Hyperion Cantos Series by Dan Simmons

If I had to describe this series in one word, the word would be epic. Not only does the world of the novel have its own unique culture, but the religion is a detailed and interesting element to this tale. Book one starts with the stories of seven pilgrims, carefully selected to follow the historical path to confront the terrifying and mysterious Shrike. The Shrike church deems this creature as The Lord of Pain, and to go after it is considered both suicide and socially accepted martyrdom. Each person on the pilgrimage has their own motivation to accept such a deadly quest, and their pasts are ultimately connected through confrontations with the Shrike. But what is the Shrike? Why does it appear throughout time and space? Why does it kill some, but leave others alive?  All these answers are scattered in the Hyperion Cantos series. As each pilgrim struggles with forces both mystical and logical, their fates are connected in the ultimate journey. For even though seven are chosen, only one will succeed and survive. 

I devoured this series, and could not put it down. Each book is action packed, intense and engaging. The story itself contains a world detailed enough to be compared to Frank Herbert's Dune saga. Each chapter reveals a new secret and each secret brings more questions. The reader begins to question what they believe to be true with the actual truth hidden in lies. The characters are well written, and each character has a different perspective on the Shrike church, the way of the cruciform and the mysterious connection of space and time. I recommend this series to the readers who loved Dune and Lord of the Rings. I also recommend it to fans of the Final Fantasy series and anyone who enjoys an epic saga, with not only the fate of the world on their shoulders, but the protection of the human soul. 

Five out of five time gates!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

It is a rare and wonderful thing when a story touches your heart and gives you hope. 

I was first introduced to this book when Do Min Joong picks it up and starts reading it in the Korean Drama "You Who Came From the Stars". This book fit the theme of the episode it's featured in, and reflected on a topic that he didn't understand, even in all his years observing humans on Earth. 

At first glance, this story appears to be a tale about a toy china rabbit, but it is much more than that. I would best describe it as an oddessy of the heart. As Edward passes from person to person, he learns about people, relationships and what love really is. He gets hurt, he learns about kindness, and he learns how to love others. 

This book spoke to me, more than any of Kate DiCamillo's other works. I read Desperaux a long time ago, and I've even met the author, and had one of her books signed. 

But this story, and all the themes in it spoke to me in a way I did not expect. There are some beautiful quotes in the story about love and kindness. Just as the tale gave Do Min Joon insight into his own heart, this story inspired me to examine my own heart with a different perspective. 

You may not think that you have anything in common with a lost china rabbit doll, but this book may surprise you. 

I recommend this book to anyone at any stage of love in their life. Whether you've been hurt, loved or even are just opening your heart to the possibility, this book is food for the soul. 

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

This book is both a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and its own story of myth and magic. 

The land of Arcadia is haunted by demons and the Gentle Lord is the only one who can control them. All of Arcadia fears the demon lord and his bargains. In a desperate attempt to save his own kingdom, Nyx's father promises her to the demon lord in return for safety and protection. But the promise is a trap. Raised to destroy the demon lord, Nyx is trained in the magic arts and promises her sister that she will kill the monster that controls their realm. But when she arrives, the demon lord is not surprised by her attempt to kill him, and gives her a chance to guess his name before retreating into the shadows. As Nyx searches for the fabled hearts of water, earth, fire and air, she must learn the truth behind the curse that not only threatens her life, but the life of all Arcadia. 

As she explores the castle, with the mysterious servant of the demon lord, she must face trials that none have survived and make sense of the truths and lies within the castle. 

I must admit that I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The story echoes greek myth and also creates a world of its own. I would compare this retelling to Beauty by Robin McKinley. The story is darker version of the original fairy tale, but the events read like a greek epic. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Psyche, Persephone and Hades and Howl's Moving Castle. 

I give this book four out of five riddles. A must read for Beauty and the Beast fans! 

I also made a fan mix for it here: http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2014/02/souls-of-light-and-dark-cruel-beauty.html

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Imagine a race, with horses that come from the ocean, stampeding on the shore of an island like a sea storm. These creatures are the capaill uisce, water horses, as wild as the tide and as cruel as nature. This race means everything to Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly. For Sean, it is all about the horses, and for Puck, it is all about survival. Once these two nineteen year olds are caught up in the race, their stories collide in a way that neither would suspect. Puck enters the race for her family. Sean enters the race because he has little choice. As the race draws near, the island prepares itself for a bloodbath, and only one rider can win. 

This book was unlike any book I've read before. In a world both familar and foreign, The Scorpio Races has a genre of its own. The book is written in Sean's and Puck's point of view, and the race itself is an introduction to the strange, terrifying and majestic water horses. The island has a culture of it's own but only fate will determine who wins this race. 

I recommend this book to anyone who loves mythology, horse racing and a new type of fantasy world. This book was hard to put down, and it was a breath of fresh air in the typical Young Adult Sci Fi and Fantasy world. 

Love and Misadventure by Lang Leav

I first discovered Lang Leav on tumblr. This lovely short story about Love and Patience popped up on my dashboard, and I clicked on the link to see who wrote it. 

http://langleav.com/post/48150068087/patience

On the same website was an announcement that she had a book out, and since I work in a bookstore, I was able to get it within a day. 

Lang Leav's poems are charming and genuine. Some are simple, and others are short stories. She has a way with words, and her poetry has a unique simplicity that isn't vague. Her collection was inspirational and insightful. 

I recommend it to romantics at heart and the people who enjoy her writing on tumblr. 

This book has inspired me to look at poetry differently, and I hope her short story on Patience will be included in her next book. 

The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

When I began this series, I decided that I wouldn't review it until I read all the books. Now that I have, I think I made the right decision. This review is also entirely spoiler free, because the story is too amazing to ruin for anyone. 

This is the first story that I have read by Stephen King. It did take a little time for me to get used to his writing style and the interesting way he told the story. The story, of course, begins with Roland, a gunslinger who is always searching for the Dark Tower. A constant wanderer, Roland pursues the Man in Black, the only being who knows where the tower lies. Roland himself is an interesting character who wavers on the line between humanity and madness. His obsession with the Dark Tower, and the decisions he makes to find it are the key points of the story. 

This will be vague, but only to protect anyone who hasn't read this series yet. From The Gunslinger to The Waste Lands, I had many predictions for this series. By the Wolves of Calla, most of them were wrong. At times the story is extremely symbolic, and at other times it is ambigious. 

This series inspired me to look at my writing differently. It was an epic tale and it blew me away. The last thing I will say is this: within the series is the most frustrating and amazing cliffhanger I have ever read! All in all I recommend this series. Writers love it. Artists love it. Anyone who enjoys an epic adventure with twists and turns will love this series. 

This philosophical, inspirational saga deserves movies, or even a televison show, but I'm not sure the adaptions could ever do it justice. 

I compare this saga to the brillance of Dune, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games and even Avatar the Last Airbender. 

Five out of five singing roses. 

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

More details here: 

http://crystallizedheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-birthday-jane-austen.html