Highlights / Lowlights: STARGLASS by Phoebe North

Title: STARGLASS
Author: Phoebe North
Series: Starglass #1
Published: July 23rd, 2013
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Publisher: S&S BYR
POV: 1st person
Pages: 448
Format: e-ARC
Source: Edelweiss
Rating: The Great Hall

Terra has never known anything but life aboard the Asherah, a city-within-a-spaceship that left Earth five hundred years ago in search of refuge. At sixteen, working a job that doesn't interest her, and living with a grieving father who only notices her when he's yelling, Terra is sure that there has to be more to life than what she's got.

But when she inadvertently witnesses the captain's guard murdering an innocent man, Terra is suddenly thrust into the dark world beneath her ship's idyllic surface. As she's drawn into a secret rebellion determined to restore power to the people, Terra discovers that her choices may determine life or death for the people she cares most about. With mere months to go before landing on the long-promised planet, Terra has to make the decision of a lifetime--one that will determine the fate of her people.

Highlights: The world of the Asherah, the spaceship traveling to a new planet called Zehava, was nicely developed and highly enriched with culture and religion. This society is both intriguing and subtly terrifying. Terra is a fascinating protagonist who made me love and hate her at the same time, which is always fascinating to read. Relationships between characters kept me hooked, both positive and negative ones. North makes STARGLASS unique, keeping her readers on their toes by having the story wander off in new directions. While certain aspects of the romance were easy to see coming, I enjoyed how complicated both romantic situations proved to be. In the end, the world and characters of STARGLASS are fascinating, and I will definitely be looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Lowlights: The slow pacing of this story is a bit difficult to adjust to – for the most part, not a lot happens. There's a lot of focus on Terra's very complicated "love" life and her work life (I enjoyed the latter a bit more, mostly because I think Mara is a fabulous character). The distorted religious aspect confused me for most of the book. I think the biggest problem was that the interesting part of the story came too late, and it took too long for Terra to "fulfill" her end of the bargain. My spoiler-ish comments can be viewed on Goodreads. 

Rating: The Great Hall. (aka, 3.7 out of 5). STARGLASS was very likable, enough that I want a copy somewhere in the palace, even if it doesn't earn a spot in the royal library (perhaps I'll get it as an eBook, if it's on sale). YA sci-fans who are looking for a story that travels in unexpected directions should check out STARGLASS, because you will definitely be in for a surprise. 

Review: SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

Title: SIEGE AND STORM
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Published: June 4th, 2013
Series: The Grisha #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co
POV: 1st, past
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Requested from Publicist
Rating: 5 out of 5

"Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm."

Darker and more dangerous than ever, SIEGE AND STORM is a simply outstanding sequel. Beginning a few weeks after SHADOW AND BONE's startling conclusion, readers find Mal and Alina on the run as they attempt to stay out of the Darkling's ever-expanding reach. Safety, of course, is an impossible hope for the two of them. After a bloody reunion with the Darkling and his new and terrifying creatures¹, Alina finds that some wounds come with strange side effects. Battling her mind and her growing desire for power, Alina struggles as she decides what role she will play in the coming war. As both Alina and the Darkling push to obtain more power, each suffer consequence for everything that is gained. With new allies and enemies, Alina will have to find the strength to win, no matter the cost.

While book one focused heavily on the Darkling's character and on Alina's new abilities, this sequel gives readers a chance to learn more about Mal and it also delves into the cruel realities of exactly what gaining more Grisha power means for all of these characters. Relationships form, mend, and shatter as the characters either evolve or fall to pieces – nothing and no one remains untouched by the coming war. Bardugo sets the stage with a terror-filled and action-packed beginning, and that tension never fades as the story continues. SIEGE AND STORM gives readers an exciting and surprising story that will leave you begging for more. 

Highlights: I enjoy how the Darkling's new abilities come with a price, and how even Alina becomes slightly corrupted by the power she gains. Nothing is easy for these characters. Sturmhond was a welcome addition, since his character lit up every scene with his sharp wit and overall devilishly charming personality². Old characters reemerge along with the new ones, as well as a few revelations that are important to this story and the next. The best part about this story is that I didn't know what was going to happen next – Bardugo kept me curious as she took Alina and this story in directions I genuinely did not expect. This book has earned a spot on my favorites bookshelf. 

Lowlights: Very little of the Darkling. And silly Mal and his silly, boyish moods. I adore you, Mal, but you really need to pull it together.

1 The nichevo'ya may or may not give me goosebumps. Creepy creatures. *hides*
2 Oh, Sturmhond. He's a very intriguing character, and one that I quite adore.