The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy Review: Jack

Book: The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 2.5
Setting: London, 1897
POV: 3rd person by Jack, past tense
Genre: YA steampunk, paranormal

Source: ebook
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 44
Release: July 1st, 2013

Goodreads Before he makes his appearance in The Girl with the Iron Touch, Jack Dandy had an adventure of his very own. Learn how his actions set the plot in motion in The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy, a short teaser story from author Kady Cross’s Steampunk Chronicles.  Jack Dandy didn’t become prince of the London underworld at barely twenty-one by being softhearted, even if a certain girl in a steel corset has wormed her way into his affections of late. He knows how to manipulate, charm and rob people blind. And if his criminal activities embarrass his aristocratic father, so much the better. So when a friend of Jack’s father hires him for an underhanded job, Jack is happy to oblige—for an outrageous fee, of course. Delivering a mysterious crate seems like an easy task—until Jack realizes just what is inside...

Title Change!

Hi guys!

As I have mentioned before, I am currently revamping my blog for the upcoming new year. The first step to this was changing my blog's name. Hopefully it's not too big of a shock to everyone (it's actually not that different). I've been mulling over it for a while, and I've finally decided to get it over with. My old blog title, Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything in Between was quite a mouthful. It also was a little cliche, which I'm sure many of you noticed. So it was definitely time to change it to something shorter and easier to say.

In essence, I think the new title is similar enough to the old title, and still retains the idea of books being stars, just with a more emphasized sense of reading with the "pages" part.

My next step will be a header! I'm currently using Pixlr to create it, so hopefully I'll have one up soon. Fingers crossed it comes out nice!

Hope you guys all had a great Christmas, and are having a great week :)

The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn Review: Jasper

Book: The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 3.5
Setting: London 1897
POV: 3rd person by Jasper and Cat
Genre: YA paranormal, steampunk

Source: enovella
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 51
Release: November 1st, 2013

Goodreads In this companion novella to The Girl with the Iron Touch, American cowboy Jasper Renn finds himself in a situation his lightning-fast skills cannot rescue him from… After surviving a triumph-turned-tragedy in New York City, Jasper is determined to secure a happier future with his gifted band of friends. So when the group's mechanical genius Emily is abducted, he'll plunge into England's darkest places to rescue her…. But his old flame Wildcat is turning London town upside down to find her missing sister, and Jasper finds the attraction between himself and the fierce beauty as tempting and dangerous as ever. Their trail leads deep into the city's most unusual circus. Soon, Jasper will find his loyalties—and future—tested more than he could ever imagine…. And don't miss Jasper's continuing exploits in The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross, available now from Harlequin TEEN.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne Review: Finley

Book: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 0.5
Setting: London, 1897
POV: 3rd person by Finley
Genre: YA paranormal, steampunk

Source: ebook
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 83
Release: May 1st, 2011

Goodreads Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined.

Happy Holidays!

I just want to wish you all a terrific holiday, whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or simply the festive climate of the year (yes, I know some have already past/haven't happened yet).

I hope you're all having a fantastic week, and will continue to have a great remainder of the year! May it be filled with tons of books and happiness!

Cheers! :)

A Thousand Skies Above You Review: Marguerite

Book: A Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: 1st person by Marguerite, present tense
Setting: San Fransisco, New York City, Paris, Cambridge (alternate realities)
Genre: YA sci-fi

Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 424
Release: November 3rd, 2015

Goodreads Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.  Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.  The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

A Darker Shade of Magic Review

Book: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic
Standing: Book 1 (ongoing)
POV: 3rd person by Kell and Lila
Setting: London(s)
Genre: Fantasy

Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 398
Release: February 24th, 2015

Goodreads Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.  Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.