ARC Review: The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The rightness or wrongness of Love

Title: The Mad Scientist’s Daughter
Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher: Angry Robot / Strange Chemistry
Releases:7th February, 2013 
My ratings: 5 out of 5 stars.
 After reading book after book I have been in a bit of a haze lately. I have reading good books, average book and some I-cannot- stand-this books. I haven’t written a review in a long time. Call me lazy but I simply didn’t have the energy to type up my thoughts. Then I come across The Mad Scientist’s Daughter and words started tumbling out of my head trying to find a way out. I’m being over whelmed trying to share my feeling about this book.

 This may very well be on of my best reads this year. It suck me right in. To be honest I wasn’t very impressed with the cover. My usual reading goes more in the paranormal/ Urban Fantasy genre so I wasn’t expecting much. Boy! Am I glad I kept reading?

 The first chapter you are taken to the night when Cat, the five year old, first meets Finn, the android her father brings home. It is fascinating to see how she first imagines him to be ghost and slowly how his role in her life changed. The story is told between a long periods of time, roughly over 30 years. We see how Cat grows from a wild child to a high school teen to an adult with Finn by her side. Things changed, people changed, the weather changed and so did Cat and Finn’s role in her life. He started off being her tutor and slowly became the love of her life.

 What really struck me was how slowly a human could develop feeling for a robot. Maybe because she was home schooled and never interacted with children her age but Finn became such an important part of her life. Even when her parents try to send her to high school the damage has already been done. Cat never out right expressed her feelings for Finn but the reader could clearly feel her emotions and how deep rooted the feelings were.

 Cat was strange heroine. Honestly, she did not have any redeeming qualities but frankly I could not hate her. She was selfish, uncaring and cold. As her feeling for Finn grew the war inside her raged on and on for decades. Was it ok to romantically love a machine? This story was a journey of acceptance of a girl turning into a woman. She tried to go to parties, make friends and lead a, what she called a 'normal life.' But she simply could not connect with any humans. There was his shroud of perpetual sadness about her which permeated the lines of this story. The sadness would let you hate Cat. No matter how much she simply drifted alone in her life trying to find peace but it would always take her back to Finn.

 What I loved about this story was not once did the author not make it clear that Finn was a robot. He is compared to a computer, an oven even he himself called himself a machine yet other things pointed towards another direction. He was so different from the others. So while Cat was going though this myriad of emotions the reader was forced to think whether it is right or wrong. Well, I took the easy part and simply rooted for Cat and Finn. I mean how you can not. It was heart breaking for me. I shamefully say I cried a few times.

 Don’t go in this book trying to find too much depth about how machine/robots should be treated. This story is not about it. Yes, it does deal with a few issues but clearly it was not what the author wanted the reader to take back. It was a story of love, temptation, need, growing up, about friends and most important it was about never changing hopeless love. Does love conquer all? No, certainly not but yes, it changes you. Her parents were to blame for the way she was and her feelings for Finn but was it? The story was heart breaking and tragic yet it left you content that perhaps love is all you need.

 ARC provided by the Angry Robot via NetGalley

Stacking the Shelves (24)

S
tacking The Shelves by Tynga's Reviews is a feature/blog hop, where fellow book bloggers like myself can share what books or ARCs we received, bought or borrowed.

Letterbox Love is a new weekly meme hosted by Narratively Speaking. UK book bloggers have joined together and made a British version of a mailbox meme which is excellent. As I already participate in Stacking the Shelves, I will be adding this to my list too.

ARC I received

Thanks Bloomsbury for sending me this awesome book.

What books did you stack in your shelf? Share with me.

Cover Lover : UK Cover of With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

WITH ALL MY SOUL (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

If I had not seen the lush covers of the rest of the Soul Screamer Series I would have loved this cover. It's sexy and intriguing and I really like the hint of a guy whispering into the model's ears. It's in line with the rest of the UK covers but I love the Us covers hands down.

Stacking the Shelves (23)

S
tacking The Shelves by Tynga's Reviews is a feature/blog hop, where fellow book bloggers like myself can share what books or ARCs we received, bought or borrowed.

Letterbox Love is a new weekly meme hosted by Narratively Speaking. UK book bloggers have joined together and made a British version of a mailbox meme which is excellent. As I already participate in Stacking the Shelves, I will be adding this to my list too.

Hello my fellow Escapists,
First of all I would like to apologise for being MIA. I have had a hectic few weeks so I haven't had time to update the blog in the past few weeks. That doesn't mean I've stopped reading. turns out no matter what happens in my life I can't stop reading. I have been steadyly going along but just haven't had the inclination to sit and write a review. However, I'll try and be better at it as I'm sure you'll like to hear about the books I've read recently. 

 

So without wasting too much time I'll share what books I received in the past few weeks. This week I'll stick to paper ARC and next week I'll share my e-galley hual.

ARCs I received

Many thanks to Bloomsbury for The Declaration Trilogy and Hidden and Angry Robot for Nexus

What books did you stack in your shelf? Share with me.

Cover Lover

DARE YOU TO (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

After reading the synopsis and the sizzling hot cover I best you're itching to read this as much as I am.

Read my review for the first book, Pushing the Limits, here.

 

Stacking the Shelves (22)

S
tacking The Shelves by Tynga's Reviews is a feature/blog hop, where fellow book bloggers like myself can share what books or ARCs we received, bought or borrowed.

Letterbox Love is a new weekly meme hosted by Narratively Speaking. UK book bloggers have joined together and made a British version of a mailbox meme which is excellent. As I already participate in Stacking the Shelves, I will be adding this to my list too.

Hello my fellow Escapists,

Last week I didn't have a lot of time for blogging. I've been really busy with work and other personal matters. Worse it's not going to improve with as I see the next two weeks being incdredibly busy with making presentaions and complately projects. So the dry spell of reviews will go on. Surprinfly I have been able to kepp up with my reading schedule as I having been reading ARCs after the other.

Okay, last week I only posted the e-books I had received so this week will be dedicated to only paperback that I acquired over the last two weeks.

ARCs I received

I love these two ARCs as they even say 'Uncorrected Proof' whichmade me feel worthwhile. Plus I'm so honoured that MiraINK even mentioned my blog in it's spilled Ink issue here.

I'd like to thank Electric Monkey for Eve and Adam and Strange Chemistry for The Holders.

Books I won:

Thank you Gollancz for the first two books in the StoneWylde series.

I won this set of YA books from Bloomsbury. I can't wait to read Breathe and Blink Once. Thank you!

This week I'm hosting an International Giveaway for a signed copy of CornerStone by Kelly Walker. Yes, you heard it right, it International and a signed copy.

Click here to enter.

What books did you stack in your shelf? Share with me.

Feature and Follow Friday (34)

 

This is a feature hosted by Para-Junkee and Alison can Read.They have been awesome and this feature allows to meet new book bloggers and book fans spread all over the Land of Internet.

Q: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, retellings or pulled-to-publish fanfic?
DEPENDS....Some books which have similar story line and characters and use the same plot devices annoy me to no end. This is especially true when I'm reading Urban Fantasy or in fact any fantasy book, the main part of this type of books is the world and the fanatsy where the story develops. If that is a rip off then the enjoyment of reading the book dries quickly. However, this is not true for say. historical romance. We all know the guy and the girl will end up together. The guy most likely will be a rake and the woman a bluestocking. They most will have a convenient marraige and will fall in love. Sigh....that never gets old for me.

Does same type of story in two books annoy you?


I love reading your comments so feel free to chat.

You can follow me however you like RSS, GFC or Linky

Cover Lover

WALKING DISASTER BY Jamie McGuire

Isn't the cover beautiful? I love the colours and the tattoos they have used. This book is telling the story of Beautiful Disaster from a male POV and the cover has that much extra oomph and edge to add musculanity to the story. I really like it.

Cover Reveal: Incendiary by Amy Bartol

Check out the beautiful cover of Incendiary (Premonition #3) by Amy Bartol

Cold, fine drops of rain fall softly on my cheeks as I emerge from the darkness of the ship’s interior to the gray, overcast sky of the main deck. Pulling my dark pea coat tighter to my body, the wind lifts red tendrils of my hair. I walk slowly to the railing overlooking the water.

I catch my first sight of the Irish coastline; its craggy landscape makes me shiver in dread. I find it difficult to imagine now how the Gancanagh had made this their home for so long without anyone realizing it. The cold, moss-covered edifices practically scream their presence. As I study the shadows between the falling-down stone, I imagine creeping shapes of undead Faeries grasping the rock, waiting for our ship to draw nearer to their position.

Tipping my face up, I let the rain wash over me. It bathes away the frigid sweat of fear that has broken on my brow. “You don’t know how fiercely beautiful you are, do you?” A quiet voice behind me asks, causing me to stiffen and fix my eyes on the rocks along the shoreline

I absolutely love this cover. The castle in the background and the ref feather at the front focus your eyes straight to the middle of the cover. I tlooks haunted and give me such an eerie feeling. Love it.

What did do you think?

THE AUTHOR

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website:  http://www.amyabartol.com

Facebook                       Website

Cover Lover

EMILIE AND THE HOLLOW WORLD by Martha Wells

While running away from home for reasons that are eminently defensible, Emilie’s plans to stow away on the steamship Merry Bell and reach her cousin in the big city go awry, landing her on the wrong ship and at the beginning of a fantastic adventure.

Taken under the protection of Lady Marlende, Emilie learns that the crew hopes to use the aether currents and an experimental engine, and with the assistance of Lord Engal, journey to the interior of the planet in search of Marlende’s missing father.

With the ship damaged on arrival, they attempt to traverse the strange lands on their quest. But when evidence points to sabotage and they encounter the treacherous Lord Ivers, along with the strange race of the sea-lands, Emilie has to make some challenging decisions and take daring action if they are ever to reach the surface world again.

This cover is almost too much stimulation for the eyes. All the red and gold with so many steam punk elements gives it good estimation of what to expect inside. Beautiful illustration and photos used make this really eye catching.

What do you think of this cover?

Blog Stop: CornerStone (Souls of Stones #1) by Kelly Walker + Giveaway (INT))

Today, Escapism from Reality is the blog stop for CornerStone by Kelly Walker. Read my review below and scroll down for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of the CornerStone. The cover art is so pretty if I wasn't hosting I'd have entered too.

Title: CornerStone  
Author: Kelly Walker
Series: Soul of Stones
Publisher: Self Published
Released: 22 October, 2012
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars.
Emariya Warren has no choice but to end agree to an arranged marriage with the Prince of the enemies, to stop the war that's been going on for century. Apprehensive and a little scared, Emariya sets out on a journey across the land her family rules to meet the Prince. But what if she is late? What if the prince is a fraud and doesn't keep his word? ether are so many things at stake that Emariya didn't have a choice left.

Emariya while having a sheltered bringing was made of stern stuff no matter the problems she faced it with courage and resilience. Even the events and trouble she encounters on her journey she warms people's hearts and wins them along the way. She was self sacrificing and there wasn't much she would not do for her people.

Torian on there other hand seemed a built like a mystery to me. I think I know him yet I'm not sure if I do. I can't tell you much or else I may be giving away spoilers. Yet I thought he was honourable, smart and an amazing swordsman. That alone makes him swoon worthy.

Cornerstone is the first book in the Trilogy, souls of Stones. In this fantasy world there are three rival kingdoms each represented by a Stone. These stones have special properties ties to the land. However Emariya is different. She is a second stone. Having been born out of the merging of two lines she has powers from both stones. Like any other first book, Cornerstone felt like a stepping stone in setting the story and the world. There was a fantasy setting but I think more of it would come into play in the later books into his trilogy.

What I liked about his book was how Walker managed to surprise me. As to my habit I'd try to guess a the plot but she would twist it in a way that I had no idea what would happen next. There was a sense of suspense and I did not know whom to trust and whom not to. Everyone was has their own agenda. I specially liked the twist she put in the last chapter. Cruel, Ms Walker, left me with my jaws hanging with a scrunched up face thinking...I did not see THAT coming.

 My only complaint is that I wish Torian and Emariya and a little more page time. I just felt that the delicious moments of love blossoming could have received a little more time.

When you're reading Cornerstone it you're sure to experience so many emotions. There was suspense, mystery, fantasy and action which made reading his book a breeze. The side characters were written such that each of them represented something special for Emariya. Friendship, love, betrayal,courage and goodness of the heart were all mashed up in this epic fantasy which had me smiling on minute and biting my nails the second.

Amazon US   Amazon UK

 Now scroll down and fill in the rafflecopter form below for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of CornerStone. This giveaway is open Internationally. So, what's stopping you? Click away fro your chance to win.

The Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE AUTHOR

Kelly Walker, YA Author
Kelly Walker is a part time novelist, full time wife, and an all the time dreamer. Her first promotion was 8 years ago and it came with the job title of 'Mom'. Her second promotion came with no raise in pay but a huge jump in responsibility when she became 'Mom of two'. It's a rewarding career but the retirement plan sucks. She is a huge advocate of animal rescue and adoption and shares her Virginia home (and couch) with three dogs and two cats.

Facebook                Twitter                  Website

When Beauty Met the Beast (Tales of the Underlight) by Jax Garren

Beauty and the beast retold, paranormal style

Title: When Beauty Met the Beast
Author: Jax Garren
Publisher: Carina Press  
Series: Tales of the Underlight  
Releases: 19th of November, 2012  
My ratings: 4 out of 5 stars.
Wesley Haukon is on the run. While running after completing an assignment,with the Order of Anake chasing him, he seeks shelter at a burlesque dance show party. Here he sees the lovely Jolie Benoit giving her debut performance. Enchanted by her beauty, the scarred, defaced and damaged Hauk follows here into back stage. Somehow turned on by a stranger whose face Jolie has never seen, she has a sexual encounter straight out of her dreams. So when she wakes up after being attacked, she finds herself in the arms of a monster. A demon whose face is damaged beyond repair.

This novella was surprisingly good. It started off well and gripped me straight away. The burlesque dance was particularly fun to read and the scene after had me fanning for herself. I was unable to get a good feel of the world the story was set in but I'm hoping the subsequent stories will be able to shed some more light on it. Although whatever was described promises to be interesting.

"It's okay sweetie, it's okay. You're okay." You're safe Just....lodged under the arm of a behemoth. Wer're going to get you out. Eventually."

Hauk was so insecure about how he looked even though he was cocky about it. He did not let on how much it affected him and his life. I also liked how the author managed to get Jolie slowly change her views about Hauk and how slowly his looks stopped bothering her. The ending was unsatisfying but left me wanting for more. An interesting novella but characters who have depth and a world that will leave you intrigued.

"Stick with me, beautiful. I can't promise a good times, but if history is any indicator, I can promise it'll always be interesting."

Arc provided by NetGalley

Stacking the Shelves (21)

S
tacking The Shelves by Tynga's Reviews is a feature/blog hop, where fellow book bloggers like myself can share what books or ARCs we received, bought or borrowed.

Letterbox Love is a new weekly meme hosted by Narratively Speaking. UK book bloggers have joined together and made a British version of a mailbox meme which is excellent. As I already participate in Stacking the Shelves, I will be adding this to my list too.

Hello my fellow Escapists,

This week was eARC galore for me. I received many many books which of course made me happy. I'm really excited to read this. I love that it;s so varied. From dystopian to historical romance, it's all here. I won some other goddies too but I received so many e books I would dedicated next week's posts to all the paper books I received. For now, here are the e-books.

ARCs I received

What books did you stack in your shelf? Share with me.