Mundie Moms

Monday, November 26, 2012

Book Review: The Torn Wing (The Faerie Ring #2) by Kiki Hamilton


Published by: self/Fair Wind Books
Released on: October 2nd, 2012
Source: book from author to review
5 Stars: I Loved It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

London 1872- 

A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation…

As the pickpocket who stole the Queen's ring - only to find the ring was a reservoir that held a truce between the world of Faerie and the British Court - Tiki's greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria's youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and the ones she loves, she needs to know the meaning of an fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will Tiki be brave enough to face the truth? -quoted from Goodreads

My historical fantasy kick continues with Kiki Hamilton's superb sequel, The Torn Wing. Picking up right where The Faerie Ring left off, Kiki has once again treated me to a story who's world is full of lore, and is rich in history and myths. There's something about this world she's created that I have completely fallen in love with. Her ability to mix in some of London's royal history with that of the fey world, and some Irish lore not only fascinates me, but it's one of the things I've totally fallen in love with this series. Her characters, plot twists, and romances don't disappoint either.

The Torn Wing provides readers with plenty of drama, a lot more action, suspense and an impending war that's about to be unleashed on both the human and fey world. Among all this chaos is Tiki's quest for answers in finding out more about her royal heritage and the possibility that she might be the key in stopping all the madness. Tiki is a character I already loved, but I grew to admire her even more so in this story. I felt like she developed and grew in a way that was most fitting for her given all that has happening around, and what she's had to over come. I loved her steely determination to keep her family safe, and the fact that she took the time to think things through before taking action. I also loved that she's a character who doesn't see how beautiful she is. She's someone who has this inner beauty that compliments her outer beauty perfectly. 

As much as I love the slow burning romance that continues to grow between her and Rieker, it also drove me mad (in a good way). It's one of those sigh worthy romances you enjoy reading about, but it leaves you wanting so much more from it at the same time. Really I just want to push the two of them into a room, and tell them to hurry up and declare their love for one another, make out, and get engaged before something bad happens to one of them (if it does, which I hope it doesn't). Oh Rieker. I don't think I really need to explain all the reasons why I love him, though this time around I am a bit curious about what he's hiding..... if anything. I think there's something he's not being completely open about with Tiki, and I'm really curious to find out what that good be. 

This sequel is enchanting, exciting and oh so good! I loved it! I loved everything about this book. I felt like Kiki Hamilton did a fabulous job at upping the stakes in this book. The set up for twists, betrayals and getting to meet new characters was brilliantly done in this storyline. I loved what the new characters in this book brought to the story. With everything that's going on, Kiki managed to keep her storyline perfectly paced, while at the same time making it difficult for me to figured out everything that was happen. Normally with a sequel it's easier for me to figure out the twists before they happen, but this time around it was a pleasant surprise not to be able to do so. I was blown away with Kiki's debut, but this book was a WOW one for me. I can't wait to read The Seven Year King! 

If you're a fan of Victorian London, historical fantasy, fairy tales and of well written books, then I highly recommend picking up The Torn Wing!

Greta and the Goblin King Blog Tour: Guest Post; Match.com Profiles for Isaac and Greta


I am thrilled to be apart of today's Entangled Teen blog tour for Chloe Jacobs's upcoming DEBUT release, Greta and The Goblin King. Today Chloe with an exclusive guest posts for MMs. 

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So when I heard that Katie would like to see a match.com type of post, I thought it would be fun to do pretend profiles for both Isaac and Greta from GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING.


Here’s what I think Isaac’s would look like:


Nineteen year old high and mighty kingly-type with boundary issues and a pesky penchant for losing his shit during an eclipse seeks mysterious bounty hunter who won’t be intimidated by him and doesn’t mind a little midnight dream hopping. Would like to do some traveling, and loves hearing his name on the lips of one particular blonde.


And here would be Greta’s:


Seventeen year old displaced illegal alien with a persecution complex and a good sword arm seeks arrogant, take-charge goblin who likes a challenge and understands the value of a good disguise. Likes include sneakers, cross-bows, and linberry tea. Longs for a hot, dry summer. Hates snow and ice. Hopes to learn to trust again, but isn’t counting on it.


This is so much fun, and I want to read pretend profiles for everyone! Let’s see what you could come up with if you could write down whatever you wanted to try to attract that special someone!

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Thank you Chloe for stopping by Mundie Moms today! I loved both Isaac's and Greta's match.com profiles. Thank you for letting us get to know your characters a little bit more. 

About the Book:



GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING

While trying to save her brother from the witch three years ago, Greta was thrown into the fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon.

To survive, 17-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape.

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil being knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the boys she finds stranded in the woods will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back . . .

Greta and The Goblin King will be released on December 11th, 2012 by Entangled Teen publishing. 

Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author:


Chloe Jacobs is a native of nowhere and everywhere, having jumped around to practically every Province of Canada before finally settling in Ontario where she has now been living for a respectable number of years. Her husband and son are the two best people in the entire world, but they also make her wish she'd at least gotten a female cat. No such luck. And although the day job keeps her busy, she carves out as much time as possible to write. Bringing new characters to life and finding out what makes them tick and how badly she can make them suffer is one of her greatest pleasures, almost better than chocolate and fuzzy pink bunny slippers.

Her debut Young Adult fantasy, GRETA AND THE GOBLIN KING, is available everywhere! Check it out online…


The Mortal Instruments Movie Monday #9: 5 Scenes I Hope To See On the Big Screen



Welcome to this week's edition of The Mortal Instruments Movie Monday. Last week I shared my favorites from the trailer here, and this week I'd love to discuss scenes from the book I hope make it to the big screen. 

There are a lot of scenes I really enjoyed in the book, City of Bones. I'm anxious to see what scenes they leave in the movie, what scenes they might combine, and what scenes they give their own interruption of. I feel there's a lot in City of Bones that the studio has to play with, and I know they can't leave every single thing from the book in the movie. I have a lot of faith that over all they'll do a fabulous job at leaving the key moments, and important scenes from the book in movie. Even if they have to change a few scenes around, I know they'll do justice in bringing Cassie's world to life. Here are 5 scenes I hope make it to the big screen.

1) The Cafe Scene: I love that this scene made it into the trailer! I think they nailed these shots perfectly. Jace in the window, Jace's look (that says it all right there), Simon's concern for Clary and Clary's look on her face, and her trying to figure out what the heck is going on. LOVE it! There was something about Jace in this scene that made me immediately love him, and there was something about Clary that made me like her even though. 



 2) The Club Scene: Again, another scene I love that makes it to the trailer. I can't wait to see play out on the big screen. I love that look Jace gives Clary. It seems a little surreal seeing these two scenes come to life on the big screen since I've read them numerous times and have pictured them in my head. Seeing this scene, like the cafe scene come to life is just awesome! 



3) The Green House Scene: I don't think this scene needs any explantation as to why I can't wait to see it on the big screen. Jace.... Clary.... that moment *sigh* and cheese sandwiches. lol

4) Magnus: Who doesn't want to see Magnus on the big screen? I don't care what scenes he's in, I just want to see him on the big screen. I'll take him in 2-D, 3-D whatever. I just want Magnus! I don't care if Magnus in every shot or just a few, though I hope it's a lot more than a few, I just want to see him, oh and Chairmen Meow too. I also can't wait to see how outfits Magnus will be wearing...... Maybe these pictures can hold us over until we get our Magnus teaser.....



5) The City of Bones: Yes I realize I'm leaving a lot of things off my list that I can't wait to see on the big screen, and I might be weird for listing The City of Bones. There's something about the creepiness of The Silent Brothers and of this totally hidden world that has jumped out at me with seeing the trailer, and that's how seriously creepy and dark it really is. I know it's conveyed in the books how dangerous, and scary the Shadowhunter world can be, and though I picked up on that over the many times I've read the books, it wasn't until I finally saw this


did it really hit me. I'm sorry, there's no way in heck I'd go near one of The Silent Brothers, even though I know they're good. Shoot I wouldn't even be entering the City of Bones. Okay, maybe if Jace was there to hold my hand or Magnus was beside I'd do it, but other than that, no way. This one shot alone is creepy enough, I can't wait to see how terrifying they make the rest of the demons look. Bring on the creepiness!

What are some of your favorite book scenes you're hoping to see on the big screen? 

Mundane Monday #164: Unidentified Snippet


Happy Mundane Monday! Today's feature is Cassie's recently posted Unidentified Snippet. These snippets, which you can read more of here, can be from either series, and come from either a book she's recently finished writing or comes from one she's currently working on now. 


Belatedly, she realized something else. “Do you … have anything?”

He didn’t seem to have recovered from her last comment. “But do you mean — wait, do I have what?”

She slitted her eyes at him. “Something important.”

“Like what? The phone number for the White House?” A moment later, under her withering glare, realization dawned. “Oh.” His was the expression of someone who has run out of gas in the middle of the desert, miles from help. “I … “

Who do you think is talking, and which book do you think this quote is taking from?

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