February 09, 2012

Review: Katana by Cole Gibsen

Katana
Author: Cole Gibsen
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: March 8, 2012
Pages: 384
Source: Galley from NetGalley/Publisher 

Kill Bill meets Buffy in this supernatural samurai tale.

Rileigh Martin would love to believe that adrenaline gave her the uncanny courage and strength to fend off three muggers. But it doesn't explain her dreams of fifteenth-century Japan, the incredible fighting skills she suddenly possesses, or the strange voice giving her battle tips and danger warnings. While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.

Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her. 

Review: I really enjoyed this book! I really loved how it wasn't about something like Wolves, Vampires or Fae. It was about Samurai! This is the first book I read about Samurai and it was a hit! First of all, I really enjoyed Cole Gibsen's writing! She knew just what to say to make you want to keep reading (especially during dramatic scenes and also made it fun to read in the less dramatic scenes. I really liked the whole storyline of Rileigh harboring the spirit of a Samurai. The story switches back and forth between Rileigh as she's living currently and her Samurai spirit Senshi's memories of the past. I liked how it was done because Senshi's memories would come in right before we would learn something somehow related to her memories. So the memories helped you understand what was happening and the memories helped Rileigh understand by who and why she was being attacked. Everything tied itself together really well!

I loved how much Rileigh matured throughout the book. At first she was in denial, didn't want anything to do with the Samurai even though she knew deep down she couldn't run from it. But she slowly opened up to it even though she wasn't even sure if she believed it yet. Plus she knew that when she was in trouble she could trust the Samurai to protect her even if she didn't like it. Lol. The Samurai.. I thought it was so cool how the group of Samurai were brothers and sisters from the past, who all found each other again. And Kim.. He was Rileigh's spirits (Senshi's) reincarnated lover from the past. Even though it took forever, I'm glad Rileigh warmed up to him enough to trust him (with the memories from Senshi's help). Overall I thought this book was very well done and I definitely look forward to reading more of Cole Gibsen's writing in the future!

4 Stars!

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October 13, 2011

Review: Return To Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Return To Paradise (Leaving Paradise #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Pages: 302
Source: Paperback/Library

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's dermined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them. 

Review: This is the first Simone Elkeles book I read. Yes, I know, Leaving Paradise comes before this book but hey, I go with what I can get my hands on at the library. I can buy some books but not that many. Lol. So even without reading Leaving Paradise I still understood the story. The way Simone writes is amazing! She continued with the story but still gave enough info on the events prior that even people who didn't read the first book could follow along with no problem. I can definitely see why like EVERYONE loves her books. 

I loved how everything was kept real. There was no sugarcoating of anyone's feelings and at times there is even cussing. I actually liked that because it showed the raw emotions of Caleb and Maggie. It showed the anger and pain and everything behind the whole situation. I also loved how they tried so hard to stay away from each other but even despite the situation they still had feelings for each other. 

Now the struggle Caleb went through to try and keep the fact that it wasn't really him who hit Maggie a secret was also interesting too. He was so dead set of protecting his sister that he was willing to risk losing Maggie forever over her not being able to trust him. I loved when the truth came out though. Caleb and Maggie finally got to move on and eventually trust each other again and give each other another chance. It also let Caleb go home to Paradise and face his family. 

I also enjoyed getting to know the others on the Re-START trip such as Erin, Trish and Matt. Matt turned out to be a good friend to others and Erin... Even though she was quiet you could always sense there was more to the story than she let on. And at the end when Lenny finally opened up to Caleb. I found that shocking. I kind of understood why he acted like he did after learning that. 

I would definitely recommend this book to others! It was a great read and it kept you wanting more until the end. I read this book in only a couple hours it was so good. I just couldn't put it down. 

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