blue Under's contest and you'll be automatically entered to win Catch of A Lifetime's (though you can only win one of them!).
(*) I don't think there's an official series name for this so there you have it
Book Review: Playing With Fire
Title: Playing with Fire 
Series: Tales of An Extra Ordinary Girl Book 1
Author(s): Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Publisher/Year: Harlequin/2006 (reprinted in 2009)
-Webpage: Gena Showalter
-Blog: Gena's Blog
Synopsis: Twenty-four-year-old barista Belle Jamison dreams of a better job and a decent love life. Until a crazy scientist spikes her mocha latte! Suddenly Belle can wield the four elements—earth, wind, fire and water—with only a thought. Coffee too hot? No problem. Hair in need of a blow-dry? Done.
I'm telling you half my dreams began and/or ended that way as a teenager. And Rome? Well...not Rome exactly, but usually some sort of hunky guy also featured heavily in those dreams (except I was saving him, not him saving me!). So really one could say that not only does Showalter play to romance fantasies, but she plays to comic book romance fantasies.
Things aren't all peachy and perfect of course, Belle is put through a horrific physical ringer before her body settles down somewhat to the changes the formula wrought. There was also the distinct possibility that the hunk that was at her bedside was going to be her executioner. Oh and the kookie mad scientist really wasn't certain she'd live through the changes, so now not only does he want to know why, but a whole host of other people want to know why. And they're not afraid to do it postmortem quite frankly. This is all assuming that Belle doesn't set herself on fire, freeze to death, or drown herself somehow with her rapidly changing powers.
So really the deck is stacked so badly against Belle she should indenture herself to the house to pay off her debts.
Belle doesn't let any of this stop her though. She indulges in the occasional 'why me?!' routine, but for the most part she does what she has always done--she perseveres, finds a way to make it work for her and then work it, hard, until she gets the results she wants. Along the way she even finds that she was enjoying herself, felt like things were really clicking for her. I don't feel that Belle grew as a character in the book, but she grew as a person in the book (if that makes sense). By the end she isn't really any different then in the beginning character-wise, but as a person she understood some important truths and finally learned that they were what she should focus on.
My first time reading through, I was really not a Rome fan. I remember thinking he was such a jerk and really needed to learn a bedside manner. He also had to be one of the least sympathetic heroes I have read in any book whatsoever. If he didn't casually dismiss Belle's problems, he poked holes in them. On my re-read though, with the knowledge of why he was suck a stick in the mud a lot of the time, I understood him better and was able to concentrate more on the romance developing over time.
The book is from Belle first person POV, so we're only given a hint at the inner workings of the other characters. I would have liked to know more about Rome's daughter, Sunny (which I hope is explored in the sequel) and Lexis grew on me by the end of the novel. She wasn't such a bad lady, just stuck in a bad spot.
All in all this was a fun adventure that then and now has me anxiously waiting to read the second book (which thankfully I have for review, so I'm not sitting twiddling my thumbs like I was for 3 years when this book first came out...)!
Series: Tales of An Extra Ordinary Girl Book 1
Author(s): Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Publisher/Year: Harlequin/2006 (reprinted in 2009)
-Webpage: Gena Showalter
-Blog: Gena's Blog
Synopsis: Twenty-four-year-old barista Belle Jamison dreams of a better job and a decent love life. Until a crazy scientist spikes her mocha latte! Suddenly Belle can wield the four elements—earth, wind, fire and water—with only a thought. Coffee too hot? No problem. Hair in need of a blow-dry? Done.
Gorgeous government agent Rome Masters has been sent to neutralize Belle. But he's not the only one after her. Together they must outrun the rogue agents on their trail and find a way to control her powers. There's just one problem: the sparks Belle and Rome generate are even hotter than the ones flying from her eyes—and with her future on the line, now is the worst possible time to fall in love….
I'm telling you half my dreams began and/or ended that way as a teenager. And Rome? Well...not Rome exactly, but usually some sort of hunky guy also featured heavily in those dreams (except I was saving him, not him saving me!). So really one could say that not only does Showalter play to romance fantasies, but she plays to comic book romance fantasies.
Things aren't all peachy and perfect of course, Belle is put through a horrific physical ringer before her body settles down somewhat to the changes the formula wrought. There was also the distinct possibility that the hunk that was at her bedside was going to be her executioner. Oh and the kookie mad scientist really wasn't certain she'd live through the changes, so now not only does he want to know why, but a whole host of other people want to know why. And they're not afraid to do it postmortem quite frankly. This is all assuming that Belle doesn't set herself on fire, freeze to death, or drown herself somehow with her rapidly changing powers.
So really the deck is stacked so badly against Belle she should indenture herself to the house to pay off her debts.
Belle doesn't let any of this stop her though. She indulges in the occasional 'why me?!' routine, but for the most part she does what she has always done--she perseveres, finds a way to make it work for her and then work it, hard, until she gets the results she wants. Along the way she even finds that she was enjoying herself, felt like things were really clicking for her. I don't feel that Belle grew as a character in the book, but she grew as a person in the book (if that makes sense). By the end she isn't really any different then in the beginning character-wise, but as a person she understood some important truths and finally learned that they were what she should focus on.
My first time reading through, I was really not a Rome fan. I remember thinking he was such a jerk and really needed to learn a bedside manner. He also had to be one of the least sympathetic heroes I have read in any book whatsoever. If he didn't casually dismiss Belle's problems, he poked holes in them. On my re-read though, with the knowledge of why he was suck a stick in the mud a lot of the time, I understood him better and was able to concentrate more on the romance developing over time.
The book is from Belle first person POV, so we're only given a hint at the inner workings of the other characters. I would have liked to know more about Rome's daughter, Sunny (which I hope is explored in the sequel) and Lexis grew on me by the end of the novel. She wasn't such a bad lady, just stuck in a bad spot.
All in all this was a fun adventure that then and now has me anxiously waiting to read the second book (which thankfully I have for review, so I'm not sitting twiddling my thumbs like I was for 3 years when this book first came out...)!
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