"Katana" (a warrior review by Lexi)

Readers,

I adore y'all, and thank you so much from the both of us. We just love doing this, and you guys just brighten up our lives!

Today's awesome book is Katana by Cole Gibsen.

Summary: "Skater girl or supernatural samurai? Rileigh Martin wants to believe that adrenaline gave her the strength to fend off three muggers in the mall parking lot. But adrenaline doesn't explain the voice in her head giving her battle tips and warnings.

While worrying that she's going crazy (always a reputation ruiner), Rileigh gets a visit from Kim, a handsome martial arts instructor, who tells Rileigh she's harboring the spirit of a five-hundred-year-old samurai warrior.
Relentlessly attacked by ninjas, Rileigh has no choice but to master the katana--a deadly Japanese sword that's also the key to her past. As the spirit grows stronger and her feelings for Kim intensify, Rileigh is torn between continuing as the girl she's always been and embracing the warrior inside her." (Thank you yet again, Goodreads!)

Ever feel like becoming a warrior instead of constantly being a worrier? Ever want to learn to fight, to defend yourself, to the death? How about just to maiming? Ever feel like there's another you that you keep hidden? One that's wanting to burst forth and change your life forever?

Well, Rileigh's randomly shows up one night, and her old life is gone, and her new life is terrifying. This novel is soooo much fun. For those who want to be a warrior (like this chica writing does), this is the novel we've been looking for to confirm that maybe we are samarais. (I get that this is probably not true for myself, but let me have this fantasy! lol) Not that Rileigh is too thrilled about this whole "life changing big time." No. In fact, she despises it. However, this is a story about embracing your true self, and Rileigh is going to have to learn how to love this other girl that's inside of her.

The book is well-constructed, and the characters are very cool.

In Conclusion: If you've dreamnt of being a kick-butt fighter, or embracing the true you, or maybe gone through a big life change and are not sure about it or handling it well, you should read this novel. If you like action, fantasy, fiction, chick lit, and YA all meet up, then you seriously need to get on to reading this STAT.


Rating: 

5 katanas

"The Friday Society" (A "HIIIIYA!" Review by Lexi)

Hey!

I know that one should never judge a book by its cover, but I have to admit that the cover is what drew me to this book in the first place. Three girls that look like they're ready to kill you, with a steampunk look, and awesome outfits. I had to read it! "It" being The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress.

"An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all 

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.
Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures." (Again, credit goes to Goodreads)

So three girls who meet in an unfortunate way team up to kick butt. On accident, these three young women meet. Then they each have their own reason to be up in arms, and they all feel responsible to help find the guy who committed the crimes.

I do want to say that this novel is very action-packed and quick-paced, which is perfect for this novel and this story. The characters all were developed very nicely, and the story was interesting. It just yanks you in from the first lines, and keeps you in its grasp for the rest of the book. The twists and turns that happen are well-thought out, and so is the plot.

I just love these three girls' strength, and their determination. They seem like the kind of people that Ash and I would hang out with. On top of this, you can relate to one of these girls, if not all three in some way or another.

If you've ever wondered what it'd be like to act as a real-life superhero, you'll love this novel. Read it!


Rating:

5/5 katanas