Novella Review: Just One Night by Gayle Forman (Salute Your Shorts, #6)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Title: Just One Night (Just One Day, #2.5)

Author: Gayle Forman

Rating: 4 Stars

It will come as a surprise to many that I didn't necessarily want Just One Night. Unlike the majority of readers, I fell head-over-heels in love with Just One Year, particularly its ending. It felt right. While Just One Day may have had readers questioning Willem's fidelity or the depth of his love for Allyson, I knew by the answering smile on his face as he opened the door to allow her his apartment that their love story could have only one type of ending: a happy one. And though Just One Year may not have prolonged their reunion too much, I closed the volume with absolutely no complaints, feeling swept up in the whirlwind of life, of fate, and of the journeys that take us to new dimensions of understanding ourselves.

Thus, when I heard Forman was releasing Just One Night, her first novella, I was mostly confused, though admittedly curious and more than a little eager to re-visit the lives of Allyson and Willem both. For a small title, Just One Night is impeccably written--as is only to be expected from Forman--venturing into a slightly different format as Forman flits between the third person perspectives of Allyson, Willem, and even their close friends. It is a content installment, full of the connecting dots that further emphasize just how much Willem and Allyson belong together, and for that, I loved it. I loved the meandering conversations these two share, both as they yearn to begin their lives together while simultaneously backtracking to the marvelous day they shared together in Paris. As they try to piece together all the missing gaps in their love story.

Perhaps, for most readers, this novella provides that tiny little bit of closure they felt missing from the ending of Just One Year. Perhaps seeing a confirmation in both the dialogue and actions of Willem further reassure readers that yes, he loves Allyson; yes, he means to begin a relationship with her and make it work till the end; no, she isn't just another one of his girls--she's special. For me, however, all this and more became abundantly clear in Just One Year, particularly in the way that Willem compared his relationship with Allyson to that shared between Yael and Bram. Of course, there are lines--snippets, really--from this novella that are sweet, adorable, and meant to be cherished but, as a whole, it didn't do too much for me beyond clarify what I already knew to be true for these two. It's a short work and a pleasure to read, but where the previous two books in this series gave me more than a love story--they gave me a remarkable journey of self-discovery to examine and admire--this novella remains a romantic tale, tying up the potential loose ends Forman may not have spelled out in Just One Year and pleasing fans around the globe. It's well-worth the read, in my opinion, but while I'll be re-reading Just One Day and Just One Year in the time to come, I am perfectly content letting Just One Night sit demurely on my Kindle from here on out.

You can read my reviews for Just One Day and Just One Year here and here respectively.

Novella Review: Neverfall by Brodi Ashton (Salute Your Shorts, #5)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Title: Neverfall (Everneath, #1.5)

Author: Brodi Ashton 

Rating: 3 Stars

I suppose that, when compared to other YA Novellas, Neverfall is kind of amazing. Yet, taking into account that the novellas I usually read are either written by Australian Authors (Melina Marchetta's Ferragost) or Adult Urban Fantasy Authors (Ilona Andrews), Neverfall fell short of the exemplary novella-writing I've come to expect when I crack open these short stories. While it was entertaining and kept me engaged (for the most part), I struggle to find the real purpose in it. Is there a point, because really, I would have picked up Everbound with excitement even without this filler piece. 

Neverfall is told from Cole's PoV and every few chapters or so, we are gifted flashbacks to Cole's meetings with Nikki and his perspective of their brief exchanges. In the present-day, however, Cole is desperately trying to find an answer to why Nikki was able to survive the Feed - and what the secret is to finding another human who can survive it too. Although the beginning of this novel is slow, and I did skim a few sections, it gradually picks up as Cole's quest takes him to places that we, as the reader, could have never imagined. In fact, I find myself being bowled over, once again, by the creativity Ashton uses throughout this series and her deft incorporation of Greek myth in a modern setting. I am still very much in love with it. 

Where this story fell flat for me, though, is my understanding of Cole. In Everneath it is very obvious that Cole has no real or true feelings for Nikki. We don't really have a love triangle on our hands as Cole simply wants Nikki so that he himself can survive for thousands and thousands of more years and, of course, gain power along the way. In Neverfall, this understanding of Cole is only confirmed as he is truly only interested in Nikki for what she can offer him. When extenuating circumstances force him to question his life and his reason for existence, however, he rapidly comes to the conclusion that he is, in fact, in love with Nikki. Now, I still firmly believe that Cole has an obsession with Nikki - nothing more, nothing less - even at the end of this short story, which really proves that this novella is pointless. Cole doesn't change and although it says he changed, we have nothing to substantiate that claim and his change of heart is so quick that it is missed in one small sentence. 

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed being back in this world, reading the banter between Cole and his best friend, Max, and re-familiarizing myself with the world Ashton created. If nothing else, Neverfall is a great reminder of what the Everneath Series offers and it throws in some creative new settings and mythology at the same time. Although I wouldn't have missed out on much - or lessened my understanding of Cole - if I had skipped this, Neverfall remains a must-read for all fans of Everneath. 

Novella Review: Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews (Salute Your Shorts, #4)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Title: Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)

Author: Ilona Andrews

Rating: 5 Stars

I'll admit it: I was not a huge fan of Jim or Dali before Magic Dreams. I thought they were both interesting and endearing characters in their own right and while I sensed chemistry between them, I wasn't too bothered with them as a couple. After all, with Kate and Curran taking center stage, how could your thoughts stray to anyone who wasn't the Beast Lord and his Consort? ;) With Magic Dreams, however, Ilona Andrews gives us an opportunity to see a couple that is completely different to both Kate and Curran or Andrea and Raphael and I loved Dali and Jim all the more for their unique-ness.

While both Kate and Andrea tend to be kick-ass heroines, fighting their way out of tough situations and only complementing the supreme prowess of their partners, Dali's strength lies in her intelligence. After all, she is a half-blind white tiger. Thus, her vulnerability is instantly palpable, making her an endearing character that simply continues to grow on you as the novella wears on. With Magic Dreams, it is up to Dali and her strong magical abilities to save the day - or more accurately, Jim, the jaguar alpha of her pack who she's in love with.

Magic Dreams had its fair share of action, along with a healthy dose of Indonesian mythology thrown in, but what made it the best of all the Kate Daniels novellas for me was simply Dali and Jim. Firstly, their relationship is so different from that of anyother Ilona Andrews romance, which I adored, and their conversations kept me grinning like a fool. Plus, it's always fun when mothers decide to butt into their daughter's love lives and I loved seeing Dali's mother play such an amusing role in this one. Jim, too, is such a different type of hero; equally as attractive as Curran and Raphael, but perhaps less obvious about his feelings.

It was this unlikely romance that utterly won me over, as well as the manner in which Jim tried to convince Dali that she was perfect, exactly the way she was, with or without beauty and fighting prowess. It's nice to know that nerdy girls can get the crazy hot guys too! ;) If nothing else, Magic Dreams has made me want the untitled, unplanned, and oh-so-far-away novel all about Jim and Dali - why can't it just release now? I'm convinced I'll never get tired of Ilona Andrews and I can only hope that they never get tired of making money, because their books to me are like chocolate for desert; rare, deserved, and incredibly worth the wait.

Novella Review: Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews (Salute Your Shorts, #3)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Title: Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5) [Novella found in Must Love Hellhounds]

Author: Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4 Stars

For the first time, I think it really hit me how much research this duo does. Seriously, how much do they prep before they write a novel or just a novella? It's amazing! For all I know, it could be unauthentic research, but with this novella, I know it's all true - after all, I recognize Greek Mythology even if I don't recognize the other types of mythology used in the other novels. 

It is a testament to the writing skill of Ilona Andrews that they were able to pack such a huge amount of depth and punch into a short novella. Andrea is never a main character in the Kate Daneisl Series, but she's the primary secondary one and while we know her and are able to distinguish her voice from that of Kate's, I loved seeing both how similar their vulnerabilities were and how different their lives were, shaping them to be completely different people.

It's impossible to mix up the voices of Kate and Andrea as they are both such strong and distinct personalities, especially Andrea whose past is far more tortured than any of us could have imagined. My heart ached for her and now I just want to rip intoGunmetal Magic and get to know her even better. When this novel opens, Raphael, the bouda who has been lusting after Andrea, has been pursuing her for six months and to see these two finally discuss their pasts and take the plunge to make a future together is heart-warming. Both of them have their flaws, but despite that, they are perfect complements to one another, much like Kate and Curran. It's interesting to see the differences in these two relationships, even from the onset, as, in shapeshifter terms, both Kate and Curran are alphas, which makes their relationship all the more volatile to bring together, but all the more long-lasting once together, compared to that of Raphael and Andrea, neither of whom are outright alphas. (Gosh, look at me, talking shapeshifter speak! I should just find a wardrobe into this world already...)

Magic Mourns was an utter success as a novella and the subtle comparisons that the authors draw between Andrea and Kate, both simultaneously linking and separating them, were remarkable. Plus, we have yet another fantastic mythological mystery on our hands, witty lines, tons of snark, and even some mentions of Curran to keep us satisfied. But, know that if that doesn't work, Raphael is more than charming, sweet, and sexy to pass the time with! ;)

Novella Review: The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer (Salute Your Shorts, #2)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Title: The Queen's Army (Lunar Chronicles, #1.5)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Rating: 4 Stars

The Queen's Army is one of two good e-novellas out there, the other being Roar and Liv by Veronica Rossi. While I am always exceedingly curious to pick up novellas, I tend to find that they are massive disappointments, focusing on unrelated aspects of the plot or simply written poorly. Whatever the case may be, I have more or less sworn off of YA Novellas. In Marissa Meyer's case, though, I'll be making an exception. The Queen's Army was short, but sufficient enough to give the reader new - and deeper - insight into the world Meyer has created and by the end of it, you'll be itching for more of her writing for sure.

Z is a twelve-year-old Lunar when he is recruited by the Queen to serve in her army. After being forced away from his family, he undergoes surgery, emerging as a human boy with wolf instincts - sharp smell, heightened hearing, better vision, and, of course, canines. Now, in the army, Z has only one goal in mind - to be strong enough, fast enough, and good enough that his Queen doesn't see fit to turn him into the pro-type for future soldiers - one that is more beast than man.

With The Queen's Army, Marissa Meyer cleverly shows us a chink in the seemingly perfect plans of Queen Levana. As a villain, she is formidable, intelligent, and cunning, but she also cannot always control everyone and everything. Although the wolf-human soldiers she creates are bound to the will of their leaders, the struggle Meyer has shown is one that is shockingly easy to feel for. Z lives on in the hope that he will remain the half-mutated boy he currently is, fearful of his beast tendencies and despising the thought that he may have fur in the future if he doesn't prove himself good enough. It is this drive that makes Z such an endearing character. Unlike the others, Z isn't utterly fixated upon serving his Queen, but rather keeping his humanity. When you're turned into a beast, how far can you go to preserve the moral standards that you once retained as a human?

Although I read The Queen's Army after Scarlet, I do not entirely think it makes much of a difference when you read this short story. While it does, quite obviously, give away a plot twist in Meyer's sophomore novel, many of my friends have enjoyed Scarlet just as much - if not more - than I have despite it. In fact, this short e-novella gives the reader a deeper insight into one of Meyer's new characters. Without this background knowledge, though, the reader is transported directly into Scarlet's head and she discovers her new companion, along with any betrayals that may come her way. While I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists that I was able to experience as a result of not having read this novel before Scarlet, I do think it'll make for a more enriched, although predictable, reading experience.

Either way, the point remains that this e-novella is a must-read for fans of Marissa Meyer and the Lunar Chronicles. It takes up only fifteen minutes of your time, but manages to make you think, question, and fall in love with an original character. If that isn't worth reading for, then I don't know what is.

You can check out my review of Cinder, the first book in this series HERE and my review of Scarlet, the second book in this series HERE. 

Novella Review: Ferragost by Melina Marchetta (Salute Your Shorts, #1)

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature hosted by Heidi at Bunbury in the Stacks. It highlights and reviews short stories and novellas, both of which don't receive too much attention in the blogosphere. 

Salute Your Shorts is a feature I've enjoyed at Heidi's blog for a long time now and I figured with the new year - and a new-found love of short stories and novellas - I might as well join in! :)

Title: Ferragost (Lumatere Chronicles, #2.5)

Author: Melina Marchetta

Rating: 4 Stars

We Melina Marchetta fans, we need to start a petition, because I need a WHOLE book on Celie, and especially on her romance with Banyon. Seriously, one little short story just isn't enough! First of all, I have to admit that I didn't have very high hopes for Ferragost, simply because Marchetta's strength lies in her slow build-up and development of ideas, of extending them along the plot lines of her novels and creating something beautiful from them; something breathtaking. I wasn't sure if she could repeat that with a short story, but, as usual, Marchetta always exceeds my expectations.

Ferragost is a short murder mystery, taking place with Lady Celie spying for Lumatere in Belegonia. Needless to say, I loved it. Marchetta thrives off of intelligent conversation and this is so palpably felt in this novella more than ever. Celie, a heroine we rarely see or know much of, is given a distinct voice, purpose, and being, just as strong and sharp as that of Isaboe, Phaedra, or Quintana. Not only did she surprise me by being a protagonist I instantly liked, but she's witty and an extremely clever spy as well. Plus, admit it, who doesn't want a Melina Marchetta novel about a female spy? ;)

If all that weren't enough to recommend this, the mystery unfolds fantastically and the ultimate themes are all typically Marchetta, even with this. Furthermore, our romantic interest, Castellan Banyon is an enigmatic protector and obviously a sworn opposite of Celie as she is a spy. Yet, the sexual tension between them is electric and more than anything else, this left me wanting more of them and more of Celie. You see, despite Celie's obvious admiration for Isaboe and her yearning to be more like her, she's distinctly unique, possessing the best qualities Isaboe has, but only without the sharp edge that sometimes makes me dislike her. Celie is far more soft and also has less burdens on her mind, making her a more light-hearted character and someone I found compelling, despite the few pages through which I knew her.

Ferragost is, I'm sad to say, my last Marchetta novel...until she writes another one, at least. I put it off because I couldn't bear to say good-bye to her stories, but this has given me hope that she will revisit Lumatere someday. If not, I'll have to travel to Australia and hunt her down myself because I need a Celie love story just like I so desperately need a Jimmy Hailler book.

It goes without saying that Ferragost is a must-read, whether you're a fan of Melina Marchetta or not (how can anyone NOT be a fan of Melina Marchetta??) you won't regret reading this one.