Review- Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

 BOOK SUMMARY:

A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy. 

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

Release date: July 1st 2014

Published by: Scholastic Press

Page numbers: 357

REVIEW: 

I was extremely excited to read Sinner from the moment I saw that Maggie Stiefvater was writing a story for Cole St. Clair. I absolutely love her The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I read the books at a time when I didn't write reviews, so I will take the opportunity to say now what I couldn't at that time. Although I barely remember much, what I do remember is that this series had me absolutely, completely and totally engrossed. I didn't just read it, but I lived it. I felt so much while reading it. The powerful impact of the author's writing made me fall in love with the characters and the story and The Wolves of Mercy Falls is undoubtedly at the top of my most favourite Young Adult paranormal reads list. So it was but obvious that I was eager for Sinner and I had high expectations from it. 

While Sinner didn't live up to the first three books of the series, in its own way, it was a great read. Maggie promises on Goodreads that the book is "very full of Cole and Isabel" and obviously, she knows what she's saying and she's absolutely right. From the first page to the last, this story is about that destructive, unimaginable and almost I-hate-that-I-love-you pairing. We met a bunch of people before, but this book only focuses on two individuals. Of course there are other people involved and they were all lovely in their own way. Also, in a way, they were all needed to make Cole and Isabel realise that they were, in fact, contrary to thier own belief, meant to be. 

I was slightly disappointed with Sinner since- and I can say this on the part of the many fans of The Wolves of Mercy Falls series- it didn't make me feel what the series made me feel. I wasn't into it, you know? The writing wasn't as magical and poetic as it was before but yes, it's Maggie and she writes beautifully. It's just that it wasn't as beautiful as what I've read previously from her. Also, I found myself getting frustrated with Isabel more times than one. My simple point was if she's so intent on being indifferent, there was no need to care even the slightest bit. And if she did care, then she could have done it without pretending to be indifferent. Another thing was the epilogue. For me, an epilogue provides a kind of a closure- if not to the characters, then to the story at least- but clearly, this epilogue left me wondering what even happened there. It all ends well, yes, but I didn't "get" the epilogue. 

What I did love about the book was Cole. It was all about Cole and I loved every bit of it. He is fighting a battle between his past and present to make his future and it was portrayed beautifully. Isabel wasn't always with him, but when the two were together, they made for a fire-crackling pair. While there are quite a few aspects that get a bold and bright tick from me, there are also many aspects that get a simple and straight cross. My loyalty to the series and Cole St. Clair are the two things that have made me wrap up and say that Sinner was a great read, although not all that great. 

Buy the book: AMAZON

Review- The Lure Of Shapinsay by Krista Holle

Goodreads Summary:

Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant. 

Unexpectedly, Kait is awoken by a beautiful, selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure. 

Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

BOOK TRAILER:

REVIEW: 

The only story I'd read about selkies was a short story called 'Love Struck' by Melissa Marr in the anthology titled Love Is Hell. I didn't quite understand what or who a selkie was then, so I decided not to dwell much on it. Then I came across The Lure of Shapinsay. The guy on the book cover with his great body reminded me a little of Elijah Wood. However, it was the book trailer video that really caught my attention. 
The story of Kait and Eamon, one thing I really loved about The Lure of Shapinsay was the alternating point of view. It's not alternating in the literal sense of the term, but basically, you get to read what Kait AND Eamon are thinking. When there's romance and when it's between two different species altogether, it becomes easier to read from both the protagonists' POVs. Their love story is the highlight of the book. 
I didn't quiet get how and when the two fall in love, but I suppose that's the beauty of it. These are things that 'just happen' after all. Another aspect of the romance that I found very pretty was that fact that it was a bit yesteryear and very much today at the same time. The whole act of chasing the one who has caught your fancy or searching for them hopelessly with the intention that they might find you and romantic words to express love, reminded me of the old age romances. It was all about beauty of being with the one you love and trying so hard to survive on your own and keep each other happy. Kait and Eamon's love seemed to grow day by day. 
Also, the relation between Kait and her brother, Blair was a lot of fun to read. It reminded me of the relation between any normal brother and sister, where they fight like opponents with words, but know in their hearts that they love one another. Kait and Blair bicker about the one minute birth difference between them constantly. 
"I dinnae wish to be your enemy, but you make me wish to hate you." 
From there, it's all about Kait and Eamon trying to live happily and some really sweet incidents make you smile. Eamon's selkie skin also forms a major part of the story. The other villagers make the scene more lively and entertaining with their wacky accent and easygoing way of life, and Shapinsay itself has been described beautifully. The other character that really added a meaningful touch was Kait and Eamon's neighbor, Tipper, who, in my opinion, is like an angel in disguise for the couple.

RATING:

Review- Six Moon Summer by SM Reine

Goodreads summary:

Rylie's been bitten.

She's changing.

And now she has three months to find a cure before becoming a werewolf... forever.

Rylie Gresham hates everything about summer camp: the food, the fresh air, the dumb activities, and the other girls in her cabin. But the worst part is probably being bitten by a werewolf. Being a teenager is hard enough, but now she's craving raw flesh and struggles with uncontrollable anger. If she doesn't figure out a way to stop the transformation, then at the end of summer, her life is worse than over. She'll be a monster.

REVIEW:

Being a big fan of werewolves, I was pretty eager to get started with Six Moon Summer the moment I bought my Kindle copy of the book from Amazon.

Rylie's parents are about to legally finalize their divorce and decide to send their daughter to Camp Silver Creek for the summer. Reluctant to go, Rylie has absolutely no idea what awaits her at Camp. As a character, I found it both easy and difficult to relate to Rylie. She is a nice girl, though quite rebellious, which is understandable. What I really liked about her is that she maintains a journal. It was great to read some tiny snippets from her diary. She wanders alone in the forest and that's when she gets bitten by a werewolf. It was plain mesmerizing to read about her transformation and even the changes she starts noticing in herself after the bite. I especially appreciated the concept of keeping the change from man to wolf depending upon the phases of the moon, which made it so much more authentic, slightly creepy and beautiful, all at once. There's a complicated relationship between Rylie and werewolf hunter, Seth. I hope they both get their happily-ever-afters in the books to come. I also liked that the set-up was at Camp. I thought that made the story more believable and simple. My most favorite character, however, was the Silver Creek Camp Counselor, Louise. She was so sweet and supportive.

Six Moon Summer was a fascinating book, full of mystery and charm! I would definitely recommend it. I can hardly wait to get started with the next book in the Seasons Of The Moon series.  

RATING:

X 3 Sarika