Book Review - Ride the Wind

Happy Monday! Yeah, I've been a busy reader this year already, and I'm almost done with Cress, book three of the Lunar Chronicles, so that review will be coming this week, too. But that's another story (see what I did there?). Today, we're talking about Starla! My daughter got three of Starla Huchton's books for Christmas: Shadows on Snow, Stillness of the Sky, and Ride the Wind. Needless to say, I stole one and read it (because I love Starla's books). Once I'd read Lex Talionis, her new adult book, I was hooked. Now that you know what a die-hard fan I am, let's get going!

About the book up for review today:

Title: Ride the Wind: A Flipped Fairy Tale
Author: Starla Huchton
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Length (print): 226 pages
Buy Link: Amazon Kindle $2.99

Blurb:
Once upon a time, I made a promise to a stranger. Though I'd never seen her face, I cared for her above all others.

Once upon a time, I broke my vow. In trying to save the one I loved, I condemned her to a cursed life and stripped her of all freedom in a single, misguided step.

Once upon a time, I set out on a journey. Though it might never earn me forgiveness, I would set her free or die trying.

I bought a set of the entire Flipped Fairy Tale collection in paperback from Starla Huchton for my ten-year-old daughter's Christmas gift. Of course, being a fan of Shadows on Snow, I knew I'd likely sneak and read all the stories behind her trusting little back. I managed to make it through one of two before she caught me, and you all have a review as a prize for my dastardly ways. Now that you know where I got the book, let's dive into the review.

From a Reader's Perspective:
I'm a fairy tale nut. From The Princess and the Pea to Hans and the Little Iron Man, I've read hundreds. Huchton's retellings always leave me with that same sense of child-like awe the originals did. I dive in, getting lost in the carefully crafted stories, hoping against hope the guy ends up with the girl. Well, this novel didn't disappoint me. Ride the Wind is such an intricate story of faithfulness, I was sitting on the edge of my seat, shaking the main character, Lukas, when I can see the detrimental mistake he's about to make. I was talking to the book in my hands as though he could hear me. Then, he goes and does it anyway. No, I can't tell you what "it" is, but I can tell you from that moment on, he fights with everything in himself to make it right. A perfectly flawed hero. I loved it. Why? Because he felt so real to me. Huchton never leaves you bored, and her pacing was spot on. World building was perfect. I could see it all, but she didn't go on and on with bog-you-down description.

One of the things I enjoyed most was finding characters from Shadows on Snow making their appearance. I didn't put it together right away, and was pleasantly surprised when I unraveled the clues. Brilliantly done.

From an Editor's Perspective:
Nothing noteworthy. I didn't stumble, shake my head, or get annoyed with errors. Gorgeous editing.

Rating:
1 Star for twisting yet another fairy tale so beautifully and keeping me engaged
1 Star for world building without overwhelming me
1 Star for pacing
1 Star for intertwining the books together so seamlessly
1 Star for editing
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars. Solid. Highly, highly recommended for anyone looking for an excellent escape, a great read, or a new twist on an old tale.

Have you guys read it? What did you think?

Be SURE and come back tomorrow, because I have a book being featured you won't want to miss.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Book Review - Shadows on Snow

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I have a book review for you all! Yay! I know you're excited. I'm still making my way through the list from 12 Days of Review Requests I compiled last year. First, I'll repost my list, and then we'll get on to the review. I have SO much to say about this book! Ready? Get your cup of Jo and a comfy chair, and let's get going!

The Release Club 1 - Misty Provencher - Review HERE
Dry Stories - Kate Baggot - Review HERE
Fragile Creatures - Kristina Circelli - Review HERE
8 Weeks - Bethany Lopez - Review HERE
Moonlight - David Rose - Review HERE
Refuge - Violet Haze - Review HERE
From the Wreckage - Michelle G. Miller - Review HERE
Shadows on Snow (A Flipped Fairy Tale) - Starla Hutchton -  Review Below

Currently reading: Bound by Duty - Stormy Smith - Amazon Kindle $2.99

The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge - Christine Nolfi - Amazon Kindle $0.99
Facade: A Vampire Love Story - R. M. Webb - Amazon Kindle $0.99
Siren - Jennifer Melzer - Amazon Kindle (Pre-order) $3.99 Grab a sample on Drive!
Queen of Someday - Sherry Ficklin - Amazon Kindle $5.99
At One's Beast - Rachel Barnard - Amazon Kindle $2.99
Unseen - Stephanie Erickson - Amazon Kindle $2.99
The Heart Thief - S. Lee Benedict - Amazon Kindle $4.99
Kindling Flames-Gathering Tinder - Julie Wetzel - Amazon Kindle FREE
Kinetic: Book One of the Kinetic Trilogy - C. M. Zimmer - Amazon Kindle $2.99
Destiny Finds Her - Miranda Lynn - Amazon Kindle $2.99
To Get Me to You - Kait Nolan - Amazon Kindle $2.99
The Lady of Souls - Jenn Gott - Amazon Kindle $4.99
Sticks and Stones - Shawn McGuire - Amazon Kindle $0.99
Good Luck With That Thing You're Doing: One Woman's Adventures in Dating, Plumbing and Other Full Contact Sports - Karen Yankosky - Amazon Kindle $2.99
Desprite Measures-The Caledonian Sprite - Deborah Jay - Amazon Kindle $2.99
The Last Guardian Rises - Rebecca Trogner - Amazon Kindle $0.99 

About the book up for review today:

Title: Shadows on Snow: A Flipped Fairy Tale
Author: Starla Huchton
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Length (print): 251 pages
Buy Link: Amazon Kindle $2.99

Blurb:
Once upon a time, a dark evil crept into my kingdom, stealing my loved ones and the happy life I knew. The world turned against me, and I swore to become stronger, to keep myself safe.

Once upon a time, there was a handsome prince, hair dark as ebony, skin as pure as the freshly driven snow, and I became the only one who stood between him and death.

Once upon a time, our stories intertwined, and now, healing my heart may be the only way to save us all from the evil that threatens to destroy what little we have left.

***Will not appear in review elsewhere. I freaking LOVE this cover. I'm so glad the author chose to take it in this direction and not put a hot prince on the front. Crazy good work. I'd like to see the Ws kerned a bit closer to the Os, but that's just being nit-picky, and who the hell has time for that?***

On to the review!

I picked up a copy of this book last year during my 12 Days of Review Requests event. Starla pitched the book to me, I downloaded a sample, and I got hooked. So, I ran out and bought it, and I've been waiting to dive in forever as I plowed through my TBR for the year. Ms. Huchton has gained a rabid fan. Anyway, now that you know how I came about it, let's get to the good stuff!

From a Reader's Perspective:
Ever have those titles that you can't stop thinking about/wondering what's going to happen next when you're not in the process of reading? Yeah, this was that book for me. I loved everything about the main character, Rae, and the prince. I'm not a fan of romance, but this book kept it on a real level. I could feel Rae's struggle with her past, and I watched as the prince was kind and gentle enough to help her move past it.

Pacing was bang on. I was never bored while reading.

Character development... Well, let me say you'll be rooting for the good guys and so, so angry with the bad guys. I loved Rae. Just loved her. I felt the spark of her duty and her damaged self so clearly through the pages. Leo was everything Snow White was in the original: Handsome, kind, and a whole lot naive. He was perfection. Secondary characters were there, and in your face, but they weren't overdeveloped to the point that I grew to care too much about what happened to them (this is a good thing).

World-building was beautiful. Author gave me just enough to let me see the scene and insert my own imaginings as to what things looked like. I never panned past a section (you know, those ones that bog you down in flower color and fabric type).

From an Editor's Perspective:
I only found two errors (TWO!). But I did highlight a line I found beautiful, which I'll share: "My strength allowed me to help others while giving me freedom to control my own destiny." How awesome is that?

Rating:
1 Star for hooking me from page one.
1 Star for giving me a heroine I could root for who was damaged but strong.
1 Star for pacing.
1 Star for a sweet fairy-tale that rang true with the original.
1 Star for editing.
Overall, 5 out of 5 stars. Recommended for fairy-tale fanatics (like me), or those who love a good story with lots of magic.

Have you read it? What did you think?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo