Review: The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway

The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway 

   I started this book mentally prepared to hate it. I mean, a guy that treats a girl like crap for years then turns out to lurv her? I wasn't so sur, even though I simply ADORE this author and after Painted Faces and Still Life with Strings I have started to think she can do no wrong. Well, turns out I was right. No, not about hating it, but in saying that Cosway really can do no wrong.

   If it were any other author, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to BELIEVE in the hero's feelings of love, regret and, well, cruelty/remorse for his actions, or to even accept his side in things. But (I might be repeating myself, and NO, I'm not being paid to say these things), in this case, with this author, things just... fit, their relationship felt true and real and palpable (it also doesn't hurt that the chemistry between them was immense), I could almost SEE them together, hear them an feel what they were feeling, it was so perfectly and realistically written. (their characters always have something that makes you feel a connection with them, be it their sexuality, their problematic backgrouds, their daddy/mommy issues, their health problems, suicide attempts, diabetes... how can you not fall in love with stories like these?).

It looks like 2014 is the year I break my snobbish book rules.

1) I will not read and/or enjoy books with assholes for heroes. CHECK

2) I don't care much for contemporary romances. CHECK (This has to be the fourth or five I've really enjoyed so far this year, and the third one by L.H. Cosway alone).

3) I don't like older heroes. CHECK (Well, in this case the age difference is only of 2 years, so... but still... well, let's keep going).

4) I don't care much for heroes with brown eyes and hair. (Okay, I know this may sound just a tad bit prejudicial to you, but in my country it is extremely rare to find people with light-colored eyes, so EXCUSE ME for fantasizing about something 'rare' in my life, okay? Besides, I have had terrible experiences with men with these characteristics, so it is possible I'm transferring stuff here. But I digress). CHECK (Robert was so hot I quickly got over his appearance.

5) ... I can't remember other examples of book snobbishness (is that a word?) and other weirdness of my part right now, but I'm sure I'll come back with something. I keep getting bitchier with my old age. XD

Anyways, this book really got me by surprise, proving to me that if it's from a good author, even stuff you expect not to like will manage to get to you and change your expectations and perspectives on things. I was afraid to start this title and then feel disappointed... now I'm sad I finished it. >.<' LOL (Good thing "Six of Hearts" is out!!). *runs and grabs a copy*

Review of Shattered by Kevin Hearne

Shattered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #7)

by Kevin Hearne

CAUTION. Several exclamation points ahead.

#fangirling #squealing I LOOOOOOVE Atticus and Oberon!!! Kevin Hearne is definitely my favorite author in the whole bookniverse! Everytime I check my Facebook I am FORCED to go look at whatever it is he's talking about at the moment. And it always makes me laugh! :D I mean, TACO CHURCH, you guys? Need I say it? Count me in.

And seven books later (I gulped them all up like a dehydrated dog in the middle of the summer. It took me less than a week to finish them all. I need a refill here, Mr, Hearne. But no pressure. Just a bit.), things just keep getting better! I was prepared to hate his archdruid, I truly was (turns out I just sort of dislike him now, alternating with moments when I kinda do like him. It's pure insanity inside my head, so go figure.). It gave me unexpected pleasure to see him struggling in the modern world. I kept laughing out loud, to which my mom and dog kept sending me "WTF" looks. They still have no idea what they were missing. Just saying.

I do like the changing POVs, I do. And more importantly, I see how they are needed now, buuuut I sort of miss just 'listening' to Atticus and Oberon. (and I mean 'listening' to them in my head, like a normal crazy reader, thank you very much, and not like an audiobook thing, 'cause I don't care for those). So. Yeah. I miss those days. Like I still miss the Morrigan. Huh. I was so excited at the beginning of this review, now I'm getting bitter. And waaay off track. Let me get back on the horse. (speaking of which, the new chapter title designs -wolfhound, bear and horse- were amazing!).

Granuaile (Yes, I know what you're thinking. And for your info, I DID have to check my spelling. I always feel like I'm missing a couple of consonants. :P) going out into the big bad world on her own was very interesting to see. I felt super sorry for her, what with her dad and all, 'cause I like her as well (I HATE THIS BITCH, STAY AWAY FROM MY ATTICUS OR I'LL STAB YOU WITH YOUR OWN SWORD, AND I AIN'T KIDDING!) and her new irish wolfhound is so seriously adorbs as well (I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO MY DOG LIKE THAT!!!!!!). BTW, if you're not a dog lover already, after these books, you WILL BE.

It always suprises (and amuses) me to see what all the other gods are up to (usually nothing good, as it appears) in Atticus' world . Poor thing. Thankfully you weren't alone this time, huh?

Aaaand watch me digressing yet again.

Did you read all that? I know you didn't, so here's what it's all about:

KEVIN HEARNE IS A GOD , GO BUY ALL HIS BOOKS, YOU WON'T REGRET IT. Just make sure you start reading them very early in the morning, during a lazy weekend or your vacations, 'cause that's all you'll do all day. Promise.

Now, shoo. I have to go get me some Imortali-tea. Oh, and I have to scrape up enough money$$ to buy these pretties:

Atticus's Necklace

&

Granuaile's Iron Necklace

(So, if you're feeling generous... :P)

Mini-Review/Recommendation: The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver (The Giver Quartet #1)
by Lois Lowry

Published January 24th 2006 by Ember (first published 1993)

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

_____________________________________

Genre: Classics, Dystopia

Publication Date: January 24th, 2006

Publisher: Ember

Format: Paperback, 179 pages 

Series: Technically yes, but can be read as a stand-alone

Source: My own copy

My Review:

As most of you know, I have contracted the Dystopian fever last year, and, as of yet, it still remains uncured. So when I heard so many good things about this 'new classic', I thought, 'why not?'. I was a bit apprehensive to choose a 'classic', because they always sound like very boring difficult readings, but not this one. Not at ALL. Well, this IS a children's book... but the issues dealt within are very adult. That's for sure.

The Giver is a short, sweet, creepy and enticing book. There are no more than 179 pages, but the story is so well-written, the characters are so well developed, and the plot is so easy to get lost into, that you can barely believe that so much has fit into such a small number of pages! And, of course, it leaves you wanting more. Much more. I loved it, but I would have been even more content if the book was just a tad bit longer, showing what happened to the village and what really came to happen at the end. I don't like 'open endings' like this one had, but I hear the other books will explain a couple of things, so I'll just have to look for them. :)

So, the big deal here was: I have read a LOT of dystopians, and I have always thought of how creative they were... well, as it turns out, (in my opinion, at least), most of them must have been somehow inspired by Lois Lowry's world, because the similarities with some titles are uncanny. I won't list them here, because, really, who am I to accuse others? What I mean to say is: once you've read this one... you'll know what I mean.