Book Review: Lament

Title: Lament (The Faerie Queen's Deception)

Book 1 of 3 in Books of Faerie

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Paperback, 325 pages

Published October 1st 2008

Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand -- one who can see faeries.Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy named Luke who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. But his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. When a sinister faerie named Aodhan shows up with deadly orders from the Faerie Queen, it forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie.  Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.

Deirdre is a brilliant harpist. She has gigs and competitions almost everyday. The only problem is: she hates being in front of people. Aside from that, she throws up before her performances. On the day of a particularly important competition, she has just fled to a bathroom and is starting to throw up when someone holds her hair back and tells her its almost over. 


The strange boy who helped her is Luke; who is actually a guy from her dreams - literally she dreamed of him the night before. As things progress we learn Dee has more power and strength inside than she ever expected and that Luke has some dark secrets. This is only part of the problem for Dee is being hunted for her powers that rival the Faerie Queen's, and the Hunters want to torment and play games with her. 


The only thing that has a chance of stopping the Faerie Hunters is Iron and a strange substance her grandmother made. What happens when Luke tells her he loves her and the same day she gets a text saying that James loves her? Who will she choose? Is Dee strong enough to take on the Faerie Queen and her minions and rule the Faerie world?

Truth is, I kinda liked the story. It's something new compared to those other fairy-infested myths I've read. I had fun with the characters, especially James.  I really liked that about this book it had a great message and that is about the difficult choices one has to go through in life and how those choices make up the person you become.


Looking forward to reading the 2nd book - Ballad; which is about James this time. 

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About this author :

Maggie Stiefvater

New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.


All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

The Dragonslayer and His Sorceress

Volume 2 Dragonslayer and His Sorceress

Part 1 – Coming Storm
Carison Destine, Paladin of the Realm, has agreed to help an old friend prepare the defenses of the Governor’s Palace in what was once the Fourth Kingdom.

Along with his lover, the beautiful and deadly sorceress Raven, they begin their task, knowing it is only a matter of time before the deposed King Lemore tries to take his throne back by force.

An attack on the palace by a Yellowscale dragon leaves Carison’s friend poisoned and dying and Carison must find help in the most unlikely of places.

And all the while there are rumors from the lips of the dragons themselves that something is coming, something that Carison cannot prepare for…

Part 2 – Hidden Dangers
Dreams of impending terrors wake Carison Destine from his sleep. As Paladin of the Realm, he has faced untold dangers and always walked away from them, although not always without losing something of himself.

The dragons are anxiously awaiting something. Something that will be worse than anything Carison and the Sorceress Raven have ever faced before. They must find out what it is, and stop it if they can.

If they don’t die trying.

Part 3 – There is Death
On their way to stop the tyrant Butcher Lemore from raising a dragon army, Paladin Carison Destine, the sorceress Raven, and their friend Captain Orson Malidra are set upon by a group of Bluescale dragons.

In the middle of the fight that they are bound to lose, they are saved by a friend. A friend who gives his life for them.

His death tips Raven over an emotional cliff, unleashing powers and dangers she had tried so hard to bury within herself. She changes before Carison’s eyes. And then leaves.

Looking for help in the next town, what they find is rumors that Raven has slaughtered a nearby village. Carison knows it can’t be true. But he also knows he has to go to her, to try to bring her back to herself.

But at the same time, Butcher Lemore is plotting and scheming to regain his throne.

And kill anyone who stands in his way.

The White Aura

The White Aura (White Aura #1)

by Felicia Tatum
Kindle Edition, 211 pages
Published November 29th 2012

How do you live with the gut-clenching truth that the one you love will die if you meet them? Twenty year old sorcerer Scott Tabors is learning how. After seeing seventeen year old Olivia Whitehead outside of a coffee shop, his heart will never be the same. He longs for her, he wants her, and he knows she will be his. They are heart mates. …but due to a curse on his family, he can’t meet her. Not yet. So for now, he visits her in her dreams. Her dreams where he can tell her everything but his name. 

Olivia Whitehead is a typical junior in high school. She and her best friend are having the time of their lives, but she can’t help but notice the changes happening to her. Especially the changes in her heart after she begins dreaming about a mysterious dark haired young man. But what will happen when the school heartthrob decides he wants Olivia? Will she realize the dream man is real or will she move on?

I learned about this book from twitter via @lyndajdickson’s. Then I went to her blog and read her wonderful review of Felicia Tatum’s dream-inspired fantasy novel, The White Aura. I got curious so I went to amazon and read all the other reviews. Soon I found myself buying the book and loving it. (By the way, thank you Miss Lynda Dickson for that intriguing tweet!)

Olivia is not your typical teen who grows up with doting parents. In fact, they are  distant from her. But at least she’s got Juniper, her BFF and the man of her dreams, literally. In her dreams, she has been seeing a sexy gorgeous man, who always showers her with kisses and caress. Little did she know that Scott aka Mr. Sexy is so real, is just a few miles away from her and was in fact, a sorcerer.

But the so-called Mr. Sexy can’t simply approach her. Because of an ancient course that prevents them from being together, Scott is unable to personally introduce himself as her heart-mate, until she reaches her rightful age. At first, he’s content in seeing Olivia in dreamland, but when a new guy was demanding for Livvie’s attention, Scott employs his sister’s help to know more about his competition.

Aiden Cavalier, the teenage playboy who suddenly showed interest in Olivia,  has a hidden agenda. In ancient times, he was known as Crimson Calamitous, and he intends to get Olivia, by hook or by crook. Soon, the war between sorcerers was ignited and our lady in distress suddenly has white aura surrounding her. To top it off, Olivia seems to have the power of seeing one’s death with just a simple touch.

Mystery certainly surrounds the life and dreams of our two main characters, Scott and Olivia. I loved how they alternately told their story in the book. Sorcery is not a new topic to me in the books that I've read, but in The White Aura, it was somewhat lacking. I was waiting for spells or incantations to be uttered by any of the Tabors family, but I wasn't able to find it. However, I liked the story a lot so I told myself: “to hell with the spells! Scott and Livvie is what matters the most!”

The fact that I was able to read the book in 2 days mean a major thing to me. With my busy schedule at home and now with my kids’ school, I usually finish a book in 3-5 days, max. But with Felicia  Tatum’s light and breezy storytelling gift, I finished the book at a shorter time. I liked how she kept the other characters still shrouded with mystery,(what’s up with Sebastian? he seems like the evil twin.. and what’s the real deal with Livvie’s parents? what awaits Juniper’s newly changed future?) and so on..

The story of Scott & Olivia was unique. I loved how the author played with their personalities and thoughts while both are on dreamland. And I love how she left me reeling and asking for more. The ending was a definite cliffhanger, one that would totally make the reader buy the next installment. And I will not e an exception. I would definitely read the next book, so I can find out more about the Red Calamari..i mean, crimson calamitous!

For more books and info about Felicia Tatum, just go to - http://www.feliciatatum.com 

Other Contact info: 

via Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FeliciaTatumWriter 

via Twitter - https://twitter.com/sassybrunette55 

via Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6592100.Felicia_Tatum 

via Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Felicia-Tatum/e/B00AGI1IVQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Valley of Silence

Title: The Valley of Silence
Author: Nora Roberts
Hardcover, Large Print, 506 pages
Published November 1st 2006

Having traveled through the Dance of the Gods to the land of Geall, the circle finds themselves convincing then training the people of Geall to defeat Lilith’s vampire army. The Valley of Silence is a forbidding place for the battle of all battles, but the circle continues to prepare through magic and a few early stakeouts that test their strength individually and as a team. 

Moira finds herself playing the roles of warrior and royal, as she follows the tradition of her people and prepares to take the crown before leading them into battle. And if that isn’t enough, she finds her thoughts turning to Cian more often than not. 

So what’s a chaste and intelligent young woman to do when given less than a month with the man she loves, who’s not a man, but a vampire? And how will the people of Geall fare against an army of blood-thirsty vampires who have had centuries to prepare?

Cian, the undead twin brother of Hoyt, must learn how to trust the circle and not let love get in the way, even if he had to work hand-in-hand and face-to-face with the one who made his heart beat after a millennium. The fact that Cian is a vampire and his lover is a fighter of life, complicates matters more. What’s worse is, his kind was the very same beings who have killed the parents of the one he love, Queen Moira.

Since vampires are known to be evil & do not have place in this world, Cian set himself apart from the others. He was the only one of his kind who drank pig’s blood and treated people as friends instead of killing them. He vowed to kill his creator Lilith and perish all her minions and live again for a thousand years, but he had to turn his back on Moira and forget her, even if it broke her heart.

Will there be an end to their suffering? Will Cian ever find love? Will Moira ever move on from her heartbreak?
This is my favorite among the three books. I learned more about Cian and how he came to be, and how his life was changed when he met Moira. The war war that took place in the Valley of Silence was crisp and detailed. I even forgot about the old man who was story-telling in the end.

The twist about Cian is a must read, too!

And yes, I was more than satisfied with the ending – the way a Nora Roberts’ book should be. and honestly, among the three pairs, i liked Cian & Moira’s story the most! so I’m rating this last book with 5 Bookmarks!

Dance of the Gods

Title: Dance of the Gods (Circle Trilogy 2)
Author: Nora Roberts
Paperback, 321 pages
Published October 3rd 2006

Second part of the Circle Trilogy – Dance of the Gods – features the relationship between Blair, the vampire slayer of the 20th century New York and Larkin, the shape-shifter, who belonged to the 16th century Geall.

As the circle of six prepare for their final clash with the dark army of the vampire Lilith, the battleground shifts. In Ireland, a stone circle serves as the portal to another land and an ancient time. 

It is in Geall that all will meet their fates—the sorcerer, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one who was lost. And as their courage is tested, hearts will bond as never before.

Set in the luscious green fields of Ireland, home of the undead Cian & sorcerer Hoyt, and training grounds of the Circle of Six, the warriors met Lora, the cunning French beauty brought up & sired by the evil tyrant, Lilith. When Blair failed to vaporize her on their first meeting, Lora swore to kill her in the end after numerous tries of luring the girl to join the coven. Larkin, the shifter of shapes, flew side by side with dragons in the air to keep Blair away from their nemesis. Two equally strong but hard-headed warriors strove to keep the circle together but can’t keep their hands off of each other, even when faced against the greatest evil of all. Will their love continue to flourish beyond the transcends of time? Who will sacrifice to join the other in the Old World? Who will decide to face the new world in the future?

After a week-long marathon, Nora Roberts never failed to amaze me. This second book is much better than the first one, complete with details of chivalry, tall-tale adventures and passionate encounters of two unlikely beings. I liked the way the author set my mind to a whole new perspective about dragons and sorcery. Ohhh.. Dragons! My weakness!

Blair as a warrior and once-a-hopeful bride, shows prowess and class in the midst of a fight. Larkin, on the other hand, was open & accepting, even to the new & modern things that seemed impossible in his homeland, Geall. PLease forgive when I say that I want to read the next book, Valley of Silence because of Cian, the vampire! I’d love to see more of him and his cunning personality.

Of course, I recommend this book to all who wish to be fascinated with fairy tales, romance & war.. Onto my review of the third book… soon!

Morrigan's Cross

Title: Morrigan’s Cross
Author: Nora Roberts
Mass Market Paperback, 326 pages
Published August 29th 2006

In the last days of high summer, with lightning striking blue in a black sky, the sorcerer stood on a high cliff overlooking the raging sea…
Belting out his grief into the storm, Hoyt Mac Cionaoith rails against the evil that has torn his twin brother from their family’s embrace. Her name is Lilith. Existing for over a thousand years, she has lured countless men to an immortal doom with her soul-stealing kiss. But now, this woman known as vampire will stop at nothing until she rules this world—and those beyond it…
Hoyt is no match for the dark siren. But his powers come from the goddess Morrigan, and it is through her that he will get his chance at vengeance. At Morrigan’s charge, he must gather five others to form a ring of power strong enough to overcome Lilith. A circle of six: himself, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the one of many forms and the one he’s lost. And it is in this circle, hundreds of years in the future, where Hoyt will learn how strong his spirit—and his heart—have become.

Morrigan’s Cross – the first on the Circle Trilogy - the story of Hoyt & Glenna - the sorcerer & the witch

the Goddess Morrigan tells Hoyt he has a mission that must be completed by him and 5 others:

"There is a battle to be fought, the greatest ever waged. Good against
evil. You must gather the forces."

"You must leave this place and go to another, and another still. Some will
come to you, and some you will seek. The witch, the warrior, the scholar, the
one of many forms, and the one you've lost."

"A circle of six, as strong and true as the arm of a god. When that circle
is formed, others may be formed. But the six will be my army, the six will make
the ring. You will teach and you will learn, and you will be greater than the
sum of you. A month to gather, and one to learn, and one to know. The battle
comes on Samhain" ..

..and so the Goddess Morrigan created the Circle to protect the world from the wrath of the uncanny vampire – Lilith – creator of the undead. But before this happened, Morrigan first called upon Hoyt Mac Cionaoith – the sorcerer of the 14th century to gather up the circle and must time-travel to the present to persuade his twin brother into joining…

But how can this be possible, when the sorcerer’s brother was just like the creature that they are trying to defeat – a Vampire??
I love this book the instant I read about Hoyt strongly facing up against his enemy and sworn to protect his family and bring justice back to his “undead” brother..

Basically, the story started in Ireland over 900 years with the goddess Morrigan calling on a circle of six to stand against an immortal enemy. the tale continues as we are transported to present time and the characters found themselves a little bit pre-occupied with the modern world.

Hoyt struggled dealing with his undead brother and building a circle that would destroy Lilith once and for all. I really loved the spin on the brothers, especially how they were going to form the circle of six and hoped that the war would soon be over. Of course, the love story between Glenna & Hoyt was something that made it even more interesting to read. The first fight scenes went so well, I loved it!

I have read Morrigan’s Cross three years ago, and up to know, it has remained one of my favorite Nora Roberts creation. I actually wished she would write more like this. I enjoyed how she breathe life to her characters. Truly a remarkable talent.