The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

The Alloy of Law Mistborn #4

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publisher: Tor

Published: November 2011

ISBN: 978-0-7653-3042-0

FTC FYI: Borrowed from the library

Goodreads Summary: "Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.

Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.

One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs."

My Review

I need to get this off my chest right from the start. I loved this book. I loved everything about it. The time-period, the characters (especially Wax, Wayne, and Marasi), the Allomancy, the setting, just basically everything. This is an amazing book. I admit I have not read the first three of The Mistborn series yet. If I weren't in the throws of Whitney reading, I would be reading them now. I did have to chat with Sheila to make sure I was understanding all of the Allomancy stuff, and I was. This world that Brandon has created is beyond cool. Even just the names of the characters are cool.

Wax is a law keeper, straight from the Roughs. His family has had a tragedy, and he is summoned home. He has also suffered recently, and welcomed the change of society life. If only at an extent. Months pass, and he is visited by Wayne, a side-kick of his from earlier days. Things are happening in Elendel that require Wax's help. With Wayne at his side, and Marasi, a girl fascinated by the lawkeepers. He needs to figure out why events are unfolding the way they are before lives are lost.

5 out 5 stars. There was never a dull moment for me in this book, and the end has a great surprise twist. Brandon Sanderson is the author of MANY great books. Find out more about them here.

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The Wild Queen by Cheri Chesley

The Wild Queen

Author: Cheri Chesley

Publisher: Chesley Books

Published: 2011

eBook

ASIN: B0050I5NFO

FTC FYI: Received a copy from the author which did not affect my review.

Goodreads info: "Dear reader,

This is an epic a love story, but not a happy one. While it is romantic, like Romeo and Juliet it does not have a happily-ever-after conclusion. I caution you on this only because I’d hate for you to be disappointed because the story did not end as you had hoped...So begins the author's note at the beginning of this book. For details on the plot, read on:

In the exciting prequel to The Peasant Queen, Roweena is the crown princess of Norvallen, a tiny kingdom with only one thing of value-the Healer's Grove. The trees in this small section of forest are enchanted, giving a sap that can be mixed into potions or salves to heal almost any wound.

And it's in high demand.

Lucien, the young king of neighboring Demarde, comes to Roweena's father seeking an alliance, but comes away with a marriage contract for young Roweena's hand. Furious and stubborn, this untamed beauty vows he will never conquer her. But the contract purposely gives her time to come to terms with her fate.

Before Lucien can return, Roweena's home is attacked and her parents are murdered. The Healer's Grove is also attacked-burned to the ground. With nothing more than her horse and the clothes on her back, Roweena goes to the only person she knows can help her. Lucien."

The Wild Queen is the "prequel" of The Peasant Queen. I read this book last year for the Cheri, and was pleasantly surprised when I received a copy of it in the mail from the author this week. This is a wonderful offering from Cheri telling us faithful readers about Gregory's parents, Roweena and Lucien. I instantly loved Lucien. His patience and compassion are what drew me in the most. Roweena is a mysterious character. I love how she is portrayed, though. She comes to Lucien in her greatest need, and handles herself well considering what she has lost. The ending is a killer, but since I have been lucky enough to have read The Tyrant King, and with conversations I've had with the author, all I have to say is, be patient dear readers. Be patient. The Tyrant King comes out June 2012.

4 out 5 stars. You can read my review of The Peasant Queen here. Cheri has also written a short story called Ghost Bride which is free on Smashwords.

Follow Cheri Chesley on Twitter / Facebook / Blog / Goodreads

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Night Sky by Jolene B. Perry

Night Sky

Author: Jolene B. Perry Twitter / Facebook

Publisher: Tribute Books Twitter / Facebook

Published: March 1, 2012

ISBN: 9780983741862
ISBN: 9781466052338

eBook: 247 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Goodreads Summary: "Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear.

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year."

Jameson is having a bad night. He doesn't have the courage to tell his best friend Sarah how he feels about her. He loves her, and has for years. Now it's too late, she's with Eric now. Jameson leaves the school dance and takes the bus down the Vegas strip to see his parents. They both work at a Casino and work odd hours. Jameson doesn't mind the hours, though. It works for their family. He finds them, gets a sympathy talk from his mom and she gives him the keys the Porsche to drive home. Even though he is down and out, there's nothing like driving his dad's Porsche. On his way, he has to pass by his neighborhood to head south, all the while blasting his 90's grunge music. Then he sees her. A beautiful girl with a tank top, flip flops and long black hair. Jameson can't believe his bravery when he asks her if she needs a ride. The girl is lost and Jameson offers to help her, because he lives close. Turns out she's staying with her grandparents while she attends college, and her house is down from Jameson's. They talk and flirt. Her name is Sky, and right away Jameson is hooked. Sky has a request from Jameson right from the start of their friendship, total honesty.

Jameson is a great character. I liked how the guy in a story this time is "the good kid". He's on the swim team, gets good grades, and has his head on straight (about most things). Sky comes in to his life and helps him with his still lingering feelings for Sarah. Other things come up for him and as they are getting to know each other, Jameson finds Sky is holding back some truths. Which is frustrating for him because of the her "honesty" rule.

I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars. Jolene is such an amazing author. She has a way of writing so smoothly and effortlessly. Jolene is also the author of The Next Door Boys which I loved! It was nominated for a 2011 Whitney Award. Knee Deep is an upcoming book from her as well.

Content

There is language and sexual situations. While the characters don't have sex, Sky does spend the night, and there are descriptions of Jameson's thoughts towards Sky.

I was so excited to be a part of this Blog Tour. Jolene is my friend, and I want to spread the word about her awesome books. Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

SMASHWORDS / AMAZON / NOOK / PDF

Ambush by Obert Skye

Head over to Fire & Ice for a swag give-away!

Pillage Book 3: Ambush

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published: 2012

Hardcover: 328 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-891-0

FTC FYI: Review copy

Genre: YA Fantasy

Summary: "What can happen on an innocent field trip to a museum? In the secure protection of a jail? OR on a simple bus ride? Plenty, if you are a member of the Pillage family and your name is Beck Phillips. No matter what strangeness is going on, Beck still manages to turn things on their head.

When Beck's personality and behavior begins to change after he makes a fateful, life-altering decision involving--what else?--a dragon egg, there is no one around to stop him from fulfilling his family's destiny set out in The Grim Knot. And as life in Kingsplot moves unwittingly toward the brink of another dragon disaster, Beck finds himself living a life of deception as he hides information from the people who love and care about him the most."

Beck is trying to get back to normal after he, Wyatt, and his long-suffering girlfriend Kate drop the last egg in the manor where it, hopefully, can't be reached again. Beck heads to a field trip with his class to the town museum. Beck is drawn to a Pillage statue. Under his feet, though, mushrooms start to grow and take over. Causing a very bad situation for Beck involving buses and water. When he finds himself in a police car, he says,

"I couldn't believe what was happening to me. Sure, a lot of odd things had occurred since I had moved to Kingsplot. I had raised dragons, discovered my father, and destroyed a few things along the way, but this was the first time I had been arrested." page 43

Beck is later asked to do something by his sick father. Should he do it? Even though he knows what will happen, and it could risk his relationship with Kate, Beck is tempted.

4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed this series. It's a great ride! I love how the author writes Beck's character. He's a sarcastic little brat sometimes, but he always makes me smile. Beck always has something clever to say. He is written so well, each character is. There are some surprises with the dragon egg that I really liked, and a little twist too. I did want more from the dragon though, but it didn't "ruin" the book for me. Very clever and creative series. Check out my earlier review of Pillage.

Read more about Obert Skye here.

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