A Bookish Star

Moved to A Different Site

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 03:07:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let everyone know I'm switching over to a new site :) My new site is:

Come & Follow me on my new site!!

Rebel Rose (The Queen's Council #1) by Emma Theriault

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Author: Emma Theriault
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: NetGalley
Pages: 352
Buy:Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Indigo Canada | Book Depository

Rating: 5/5

Happily ever after is only the beginning as Belle takes on the responsibility of becoming queen and learns to balance duty, love, and sacrifice, all while navigating dark political intrigue-and a touch of magic. It's 1789 and France is on the brink of revolution. Belle has finally broken the Enchantress's curse, restoring the Beast to his human form as Prince Adam, and bringing life back to their castle in the province of Aveyon. But in Paris, the fires of change are burning, and it's only a matter of time before the rebellion arrives on their doorstep. Belle has always dreamed of leaving her provincial home for a life of adventure. But now she finds herself living in a palace, torn between her roots as a commoner, and her future as a royal. When she stumbles across a mysterious, ancient magic that brings with it a dire warning, she must question whether she is ready for the power being thrust on her, and if being Queen is more than just a title. Rebel Rose is the first in the Queen's Council series, an empowering fairy tale reimagining of the Disney Princesses-and the real history behind their stories-like you've never seen before. -Goodreads

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.

I loved this book! If you take anything from this review, then know that I adored Rebel Rose and I highly recommend it. It is essentially a sequel to Beauty and the Beast. It answers the question of what happens after the curse is lifted? This book combines history and fantasy. It is set during The French Revolution.

My favourite fairy tale and Disney movie are and will always be Beauty and the Beast. I can read countless retellings about Belle and the Beast and never grow tired of them. However, Rebel Rose is one adaptation that sticks out, and brings something new, amongst all the other retellings. It is the first retelling I have read that asks the question: What happens next? What happens when the fairy tale has ended? Does the relationship between the Beast and Belle survive? What challenges do they face next?

Theriault has created a heavily character-driven story. I love Disney's version of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. However, I love Theriault's version even more. Belle, in Rebel Rose, is coming to terms with her new life in the castle. She is struggling with the question of who is she? She is struggling between her identity as a person raised as a commoner and as a person married to a Prince. She feels she is in between two worlds without fully belonging to either one of them. I loved how Belle's character developed throughout the three hundred pages. I was easily able to pinpoint where she had started and how she has grown throughout the book.

Rebel Rose is a story about learning to trust oneself and others. Trust your instincts! Have confidence in your beliefs! It is a story about speaking up and not letting your voice be silenced or diminished.

I enjoyed the romance between Lio (the Beast) and Belle. I thought it was adorable, and I was always wanting more page time with the two characters. By the end of this novel, I was left craving more stories between Lio and Belle. I'm sad to know that future books in this series will not contain Belle and Lio.

The side characters and the antagonist were just as fleshed out as Belle. I felt the characters brought the world of Aveyon to life. I couldn't help but fall in love with Mrs. Potts, Chip, Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Marguerite.

Rebel Rose takes place around The French Revolution. I liked that the plot centred around the issues between the different classes around that time. The events of the story are a bit predictable. It wasn't hard for me to guess who the antagonist was in this story. However, all that being said, I like the overall message of this book. I liked how the author ended Rebel Rose. I think this book gives a good message to its readers.

Overall, I loved reading Rebel Rose. I think fans of Beauty and the Beast will not be disappointed with this take on the classic fairytale. I enjoyed the incorporation of history with fantasy. I felt that the characters brought this book and its world-building to life. I loved the message of trusting oneself and speaking up for what you believe in.

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:30:00 +0000

Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Source: Hachette Book Group Canada
Pages: 373
Buy: Amazon | Indigo Canada | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
"From the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series comes a new blockbuster series… Two sisters. One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself… And an intoxicating romance. Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden. Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…" -Goodreads

Thanks to Hachette Book Group Canada for providing me with a copy of Kingdom of the Wicked. Thank you for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Maniscalco has once again created a series with loveable characters and an enticing plot. Kingdom of the Wicked got me hooked from page one. The author's writing style in this novel flows beautifully. The pace of this story is just right. There wasn't a moment while reading this book where I thought it was too slow. Kingdom of the Wicked is also a cover buy for its Instagram-worthy looks.

My favourite part of Kingdom of the Wicked was the characters. The novel is told from Emilia's point of view. I felt that her narration brought the world of Palermo alive. The constant banter between her and Wrath was also cute. I'm curious to see how their relationship will further develop in book two.

I felt a lot of the side characters were also well developed. There were a few side characters (Ex: Antonio, Carmine) that I would have liked to have seen get a bit more page time. I felt they weren't as fleshed out as the other characters.

I also really enjoyed meeting a few of Wrath's brothers. I think that was one of the highlights of this novel. The brothers were all so different, and I was always questioning their intentions.

Vittoria's death was a huge motivator for Emilia's actions throughout the story. Emilia is a very driven and determined character. She does not give up when things get hard. Instead, she becomes further motivated as a result. I could easily relate to this trait as I consider myself a very determined person. Once I have a motivator/goal stuck in mind, then nothing will stop me from accomplishing it.

The ending of book one will leave readers wanting more of Emilia's and Wrath's adventure. I have been left with a ton of questions. I'm curious and excited to see how this story will further unravel.

I felt the characters' motives, lies, and deceptions were what really kept me hooked on this story. I easily figured out who murdered Vittoria. However, it was the reason for "why" that kept me entranced throughout Kingdom of the Wicked.

Throughout this book, all I wanted to do was eat Italian food. Maniscalco does a great job of describing and introducing readers to Italian cuisine. It also helped to bring Emilia's world and her surroundings to life. I even went out and bought cannolis after reading a chapter.

The author also does a great job of creating a gothic, eery, atmosphere. I felt this was also true for her other series Stalking Jack The Ripper.

I would like to see more descriptions of the characters' surroundings. I think the author does a great job of bringing the world to life through the atmosphere. I was easily able to imagine my own version of Palermo. However, I desired a little bit more detail about the buildings and the Italian landscape.

Overall, Kingdom of the Wicked was a fun read. It was a great start to a series. The characters and the plot had me hooked from the start. The ending left me wanting more of this world. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in book two.

Firefrost (Flameskin Chronicles, #0) by Camille Longley

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Sun, 27 Sep 2020 08:52:00 +0000

Author: Camille Longley
Source: NetGalley
Pages: 372
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Book Depository
Rating: 3/5
She’s a huntress: Sol d’Hillerod is sent on a desperate mission through a treacherous winter pass. She carries with her the only hope of her village’s survival, and she will do whatever she must to keep her world from burning. He’s a monster: Lieutenant Kelan Birke has spent his whole life fighting for his freedom and his soul. As his control slips, and the war rages on, he knows it won’t be long before he loses himself entirely to the fire that flows through his veins. Sol and Kelan are enemies in an age-old war, forced to depend on each other to survive a perilous journey through the mountains. As fire melts the ice in Sol’s heart, she questions everything she’s been taught to believe, and Kelan becomes more desperate to fight the flames that consume him. Together they discover that their struggle will have repercussions for both sides of this burning war.-Goodreads

Thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.

Firefrost is beautifully written by Camille Longley. The author's style of writing stood out as beautiful and flowed seamlessly with the book. It was easy to fall into the character's train of thought. I liked that this book is told from both Sol's and Kelan's point of view. I particularly adored Kelan's narration.

Firefrost is an enemies to lovers story. I thought the romance was developed quite nicely in the novel. The romance did not occur too quickly or too slowly. Instead, I could clearly map out how their feelings evolved throughout the book.

Sol was an interesting character. There were moments in Firefrost where I was annoyed with her reluctance to fall in love. She kept going back and forth with her feelings. However, with her backstory, it makes sense for her to act that way.

I'm curious to see how Firefrost fits in with the events of the Flameskin Chronicles. This book, from my understanding, is a prequel to the main series which is coming out in November 2020.

The idea of Flameskins is a unique addition to the fantasy genre. I like the idea of people being able to create fire from thin air, while fighting an inner demon from possession at the same time. Readers will find themselves rooting for Kelan as he fights for control of his soul throughout the novel.

My only critique of Firefrost, and the reason why I did not give it 4 stars, was that I thought the plot and the world-building could have been stronger. Firefrost is a story of survival and I felt this book was a bunch of mini-plots instead of a strong-overarching plot. There were moments where I was thinking: "This is the end" and then the characters would be going off in a different direction. Due to this, I felt the story drag on at times.

I don't want to be too harsh with my review because this is a prequel. My judgment is based on reading Firefrost as a standalone (since I haven't yet read Flameskin). It would be interesting to reread this book after the rest of the Flameskin Chronicles come out.

Overall, this book is perfect for fans of enemies to lovers. I recommend checking Firefrost when it comes out on September 21, 2020. Flameskin will be released in November 2020.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 17:46:00 +0000

Author: Melissa Bashardoust
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Amazon Canada
Pages: 336
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating: 5/5
"A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse... There was and there was not, as all stories begin, a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch. But for Soraya, who has lived her life hidden away, apart from her family, safe only in her gardens, it’s not just a story. As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves, the answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison. Soraya thought she knew her place in the world, but when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming...human or demon. Princess or monster."-Goodreads

I loved this book so much!! I can tell that a lot of research went into this book. Initially, this was a cover-buy for me. However, the story itself did not disappoint. Bashardoust's writing style quickly engulfed me into this fairytale-like-world.

The author did an excellent job of not only bring this world alive but also in writing complex characters. Soraya's journey is one of self-love and self-acceptance. As a reader, I could see, and pinpoint, her growth clearly throughout the novel. She went from being ashamed of herself to being proud of who she stands for as a person. She also went from being alone and craving acceptance, to finding people who accept her for who she is as a person. I also felt a lot of the side characters, and the antagonist was fleshed out well. I felt that most of these characters were very much 3d in writing. They all made choices, both good and bad, that affected those around them. My only critique is that I wished Ramin had a little bit more page-time and was fleshed out better.

The plot was fast-paced and the chapters flowed nicely. I felt it wrapped up nicely at the end. This is the first time I've read a sleeping-beauty retelling. This book even has hints of Rapunzel in it.

Overall, this book did disappoint me. Its plot, character and fairytale world were as enchanting as the cover itself.

A Spectacle of Souls (Circus of the Stolen #1) by Jessica Julien

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 07:58:00 +0000

Author:Jessica Julien
Publisher:Bleeding Ink Publishing
Source:NetGalley
Buy:Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating:4/5
"Caitlyn always thought she was just your average small-town waitress, but she’s anything but average. Suffering from frequent headaches and vivid daydreams, her oddities mask a secret hidden deep within her mind—one that could defeat even the cleverest of psychics. When a mysterious circus arrives in town, Caitlyn is immediately drawn to it. While visiting the hypnotic show, she meets a seer who warns her of a gruesome future and urges her to stay away. But soon, Caitlyn finds herself ensnared in the show and the Ringmaster himself. Recognizing Caitlyn’s powers for what they are, and believing they are the ones he has been searching for, the Ringmaster is determined to claim them as his own. Trapped within the circus and the Ringmaster’s devious grip, Caitlyn realizes that to escape the seer’s foretold fate, her only choice is to fight. Banding together with Bevier, an imprisoned psychic, Meg, an eccentric seamstress, and Daniel, a handsome magician, Caitlyn falls into the Psychic Realm to thwart the Ringmaster and stop the show before they succumb to his control and are trapped forever in his spectacle of souls."-Goodreads

Thank you Bleeding Ink Publishing and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.

I loved the overall concept and plot of A Spectacle of Souls by Jessica Julien. Normally, it takes me a week to finish a book. Whereas, with A Spectacle of Souls, I was able to complete it within 72 hours. It took me about five or six chapters to get fully invested in the story but, after that, I was hooked. I kept wanting to know what would happen next in the story. I also found the romance, between Cat and Daniel, to be cute.

I liked the idea of a circus that is run on illusions and the workers' supernatural ability. Past YA books have shown readers that the circus can be a mysterious and fantastical setting. The circus has this grand appeal of being unique and exploring the world. I would say that A Spectacle of Souls has a darker feel to it. This book, based on the characters' ages, almost feels more New Adult than Young Adult. I don't think we ever learn Cat's age but, based on a conversation with another character, I am guessing around 20-21. Daniel, I think, is around 24 years old. The only complaint I have is that I wish the circus workers' abilities were given more page time. I would have liked to learn more in depth about the troupes' abilities before the climax of the novel. But, that being said, I thought Cat's ability and how it is connected to a different realm was something new and refreshing. I also felt the author brought the Cirque des Volés to life. I would have liked a little more description in the surrounding areas (ex; the scene where they were driving to the next tour stop).

I enjoyed the overall storyline of A Spectacle of Souls. I am curious to see how book 2 will turn out in this series. The middle half and the ending were what intrigued me most about this story. The beginning, for me, started off a bit slow. It took me, as I said earlier, about five or six chapters to get into the storyline. The writing flows pretty consistently throughout the novel. There were a few times when I noticed more of a "telling" than "showing" approach. I also noticed a few times where other characters' point of views were present during other characters' narration. This left me a bit confused, at times, of who was telling the story. Especially when each chapter would tell you, with the character's name, who was narrating the story. Also, I would have liked Cat's visions to be described in more length and description.

Daniel was, by far, my favourite character in this book. I shipped his and Cat's romance from the start. Did I think his feelings, and overprotective nature towards Cat, developed a little too fast? Yes. But I am ok with that!! I also loved the friendship between Vanessa and Cat.

How old is the Ringmaster? I'm guessing he is in his late twenties to mid-thirties. I would have liked to know this piece of information while reading the book. At first, I found the Ringmaster to be cliche evil. He came off, at first, as being evil without a cause. However, as the plot progresses the readers learn more about his motivation and backstory.

The ending wraps up pretty neatly with the events of the first book. For a minute, I was wondering how this would turn into a second book. But the author was cruel, haha, and left us, readers, with a cliffhanger/big question.

Overall, A Spectacle of Souls was a fun read. The storyline got me hooked, and the ending left me curious for more from this author.

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 08:15:00 +0000

Author: Kalynn Bayron
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Indigo Canada|Book Depository
Rating: 3/5
"It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again. Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . . This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them."-Goodreads

Thank you Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.

Kalynn Bayron has created a unique twist on the tale of Cinderella. I enjoyed the overall premise of this novel. I also love the diversity presented in this book. My favourite characters were Constance and the fairy godmother. I was fond of the interactions between the two of them and Sophia.

Bayron did a good job of plotting and unravelling the truth behind Cinderella's story. I thought Cinderella's story was well thought out in this standalone The author has also created a scary dystopian world for women. Mersailles is a highly patriarchal kingdom where women are oppressed and forced into marriages at annual balls.

I did not like Sophia at the very beginning of this story. However, she started to grow on me by the end. She is a very strong female lead and she starts off that way. She is not afraid to speak her mind and notice all that is wrong within Lille's society.

This book was a bit slow, in pace, for me. The story, including the ending, was also a bit predictable.

I felt the romance and character development could have been a bit stronger. The romance, that appears later in the book, was a bit rushed. The characters fall in love, almost, instantaneously without really getting to know one another.

I also felt that Sophia's relationships with her friends (Erin and in particular Liv) could have been stronger. I felt Liv, Luke, and even Erin to some extent were characters who were important one minute to Sophia and then forgotten a second later.

Overall, I encourage fans of fairytale retellings to check out Cinderella is Dead on July 7, 2020.

Divine Blood (Guardians of the Maiden #1) by Beck Michaels

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 03:05:00 +0000

Author: Beck Michaels
Publisher: Pluma Press
Pages: 366
Source: Amazon
Buy: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Book Depository
Rating:4/5
The Shadow demon nearly took everything from Dynalya Astron, and it would soon return for more. When she discovers a way to fight back, she must go on a perilous journey and risk it all for those she holds dear. Along the way, she meets Cassiel, a Celestial Prince with magic blood and wings as black as his heart. He wants nothing to do with Dyna until he learns she could lead him to a place he has been searching for all his life. But reaching their destination is not as easy as they thought, nor are they the only ones who search for it. With danger at every turn and harrowing secrets between them, the quest will require much more than determination. They must fight for what they desire—or die trying. For fans of Throne of Glass, The Cruel Prince, and The Lord of the Rings comes Beck Michael's debut novel with remarkable characters, a budding romance, and gripping action. Divine Blood is the first book of an Epic Dark Fantasy series that explores the depths of loss, acceptance, and the true meaning of courage.-Goodreads

Divine Blood is a fantastical treat of a book. Beck's world comes alive within the pages. I love reading novels that have worlds that are big and diverse. Readers can expect werewolves, elves and celestials from the first book. I appreciated the map that is included and it was fun tracking the characters' movements on their journey.

I like that this story is told from multiple points of view. Zev and Cassiel were my top two narrators. The characters' motives were clearly defined in this book. I'm curious to see how Cassiel, and Cassiel's relationship with Dyna, will further develop. Dyna was an interesting character. She is a happy-go-lucky character who is prone to danger. There were multiple times throughout Divine Blood where I was having mini heart-attacks over her actions. By the end of the novel, I had a lot of admiration for Dyna's character and some of her choices. I won't go into this further because I don't want to spoil anything. In the sequel, I am looking forward to getting to know the antagonist better. I am also curious to know more about Von and Yavi's backstory.

Beck's writing brings this book to life. I could easily visualize the characters and their adventures throughout the novel. My only critique is that I wish there was a little less description. I was yearning for a bit more of a look into the character's thoughts.

I'm curious to see how the plot will develop in future books. The first book sets up enough questions that I'm eager to read the second book.

Overall, I enjoyed Divine Blood and its characters. I'm excited to see how the storyline will play out in future books.

Wicked Trilogy Review by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 04:28:00 +0000

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Source: Kobo Store
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Rakuten Kobo|Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans. Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart. Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her. But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.-Goodreads

Today I am reviewing the Wicked Trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout as a whole. My favourite book in the series was Torn (Book #2). My least favourite book was Wicked (Book #1).

My favourite thing about any of Armentrout's work is her characters. I absolutely adore Ivy, Ren and especially Tink. I wish there was more page time with Tink because he is funny, weird and geeky.

The one thing that stood out throughout the series was Ivy's character development in each book. I could pinpoint how she grew and developed throughout each book. I also could relate to her trust issues (albeit I never had to deal with evil fae in my past). I liked how Armentrout handled Ivy's trauma in Brave. I felt Ivy's actions in Brave showed how traumatized she was from the events of Torn.

In regards to Ren, I felt so-so about in him in the first book. However, by book 3 I was shipping him and Ivy as a couple.

I hated the antagonists...which means they were well written.

My only complaint, in regards to characters, is that I felt the side-characters could have been fleshed out more. I felt the Order, itself, and their members could have been fleshed out more. I had a hard time connecting with David.

The first book was very character-focused and heavy on the romance. I found the amount of romance, that was presented in book 1, to be a bit of a turn-off. I felt, in book 1, the romance overshadowed the plot and the world-building. The plot, in Wicked, was a slow build-up for the end.

I enjoyed Wicked's ending and it made me want to read Torn right away. Torn was plot-driven and fast-paced. I could not put book 2 down and I finished it within 48 hours.

The third book, Brave, was more character-focused. It was a bit slower in pace than Torn. I felt the climax of the Wicked Trilogy was a bit of a let down. There were three questions that I had throughout this series that were never answered. I do not want to spoil the ending but book 3, as an end to a trilogy, was a bit of letdown.

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and their journey throughout the series. However, I felt the side-characters, the order and the plot, in some places, could have been expanded on.

Forest of Souls (Shamanborn #1) by Lori M. Lee

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0000

Author: Lori M. Lee
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes & Noble|Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life. Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for. Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.-Goodreads

I received an E-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!! Thank you to Page Street Kids for this E-ARC!!

When I first opened Forest of Souls, I was a little taken aback by the size of the glossary. My initial thoughts were that this book would be too complex and overwhelming. That I wouldn't be able to understand what was going on without the glossary glued to my side. However, that was not the case at all. Lori M. Lee does a wonderful job of introducing and getting readers comfortable with the world of Thiy. The author has created a rich and vibrant world. There was never a moment while reading this book, where I felt too much information was thrown on me. Instead, information is introduced at various stages and flows nicely with the story. The world-building doesn't only come alive in the places and their food but, also through their political hierarchy. I felt a deeper connection and understanding of the Evewynian people by understanding the role of the Queen and Prince Company. It is a society built on respect for hierarchies (age, year in school and status in society).

I enjoyed the strong friendship between Sirscha (the main character) and Saengo in the Forest of Souls. Their friendship and love for one another, really stood out throughout the novel. Sirscha is a strong female character with a determine personality. Once she has set her mind onto something there is no stopping her. She is especially motivated if it means protecting the ones she loves or making things right. For that, I find her a very admirable character. However, she isn't a black and white character. She has flaws just like any normal human being. She strives to be the best and prove herself to others, instead of accepting herself. We see this through Sirscha's character development which I won't lie felt a bit rushed towards the end.

I love how Saengo is a very loyal best friend. My favourite character is probably Theyen. I love his personality and how it clashes with Sirscha's personality. I enjoyed reading any scenes that involved Theyen. Whereas, I felt differently when it came to Prince Meilek. I did not hate Prince Meilek but, at first, I felt kind of "meh" about him. I felt his and Sirscha's connection was lacking, in the beginning, despite them both knowing each other before the book events. This gets better as the novel progresses and I'm curious to see more of Prince Meilek in the sequel.

I won't say much about the antagonists, but I wish the readers could have seen more of them. The one antagonist places such a figurative role in this book. We never get to meet them (which I hope changes in book #2) but, we hear about them all the time. The second, main, antagonist isn't given as much screen time as I hoped. I feel this person's role, as an antagonist, isn't that shocking when you find out but I wish the main character interacted with this person more.

The magic system in this world gives off the vibes of Avatar the Last Airbender mixed with Harry Potter (minus the wizards and the magical school). Some of the Shaman's abilities reminded me of the Avatar the Last Airbender. Whereas, the dark feel of the Dead Wood, and the idea of creepy crawlies, reminded me of Harry Potter.

The Dead Wood, by the way, is terrifying!! I would never want to visit there!! The horrors of Dead Wood are described beautifully. Readers can easily imagine this haunting place. For some odd reason, I kept thinking about The Haunted Forest (from The Wizard of Oz) whenever I read about the Dead Wood in Forest of Souls. The two places have nothing in common but being scary places.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I definitely consider it to be a cover buy. It is designed by Charlie Bowater.

I really enjoyed this story. I will certainly be reading book 2 when it comes out. The plot kept me entertained with its action and curiosity about what was going to happen next in the story. The first book will definitely leave readers with some unanswered questions.

Live Like Legends by Kate Cornell

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 10:00:00 +0000

Author: Kate Cornell
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 400
Source: Netgalley
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4/5
Princess Kalista has known her role from birth. She's spent her entire life preparing to be the socialite wife of a prince from a peaceful kingdom. But on her big day, she is shocked when she is instead forced to marry the warrior prince of a cursed land, who is as cold as the wintry kingdom he'll one day rule. Carson has a throne no princess wants to share with him. An immortal beast ravages their land, and he’ll do anything to stop it, even marry a complete stranger on the day she was supposed to wed her betrothed. Let her hate him for it, but Kalista is his only hope for peace. Kalista knows she’s just a pawn on the chessboard of politics, but now she’s expected to kill an unstoppable creature because of some legend about her bloodline that Carson believes as truth. He trains her how to fight, and when lessons in swordplay lead to lessons in love, her destiny puts more than just her life at risk. How far is she willing to go to save the prince she never wanted…but can’t imagine living without?-Goodreads

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.

Live Like Legends was an enjoyable read by Kate Cornell. I manage to read this book in less than 12 hours. Normally, it takes me a week to read a book. Cornell drew me into the story from the very first chapter. I found the story flowed seamlessly together from one chapter to the next.
I enjoyed Kalista's character and her narration of the story. The romance was sweet between her and Carson. I also appreciated the banter between her and Emmett.

Cornell does a unique take on world-building. The author focuses a lot on building the world, plot and characters through cultural exploration. The cultural differences (language, customs, foods, etc.) between Kalista and Carson are heavily focused on in Live Like Legends. The language barrier, between Carson and Kalista, was a unique touch to the story. In the beginning, I was a bit against it because it made it hard for me to understand and appreciate Carson's character. The language barrier, I felt, distracted me from seeing Carson's character development. I couldn't understand him or really get to know him. However, this technique could be seen as reciprocating how Kalista is feeling throughout the book. The language barrier makes it hard for her to communicate and fully understand each other. When I was 18, I lived in Taiwan for a year as an exchange student. I remember the fear of potentially being mocked for mispronouncing words in Mandarin and feeling lost in certain situations. I think Cornell does an excellent job of portraying what it is like to live in a place that is different from your own both culturally and linguistically. Towards the end, I was more appreciated of the language barrier because it was a plot device that fits well with the development of the storyline.

However, that being said, I think it would have been more interesting if this story was told from two point of views (both Kalista's and Carson's POV).

I enjoyed the overall storyline in this book. It was a bit predictable but, it was still a good read. I do wish there were a bit more descriptions of the characters and of Estral itself.

I also found the first few chapters to be a bit confusing to read. I would have preferred the story to start a bit earlier than when it did in the first chapter. I also wish the key points of why she was betrothed to Carson were better explained (aka: the prophecy).

Overall, Live Like Legends was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the storyline and how smoothly the novel flowed. I stayed awake all night to finish it. If you are into romance and fantasy, then I would check out this book.

Imagine Me (Shatter Me #6) by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 25 May 2020 08:38:00 +0000

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 462
Source: The Ripped Bodice
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes&Noble|Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
The explosive finale to the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Shatter Me series. Juliette Ferrars. Ella Sommers. Which is the truth and which is the lie? Now that Ella knows who Juliette is and what she was created for, things have only become more complicated. As she struggles to understand the past that haunts her and looks to a future more uncertain than ever, the lines between right and wrong—between Ella and Juliette—blur. And with old enemies looming, her destiny may not be her own to control. The day of reckoning for the Reestablishment is coming. But she may not get to choose what side she fights on.-Goodreads

I have mixed feelings about the end of the Shatter Me series. I enjoyed this book but did not like this as the ending to a series. I felt there should have been another novel. That Imagine Me was a rush to end things. This felt especially true with that epilogue.

We spend most of Imagine Me, except for the end, rotating between Kenji's and Juliette's POV. While I enjoyed a lot of the interactions between Kenji and Warner, I missed Warner's point of view.

Imagine Me, honestly, felt like a copy of Defy Me. Even Kenji comments, at one point, how this felt like Deja Vu. I felt the ending in this book was also too easy.

Adam, also, did not get the attention he deserved.

The epilogue was very confusing. Will there be another novella? Because that epilogue was not satisfactory. I have so many questions. It is one of those endings where the author leaves it up to the readers to imagine what happens next. I. DON'T. LIKE. THOSE. KIND. OF. ENDINGS.

There are so many characters we don't get to see, in the end, as a proper send-off. I wanted more scenes between Warner and Juliette.

I rated this book 4 stars because I enjoyed the book, itself, as a standalone. However, for an ending to a series, it did not impress me, and it did not leave me satisfied. I. WANT. ANOTHER. BOOK. OR. A. NOVELLA.

Imagine Me is fast-paced and easy to read in a day or two. Kenji is an enjoyable narrator and one of my favourite characters in the Shatter Me series. There were times when I found myself laughing at the funny parts.

I love Tahereh Mafi's writing style. It is so unique and I envy it. Mafi's writing style is very poetic. There is so much emotion that comes through when the characters' are narrating their point of view.

The only downside that I found with Mafi's writing style was I felt there were some information and descriptions, missing in the text. I do not want to give any spoilers away, but some things (both at the beginning and the end) were left unsaid and up to the readers' imagination. I would have liked more context and description in some of the chapters.

Overall, Imagine Me was a good read but unfortunately, it did not feel like a good conclusion to the Shatter Me series. I feel like I need another book or novella to properly send these characters off.

Crave (Crave #1) by Tracy Wolff

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Fri, 22 May 2020 02:14:00 +0000

Author: Tracy Wolff
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 592
Source: Kobo/E-Reader
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes & Noble|Book Depository
Rating: 3/5
My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me. Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me. Which could spell death for us all. Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait. - Cover/Bio: Goodreads

*SPOILERS*

Where do I start?! This book is perfect if you're looking for an addictive romance involving vampires and other paranormal creatures. The first book has the Twilight (book) feel in both looks (the cover) and in the story itself. I am shocked by how much time the author spent on the romance in Crave. The romance, between Jaxon and Grace, takes up most of the first book. I enjoyed reading this novel but, I had a lot of issues with the various developments (plot, romance, characters, etc.). I will be reading the sequel, Crush, because it is an addicting storyline. I have a feeling that the second book will diverge from the twilight-feel and focus less on the romance and more on the plot line. At least that is my hope for book #2.
The romance was developed too quickly in my opinion. The story plays out over a single week. Grace was madly in love with Jaxon by day 7. I would have preferred this story to have taken place over the course of a few months. I mean Grace barely goes to school within that first week 😂 I would have preferred a romance that is slowly formed instead of love at first sight. That being said I do like Jaxon and Grace together. I enjoyed reading the romantic scenes. I ship them together.

I felt the side characters were underdeveloped. The story focused so much on Jaxon and Grace that other characters fell flat for me. They did not come alive. The only exception to this is maybe Mekhi. The side characters, I felt, were used to act as an introduction into this paranormal world for Grace. That is awesome but, I also wanted the side characters to have their own arcs, problems, etc. I mean Macy has a boyfriend that we barely see and hear about in the book. What type of paranormal is he Also, why does Macy act so weird around Flint? Flint and Jaxon used to be friends but they're not anymore. Why? I know this is just the first book but I wanted more of a backstory.

The plot was also a bit confusing. What was Jaxon's involvement before Grace's arrival? Why did he think it was weird that the headmaster would offer a spot to his niece, even if they thought she was human? How did Flint, and the others, know Lia was up to something? Why did Lia have to kill Grace's parents (Why not just kidnap Grace?)?

I felt the plot could have been strengthened. I support the storyline, but I felt it needed to be better explained and developed. The paranormal backstory could have also been better explained. I did not enjoy scenes of information overload. My knowledge of Wolff's vampires, dragons, shifters and witches is all over the place.

I also hated how winter was described in this book. I understand if Grace needs to wear a lot of clothing to survive (she's from California). But why does Macy? Also, why didn't her cousin show her the tunnels? Also, what does snow smell like? Because that is what Jaxon apparently smells like.

World-building is in the same category as the plot. I have a feeling Crush will give us a deeper insight then Crave. The author spends most of the first book focusing on the romance instead of the world, it's political strifes and the plot itself (which comes second). I also preferred Jaxon's POV (in the bonus chapters) to Grace's narration.

Overall, Crave is an addictive read for Twilight and paranormal fans. Based on Crave's ending, I am more excited and hopeful for the sequel.

Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Sun, 17 May 2020 05:54:00 +0000

Authors: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 470
Source: Indigo Canada
Buy: Amazon | Indigo Canada | Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure. The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch… A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder An alien warrior with anger management issues A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy. They're not the heroes we deserve. They're just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.-Goodreads

Sci-Fi is one of my least favourite genres. I don't often seek out books that take place in space. However, Aurora Rising, with its Instagramable cover and rave recommendations on Bookstagram, made me make an exception.
Squad 312 is a group of loveable characters. They are all unique and have their own set of problems. But, at the end of the day, they all want to fit into a group. It was neat to see their developments throughout Aurora Rising. By the end of the first book, I could pinpoint how each character had grown throughout 470 pages of action and adventure. The book is told from all the squad members POV.

I enjoyed reading about Kal's and Aurora's relationship. I am hoping a budding romance will continue to form between the two of them as the series progresses. My favourite character was Kal and Aurora. However, I most related to Finian. Finian just wants to be loved but, he is too afraid to ask for help. He hates being alone, but his fears cause him to alienate from others. I am happy he has found Squad 312.

Kaufman's and Kristoff's unique talent is making characters that are unique and relatable. They do this so well that you cannot help but become invested in these characters' lives. It is like reading about friends far away and undergoing all the emotions that the characters experience in the novel.

The writing is well done in Aurora Rising. I cannot tell that Aurora Rising is written by two authors. I felt the same way when I read Illuminae, written by Kaufman and Kristoff, back in 2015. The writing in Aurora Rising flows cohesively throughout the novel. The dialogue is unique to the character's personality. There were a few times when I found myself laughing at something, Scarlett, Finian or Magellan said in the book.

The storyline is filled with non-stop action and adventure. The ending left me wanting more and wondering what will happen next for Squad 312. The authors answered some of my questions for The Aurora Cycle however, I have a few more that I would like answered. I did not find the storyline to be predictable. I was not able to predict most of what happened in the last half of the book. I think, so far, the storyline is unfolding in a neat way. I am excited to see how the series will play out.

World-building was pretty good. I won't lie, my knowledge of space and sci-fi terms are not that expansive. I did find myself googling some terms. However, my lack of expertise did not hider me from enjoying and understanding the new world Aurora woke up to in Aurora Rising.

Overall, I really enjoyed Aurora Rising. It was a fast paced novel with loveable characters. I have already bought the sequel via Indigo Canada. I'm looking forward to digging into Aurora Burning whenever it arrives at my house.

From Blood and Ash (Blood and Ash #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Sun, 10 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Author:Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher:Blue Box Press
Pages:634
Source:Kobo
Buy:Amazon|Indigo Canada
Rating:4/5
"Captivating and action-packed, From Blood and Ash is a sexy, addictive, and unexpected fantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa. A Maiden… Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers. A Duty… The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden. A Kingdom… Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel." -Image/Bio: Goodreads

I need book 2!!! This book...the feels...gaaahhh!! Sorry, I just loved this book so much!! Where do I start?

I think my favourite aspects of From Blood and Ash were the characters and the plot!! The ending leaves off on a cliffhanger. It also leaves readers with new and unanswered questions. I read Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout last year. In that book, I loved the characters' interactions. I feel the same way in From Blood and Ash. I loved Hawke's and Poppy's interactions. I also loved Vikter's and Poppy's interactions. I hated the people Poppy hated, and I adored the people Poppy adored. Armentrout does a fantastic job of getting readers invested in her characters' lives.

Poppy is a kick-ass heroine who has a caring, curious and determines personality. She doesn't think twice about saving others at her own expense. The first book is about her exploration of figuring out what she does and does not want in life.

Hawke knows who and what he represents. He isn't afraid to speak his mind and contradict what others believe. He is good at reading and judging others' characters. Hawke is also a bad-ass guard who doesn't like to follow the rules when it comes to Poppy. *cough* Forbidden Romance.

My favourite scenes in From Blood and Ash are when Poppy and Hawke are interacting.

I also really enjoyed the side characters: Tawny, Vikter and the ones that show up later in the book.

The plot!! Where do I start? I guessed correctly on some of the plot twists. I did not predict what ended up happening on the last page. Armentrout does an amazing job of pacing out the plot. I resonated (felt the emotional impact) with the ups and downs due to the plot being smoothly carried out by the author. The romance also developed at a reasonable pace in the book. I did not find this book slow. It was a story that I kept thinking about even when I was not reading the book.

The paranormal!! Is it just me, or are paranormal books finally making a comeback?! Let me clarify that a little more, are vampires making a comeback? Because all I can say is: YES!!!

I thought the lore and history of this world was well thought out!!

My only critique is that I wish the world was better described. I felt there could have been more descriptions of places in certain areas of the novel.

Overall, I really enjoyed From Blood and Ash and I cannot wait until the sequel is released.

Ruthless Gods by Emily A. Duncan (Something Dark and Holy #2)

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 23:48:00 +0000

Author: Emily A. Duncan
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pages: 532
Source: Amazon Canada
Buy: Amazon | Indigo Canada | Book Depository
Rating:3.7/5
"Darkness never works alone... Nadya doesn’t trust her magic anymore. Serefin is fighting off a voice in his head that doesn’t belong to him. Malachiasz is at war with who--and what--he’s become. As their group is continually torn apart, the girl, the prince, and the monster find their fates irrevocably intertwined. They’re pieces on a board, being orchestrated by someone… or something. The voices that Serefin hears in the darkness, the ones that Nadya believes are her gods, the ones that Malachiasz is desperate to meet—those voices want a stake in the world, and they refuse to stay quiet any longer." -Goodreads

Emily A. Duncan has an amazing talent for laying out a gothic world. It is easy, as a reader, to quickly visualize Tranavia and Kalyazin. The horrors, that these characters face throughout Ruthless Gods, also come alive before the readers' eyes. I applaud Duncan for her world-building. I can easily imagine these war-torn places and sympathize with their struggles. All the characters feel a sense of loyalty to their homeland. They do not want their country to fall but, they also all want the war to end.

I did not enjoy Ruthless Gods as much as I enjoyed reading Wicked Saints. The first 200 hundred pages of Ruthless Gods was really good. I was really enthralled in what was going on, and I was excited to be back in this world. However, the last half of Ruthless Gods dragged on for me. I found it a bit of struggle to finish the book.

My biggest issue with Ruthless Gods was with Nadya. Nadya spends most of the book going back and forth between loving and hating Malachiasz. This is somewhat understandable with the events of the previous book. However, I felt in Ruthless Gods it was a bit overdone. I also felt this way in regards to some of the back and forth banter between Nadya and Malachiasz. While I love Malachiasz as a character, I feel his relationship with Nadya falls flat in the sequel. I feel the strength and development of their relationship isn't as strong as it could be in this book.

I was also missing the side characters even though they were all present in Ruthless Gods. I wanted more of Parijahan and definitely more of Rashid. I just felt the balance and development of the characters were off in Ruthless Gods.

Serefin's character arc was probably my favourite in Ruthless Gods. There is also a new romantic relationship for Serefin. While I definitely ship who he is being paired with, I was certainly oblivious to the signs that they liked one another.

The ending of this book was not that surprising to me. The plot and what were going on at certain times, was a bit confusing to me. I found myself having to reread certain passages.
All in all, I had high hopes for Ruthless Gods after Wicked Saints. However, the second book fell a bit flat for me. I will definitely be giving book #3 a chance when it comes out next year.

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (Crescent City #1)

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 08:19:00 +0000

Author:Sarah J. Maas
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages:799
Source:Indigo/Chapters
Buy:Amazon | Indigo | Book Depository
Rating:5/5
"Bound by blood. Tempted by desire. Unleashed by destiny. Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths. Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach. As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it. With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love."-Goodreads

House of Earth and Blood is definitely one of my top picks of 2020. Sarah J. Maas has a special talent in making readers fall in love, and get invested, in her characters. Within 100 pages I was emotionally invested in these characters. I was also emotionally destroyed within the first hundred pages (read the book and you will understand). Sarah J. Maas excels at writing strong, kick-ass female characters (Feyre, Celaena, and now Bryce). She is also a master at writing about characters who are survivors. In A Court of Thorn and Roses, she created a character who dealt with PTSD and an abusive partner. In House of Earth and Blood, she wrote about a character dealing with loss, grief and depression. Throughout this novel, I watched Bryce go through various levels of grief. Normally, I would automatically think that 800 pages is too long for a book. However, in this case, with the plot and character development, it was perfectly paced in my opinion. This 800-page book did not feel like it was eight hundred pages. Throughout reading House of Earth and Blood, I was excited to start another chapter. I also was trying to figure out why, after 500 pages, I was not getting bored with the book. When I read books, I normally start to look forward to the conclusion. Whereas while reading House of Earth and Blood, I wanted the book to never end. I didn't care that a murder plot may or may not take 800 pages to solve. This, I credit, to Sarah J. Maas's ability to create and develop characters. I, as a reader, found myself emotionally invested in Bryce's, Hunt's, and even Ruhn's storyline. I also could not help but fall in love with the side characters (ex; Lehabah, Tharion, Declan, Flynn, Juniper, Jesiba, Aidas, etc.) and the furry sidekicks (Syrinx, Otters).

I found the plot and the character development flowed, and wrapped, nicely in the first book. My guess of who was the prime antagonist, in the first book, was correct. There were some twists and turns towards the end of the book that I did not predict. I also found the book ended at a good spot in the storyline. The ending answers some questions while, leaving readers with more questions. I am excited for the sequel to the House of Earth and Blood. The last two hundred pages of this book were very good. The last two hundred pages were very fast-paced and kept you on your toes.

I enjoyed reading about Bryce's and Ruhn's relationship. I loved Hunt's and Bryce's relationship and how it developed throughout the book. Bryce is so strong-willed, stubborn and full of sass. This book is a slow burn romance.

Lehabah is so cute!!

The world-building is also very well done in my opinion. I did not have a hard time understanding how Bryce's and Hunt's world work. The atmosphere of Lunathion and its surroundings were well developed in the book. I did not have a hard time picturing Bryce's world. The political system and its prejudices were also clearly explained in the novel. The cover is gorgeous. I also enjoyed the city's map of Lunathion inside of the book.

My hope for book #2 is to see more of Tharion, Aidas, and the Autumn King.

July 24, 2019: CWW, My Favourite... and WWW Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 07:01:00 +0000

Hello Everyone :)

Today I am posting three different bookish memes, by three different authors, for Wednesday:) Share your answers in the comments below or leave the link to your blog :) I would love to check out your answers.

1. CWW is hosted by Tress @ Wishful Endings !! This is a meme to showcase what book you are excited to read in the future. Usually, the books that chosen have yet to be release. This meme is based off the old WOW meme. It is hosted on Wednesdays.

2. My Favourite... is hosted by Rebecca @ Bookishly Rebecca !! At the end of each month, Rebecca posts a list of prompts for the next month. It is hosted on Wednesdays.

3. WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words !! Basically, answer the three questions :) It is hosted on Wednesdays.

I Can't Wait for....

Author: Renée Ahdieh
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 448
Release: October 8th, 2019
Buy: Amazon / Chapters / Book Depository

"In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret. When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface. At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful." -Goodreads (photo as well)

My Thoughts: What can I say?? It has vampires. Are vampires finally making another comeback? I don't know but I hope so because I have been craving for a reallly good vampire-romance story.

My Favourite...Anticipated Fall Book Release

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 528

Release: September 3, 2019

Buy: Amazon/ Chapters / Book Depository

"Bound as one to love, honor, or burn. Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned. Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony. The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made. And love makes fools of us all." Goodreads (photo too)

My Thoughts: I came across this book when EpicReads unveiled the fall 2019 covers. The synposis alone sold me but, look at that cover!!! Defintely will be adding this to my bookshelf when it comes out in September.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

Author: Stephanie Garber

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Pages: 416

Buy: Amazon / Chapters / Book Depository

"Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over. But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever." Amazon (photo too)

Author: Margaret Rogerson
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 464
Buy: Amazon / Chapters / Book Depository

"All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power. Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them. As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined." Amazon (photo too)

What did you recently finishing reading?

Author: Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Fantasy / Dystopian
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages: 355
Rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon / Chapters / Book Depository

"Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart." Goodreads (photo too)

What do you think you'll read next?

Author: Chani Lynn Feener
Genre: Sci-Fi
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Pages: 336
Buy: Amazon / Chapters

SPOILER ALERT. "Having gone from kidnapped faux princess to the legitimate heir to an intergalactic throne, an impulsive, sarcastic teen must take charge of her own destiny in this epic YA novel. On Earth, Delaney is a normal teenager who recently graduated high school with a fantastic best friend and a loving boyfriend. But Delaney isn’t on Earth. She’s on Xenith, a war-torn planet half a galaxy away. Originally mistaken for an alien princess, Delaney has gone from kidnapped imposter to the recognized heir to an alien throne. Oh, and she’s engaged to the prince of an enemy nation whose ruthless father is on the warpath. Torn between two planets, two fates, and two loves, Delaney is finally ready to choose her own destiny in Within Ash and Stardust, the stunning conclusion to Chani Lynn Feener’s Xenith Trilogy." Amazon (photo too)

July 22, 2019: Mailbox Monday / What Are You Reading?

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Mon, 22 Jul 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Today I am doing a Mailbox Monday, hosted by Martha at Mailbox Monday, and What Are You Reading? which is hosted by Kathyrn at Book Date .

Mailbox Monday

"All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power. Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them. As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined." -Amazon (Photo too is from Amazon)

I have seen so many rave reviews for Sorcery of Thorns. Also, that cover was just calling out to me to buy it. I spent a good few days debating whether or not to buy Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. I read her previous book, An Enchantment of Ravens back in 2017. The only downside of this book (and the reason I was hesistant to buy it) is it is a standalone. This is sad because you will fall in love with the characters.

SPOILER ALERT "A royal wedding is what most girls dream about. It means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement: that she agreed to marry the crown prince in exchange for Arin's freedom. But can Kestrel trust Arin? Can she even trust herself? For Kestrel is becoming very good at deception. She's working as a spy in the court. If caught, she'll be exposed as a traitor to her country. Yet she can't help searching for a way to change her ruthless world . . . and she is close to uncovering a shocking secret. This dazzling follow-up to The Winner's Curse reveals the high price of dangerous lies and untrustworthy alliances. The truth will come out, and when it does, Kestrel and Arin will learn just how much their crimes will cost them. The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski is the second book in the Winner's Trilogy." -Amazon (Photo aswell is from Amazon)

The Winner's Curse was another book I avoided reading for a very long time. However, after reading it, I immediately wanted to buy the second book to add my shelf.

What Are You Reading?

This week I have been reading two books.

1. Sorcery of Thorns <--I am 200 pages into the novel at the moment. Honestly, I am kind of dreading finishing it because a) it is a standalone and b) it is so very good. It reminds me of Harry Potter / Black Butler. It gives off those sort of vibes and I love it. I absolutely adore Nathaniel and Sir Fluffington (anyone who has/or is reading this book will know who I am talking about).

"Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over. But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever." Amazon (photo too)

I read over 150 pages of Caraval today. I bought Caraval back when it first came out however, I never ended up reading it. The past day or so I have had the odd urge to dive into Stephanie Garber's world. Today, I picked the book up and read 10x more than I normally do in a day. I am intrigued to find out how this book will end. Also, side note, but this book would make a fantastic movie or t.v. show.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (The Winner's Trilogy #1)

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 02:38:00 +0000

Author:Marie Rutkoski
Publisher:Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages:355
Source: Chapters/Indigo
Buy:Amazon|Chapters|Book Depository
Rating:4/5
"Winning what you want may cost you everything you love They were never meant to be together. As a general's daughter, seventeen-year-old Kestrel enjoys an extravagant and privileged life. Arin has nothing but the clothes on his back. Then Kestrel makes an impulsive decision that binds Arin to her. Though they try to fight it, they can't help but fall in love. In order to be together, they must betray their people . . . but to be loyal to their country, they must betray each other. Set in a new world, The Winner's Curse is a story of rebellion, duels, ballroom dances, wicked rumors, dirty secrets, and games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart. -Amazon Canada"

The Winner's Curse is one of those books I have crossed paths with many times when I am in a bookstore. The book was published back in 2014, and I feel bad for not picking it up sooner. It is told from two POV: Kestrel and Arin.

Rutkoski's writing style flows nicely through the book. I found the last hundred pages to be a bit rushed. There were also topics that the character's alluded to instead of actually talking about them. This made the book, in my opinion, a bit confusing at time. It might be that I am horrible at picking up at things that should be obvious.

Kestrel and Arin have strong, distinct personalities. I felt Rutkoski did a fantastic job at developing their relationship with one another and slowly incorporating their backstory into the novel.

I also was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book doesn't, really, have a love triangle. That is ok because I totally ship Arin and Kestrel.

The only character that I felt could have been better developed was the antagonist. Again, with me thinking the second half of the book was rushed, I didn't feel like I could connect with this person's character.

The ending of The Winner's Curse will definitely leave readers wanting more and lucky for me the full trilogy is already published.

I am curious to see how this trilogy will develop and which direction it will go in. I am also hoping we see more of Kestrel's friends, Jess and Ronan, in the next book. Ronan was also one of my favourite characters, and I was sad we didn't see him much in the second half of the book.

What are your thoughts on this book?

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (Monsters of Verity #1)

noreply@blogger.com (Maura) — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 05:47:00 +0000

Author:Victoria Schwab
Publisher:Greenwillow Books
Pages:480
Source: Chapters/Indigo
Buy:Amazon/Chapters/Book Depository
Rating:5/5
"There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books. Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives."Goodreads

If you are in a reading slump and do not know what to read I recommend this book. It starts off slow but once our two main characters (August and Kate) meet it is a non-stop page turner. Some of the plot twists I found to be quite predictable. However, that did not make it any less enjoyable. Schwab's writing has a beautiful flow to it which is concise and easy to follow. She brings the city of Verity and its trouble alive. While reading This Savage Song I saw the world come alive. I could picture the story as if it were a film unravelling before my very eyes. However, one thing that bothered me was that the myths, behind the monsters, wasn't clear enough at the beginning of the book. Eventually, readers will begin to grasp what the creatures of Verity are but I felt that it can come off as rather confusing at the start.

Kate was my favourite character (with Ilsa coming in second). She so badly wants to be loved and accepted by her father that she is almost self-destructive to herself (ex; smoking, harming other people/places, forgetting traumatic memories and almost giving up her feeling of security for acceptance).

August is the total opposite as he has acceptances from his family. However, he secretly hates what is and wants what he is not. August does not seek to please people but follows his own belief system (ex; wanting to help others- the FTC cause, Kate, the cat). He does not let others (ex; Leo) cloud his judgement. He fears himself and hates the possibility of hurting others (ex; going dark). August's journey throughout the book is learning to accept himself (all sides--the good and the bad).

Also, there is no romance in this book. I did not realise this until the very end when someone pointed that out. The characters are extremely close to one another but do not share any romantic moments. Honestly, I did not mind it as I did not notice it.

The antagonist(s) in this novel were quite obvious and I do not think they were meant to be oblivious to readers.

I am looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how it fairs to the first book.

What are your thoughts on this book?