Review City of Swords by Mary Hoffman

Title: City of Swords

Author: Mary Hoffman

Published: July 5th, 2012 (Bloomsbury)

Pages: 368
Source: bought

Series: Stravaganza #6
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: Desperately unhappy, Laura has resorted to secretly self-harming. But Laura is a Stravagante, somebody who can travel in time and space. When she finds her talisman, a small silver dagger, she stravagates with it to sixteenth-century Fortezza, a town similar to Lucca in Italy, where she meets her Stravagante, who is a swordsmith. But Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and falls for him. Their love for each other is tested when Ludo lays claim to the crown of Fortezza, and Laura finds herself fighting on the side of the Stravaganti opposing him.

When I really love a book I find it far more difficult to write a review. City of Swords is one of those books. I’m totally in love with that book, but it’s so hard to put it in a readable review. But I’ll try!

So City of Swords is the sixth book in one of my all time favorite series, Stravaganza. There are so many awesome things about it: the world setting, the writing style, characters, covers.  I’ve loved every book in the series. In every story there’s another main character, and in City of Swords that’s Laura. She’s a self harmer and that’s the reason she gets chosen as a Stravagante when she picks up the small silver dagger from sixteenth century Talia, a country similar to our Italia. Every Stravagante has another city he or she is traveling to. Lauren city’s Fortezza, a city similar to Lucca.

The world setting is great with the traveling between our world and Talia, where the chosen Stravagante has a task to fulfill. Although they don’t know what kind of task beforehand. The other Stravaganti from the previous books also play a role in the next books. The characters are amazing, I love them all! Even the di Chimici. Seeing them return is so nice!

Mary Hoffman has a great writing style! The story is full of tension, so it’s hard to put down, but the writing style just makes it impossible! What I love more about this series is that the story is told from different perspectives. This makes the story very intriguing to read, because you know a lot more than when you only read it from Laura’s point of view. But there are still a lot of plot twists you don’t see coming.

And last but definitely not least: did you see that cover?! I could stare at it all day, it’s so beautiful! 

Upcoming (8)

In Upcoming I talk about the books that I will review on this blog. So you know what you can expect here in the upcoming days. 
My new books arrived last week (yay!) and I got accepted on some really cool books on Netgally (yay again!) and with my vacation coming up I intend to catch up on my ever growing TBR pile. So in the upcoming weeks I'll review them here. 


This week

Review Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Synopsis from Goodreads

Review Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?
Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.
In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college--until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams...

Synopsis from Goodreads

Next week

Review City of Swords by Mary Hoffman
I'm so happy! City of Swords is finally here. Review will be up next week!


Review I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk
My perfect summer read! 

Hope to see you soon!

Booktrailer City of Swords

Look what I just discovered via Twitter: the booktrailer for City of Swords! Doesn't it look beautiful? Just three weeks to go!

City of Swords

My bookshelves (1)

In My bookshelves I discuss the books I got or want to have. For the first one I want to place one of my all time favorite series in the spotlight: Stravaganza by Mary Hoffman. The sixth book is coming out this summer and I can't hardly wait! 


Every book has a different main character. At the beginning of the book they discover an object with which they can travel in time and place. They all travel to sixteenth century Talia, similar to our Italy. But every talisman brings the owner to a different city in Talia. In their city they have to fulfill some kind of assignment. They never know what exactly it is, but it's always dangerous and enemies are everywhere. 


So, finally, the sixth book in the series is almost here. I've been waiting for two years and I'm so curious. 
I already love the cover. It's just so beautiful!

Title: City of Swords

Author: Mary Hoffman

Published: July 5th, 2012 (Bloomsbury)
Pages:368
Series: Stravaganza #6

Synopsis from Goodreads: Desperately unhappy, Laura has resorted to secretly self-harming. But Laura is a Stravagante, somebody who can travel in time and space. When she finds her talisman, a small silver dagger, she stravagates with it to sixteenth-century Fortezza, a town similar to Lucca in Italy, where she meets her Stravagante, who is a swordsmith. But Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and falls for him. Their love for each other is tested when Ludo lays claim to the crown of Fortezza, and Laura finds herself fighting on the side of the Stravaganti opposing him.

What's your favorite?

The most frequently asked, but difficult to answer, question about books is: "What's your favorite?"
I never really like this question, because I never have a real answer to it and I don't like to say: "there so many great books, so I can't choose". So my answer changes almost every day. But there are some books/series which I think are spectacular:




His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
There are some books everybody should've read and this is one of them. I haven't met a person yet who could honestly say about this book that they didn't like it. And for me it's impossible to imagine. You have to like this book. First of all, because it can be read by everyone from every age. The story has so many layers, so not everyone will read the same story. And that's what I love most about this book.










The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This is the book I'm still most impressed by. I can't say exactly why, but it just amazes me. Audrey Niffenegger made a complex work about time traveling. For me, it has all the facets I could want in a book: it makes me cry and laugh. It has romance and suspense. It's my personal favorite, but I don't think everyone will like it.

Stravaganza #1

Stravaganza by Mary Hoffman
Of all the series I'm currently reading this is the best. This is already a beautiful year, because the next book will be published, City of Swords. And I can't wait. Every two years there's a new book and every time the same things happens: I run (almost literary) to the bookstore, buy it, read it, love it and then I have to wait another two years for the next book to come out. The books can be read separately, because in every book there is another principal character. In the Netherlands it's a series that isn't really popular, but it should be!




So, what's your favorite?