The Rose Master (Valentina Cano)

Synopsis:
The day Anne Tinning turns seventeen, birds fall from the sky. But that's hardly the most upsetting news. She's being dismissed from the home she's served at since she was a child, and shipped off to become the newly hired parlor maid for a place she's never heard of. And when she sees the run-down, isolated house, she instantly knows why:
There's something wrong with Rosewood Manor.
Staffed with only three other servants, all gripped by icy silence and inexplicable bruises, and inhabited by a young master who is as cold as the place itself, the house is shrouded in neglect and thick with fear. Her questions are met with hushed whispers, and she soon finds herself alone in the empty halls, left to tidy and clean rooms no one visits.
As the feeling of being watched grows, she begins to realize there is something else in the house with them--some creature that stalks the frozen halls and claws at her door. A creature that seems intent on harming her.
When a fire leaves Anne trapped in the manor with its Master, she finally demands to know why. But as she forces the truth about what haunts the grounds from Lord Grey, she learns secrets she isn't prepared for. The creature is very real, and she's the only one who can help him stop it.
Now, Anne must either risk her life for the young man she's grown to admire, or abandon her post while she still can.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
I have seen this book being described as Beauty and the Beast meets Jane Eyre and I can totally see why. It definitely has that victorian gothic, horror, haunted house with a huge secret feel we get while experiencing these stories.
I think the strongest point of this book was the writing, without a doubt. It was so intricate and beautiful and completely set the tone of the book, as Valentina Cano was able to convey that dark, eerie feel through her writing. It actually gave me chills at some points and I would read toilet paper instructions if it were written by this woman. Seriously.On the other side, though, the story itself left a lot to be desired. Don't get me wrong, the plot was so intriguing and I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails the whole time I was reading. The atmosphere was all there, that instensity, the oppressing feeling of the cold and the ghosts that haunted Rosewood Manor and its Master. But I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I could have if it had been executed differently.
Fist of all, I felt the events could have been developed a bit more. I felt like the story just dragged a little for the fist half or so and then everything was happening, like the climax happened there and then it died down from there. It was intense, I'll give it that, but I wish there had been more story and that everything wasn't so thrown at the reader and the main character, Anne, all at once. There were points where I had to force myself to continue, even though I was enjoying it. There was just so much to process I needed to take breaks. It took me a really long time to read this 200-page book because of that.
My second point is that I wasn't a huge fan of the romance aspect. I knew it was coming, but I always find it hard to appreciate when it's so predictable and fast. I just didn't find it was very believable, but, on second thought, that was probably just me. I honestly trust that there are readers who love cringe worthy romances and I think this would be perfect for them. Like I said, it just wasn't for me.
The characters were another of the strong points of this book, in my opinion. They were really well developed and I loved the backstory we got throughout the story. I mainly loved the fact that Lord Grey was so flawed, like he wasn't supposed to be perfect and swoon worthy. He was thin and kind of a twit, but he was also kind, deep down, and cared about his staff, especially Anne. The only problem I had with this aspect was the fact that I couldn't feel a connection with any of them. I didn't particularly relate to them and I actually felt really detached.After all that, I must admit that this was still a really enjoyable read and I wholeheartedly believe this author has a lot of potential and could create a classic tale one day.

All the Bright Places (Jennifer Niven)

Synopsis:
The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park, All the Bright Places is a compelling and beautiful story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him. Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister's recent death.When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it's unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the 'natural wonders' of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It's only with Violet that Finch can be himself - a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who's not such a freak after all. And it's only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet's world grows, Finch's begins to shrink.An intense, gripping YA novel, perfect for fans of John Green, Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, Gayle Forman and Jenny Downham.About the author: Jennifer Niven is the author of two narrative non-fiction books, The Ice Master and Ada Blackjack; a high school memoir, The Aqua Net Diaries; and four historical novels for adults: Velva Jean Learns to Drive (based on her Emmy Award-winning film of the same name), Velva Jean Learns to Fly, Becoming Clementine, and the forthcoming American Blonde. Jennifer lives in Los Angeles and you can learn more about her at www.jenniferniven.com. All the Bright Places is her first book for young adults.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
First, I will say that this book deserves all the hype it gets and more. Every teenager and adult should read it, especially if they are going through mental issues or know someone who is. It is extremely important to talk about these issues before suicide seemed an option to someone suffering from them. On that note, I believe authors are being less afraid of writing about it and are venturing into what could be an age of true information for teenagers on what suicide means to them and the people who stay behind, and, in my opinion, Jennifer Niven really set an example with All the Bright Places.
The writing was extremely energetic and sad and beautiful, one of those styles of writing you just can't help but admire because it completed the story so well. There are only a hand-full of authors these days with such a poignant writing style as Jennifer Niven.The story was, of course, emotional and meaningful, full of amazing metaphors and symbolism. But it was also a really uplifting, inspiring and fun at times, showing us that there is hope, there is love, there is friendship if we let those things into our minds and hearts in times of trouble. Mental diseases can make it seem like it's impossible to be loved or to love, but I think this books shows how it's possible, or what can happen if we let those feelings prevail. It was a pleasure to go through this story with Violet and Finch. Absolutely lovely.
The characters were real to me, they were developed in such a realistic way that it made the story even more difficult to deal with. Violet and Finch's relationship was so wonderful to read about and warmed my hart while crushing it to pieces at the same time. They both had issues of their own to deal with and they helped each other, although some times it can be hard to realise it, as the ending demonstrated. Because I was dealing with similar problems at the time that I read this, I could relate with either one, but especially Finch and his way of seeing the world.
At the end, I can, without a doubt, say that this book helped me in ways I couldn't explained if I tried and, although I didn't cry as I was expecting, I came out a different and better person after that final page.
I honestly hope this book becomes a huge success so it can reach a broader audience, and it can help others as it helped me, show how a light can be found it the darkness of the deep blue hole.

Quozl (Alan Dean Foster)

Synopsis:
Rabbitlike aliens from outer space colonize Earth during humankind’s Second World War in a delightfully funny and thought-provoking science fiction adventure.
The Quozl just need somewhere to call home. A gentle race of extraterrestrial rabbits, they have a propensity for reproduction that has left their home planet, Quozlene, dangerously overpopulated, and in their search for greener and less-crowded pastures, they have discovered the perfect place to start over: the third planet away from a healthy, warming sun. What they don’t realize is that this world they call Shiraz is already inhabited by a species of violent sentient creatures known as humans.
But there’s no going back now. In the midst of the brutal and helpfully distracting global conflict the Shirazians call World War II, the colony ship lands undetected, and the space rabbits immediately go into hiding. But a secret like the Quozl can be concealed for only so long, especially when their numbers start to increase and certain rebellious members of the long-eared society decide the time is ripe to claim their place in a world they believe is rightfully theirs.
One of the most admired and prolific authors in the science fiction arena, Alan Dean Foster will delight readers who hunger for something different with this funny, thoughtful, and wildly inventive novel of first contact and coexistence. Once you meet the Quozl, you will never forget them.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
I need to start by saying that I barely read any books set in space, or with alien characters, so I am not an expert on this matter, but I think I can honestly say this is probably one of the best developed out there right now.
The Quozl culture, their costumes, their identity as inteligent beings, their way of living. It felt as if nothing was left out. Everything was interestingly detailed and analysed, leaving us with the sense that we knew them as well as the author, there was nothing else we could ask for that wasn't mentioned here. The story didn't feel shallow, basic. It went kilometers deep into Quozl history.
I especially adored the way it was funny and light and easy to read, but also extremely profound, scientific and fascinating. It made these little guys feel so real and the story so much more intense and fast to get trough.
The next thing that needs to be acknowledged is the way these aliens see the world they are about to enter. In the beginning of the story we see the crew of the Sequencer, after generations and generations of interspace travel from their overpopulated planet, Quozl, as they land on a new (supposedly) unoccupied planet, Shiraz. However, as they study it further, they discover it has already been popularized by other intelligent beings. They landed on Earth. As peaceful, respectful and polite creatures, the Quozl are aghast when they start studying Humans and learn of their violent wars. That's probably what stuck me the most, the views they had on the Human society and their way of exposing it. In my opinion, it was brilliantly made and it was carried all throughout the story.
I believe these alien colonists really force us to see what we have let technology, evolution and Human nature do to the world we live in and give an example everyone reading would want to follow.
I absolutely loved to love and loved to hate some of the characters. Not because they were detestable, but because they were so clueless and naive. Anyhow, all of the characters were explored and described immensely well and we get to met such a diverse set of them that it's hard to point out any negative aspects.
The relationship between aliens and humans was one of the best aspects about the last half of the book. The differences and similarities, especially the differences in the dialogue, was what, in my opinion, took this story to the next level.
The ending was not how I pictured it, but it was still really good, and showed that a book like this can remain constant and true to itself and still keep you guessing and reading on. There is always something new to discover, until the very last page. I utterly believe we would like to think that that is not how things would play out, but I think, deep down, we all hope for it. There is no way to guess what would actually happen, but Alan Dean Foster did a remarkable job.
Although this isn't a recent book, I would still absolutely recommend it. It was, overall, such an interesting, enjoyable, amusing book, with cute moments, awkward scenes and lovable characters. Under all the subtle humour, it is the kind of sci-fi novel that makes us wonder 'what if?'

One last thing: because I read this as an ebook, I didn't get to experience the flip-a-motion art inside the original paperback copies of Quozl, but I found a video and I leave it here if you also like to watch it:

Mind the Gap, Volume 1: Intimate Strangers (Jim McCann, Rodin Esquejo - Illustrations and Sonia Oback - Colors)

Synopsis:
Elle Peterssen is young, wealthy, and beautiful - and there is a reason someone tried to kill her. Only, Elle doesn't remember any of this.
Mind the Gap, the new series by the Eisner Award-winning writer JIM McCANN (Return of the Dapper Men), is a mystery with a paranormal twist.
Elle, in a spirit form detached from her comatose body, must not only unravel the mystery of her attacker's identity and motive but her entire life as well.
Who can she trust, in both this word and in the gap she exists in that lies between life and death? Filled with twists and turns, Elle's life isn't the only one turned upside down by the attack on her life.
Deceit, secrets, and hidden agendas are everywhere in a story where everyone is a suspect, and no one is innocent.
Collects Mind the Gap #1-5.

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
First of all, here's another amazing collection from Image Comics. Seriously, I have yet to read something from them that disappoints me.
Overall, the story was a bit confusing to me and I wish there had been more explanation on some things, but I expect the answers we want will be given in the next volumes... I just wanted a bit more of resolution on a few aspects that I think would have been important in this first volume, as a start for a series.
The art was probably my favourite part, as it felt so alive and vivid to me, bringing this story to a whole other level. The colors were extremely strong and vibrant, portraying really well the feel of the story.
The characters were so on point. We didn't know who we could trust, who is good and who is bad and I believe we are going to be extremely surprised in the end, as more and more of this mystery is revealed.
Another thing I need to give the authors credit for is the references. The subtle (and not so subtle) hints at pop culture, like songs, stories and, my favourite, Breakfast Club. I mean, a Breakfast Club reference is always welcome and makes everything better.
In the end, although I wasn't blown away by the entire book, I must admit that it hooked me from start to finish. It was so addictive and intense, like we were the ones in a coma with Elle. I will absolutely be reading the next volumes as soon as I can get my hands on them.

His Fair Assassin I - Grave Mercy (Robin LaFevers)

Synopsis:
Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?
Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.
Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Review:
I got this ebook from Netgalley in return of an honest review.
When I saw this book listed on Netgalley I knew I needed to read it. I had been meaning to start this trilogy for years now I am so glad that I finally did, because I had heard nothing but amazing reviews. I was not disappointed at all!
I can start by saying that this was one of the most badass books I have read in a while. I mean, a convent that trains girls to be assassins? Right up my alley.
At first, I was a bit unsure, afraid that maybe this book has been overhyped, but it soon became evident that that wasn't the case at all. From chapter one the story was fast paced, compelling and, most of all, extremely well written.
Robin LaFevers writing was, simultaneously, the main reason for how much I enjoyed Grave Mercy and why it took me so long to read. On one side, it was beautiful, intricate and strong, and I wanted to soak it all in, linger in those pages so amazingly accomplished, but, on the other, it was so complex and elaborate I had to go through each sentence slowly to really comprehend its meaning.
The characters were another amazing part of this book. Each and every one of them had a story behind them, ready to be told, and the author was able to portray such great character development throughout the story. From Ismae to Duval to the nuns to Sybella and everyone else, they felt so real to me, so present. Although some were fictional and some were real people who walked the streets and cities of Brittany, I couldn't tell the difference, as they were all so well developed and formed in the pages of Grave Mercy.
I'm not the biggest fan of romance, but the one that was created here was somewhat believable and I was able to enjoy it more than I was expecting. I was rooting for them the whole time and, also, I was extremely pleased that it didn't take over the story. The book was still about assassins, religion, moral duties, political intrigue... Historical fiction showing what it's capable of.
Overall, I completely recommend it and I can't wait to read the next books, even though they follow a different character, and I know I will absolutely love them, as I did this one.