A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4) by George R.R. Martin

• Title: A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, #4) 
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Fantasy 
• Paperback: 784 pages 
• Publisher: Bantam (October 30, 2007) 
• ISBN-10: 0553582038 
• ISBN-13: 978-0553582031
  

"Crows will fight over a dead man's flesh and kill each other for his eyes." Lord Rodrick stared across the sea, watching the play of moonlight on the waves. "We had one king then five. Now all I see are crows, squabbling over the corpse of Westeros." 

With the death of King Joffrey and Tywin Lannister in 'A Storm of Swords', the kingdom is once again finding itself in the midst of turmoil. The Lannister dynasty may be coming to an end. A place where one King is cast aside for another when the other is seen to have the advantage. A place where the game of thrones is in full play, and it's anybody's game. One prophecy, however, will start to look promising. It's associated with the comet that was seen in 'A Clash of Kings'. The person who is thought to fulfill the prophecy and become the ruler of Westeros, however, may be the wrong one. 

Expect more action. Expect more secrets to be revealed. Expect the unexpected, because when George R.R. Martin is involved, all bets are off, and his twists and turns will send your mind into a tizzy.

I must admit Mr. Martin broke my streak of 4 1/2 rose ratings and higher with this one. Some of my favorite key players were missing from this one. Tyrion, the master of twisted witty bantor, and Dany were sorely missed in this book. Also there was way too much Cersei, a character whose inner thoughts I'd have preferred not to have learned. While I've admired Arya and her spunk and wit in past books, I had to question her decision to stay where she was. Plus, there was way too much violence towards women in this one. I would have liked to have seen at least one woman come out looking strong and smart, but alas it was not meant to be.

While I still love the series, I sadly found this story in the saga lacking. It seemed to me Martin was setting things up for later books and, at times, the pace was slow. The best part of the book was the ending, and I don't mean because it came to an end. There were a couple of revelations at the end that boggled my mind. I gave this one 3 out of 5 roses.

Funny note: For some strange reason every time I encountered the word damphair, I kept thinking dhampir. Finally, when they went through with the "born again" ritual it finally hit me--it's damp hair. I guess I've read one too many paranormal books, but alas in a book with dragons, direwolves, and zombie-like "Others", it wouldn't have been totally out of place. lol


Order of series:
















1. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)
2. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)
3. A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3)
4. A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire,  #4)
5. A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)







Get the boxed set of the first four books of the series to save a few bucks or preorder Season One of the HBO series on DVD or Blu-ray. If you click on the DVD or Blu-ray link below you'll be transferred to Amazon:



Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season (DVD)
Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)

Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan

• Title: Vanish
• Classification: Young Adult
• Genre: Fantasy
• Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 6, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0061935107
• ISBN-13: 978-0061935107
• Author's website:  http://www.sophiejordan.net/

"Sometimes I dream of falling." 

"In these dreams, I'm racing through the sky, free as I'm supposed to be. And then something happens because suddenly I'm descending in a tailspin. I clutch air, my screams eaten up by angry wind. I plummet. A human without wings. Just a girl, not a draki at all.  Powerless. Lost."

They say dreams can mirror a person's feelings. Jacinda's life had felt out of control for some time. Being the first fire breathing draki to be born in hundreds of years made her precious to her pride. It also took away many of her choices such as who she'd bond with. A dying race attempting to strengthen it's blood lines, the pride started determining which draki should marry. Jacinda was slated to bond with Cassian, the leader's son. When her mom whisked her and her sister away to live like humans, she went willingly. Now they were heading back to the pride, that is, if they could escape the hunters who now pursued them and knew what she was. For in a moment of panic and fear, Jacinda did the one thing all draki were taught from little on to never do--she changed from human to draki in front of humans and revealed her kind's well kept secret. Had she not made the split second decision Will would have died. Now she, her family, and Cassian were running for their lives.

I gave 'Firelight' a hesitant 4 out of 5 roses. I'm giving 'Vanish', however,  5 roses without blinking an eye. I loved finding out Jacinda's feelings for Will, Cassian, her sister, her pride, and her life. We got a better idea of what was and is going on in Jacinda's head and what she's going through. She starts to question her feelings for Cassian and his for her. We get to the root of what made her resist any possible feelings she may have had for him. Plus, we get a better look at Cassian, a character we'd only gotten a glimpse of in Firelight. 

I also loved getting to know more about the draki way of life. I enjoyed finding out about the bonding ritual and what it entailed. We also got to learn a little more about the powers certain draki hold. Some major questions I entertained after reading the first book were answered in this one. This looks to be a thoroughly addictive and fabulous series. Did I mention I would have reviewed this one sooner if my daughter hadn't stolen it out from under me? Some people have to worry about sharing clothes with their daughters, with me it's books. Oh well, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.(smirk) 'Vanish' was a total book seduction for me and my daughter. This was a book I couldn't put down until I finished. 

By the way, if you're wondering who is on the cover, I believe it's Tamra, Jacinda's twin sister. Why does she look different from her identical twin? Well, I'll let you read the book to find out the answer to that question. Also, I'm not one hundred percent certain as to why the book was called 'Vanish'. It may be because Jacinda and her friends attempt to 'vanish' from the people hunting them in the beginning of the book. An equally plausible reason for the title may be because once a draki is captured they tend to 'vanish' never to be seen again.  As I stated before, this one gets 5 out of 5 roses. A very fun book that I loved sharing with my daughter. I highly recommend the series. 

Book Trailer for Vanish:

Sophie Jordan talks about Vanish:

Order to read series:

1) Firelight

2) Vanish

Most Anticipated New Releases for October

The following is a list I compiled of books that will be coming out in October that is a combination of books my family, my friends, and I are looking forward to reading. To get a description of the book, click on the book's title and you'll be transferred to the book's information on Amazon. Enjoy.


October 4, 2011 - The Son of Neptune(Heroes of Olympus Series #2) by Rick Riordan
October 4, 2011 - Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
October 4, 2011 - Shock Wave (Virgil Flowers Series #5) by John Sandford
October 4, 2011 - Ranger's Apprentice: The Lost Stories (Ranger's Apprentice Series) by John Flanagan
October 4, 2011 - Neverwinter (Neverwinter Series #2) by R. A. Salvatore
October 4, 2011 - Slow Ride (Fast Track Series) by Erin McCarthy
October 4, 2011 - Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis
October 4, 2011 - Angels of Darkness by Ilona Andrews
October 4, 2011 - Changes (Collegium Chronicles Series #3) by Mercedes Lackey
October 4, 2011 - Bound by Blood by Amanda Ashley
October 4, 2011 - Serpent's Kiss (Elder Races Series #3) by Thea Harrison
October 4, 2011 - Robert Ludlum's(TM) The Ares Decision
October 4, 2011 - Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles
October 4, 2011 - The Night Strangers: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian
October 4, 2011 - A Beautiful Friendship (Star Kingdom) by David Weber
October 4, 2011 - A Beginner's Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
October 4, 2011 - Seduced by the Highlander by Julianne MacLean
October 4, 2011 - Much Ado About Vampires: A Dark Ones Novel by Katie MacAlister


October 11, 2011 - Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Volume 2 by Stephenie Meyer
October 11, 2011 - Snuff (Discworld Series #39) by Terry Pratchett
October 11, 2011 - The Death Cure (Maze Runner Trilogy) by James Dashner


October 17, 2011 - The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson
October 18, 2011 - Bonnie by Iris Johansen
October 18, 2011 - Beautiful Chaos (Beautiful Creatures Series #3) by Kami Garcia
October 18, 2011 - Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
October 18, 2011 - Seizure (Virals Series #2) by Kathy Reichs
October 18, 2011 - The Viper: A Highland Guard Novel by Monica McCarty
October 18, 2011 - Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey
October 18, 2011 - The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
October 18, 2011 - A Most Dangerous Profession by Karen Hawkins
October 18, 2011 - Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt
October 18, 2011 - The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg
October 18, 2011 - Lord of the Wolfyn (Harlequin Nocturne) by Jessica Andersen
 

October 25, 2011 - Mastiff (Beka Cooper Series #3) by Tamora Pierce
October 25, 2011 - The Litigators by John Grisham
October 25, 2011 - Destined (House of Night Series #9) by P. C. Cast
October 25, 2011 - Phantom (The Vampire Diaries Series: The Hunters) by L. J. Smith
October 25, 2011 - The Bite Before Christmas by Lynsay Sands & Jeaniene Frost
October 25, 2011 - A Chesapeake Shores Christmas (Chesapeake Shores Series #4) by Sherryl Woods
October 25, 2011 - The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck
October 25, 2011 - Highlander for the Holidays by Janet Chapman
October 25, 2011 - In Close by Brenda Novak
October 25, 2011 - A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp
October 25, 2011 - The Iron Knight (Harlequin Teen) by Julie Kagawa
October 25, 2011 - Lord of the Wolfyn and Twin Targets: Lord of the Wolfyn\Twin Targets (Royal House of Shadows) by Jessica Andersen
October 25, 2011 - Bring Me Home for Christmas (Virgin River) by Robyn Carr
October 25, 2011 - Until There Was You (Hqn) by Kristan Higgins


October 31, 2011 - Zero Day by David Baldacci