Title: Cold Magic
Author: Kate Elliot (Twitter)
Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: September 2, 2010
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 528
Source: Personal Copy

Young Cat Barahal thinks she understands the world she lives in and her place in it, but in fact she is merely poised, unaware, on the brink of shattering events. Drawn into a labyrinth of politics involving blood, betrayal and old feuds, she will be forced to make an unexpected and perilous journey in order to discover the truth, not just about her own family but about an ancient secret lying at the heart of her world.

Cat and her cousin Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?

Cat's world is in constant upheaval. Living with her cousin, Bee, who is more like a sister than anything else, Cat has finally found a sort of normalcy, but the time she lives in is dangerous and unsettled. She lives in a time when cold mages hold all the power, and a mysterious lurking threat from the spirit world breathes unrest on the population. But the danger is about to come more real when a cold mage demands to marry the eldest Barahal daughter and her life is and future becomes intertwined in his. What magic will she discover on this journey, and what really lies in her bloodlines.

I'm always a bit hesitant to embark on a new fantasy series, simply because if I cannot find myself getting lost in the world, I'm not sure it could ever work for me. Luckily enough, Cold Magic is a breathtakingly put-together novel and author, Kate Elliot, has given us a world that is so clear, so defined and so very magical that it's impossible to not fully immerse yourself within it. Rich, layered and intricately detailed, Cold Magic gives us a world that is every bit as real as ours, but re-imagined, re-invigorated and heightened with a whole other layer of drama.

Cold Magic is probably one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time, if only for the fact that it seamlessly merges two fairly overlooked genres - steampunk and fantasy - together. The world given to us within the pages is one that's rich with history and peppered with magical and technological elements that serve to bolster this world and bring it alive, almost as if it's a character in its own right. This world-building was, however, a bit of a double-edged sword. The page count of this novel is quite hefty, as most fantasy novels are, and the beginning of the novel is heavily laden with descriptions, and the complexity of it all was, at first, rather alarming and overwhelming. We're given rich backstory, as well as a strong and definitive definition of the classes, hierarchies and the messy battle between magic and science in the society. It was easy to feel flustered by the sheer amount of information provided, but it was also clear that the author was setting the scene for what could become an extremely powerful series. Cat, as our protagonist, soared for me. She was strong and independent in a believable and un-cliche manner. She felt entirely real with her firm convictions and the steadfastness in her beliefs, plus the fact that she was never afraid to speak her mind. Andevai was a character whom I thought I'd hate after a rough introduction to him, but there is so much more to him than this condescending air which he first presents. Slowly but surely, he stole my heart through this book and really vied for the top place of my favourite character. Plus, Cold Magic steadily builds a hearty tension between Cat and Andevai, which I must say really, really intrigues me.

Overall, despite an extraordinary amount of information and details, I really enjoyed Cold Magic, and I felt it was a promising start to what could be a great new series. I'm definitely intrigued to see what happens next. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy and steampunk novels. 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Dearly, Departed
Author: Lia Habel
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Published: October 18, 2011
Genre: YA, Steampunk, PNR
Pages: 544

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune, and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead.

Ummmm...yes. Steampunk? Zombies? Romance? Sold on all accounts! Dearly, Departed is a blend of a whole mess of my favourite things, plus it sounds so bloody original that I'd be sold on that alone. There's something about the blend of past and future in steampunk that totally speaks to me, and I haven't seen enough such books in the YA market lately. It doesn't hurt that that's one gorgeous cover, too. I'm such a cover slut. I'd apologise, but it would be entirely insincere. Anyway, despite the doozy of a page count, it sounds fabulous! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory rule (you can't get out of it!) - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, send me an email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here are the Mad Scientist and Noah the Victorian Punk from Steampunkery & Book Reviews!

The Most Random Questions in the World...
1. Can you cry real tears underwater?

Mad Scientist - *gasps* Mad Scientist does not leak salt water (I might rust). However, I would have to say it is in the human nature to be full of emotions. One knows the results are most likely in the line of tears, I tend to lean towards morbid anger. Most people see it as a sign of some sort of weakness so we try to hide our tears while we bath. Underwater can't be much different albeit be a bit hard to literally cry underwater for a good while. Breathing does need to cocur in order for in take of oxygen to happen. BUT... It is a good place to let out the tears and have them wash away at the same time. No one would see the said weakness.

Noah the Victorian Punk - Of course you can, but it's truly difficult if it's a large body of water and you are fully submerged because it's hard to hold your breath and cry while under the water. Although I wouldn't know from personal experience *clears throat*.

2. If you had a three story house and were in the second floor, are you upstairs or downstairs, or can't you be both at the same time?

Mad Scientist - If I had a three story house I would of paid to have a fourth... Second floor, I would be upstairs from the first floor and downstairs from the third floor so by process of elemaniation I would have to concure with the hypothesis of being both at the same time. Logically speaking of course.

Noah the Victorian Punk - It depends, of course, where you are standing. If you are in the parking lot, then you live upstairs. However, if you are visiting your neighbor on the 3rd floor than you live downstairs. Although, I think living on the second floor means you live in the middle which I hear has a better rate of constant homeostasis.

3. Why do we say we're head over heels if we're happy? Aren't we always?

Mad Scientist - We are head over heels namely not because we are happy persay, I would like to think of it as acting like a comeplete backside once we think we are in love which makes random people happy. I don't understand it, Noah believes I happen to have a clockwork heart but we all know that is not completely true.

Noah the Victiorian Punk - I'd say it's because sometimes you can have your head theoretically stuck someplace that is possibly lower than your heels. Although I would think that something in the middle region of the body would be a bit more accurate (namely the bum region). But then again, have you ever tried to put your heels above your head, it's not an easy feat.

4. How does Freddy Krueger wipe his bum?

Mad Scientist - *grin of horror* Oh my, I believe you have just added the weirdest images to my head. I think they should address this in his next film. My first thought it is that he doesn't wipe. *Ugh* Gross. Next guess would be that he air dries and/or just rubbs his bum on a wall. LOL! Which would be percuilar to see but would be again gross. *whispers to Mr. Krueger* Freddy, dear when ever you are in need of service call 1-800-Vic-Punk for any services you may need. I heard he is great at assisting!

Noah the Victorian Punk - Oi, mate, bloody hell! I'd say very carefully otherwise, that is some pain that I cannot fathom and I hope to never experience in this or any lifetime. Even if I am burnt all the way through my trousers and several layers of skin.

5. Do woodpeckers ever get headaches from slamming their faces into trees all day?

Mad Scientist - *blushes* Peckers, too inapproiate. Onward with the question... I know I get headaches from them. If I was a woodpecker and had to slam my face into a tree over and over I think I would change my occupation to swan. They just get to swim and look pretty & perhaps Edward would find met. Although, they contiue with their feat of finding food inside of the tree instead of else where I would have to conclude that they possibly don't get headaches but live with a constant one so they never feel the pain. Ever there. Poor creatures.

Noah the Victorian Punk - This question brings to mind all kinds of thoughts that are probably inappropriate for this blog (but hysterically funny albeit dirty), so I will say that I would think so. I mean, the wood is tough but those little peckers can only take so much before they are worn out with exhaustion that their heads are in a bit of a trauma and must rest, at least, for a couple hours before they have the ability to peck again (Okay, I'm laughing, because I'm a bit perverse).

Ok, seriously? I cracked up. A lot. Thank you, Mad Scientist and Noah the Victorian Punk, for all the ridiculous answers and smiles - and thanks for putting up with my insane questions! To all of you - their blog is just made of awesome. If you haven't already, please drop by Steampunkery & Book Reviews for a fun, informative blog with a great new spin on YA literature!

A quick reminder, there's a little over a week left to enter my international giveaway for The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card. You do NOT have to be a follower, but your support is much appreciated if you are! Click HERE to enter!

Vampire predators run wild in this exciting steampunk adventure, the first in an alternate history trilogy that is already attracting attention. In 1870, monsters rise up and conquer the northern lands, As great cities are swallowed up by carnage and disease, landowners and other elite flee south to escape their blood-thirsty wrath.

One hundred fifty years later, the great divide still exists; fangs on one side of the border, worried defenders on the other. This fragile equilibrium is threatened, then crumbles after a single young princess becomes almost hopelessly lost in the hostile territory. At first, she has only one defender: a mysterious Greyfriar who roams freely in dangerous vampire regions.
Taken from GoodReads.

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the story of an alternate world history for humans here on Earth. Vampires roam freely, mercilessly killing, maiming, torturing, and taking hold of every inch of land available. Those few humans that did survive are either enslaved or have fled to the relative safety of the South. Now, in a world dominated by various cunning and intense Vampire Empires, the world conquests are fought between vampires, rather than men, and Adele, heir to Equatoria, is about to meet the mysterious and complex Greyfriar.

Wow! Ok, when I received The Greyfriar for review, I wasn't expecting too much because, frankly, I've never heard anything about it before, and vampires usually bore the crap heck out of me. Finally! It was so nice to read about non-glittering vampires who stay true to their nature! Using rich prose, an incredibly steampunk atmosphere and a blooming and contagious romance, husband and wife author duo, Susan and Clay Griffith have created an incredible masterpiece of a story that is intense, exhilarating, and completely delicious.

There are too many high points in The Greyfriar for me to name them all, so I'll be general. The characterization was enthralling. Adele and the Greyfriar were so clearly defined, their actions and motives so well-pronounced, that it is impossible not to fall in love with their story as their relationship blooms. The amazing mythology that creeps its way into every aspect of the story heightens the sinister nature of the vampires and makes the story all that more gripping and enticing. Honestly, I'm surprised this book was as slim as it was because the story was well-rounded and truly captivating to read.

I give The Greyfriar a 5 out of 5, hands down. In fact, I'd probably give it more if I could. I recommend that everyone buy this book as soon as it releases (I believe on November 18th) because it is a definite must-read. I would recommend this book to fans of YA and adult fiction, particularly those who enjoy steampunk, vampires, fantasy, and mythology. Due to the violence, I do think an upper YA audience is probably best.

I received this book free of charge for review from the publisher, PYR, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my review or opinion of this book.