Reviewing... [29] Fire (Elements of Power #1)

..."Sure, let's point out all my faults: my skin is too tanned, my hair too dark, my eyes too blue," and I'm turning into a purple freak I added silently. (Kindle Ed Loc 1154).

I haven't gone mad, just realized I'd belong a little in the Helian Realm. If I was wearing brown contact lenses- I've got green eyes & non-coloured contacts- and got tan, not freckled. It's because people tell me frequently my hair's on fire. I'd rather my hands be on fire tbh... I wouldn't say that to helian's though... Wouldn't say this to anyone but maybe Jazz?

Reviewing... [29] Source: Recieved for review Author: Heather James Recommended for: People who can handle cliffhangers and when 'Water' is published (maybe Air, I don't know how Water will end) well, everyone!

As you can see above, part of my reviewer charm is I won't say "go read it straight away" if you shouldn't. It's one of those very decent books which just could've been 5* if it wasn't so short & mean to me! If a book has a cliffhanger in blame the book. It's the character's fault. They just wanted to develop & meet more people... They also didn't want  the world to build without them.
...Of course, one would assume there isn't any more world-building that needs to be done for the Hellian (Fire) realm or the Arcan (air) realm but the other two? Let's just say, I cannot wait for the sequel for just that reason. I've never read a book where the world-building has such a positive impact on the book. It seemed to help the book move along... 

Hi characters! I'm the reader *grins*
Please, all authors reading this, think of me, Amy (not Charlie)
waving to your characters as they enter, mentally.

I think it helped 'Fire' also that Heather wasn't too scared to introduce many characters... In many cases, it was introducing.

One of the other reasons I am dying to read 'Water' is because there appeared to be three sets of characters in Fire: there were the main characters (two, out of the trio, of whom had their POV enlisted to help the reader understand Fire), then characters which I can't just call "secondary". They weren't. We were shown that they are going to be important & we better watch out for them. I'm definitely watching out for Cinear, hellian bad boy. Hellian would normally imply that but... well, he can't be average. If that's average then take the above wave as a goodbye. Over my shoulder. While I am running away fast. Speed.

Then there's obviously characters who are a lot less important than him. They are the proper side characters. They are all still cool but the type which don't factor into the relationships. A bit like how the tributes which fell at the Cornucopia in the Hunger Games don't really factor into the equation. Or anything mathematical, like a love triangle, or literalistic.
Talking of the Hunger Games, I might be a teeny bit more pleased with the girl who would come out alive if the realms were to have a Hunger Games. At least against the others she would. Or does she have weaknesses which others would take advantage of? That includes the other protagonist, Jasmine.
We didn't get to see the whole dynamic of the love triangle because only the girls narrate. It's quite hard to root for one girl over another. Yes, girls are fighting for a boy & it's way more interesting than the usual configuration of that device. The dynamic isn't comparable to a lot... You could say the way they pair up to a Hunger Games trio is like: Jazz is Peeta, Roxy is Gale & Brae is Katniss (well, maybe more... Glimmer?)
You'd sort of being sarcastic if you said that, though (all impressed, yes?) Impressed by the bottom line, that is... The characters are unique.

That's not really the bottom line of this whole essay review.
It sounds funny but I knew then how the story arc would go (or most of it)... It was developing quite fast for the first novel in the series (but it is a fairly short book which is sad) but I knew that it be likely a cliffhanger would come & leave me wanting more... I loved the mix of world building, character development & major action. It was fabulous & the book felt so alive, I was a bit like...

        I never saw that climax coming... YAY! DARN.

Especially at the end. Why did the book have to end there? Was it because we'd suddenly glimpsed the one issue we hadn't seen coming? Well, yeah... We all know that's the perfect way to end a series because it leaves us wanting more. I was addicted before then, believe me though...
I might've guessed some of the things during the book but I was already dying to see where it went & ignoring the things I normally wouldn't be excited about... until I realized I was excited about them. I had predicted them but it was just executed & subtlety altered brilliantly. The way that was all so seemingly perfectly done was mind blowing.
MIND-BLOWING. That's the bottom line (officially the ones below aren't, they're umm... the bottom zig zags).

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated Fire:

...

Now, you think that's the end, don't you?

I end it at that, normally. Sometimes with a twitter status link up, other times...? Well, other times I have to clarify something else I said regarding a book on Twitter. It's still this series I'm on about well. Well, I've been leaping around saying I need Water & Air. The books, specifically, for my mental health ;)

It goes Fire, Water & Air. TADA.

Come visit the series here. Then wait for Water at least because you're going to want the next book aren't you? Well, you could actually just download Fire onto your e-reader now & make sure it's obvious to you a sequel is following. I preferably like the shelf "sequel to follow" XD
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
You'll want to read it if you have... a bookworm trait, of course (I know it's not just me, don't lie).

Book Blogger Confessions (#7): Promotion, Repetition... is it?

I realized I'd never introduced my normal readers to this meme. How am I supposed to get you involved in it if I just shove a picture & question in your face? *thinks* I'm not allowed to expect that, am I? Truthfully, I did. It'd be one of the best things you guys have done for me (: But it's my responsibility to now share with you more about this meme. Here goes:

Book Blogger Confessions is a meme that posts the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month, where book bloggers "confess" and vent about blogging/bookish topics. If you haven't guessed the idea is to answer a question & you can share, vent and offer solutions. Ranting if the question demands it works & you'd really enjoy it if you did participate as there's a ton of respect between each other, even more than normal. We understand they are your solutions & if they work? Great. If the question isn't a hunky dory one? We're asked to:

Keep it respectful - no bashing authors or other bloggers!

So, if you want to participate here's the meme...

Hosted by For What It's Worth and Midnyte Reader
(Grab their button and include it in your post with a link to the feature co-hosts)

I think the questions are in a bit of a weird order this month *giggles* But anyway, I'll do them in the right order. I'm not a Helian (sorry, reference to what I just finished reading- it'll be the next review for the Indie month).
So here's the one for June 3rd (or whatever day you're completing it for this fortnight's link-up):

Do participating in book tours/cover reveals and author guests post drive traffic to your blog? What type of problems have you encountered when hosting them? (please keep it civil - no names or calling specific people out) As a blog follower, are you ever turned off by these kinds of posts? How much publicity is too much?

It drives traffic to my blog. I'll admit that, especially when there's a giveaway! I've had more traffic for some posts which weren't but I do like participating in book tours. I'd much rather write a review or do a character interview, something which isn't just a book blast where all (or most) have the same information. I try to do this & even in my own promotions and/or cover reveals where there is less fidgeting space I always try & mention something about this book that nobody else has. Even if it's just my opinion, but surely you guys want to know why this book appealed to me (seriously, if you don't tell me & I'll stop the digression!) There are sometimes minor issues (regarding, for example, the review copy). It always tend to be communication & in this instance the organizer? They aren't going to be in my good books but it doesn't mean I'll avoid them unless the issue is bigger than those small things you can overlook. For example, there are mistakes in the tour schedule or you're not listening to the dates I can do? Big issue. I'm OCD enough without this huge issue knocking me back! That would be the only way a tour could be really wrecked. I've definitely had fantastic experiences with promotion (like this month) & there's others further in the distance I'm also looking forward to (July blog tour, guys) but there's always going to be ones that just could've gone smoother.

*headdesk* (GIF free use)

Personally, promotion-style tours etc. aren't the biggest thing which turns me off. Too much of anything is bad & that includes reviews. I'm personally careful to keep posts to a certain amount & it doesn't matter which type. I will only post something 2-3 times a week. You'll hopefully notice there's a balance between promotions, reviews & meme's. Reviews take the most effort but if there's a post I would care least about someone I follow overdoing it's that. People read at different speeds & I realize reviews can be some of the hardest to schedule. If you have blanks for that week & you've just finished a book go post a review. It doesn't matter about frequency so much. Meme's? Let's be honest. It does.

They can be just as repetitive as blog tours but people seem to put more effort into blog tours sometimes? Not always but there's likely to be, as mentioned above, reviews & things which could add some distinction. It depends on the meme but there are certain ones (I'm not thinking of one on a Monday, don't worry!) that I always skip. I can't expect something too original from reading out your teaser's or telling me a synopsis of a book you're dying to read. It doesn't matter if it's for a meme or a blog tour (just remember to stand out). Your originality is at it's strongest in reviews. You're not just providing me links to excerpts, places to connect with an author or buy a few books. More time is probably put into these posts & it shows. I see you & your reactions more clearly & that's how my book blogger friends sell a book to me. I obviously check out books in book hauls & often cover reveals too but who is to say I give it a second glance when all it has going for it is a link, cover or snippet of text in my feed? I love seeing the covers, authors & much more too! I'm not expecting you to speed up your reading so you have less of those posts but remember: I'm watching for something unique. Go interview characters if all else fails (I actually suggest that officially), OK? ;)
Or, maybe... And I know there's lots of them (I'm a mod in a group which gets a ton of giveaway interest) but, hosting a giveaway could always work? 

Don't forget to comment on today's confession if you like. I'll try & stop by... That's the thing about meme's in this community, they bring comment love ;)

Reviewing... [28] Once Upon A Tag (Promo #8)

Once Upon A Tag is a short story so this shall be a mini-review (not a full-length analysis or anything) :P

Reviewing... [28] Source: As Kindle freebie (but normally 77p @ Amazon) Author: Anna Adams Recommended for: Anyone that likes the cover (that's not cheating, the cover was a good representation & personally why I grabbed it).

Once Upon A Tag is seriously one of the best short stories. I sort of feel like I’ll offend it if I call it ‘cute’ (I don’t have to)... A word I don't have to use! The point of mini-reviews is you can use your imaginative words without running out of them & repeating yourself, YAY!

I truly liked this as it did have a bit of depth to it. It’s not just any old train encounter & as much as it seemed like, from the word 'GO', an instalove-featuring tale it was really wasn't (a minute or so after you said 'GO' I realized). Maybe it’s set in Paris but is even Paris where lives collide harmoniously? David’s feelings on the street artist, Rita, are conflicting. He knows she’s one of those girls which are bad for you. If you inhale them too deeply you might fall in love & it’ll seem instant... Do we want him to fall in love with her? Or are we rooting for the graffiti-style Art (which he may not entirely hate)?

Even in such a compact ebook (is that punny?) there was a definite feel of character development & I’d happily hear more about them & see if their relationship, not just with each other, develops as I think it would! Yes, it may end on a slight cliffhanger but it’s not one where I’ve fallen off my chair or screamed; it’s satisfying. 

Amy Bookworm (@Amy_Bookworm) rated Once Upon A Tag:
I really liked the ending all of the short & will keep my eyes peeled for new books which may follow.

To add length to this post here's an...

EXCERPT:

One a.m. Twenty minutes, forty-six seconds, in the Parisian subway.

That’s when David Leblanc saw her for the first time.

He was alone in the train, drifting off into a slumber, in that narrow moment when one is contentedly abandoning consciousness to fall into the awaiting arms of Morpheus.

The green sketchbook he treasured above all lay limply beside him on the vacant seat with his leather bag of utensils. The twenty-three-year-old artist had spent hours painting in the Louvre museum, copying from the greatest, inspired by his sleeping forefathers.

Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Delacroix. These were his masters, his revered deities.

And Hugo Boss, but that was for a different reason: he was a master in his own right in the clothing department, and David refused to ever wear anything else.

Graffiti-filled walls waltzed before his eyes in a blurry haze of color under his heavy, drooping eyelids.

What a shame, he thought as he fell asleep. What a shame to desecrate public property with such vile vandalism. If only I could . . .

David jumped up, startled, suddenly wide awake. He pressed his nose against the greasy window and squinted into the dark railway. A black-hooded figure was bombing the wall with bright red letters.

R-I

Those were the only letters he could make out before the train moved on, gliding with swift rapidity toward the Porte des Lilas station.

But he knew who the vandal was.