Review: Thief’s Covenant

Thief’s Covenant (Widdershins, #1) by Ari Marmell 
Publisher: Pyr
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 240
Source: Received from publisher for review
Amazon |  Goodreads
★★★☆☆

Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city ’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder.

Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers.

But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first.

Ok.. so here's the deal: In theory, this book is fantastic! In reality, however, Thief's Covenant didn't live up to my expectations. I was in love with the idea of the book versus in love with the book itself.

My main issue with this book lies in the fact that I felt a constant disconnect between myself and Widdershins. She was spunky, witty, strong, and intelligent - all qualities I look for in heroines. I just never felt dedicated to her cause. I lacked that passion for her character. I didn't feel a push or drive to care what happened to her. That, for me, is what made this book fall apart.

On top of my issues with the main character, I also had some major problems with the pacing. While there was plenty of action in Thief's Covenant, I felt the book moved very slow for some reason. I didn't feel like all that much was happening. I was also confused by the use of flashbacks. They hindered my understanding of the story rather than helping it. I've seen the value of flashbacks in other books, but when they range from two to six years back, it can be rather distracting.

Overall, I think that there are readers who will find this book enjoyable, however it wasn't for me. I had an incredibly hard time getting into it despite my enthusiasm at the start.

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Review: Eon

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon, #1) by Alison Goodman 
Publisher: Viking Children's Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 531
Source: Purchased 
Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
★★★★☆

Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.

Eon was unlike any YA epic fantasy I've read before! It wove fantasy and Asian mythology together seamlessly, creating a world I easily fell in love with.

Eona was a refreshing change to the usual sword-wielding YA heroine. Instead of being physically strong and powerful, she was quite terribly crippled with a damaged hip . Yet, even in that state, she pushed through the pain and fought against it. Not only does she have to fight her foes in this book, but also herself at times. It was inspiring to see her prevail even as the world was seemingly going against her.

Despite the 500+ pages, not once was I bored with the plot. Goodman's writing was so descriptive and engrossing that it was hard to put down. I really loved that this book was fully fleshed out. Goodman's descriptions built a complete picture of the world adding depth and understanding to the story.

With lovable characters, a thrilling plot, and beautiful descriptions, Eon has left me pining for the next book, Eona. 

If you liked Graceling by Kristin Cashore then you'll like Eon by Alison Goodman.

Watch The Trailer

New Releases: March 2012

Featured Release

I can't wait for A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink! It sounds like such an engrossing story.

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendents charged with protecting the world’s past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.