Fairy tale Archives - The Indelible Rambings of a Wadzi

Coming Soon August 13, 2012

Splintered by A. G. Howard

Today it was a fairy tale…

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

– Goodreads Synopsis

Coming Out:

January 2013

Having thoroughly enjoyed Tim Burton’s take on Alice in Wonderland when it hit cinemas a few years ago, I knew that this book would appeal to me instantly. It promises a dark world with new adventures and mysteries galore. I certainly hope that it delivers.

This cover intrigues me. I’m not too sure what to think about having a profile picture of the main character like that. I often think that this can take out the fun of discovering the character yourself, as you can gain misconceptions about their personality. having said that, I think that it is a rather flattering picture. I love the photo manipulation here.What it really brings across to me is the wildness of Wondeerland. The bugs are creepy, but it’s the vines that set me on edge. It suggests that she might be strangled.

The curly typography really suits it, giving it a vine-like appearance. The scarlet is eye-catching, whilst also being complementary, due to the model having a similar coloured lip stick. Finally, I am also very curious about the key that she is wearing. I hope it actually features in the book.

Well, that’s my thought on it. What’s yours?

Action May 24, 2012

Saying Goodbye is Never Easy

Alex Rider Series: Ended with Scorpia Rising

I loved Alex. He was like a young James Bond, only cooler and funnier. He went through a lot and this is obvious form the way the series evolved. When he was captured in the earlier books, he would always banter with the villains. Later though, it was far too serious for this and there was a much darker tone. The threats became much more sever. In the first book, he was threatened to have his face carved. In Ark Angel, he nearly faced having a finger chopped off. In Snakehead, he nearly had his organs removed. Very severe. But through it all, Alex has persevered and I very much like his character development.

Favourite villain: Yassen Gregorovich (first appearance: Stormbreaker)
Favourite vialliness: Julia Rothman (first appearance: Scorpia)
Favourite mission: Skeleton Key

Wicked Lovely Series: Ended with Darkest Mercy

I’ve blogged about the Wicked Lovely series before, but basically it is about the different faerie courts. This includes the Summer Court (mostly featured in book #1 and #3), the Dark Court (mostly featured in book #2 and book #4), the High Court (mostly featured in book #3) and the Winter Court.
What is unique about this series is that there is an ever changing multiple narrative throughout the series. This series will entice and grip you. Don’t forget to read Faery Tales & Nightmares, the companion novella!

Favourite character: Irial, King of the Dark court
Favourite couple: I’m caught between Leslie & Niall, and Aislinn & Seth.
Favourite book: Ink Exchange

Missing/ 1-800-Where-R-U-? Series: Ended with Missing You

Jess Mastriani is your typical 16 year old girl with anger management problems. Things take a turn into weird lane when she gets struck by lightning and gains powers to locate missing people through her dreams. Thinking that her new ability is a gift, she begins making anonymous calls to help the police find missing people, but then the FBI try to find her. Then she accidentally finds someone who didn’t want to be found. (Synopsis for the first book, When Lightning Strikes)
And of course there has to be some romance, so queue Rob Wilkins, bad boy extraordinaire. They met in detention! He helps her out through all the madness. But what with him being on parol, he doesn’t think that the two of them can be together. 🙁 Sad times.
This series is exhilarating and thrilling. With action, drama and romance all wrapped in one.

Favourite book: Sanctuary
Strange fact: The protagonist, Jess, and I BOTH play the flute!

How appropriate that the last book is called ‘Missing You’! I miss you too Jess!!!

The Mediator Series: Ended with Twilight/ Heaven Sent (UK title)

Suze Simon is your usual ghost buster extraordinaire! So she’s basically not a typical 16 year old. When her mother remarries and moves them to sunny California, she has a lot of adapting to do, what with her new school run by nuns! Then there’s the hot ghost who’s been dead for over a 100 years living in her bedroom. I don’t know what she had to complain about. This six book series was engaging, and thrilling. There was romance and just a hint of horror (come on! I scare easily!). Read it before you’re undead!

Creepiest character: Paul Slater
Favourite villain ghost: Jesse’s ex

The Hunger Games: Ended with Mockingjay

Oh, I’m sure there isn’t a single self respecting teenager alive (living in America and most countries in Europe, at least) who doesn’t know about the amazing Hunger Games Trilogy.

Favourite Tribute: Apart from the protagonists it would have to be Finnick. Sexy!

The Kane Chronicles: Ended with The Serpent’s Shadow

So Rick Riordan has ditched his toga for a crook and flail. In this amazing new-ish series (well, the last book was out May 1st 2012), brother and sister Carter and Sadie Kane find out that they are descendants of two great pharaohs. And that they are magicians! You’d think that would be awesome if not for the ancient gods that their father accidentally unleashed on the world. And now if they don’t stop Set, the evil god of Chaos, it’ll be the end of the world- no pressure! ( my synopsis for book #1, The Red Pyramid)
This series captured much of the same humour that made The Percy Jackson series so amazing. This one has two equally engaging narrators and it’s filled with adventures you’ll love to relive.

Favourite god: Bes (Anubis came REALLY close)

Favourite goddess: Bast

Favourite Carter quote: “Noble” I agreed. “That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of pigeons”- The Serpent’s Shadow

Favourite Sadie quote:

Favourtie Horus quote-
Carter: “She’s almost as annoying as you”
Horus: “Impossible! No one bests Horus!”- The Red Pyramid

Favourite Ra quote: “I like Zebras… Weasels are sick”

Most detested villian: Setne

WELL, THAT’S ALL OF THEM. FAIR THEE WELL!

*sobs

Faeries April 28, 2012

Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr

This is an anthology book, consisting of short stories from Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely series, and a number of original ones too.

Tale of Content

“Where Nightmares Walk”
“Winter’s Kiss” (Fairy Tales)
“Transition” (Vampires)
“Love Struck” (Selchies)
“Stopping Time” (WL World)
“Old Habits” (WL World)
“The Art of Waiting”
“Flesh for Comfort”
“The Sleeping Girl and the Sumer King” (WL World-ish, it started the series)
“Cotton Candy Skies” (WL World)
“Unexpected Family” (WL World)
“Merely Mortal” (WL World)

I thoroughly enjoyed this anthology book. Admittedly, there were a couple of stories that didn’t make any sense to me but the ones that did were great. I have read other anthology books with the some problem, such as Prom Nights from Hell but I think the major advantage with them is that the stories that they consist of are a short read each. I also very much like the dynamic that it presents. F&N revisits some of my favourite character such as Irial, Niall and Seth. But even for those who have never Marr’s WL series, there are some good stand alone short stories, with Love Struck being my favourite.

Seeing Irial, Niall and Leslie was great as I’d really missed them. My favourite quotes was between Niall and Irial:

Niall: Don’t be an ass, Irial
Irial: There are some things you can’t command, my king
Hilarious!

Their strange relationship has always worked for me because for a start, they’re faeries. And the short stories in this anthology is what reassured me that I liked them. Their relationship is complicated but they are ultimately so interweaved that you can’t get rid of one another. And I’m glad that Niall and Seth are patching up their friendship. For those of you who have read Darkest Mercy, you will understand.

The stand alone short stories were interesting. For those of you are are unaware of what selchies are, they are basically like mermaids but instead of being half fish, they are half seal. But unlike mermaids, they can get rid of their tail and assume a full human form by removing their pelts. I do not want to give anything else away. Let’s just say it’s about a girl and two selchies. For me, the odd balls were Where Nightmares Walk and Flesh for Comfort. Sorry Marr.

Ultimately, this is a must read for Wicked Lovely fans, but its definitely open to other readers.

So basically, if you’ve read the Wicked Lovely series, this is a MUST READ! But there are other non-WL stories that are good. I especially liked the Selkie story. I hadn’t expected such a happy ending, but I loved it.

Fairy tale July 21, 2011

A Kiss in Time

If you LOOOVE fairy tales, this is the book for you…

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

What did you do on your summer vacation?
Jack found a 300-year-old princess!

Talia fell under a spell…

Jack broke the curse.

I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .
I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger’s soft kiss.
I couldn’t help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn’t know this would happen.
Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
Now I’m stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . . The good news: My parents will freak!
Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

Read Beastly before you see the movie…