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Monday, March 30, 2015

Book Boyfriends: Black Knife (The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows)

So I've seen this meme floating around many book blogs, but initially I got the idea from Reading Lark and they got this meme from The Unread Reader. I've enjoyed the meme so much that I will also be joining in on the fun but now on Mondays. Welcome to Book Boyfriends everyone!


Appearance:

  • Tall
  • Lean
  • Muscular
  • Dark curly hair
  • Dark eyes


Reason why he's my book boyfriend:
Who doesn't love a vigilante? A good guy with a dark side? But not the type of dark side that makes you wonder if he's planning to annihilate everyone and everything around you (calm down Loki fans haha). I'll tell you who loves that. Me. That's who. He's mysterious, has a strong moral code, strong, what's not to like?

Actor to be my Book Boyfriend
Someone please tell me that I'm not the only one who pictured this when reading about Black Knife:

In all seriousness though, I pictured him more like Richard Madden.



Quotes about and from Black Knife:

1) "It's probably the first honest work you've ever done."

"It's not completely honest. Where do you think I go this sword?"

"Will." He dropped back his head in exasperation, and a tiny sliver of his throat peeked between his shirt collar and mask. "Well, you'd better come back alive, and in your right mind, because when you do, I'll be waiting for you."

I lifted an eyebrow. "To arrest me?"

"No. To--" He hesitated. As soft as a breath, he closed his hand over my arm. "To welcome you home."

2) "You're hurt?"

I shook my head. "Not my blood."

"Thank saints." He bumped my arm with his and jerked his chin toward the wraith beast. "Remember the giant cat?"

"With horror." But I knew what he was going to suggest. "This one has no neck."

"Not long ago you claimed you knew which end of your sword to stick where."

Ugh. Using my own words against me wasn't fair. "Taking me out to robberies, bar fights, and wraith houses isn't enough for you anymore? I thought we were happy."

"Only the best for you, my lady."

3) His shoulder against mine was a faint, barely there warmth, I didn't move away. "Why are you here?" I asked. 

"I like sitting in trees." There was tension in his voice, and weariness.

"Admit it." I leaned away from him, keeping my tone hard as our eyes locked. "You're following me."

He laughed and ducked his face. "Very well. I'm following you."

"Why?"

"You keep getting away from me. That never happens."

"I don't think you're even trying to catch me anymore."

His chuckle came again, warm and muffled, but real enough that something inside me melted. "I'm still trying," he said. 

If you guys haven't checked out The Orphan Queen yet you should, you can see my review of it here

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Books vs. Movies: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

It seems like nowadays that all of our favorite books are being turned into movies. This meme is about the failures and winners of the silver screen in comparison to their books.


Winner: Insurgent is my favorite book of the trilogy. We get more Fourtris (even though they are a bit dysfunctional) and the plot is filled with action and suspense. There was just a lot happening in this book and I pretty much loved it all. Plus there were a lot of interesting twists. That made me constantly go, "WHAT?!?!"



Loser: If I had never read the book, I'd be fine with the movie. It just lacks the feelings I got from reading the book. They made a lot of plot changes in the movie that I actually liked. They made Tris and Four less dysfunctional and they actually seemed to trust each other. Plus, Miles Teller is a hilarious Peter. He makes the character likable. All the changes in this movie does give me some hope about the Allegiant movies. 

Now here's where the movie loses points:

Like I mentioned in my other Books vs. Movies post on Divergent, I can't watch Shailene and Theo act as a couple. They have zero chemistry and even though Theo looks younger in this movie Shailene also looks younger. So for me, it was like watching a grown man with a preteen. 

Even though Uriah made an appearance in this movie but that's all it was, an appearance. He has a couple scenes and doesn't say much which (in my opinion) is a bit of an insult to his book character. Although I will say that the movie didn't actually need him. 

They completely cut out Tris high on happy serum! I was waiting for this scene the entire movie and I was extremely disappointed that they left out this gem. 

For other posts related to this trilogy, click the links below




Thursday, March 26, 2015

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma Review

4.5/5 Stars
Details of the book:
eARC, 331 pages
Published by Algonquin Young Readers
Published: March 24, 2015

Thank you Netgalley and Algonquin Young Readers for my eARC copy of this book.

Synopsis: “Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that place upstate, locked up with those monsters. And she got sent there because of me.”

The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries.

We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture—which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see.

Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and innocence, and what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

I'm not really sure what to make of this novel. The writing is spectacular. I'd say it's probably among the best I've ever read. It's such a powerful book that I can't find the right words to describe my feelings about it. Reading The Walls Around Us was quite the hypnotic experience. This book has chilled me to my core and I'm pretty sure that was Nova Ren Suma's intention. The ending really threw me for a loop and I can't seem to make sense of it. This book was so well-executed I feel as if I have to blame myself (at least partially) for my lack of understanding of its ending.

Strengths/Likes:

1) Summa's writing style is just insane. She literally puts you into the shoes of each of her characters. You feel as if you are that character. You're in their mind, feeling and thinking everything that they are. It's amazing.

2) This is such and powerful and painfully realistic story. Forgetting the ending, there is so much reality in this book it feels like I'm reading nonfiction. Except unlike a lot of nonfiction, it isn't just factual. It's emotionally evocative.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) I can't make sense of the ending. It's so paranormal that I can't mesh it in with the rest of the plot. Like I said above though, it's probably something lacking in me than in the actual book.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "I'm going to be prima ballerina someday," I told her. It was something I used to tell everyone back then, until it became so obvious, years later, and everyone started telling me.

"You will," she said. She didn't announce that she was, too.

"I'm gonna be famous. I write it down every night, so in the morning it knows to come true."

"That's a good idea," she said.

"What about you?"

She looked at me oddly, and now it hangs heavy over me, like even when she had no future. "I don't know yet," was all she said.

2) "Never again would Ori build a blanket fort with me. And never again would we hide under the blanket fort like little kids. Never again would Ori paint my toenails purple to match a purple bruise. Never again would Ori do one-bite, my-bite, two-bite, your-bite with a bowl of Cheerios. Never again would I catch Ori doing the sweet things she sometimes did for perfect strangers, and make fun of her for them, like holding doors for slow, decrepit randoms and looking all over the neighborhood for the whiny brat's overweight dog. Never again would Ori step on a stage and wow an audience to tears. Never again would Ori shake her head and get embarrassed when they said how perfect she was. How incredible. How stunning. How transcendent. Transcendent--they actually used that word. Never again would she ask me to please stop talking about it, and never again would I say, 'Did you see how they looked at you? It's like you're the next Anna Pavlova.' Never again would she ask me, hours later, timid and shaky voiced, 'Vee, you're not feeling weird about what they said about me, are you? You'd tell me, wouldn't you?' And never again would I have to lie through my straight teeth--hers were crooked, she really should have gotten braces--and say, 'I'm okay--don't worry about me. I'm fine.' Never again."

3) "It was easy to know what was the matter, why I sobbed. Miss Willow had selected Ori to advance to pointe, which meant a whole new kind of training, plus separate special classes three times a week, and she hadn't selected me. I needed more time to strengthen my ankles, she'd said. But Ori's ankles were ready. Mine were still wimpy spaghetti ankles of a little girl.

Any other friend would have patted me on the back and assured me my time would be soon, but Ori made a promise, and she always kept her promises. She said she wouldn't go on pointe until the day I got to. She wouldn't wear the perfect pointe shoes Miss Willow had gifted her in charity because her dad wouldn't have paid a dime for them until I had my own pink satin pair.

I remember her fingers drawing down on my spine. I remember her cheek on my cheek. I remember how she said, "Anything I do, you'll get to do, too." How she said, "I won't do it until Miss Willow says you're ready. I'll wait for you."

She did wait. She waited six and a half months for me and my ankles to catch up to hers.

And she didn't even bug me about it even once."

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday: Six of Crows (The Dregs 1) by Leigh Bardugo

My TBR list is always growing and I thought it would be fun to share my anticipation for those books with all of you. This is not my own original meme it belongs to Breaking the Spine. It specifically spotlights upcoming releases. As it implies in the title, I'll be posting this meme on Wednesdays. Please feel free to comment and let me know what books you guys are waiting on as well!


Synopsis: Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. 

Of course I had to start this meme with my number one anticipated book for 2015. Before I go any further, isn't the cover gorgeous?! I'm always so enamored with the covers of Bardugo's books but what's on the pages is even more spectacular. Ruin and Rising is still my favorite book, kicking out my long favorite (Tryst by Elyswth Thane). I absolutely love the Grisha Universe and most of it's inhabitants and it's a love affair I'm sure will last a lifetime. Therefore, how can I not be going nuts with anticipation for this Six of Crows? Because trust me, I am.

I was fortunate enough to meet Bardugo herself during her book tour for Ruin and Rising where she read us an excerpt from Six of Crows (pic of her reading it on my instagram) and I read another excerpt that she released on Valentine's Day that I have read several times already. Oh, Leigh you are such a tease.

Six of Crows is coming out October 6, 2015. You guys make sure to mark that date on your calendars! Below I have provided you guys with a bunch of links you might want to check out. 






Review of Ruin and Rising (Not much of a review. Mostly me just flat-out worshipping it haha)



Monday, March 23, 2015

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows Review


4/5 Stars
Details of the book:
Hardcover, 391 pages.
Published by Katherine Tegen Books, 
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Synopsis: Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.
She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.
She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others

Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

This book starts out slow but gradually reels you in. You're thrown into Wil's world with her Ospreys who have been disgraced and barely scarping by and it's Wil's life mission to return them to their kingdom with her seated on the vermillion throne. Problem is once she infiltrates the enemy, she realizes that everything she thought she knew isn't entirely correct. The Orphan Queen is magical, funny, dramatic with a little bit of romance.

Strengths/Likes:

1) Jodi Meadows puts a whole new spin on magic being banned in the YA world. Instead of just banning "flashers" because they are freaks, it is because it's dangerous for the rest of the world. Now that's an interesting twist.

2) I loved the world building and the whole history of the world that Meadows has created. It's very well-detailed to the point where I felt that I knew everything about the whole place.

3) Who doesn't love a Batman character? Although I wasn't shocked as to who he turned out to be, it didn't diminish my like for Black Knife.

4) There is some pretty great snarky dialogue. It's probably my favorite part of the book.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) Wilhelmina is described as being stealthy, well-trained, and able to slip into any role but I found at times that she was acting as if she was just an ordinary girl. It seemed that at times she forgot what was at stake and made emotional mistakes.

2) There were times where I felt that Wil had this secret intuition but she wouldn't share it with the reader. She would think one thing and then act in the opposite manner. I just wish that I understood more of what was going on in Wil's head.  

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Leave her alone." Mine was a stranger's voice, all deadly calm in the spaces between peals of thunder.

"What are you doing to do?" The man didn't even look amused, just angry at the intrusion as he glanced from my face to the bow and back. "Another fiddler?"

"I've never tried the fiddle, but I think I'd be good at it." I smacked the bow across the man's neck. Wood stung skin with a loud clap. "That was a nice sound. Let me try again."

2) "It's probably the first honest work you've ever done."

"It's not completely honest. Where do you think I go this sword?"

"Will." He dropped back his head in exasperation, and a tiny sliver of his throat peeked between his shirt collar and mask. "Well, you'd better come back alive, and in your right mind, because when you do, I'll be waiting for you."

I lifted an eyebrow. "To arrest me?"

"No. To--" He hesitated. As soft as a breath, he closed his hand over my arm. "To welcome you home."

3) "You're hurt?"

I shook my head. "Not my blood."

"Thank saints." He bumped my arm with his and jerked his chin toward the wraith beast. "Remember the giant cat?"

"With horror." But I knew what he was going to suggest. "This one has no neck."

"Not long ago you claimed you knew which end of your sword to stick where."

Ugh. Using my own words against me wasn't fair. "Taking me out to robberies, bar fights, and wraith houses isn't enough for you anymore? I thought we were happy."

"Only the best for you, my lady."

3) "Well," He gave an exaggerated sigh and spun me. My gown flared, a desert of silk at my feet. "I bear a great burden. As Tobiah's bodyguard and best friend, I know all his worst faults."

Best friend? That made me doubly glad I concealed my real feelings. "You do know how to keep a lady in suspense."

He grinned. "Prepare to scandalized. The prince is a terrible swordsman. He sleeps through breakfast almost every day. And once I saw him chew with his mouth open."

"Just the once, though?"

"He was ten."

I nodded solemnly. "I see. These are unforgivable offenses and I'm deeply scandalized."

A smile lit his eyes. "At last, I'm not the only one to see his true nature."

Friday, March 20, 2015

Forgotten Friday: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

This meme is about books that have been pushed aside while others have gone viral and made into movies. It can be old books, new books, any book that never got its (or enough) time  in the spot light.



I'm not sure if this book is necessarily forgotten but it's definitely not being talked about enough. Josephine Angelini combines magic with sci-fi in her book Trial by Fire with witches and parallel universes. It's badass, suspenseful, sexy, and just all around awesome. Lily--the heroine--is really awesome and there are a couple hot guys in it too ;). It's a pretty wild ride that I think everyone will enjoy. Trial by Fire was definitely one of my favorites of 2014 and Firewalker is on my Most Anticipated Book List for 2015.

Synopsis: This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.

What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.

You guys can also check out my book review and book boyfriend post for this Trial by Fire



Buy this book here: 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Book Boyfriends: Elias Veturius (An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir)

So I've seen this meme floating around many book blogs, but initially I got the idea from Reading Lark and they got this meme from The Unread Reader. I've enjoyed the meme so much that I will also be joining in on the fun on Wednesdays. Welcome to Book Boyfriends everyone!


Appearance: 

  • Tall (over 6 feet)
  • Broad-shouldered
  • Muscular
  • Sun-Gold Skin
  • High Cheek Bones
  • Straight Nose
  • Full Lips
  • Black Hair
  • Pale Gray Eyes

Why He's My Book Boyfriend:

Elias has very strong principles and morals even though he was raised to treat those below him poorly. He has a great sense of humor and he's strong. No matter what if he cares for someone, he risks everything for that person. There were times where I thought he was a bit wishy-washy but considering the life he is leading, it makes sense why he's torn. Either way, I hope that there will be a sequel to An Ember in the Ashes so I can learn more about him. 

Actor to be my Book Boyfriend: Henry Cavill is pretty much how I picture Elias except younger. Of course Elias' eyes are lighter but oh well. 


Quotes from and about Elias:

1) "Maybe she knew him before she became a slave. Maybe he's the reason she snuck out. I scowl and look away. He's not bad-looking, I suppose, but he seems too grim to be any fun.

Also, he's shorter than me. Considerably shorter. Half a foot, at least."

2) "You don't sound like a Tribesman." There. That's neutral enough. "You've hardly got an accent." Though his eyes are Scholar-dark, his is all edges and hard lines. "You don't really look like one either."

"I can say something in Sadhese, if you like." He drops his lips to my ear, and the spice of his breath sends a pleasant shiver through me. "Menaya es poolan dila dekanala." 

I sigh. No wonder Tribesman can sell anything. His voice is warm and deep, like summer honey dripping off the comb.

"What--" My voice is hoarse, and I clear my throat. "What does it mean?"

He gives me that smile again. "I'd really have to show you."

3) "Right. Free to report for duty as full-fledged servants of the Empire, after which we'll lead men to their deaths in the never-ending border wars with wildmen and barbarians. Those of us not ordered to the border will be given city commands, where we'll hunt down Resistance fighters or Mariner spies. We'll be free, all right. Free to rape and kill and laud the Emperor.

Funny how that doesn't seem like freedom."

4) "For three days after the Moon Festival, Helene avoids me. She ignores knocks on her door, leaves the mess hall when I appear, and begs off when I approach her head on. When we're paired together in training, she attacks me as if I'm Marcus. When I speak to her, she goes suddenly deaf.

I let it go at first, but by the third day, I'm sick of it. On my way to combat training, I'm concocting a plan to confront her--something involving a chair and rope and maybe a gag so she has no choice but to listen to me."

5) "So what you're saying is that you cheated and you still barely managed to win." I applaud slowly, my chains clanking. "Well done."

6) "I'm not going to kill you," I say, nestling the blade into his neck. "Just wanted you to know I could."



You guys can check out my full review of An Ember in the Ashes here. I have more quotes from the book there if you guys like the ones I have listed here. For those of you who don't already know, I'm also giving away an ARC of it in my March Book Giveaway which you can find the details to enter by clicking here. When it is released to the public, you guys have to get it! I can guarantee you won't regret it =)

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Every Last Promise by Kristin Halbrook ARC Review (spoiler alert)


4/5 Stars
Details of the book
paperback ARC, 272 pages
Published by HarperTeen, 
an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Synopsis: Kayla saw something at the party that she wasn't supposed to. But she hasn't told anyone. No one knows the real story about what happened that night—about why Kayla was driving the car that ran into a ditch after the party, about what she saw in the hours leading up to the accident, and about the promise she made to her friend Bean before she left for the summer.
Now Kayla's coming home for her senior year. If Kayla keeps quiet, she might be able to get her old life back. If she tells the truth, she risks losing everything—and everyone—she ever cared about.

WARNING: If you are participating in my March Giveaway for this book and don't want it spoiled, don't read this review. 

Kristin Halbrook does not get enough credit for her writing. She is able to take every day life stories and pull you into every aspect of her characters and their individual stories. Every Last Promise is haunting in its realism. I think that it sends a very important message about family, friends, and society. It's the type of book that we need today. It's not the book to fangirl over--meaning that this book is not about girl meets boy and they fall in love--this is about something more important. Halbrook tackles our current rape culture and brings to light most of the issues involved. Every Last Promise is beautifully tragic.

Strengths/Likes:

1) I love the way that Kristin Halbrook tells a story. The way she writes is beautiful without being pretentious. She makes her characters easy to know and understand. 

2) The emotional struggle in this book is so real that I felt the all of the fear and anxiety that Kayla (our main character) felt. 

3) This is a story that needs to be told. I think it's something that anyone who has experienced anything from our current rape culture can relate to. 

4) All of the relationships in this book are so powerful. Whether it's a friendship, a family member, all of it. Even the minor relationships have this potent quality that just makes you want to be apart of it or at the very least know more about it.   

5) I love Kayla and Caleb's relationship. 

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) I wanted to know how everything was resolved. This is not really a weakness or a dislike. More like me just complaining. In actuality I think it was brilliant that not everything resolved because it made it even more realistic. In life, a lot of issues are dragged out to and become emotional roller coasters. Halbrook executes this amazingly. 

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "You should ditch the last couple of periods and hike Point Fellows with me," Caleb said. He motioned to my sneakers. "You look ready to go." 

"There's a party in my French class next period," I said. "Madame Lechat said she was bringing cheese and pastries."

"So? I'm leaving soon. You would turn down time spent with your favorite brother for cheese? I'm hurt."

2) "Ella wants to go for a hike," Caleb announces, pushing into my room without knocking. I look up from my pillow to the window--still dark outside--and raise my eyebrows sleepily. 

"It's the middle of the night, you psycho. Why are you awake?"

"It's four forty-five. Enough time to get out on the trail and get you back here in time for school. Supposed to be a bee-utiful day!"

Who is this guy with the chipper voice? I've never known Caleb to be up before lunch when he didn't have to be. 

"Okay. Have fun. Take a picture of the beautiful day for me."

He puts his foot on Ella's rear end and nudges her into my room. She gazes up at me mournfully, like she doesn't really want to be awake, either. "She wants you to come along," he presses. 

"Is that what she said? She doesn't look like it."

"Yeah. 'Kaywa walk wif wus.' Exactly like that."

3) I roll my eyes and drag Selena toward the food booths. "I'm hungry. Corn dogs, root beer, and funnel cakes or death!"

"You mean corn dogs, root beer, funnel cakes, and death."

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Book Boyfriend: Nels a.k.a. The Knight of Cobblestown

So I've seen this meme floating around many book blogs, but initially I got the idea from Reading Lark and they got this meme from The Unread Reader. I've enjoyed the meme so much that I will also be joining in on the fun on Wednesdays. Welcome to Book Boyfriends everyone!


Appearance:

  • Sandy-Brown hair
  • Deep-Green eyes
  • Tall
  • Muscular
Why Nels is my Book Boyfriend:

Nels in my mind is perfect. At least he's perfect for me. I can't think of a single thing about him that I didn't find attractive. He's charming and hilarious. Nels has strong morals and sticks out his neck for other people.

Actor to by my Nels:

Chase Crawford. He's cute, he fits the look, and I liked him in Gossip Girl.


Quotes from and about Nels: 

1) "Forgive me if I can't sympathize," said the peasant. "I'm sure whatever you've been through is much worse than death. 

2)  "Then fetch me that spade, milady; I have a field to vanquish."

3)  Tyra felt her face turn red. "I couldn't sleep."

"Well," said Mother. "That explains your mood. Is it bad enough having to repair the damage you caused in Cobblestown. No one will take your word seriously if you break it. 

"I know I won't," the peasant chimed in. He walked behind the king and queen and stood between them. "What do you think would happen if they knew a peasant had tossed you on your arse?"

4) "You're not your father, Tyra. You're brave. Your parents need you, your kingdom needs you, and"--Nels reached for her hand and linked his fingers with hers--"I need you."

5) Nels was standing by her side, tall and confident. Something in his eyes--something new--strengthened her. Whatever it was, it gave her courage and made her feel safe. Instead of pulling away, she returned his stare and tried to return his grasp.

"You're rather close," she said. 

Nels placed his free hand on her back. "Not close enough."


If you guys want more of Nels, you should check out Woven by David Powers King and Michael Jensen. You can see my full review of that here

Monday, March 9, 2015

Frostfire (Kanin Chronicles #1) by Amanda Hocking ARC Review

1.5/5 Stars
Details of the books
ebook, 336 pages
Published by St. Martin's Griffin 
Publication Date: Jan. 6, 2015

Synopsis: Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes. Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royalty. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden. But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero who she once loved – appears to be up to something dangerous, kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?

I had high expectations of this book especially with all of its hype and interesting premise. I've never read anything like this. It involves trolls which definitely piqued my interest but I was let down. The society in the world makes no sense to me. Basically, the trolls have babies, place them into human homes (switching the human's baby out for theirs) and then when that baby turns 18, they kidnap the kid and make them drain their trust funds (because the troll babies are always placed into rich families), the human kid is never returned and yet somehow no police ever get involved. It's with these changelings that this society of trolls are able to sustain themselves economically. Believe me, if I went missing after I turned 18 and my bank account was drained my friends and family would have cops all over the place looking for me. We're talking at least a couple hundred kids missing in this world internationally. Therefore, this makes no sense as to how the trolls aren't being tracked down by the humans. Ironically, this isn't at all what this book is about. It's more focused on the backstories of all of the characters and their romance drama. It was pretty bland. I kept waiting for something to happen but it turned out that I was waiting for nothing.

Strengths/Likes:

1) I really liked Ridley. He's funny and smart and in my imagination, he's cute.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) As I said, the society in this book doesn't make any sense. Hundreds of kids missing and no one says anything? Especially with all of their bank accounts drained? It makes no sense.

2) I didn't like Bryn. I couldn't understand any of her reactions, emotions, anything.

3) All of the relationship drama was just flat. I didn't understand why Ridley and Bryn were dancing around being a couple. Despite all of the backstory I was given no information as to why Bryn was so against relationships.

4) The plot. I don't know exactly what it was or where it was going.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Linus actually asked Bryn to dance first, but she declined," Tilda told him, ratting on me even though I knew I'd done the right thing.

She had a mischievous glint in her eyes--parties like this always brought it out in her. While she hadn't had anything to drink tonight, Tilda seemed to get drunk on good music and good dancing. Her relaxed elegance made me feel so rigid in comparison.

"You probably should've said yes. He could actually use a lesson in dance moves." Ridley motioned to where Linus stumbled over Ember's foot, but she helped him keep his balance.

"In private I'll give him a few pointers, " I said. "But it wouldn't be proper here. He's my charge. I shouldn't do anything that might blur the lines of professionalism."

"I love it when you talk clean to me, quoting training manuals like sonnets," Ridley teased, but I found his usual flirtation off-putting since I didn't know how to respond.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir ARC Review

5/5 Stars
Details of the book:
paperback ARC, 443 pages
Published by Razorbill, 
an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Publication Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis: Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.

ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.

When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.


This book shook me to my very core. I expected this book to be great and it exceeded my expectations. From the first page, I couldn't put the book down. The story grabbed me instantly and had me shaking with adrenaline all the way through and after I finished it. When I was done I just sat in silence while clutching it to my chest. This book felt like it was a part of me. It was such a rush. An Ember in the Ashes spooked, charmed, and enveloped me. It definitely lives up to all its hype. Needless to say, I loved this book. It's killing me that I have no idea if/when there be a sequel.

Strength/Likes:

1) The writing style was fantastic. The diction is a bit more sophisticated than I'm used to with Young Adult novels but not in an uninviting way. In fact, I felt that it made me feel more engaged while reading because the words I didn't recognize just pulled me fully into the story. It's written in two points of view (the two main characters) and although these two characters spent most of the time apart, their story is continually intertwined together. In addition, all of the descriptions of the events, the people, and the setting is beautifully executed and creates a clear picture for the reader to imagine.

2) I can't say that I have a favorite character at this point but the character development in this book is insane. Each character has their own backstory and they each change as the plot goes on. No character was left just to be one dimensional. None of it felt forced or overdramatic. It was just wonderful. I felt that I really knew and understood all of the characters.

3) The plot was really intricate and detailed. I won't say it's unique but it definitely stands out from all the books currently out there. The details--the significant and not--make you want to read this book slowly. Which was difficult for me because this book gave me such an adrenaline rush that I just wanted to rip through the pages but I forced myself to slow down and allow myself the time to really appreciate every detail.

4) There is no instalove in this novel. In fact, all of the characters struggle with their feelings towards each other and spend long periods of time just sorting them out. No one throws out those three little words. Each feeling is complicated, mind-boggling, and reflected on numerous times. In my opinion, it seems that there isn't a clear-cut main couple either.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) The overuse of the title in the story. To be fair, it was used only twice but this is just a pet peeve of mine.

2) I found some of the plot elements a little predictable. If I'm honest with myself, I'm just nitpicking.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Maybe she knew him before she became a slave. Maybe he's the reason she snuck out. I scowl and look away. He's not bad-looking, I suppose, but he seems too grim to be any fun.

Also, he's shorter than me. Considerably shorter. Half a foot, at least."

2) "You don't sound like a Tribesman." There. That's neutral enough. "You've hardly got an accent." Though his eyes are Scholar-dark, his is all edges and hard lines. "You don't really look like one either."

"I can say something in Sadhese, if you like." He drops his lips to my ear, and the spice of his breath sends a pleasant shiver through me. "Menaya es poolan dila dekanala." 

I sigh. No wonder Tribesman can sell anything. His voice is warm and deep, like summer honey dripping off the comb.

"What--" My voice is hoarse, and I clear my throat. "What does it mean?"

He gives me that smile again. "I'd really have to show you."

3) The Commandant looks me over, as if for signs of what she thinks just happened. She jerks my chin up. I pinch myself on the leg hard enough to draw blood, and my eyes fill with tears.

"Would it have been better if I'd cut your face like Cook's?" she murmurs. "Beauty's a curse when one lives among men. You might have thanked me for it."

4) "For three days after the Moon Festival, Helene avoids me. She ignores knocks on her door, leaves the mess hall when I appear, and begs off when I approach her head on. When we're paired together in training, she attacks me as if I'm Marcus. When I speak to her, she goes suddenly deaf.

I let it go at first, but by the third day, I'm sick of it. On my way to combat training, I'm concocting a plan to confront her--something involving a chair and rope and maybe a gag so she has no choice but to listen to me."

5) "So what you're saying is that you cheated and you still barely managed to win." I applaud slowly, my chains clanking. "Well done."

6) "I'm not going to kill you," I say, nestling the blade into his neck. "Just wanted you to know I could."

7) Then, in a flash of silver, Helene's holding one knife to Marcus's neck and the other to his groin.

"Let go of my hair," she says. "Or I'll relieve you of your manhood."

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

March 2015 ARC Giveaway



This giveaway is now CLOSEDThe winners have been e-mailed and have 48 hours to e-mail me back with their shipping address or new winners will be drawn. Thanks to everyone for entering. Be sure to stay tuned for more giveaways, reviews, and other cool book stuff!

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman ARC Review (spoiler alert)

3/5 Stars
Details of the book:
ebook, 208 pages (according to Goodreads)
Published by Wendy Lamb Books, 
an imprint of Random House Children's
Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Thank you Netgalley and Wendy Lamb Books for my ebook copy of this book.

Synopsis: Twig lives in Sidwell, where people whisper that fairy tales are real. After all, her town is rumored to hide a monster. And two hundred years ago, a witch placed a curse on Twig’s family that was meant to last forever. But this summer, everything will change when the red moon rises. It’s time to break the spell. 

A cute and magical story that lovers of Anne of the Green Gables will enjoy. Although I said that this is a magical story, there isn't a lot of physical magic. The magic is more of a feeling. I had two major problems with this book. One being the very foundation of the plot. The main problem in the story is that Twig's family has to keep her brother hidden from the world because of his curse as well as keep to themselves. It seems to me that all of the characters in the book are very loving and understanding and it seems like Twig's family actions didn't were an overreaction. The ending itself seems to affirm this as well. My second problem is that there is very little dialogue in the book. The reader is mostly told everything you need to know about the other characters, the relationships, and the actions. I liked it but I think it's not for my age group. I would have probably really loved in this book if I read it in elementary school.

Strengths/Likes:

1) I really liked the plot. Although it wasn't unique it was interesting and caught my attention right away.

2) The writing style was simple and flowed well.

3) I really got into Twig. I felt that her and I could be friends. My favorite thing about Twig is how much she cared for those around her. She saw the good in everyone and just focused on that.

4) This book gives you such a warm and happy feeling. It felt like I was back in the 90s. I think this book belongs in line with Matilda and The Little Princess. 

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) I found it to be very predictable. I pretty much knew the who's and what's of the plot figured out early on.

2) I don't like the business with Twig's father. I don't know how it makes sense for Twig's mother to take her children away and to leave her husband because she doesn't think he should be dragged into the mess of their son having wings. What bothers me more was that Twig's father was able to be convinced to keep away from his family. If he is the loving father he comes off to be in the entire story, this just doesn't make sense to me. It's just forced drama in my opinion.

3) There was not nearly enough dialogue. Most of the book is written in prose. Meaning that most of the book was all tell and very little show.

4) When I finished the book the first thought in my head was, "Well, that was easy." It seems as if the magical elements are resolved so simply. Twig has never been trained as witch but suddenly she knows how to come up with her own spells. She is just able to fix the main problem in the plot and everyone gets exactly what they want too easily.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Book Bucket List: The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas

There are books in your life that you come across and you know you have to read them. They can be old, they can be new but before your time runs out you have to find time to read them. Welcome to my Book Bucket List everyone!

I've read The Three Musketeers (unfortunately not in French) and reading The Man in the Iron Mask just seems logical to read the other "D'Artagnan Romances." Dumas's characters are interesting, complex, and even funny. How can I not allow myself another treat? I have seen the famous movie adaptation directed by Randall Wallace and even though I love that movie; movie adaptations don't usually sell me on their books. It's was only after reading The Three Musketeers and "met" the characters and was pulled into their story did I want to read The Man in the Iron Mask. I'm sure it won't disappoint.  




The Man in the Iron Mask synopsis: In the concluding installment of Alexandre Dumas's celebrated cycle of the Three Musketeers, D'Artagnan remains in the service of the corrupt King Louis XIV after the Three Musketeers have retired and gone their separate ways. Unbeknownst to D'Artagnan, Aramis and Porthos plot to remove the inept king and place the king's twin brother on the throne of France. Meanwhile, a twenty-three-year-old prisoner known only as "Philippe" wastes away deep inside the Bastille. Forced to wear an iron mask, Phillippe has been imprisoned for eight years, has no knowledge of his true identity, and has not been told what crime he's committed. When the destinies of the king and Phillippe converge, the Three Musketeers and D'Artagnan find themselves caught between conflicting loyalties.