Review: Towering by Alex Flinn

Towering by Alex Flinn
Release Date ~ 5/14/13 (Today!)
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ ALA Midwinter

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her.

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.
Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!

Say what you want about Alex Flinn, but the thing that you always get from her is a fun read. No, she doesn't write the best books ever, but she writes some damn entertaining ones. And like her earlier novel Beastly, Towering is just as engrossing. Granted, the writing style isn't genius. It still makes for fun, if typical, YA paranormal fare.

Towering is very loosely (and I mean very loosely) based on the story of Rapunzel. Unlike Beastly and other Flinn works, she doesn't hesitate from completely rearranging the story into something that is hardly recognizable as the source material.

I thought the character development Flinn created was admirable, and I thought, though a little sappy, Wyatt and Rachel were the most adorable couple. They were just so cute together, you couldn't resist rooting for them. As per usual in Flinn's works, the male protagonist Wyatt is definitely a damaged good, and Rachel is a naive little girl who lives up in a tower. Goody. You don't know how fun it is to read about someone who has been completely without technology get their hands on an iPhone for the first time.

I thought the setting Flinn depicted was really beautiful. A backwater upstate New York town that gets a lot of snow was a really original idea, and was carried out nicely, and played well for a town that harbors a lot of secrets.

Towering, though not mind-blowing, is definitely a quick, entertaining read.

I'm Back, This Time For Real

Okay, remember that post, like a month or two ago that said I was coming back to the blogging world. Yeah, what happened to that comeback? Well, I'm here now. I'm back. The last time, my hours had almost doubled, and I need to take a break. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. I can't say anything about long term, but for now, the NRR is here.

I'm Back Folks!

Well, after my month long blogging hiatus I'm ready to return to the blogging community, and I'm confident The Non Reluctant Reader will only get better. To those who have stuck with me through my hiatus, I thank you.
Cheers, and I can't wait for you to see what's in store here on The Non Reluctant Reader!

The Immortal Circus Blog Tour Week Ten: Giveaway

Welcome to the tenth and final week of A.R. Kahler's The Immortal Circus blog tour!

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.

Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.

The show's just beginning. 

Step right up…

Guest Post

Loves,
For once, I agree with our Summer King.
The war is coming. And the fates of our worlds do hang in the balance.

But he is also very, very wrong.
The winning side has already been chosen, for I have not one ace up my sleeve, but two. And Oberon? What does he have? A Jack? Pitiful. This is a war he can not win, and to dare attack me is foolish at best. He is about to sacrifice his son at the altar of my revenge. Willingly. Gladly.

And I will take my tribute.

You have a choice: Die, or serve your Queen.
I hope you see how simple this choice is.

For the Summer King and I, we will always be at war. We will never stop.
But only because I will never stop winning.

Kisses.
Mab

Giveaway

This tour comes with a giveaway! Enter after the page break!

The Immortal Circus Blog Tour Week Nine: Review and Teaser

Welcome to the ninth week of The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler

The Immortal Circus by A.R. Kahler
Release Date ~ 12/4/12
Format ~ Kindle Serial
Publisher ~ 47North

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.
Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.
The show's just beginning.

Step right up…

Review

In the fifth and final installment of The Immortal Circus, A.R. Kahler wraps up this serial quite nicely. It wasn't a jaw-dropping, life changing conclusion, but it was a good, strong ending to this serial. 

Throughout the serial, we witness a lot of character transformation in Vivienne and the other characters. Despite some of the characters not being the most likable ones you'll ever read about, they're all still relatable to.

The setting in The Immortal Circus is really entertaining and cool. It's kind of freak show, part fairy realm, and it feels like you're there with the characters.

As you can probably tell by the length of this review, there's not a lot I can say about this episode without spoiling anything, it is the last episode in the serial after all. But seriously, The Immortal Circus is one serial worth checking out.

Teaser

“I want you to understand that my intentions were never to hurt people. I just wanted freedom. This was the only way.”
“If you’ve been changing the contracts,” I say, “why not just change yours? End your contract early? Why kill everyone?”
“You saw what happened when Paul’s contract finished early. Time is a force no magic can change. I couldn’t take the chance that the same would happen to me. No, the only sure way to be free was to end the circus. Then, I wouldn’t be dodging a contract. The contract would simply no longer exist.”

Giveaway

This tour comes with a giveaway! Enter after the page break!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wings of Tavea Blog Tour: Excerpt

Welcome to my stop on the Wings of Tavea by Devri Walls blog tour

Kiora thought she had never heard a lie until she was sixteen. But she was wrong. Her entire existence was based on nothing but. She thought that evil did not exist. Lie. That magic was not real. Lie. And that the land of Meros was all there was. One more lie.
With Aleric telling her that evil is knocking on the door and that she is the only one who can stop them she has a choice to make. Refuse, or start the wildest most painful ride of her life.
She reluctantly dips her toe into her new existence of magic and threads, dragons and shapeshifters, and the person who wants to take control of it all: the evil Dralazar.

However, this journey was never meant to be hers alone. She will be accompanied by a Protector. To her disbelief, and utter irritation they name the hotheaded, stubborn, non -magical, (albeit gorgeous) Prince Emane. They will have to trust each other with their lives, but right now Kiora would settle for a non hostile conversation.

And now it comes down to this, If you had never heard a lie, would you know when you heard one? Is knowing good from evil innate? Kiora finds herself having to decide who lives and who dies on those very questions.

Kiora is rapidly learning that evil and lies come in shades of black and white and swirling greys, but nothing could have prepared her for the shock of leaving Meros.
Kiora and her protector Emane step through the pass into a world they never knew existed but were always meant to save, only to find it far worse than they could have ever imagined. Good has been forced into hiding for its own survival, while the rest of the land bows to the Shadow, a force that pushes any remaining thoughts of Dralazar from Kiora’s mind. This land is full of new creatures, each more dangerous than the last. Her visions have taken on a deadly twist, and magic, or what comes of it, was never so real. And then there is Alcander: a Tavean, their guide, and an entirely different kind of trouble.

Excerpt 

Emane dropped onto the bed, breathing hard. Kiora was slammed with wall upon
wall of anger rolling off him.
She sat down gently next to him, taking his hand in hers. “It’s all right,” Kiora whispered, running her thumb over the back of Emane’s hand.
“No, it’s not all right!” Emane yelled, jerking his hand out of her grasp. “This place is . . . I don't know. They are not telling us something. And he—” Emane flung his arm at the door Alcander had exited from, “is the most arrogant, pompous, self centered—” Emane stood, pacing around the room, neatly avoiding Drustan who was still standing in the middle of the floor. “He treats me like a piece of garbage that needs to be disposed of. Witow.” He spat. “I hate that word. I have hated it from the moment I heard it. The way they say it, they might as well say worthless.”
“The word actually stems from the word ‘without,’” Drustan corrected calmly.
“Drustan,” Emane roared, whirling on him. “You are no better than he is half the
time.”
Drustan opened his mouth but shut it again after Kiora shook her head at him. Clearing his throat, he said, “Perhaps I should go and let you two talk.”
“Thank you,” Emane yelled at the morphing Drustan. A small bird flew out the
door. “Why, Kiora?” Emane asked. “Why am I the Protector? There is not a single person that understands it.”
“Emane, stop,” Kiora said gently. “It doesn't matter what they think.”
“Easy for you to say, you are the Solus. Alcander was falling all over you when he figured out who you were.”
Kiora clasped her fingers in her lap. “And you would rather he bowed to you?”
“No. Just a little respect would be nice.” Emane ground his teeth, looking away from her. “You wouldn't understand."
“You don't think so?”
Emane set his jaw, staring forward.
“You forget I am the girl that had visions of people dying. I was treated as worthless by the people that mattered most to me.”
Emane’s face softened, his eyes closing. “Kiora, I'm sorry. I didn't—”
“No, its ok,” she said. “You are used to people respecting you because of who you are. Nobody got to know you before they bowed. It is hard for you to have to prove yourself, I understand.”
His waves of anger lessened in intensity. Going to her, Emane pulled her up and into his chest. “I am sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so angry.”
“You have a right to be angry. He does treat you horribly.” Kiora leaned her head against him. “I am sure Alcander will come around though. He will see who you are. Everybody else has.”
Emane placed one finger gently under Kiora’s chin. Leaning down he kissed her lightly on the lips. She trembled. His kisses were better than magic. He kissed her harder this time, pulling her into him, and her magic roared in response. Ever since the change she could not feel pleasure, at least not the kind she felt while kissing him, and keep her magic under control at the same time. Wrapping her hands around the back of his head she kissed him back, fiercely pushing at the rising magic. But when his lips began moving down her neck, her focus was torn between her magic and the softness of his lips brushing against her skin.
“Emane, stop, I can’t hold it,” Kiora gasped.
He moaned in frustration and kissed her neck one more time. It was one time too many. The bubble of magic rising within her exploded out of control. It picked Emane up
and sent him flying across the room. He slammed into the wall. The wall shook under the impact. Emane fell to the ground, limp.
“Emane!” Kiora ran over to him, sliding across the floor. “Emane!” she cried, lifting his head into her lap. “I'm sorry. I am so sorry!” Running her fingers through his hair she whimpered, “Please wake up, please.” Tears began rolling down her cheeks. He was breathing, but unconscious. Kiora yelled out the open door. “Drustan! Help!” Leaning down over Emane she kissed him on the forehead. “Please wake up, Emane, please."
A shadow blocked the door like a dark cloud. “What happened?” a voice demanded.
Kiora looked up, startled. “Alcander.”
Alcander evaluated the situation, his eyes sliding over Emane. “What happened?” he repeated.
“It was me,” Kiora said, wiping at her face. “It was an accident. Please, can you help him?”
“I can’t. I will get someone who can.” Alcander quickly walked out. Within a few minutes Lomay hobbled into the room.
“What happened?”
“It was an accident,” Kiora said. “I hit him with magic. I didn’t mean to.”
Lomay's eyebrows rose. “Interesting accident.” Crouching slowly beside her,
Lomay felt Emane's neck for his pulse. “He is just unconscious.” Lomay looked up at Kiora. “I could bring him out of it, but he might be enjoying the rest.”
“Please, wake him up. I have to make sure he's all right.”
“Would you like to tell me what happened?”
She glanced at Alcander, who had followed Lomay back. He was looking at her with an odd expression on his face.
“No, not right now.”
“I see. Perhaps later then.” Kiora could have sworn she saw a smile play at the edge of Lomay’s mouth. “Very well, if you are sure.” Lomay touched Emane’s forehead.
Blinking, Emane looked up. “Welcome back,” Lomay said, before winking at Kiora. Groaning, Lomay pushed himself to his feet. “See you at dinner," he said cheerfully as he hobbled out of the room. Alcander turned, silently following Lomay out the door.
Emane moaned and rubbed his head. “What happened?”
“I'm sorry.” Kiora said, gently pushing his hair back off his forehead. “I lost control of my magic. When you kiss me . . . I lose control.”
“Why am I so cursed?” Emane moaned.
“I know, I'm sorry. You can’t even kiss me!”
“No, it’s not that. Well, partially that,” he amended. “But why was I cursed to be
such an unbelievable kisser?”
“Emane!”
He sat up rubbing his head. “No, really. If I wasn't so blasted good at it, maybe this wouldn't happen.” Emane smirked.
“I cannot believe you are making jokes about this,” Kiora said, dropping back onto her heels. “I could have killed you.”
“It was worth it.” He dropped against the wall with a satisfied look on his face.
She rolled her eyes, pushed herself to her feet, and offered Emane her hand. “Come on, you are going to lay down before dinner.”
“Will you lay with me?” he asked, stumbling forward as she pulled him up.
“No,” Kiora said, putting her hands on her hips. “You obviously didn't learn your lesson the last time, and you are dumb enough to try it again.”
“I told you, it was worth it.” Emane grinned as he lay back on his bed.
“You really did hit your head hard.”
“Not hard enough to forget that kiss,” he said, placing his arms behind his head
and crossing one ankle over the other.
“You are ridiculous.” Kiora sighed, her cheeks flushing.
“I know,” he mumbled. Closing his eyes, Emane drifted to sleep, murmuring
something about it not being fair.

 FOLLOW THIS TOUR!

Review: City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster
Release Date ~ 2/5/2013
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ HaprerTeen
Source ~ Publisher

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.
Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.
Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

 City of a Thousand Dolls is an entertaining, fast-paced, exciting read riding the high fantasy wave, tough it does suffer from a few

  In City of a Thousand Dolls, Nisha, the heroine of the story, is a character that takes you a while to warm up to. In fact, some might not be able to warm up to her at all, because she is a character you can often be annoyed with, although at the end of the novel I liked her, she is definitely a hit or miss character.

  Forster creates a really excellent, unique mythology where you don't really no what to expect from it.  It's so original and different, even for high fantasy. It's built up very elaborately and extraordinarily. I's layered, developed, and very, very interesting.

  When it comes to pacing, Forster is a genius.  There is hardly ever a dull moment in it and there's plenty for everyone... romance, action, betrayal... when it comes to keeping an audience entertained, few can do it better than Meriam Forster.

Despite a few flaws, City of a Thousand is still an entertaining, enjoyable read.