Review: The Sweetest Spell

 Title: The Sweetest Spell
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Publication Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Walker Childrens
*I received a copy of the book via Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline. 

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

I'm just going to be honest here, for having such a whimsical, maybe even comedic, story line, I really didn't expect this story to as good as it was! To have the ability to make chocolate is cool, and I'd definitely want it, but for that to be the central point around which the story revolved? I was skeptical. But kudos Suzanne Selfors, kudos for taking this strange idea and spinning it into an amazing story with fantastic world-building, great characters, and touched on rather serious topics.

Emmeline Thistle, who is born with a deformed foot, is looked down upon by everyone in her village, and by everyone in all other villages for being born a "dirt-scratcher." This girl was absolutely amazing. Emmeline was such a selfless and caring character and in her journey of fighting for her people, you could not help but root for her success. She goes through so much in this story, yet never loses her strength and faith.

This book is written in dual POVs switching between Emmeline and Owen Oak, a boy who saves her life, and I normally don't like switching POVs, but I think it worked so well in this book! Not only did it give me a glimpse into both Emmeline and Owen's thoughts, it also allowed me as a reader to see much more of this fictional world that Selfors has created.

Selfors creates such a vivid setting in Anglund, I had no problems picturing each place the characters visited. There's an old-timey, fairy-tale-esque feel of this land ruled by a royal family, and the magic of being able to create chocolate adds to that. Yes, the concept is kind of silly, but it's very well incorporated into the novel and Selfors made it very believable. I loved the back story of  how this magical ability came to be.

One of the biggest surprises for me was the group of characters in this novel. Emmeline and Owen were great, but I was really pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the secondary characters. Even the ones who were first portrayed as villains had some back story that gave them some possibility for redemption and made me empathize with what they did. The one thing I wasn't crazy about in the novel was that the romance was a little of the insta-love variety. I feel like Emmeline and Owen's feelings progressed way to fast, it was just too unrealistic. However, as the novel progressed, I really did like them together. I don't consider the romance to be an overwhelming part of the novel, because there's SO much more to the plot than hey-I-just-met-you-and-this-is-crazy-but-let's-live-happily-ever-after.

Rating: 4 stars

All in all: The Sweetest Spell is a delightful and magical story about self-discovery and strength. This novel definitely exceeded all of my expectations and I highly recommend it!

Review: The Iron Knight

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)

by Julie Kagawa
Published October 26th 2011 by Harlequin TEEN

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. 
 
Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
~goodreads blurb

Rating: 5++/5
Review- 
MIND-BLOWING. Oh, my goodness gracious. YOU GUYS, this book was absolutely freaking mind-blowingly fantsastic! Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this novel. 

I started the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa last year and fell in love with it! In my mind, Kagawa can do no wrong. Once again, she has worked her literary magic on me; This fourth, concluding novel of the series was my first read of 2012 and boy, I can't think of a better novel to start off the new year. 

This book was from Ash's (*dreamy smile*) POV, which, admittedly, I was a little wary about; normally, I love reading books from a girl's perspective and I had grown to really love Megan's character and narration, so reading another book of the same series, in which she wasn't actually present very much, had me a little worried. But of course, all that worry was completely irrational because, believe me, Kagawa did not disappoint. I got to know the guarded winter prince on a much deeper level, and my literary crush on him grew immensely. 

There's so much to his past that, as a reader, I knew about, but never fully knew... does that make sense? In this book, I got to know more about his history/experiences rather extensively and I understood how he became the cold prince of Winter he was at the beginning of the book. At the same time, I also got to see him change from that emotionally guarded prince into...well, a human. 

And the cast! Oh, my gosh, I already loved every single one of  Kagawa's characters, and the new ones (namely one in particular) was no exception. I loved the people (loosely used term) Ash went on his quest with! Even the one that was BIG and BAD. Each character is just crafted so SO well that you can really connect and love every single one of them. 

The dynamic between Ash and Puck was one of my favorite parts. I adored reading more about their "friendship" and knowing just what Ash thought of the summer prankster. I especially loved how Kagawa resolved their age-old feud.

The plot is mainly about Ash and Co.'s journey... or rather, quest. I originally thought that a simple quest couldn't possibly fill up an entire book.... BUT IT DID! Holy guacamole, there was SO much action and plot twists and turns and developments that I was practically devouring the book, page by page. There was not a single boring moment!


After the tragic ending of The Iron Queen, I was so glad that Kagawa decided to write another book and give it a happy ending. Honestly, the way this book ended was a perfect conclusion to the series. Sigh ohmygoshIamsoinlovewiththisseries! 
Subliminal message: READ THIS BOOK. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO...


Quotes
“Geez, you guys. I know I'm popular and all, but seriously, you're a bit too co-dependent for me. I'm going to need you to step away from my personal bubble." A wispy vine-woman curled ivy tendrils around his arm, and he sliced through them with his dagger. "No! Bad Wraith! No touchie!” 

-Puck

“You realize you've been duped by a fish," I said, watching the catfish grin at me before slipping into the dark waters, lost from view. Puck shrugged.
"Hey, it was going to name one of its grandfish after me," he said, tossing the line into the water again. "That's one of my rules, you know. I refuse to eat anything that names its kid after me.”
-Ash and Puck

"I was in love. With a human.
I smiled bitterly at the thought. The old Ash, if faced with such a suggestion, would've either laughed scornfully or removed the offender's head from his neck.” 
 
“My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl.” 
-Ash