3 S.R. Johannes: The Bookanistas Book Review: Sarwat Chadda's Dark Goddess!

Thursday, July 08, 2010

The Bookanistas Book Review: Sarwat Chadda's Dark Goddess!

Today is the first launch day of the "the writers who are bloggers who think they are fashionable and who are also starting to post book reviews about great children's books"! Yes I know....we thought it was too long too. So we did what any respectable group would do, we came up with a name! Oh yeah and our very own logo! Even a short book review policy (wow now we are an official group!)

We are the: Bookanistas: Books are the New Black!
Who are the Bookanistas?
We are a group of writers - in various stages of the publishing process – who have decided to band together and review the special books of our peers. This fashionable badge represents our group (club/gang/posse/secret society/peeps/the cool table).

How and what do we review?
The Bookanistas review any children's books but focus mainly on YA and middle grade (yes middle grade too! shocker!) We – as fellow writers – have decided to only post positive reviews, therefore, only reviewing the book we LOVE. No negative reviews here!

Yes that's right! We Bookanistas give nothing but love!!!!

When do we post reviews?
Starting today, we will post reviews every Thursday on various book topics– upcoming ARCs, books we love, diamonds in the rough, classics, and even, cover reviews.

Come join us on Thursdays and you can be be fashionable too.
Because we think books are the best accessory!

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Sarwat Chadda's Dark Goddess (sequel to Devil's Kiss!)


I chose this one first for many reasons:
1) I LOVED Devil's Kiss!
2) Sarwat sent me an early ARC - book comes out in Jan 2011 (contrary to belief, I can be bought! ;)
3) I love this character, premise, and especially Sarwat's writing.
4) This whole series is awesome. Like "stay up late and read by flashlight in the bathroom because your hubby is sleeping and book-lite is waking him at 3 am" awesome. To be honest, both books of Sarwat's I could not put down.

In fact, I'm giving this book a Haute Book! shout-out!

Why should you read Dark Goddess?
  • Do you want a badass protagonist instead of a wimpy one? CHECK!
  • Hot guy with sexy accent? CHECK!
  • Werewolves? CHECK!
  • Vampires? CHECK!
  • Awesome Setting? CHECK (London) and CHECK (Russia)
  • Great writing? CHECK CHECK!
  • A little history? CHECK!
  • Fast Pace? CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!
  • Nice author? CHECK!!!!
What's not to like? Oh yeah, and you can read a teaser just to get hooked!

Book Summary
Billi SanGreal is the first girl in the Knights Templar, and the most kick ass weapon-wielding heroine around. At fifteen, her life is a rigorous and brutal round of weapons practice, demon killing and occult lore – and a whole lot of bruises.

In this sequel to Devils' Kiss, Billi goes to Russia to rescue Vasilisa, a chosen child that encompasses the power to feel and control nature. To save her, Billi must defeat the werewolves that serve the witch Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga ( i just like saying the name!) is sickened by the destruction and corruption humanity and she wants to rid the planet of the pestilence of Man. Betrayed and alone, Billi is sent to stop her and faces a final mighty battle in the abandoned ruins of Chernobyl. Oh yeah and with a cute boy by her side! Along with a kick-ass coat and some weapons of choice. swords, knives, and a sharp tongue. :)
Check out our other Bookanista book reviews for this week, Thursday, July 8th:

Come follow us on twitter too for book updates and news.

Note: If you would like one of us to review a book or ARC, feel free to contact me at sjohannes@bilaninc.com (or any of us really) and we will add it to our list. Keep in mind we only review books we love.

13 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great review. I haven't heard of this series but will add them to my list. I'm so glad you're only going to be positive. And I heard you designed the logo. It's awesome.

Nicole said...

If you need any more reviewers, please let me know. I was reviewing for Pretty Little YA Books, but that site is now defunct. I've got a bunch of reviews already written that were never posted and get tons of ARCs at my job.

Christine Fonseca said...

Should I read this...check check and check!

Martina Boone said...

Thanks for all the details on this book! The Bookanistas are off to an awesome start :)

Tere Kirkland said...

Thanks for this. I just downloaded Devil's Kiss onto my nook, so Im sure I'll be eagerly awaiting January 2011!

Shannon Messenger said...

Yep, sounds pretty stinking awesome. Thanks for pointing it out Shelli! :)

Scott Tracey said...

The first one was fantastic, so I can't wait to read this one too!

Hilary Wagner said...

This sounds soooo great! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

I am so super proud to be part of the Bookanistas launch!!! So exciting and TOTAL goose bumps!

xoxo -- Hilary

Jemi Fraser said...

LOVE this idea!

Sounds like a terrific book - thanks for the tip! :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Great review, Shelli. Everyone is doing a great job on their reviews!

Katie Anderson said...

ooo I love that cool cover! Great review :)

Anonymous said...

So you're saying you liked the book...? ;) I have never heard of the author or his first book, so thanks for the review! Now I can read Devil's Kiss without going crazy waiting for the next in the series. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic idea.I'll be sure to check out some of those reviews.