REVIEW: POISON'S CAGE BY BREEANA SHIELDS.

Title: Poison's Cage
Author: Breeana Shields
Series: Poison's Kiss #2
Edition: Paperback
Publication: January 16th 2018 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Pages: 336
Category: Mythology, Romance, Fantasy

Synopsis:

A single kiss could kill. A single secret could save the kingdom.

Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?

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ISBN13: 9781101937860

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WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SLIGHT SPOILERS HEHE

I just finished reading the last page of Poison's Cage and woooooooowsa, I am blown away. This is waaaay better than the first book and absolutely the perfect ending for a duology! I was kinda hoping there's a third book but I am absolutely satisfied with how things wrapped up! It was truly an amazing read!

Poison's Cage let me walk along side Iyla and Marinda in their quest to destroy the Nagaraja. The story is told from their alternating perspectives and it is so fascinating to be able to see everything from both sides. Iyla is such a tough cookie but her longing for Marinda's affection, her resentments towards what she lost and the emptiness of being an just option have all dawned in her and it's relatable in ways I can't even pinpoint. Her struggles of choose between her own life or Marinda's gave me such conflict as well but her loyalty and love for her friend outweigh any doubts. Shields gave Iyla's story redemption and hope that I thought it would end there, but she gave her love, true love in fact, that made me so happy! Iyla deserves so much more and indeed, it was even beyond what I expected. And I think I might have fallen in love with Fazel's lightness and sincere character. They balance each other well. One rejects kindness like a reflex and one gives kindness without reservation.

Marinda grew up so much in this installment. Her doubts and assumptions are all obvious throughout the story but it made her so real, so raw, that her pain pinches my heart. However, the good in her triumphs in situations she can easily kill. Despite the agony she just went through (OMG, THIS PART FELT LIKE I'VE BROKEN A BONE OR SOMETHING BECAUSE UGH EXCRUCIATING PAIN), she remained hopeful and unafraid to love the people around her.

The twists and turns of the story just floored me. Some parts can be easily predicted but Shields have so many things up on her sleeve apparently. The mythology has been nothing but richer and she owned this story, backed up by her research and love for the Hindu, Buddhist and Indian mythologies. I've never used this phrase in a while but believe me when I say this is mind-blowing!

There's no perfect ending for Poison's Kiss than Poison's Cage. Fast-paced, mythology-rich and exquisite character arcs, this book lands a spot in my Best Books of 2018, no doubt! It was beautifully written and I want more books like this in my life and in yours, too!

Thank you, Penguin Random House International, for the galley!

"But I learned a long time ago that tears are thieves of power."

"I need him to fall for me-at least enough to loosen his lips and dislodge his secrets. And I can't do that if I let myself be charmed by his easy laugh. By the way his skin feels like velvet against mine."

REVIEW: POISON'S KISS BY BREEANA SHIELDS.

Title: Poison's Kiss
Author: Breeana Shields
Series: Poison's Kiss #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: January 10th 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Pages: 304
Genre: Young Adult, Indian Mythology, High-Fantasy

Synopsis:
Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It's a miserable life, but being a visha kanya—a poison maiden—is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.

Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she's really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.

This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

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ISBN13: 9781101937822
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Where do I start with Poison's Kiss? This took me by surprise. I didn't know what I'm getting myself into but I loved every single element in this novel.

Marinda is trained to be an assassin. Her body is full of snake's venom that she can kill by just a kiss. When the Raja ordered her to kill a very important person, she didn't do it for she knows this person, this person helped her sick younger brother Mani. She had brief encounters with this person and she finds him kind. Marinda is unable to kiss someone she's starting to like. Ironic as it is, Deven is such a good person Marinda don't understand what he did wrong to deserve death by a visha kanya. This is where she finds out what makes her brother so ill. This is also when she learns the truth behind the group she serves.

Here's my bulleted thoughts on this amazing story:

• Marinda and Mani
I adored how vulnerable Marinda from the beginning. Vulnerable in a way that she's doubting her beliefs. She's obviously raised to become an assassin but she's at war between what she's trained to fight for and what feels right to her. I loved that she allowed herself to be subjected by emotions at the right circumstances. Her character's growth is gradual and nothing felt forced. The relationship of Marinda and Mani is also one aspect of the book that I loved so much. The bond is so realitically emotional. They give each other strength and they ground each other. Like, I wouldn't know what I' do if something bad happens to my brother so I can totally connect to Marinda. I'd do whatever it takes just to give my brother a comfortable like. And Mani is a kid you can easily love.

• Deven
Deven is book boyfriend worthy. He isn't afraid to express how he truly feels. I liked that he gets angry (unlike other characters I've read in other books). He can easily forgive but you have to be worth it. The way he also cared for Marinda and Mani is something that truly melts the heart. His character is so uplifting and positive that you won't regret rooting for the guy.

• Iyla
She's my second favorite character after Lila from ADSOM because her strength and bravery are admirable. After all that she's gone through and the suffering she had to endure, she really has the heart of a true warrior. Girl power to the mightiest level.

• Visha Kanya
This is such a rich Indian Folklore I can't get enough of! Poison maiden? IM IN. India is one of the many countries with such rich culture. Posion's Kiss is just the tip of the iceberg and I want more. More. More.

• Snakes
Snakes aren't my favorite thing in the world and I don't think I will ever like them. This is me to snakes like how other people are to spiders. I cannot. I cringe whenever I look at the cover. But there's always an exception to the rule. This time, it's Poison's Kiss. It is so good that I forget there's actually a snake at the front cover.

• Author's voice
  I can sense the kindness of the author from the voices she used in this novel. That made me love it even more.
  
• Plot
  All I can say is it's your typical good versus bad (Naga versus Garuda) plot but with the *twisted* twist! The manipulation is UGH-MAZING! It's just mind-blowing!

• Unputdownable
  I don't know about you guys but I literally cannot put this book down! The story is just so damn good you get sucked right in! With a pacing as perfect as this, you can't blame me if I demand for the sequel right away.

Also, I am linking Mishma's review of Poison's Kiss! Her review has an in depth views in the mythologies mentioned in the book!

Breenana Shield's debut novel is an outstanding piece I cannot recommend enough! It is unbelievably scary and dark but mystical and unique. Poison's Kiss is easily one of my favorite reads of 2017!

Thank you so so much, Penguin Random House for the ARC!

"“I didn’t know kissing could be like this–like creating instead of destroying, like beginnings and not endings. Like melting. Like love.”"

DNF REVIEW: THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN BY ROSHANI CHOKSHI.

Title: The Star-Touched Queen
Author: Roshani Chokshi
Series: Standalone
Edition: Kindle
Publication: April 26, 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin
Source: eARC provided by the publisher
Pages: 352
Genre: High-Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:

Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...

But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself.

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget.

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Marked as Did Not Finish at eighty percent.

I know, right? I only have twenty percent left so why not push through it? Believe me, I tried. For weeks. I kept giving myself one more push to finish reading this but I. Just. Cannot. Anymore. I don't want to punish myself, there's just nothing in this story that makes me stay.

I was so excited when I was sent an eARC of this one because The Star-Touched Queen is one of my most sought titles this year. However, I was already gagging at page five. I thoroughly enjoyed the Mythology aspect of The Star-Touched Queen but the writing style just didn't work for me. It was all too freaking (borrowing Nushrika's term) flowery and it honestly felt so pretentious to me.

"I want to lie beside you and know the weight of your dreams," he said, brushing his lips against my knuckles. "I want to share whole worlds with you and write your name in the stars." He moved closed and a chorus of songbirds twittered silver melodies. "I want to measure eternity with your laughter."

"The woman whom Amar had looked at, as though she held the universe in her gaze, as if galaxies lined her smile, as though she were myths and love and song contained in one body."

CAN YOU LIKE, STOP RIGHT THERE? Gaaaad. I just can't with the writing style. Ninety-five percent of the time, this is the reason why I just couldn't go through this. Maybe this lyrical kind of writing would work best for a contemporary novel than fantasy? I mean, it could still work but not this heavy? I tried but there is just no way I can fake that I enjoyed it. Don't even let me talk about the crappy insta-romance because ugh no, I can't.

What I also hate about the book is the part where our Queen was tricked by Nritti. And when I say tricked, she was tricked THAT easily! Oh gods of bookish universe, why do we have to suffer for the stupidity of our heroines?

The mythology part of it though is one thing I absolutely enjoyed. It was the highlight of this story and I want to immerse myself in it. It was rich, colorful and intriguing. I have Indian friends and let me tell you this, their culture (and food) is amazing! Oh, and Kamala is the best horse ever!

The Star-Touched Queen didn't capture my taste at all. I wish there were more to it than just fancy wordings. I would have loved the concept it if was kept simple but striking.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Griffin for the electronic ARC!

"I loved the feeling of discovery, of not knowing how much I wanted something until I had discovered its absence."

"There is no romance in real grief. Only longing and fury."

REVIEW: THE CHAOS OF STARS BY KIERSTEN WHITE.

Title: The Chaos of Stars
Author: Kiersten White
Edition: Paperback
Published: September 10, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 288
Source: Finished copy provided by the Publisher
Category: Romance, Mythology
Trailer: Not applicable.

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Synopsis:

Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of Paranormalcy, is back with The Chaos of Stars—an enchanting novel set in Egypt and San Diego that captures the magic of first love and the eternally complicated truth about family.

Isadora's family is seriously screwed up—which comes with the territory when you're the human daughter of the ancient Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Isadora is tired of living with crazy relatives who think she's only worthy of a passing glance—so when she gets the chance to move to California with her brother, she jumps on it. But her new life comes with plenty of its own dramatic—and dangerous—complications . . . and Isadora quickly learns there's no such thing as a clean break from family.

Blending Ally Carter's humor and the romance of Cynthia Hand's Unearthly, The Chaos of Stars takes readers on an unforgettable journey halfway across the world and back, and proves there's no place like home.

Being dazzled by such a gorgeous cover has always been my issue. I usually grab books randomly based on covers and this book is on of those instance. When I saw it being raved on by book bloggers from Twitter and Instagram, it didn't take a lot of effort for me to anticipate it. And I was so tempted to buy my hardcover copy at one point but thankfully, I didn't yet. HaperCollins sent me a finished paperback copy for review, and after months, here I am, struggling so bad coming up with a decent review.

The Chaos of Stars is my fourth White novel. I loved Paranormalcy and Mind Games and enjoyed Supernaturally. This is my first meh review and I am deeply disappointed with this. I was so stoked about her new Egyptian Mythology story but I think, the only good thing about this is the cover. I mean, I seriously did not enjoy anything at all. Nothing. White's take on Egyptian Mythology would have been revitalizing only if there weren't loopholes in it. I don't understand how can a child of pure-blooded Gods can be mortal and honestly, what is the plot? Was it how to design the museum?

Again, I was drowned by the raging waves of insta-love. Sigh. I will never be a fan of it because it doesn't happen in reality. Too bad though that the book oozed with left and right insta-love. I can only shake my head so much.

I couldn't find the right or decent words to express how disappointed I am with The Chaos of Stars hence the short (shortest I've written I think) review. I am giving another star though for effort and originality.

Thank you ever so much HaperCollins for the review copy!

"I didn't fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we'd choose anyway. And I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you."

"I get that you're scared and that you've been hurt. But doing what is easy and safe is no way to live, and a life without passion and love is so far beneath what you deserve."

REVIEW: THE SON OF NEPTUNE BY RICK RIORDAN.

Title: The Son of Neptune
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Heroes of Olympus #2
Edition: Paperback
Publication: October 4th 2011 by Disney-Hyperion Book
Source: Bought
Pages: 521
Genre: Fantasy (Mythology), Romance

Synopsis:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall. 
An oath to keep with a final breath, 
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

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Again, just like some of the books I purchased last year, this one has been sitting on my shelf for quite sometime now. I remember rushing over to the nearest book store as soon as it was released and the feeling of accomplishment was just surreal. Unfortunately, due to work and other things I got myself busy about, it was left untouched up until the other day.

This sequel to The Lost Hero has the same concept only this time, it was Percy, Hazel and Frank battling several giants and gods to free the god of Death Thanatos who has been chained by giant Alcyoneus in Alaska. He has to be freed in order to close the Door of Death so monsters and others who went back from the dead would not regenerate and die permanently. Percy's so as Jason's memories were wiped clean and they were switched from their respective camps to unite Roman and Greek demi/gods to stop Gaea from awaking and destroying the world.

I liked how strong the flow of consistency of this book from its previous book. I really think this could stand on its own. Though the story focused on Roman (book one Greek), I have never felt lost along the pages because the author made sure that every little detail is well explained. There has been an additional lift from some of the character's sense of humor that prevented me from getting bored plus how the characters managed to find their own strength with just a little help from their parents which are gods. Percy as we all know has always been strategic with battles, his memory loss didn't stop him from being loyal to his new found friends and his longings made him stronger everyday. The way Hazel accepted her fate after several years of being trapped with guilt made her character emotionally tough and mature. But my favorite character was Frank. Seeing him grow one chapter at a time made the whole story packed with excitement and awe. He's shown pessimism though inside he has low self-esteem. At first I thought he was another whiny character but when he allowed himself to grasp the prophecy, him being centurion and the fact that his life lies on a piece of firewood made me look at him as one of the best characters ever made. His love for his family, respect and trust for his friends and his humility made him stronger. He took his time to learn his family's power and was even willing to sacrifice his life to free Thanatos.

I also appreciated that there's a map in this book. It made me visualize Camp Jupiter easily and I wish there would be one for Rome/Greece added in the upcoming books. There's just one single flaw I noticed during the trio's travel to Alcyoneus's lair in the mountains. Despite the time pressure they're under, the trio still had the luxury to sit, dine and take a bath which I think could've have been improved. But the rest was phenomenal.

This October, Mark of Athena will be released and I am honestly happy that this series would be around five books. I badly want to see how Hazel, Leo and Frank would turn out!

"Life is only precious because it ends, kid."

REVIEW: THE LOST HERO BY RICK RIORDAN.

Title: The Lost Hero
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Heroes of Olympus #1
Edition: Paperback
Publication: October 12th 2010 by Disney-Hyperion Books
Source: Bought
Pages: 557 pages
Genre: Mythology, Romance, Middle Grade

Synopsis:

Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper. His best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids”, as Leo puts it. What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea — except that everything seems very wrong.

Piper has a secret. Her father, a famous actor, has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?

Leo has a way with tools. His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.

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An eternity after, I was able to finish this book. I've had this sitting on my shelf (among others) for more than a year now. I guess I wasn't really ready yet for another adventure book after the The Kane Chronicles books 1 and 2 I've finished during the summer of last year. They were just awesome! And I couldn't be any happier that I've read this one (though too late) just after I've detached myself from such a powerful story.

Jason Grace was a typical boy who all of a sudden woke up in a bus not remembering who he was or anything at all. Leo claimed he was his best friend Piper's his girlfriend. They were sent to summer camp where their coach, a satyr named Gleeson, fought and saved them from storm spirits. A great prophecy will test their loyalty, love and friendship. Their quest started when the trio had to save Olympus from being destroyed by freeing Queen Hera from being held prison by Enceladus so they could stop Porphyrion from rising and Mother Gaea from fully awakening.

Greek and Roman mythology was explained very well on the story even the minor details such as slight difference in forms or names. Its as if you're reading a history book but on a totally different attitude. Just like the The Kane Chronicles, the author put so much in this through research and you would definitely see how much he's passionate about mythology! I only had issues understanding the first several chapters maybe because I honestly haven't read the The Percy Jackson series yet that am not sure if it was a good idea because Percy seemed to be one of the major characters of this series. There was so much going on, they had to fight gods before reaching the one they're really supposed to destroy, how they travel from one state to the other that I got lost along the way. Like a maze inside a maze. After sometime, I was able to get back on track and understood that everything made sense at the end.

Jason showed bravery not only in dealing with the gods/monsters he fought but the way he handled himself despite his memory loss. He did trust his friends and showed that he could also be trusted. Leo and Piper on the other hand not only showed intelligence and beauty but love, courage and faith. Festus was my favorite part and though Gleeson was initially just a boastful character, he did redeem himself by merely volunteering as a protector for Tristan.

As I turn page one of the second book, I honestly don't know what to expect. I may have had slight issues with this but the way it made me addicted to the roller-coaster quest was just worth the time I invested! Let's go see what happens next, shall we?

"You must forge your own path for it to mean anything."