Review & Giveaway: Ink by Amanda Sun

Title: Ink (Paper Gods #1)
Author: Amanda Sun
Published: 1 July 2013 by HarlequinTEEN Australia
Source: HarlequinTEEN Australia
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | Book Depository

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

Review: 

I have been dying to read this book since I first saw it an Harlequin Summit in February this year.  The cover looked absolutely gorgeous and the story looked incredibly intriguing.  

I am happy to say that this book did not disappoint!  It wasn't quite what I expected but this ended up being a good thing.  This was not a neat tidy easy to tie up the ends story where you could see the ending coming a mile off.  This was a deceptively simple story that flowed well hiding the extra strands that were being woven around it till suddenly you were in the middle of a complex tapestry with no idea which thread too pull and completely in Ms Sun's hands.

The idea of the Kami and it's links with the ink and drawing and pictures that moved was truly intriguing.  I enjoyed reading about it and can't wait to find out more about it in the next book,

As mentioned the story flowed well, the characters were reasonably distinct and Katie painted (at least as first) as the outsider.  I liked Katie, she was resilient and determined, but still open to a different culture even though she didn't want to be there after the death of her mother. As the book progresses you can slowly see her becoming immersed in the culture around her and realising where she fits.

I liked that the feelings between Katie and Tomo grew slowly.  They were  fascinated with each other to their chagrin at first but the real feelings grew slowly which I liked.  I felt like there was chemistry between them and this grows as the story goes on.

The other thing I really liked is the snapshot of Japanese culture that Ms Sun shows us.  Her writing painted a picture of Sunpu Park and the cherry blossoms and just illustrated so many other aspects that just  added to the authenticity of the story.

The only thing that brought it down is the fact that I have to wait till the next book to find out what happens next.  I was glad of the sneak peak of the first chapter of the next novel in the series, at the end of the book, as I am seriously going to have trouble waiting for the the next one to come out .

At least I have the novella, Shadow, to look forward to reading in the mean time.

I give this novel 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon xx

Giveaway

I pre-ordered a copy of this book earlier in the year then also was lucky enough to receive a copy from the publisher and now I have two copies. So I have decided to give one copy away.

Giveaway is International & all rules are in the Terms and conditions.  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #61

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too muchaway! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My current read is Ink by Amanda Sun and my two lines are from page 188:

I saw it. So simple, and so terrifying.

Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | Book Depository

I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.

Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.

A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.

And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link  to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Stacking the Shelves #3

Welcome to  Stacking The Shelves!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga Reviews and is a meme to share those books, both print and e-book, that have been added to your shelves in the last week/s.

Not a bad week book wise. Scored some awesome e-novels from netgalley to read & review as well as a couple of good series for the library. Not been bell though for the second half of the week so all has been a little quiet on the blog front. Hope to get back into it this week.

For Review (via Netgalley):

So excited to get this to review.  Another title I saw at Harlequin Summit this year and just had to read.

The Returned (The Returned #1) by Jason Mott 

Goodreads | Book Depository

"Jacob was time out of sync, time more perfect than it had been. He was life the way it was supposed to be all those years ago. That's what all the Returned were." Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time…. Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old.

All over the world people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why this is happening, whether it's a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he's their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.

With spare, elegant prose and searing emotional depth, award-winning poet Jason Mott explores timeless questions of faith and morality, love and responsibility. A spellbinding and stunning debut, The Returned is an unforgettable story that marks the arrival of an important new voice in contemporary fiction.

Banish by Nicola Marsh

Goodreads 

Alyssa has one week to destroy her enemy, save her spirit... and save her soul. 

After her ex-boyfriend commits suicide and her mum’s alcoholism sparks yet another psychotic episode, seventeen-year-old Alyssa Wood flees her small hometown of Broadwater and heads to New York City to stay with her bohemian aunt — a Wicca High Priestess.

Alyssa revels in the anonymity of a big city and her new life. Her grades climb, she has a new best friend, and a new guy: the sexy geek Ronan — a saxophone player who prefers jazz to pop.

But her newfound peace is soon shattered when she sees a dead body in one of Ronan’s music clips — and she’s the only one who can see it. Worse still, Alyssa recognises the body that has been murdered a week forward!

Alyssa doesn’t believe in the supernatural...despite her family’s Wicca background. So how will she overcome evil when it’s closer than she thinks?

Time After Time (Time Between Us #2) by Tamara Ireland Stone

Goodreads | Book Depository

Calling Anna and Bennett’s romance long distance is an understatement: she’s from 1995 Chicago and he’s a time traveler from 2012 San Francisco. The two of them never should have met, but they did. They fell in love, even though they knew they shouldn't. And they found a way to stay together, against all odds.

It’s not a perfect arrangement, though, with Bennett unable to stay in the past for more than brief visits, skipping out on big chunks of his present in order to be with Anna in hers. They each are confident that they’ll find a way to make things work...until Bennett witnesses a single event he never should have seen (and certainly never expected to). Will the decisions he makes from that point on cement a future he doesn't want?

Told from Bennett’s point of view, Time After Time will satisfy readers looking for a fresh, exciting, and beautifully-written love story, both those who are eager to find out what’s next for Time Between Us's Anna and Bennett and those discovering their story for the first time.

Library:

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer 

Goodreads | Book Depository


Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer 

Goodreads | Book Depository

Between the Lines (Between the Lines #1) by Tammara Webber

Goodreads | Book Depository


Where You Are (Between the Lines #2) by Tammara Webber 

Goodreads | Book Depository

Good For You (Between the Lines #3) by Tammara Webber 

Goodreads | Book Depository

So what did you add to your shelves this week?

Teaser Tuesday #59

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read

2. Open to a random page

3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too muchaway! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


My current read is Unravelling by Elizabeth Norris and my two lines are from page 91:

"Just an hour," I say, wondering when my willpower decided to go on vacation-and when it will be back.

Unravelling (Unraveling #1) by Elizabeth Norris

Goodreads | Book Depository

Sixteen-year-old Janelle Tenner is used to having a lot of responsibility. She balances working as a lifeguard in San Diego with an intense academic schedule. Janelle's mother is bipolar, and her dad is a workaholic FBI agent, which means Janelle also has to look out for her younger brother, Jared.

And that was before she died...and is brought back to life by Ben Michaels, a mysterious, alluring loner from her high school. When she discovers a strange clock that seems to be counting down to the earth's destruction, Janelle learns she has twenty-four days to figure out how to stop the clock and save the planet.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link  to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Cover reveal & Giveaway: Immortals (Runes #2) by Ednah Walters

Welcome to Realm of the Sapphired Dragon.  Today I am pleased to be able to reveal the cover of book two in the Runes Series, Immortals.  So without further ado, here are the Print and possible e-book covers:

Title: Immortals (Runes #2)

Author: Ednah Walters

Publisher: Firetrail Publishing

Release date: August 5th, 2013

Nothing can stop Raine Cooper when she wants something

Raine finally knows that her gorgeous neighbor, Torin St. James, is a legend straight out of Norse mythology but that doesn*t stop her from falling hard for him. Torin is crazy about Raine too, breaking the one rule he lives by: Never fall for a mortal. The problem is he no longer remembers her or that she saved him by making a deal with Norns*Norse destiny deities*the same Norns who have now erased his memories of their past together to punish her.

So Raine comes up with a plan...

She will make Torin forget his one rule a second time and fall in

love with her all over again. But before Raine can put her plan into action, the Norns return. This time, they demand she protects Eirik Seville, her best friend since childhood, from an evil so dark even the Norns are scared.

But you know what they say about well-laid plans

Caught between protecting Eirik and convincing the stubborn, cocky Torin St. James that the two of them are meant to be together, Raine's life slowly unravels. Friendships are tested. Enemies become allies. Desperate, Raine makes choices that could not only tear her and Torin further apart, but lead to the destruction of everything and everyone she loves.

About The Author:

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she's at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013.  She's working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN.

Ednah also writes New Adult paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. She is presently working on book 2, IMMORTALS. Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released

in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series.

Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently

working on book six. 

You can visit her online at www.ednahwalters.com or www.ebwalters.com.

Connect with Ednah:

Website |  Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

Vote For Torin St. James at The YA SISTERHOOD Crush Tourney
on June 17th.

Lastly don't forget to enter the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Novella Review: Reaper by Rachel Vincent

Title: Reaper (Soul Screamers #3.5)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Published: 1 December 2010
Source: Book Depository (Part of Soul Screamers Omnibus Volume 2)
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Reaper (Soul Screamers #3.5) by Rachel Vincent

Goodreads | Book Depository

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred.

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

An ebook exclusive Soul Screamers series novella

Review: 

So glad I finally got around to reading this novella.  I have been meaning to since I discovered it was the volume 2 Soul Screamers omnibus I ordered earlier this year.  And as usual, Rachel Vincent's writing does not disappoint.

Reaper is Tod's story.  The story of how he became a reaper.  If you have read the series, then you will know the bare bones of it but even so, this novella adds a whole new layer to Tod's character.

I didn't really become a huge fan of Tod's till about book 6 or 7 but after book 7 I definitely was and this novella captures his personality as seen in the series perfectly, his sense of humour, his attitude towards rules, and his protectiveness of those he loves.

Even though I obviously knew how this story would turn out, I still enjoyed every second of it, as quick as I flew through it.  i even found myself tearing up in parts and I know that even if I hadn't been a fan of Tod before, I definitely would be now.

This novella is placed between books 3 and 4 and I would strongly suggest you wait until after you read book 3 to read it, to avoid some spoilers but other than that, if you are a fan of the series then you will definitely be a fan of this novella.

I give this novella four stars :-)

Sapphired Dragon xx

Novella Review: Shadow by Amanda Sun

Title: The Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5)
Author: Amanda Sun
Published: 1 June 2013 by HarlequinTEEN Australia
Source: HarlequinTEEN Australia (free e-novella)
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Shadow (Paper Gods #0.5) by Amanda Sun

Goodreads | HarlequinTeen

Meet two teens whose worlds are about to change forever in this paranormal Young Adult novella, a prequel to Ink by debut author Amanda Sun…

Katie Greene’s worst nightmare comes true when her mother dies, and she’s devastated to learn that she will have to leave the only home she’s ever known. Desperate to find where she belongs, she must decide if she has what it takes to start a new life across the ocean.

For Yuu Tomohiro, every day is a nightmare. He struggles to control his strange ability, and keeps everyone at a distance so they won’t get hurt—even his girlfriend, Myu. At night, a shadow haunts his dreams, and a mysterious woman torments him with omens of death and destruction. But these haunting premonitions are only the beginning…

Review: 

The shadow by Amanda Sun is the prequel novella to the novel Ink.  Despite this, I actually read Ink first (see my review on July 1) and it is kind of funny as in some ways I wish I had read this first while in other ways I am glad I didn't. Let me explain.

I originally didnt read this first, despite knowing it was a prequel, because for some explicable reason I was worried it would provide spoilers for the novel. If anything, it was the other way round (which should have been somewhat obvious being a prequel and all but meh :-p)

This novella starts about 5 months earlier than the beginning of Ink and goes virtually all the way to the beginning of Ink. Each chapter is alternatively told from either Katie or Tomo's perspective. I liked this as I felt I got to know and understand both main characters a lot better especially Tomo. Given that Ink is essentially told from Katie's perspective, I wonder whether this would have changed my perspective on Tomo's reactions to things had I read this first and understood, a little more, where Tomo was coming from.

The story itself was reasonably simple in that it was essentially setting up the novel Ink going in depth with a few scenes that are merely mentioned in Ink.  It was actually not spoilerish at all which surprised me as Ms Sun was especially good at skirting around potential spoilers and actually adding to the mystery rather than spoiling it, and there a few clues in there that I think will have meaning later on in the series ( can't wait to see if I am right about those :-P).

So I have mentioned the reasons why I wished I had read it pre Ink but the reason I am glad i read it after is that while it is an introduction to the characters and story of Ink, I think I enjoyed it more because I already to some extent knew and loved the characters of Katie and Tomo so I was interested to see where they came from.  I believed I would have enjoyed this novella even if I had read it first but it meant I appreciated it more almost as a character study rather than an introduction.

If you are planning on reading Ink then i would suggest you read this first and even if at this stage you are not planning on reading Ink, I still recommend you read this novella as you might just change your mind.  This novella provides a great introduction to the novel as well as being a great read.

I give this novella 4 stars

Sapphired Dragon xx

Stacking the Shelves #2

Welcome to  Stacking The Shelves!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga Reviews and is a meme to share those books, both print and e-book, that have been added to your shelves in the last week/s.

Been doing a lot of reading and reviewing of novellas this week as part of Novella Reading Week hosted by Fiktshun & Magical Urban Fantasy Reads so didn't spend too much time looking for or acquiring new titles for TBR unless they were novellas :-P I also didn't really get a proper trip to the library this week so nothing new there however I did score an awesome couple of e-arcs from Netgalley this week which I am greatly looking forward to reading. Both are books in series I have previously read and/or reviewed.

For Review (via Netgalley):

Phantom Eyes (Witch Eyes #3) by Scott Tracey

Goodreads | Book Depository 

Every child in Belle Dam is taught about the feud from an early age. There are ‘our’ people and ‘their’ people. Friends and enemies. Associates and strangers. It’s the kind of town where eyes are always watching, and you don’t need a reason to sell out your neighbors.

But the feud is a lie. As a new wave of fury sweeps through the town, creating a third front to an already overtaxed war, Braden has been broken worse than ever. His innocence? Shattered. His heart? Crushed. His magic? Gone. His new life? Ruined. And this is only the beginning.

Beneath the city lay deep wellsprings of power. The one who controls them is the one who will win the feud. In a city filled with puppet masters, Braden must elude their strings and end the feud once and for all. But first, he must outsmart his father, evade Catherine’s dark magic, regain what was stolen from him, trick a phantom who refuses to die, and foil a demon’s master plan.

Even then, he may not survive. Because power is a problem, and victory comes with a cost…

Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep

Goodreads | Book Depository 

Here we go again …

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

Free E-Novels From IBooks (Australian):

Some more novellas I came across that I am keen to read.  These were free on ibooks :-)

Crossing the Line (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Goodreads 

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

Iron's Prophecy (The Iron Fey #4.5) by Maria V Snyder

Goodreads 

Meghan Chase is finally getting used to being the Iron Queen, ruler of the Iron Fey. Her life may be strange, but with former Winter prince Ash by her side at last, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

But when they travel to the Summer and Winter courts’ gathering for Elysium, the oracle from Meghan’s past returns with a dire prophecy: “What you carry will either unite the courts, or it will destroy them.” Now Meghan faces a devastating choice that may determine the future of all fey—and her and Ash’s unborn child…

A novella from the bestselling Iron Fey series

So what did you add to your shelves this week?

On My Wishlist #16: The Iron Traitor by Julie kagawa

Welcome to On My Wishlist!


On My Wishlist is a meme that was originally created by Book Chick City and is now hosted by Cosy Books where we can showcase (and squee about) books that are on our individual wish lists whether already released or still awaiting publication.


For more information or to get involved yourself, head over to Cosy Books and check it out!

Lastly, don't forget to comment and let me know what books are on your Wishlist this week.

The Iron Traitor (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2) by Julie Kagawa

In the real world, when you vanish into thin air for a week, people tend to notice.

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all.

Publication Date: 29 October 2013

Pre-Order:Book Depository

Comment: I loved the Iron Fey series, not to mention the first book in this series, The Lost Prince (see my review here).  So naturally I cannot wait for this book and see what happens next.

What has gone on your Wishlist this week?

Review: Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry

Title: Crossing The Line
Author: Katie McGarry
Published: 1 April 2013
Source: ibooks Australia
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Crossing the Line (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Goodreads 

Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.

Review: 

Yet another awesome story by Katie Mcgarry.  While only a short novella, this story still comes alive under Ms McGarry's capable pen.  

It tells the story of Lila, Echo's best friend from Pushing the Limits, and the boy she met at Echo's brother Aires memorial.  For two years they have exchanged letters and shared their innermost thoughts with each other till Lila finds out Lincoln has lied to her.

While short and sweet, this novella is in a similar style to Pushing the Limits and Dare You To with each chapter alternating between Lila and Lincoln's perspective.  I like this format as its a great way to stay inside both main character's heads but occasionally i found myself checking whose perspective I was looking from as each would start with a quote from a letter from the other main character.

While not as gritty as Ms McGarry's longer books, this novella focuses more on the love story being told and the two people involved and while its about how one deals with outside factors, the really important part, I felt, was the relationship between Lila and Lincoln.

I think I got a little bit of a crush on Lincoln.  Tall dark and handsome and willing to go out of his way to protect and reclaim the one he loves.  He has made mistakes and this novella is about fixing them.  I liked Lila in pushing the limits and I still like her now.

Over all this is an incredibly sweet story that will fly you from page 1 till the end in the blink of an eye. If you have read Pushing the Limits and/or Dare you to and want more then this novella is for you.  If you haven't read Pushing the Limits, then why haven't you yet?

A worthy instalment to this series. I give this novella four stars.

Sapphired Dragon xx

Review: Glitter & Doom by Bethany Griffin

Title: Glitter & Doom
Author: Bethany Griffin
Published: 26 March 2013
Reviewed: Sapphireddragon
SapphiredDragon Rating: ****

Glitter & Doom ( Masque of the Red Death #1.5) by Bethany Griffin

Goodreads | Barnes & Noble

A 50-page, digital-only novella set in the world of Bethany Griffin's dark and haunting retelling of the classic Edgar Allan Poe story Masque of the Red Death. When a rich teenage girl who spends her nights in the most desirable club and a smart, young inventor meet, they might have more in common than they know.

April, niece to the dying city's cruel dictator, is Araby Worth's glittery and frivolous best friend. But she's more than she appears. And when she disappeared in Masque of the Red Death, where did she go? This short novella answers that question, taking us deep underneath the crumbling city, where April crosses paths with Kent, the serious young inventor who is key to rebellion. Glitter & Doom is a story of chilling action, of spies, and of surprising love. Can love be anything but doomed is a city that's burning down around its survivors?
A dark, unnerving story about two of the most fascinating characters from Masque of the Red Death.

Review: 

I decided to read Glitter and Doom both as part of the Novella Reading Week being hosted by  Fiktshun & Magical Urban Fantasy Reads   and because being currently sategically placed between Masque of the Red Death, which I read a few weeks ago (see my review here) and Dance of the Red Death, which I am planning to read next week and this novella has been written to be read in between these novels. So the timing was excellent as is the this novella.  

Glitter & Doom is essentially April and Kent's respective stories.  We only see relatively small aspects of these characters in Masque of the Red Death so I really enjoyed getting a better insight into both of these characters and seeing how their stories contributed to the whole that is the Masque of the Red Death Series.

I like that we get to see a whole other side of April in this novella other than the shallow girl that is depicted in the majority of book 1.  This novella starts when April is 11 and Elliott 13 and ends shortly before the end of Masque so we get to see some of the events that have shaped the person that April has become as well as seeing some of the behind the scenes of what was happening in Masque.

We also got to see some more of Kent, a little bit of where he came from and I felt this gave me a better sense of who Kent is and where he fits in this series. 

I think you definitely need to have ahead Masque to be able to truly get everything out of this novella and I think it will make ain't Dance of the Red Death that much better having a read this novella.

I give this novella four stars.

Sapphired Dragon xx