Book Review: Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan

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Tell the Wind and Fire
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: April 5th 2016
Review Source: Clarion Books

In a city divided between opulent luxury in the Light and fierce privations in the Dark, a determined young woman survives by guarding her secrets.

Lucie Manette was born in the Dark half of the city, but careful manipulations won her a home in the Light, celebrity status, and a rich, loving boyfriend. Now she just wants to keep her head down, but her boyfriend has a dark secret of his own—one involving an apparent stranger who is destitute and despised. Lucie alone knows the young men’s deadly connection, and even as the knowledge leads her to make a grave mistake, she can trust no one with the truth.

Blood and secrets alike spill out when revolution erupts. With both halves of the city burning, and mercy nowhere to be found, can Lucie save either boy—or herself?

This is my first book by Sarah Rees Brennan.  Tell the Wind and Fire is a futuristic story based in New York City. The city is split into two magical halves, the light side and the dark side. The light side is considered the good/superior side and the dark side is considered evil. Both sides need the other to live/have power.

The main character Lucie Manette was born in the dark city but was able to get a ticket for herself and her caged father to the light city due to some theatrics and deceit on her part. She became a "celebrity" in the light city and a girl friend to the most powerful family's son.  The son, Ethan, ends up having a doppelgänger, Carywn, which is very taboo.  Ethan was a loving sweet boyfriend but I didn't feel a real connection with him and Lucie as a couple. I connected with Carywn the most in this story because of his sarcastic wit and due to the whole "dark, bad boy" persona.

I did not like the way the story jumped around. I feel it started out strong and exciting and then got kind of boring for quite a while. I felt that at times the author gave too much information all at once.  I had to take many breaks to get through this story because of the information overload.

I liked the emotions this book evoked in me. It was such a roller coaster ride. Also a very powerful story. Very few books have gutted me and made me shed actual tears but this story did just that.  My family was a little bit scared briefly because I am not a crying person lol.  I liked the dystopian/futuristic picture that was painted of NY by the author.

I do recommend sticking with this story because I think it is worth the read. Once you push past the "slower" chapters, it ends up being a really interesting and unique book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Tell the Wind and Fire

Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Release Date: April 5th 2016

Publisher: Clarion Books

Tell the Wind & Fire is about a young girl called Lucie who lives in a New York very different from the New York we know: the city is torn between two very different kinds of magic, and Lucie’s own family was torn apart years ago by that conflict. Lucie wears magic rings and carries a burden of guilt she can’t share with anyone.

The light in her life is her sweetheart boyfriend Ethan, but it turns out Ethan has a secret too: a soulless doppelganger created by dark magic, who has to conceal the face identical to Ethan’s with a hood fastened by a collar nobody but a Light magician with magical rings can take off… and who introduces himself to both of them by, for reasons nobody can understand, saving Ethan’s life…na isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

Audiobook Review: Nothing but Shadows by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Reese Brennan

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Nothing but Shadows
Tales from Shadowhunter Academy #4
Author: Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: June 2nd 2015
Review Source: Simon and Schuster Audio

Simon challenges the setup of the Shadowhunter Academy and in doing so learns the story of James Herondale and Matthew Fairchild and the unusual way that they became friends and parabatai.

Let me start you off with the reasons as to why you should listen to these stories.

1. The reader has an accent. 

2. Simon Lewis and Will Herondale make an appearance (but back off they’re my book boyfriends) 

3. Why would you miss out on anything Cassie Clare writes?! 

This short story from the tales of a Shadowhunter is about how the shy, book nerd, James Herondale became parabatais with the enigmatic, popular, Matthew Fairchild.

And after getting back into these stories it makes me miss Will SO MUCH. I loved seeing part of Will and Tessa in their child and how their family dynamic. It’s incredible to hear about the love between Tessa and Will through their child’s eyes, and how much Jem is still a very prominent fixation in their lives.  James is not thrilled about going to the academy; he’s shy, horrible at making friends, and awfully worried about trying to live up to his father’s reputation. James and Matthew Fairchild became roommates but couldn’t be any more different, Matthew was loud, popular, and definitely a trouble maker in the academy. Though things are never as they seem, not all that have followers are the happiest, but I cannot wait for more of him. Those two will definitely be an entertaining duo.

The Shadowhunter world is one of my favorite worlds to dive into and seeing my favorite character's children is one heck of a ride. Not only do my favorites come back but they're children are a perfect blend of them. I can't wait to see where this story pans out and more of James’s power. GIVE ME ALL THE SHADOWHUNTER GOODNESS.

Book Review: Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

Team Human
Authors: Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Paranormal
Released: July 3rd 2012
Review Source: HarperTeen
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Acclaimed authors Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan team up to create a witty and poignant story of cool vampires, warm friendships, and the changes that test the bonds of love.

A few weeks ago, I found myself multi-tasking. I was pretending to watch a basketball game with my husband and was finishing up Team Human By Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. As my eyes strayed away from the page and to the television screen, I noticed that all the spectators at the game were wearing "Team ???" shirts to show their support for the big game. This sign of true fandom immediately reminded me of my devotion to "Team Edward."

I must start this review by saying that the authors' dedication to all the great writers who have written stories about vampires truly surprised me and was a nice opening treat for the reader. The cover of course reminded somewhat of a movie edition version of a popular book, but I pressed on to see what this joint effort in writing had to offer my imagination and already full commitment to the love of vampire inspired novels. In Team Human the reader is presented with a new outlook in the world of living among humans and vampires. Mel and Cathy are best friends. However, when Francis, a new vampire in the town begins attending the local high school, Cathy immediately falls in love. Mel is disappointed that Cathy has become attached to Francis so quickly. This frustration with Cathy sends Mel on a little fact finding quest for answers to who Francis is and why is he here.

Along the way Mel finds a new friend herself, named Kit. A young human guy, with a unique life and story of his own. With Kit's help, Mel works hard at trying to figure out the secrets that Francis is keeping. Sprinkled throughout the storyline are several minor characters with mysteries of their own, yet to be solved. Finally, Team Human is a hint of all your favorite vampire novels, with many new twists of its own. This extremely quick read, for young adult readers, has a flawless beginning, middle and end, which is well well worth a try.