Feature & Follow #2

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Rose Herbert

If you’ve stopped by from the Feature and Follow, I just want to say thanks! I’m a bit late this week, but I wasn’t really sure which week I was signing up to. Oops! You can follow me by GFC, Networked Blogs, Facebook and Twitter. The more the merrier! Comment to say you stopped by, and I’ll be sure to visit you in return.

My blogging resolutions? I’m not sure I really have any – except try and resist blog tours, and start getting my hands on more paperback books, as I’m finding ebooks hard to catch up on because there are so many of them! I’d also love to get more followers this year, but that’s just a bonus. I’m still achieving my original goal – of reading my way through my bookshelf, and reviewing every book I read.

In 2012 I posted 160 posts. Of these, only 3 were not reviews! These three posts were my 100 post giveaway and winner announcement, and a Fairytale giveaway I wrote a type of guest post for. That means that last year I read over 157 books! I know I read more than that, because I had posts lined up for 2013 before it started. I’m not sure if I should aim to increase the number of books I’m reading, or just happily continue as I have been – reading things I enjoy, in the order I enjoy them.

Rose @ The Cosy Dragon

Review: Lianne Simon – Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Rose Herbert

Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite

Lianne Simon

Jameson has been born with a unique genetic condition – (s)he started out with one ovary and one testis, but has been living as a boy for quite some time. When (s)he starts college, the gender she has been assigned at birth starts fitting more poorly. With the help of some friends and family, Jameson starts a journey towards a happier ending.

I wanted to love this novel, I really did. I had been hankering to read it ever since I saw it on Goodreads, and was overjoyed to receive a review copy. Disappointingly though, I didn’t find it everything I had hoped. It wasn’t bad (I guess), but it wasn’t amazing either).

The changing perspectives and the method by which Jameson referred to his other self confused me some of the time, and made me feel like I was missing something. Combine this with parts where the time seemed to jump irrationally and it was totally strange. Also, I had no grounding for the places referenced in the novel, nor any ‘proper’ biblical background for the discussions in the various households. This left me feeling even more confused.

I wonder about the concentration of people with this particular genetic syndrome, and the acceptance level Jameson met. It seemed like everything was fine, all the time! With the exception of his father of course. There was one episode when Jameson almost ended up in trouble, but his white knight saved the day.

I just wish Jamie had aimed for higher things in life. It seemed like the religious aspect of this story overshadowed everything else. She ended up just wanting a relationship and kids! No college! To me, that’s just horrible. There’s no reason a woman can’t have a college education and kids too. Sorry, these are just my personal opinions.

Oh, and another element – the Vietnam war. This is a relatively modern book, and to have references to what I presumed was the Vietnam war (my history being a bit sketchy and all) was confusing. It also made me feel less sure about Jameson’s reception in the wider community.

The level of medical information included in this novel was appropriate, and for that level alone I’d suggest it was possible reading for people in a similar situation to Jameson/Jamie.

I received this novel after entering a giveaway, but getting free books never influences the review I present to you!

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Review: Jodi Picoult – My Sister’s Keeper

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Rose Herbert

My Sister’s Keeper

Jodi Picoult

Anna was conceived in order to save her sister. So far she’s donated blood and marrow… but now she is being told she must give a kidney to save Kate. Anna isn’t comfortable with the idea of having such a horrible operation done to her – but she isn’t being asked for permission.

I found the changing perspectives, especially those into the past, very confusing to start off with. Just as I would get into the rhythm of the character or time, it would change! It did provide valuable insights into each character though. I still couldn’t bring myself to like Sara, but I could understand where she was coming from. The storyline of Campbell and Julia adds an element of romance, but seems a little off centre where other lives are at stake.

Some of the twists that are saved until the last third of the novel you won’t have even seen coming – they’ll hit you out of the blue. Each of the plot points that Picoult introduces has a special part to play, and you absolutely have to pay attention. Don’t worry though, you’ll find yourself unable to put the novel down and it won’t be a challenge

The irony of the ending! Oh, and how simple it all seems. You have to feel sorry for Anna really – she’s battled it out so far, and yet she is so far from a satisfactory conclusion.

I think if I had a particular interest in these kinds of cancer, and more legal knowledge, I would find this novel to be a reread. As it is, I don’t think I will, unless I want something familiar. I would like to get my hands on some more of her novels for sure though, as it was an enjoyable and thought provoking read.

‘My Sister’s Keeper’ is apparently one of the most famous (or at least the most Googled) of Picoult’s novels. Personally, I read ‘The Tenth Circle’ first, because it was in my highschool library. I ended up loving that one so much that it’s a reread for me. Having just had a quick browse of a number of other Picoult novels, I think the next one on my list to read is ‘Sing You Home’.

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Review: Kira Harp – The Benefit of Ductwork

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Rose Herbert

The Benefit of Ductwork

Kira Harp

17 year old Andy lives with his two dads, is an average student, and has an average life. When Kyle comes onto the scene, Andy feels upset and abandoned – don’t his parents love him enough to not replace him until he has moved out for college?

What I liked about this short story was that I caught the character dynamics really quickly, and was able to individualise each person in my mind really clearly. The characters were consistant, and the action was engaging enough that I didn’t feel the pages passing by.

My complaint would be that it was too short! As a short story, it was great, but I felt that there could have been more! I wanted to know more about Andy’s childhood (although what was mentioned of it was smoothly integrated), and more about how the family dynamics would change in the future.

This short story is a great one for also illuminating the plight of queer people in trying to adopt or foster children in need. Same sex parental units are no worse at parenting than ‘traditional’ couples, yet often they are ostracised and their children treated differently. I can imagine Andy’s response and Kyle’s bullying as being quite typical of what these people would experience.

I’m going to look out for other novels by this author in this genre, and perhaps branch out a bit too. I’d give it four stars, simply because although I loved it, I wanted more, more, more!

I received this novel from the author as part of a new Goodreads initiative by the group YA LGBT Books called ‘Read-to-Review’. The requirement of this program is that you only ask for one novel at a time, and that reviews are posted within one month of receiving the copy. I was so excited to have something short and queer to read, I had to read it the same day!

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Review: Jessica Penot – Midnight Queen

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Rose Herbert

Midnight Queen

Jessica Penot

Welcome to Reading Addiction Blog Tour’s stop for ‘Midnight Queen’.

Aiela isn’t like the other children, and her mother wasn’t a typical woman either. Despite her mother’s wishes that she remains on the island, Aiela is determined to see more of the world. She doesn’t know of her history though, and that could be her undoing.

The official blurb:

Aiela has spent her entire life sheltered from the world. Her only dream has been to escape
the quiet island life she’s know and find adventure in the world outside. After the death of her
mother, Aeila escapes to the University, a world filled with technological wonders and exotic
people. But her own history is dark and the secrets behind her birth may destroy everything that
hold Aiella together.

My review:

I read and reviewed the first novel, The Twilight Saint, after it was free as a promotion on Amazon. I found it very enjoyable, if a little dark, and so I signed up for this novel’s tour.

The beginning is catchy, nothing like a race against time to get the feelings for the main character pumping. You get the idea that Aiela doesn’t give up easily. I felt very attracted to her, particularly when she picked biology as her major! I didn’t think she was as weak as others had suggested.

Some of the descriptions in the novel still didn’t sit well with me, although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong with it. The world was really detailed and enjoyable. I guess some of the telling vs showing problems – but it’s difficult to do that with life on a ship.

The storyline was engaging, because initially it was impossible to tell which way things would go. Fascinating really. The University hasn’t changed at all since The Saint was there. Oh, but there was an extra layer of awkwardness when Aeila met H. If you didn’t read the Twilight Saint, you wouldn’t know just how awkward it was.

The changes in perspective, and very similar character names made it a bit difficult for me to follow the story at times, but it was interesting to see how people’s lives changed after they met Aiela. She was a catalyst of change – just as her mother was, despite what Aiela may have thought.

Sex is dealt with in the same matter of fact way as it was in The Twilight Saint. Yes, it’s there, it will be in your face almost immediately after you open the novel, but it’s not offensive until later in the novel. Aeila uses it to manipulate people mercilessly. I loved the idea of the water containing birth control! If only it was the case here.

The ending was a little ambiguous for me, and it left things open for perhaps a third book. It’s hard to tell! I found myself still wondering what was going to happen next, so that was a good feeling.

This was a relatively quick read for me, but I liked it. It’s a plot driven novel, and the motivations of most of the characters are unclear. I give it 3 stars!

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About the Author

I am a therapist and writer who lives in Alabama with my three corgis, children, husband, and other strange creatures. My short stories have been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies including CSM, Summer Gothic, Bound By Blood, and Outer Darkness. I have ghost story columns in theValley Planet and White Cat Magazine where I share my love for ghost stories that send shivers down your spine and keep you up at night. I also share my passion for all things ghostly and haunted at my blog, ghost stories and haunted places.

I am currently working on my next Haunted America Book for History Press, Haunted South Alabama. Follow me at my blog to learn about the ghost stories I am chasing and collecting for this fascinating addition to Haunted America. I’m also workng on the next book in my Circe series. The demon is awake and waiting for my new heroine in the swamps of Southern Alabama. Click Here to Follow My Blog!
You can contact me at jessica.penot@gmail.com

You can find her at:

Not sure if you like my opinion? Good thing this is a tour! You can look at some other reviews, guest posts and promos at each of these tour stops:

December 12 – Reading Addiction Blog Tours – Meet and Greet

December 14 – My Cozie Corner – PROMO

December 15 – Bunny’s Reviews – Guest Post/PROMO

December 16 – A Dream Within a Dream – PROMO

December 18 – Pure Textuality – Guest Post/PROMO

December 19 – Mom With a Kindle – Interview/PROMO

December 20 – Jen McConnel – Guest Post/PROMO

December 21 – Marked By Books – Review/Interview

December 22 – Lovely Reads – Guest Post/PROMO

December 26 – The Avid Reader – PROMO

December 27 – My Cozie Corner – Review

December 27 – Words I Write Crazy – Review/Guest Post

December 29 – Black Lillies are Dead – Guest Post/PROMO

December 30 – Book Lovin Mama’s – PROMO

December 31 – Delirious About Books – Interview/PROMO

January 1 – The Cosy Dragon – Review

January 2 – Krystal’s Enchanting Reads – PROMOJanuary 3 – Brooke Blogs – PROMO

January 4 – My Reading Addiction – Review

January 4 – Waiting on Sunday to Drown – Review

Review: Katie Gallagher – Catching You

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Rose Herbert

Catching You

Katie Gallagher

I previously received this book as part of a tour, but I could not rate it high enough to let the review be published while the tour was on. Please find my review of this 1-2 star book here.

I was drawn to ‘Catching You’ because it had hints that Lauren could see the dead after her boyfriend dies in a car accident. Paranormal plus YA = good, right? No, not in this case. Instead there was a wishy washy storyline that didn’t get me excited or even have me wondering what was going to happen. I had no empathy for the characters, and so I couldn’t have cared less if more of them were killed.

I started getting bad feelings about this novel from the beginning – too many description of people’s outfits in ways that didn’t work for me, as well as blow by blow descriptions of teeth brushing and the like.

The funeral, and the young characters reactions aren’t all that good. I felt like there should have been more there, both in term of emotions and also the reactions of the adults to Elizabeth’s pronouncements. I just didn’t have any feeling.

The dialogue left me feeling a bit sad. It’s ok to have contractions in speech! Sometimes it feels like the author has just gone right through with Word replace. Much more work to be done there.

Lauren’s responses to the text messages were a bit weird. It’s just think it was a wrong number, or try calling them or something. No big deal. It was totally unclear to me why this would be the case. Maybe it’s an American thing I’m missing?

I’m going to be generous and give it 2 stars. Or maybe not. I at least finished it, but I can’t decide if that was out of pity for the characters or some sort of odd martyrism.

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Review: Julie Anne Peters – By the Time You Read This I’ll be Dead

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Rose Herbert

By the Time You Read This I’ll be Dead

Julie Anne Peters

Daelyn has tried to kill herself multiple times, and each time has failed. She’s got scars everywhere and can no longer talk, and doesn’t want to keep trying. Mix this with a boy who won’t give up on her and you get a poignant teenage novel.

You have to be in the right mood to read this novel I think. There are some great thought provoking moments, as well as the discussion questions at the end of the novel to consider. Novels like this should be in high school required reading.

The narrative is written so that you can’t feel too much of Daelyn behind it, which is the point – she has isolated herself from the world. Although the title of the novel suggests that this is written in a journal format – never fear, it’s not.

Although I was hankering after it when it first came out, I couldn’t say that this was one of my favourite Peters novels. It’s not bad, it’s a theme close to my heart, but it just lacks some of the pizzazz of the others. I don’t know what’s missing. Maybe it’s just that I expect queer novels from her, and this isn’t one of them. It’s definitely still about minorities.

Bullying is a problem which is becoming worse, not better, over time. Daelyn has suffered horribly, but indeed, she never did stand up for herself. It’s not really her fault though, although I’d love to know why she was fat in the first place. When I was in highschool, there was an obese girl who was bullied. I never really knew her that well though, and she moved schools because of the bullying. Kids are cruel.

I’d recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed Scars, The Burn Journals or anything else in that type of genre (coming of age / mental illness).

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Review: Tamora Pierce – The Song of The Lioness 2: In the Hand of the Goddess

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Rose Herbert

In the Hand of the Goddess

Tamora Pierce

Alanna’s secret is out to a select few. Now she must decide between her love for Jon, and her love for George. At the same time, she has to overcome her weaknesses to try and get to her Knighthood.

The storyline of Alanna’s fear of love becomes more prominent, and carries through this novel to the others in the series. There is at least a conclusion to this novel, even if it feels like each thing carries through each time.

There are time jumps in this novel that could have been made more of so that I noticed them. I did think Alanna was very young to be having sex with people, even if it’s only really mentioned in passing. It feels like Jon is exploiting her – he might well be.

Roger adds the plot progression to this novel that makes things happen. Although he did start playing a role in the first novel, he’s bigger this time. And of course, he’s the meanie that Alanna must defeat.

I’ve reread this many times, and enjoyed it every time. I’ll probably want to read it again next year! If I have time that is…

The ending is a satisfactory, yet predictable one. I’d recommend the novel for adults and teenagers once again. Excellent for anyone wanting to break into the fantasy market as a teen.

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Review: Tamora Pierce – The Song of The Lioness 1: Alanna: The First Adventure

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Rose Herbert

Alanna: The First Adventure

Tamora Pierce

Alanna wants to become a knight, but she’s a woman. With the help of her twin, Thom, she’s about to embark on the biggest deception of her life. The penalty of failure is most likely death, but she wants to protect those she loves.

I have read this novel so many times I have lost count. So when I tried to pull it apart in the same way I have all my other review books, I couldn’t! I’m sure there are some inconsistencies somewhere, but I just love Alan so much that I can ignore it.

It’s fascinating to try and work out where the turning points in the book are. For me, it’s a real challenge. I just love this novel! It’s good honest fantasy with an endearing main character and a woman who knows what she wants, and most of the time isn’t afraid to go get it!

What makes me come back to keep reading this novel? Well, it’s that the city is realised nicely, and there is enough historical interest to keep me reading (but not too much). It links in really well with the other books in the series as well. Pierce has mastery of knowing when to stop a novel – a bit of a cliffhanger, but not too much and you feel satisfied after reading.

I own this novel in an omnibus, and I waited for many years to see if the other books by Pierce set in this world would be released in the same form. Sadly, they weren’t, and now I have them all in very different covers. Within each series it matches though, so that makes me happy. I find the cover on the left very attractive 🙂

Please note that I have now changed the format of how my posts will appear, and also the titling conventions. If the novel in question is part of a series, I will now put that series name in the title with a number, so that it is easy to locate series in my Reviews by Author page.

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Review: Mercedes Lackey – Brightly Burning

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Rose Herbert

Brightly Burning

Mercedes Lackey

Lavan is an unremarkable young man who doesn’t want to follow in his parents footsteps. Instead, his parents send him off to merchant school to see what can be made of him. Sadly, the bullying at the school is horrific, and poor Lavan can find himself getting angrier and angrier with no outlet. That anger has to find its own outlet somehow.

This novel (an old favourite) is everything that the Collegium Chronicles promised, but didn’t deliver. Lavan is fleshed out in great detail, you love hearing his perspective on things. The level of description is just right, and even if you’re familiar with the Valdemar series, you’ll appreciate the background that is thrown in.

One of the more skilful literary techniques in here is the foreshadowing. You hear very little from Herald Pol at the beginning, but that little bit is very important. A bit more between each of those characters, perhaps something from Elenor would be good, but overall I love this novel as much as the first time I read it.

I’m not sure the life bond between Lan and Kalira is that convincing and fits in with the other things in the series. Elsewhere it has been said that lifebonds only occur between those with a tendency to depression and the other partner who can save them. Lan just gets super angry, not depressed most of the time, although there are hints when his gift first begins to show.

This novel is just after the Herald Mage series and it’s obvious that Lackey has tried to tie it in as much as she can. So chronologically, it is between Magic’s Price and Oathblood. The cover on the left is not the one I have. I have one which fits in far better with the rest of my collection of the novels.

I’d probably say this one was suitable for older teens and adults. The ending is sort of depressing and uplifting at the same time.

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The Cosy Dragon

Books, Dragons and a good cup of tea. Fantasy, YA and Queer Book Reviews

Author Archives: Rose Herbert

Feature & Follow #2

Review: Lianne Simon – Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite

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Review: Jodi Picoult – My Sister’s Keeper

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Review: Kira Harp – The Benefit of Ductwork

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