Posted in R.L. Naquin

Monster in My Closet (seria A Monster Haven Story, volumul 1) – R.L. Naquin

Posted on by roxtao

Monster in My Closet  (seria A Monster Haven Story, volumul 1) – R.L. Naquin

Editura: Carina Press

Data publicare: 30 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 224

 

Sinopsis:

Am incetat sa mai cred in monstrii de multa vreme. Dar stiam ca nu imi imaginez lucruri atunci cand am descoperit unul in bucataria mea, pregatind briose. Il mai vazusem si inainte: pandind din dulapul meu, speriindu-ma de moarte pe cand aveam 5 ani. Se pare ca totul fusese de fapt o neintelegere, iar acum Maurice are nevoie de un loc unde sa locuiasca. Cum as putea sa ii spun nu?

Pana la urma, am fost intotdeauna ca un magnet pentru cei cu probleme emotionale, iar asta nu numai in contextul jobului meu de organizatoare de nunti. Fiind capabila sa simt toate sentimentele celor din jur poate fi o adevarata problema. Nu ma intelegeti gresit, imi place sa ajut oamenii – si… ne-oamenii. Insa aceasta abilitate m-a transformat intr-un festin pentru un incub, un demon ce se hraneste cu energia emotionala. Acum, miresele mor pe capete prin tot orasul iar casa mea a devenit un adapost sigur pentru supranatural. Trebuie sa invat sa imi concentrez talentul si sa inving demonul inainte ca acesta sa mai apuce sa isi mai ia drept gustare vreo femeie nevinovata si apoi sa vina si dupa felul principal…

Parerea mea:

Multumesc editurii Carina Press si autoarei, R.L. Naquin, pentru sansa de a citi aceasta carte. Recunosc ca m-am indragostit de la primele randuri de ea. De fapt..nu, mint! Cred ca din momentul in care am citit titlul am devenit innebunita sa aflu despre ce este vorba in carte. Am prostul obicei de a-mi forma anumite asteptari de la o carte in functie de titlul si coperta acesteia, asa ca bineinteles, si in acest caz, odata ce am vazut aceste doua elemente am banuit/sperat ca si povestea va fi la fel de originala. Si din fericire, nu m-am inselat. Am adorat romanul lui R.L. Naquin de la prima pana la ultima pagina!

Am descoperit o poveste total neasteptata, incarcata de magie, de creaturi supranaturale adorabile, de personaje amuzante, pasaje nostime, replici acide sau dimpotriva, atat de dulci incat le-am citit iar si iar, nevenindu-mi sa cred ca poate exista un roman atat de dragalas. Pentru ca per ansamblu, cred ca acesta este cuvantul care defineste cel mai bine Monster in My Closet. Da, povestea are si o parte dramatica, care reprezinta de fapt si intriga volumului, dar eu am fost atat de fascinata de cateva dintre personajele ne-umane, incat orice altceva a fost pus in umbra de ele. Am senzatia ca orice as spune despre aceasta carte nu ar putea exprima cat de mult mi-a placut. Cred ca daca lista de carti necitite pe care le am in biblioteca nu ar fi atat de lunga, as reincepe romanul chiar acum. De fapt, de-a lungul lecturii, m-am intors de cateva ori la unele pagini de la inceput pentru a le citi din nou. Nu pentru ca as fi uitat sau nu as fi inteles ceva, ci pur si simplu pentru ca mi-au placut prea mult.

Povestea incepe in dimineata in care Zoey, eroina romanului, o tanara de 28 de ani, organizatoare de nunti, cu o casnicie ratata la activ si total ancorata in realitate, fara absolut nici o legatura cu orice lucru paranormal, isi da seama ca in casa ei se afla un intrus. O privire aruncata inspre acesta o transporta in amintiri, mai exact in noaptea in care avea 5 ani si a vazut un monstru iesind din dulapul ei.  Iar in prezent, in fata ei se afla exact acelasi monstru pe care il daduse uitarii, presupunand ca fusese pur si simplu o spaima copilareasca. Iar exuberantul monstru, numit Maurice, o intampina cu cafea, un mic dejun delicios si rugamintea de a-i oferi un adapost pentru o perioada. De aici pana la o viata care o ia razna total nu mai e decat un pas. Zoey afla ca propria ei capacitate de a empatiza total cu cei din jur, de a le simti toate emotiile si toate sentimentele nu este un lucru normal, iar asta o transforma intr-o tinta pentru un demon, un incubus, pentru care ea reprezinta o masa delicioasa. Si in acelasi timp, toate femeile cu care Zoey a interactionat in ultima vreme au devenit si ele tinte. Iar cateva dintre acestea si-au pierdut deja viata.  Zoey trebuie sa invete sa traiasca cu toate fiintele supranaturale care au dat navala in viata ei, sa descopere in ce mod poate evolua relatia pe care tocmai a inceput-o cu un reaper, un slujitor al mortii ce colecteaza suflete si mai presus de orice, sa scape pentru totdeauna de demonul ce ii ameninta viata si ei si tuturor femeilor din jur, fie ele umane sau nu.

Povestea este bine inchegata, nu am detectat nici macar un aspect care sa para fortat sau nelalocul lui. Personajele sunt de departe cel mai savuros aspect al cartii. Cred ca Maurice a devenit unul dintre personajele mele preferate din toate cartile pe care le-am citit vreodata, Zoey este extrem de credibila, in ciuda faptului ca tot ce i se intampla este incredibil, si absolut toate celelalte personaje secundare ofera un plus de farmec romanului, completand cu succes scenariul acestuia. Mi-a placut faptul ca personajele nu respecta nici o schema clasica. Desi reuseste sa lupte singura impotriva lui Sebastian, demonul ce ii ameninta viata, Zoey are momente de slabiciune cand trebuie sa fie salvata.  Riley, reaper-ul de care se indragosteste ii e alaturi doar de la un punct, la inceput el incercand sa nu se amestece in razboiul ei, in ciuda faptului ca ar putea fi de un real ajutor. Andrew, unul dintre putinii oameni care cunosc directia in care a luat-o viata protagonistei ii sta alaturi ca sfatuitor, profesor si prieten in acelasi timp, dar el ramane vulnerabil in fata pericolului. Iar Maurice, adorabilul monstru din dulap, in ciuda puterilor magice pe care pare sa le aiba, nu are posibilitatea sa si le puna in lupta impotriva incubusului pentru a o ajuta pe Zoey.

Romanul este disponibil de ieri in magazinele din afara in format e-book, nu stiu daca va aparea si in editie printata si daca va ajunge vreodata sa fie tradus si in Romania. Totusi, daca obisnuiti sa cititi carti in format electronic, va recomand din suflet sa nu stati pe ganduri  daca vreti o lectura amuzanta, care va va binedispune nu doar cand o veti citi, ci si de fiecare data cand va veti aminti de ea. Daca aveti indoieli, mai jos sunt primele replici pe care i le adreseaza monstrul din dulap eroinei:

<< “You’re up!” he said. “Sit-sit-sit! I made you orange-strawberry muffins. They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He jerked to his feet and waved me to a chair. “I’ll get you some coffee.” He paused for a long moment, and his smile grew larger as he gazed at me. “Gosh, you grew up pretty, Zoey. Sit-sit-sit.”

…..

 “Zoey, Zoey, my friend, Zoey!”

…..

“So can I stay? Wait, don’t answer that yet. Taste a muffin first. I’m a good cook! I can clean the pool, too. Honest, I won’t get in the way.”

I blinked again. „What?”

“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you. I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you the last time I was here.”

…..

“…and that’s why I came here when she kicked me out. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt safe.”

“What?” I knew I’d missed something crucial. I glanced down at the table in an automatic search for the DVR remote. I needed to rewind and replay that last part.

“You’re not awake yet.” He patted my arm again. “Drink your coffee. We’ll try again when you’re fed.”

…..

“I was only eight, myself, back then,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and your mom took me in. Oh, Zoey, she was so mad at me that night. I was supposed to stay in the hall closet, but yours had all those great toys. Even then I loved to cook, and your Easy-Bake Oven was perfect for trying out your mom’s recipes in small batches. The lightbulb inside it gave such a warm, even toast to my shortbread.” He reached toward me as if to touch me again, then pulled away, looking down at his hands. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I thought we were playing a game. Didn’t you see me smiling?”

I nodded, the memory of that grin still giving me chills. “I thought you were going to eat me.”

Maurice wrinkled his fat nose. “That’s disgusting, Zoey. >>

Bile albe:

– Nici nu stiu ce altceva as mai putea scrie aici, intrucat tot romanul a fost o „bila alba”. Nu am nimic de reprosat, mi s-a parut o lectura perfecta si as recomanda cartea oricui. M-a amuzat teribil si chiar daca intre timp m-am apucat deja de o noua carte, inca imi mai vin in minte anumite replici ale personajelor si mi se par la fel de savuroase ca si atunci cand le-am citit prima data.

Bile negre:

– Romanul este incadrat in genul urban fantasy, dar fiind publicat de Carina Press, editura cunoscuta pentru romanele sale cu tenta erotica, banuiesc ca unii cititori ar putea astepta un numar mai mare de scene hot. Acestea nu lipsesc in totalitate, dar nu sunt nici atat de frecvente incat sa transforme romanul intr-unul bine incadrat in literatura romance. Personal, nu am fost absolut deloc deranjata de acest lucru, dar cred ca trebuia mentionat acest aspect, astfel incat sa nu se astepte nimeni la un roman gen Sandra Brown in varianta fantasy.

Update:

OMG! Recenzia mea a ajuns la autoarea cartii Monster in my Closet, R.L. Naquin si se pare ca i-a placut destul de mult incat sa scrie despre aceasta pe blogul ei! Sunt extrem de entuziasmata, acesta a fost unul dintre cele mai grozave momente de care am avut parte de cand am blogul! Gasiti AICI postarea de pe site-ul autoarei.

English version:

I received Monster in my Closet by courtesy of Carina Press publisher and R.L. Naquin, the author of the book. Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

I admit I fell in love with the book from the first words. In fact..no, I’m lying! I think that since the moment I saw the book’s title I became desperate to find out the story.  I have a bad habit of creating different expectations around a novel, depending of it’s title and cover and of course, in this case also, once I saw those elements I suspected/hoped that the story would be as original as it seemed to be. And fortunately, I wasn’t wrong. I loved the novel written by R.L. Naquin from the first page till the last one!

I discovered a totally surprising story, full of magic, supernatural and adorable creatures, funny characters, entertaining fragments, sarcastic dialogues or on the contrary, dialogues that were so sweet that I read them over and over again, almost not believing that such a lovely story actually exists. Because, overall, I think a word like “cuddly”, “lovely” or “sweet” would best define Monster in my Closet. Indeed, the story also has a dramatic part, which is actually the novel’s story line, but I was so fascinated by some of the un-human characters that everything else was cast into the shade by them. I have the feeling that no matter what I’d say about the book couldn’t express how much I actually liked it. I think that if my list of unread books wouldn’t be so big, I would start again the novel right away. In fact, during the time I was reading Monster in my Closet I got back at the beginning of the book and read again and again some fragments.  Not because I didn’t understand something or because I forgot something, but because I loved them too much.

The story begins with the morning when Zoey, the protagonist, a 28 years old woman, wedding planner and totally anchored in reality, with no affinity with anything paranormal, realizes that there’s an intruder in her house.  One look at him sends her in her memories, at the moment when she was 5 years old and she’d seen a monster coming out of her closet. And now, in front of her is the exact same monster that she’d forgotten about, thinking that it was only a childish fear.  And the exuberant monster, called Maurice, greets her with coffee, a delicious breakfast and the prayer to be sheltered in her house for a while. From that to a complete crazy life there’s just a tiny step.  Zoey finds out that her gift to empathize completely with the others, to feel all their emotions and feelings is not such a normal thing as she thought and this makes her the perfect target for a demon, an incubus that sees her as a delicious meal. And in the same time, all the women that interacted with Zoey in the recent time are also a target for the demon. And some of them already lost their lives. Zoey must learn how to live among all the supernatural beings that burst into her life, to discover a way to develop her relation with a reaper – a death’s soldier that collects souls and, most important, to get rid of the demon that threatens her life and the lives of all the women around, human or not.

The story was perfectly built, I haven’t noticed a single aspect to seem forced or not in it’s place. The characters are certainly the best part of the book. I think that Maurice became one of my favorites characters from all the books I have ever read. Zoey is extremely credible, although everything that happens to her is incredible. And all the other minor characters raise the book’s enchantment.  I loved the fact that the characters are not created based on a common draft. Although she manages to fight alone with Sebastian, the demon that threatens her life, Zoey has moments full of weakness, when she needs to be saved by others. Riley, the reaper that she falls in love with, stays beside her only later, because at the beginning he tries not to interfere with her fight, even if he would be a huge help. Andrew,  one of the few humans that know the way her life goes now stays with her as a friend, a teacher and an advisor in the same time, but he remains vulnerable in front of the danger.  And Maurice, the lovely closet monster, doesn’t have the possibility to use his magical powers in the fight against the demon, in order to help Zoey.

The novel is available for shopping since yesterday in the most important shops, as an e-book. I don’t know if it’s going to appear in a printed version or if it will ever be translated in Romanian. Still, if you’re usually reading e-books, I totally recommend you this novel. Not only that you’ll have fun reading it, but every time you’ll remember something about it, you’ll have a smile on your face. If you’re still not convinced, please read bellow the first conversation between Zoey and the closet monster:

<< “You’re up!” he said. “Sit-sit-sit! I made you orange-strawberry muffins. They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He jerked to his feet and waved me to a chair. “I’ll get you some coffee.” He paused for a long moment, and his smile grew larger as he gazed at me. “Gosh, you grew up pretty, Zoey. Sit-sit-sit.”

…..

 “Zoey, Zoey, my friend, Zoey!”

…..

“So can I stay? Wait, don’t answer that yet. Taste a muffin first. I’m a good cook! I can clean the pool, too. Honest, I won’t get in the way.”

I blinked again. „What?”

“You’re still mad at me, aren’t you. I’m really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you the last time I was here.”

…..

“…and that’s why I came here when she kicked me out. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt safe.”

“What?” I knew I’d missed something crucial. I glanced down at the table in an automatic search for the DVR remote. I needed to rewind and replay that last part.

“You’re not awake yet.” He patted my arm again. “Drink your coffee. We’ll try again when you’re fed.”

…..

“I was only eight, myself, back then,” he said. “I had nowhere to go, and your mom took me in. Oh, Zoey, she was so mad at me that night. I was supposed to stay in the hall closet, but yours had all those great toys. Even then I loved to cook, and your Easy-Bake Oven was perfect for trying out your mom’s recipes in small batches. The lightbulb inside it gave such a warm, even toast to my shortbread.” He reached toward me as if to touch me again, then pulled away, looking down at his hands. “I wasn’t trying to scare you. I thought we were playing a game. Didn’t you see me smiling?”

I nodded, the memory of that grin still giving me chills. “I thought you were going to eat me.”

Maurice wrinkled his fat nose. “That’s disgusting, Zoey. >>

Pros:

– I don’t have idea what else I could write here, because the whole novel was a “pro”. I don’t have any complains, I really thought that Monster in the Closet was a perfect reading and I would recommend the book to anybody. I had a lot of fun reading it and even if I already started a new book, I still have moments when I remember some dialogues from Monster in the Closet and I still find them as delicious as they were the first time I read them.

Cons:

– The novel is considered an urban fantasy volume, but because it was published by Carina Press, a publisher known especially for it’s erotic novels, I suppose that some readers might expect a bigger number of hot moments. Which are not totally missing, but are not enough frequent in order to make this novel a romance or erotic one. I was not a bit disturbed by this aspect, but I think I needed to mention this, so that nobody expects some kind of fantasy Sandra Brown book.

Update:

OMG! My review came to the hand of the author of the novel Monster in my Closet, Mrs. R.L. Naquin and it seems that she liked enough to write about it on her own blog! I’m extremely excited, this was one of the best moments I lived since I have this blog! You can read HERE the post on Mrs. Naquin’s site.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Rogue’s Pawn (seria Covenant of Thorns, volumul 1) – Jeffe Kennedy

Nici moarta, nici maritata (seria Betsy, Regina Vampirilor, volumul 1) – Maryjanice Davidson
Posted in Carol M. Tanzman

Circle of Silence – Carol M. Tanzman

Posted on by roxtao

Circle of Silence – Carol M. Tanzman

Editura: Harlequin Teen

Data publicare: 24 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 304

 

Sinopsis:

The biggest story of my life could be how it ends. It’s my turn to run a “Campus News” crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.
A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under “strange” circumstances.
I “will” blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt..or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is “not” important to this story.)
But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch “Campus News” at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

Parerea mea:

Multumesc editurii Harlequin Teen si autoarei, Carol M. Tanzman pentru ca mi-au oferit aceasta carte pentru recenzie.

Circle of silence imbina trasaturile romanului politist cu cel young adult. Valerie Gaines este redactor sef al uneia dintre echipele de stiri ai liceului in care invata. In momentul in care o societate secreta isi anunta prezenta prin cateva farse, Valerie este automat intrigata de poveste si incearca sa afle cine sunt membrii gastii. Dar lucrurile avanseaza rapid, iar de la farsele inocente pana la initierile aproape mortale, nu mai este decat un pas. Iar viata catorva dintre apropiatii lui Valerie atarna de un fir.

Sincer, pana pe la jumatatea cartii povestea se lungeste atat de mult incat devine plictisitoare. Intr-adevar, misterul exista, insa intriga nu este parca indeajuns de bine dezvoltata. Ma asteptam la niste situatii mai tensionate, de genul celor intalnite in Micutele Mincinoase, la suspans si secrete care sa te tina cu sufletul la gura. Din pacate, farsele prezentate sunt plictisitoare, modul in care echipa de ziaristi aspiranti urmareste povestea este destul de superficial, iar la un moment dat esti convins ca romanul nu are cum sa aduca ceva cu adevarat interesant. Totul se schimba insa in momentul in care unul dintre personajele principale este la un pas sa isi piarda viata. Iar o alta persoana foarte apropiata de Valerie se dovedeste a fi membru al societatii secrete. Abia de pe la jumatate, cartea incepe sa te tina in suspans. Mai ales ca pana la momentul respectiv, ai ajuns sa fii aproape sigur ca nu vei avea parte decat de o lectura acceptabila, iar surpriza este deci si mai mare. Finalul insa, ofera doar pe jumatate ceea ce asteapta cititorul. Pe de-o parte, avem dezvaluirea legata de unul dintre membrii societatii, dar pe de alta parte, restul membrilor sunt necunoscuti, nu au o poveste in spate, nu sunt legati de personajele principale, deci aflarea identitatii acestora nu ofera un moment captivant.

Latura romance a romanului este ok, dar nu impresioneaza. Valerie este prinsa intre fosta relatie si posibilitatea unui nou iubit, dar lucrurile nu avanseaza foarte mult in nici una dintre directii. Tatonarile cu colegul ce o curteaza raman la stadiul de inceput, cei doi neavand parte nici macar de o prima intalnire. Iar relatia cu fostul iubit este reinnodata abia dupa finalul aventurii, atunci cand eroina ofera un fel de concluzie a intregii povesti.

Bile albe:

– Autoarea a reusit cateva momente perfecte, in care ti se taie respiratia, iar ceea ce citesti este in totalitate neasteptat. Din pacate, aceste pasaje nu sunt foarte dese si nu reusesc sa compenseze lipsa de elemente captivante din restul cartii.

Bile negre:

– Povestea se desfasoara in principal pe un singur plan, cel al cercetarii povestii de catre Valerie si echipa ei. Restul aspectelor sunt tratate prea superficial, iar povestea pare dezechilibrata si  incompleta.

English version:

I received Circle of silence by courtesy of Harlequin Teen publisher and Mrs. Carol M. Tanzman, the author of the book. Thank you for offering me the book for review! Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

Circle of silence is mixing the characteristics of the detective fiction with the ones of the young adult literature. Valerie Gaines is a news reporter in her high-school. When a secret society begins to signal their presence by some tricks, Valerie is intrigued by the story and tries to find out who are the clan’s members. But everything happens to quickly, and from the innocent tricks to some fatal initiations, there’s just a tiny step. And the lives of some close friends of Valerie are in danger.

Honestly, until the half of the novel the story is so outstretched, that it becomes boring. Indeed, we have some mystery, but the intrigue is not very well built. I was expecting some thrilling moments, something like Pretty Little Liars, lots of suspense or some secrets that blow your mind. Unfortunately, the secret society’s tricks are boring and the way the news team follows the story is superficial. At some point, you really lose the hope that the book could bring something interesting. But everything changes when one of the main characters almost loses his life. And when you find out that another character, one that’s really close to Val, is actually a member of the secret society. Only from the half, the book begins to captivate you. Especially because at that point, you’re almost sure that the book is only..acceptable, so the surprise is even bigger. The ending is only partially offering what the reader would expect. We do get the revelation of one of the society’s members, but the other ones are unknown, they don’t have a story, they’re not linked in any way with the main characters, so their identities revelation is not offering an interesting moment.

The romance side of the story is ok, but not impressive. Valerie is caught between her ex and the possibility of a new relation, but the stories don’t grow to much. The flirting with the new colleague remains at an incipient level, the two characters never getting a first date. And the relation with her ex is resumed only after the whole adventure, when the protagonist is offering kind of a conclusion for the story.

Pros:

– The author created some perfect moments, when you’re totally surprised, because you couldn’t expect any of those things to happen. Unfortunately, these fragments are not very frequent and they don’t cancel all the lack of interesting aspects from the rest of the story.

Cons:

– The story comes off on a single plan – the news team attempts to figure out who are the secret society’s members. The other aspects are presented in a superficial way, so the story looks unbalanced and incomplete.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Micutele mincinoase (seria Micutele Mincinoase, volumul 1) – Sara Shepard

Nefertiti. Cartea mortilor – Nick Drake
Posted in Salman Rushdie

Versetele satanice – Salman Rushdie

Posted on by roxtao

Disponibil la: Libris

Colectia: Biblioteca Polirom.Seria de autor Salman Rushdie

Traducerea: Dana Craciun

Numar pagini: 656

 

Sinopsis:

Controversatul roman Versetele satanice i‑a adus lui Rushdie pre­miul Whitbread, o nominalizare la premiul Booker si o condam­nare la moarte a carei amenintare inca mai staruie asupra scriitorului. Polemicile legate de posibilele conotatii blasfematorii ale cartii au pus uneori in umbra discutiile legate de meritele literare ale tex­tului si de rolul jucat de acesta pe scena literaturii contem­porane britanice. Dar Versetele satanice e de fapt un roman superb despre dezradacinari de tot felul, despre mosteniri care trebuie sau nu acceptate, despre masti, straturi de identitati si istorii. Este in egala masura o carte a regasirilor si una a afirmatiilor, o poveste fascinanta, plina de personaje fabuloase dintr‑o lume aflata la gra­nita dintre iluzie si realitate.

Lui Salman Rushdie i‑a fost decernat recent titlul de Cavaler al Imperiului Britanic, fapt ce a suscitat reactii violente din par­tea fundamentalistilor islamici, reactualizind resentimentele prici­nuite de publi­carea Versetelor satanice.

 „Versetele satanice este o carte care isi are locul alaturi de marile alegorii ale identitatii din literatura universala, precum Calatoriile lui Gulliver, Candide sau Viata si opiniunile lui Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.” (The New York Times Book Review)

Parerea mea:

Multumesc librariei online Libris pentru ca mi-a oferit aceasta carte. Daca intrati zilele acestea pe site-ul librariei Libris, puteti profita de reduceri de 50% la o colectie de 50 de carti online in romana si de 15% la peste 100.000 de carti in engleza! Sa tot citesti asa! 🙂

De cand am auzit ca autorul romanului Versetele Satanice a primit o condamnare la moarte in tara sa pentru publicarea acestei carti, am devenit extrem de curioasa sa aflu despre ce este vorba in ea.  Nu stiu exact la ce ma asteptam inainte sa o incep, nu citisem nici o recenzie, nici un articol despre roman, singura informatie fiind aceea ca publicarea acestuia a starnit reactii furtunoase. Acum, ca am terminat cartea sunt poate chiar mai confuza decat la inceput. Ceea ce stiu sigur, este ca romanul nu este deloc unul usor. Nici de citit, nici de inteles. Cred ca m-am lungit cu el cam 2 saptamani si nu neaparat pentru ca as fi citit mai putine pagini pe zi decat de obicei. Dimpotriva, devenisem chiar iritata la un moment dat pentru ca eram curioasa cum se va incheia povestea si mi se parea ca nu mai inaintez deloc , cu toate ca citeam in ritmul meu obisnuit. Stilul romanului este unul foarte metaforic, destul de incalcit, cu fraze lungi, ce se intind pe cateva randuri. De nenumarate ori a trebuit sa recitesc un pasaj ca sa fiu sigura ca nu i-am pierdut sensul pe drum. In plus, nu stii niciodata sigur care informatii sunt cruciale pentru evolutia povestii si care sunt mai putin importante, asa ca atentia iti este foarte solicitata de la prima pana la ultima pagina. Si pe tot parcursul cartii esti prins intre realitate si fantezie, dar intr-un mod in care devine foarte dificil sa le diferentiezi.

Personajele principale sunt doi actori indieni, unul devenit o adevarata celebritate in tara sa, iar celalalt emigrand in Anglia si fiind genul de actor care interpreteaza voci, bucurandu-se de o faima mai restransa. Intamplarea face ca cei doi sa se cunoasca intr-un avion ce va fi deturnat, iar ei sunt singurii supravietuitori. Care cad in picioare, de la o inaltime de aproape 10.000 de metri..Si odata cu aceasta cadere incepe o metamorfoza pentru cele doua personaje, fiecare devenind intrucatva opusul celuilalt. Gibreel Farishta preia cateva dintre caracteristicile arhanghelului Gabriel si de asemenea si amintirile acestuia, in timp ce Saladin Chamcha devine pentru o perioada, cel putin din punct de vedere fizic, intruchiparea raului, trupul sau transformandu-se in cel al unui satir. Romanul ne poarta din realitatea vietii fiecarui personaj in haosul viziunilor, al transformarilor incredibile, al intamplarilor aparent imposibile, al viselor si al halucinatiilor, iar prin intermediul lui Gibreel – ingerul, cartea deschide poarta unor legende islamice, explicandu-se originea si evolutia religiei, precum si aspectele negative ale acesteia. De-a lungul lecturii, ai parte asadar de o serie de povestiri si nu doar de o singura poveste.

Discutand la un moment dat despre carte cu o prietena si povestindu-i despre ce este vorba in aceasta, mi-am dat seama ca schita pe care aceasta a fost construita este intr-adevar una interesanta. Din pacate, eu fusesem atat de prinsa in lupta cu stilul incalcit, incat abia daca observasem pana atunci originalitatea ideilor din roman. Imi pare rau ca informatiile pe care le am despre legendele si principiile din alte culturi sunt foarte superficiale. Cred ca romanul este perceput intr-un mod total diferit de persoanele care au cunostinte mai aprofundate despre islam si ceea ce insemna acesta. Asa se explica si impactul pe care l-a avut aceasta carte odata ce a fost publicata. Ca cititor neinitiat in acea religie, nu ai cum sa sesizezi decat aspectele foarte evidente, care nu sunt foarte frecvente. Mult mai populare sunt cele subtile, asupra carora nu poti decat sa faci presupuneri.

Bile albe:

– Desi de-a lungul majoritatii paginilor am fost convinsa ca intr-adevar cartea nu imi place, unul dintre aspectele prezentate in final m-a intors la 180 de grade. Exista un fragment atat de emotionant incat pur si simplu nu ai cum sa ramai indiferent.  Daca in restul cartii limbajul greoi m-a deranjat, in acele pagini mi s-a parut ca autorul a facut minuni. Nu mai citisem de mult un text atat de emotionant, o descriere atat de buna a sentimentelor amestecate: dor, duiosie, vinovatie, durere si iubire. Iar autorul reuseste o prezentare dubla, intrucat pe langa sentimentele personajului principal, deslusesti si starea celuilalt personaj implicat in acea intamplare.

Bile negre:

– In cea mai mare parte a timpului in care am citit Versetele Satanice, am avut senzatia ca citesc o carte destinata membrilor unui club exclusivist, care au mult mai multe informatii necesare intelegerii romanului fata de cate am eu. Intr-adevar, unele istorisiri prezentate sunt interesante, dar este frustrant sa citesti o poveste la care simti ca nu ai acces decat la ceea ce se observa la prima vedere, iar straturile din interior, cele mai complexe, incarcate de sensuri mai profunde iti sunt complet inaccesibile.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Inainte sa adorm – S.J. Watson

Arsa de Vie – Suad
Posted in Aimee Carter

The Goddess Legacy (seria Goddess Test, volum satelit) – Aimee Carter

Posted on by roxtao

The Goddess Legacy – seria Goddess Test, volum satelit

Editura: Harlequin Teen

Disponibil din data de: 31 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 395

 

Sinopsis:

For millennia we’ve caught only glimpses of the lives and loves of the gods and goddesses on Olympus. Now Aime e Carter pulls back the curtain on how they became the powerful, petty, loving and dangerous immortals that Kate Winters knows.
Calliope/Hera represented constancy and yet had a husband who never matched her faithfulness…
Ava/Aphrodite was the goddess of love and yet commitment was a totally different deal…
Persephone was urged to marry one man, yet longed for another…
James/Hermes loved to make trouble for others-but never knew true loss before…
Henry/Hades’s solitary existence had grown too wearisome to continue. But meeting Kate Winters gave him a new hope…
Five original novellas of love, loss and longing and the will to survive throughout the ages.

Parerea mea:

In primul rand multumesc editurii Harlequin Teen si autoarei, Aimee Carter, pentru ocazia de a citi acest volum cu destul timp inainte de a fi publicat. M-am indragostit de seria Goddess Test de la primul volum si aveam impresia ca timpul sta pe loc si nu mai vine odata ziua in care The Goddess Legacy va fi publicata. Asa ca sansa de a citi volumul acesta inainte de data oficiala a fost ca o mica minune pentru mine.

Volumul a fost ireprosabil! Nu stiu exact la ce ma asteptam inainte sa il incep, dar la final, am ramas cu impresia ca am avut parte de o lectura perfecta. Stiam ca volumul urma sa prezinte 5 povesti ale catorva dintre personajele seriei. Am fost surprinsa insa sa descopar ca nu este vorba de orice fel de povesti, ci chiar de cele care care au o importanta majora in evolutia personajelor si a actiunii si sunt in acelasi timp si cele care duc la declansarea intrigilor din intreaga serie. Cele 5 povestiri sunt prezentate in ordine cronologica, incepand de la cea care sta la originea Consiliului si ajungand in final la perioada dinaintea intamplarilor din primul volum, The Goddess Test.

In prima poveste, cea a Herei/Calliopei, descoperim atat modul in care a evoluat Consiliul zeilor imediat dupa victoria contra Titanilor, cat si motivele pentru care Hera ajunge sa fie personajul negativ al seriei, desi prin natura sa ar fi trebuit sa fie o zeita buna: patroana casniciilor, a fidelitatii si a caminului in general si in acelasi timp si regina zeilor. Mi-a placut faptul ca istorisirea este redata intr-un mod foarte obiectiv, astfel incat la un moment dat uiti ca Hera este cea raspunzatoare pentru majoritatea problemelor prin care trec mai tarziu protagonistii. Reusesti sa intelegi transformarea prin care a trecut, transformare involuntara, datorata unei existente lipsita de cel mai vag sentiment de bucurie si incarcata doar de orgolii, suferinta, mandrie, umiliri si vise distruse unul dupa altul.

Desi la fel de importanta, povestea Afroditei/Avei este relatata intr-o atmosfera mai putin sumbra iar prezenta efervescenta a zeitei iubirii ofera acestui capitol un aer jucaus, care te lasa cu zambetul pe buze. Daca de cele mai multe ori Afrodita pare un personaj destul de superficial si schimbator, in aceasta poveste ii descoperi adevarata fata, afli ce se ascunde de fapt sub masca veseliei si a entuziasmului continuu. Bineinteles, nu ai parte neaparat de o revelatie absoluta, schimbarea nu este una extrema, pentru ca Afrodita ramane totusi..Afrodita. Doar ca dovedeste ca este mai mult decat pare la prima vedere. Descoperi o perspectiva mai profunda decat te asteptai, iar alegerea pe care o face in final este inteleapta, condusa de mai multi factori si nu doar de o pasiune oarba.

Ajungem si la povestea Persephonei..Pe care am detestat-o in prima carte, dar pe care am ajuns sa o simpatizez in cel de-al doilea volum al seriei, Goddess Interrupted. Si fata de care am revenit la sentimentele initiale in urma acestei carti. Inteleg ca intr-o oarecare masura, poate ca faptele ei nu au fost intentionate iar relatia ei cu Hades poate ca intr-adevar nu a avut sanse din start. Intr-adevar, autoarea ne prezinta povestea ei in acest mod, dar nu m-am putut abtine sa nu fiu in dezacord total cu atitudinea Persephonei. In ciuda oricaror asa zise incercari de a face totul sa mearga, am ramas cu impresia ca de fapt nu s-a straduit deloc si ca s-a agatat de orice aventura i-a iesit in cale, fara sa ia in considerare modul in care ii ranea iar si iar pe cei apropiati. Stiu ca in carte ne este repetat de nenumarate ori faptul ca Persephona era constienta ca tradarile ei loveau in cei din jur si ca regreta modul in care si-a gasit fericirea. Dar nu ma pot abtine sa nu continui sa o privesc ca fiind principala vinovata si sa nu consider ca a ales o cale usoara si deloc acceptabila.

In cea de-a patra poveste descoperim si secretul lui Hermes/James. Ca si in cazul primei povesti, a Herei, si capitolul dedicat lui Hermes are o dubla semnificatie. Pe de o parte aflam povestea lui de dragoste iar pe de alta parte, ajungem sa cunoastem modul in care zeii au reusit sa se reinventeze pentru a nu disparea pentru totdeauna. In plus, tot in acest context descoperim si semnificatiile noilor nume pe care si le-au ales unele dintre personaje si pe care le utilizeaza in momentul in care se petrece actiunea din celelalte volume ale seriei. Aceasta poveste il prezinta pe Hermes intr-o noua lumina si sunt convinsa ca perspectiva cititorilor asupra sa va fi diferita atunci cand vor citi urmatorul volum. Avem parte din nou de un portret ceva mai complet si mai profund fata de cel pe care am reusit sa il descoperim in cartile anterioare.

Ultima povestire este cea a lui Hades si este singura impartita in mai multe etape. Actiunea acesteia evolueaza de la perioada de dupa plecarea Persephonei pana la momentele dinaintea aventurilor prezentate in prima carte a seriei. Povestea explica atitudinea sa rece si distanta din celelalte volume astfel incat ajungi nu doar sa il intelegi pe Hades, ci chiar sa te intrebi cum a putut rezista atat de mult avand in vedere toate lucrurile prin care a trecut, existenta incarcata doar de drame, dezamagiri si nefericire.

Bile albe:

– Unul dintre lucurile pe care le-am apreciat cel mai mult este modul in care autoarea a reusit sa jongleze cu sentimentele cititorului. Pe masura ce avansezi cu lectura, iti dai seama ca atitudinea fata de anumite personaje ti se schimba de la o poveste la alta, iar sentimentele pe care le ai fata de acestea sunt extrem de diferite de la un moment la altul. Nu este vorba doar de diferente intre cartile anterioare si aceasta, ci de unele pe care le descoperi in cadrul aceluiasi volum. De exemplu, daca in prima povestire ajungi sa o simpatizezi pe Hera, in alta nu iti doresti decat ca ea sa dispara pentru totdeauna. Mi s-a parut remarcabil modul in care ajungi sa fii influentat atat de mult de personajele ale caror puncte de vedere iti sunt prezentate intr-un anumit moment.

Bile negre:

– Luptele de orgolii dintre zei si modul in care acestia isi traiesc existentele vesnice sunt parca prea apropiate de cele omenesti. Fiind vorba de niste zei, as fi preferat ca atitudinile acestora sa fie mai corecte si mai obiective. Intr-adevar, o parte din deciziile lor sunt intr-adevar admirabile, dar din pacate, mult mai multe hotarari sunt influentate in mod negativ de propriile sentimente.

 

English version:

I received The Goddess Legacy by courtesy of Harlequin Teen publisher and Mrs. Aimee Carter, the author of the book. Thank you for offering me the chance to review this book even before the publishing date! I fell in love with Goddess Test series since the first novel  and I was feeling that the time stood still and that the publishing day of The Goddess Legacy was never coming. So the chance to read this volume before the official date was like a little miracle for me. Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

This novel was flawless! I don’t know exactly what I was expecting before I started reading it, but in the end, I was positive that it was a perfect reading. I already knew that the novel was going to show 5 stories of some of the characters. But I was surprised to discover that they’re not any kind of stories, but the ones that have a major influence in the characters and the plot’s evolution and in the same time, the ones that initiate the story line of the whole series. These 5 stories are presented in chronological order, starting with the one that represents the origin of the Council and finishing with the period before the adventures from the first volume, The Goddess Test.

In the first story, Hera’s, we find out both the way the Council grew after the victory against the Titans, and the reasons why Hera becomes the villain, although she should’ve been a good goddess, the master of marriage, fidelity and home and also the queen of the gods. I liked the fact that the story is told in a very detached manner, and at some point, you almost forget that she is responsible for most of the problems that the main characters of the series have to deal with later. You are able to understand her involuntary transformation, determined by a joylessness existence, full of degradation, pride, pain, humiliation and shattered dreams.

Although as important as the first story, Aphrodite’s story is related in a lighter atmosphere and the effervescent presence of the goddess of love offers a playful feeling that brings a smile on your face while reading. Usually, Aphrodite seems to be a pretty superficial and capricious character, but in this story you see her true face, you find out what’s underneath that happy mask and under the continuous enthusiasm. Of course, there’s not an absolute revelation, the change is not extreme, because Aphrodite is still..Aphrodite. Only that she proves herself to be more that you see on the first sight. You discover a deeper perspective than you were expecting and the final choice she makes is wise, influenced by a lot of aspects and not just by a blind passion.

And we get to Persephone’s story.. I disliked her in the first book, but I finally got to like her in the second volume, Goddess Interrupted. And now I’m back at the same feelings I had for her in the first novel. I understand that maybe her actions were not intentioned and maybe her relationship with Hades didn’t really have a chance from the beginning. Indeed, the author shows us the story in this manner, but I couldn’t help disagreeing Persephone’s attitude. Despite all the so called attempts to make everything work, I had the sensation that she clenched to all the affairs she could, totally ignoring the way she was hurting others. I know that in the book we read again and again that she knew that her betrayals were hurting others and that she was sorry for the way she found her happiness. But I just can’t help seeing her as the main culprit and to consider that she chose an easy and unacceptable way.

In the fourth story, we discover Hermes’ secret. Similar to the first story, this chapter dedicated to Hermes has a double meaning. On one hand, we find out his love story and on the other hand, we get to know the way the gods managed to reinvent themselves, in order not to fade forever. Furthermore, we also find out the meaning of some of the new names that the gods had chosen and are using in the other books. The story shows a new Hermes and I’m sure that the readers are going to have a different perception of this character in the future books. We have again a more detailed and a deeper portrait than the one we saw in the previous volumes.

The last story is Hades’ and it’s the only one divided in more phases. The action develops from the period after Persephone’s leave until the moments before the first book’s adventures.  This story finally explains Hades’ cold and distant attitude from the previous books and not only that you understand him, but you also wonder how was he able to resist like that, considering all the things he lived and his existence full of drama, disappointment and sadness.

Pros:

– One of the things I loved was the way the author managed to play with the reader’s feelings. At some point, you realize that your attitude regarding some of the characters is changing from a story to another and your feelings for them are very different from a moment to other. And I’m not talking just about differences between the previous books and this one, but about differences in the same volume. For example, if in the first story you actually like Hera, in another one you wish she never existed. I think the way you’re influenced by the characters points of view it’s absolutely intriguing.

Cons:

– The pride wars between the gods and the way they live their eternal lives are a little to similar to the human ones. I think I would’ve liked to see more detached and fairer attitudes. Indeed, some of their decisions are admirable, but unfortunately most of their decrees are influenced in a negative way by their own feelings.

Alte recenzii care te-ar putea interesa:

Goddess Interrupted (seria Goddess Test, volumul 2) – Aimee Carter

The Goddess Hunt (seria Goddess Test, volum satelit) – Aimee Carter
Posted in Jeffe Kennedy

Rogue’s Pawn (seria Covenant of Thorns, volumul 1) – Jeffe Kennedy

Posted on by roxtao

Rogue’s Pawn (seria Covenant of Thorns, volumul  1) – Jeffe Kennedy

Editura: Carina Press

Disponibil din data de: 16 iulie 2012

Numar pagini: 331

 

Sinopsis:

This is no fairy tale…
Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancé, I impulsively walked out of my life—and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can’t control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price—my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…
With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils—including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. I swear I will never submit to his demands, no matter what erotic torment he subjects me to…

Parerea mea:

In primul rand, multumesc editurii Carinna Press si autoarei, Jeffe Kennedy pentru ca mi-au oferit pentru recenzie primul volum al seriei Covenant of Thorns, Rogue’s Pawn, chiar inainte ca acesta sa fie publicat 😀

Am senzatia ca impresiile privind aceasta carte imi sunt inca neclare. Pe tot parcursul cartii am oscilat intre incantare si o stare confuza, de parca mi-ar fi scapat ceva. Inteleg ca romanul este incadrat in subgenul erotic/romantic fantasy si poate de aici pornesc si aceste ganduri usor haotice, deoarece este prima carte de acest gen pe care o citesc. Oricum, de la primele pagini si pana la ultima, nu am putut scapa de senzatia ca lipseste ceva, dar nu sunt sigura ca stiu exact ce. Parca ceva nu se potrivea, parca exista un anumit lucru ce strica armonia povestii. Intr-adevar, lipsesc cateva explicatii pe care le aflam abia la finalul cartii, dar din pacate, momentul dezvaluirii nu sterge senzatia care te-a insotit de-a lungul intregii carti.

Romanul mi s-a parut o combinatie intre Alice in Tara Minunilor, Narnia si povestea lui Rip Van Winkle. Jennifer (Gwynn) are o viata absolut normala, cu un job banal, un logodnic aparent perfect si nici o tangenta cu vreo lume sau vreo fiinta supranaturala. Asta pana cand ajunge in mod accidental intr-o lume in care zanele, gnomii sau metamorfii reprezinta majoritatea populatiei. Iar Gwynn nu pare sa aiba nici o posibilitate de a se reintoarce in lumea ei. Mai mult, se trezeste prinsa intr-un joc al puterii si al scalviei, deoarece se pare ca undeva pe drumul dintre cele doua lumi a capatat puteri magice si posibilitatea de a transforma in realitate absolut orice gand ii trece prin minte. Iar magia ei necontrolata pune in pericol intreaga lume in care a ajuns. Ceea ce transforma acest roman intr-unul fantasy erotic nu este doar atractia irezistibila pentru Lordul Rogue si flirtul ce se naste intre ei, ci faptul ca puterea eroinei este in stransa legatura cu senzualitatea ei. Iar asta conduce la un ritual de trecere, de maturizare umilitor, ce imbina scalvia cu sexualitatea, capacitatea de a se supune total cu descoperirea treptata a propriilor capacitati, acceptarea dominatiei si autocontrolul.

Volumul ar putea fi impartit in trei etape principale: haosul din momentul in care Gwynn ajunge in lumea zanelor pana in clipa in care i se decide soarta, perioada de scalvie in care trebuie sa invete sa isi controleze puterea si etapa de acomodare in noua lume si provocarile prin care este obligata sa treaca. Si in nici una dintre aceste perioade Gwynn nu are un aliat sigur, nu stie cine ii este prieten si cine ii doreste moartea sau chiar o soarta mai rea. Asadar, faptul ca uneori eroina ia uneori cele mai neispirate decizii este o consecinta a acestui mediu ostil. Iar una dintre cele mai grave greseli ameninta sa o distruga atat pe ea, cat si pe singurul om/zana ce ar putea sa ii ofere fericirea: Rogue. Si apropo de acesta..daca Gwynn nu mi s-a parut a fi o eroina memorabila, lucrurile stau diferit in cazul protagonistului. Rogue este acel gen de personaj de care te indragostesti de la primele randuri. Pe langa portretul fizic ideal si cateva caracteristici ce iti atrag cu siguranta atentia, personalitatea Lordului Rogue este cuceritoare. Imbina perfect atitudinea de bad boy, arogant si zeflemist, cu trasaturi ideale, pe care insa se straduieste sa le pastreze ascunse in fata lui Gwynn.

Rogue’s Pawn este o poveste. Intr-adevar, nu una pentru copii, dar una care te va face sa visezi si in care absolut orice este posibil. In plus, exista atatea replici acide si amuzante, incat romanul devine o lectura savuroasa, pe care cu greu te induri sa o lasi din mana.

Bile albe:

– Mi-a placut mult cum au fost construite personajele secundare. Am simtit un val de simpatie pentru Darling – motanul magic al protagonistei, pentru Blackbird, Starling si Larch – slujitorii care o ajuta si pentru Lordul Puck, unul dintre putinele persoane ce nu reprezinta o amenintare pentru Gwynn.

Bile negre:

– Mi s-a parut ca s-a trecut mult prea superficial peste cateva lucruri de baza. Gwynn nu se straduieste prea mult sa afle cum a ajuns in acea lume magica, nu pune indeajuns de multe intrebari, accepta prea usor ceea ce i se intampla si intampina noua viata ca si cum ar fi vorba de ceva aproape banal. In ciuda tuturor lucrurilor extraordinare pe care le vede, nu simti entuziasmul ei vis-a-vis de acestea, nu detectezi nici o urma de mirare, de surprindere sau de interes.

English version:

I received Rogue’s Pawn by courtesy of Carinna Press publisher and Mrs. Jeffe Kennedy, the author of the book. Thank you for offering me the chance to review this book even before the publishing date! Because English is not my native language, please accept my excuses for the possible mistakes.

I have the feeling that my thoughts about this novel are still not very well defined. During the whole book I hovered between delight and a confusing feeling, like I would miss something important. I know that the novel Rogue’s Pawn is enclosed in the erotic/romantic fantasy category, and maybe this is the reason of these unclear thoughts, because this is the first erotic fantasy novel I read. But anyway, from the first pages to the last one, I couldn’t get rid of the sensation that something is missing, but I can’t determine what exactly. It’s like something wasn’t on it’s place, like there was a thing damaging the harmony of the story. Indeed, there are some explanations that we only get at the end of the book, but unfortunately, the moment when you find out the truth is not canceling the sensation you had during the whole book.

From my point of view, the novel looked like an interesting mix between Alice in Wonderland, Narnia and the story of Rip Van Winkle. Jennifer (Gwynn) has a normal life, a common job and an (apparently) perfect fiancé and nothing in common with any supernatural world or paranormal being. Until she accidentally lands in a world where fairies, gnomes and shapeshifters represent the majority of the population. And it doesn’t seem that Gwynn has any possibility to get back in her world. Worse, she sees herself engaged in a game of power and slavery, because somewhere in her way between the two worlds, she received magical powers, meaning the possibility to convert any thought in reality. And her uncontrolled magic throws this whole new world in danger. What makes this novel an erotic fantasy one is not just the irresistible attraction for Lord Rogue and the flirty game that blossoms between them, but the fact that the heroine’s power is closely related to her sensuality. And the consequence is a humiliating maturity ritual that combines slavery with sexuality, the ability to blindly obey with the gradual revelation of her own abilities, the acceptance of domination with self-control.

The volume could be structured in 3 main stages: the chaos from the moment Gwynn arrives in the fairies’ world until her fate is decided, the slavery period when she needs to learn to control her power and the accommodation time, with all the challenges she has to pass through. And during this whole time, Gwynn has no allies, she has no idea who is her friend and who wants her death or even a worse fate. So almost all her mistakes are just a consequence of this hostile environment. And one of the most serious mistakes threatens to destroy both herself and the only human/fairy who could assure her happiness: Rogue. That reminds me…If Gwynn wasn’t exactly the most memorable heroine, things change if we talk about the main male character. Rogue is that kind of character that makes you fall for him from the first pages. Besides his perfect physical portrait and some unique features, his personality is enslaving. He successfully combines the bad boy attitude – he’s arrogant and taunter – with ideal features – that he struggles to keep hidden in front of Gwynn.

Rogue’s Pawn is certainly a story. Not one made for children, indeed, but one that makes you dream, because in it, everything is possible. Besides, there are so many caustic and funny remarks that the novel becomes a charming reading and you can hardly stop reading it before you get to the last page.

Pros:

– I loved the way the minor characters were designed. I felt really attached with Darling – Gwynn’s magical cat, with Blackbird, Starling and Larch – her servants, and with Lord Puck, one of the few persons that don’t represent a threat for the heroine.

Cons:

– I think the author passed a little superficial over some basic things. Gwynn is not struggling enough to find out how she got in this magical world, she is not asking enough questions, she accepts to easy everything that happens to her and she welcomes her new life like it would be something perfectly normal. Despite all the extraordinary things she sees, you don’t feel the enthusiasm in front of those, you don’t identify any traces of wonder, surprise, interest or astonishment.

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