Review Wednesday: The Black Key by Amy Ewing

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE JEWEL. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Jewel by clicking on the link: Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Black Key (The Lone City #3)

Author: Amy Ewing

1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9780062235848

# of Pages: 295

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.

And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

Setting: Various Locations in Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover looks really cool. It looks like the girl is surrounded by broken glass, and there's a person in each little shard of glass.

View on the Title: In the second novel, you find out that the Black Key is a rebel society fighting for equality, but they have not physically fought yet.

Pros:

• The book seemed like it went so quickly that I didn't realize that I was near to the end. The action was very balanced and continued at a very quick and easy path.
• I really liked Violet's character in this book. She has more purpose and drive to get the Auction to stop and for everyone to be free. Her character becomes more mature
• The Paladin are better exlained and their powers are truly seen by the end of the series. It makes me want to be a Paladin.
• The Duchess of the Lake, the villanous, becomes a more redeemable character. Her actions to her entire situation make her seem more human.

Cons:

• The only real issue I had was Ash. I wish Ash's character had more development. I felt that he has always lacked in character after the firs book. He's the boy who is taken advantage of and is willing to do anything for Violet. I just feel like his character is very flat.

Critics' Reviews:

“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“The story’s setting is interesting. A decadent matriarchal society is thought provoking. This is a quick read. Good storytelling.” -VOYA
“Ewing bravely blends several genres. This solidly sets fans up for the next volume.” -Kirkus

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Eve by Anna Carey

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Review Wednesday: Spindle by Shonna Slayton

Title: Spindle

Author: Shonna Slayton
1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9781633754935
# of Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
In a world where fairies lurk and curses linger, love can bleed like the prick of a finger.

Briar Rose knows her life will never be a fairy tale. She’s raising her siblings on her own, her wages at the spinning mill have been cut, and the boy she thought she had a future with has eyes for someone else. Most days it feels like her best friend, Henry Prince, is the only one in her corner…though with his endless flirty jokes, how can she ever take him seriously?

When a mysterious peddler offers her a “magic” spindle that could make her more money, sneaking it into the mill seems worth the risk. But then one by one, her fellow spinner girls come down with the mysterious sleeping sickness—and Briar’s not immune.

If Briar wants to save the girls—and herself—she’ll have to start believing in fairy tales…and in the power of a prince’s kiss.

Setting: Late 1800s (Industrial Revolution) in Northeastern United States
Point of View: 3rd person- "Briar" (Briarly Rose Jenny)

Goodreads Rating: 3.72

My Rating: 4.00

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This looks like it is magically through the shining lights, which really shows off the rose. I find it interesting how the main character is named after a specific kind of rose and this is the cover.
View on Title: Why a spindle? I know Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger with a spindle. Is the idea the same?

Pros:

• Similar to Cinderella's Dress by Slayton, this is less a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but a continuation of the story.
• This book kept me on my toes because I was constantly wondering who the evil fairy, Isodora, is. There was also the fact that no one is who they seem.
• Briar as a character is well rounded. She knows what she wants in life, which is to grow, but she can't abandon her family and must take care of them.
• I really enjoyed the good fairies. I thought that they were really fun but full of duty at the same time.

Cons:

• I felt that the Prince family name was a dead give away that they were related to Sleeping Beauty's prince. Even though the name was boring, I liked Henry's character for the most part.
• The only problem I had with Henry's character was that he seemed too perfect and head-over-heels for Briar Rose.
• I also had a problem with Briar Rose because she doesn't listen to what she is told and knows she shouldn't use the spindle but uses it anyway.

Shonna Slayton's Website:
http://shonnaslayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Review Wednesday: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ ETIQUETTE AND ESPIONAGE. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Etiquette and Espionage by clicking on the link: Review: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Title: Curtsies and Conspiracies (Finishing School #2)

Author: Gail Carriger
1st Date of Publication: November 5, 2014

ISBN: 9780316190114
# of Pages: 310

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

Setting: 1850s in fantasy world

Point of View: 3rd person- Sophronia Temminnick

Goodreads Rating: 4.12

My Rating: 4.00

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Again this girl (probably Sophronia) is not someone you would want to mess with. Her expression shows that she is watching her back and scissors are now replaced with a dagger, which probably symbolizes her growth in the program.
View on Title: I love how the author continues will the alliteration with this book. It makes me wonder what conspiracies that these girls are learning whether they are true or false. It adds to the mystery.

Pros:

• I thought this book was so much better than the first book (Etiquette and Espionage). I think this is because the characters are already known and have some characterization to them.
• I really liked how boys were involved in this. They were also students but they learn for evil so there are werewolves and vampires. The testosterone in the book made it seem a bit more whole.
• I enjoyed that the characters got to move to a new location, which is London. It allowed the mystery to continue and get brought out into a new light.
• I like how the friendship between Soap and Sophronia progresses from the first book into this book.

Cons:

• I still didn't enjoy the third person point of view. It makes the whole book and series seem more dull.
• I also have a problem with the characterization. Many, if not most, are very flat which makes the story drag.

Critics' Reviews:
"Teenage and adult fans alike will rejoice that Carriger retains her flair for musical prose, over-the-top names, clever wit, and strange yet helpful mechanical devices of all kinds. Carriger's blend of comically exaggerated characters and madcap action will easily win over readers once again."―Publishers Weekly
"Carriger's second steampunk adventure exceeds the first... the fun, again, is in watching ever-practical Sophronia sneak and scheme her way into sometimes dangerous, sometimes riotously funny, situations.... We repeat: This witty, light-hearted series is not to be missed."―Booklist

"[A] world of manners, steampunk, and the supernatural. [Carriger] again manages to blend the rules of etiquette with inventions and creatures effortlessly, creating a diverse world of wonder."―VOYA

"The language is every bit as delightful as in Sophronia's first adventure... even in this weightier tale."―Kirkus Reviews
"[Carriger] jumps right into the thick of the action, developing a fast-paced plot that is sure to keep readers' attention...this is a must-have purchase."―School Library Journal

Gail Carriger's Website:
http://gailcarriger.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
The Jewel by Amy Ewing