Circle of Fire, by Michelle Zink

 

Summary from goodreads.com – With time dwindling but her will to end the Prophecy stronger than ever, Lia sets out on a journey to find the remaining keys, locate the missing pages of the Prophecy, and convince her sister Alice to help--or risk her life trying. Lia has her beloved Dimitri by her side, but Alice has James, the man who once loved her sister--and maybe still does. James doesn't know the truth about either sister, or the prophecy that divides them. And Alice intends to keep it that way.
There are some secrets sisters aren't meant to share. Because when they do, it destroys them.

Rhia’s Review –Last night I stayed up until 2 in the morning finishing Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink, the third book in the Prophecy of the Sisters series. Reading this book was kind of bittersweet, because it is the last book in the series. It is certainly a very good finish, though! A few things didn't turn out quite the way I thought they would, but they were minor details, anyway.

This book was very well written, although there a few times when I felt as though Lia was acting a little childish. She was a bit angsty and angry at times, which got me a little irritated at her, but it worked well inside the story.

I couldn't help but notice a parallel or two to the final Harry Potter book, which may simply be because I have it on my mind. I doubt these parallels were on purpose, but they worked to the same meaningful affect.

I am very thrilled to have read to this series, and sorry to see it go. I'm just happy to see it end perfectly, if some things were left to be a little mysterious. This series will always have a home on my favorites list, and also my heart. Michelle Zink will also hold a place as one my most favorite authors! I can't wait to see more by her.

The Recommendation –I would recommend this series to all fans of fantasy, strong heroines, and a good story. I can't help but think fans of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy would also appreciate this one very well.

The Other Books –While Circle of Fire is the final book in this trilogy, I know that a Temptation of Angels, Michelle's next book, will be here before we know it. I'm already looking forward to it!

The Vitals* – Circle of Fire is currently available in hardcover at a list price of $17.99.

The Links – Michelle Zink's Official Website

*=All prices are from the cover of the book itself and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

New Arriva! Bedbugs!

Today my copy of Bedbugs by Ben H. Winters arrived from Quirk books! I can’t wait to read and review it!

Big thanks to Quirk Books for sending me an ARC to review!

Currently Reading: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Current Page: 218

So I was both a little right and wrong about something. I'm just about to start chapter twenty-six. I can't wait to see what happens with Lia and her friends. Things are getting very exciting, and I'm looking forward to how everything pans out. There aren't a lot of things I can say right now without spoiling things, or at the very least confusing everyone, but I'm still thoroughly un-disappointed by this book! I can't wait to share my final review with all of you!

Time to enjoy as many more chapters as I can before I fall asleep!

Happy reading, everyone!

Currently Reading: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Current Page: 158

I. Am. Loving. This. Book! New character Helene is certainly interesting. There's now a character named Fergus, and all I can think about is Roar. (Y'know... the show with Heath Ledger?) I am absolutely suspicious of almost every character in the book, including Dimitri. I don't care how adorable romantic he gets; I'm still on Team James! I think I almost hope Dimitri is bad so those two will get back together...
I'm very enamored with this book, and I absolutely can't wait to read more! I'm about to start chapter nineteen. So far, not a single thing in this book has let me down. I feel like we've seen a little a piece of Alice that she keeps hidden away from the world. Very interesting.
Of course, so far I'm getting exactly what I expected from a fantastic author like Michelle Zink! I am flipping pages like nobody's business!
I found out, however, that there is one thing that can make put a book down in the middle of a sentence: Rick Steves Travel Bite! I love PBS.
Time to get back to reading this AMAZING book, and getting very sleep. I'm celebrating after a reasonably good grade on my math test today.
Happy reading, everyone!

Currently Reading: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink

Currently on page: 65

Last night I dove into Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink. I've really been looking forward to this one, and so far I have not been disappointed. I'm just about to start chapter eight. I would have started it last night, but I got too sleepy to read anymore. The book is super interesting already, and I'm very happy to see the return of my favorite character, James. I can't wait to see what else this book has in store for me, and I've been looking forward to reading it all day. Now now I'm off to go do some more reading now.
Happy reading, everyone!

Past Midnight, by Mara Purnhagen

Your dose of irony for the day: I finished Past Midnight at midnight last night.

Summary from goodreads.com – Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear.

Rhia’s Review – When I received Past Midnight for review, I was really looking forward to reading it. The tag line, "I don't believe in ghosts. Unfortunately, they believe in me" really intrigued me. The premise of a girl with paranormal investigator parents was something I'd never read about before. Charlotte's yearnings to be normal, however, I have read before. It's a concept I've never really understood, but I understand why it resonates with readers.

I had a bit of a hard time relating to Charlotte, although I think she is a character that many other readers will identify with quickly. I have never had much sympathy for the 'poor new student', mostly because I was homeschooled since the 4th grade, and so never really had that experience. (I'm certainly not sorry for it.) Charlotte was still a very likeable character, though, and I enjoyed sharing the story with her.

I feel a little like the book was leading up to something big throughout the whole story, and when it finally arrived, it seemed to go by quickly. Maybe I just read it quickly, or maybe it was because I was tired, but I can't help but feel like something happened and I kind of missed it. But it doesn't hurt my happy memories of reading this book.

At first, I wasn't really sure how the two storylines of Charlotte's normal, school life would relate to the events happening in Charlotte's paranormal life, but in the end, they came together quite nicely.

All in all, this book was quite interesting, and a very good read, especially for fans of ghost stories.

The Recommendation – I'd definitely recommend this book to fans of ghost stories that are maybe a little on the lighter side. Also, while reading this book, I kept getting the same kind of feeling I had when reading Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell, so fans of that will probably enjoy Past Midnight as well.

The Other Books –I’m definitely interested in reading One Hundred Candles, the sequel to Past Midnight. Mostly, I'm curious as to where Charlotte's life is heading next, as the main storyline in this book was wrapped up pretty well. I'll be keeping a look out for it.

The Vitals* – Past Midnight is available in paperback at list price of $9.99.

The Links – Mara Purnhagen's Official Website

*=List Price from book cover.

Currently Reading: Update!

So last night I got totally carried away and finish Pat Midnight. I’m posting the review now, and then I’ll be starting Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink! I’ve really been looking forward to this one, and I can’t wait to share my opinions on it with all of you!

Don’t turn that page! My review of Past Midnight will be up in a moment.

Currently Reading: Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen

 

I won a copy of Faerie Winter, and it came in the mail today! I'm really looking forward to starting it! I have so much reading to do! I can't wait to get back to it!

Currently On Page 114

But first I have a few things to say about Past Midnight, by Mara Purnhagen.
I'm not on page 114, and the story is really picking up. I know what Charlotte is going for that will drive the plot forward, and I'm getting to know more about all the characters. I'm starting to feel like I'll be interested in the sequel when I'm done, something that Mara herself has probably helped. I friended her on facebook, and she's really nice. If i like the author, I enjoy a book ten times more, knowing that the person who wrote it is all kinds of cool.
So now I'm going to get back to the reading! I don't think it'll take me too long to finish this book, as long as my algebra homework doesn't get in my way too much. I won't let it; I'm really enjoying this book!

Currently Reading: Past Midnight, by Mara Purnhagen

The other day I started reading Past Midnight by Mara Purnhagen. I'm only about 80 or so pages into to, but it's very interesting. the creepy scenes are pretty... well, creepy and well written. right now it's too soon to tell exactly where the story will lead, but I'm very interested in reading more. (Which, by the way, I will be doing in just a few minutes!)

It’s really easy to read, and I read a big chunk last night. I don’t think it’ll take very long for me to finish it.

Way too early to tell if I’m interested in the sequel or not. It depends on how the story evolves from here.

So far, though, I’d definitely recommend it people.

A long overdue update, with some news!

I know that once again I have sort of let this blog fall behind.  I’m ready to try again at keeping it active, and I have a way I’m going to start doing that. Since I use my computer at some point everyday, I’m going to start updating right after I write my words on 750words.com, even it means only doing a quick update on the books I’m reading. These ‘Currently Reading’ posts, the first of which you’ll see right after this post, will just be me stating where I am in the book, and my impressions so far. They will all be spoiler free, of course! I’m very anti-spoiler!

In other news, I had pre-ordered Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink from Amazon, and it arrived the other day. I can't wait to start reading it, but I'd like to finish Past Midnight first. Reading has been hard with this algebra class; summer quarter homework is a killer. But that and city of Fall Angels are the first books I'll be reading as soon as I get the chance!

Also, I'm planning on holding another contest soon! I already have the book, but for now it's a surprise! I haven't posted my review of this book yet, and I will as soon as I'm ready to hold the contest! That’ll happen soon, I promise!

Time to get some reading done! Instead of doing algebra homework, because you know I’d Rather Be Reading!