Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Goodreads Blurb

The trees swallowed her brother whole, and Jenny was there to see it. Now seventeen, she revisits the woods where Tom was taken, resolving to say good-bye at last. Instead, she's lured into the trees, where she finds strange and dangerous creatures who seem to consider her the threat. Among them is Jack, mercurial and magnetic, with secrets of his own. Determined to find her brother, with or without Jack's help, Jenny struggles to navigate a faerie world where stunning beauty masks some of the most treacherous evils, and she's faced with a choice between salvation or sacrifice--and not just her own.

So when you read the synopsis, what's the first thing that pops into your mind? If you're an Iron Fey fan like me, the THE IRON FEY.  And it does sound like it, doesn't it? A lost brother, manipulative fey, fey who consider her a threat, a fey love interest who may or may not be helping her...yeah,. the Iron Fey definitely popped into my head. I was worried that I would be comparing this to my absolute favorite series, and while I did, Treachery is completely different, I'm glad to say! It had it's own story that had no relation, so no worries to any giant fans like me!

The world-building. Was. Amazing. Ruth Frances Long wrote Treachery beautifully and the descriptions were...surreal. The title, I can safely say, fits this book to the core. There were so many stunning creatures and fey, but all of them dangerous in their own way. It was wonderful to discover all these fey lurking in the book, waiting to be discovered and waiting for their secrets to be revealed. I mean, all fey readers, we know how dangerous it can be, and just how beautiful it can be. And Treachery is no exception. But the difference is that, instead of simply Oberon, Titania, and Mab ruling over courts, we're introduced to the May Queen, Jacks, and so much more faery lore then I know, which was wonderful since I was starting to predict a lot of happenings in faery books.

Character wise, I was a little iffy with Jenny. She was so...naive to the world and honestly, you can't blame her. She was thrust into this world, but like I said, I'm a giant faery fan so I always think that everyone should know the dangers of the world, but obviously they don't. So while giant faery fans may find Jenny irritating a bit, she'll get better later as she slowly learns the cautions. To any non-giant fan, you'll love Jenny from page 1! She's stubborn in that good way, she's passionate, kind, smart, all those things you love in a good character! Jenny was a lovable heroine who would rarely give up, unless she was completely crushed (I'm thinking of a certain time here...)

JACK. JACK. JACK. I LOVE JACK. but then, I love most love interests, hee hee. But Jack was just so sweet! He never realized how in love he was with Jenny and when he did...the things he said...it almost made me cry, it was so sweet! He was always thinking how he didn't deserve anything, to be recognized, to be known, and I just wanted to SQUASH HIM IN A HUG. He was so sacrificial and he was willing to give up more than everything just for Jenny. Thank God she didn't take that lightly!

The romance was as sweet as Jack! Jenny and Jack sitting in a tree...or rather, Jenny and Jack running from the trees. Somehow, along this quest, Jack got his queen (metaphorically...) and Jenny fell in love and...well, did she get her HEA? Maybe. But the romance wasn't insta-love, which was the one thing I wanted to say about it!

The plot was as amazing as the rest of the book! While it started out a little slow in the beginning (besides that prologue. Wow!) it quickly sped up so that eventually you'd be flipping through the pages, frantically wondering what would happen next. As the plot unfolded, you could feel the tension thickening until the ending where it basically...exploded, for lack of a better word! The ending was just wow. Let's just say nothing was thrown in just for the sake of it.

The Treachery of Beautiful Things will capture your interest from page 1 and string you along throughout the book. It's as devious and manipulative as the fey themselves and it may sound familiar, but Treachery  is original and fresh, a definite twist on fey lore. This is definitely one to buy if you're a fan of faeries or fantasy! 

Pages: 384

Series: Stand alone

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: August 16, 2012

Rating: 4.5--->5

Why I Love Ash From the Iron Fey Series

(Fan Made Banner! Made by moi of course :D)

ASH

I've always been a fan of Ash. He's my #1 Book Boyfriend. The ULTIMATE crush. Which is why all of y'all who voted for Aiden are crazy. No offense. I mean, from what I've heard, he's insanely hot. But Ash is wwwaaaayyyy better. And that means he's defnitely better than Puck. No offense to you too, Puck. You know I love ya.

Let's do this in bullet points. And examples. We love those examples, right?

• Ash? He's insanely protective/sweet/possessive at the same time. And very, very threatening. 
• Ex #2: "His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. “I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as I’m alive. That includes Puck, the false king, and anyone else who would take you away.” One corner of his mouth quirked, as I struggled to catch my breath under his powerful scrutiny. “I guess I should’ve warned you that I have a slight possessive streak.” "

• Then he's just plain sweet and I want to snuggle him. But then, he is Meghan's. Sigh. 
• Ex: “You are my heart, my life, my entire existence."

• Ex #2: “Ash brushed the hair from my neck and leaned close to my ear, his voice so soft not even Grimalkin could’ve heard it. “I love you,” he murmured, and my heart nearly burst out of my chest. “Whatever happens, we’re together now.
  Always.”

• Ex #3: “If I'd thought I would regret it," he said calmly, "I never would have made that oath. I knew what becoming a knight would mean. And if you asked me again, the answer would still be the same." He sighed, framing my face with his hands. "My life... everything I am... belongs to you.”

• He's so INFURIATING. But in a good, cocky, comforting way. SQUEE.
• Ex: “But ... but what if I hit you?”
  A snort. “You’re not going to hit me.”
  “How do you know?” I bristled at his amused tone. “I could hit you. Even master swordsmen make mistakes. I could get a lucky shot, or you might not see me coming. I don’t want to hurt you.”
  He favored me with another patient look. “And how much experience do you have with swords and weapons in general?”
  “Um.” I glanced down at the saber in my hand. “Thirty seconds?”
  He smiled, that calm, irritatingly confident smirk. “You’re not going to hit me.”

• He would give anything for Meghan. And he would gain anything for Meghan. AKA, he's loyal and..and...and...*sobs happily*
• Ex: “Forgive me," Ash murmured, and I heard the faintest of tremors beneath his voice. "But I can't...I won't...give her up. Not now, when I've just found her."

• Ex #2: “You're here,' I murmured, reaching out to touch him, hardly believing this was real. 'You came back.' Ash's breath hitched, and he put his hand over mine.
  'I came home.”

• Ex: “Just answer me this. Is she worth it?" Ash's face went blank and cold, like a door slamming shut.
  "Would this be considered payment for finding sweetfinger?" he replied in a voice dead of emotion.
  The dwarf snorted. "Yeah, sure, whatever. But I want a serious answer, Prince."
  Ash was still for a moment. "Yes," he murmured, his voice so low I barely caught it. "She's worth it."
  "You know Mab will tear you apart for this."
  "I know."

• I'm pretty sure I've said this. But I'm mixing two of my points. He's there to comfort her in a possessive way.
• Ex: “Hey, princess.”
  “Hey,” I whispered, as Ash slipped his arms around my waist from behind, drawing me close. I could feel his glare aimed at Puck over my head, a silent, protective gesture that spoke louder than any words. Mine. Back off.”

• He's protective. As in, he'll make sure nothing bad happens to her. Nothing.
• Ex: “Ash pulled me back against him, brushing my hair from my neck. His mouth skimmed my shoulder, up my neck, sending butterflies swarming through my insides. "If you want to rest, then do so," he murmured against my skin. "The rain will not touch you, I promise.”

• Ex #2: “Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?”

• Ex #3: “Ash!" I called. "What are you doing? Come on!"
  "Meghan." Ash's voice despite the pain below the surface, was calm. "I hope you find your brother. If you see Puck again tell him I regret having to step out of our duel."
  "Ash, no! Don't do this!"
  I felt him smile. "You made me feel alive again," he murmured.
  Screeching, the greemlins attacked.”

• He does what's right. Even when it pains him.
• Ex: “He hesitated, but then stepped beneath the tree and knelt, depositing me gently on the ground between two giant roots. And he stayed there, kneeling beside me, holding my hand in his. Something splashed the back of my hand, cold as spring water, crystalling to my skin. A faery's tears.”

• And ah, he's a good kisser. ;D
• Ex:“I kissed him. His arms slid around me and drew me close, and we stayed like that for a while, my hands tangled in his hair, his cool lips on mine. My earlier thoughts in the crypt came back to haunt me, and I shoved them into the darkest corner of my mind. I would not give him up. I would find a way to have a happy ending, for both of us.”
• Ex #2: "My fingers yanked him close, digging into his back, and his arms crushed me to him as if wanting to meld us together. I knotted my fingers in his hair and bit down on his bottom lip, making him groan. His lips parted, and my tongue swept in to dance with his."

All in all? Ash is this cold and cruel faery. In the beginning. He's been hurt, betrayed, and has done some terrible things. But when he meets Meghan, he starts to thaw and he becomes this...this...I love him! (And while Soul Faery Ash is good, I think I prefer No-Soul Ash...). He's fiercely protective, loyal, and will risk anything and everything for Meghan. He'd never let anything happen to the people he loves and he understands what's right and what's wrong.

He’ll fight for what he believes in and he’ll go to the end of the world (pun intended) for Meghan. He’d give up so much for just a day and he’s sweet. So unconditionally sweet. Even when it pains him, he’d let Meghan go if that’s what she wanted. *Sobs* You have no idea how many times I’ve cried reading this. It’s just totally, epically, heartbreaking. Also, when I read this creepy book at night, I make myself remember the entire story line of the Iron Fey series. Yeah, I’m a maniac. Deal! XD

And when I'm rereading the Iron Fey series (I seriously need to get new copies. Mine are fallinga apart. And the pages are yellow.) I always listen to this song which is so not a good idea since it makes me sob. Like, full out sob. For some reason the video won't sho, but the name of the song is Fall for You by Secondhand Serenade. It's seriously my favorite song ever now!

And, also. Randomly, here's a poem. I know it's bad. XP

Ice and Frost
Magic Lost
Summer thaws
The frozen heart

Traveling through the world once more
Defeating others evermore
The first girl fell
The second gone
Alone once more
Forever Lasts

To the end,
The edge of all
There to gain
One lost soul

Ice and Frost
Magic lost
Iron melts the frozen heart

Become the knight
He alway was
So ends the tale
Of The Iron Knight

Random Musings: Seeing a Book

Today while I was walking down the halls of my school, I saw someone reading Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa! If you dind't know already, the Iron Fey series is my absolute favorite series! So that one sight kept me smiling the entire day. It was wonderful seeing someone else enjoying the books I loved, especially my all-time favorites! Since I was at school, I couldn't take a picture, but if I could, I would've. I love seeing a book I've read in someone else's hands, just so I can know htat others around me are enjoying the same books as me.

Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Goodreads Blurb

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Allie’s used to protecting her group, her family, until the night they’re killed. The night they’re killed and she gets two options: Die a human or die and rise as a vampire. She picks option 2 and thus starts our story. When her teacher, the one who turned her, is captured by enemies, Allie is left to her own resources to survive in the apocalyptic world full of rabids, twisted creatures that were once human, or once vampire. From there our heroine meets a group of Unregistered humans who somehow survived in a world where vampires rule the cities and food is rationed only among registered. She joins their gathering, but day by day her secret is getting harder to hide, her bloodlust harder to control. “Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being.The question is not if it will happen, but when.”

Julie Kagawa amazed me with her Iron Fey series, and she blew me away with Immortal Rules. And for someone who never wanted to do a vampire story from the beginning, Kagawa definitely aced the test with flying colors. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that she’d been lying to us and wrote vampire stories her whole life! That’s how amazing Immortal Rules was. The plot was original, the characters each having their own unique personalities, and the setting fit the story perfectly.

I couldn’t help but compare this to the Iron Fey sometimes, especially when I read similar things such as the tree growing out of the car. Caleb reminded me so much of Ethan, especially with the family bond between Allie and Caleb that reminded me of Meghan and Ethan at the beginning of Iron King! But Immortal Rules definitely has its own unique plot. Vampires have never been so new. Julie has twisted the myth of vampires into something entirely new, adding her own splash of imagination in the form of rabids. Next to clowns, rabids are now the scariest thing I’ve read about.

Usually I can tell what’s going to happen, can’t most of us? But I had absolutely no idea how the Immortal Rules would end. One moment I’d think she’d die, the next she wasn’t. I thought the love story would survive, I’m still not sure if it will or won’t. Nothing is predictable, and remember the phrase “Predict the unpredictable” while reading this.

Allie was way different than Meghan. She was more headstrong, stubborn, cruel, cold, and just…hard-core. Half of those we love in a protagonist. Meghan was sweet, strong, stubborn, a tad naïve, sacrificing, and underwent serious changes, emerging stronger than before. But so did Allie. I guess all in all, they’re both amazing characters. Zeke was a great love interest, broken but fixed, a leader yet still needing his family. Still remembering things that hurt. And that made me like him even more. I had a love/hate relationship with Ruth. I admired her for her strong personality, and her concern for her family, albeit a bit twisted. On the other hand, Ruth was being a real bitch, excuse my language, to Allie, spreading poison. Though I do think she really did care for her family and was just looking out for them.

I have to admit, as much as my heart races for other books as well, this single story definitely made me hold my breath and definitely made my heart stutter in fear.  I did cry, but why, I can’t say. But there is a heartbreaking moment in this book of horrors, and it will send you to the tissue box. And I did scream. Or tried to. My heart was in my throat at one part and I swore I could see Allie fighting desperately.

Summary:

Enchanting. Enticing. Beautiful. Dark. Edgy. Creepy. All wonderful words to describe the dangerous world of Immortal Rules. This is easily one of my favorite vampire/dystopian books of all time. It had the perfect dose of romance, danger, secrets, sacrifice, and the hard-core will of one girl struggling to survive…even when the world stands against her.

 Pages: 504

Series: Blood of Eden #1

Genre: Paranormal/Dystopia

Rating: 5 stars

“I froze, feeling the world stop for a fraction of a second. In a heartbeat, a torrent of emotion rushed through me, almost too fast to recognize. Horror, anger, guilt, regret. What was I doing? What the hell had come over me?