This month was a big book buying month. I had a bit of extra cash so I splurged a bit. I bought 14 books this month. Five of them were contemporary novels, the rest, well they were fantasy. Let's get down to the books!
I went to Cedar City for a day with some family. We checked out a few places with books. They only have one book store. Main Street books. They have used and new books, so It was cool to check out. I only got one book from there. It looked like a brand new copy but was only $9.00. The book is Nemesis by Brendan Reichs. Here is the front of that store.
I also went to Dollar Tree and found five books. I was surprised to find the books I found. I found 'Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between,' by Jennifer E Smith; '10 Things I Can See From Here,' by Carrie Mac; 'Black Dove White Raven,' by Elizabeth E. Wein; 'Finding the Dark in the City of Light,' by Ann Jacobus; and lastly 'The Rosie Effect' by Graeme Simison.
For all the other books I went to Target and Barnes and Noble. My two favorite stores! At Barnes and Noble I bought the big chunker of a book 'The Way of Kings' by Brandon Sanderson, which I am already reading. I'm hoping to get through it. Such a big book. I also picked up 'The Poppy War' by R. F. Kuang, 'Legendary' by Stephanie Garber, 'The Queens of Innis Lear,' by Tessa Gratton, and 'Spinning Silver' by Naomi Novik. At Target I was able to get 'Furyborn' by Claire Legrand, 'Catwoman' by Sarah J. Maas, 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black.
It's a good amount of books, more than i really even needed. It is now added to my never ending TBR pile! (Which is slowly going down... sort of.) What books did you get this month?
Glad you asked! Booktube-a-thon is a week long readathon that is hosted by Ariel Bissett. This is the fifth year for this event and it is the first year for the event that I will be participating in it. I am super pumped to start this read-a-thon. Check out Ariel's video below to see what it is all about!
Here are the challenges!:
1. Let a coin toss decide your first read.
2. Read a book about something you want to do.
3. Read and watch a book to movie adaptation.
4. Read a book with green on the cover.
5. Read a book while wearing the same hat the whole time.
6. Read a book with a beautiful spine.
7. Read seven books.
I will upload a post on the blog as much as I can. I will also be on twitter and instagram posting and uploading photos and doing the daily challenges. I am super excited to get reading. I'm not sure if I will be able to read all 7 books but, there won't be anybody to stop me from trying! Lets see what books I have to tackle, shall we?
1. Let a coin toss decide your first read.
So for the first book I decided to just pick two books and do a coin flip. The other book (or the losing book) won't be a part of the list I end up reading.
It is between:
The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
Both books are about 200 pages and will be a fairly short read which is great for a readathon.
The coin toss decided:
2. Read a book about something you want to do.
This one was a bit difficult to choose for me. There is so much that I want to do. One thing though that stuck out for this book is the fact that she is a hacker. I love computers and I'd love to be able to learn how to code and hack and do all that stuff (like Charlie from Supernatural). So I came across Warcross by Marie Lu. Synopsis: For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty-hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.
Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.
3. Read and watch a book to movie adaptation.
The book I chose for this one is a book that has a lot of hype. The movie just came out on blu-ray/dvd. I also decided that I would listen to this book on Scribd during work. Which will make it a lot easier to get done. The book is 6 hours long and I work about 9 hours a day. I'll be able to finish it easily. This book is Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. Which is also known as Love, Simon.
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.
Incredibly funny and poignant, this twenty-first-century coming-of-age, coming out story—wrapped in a geek romance—is a knockout of a debut novel by Becky Albertalli.
4. Read a book with green on the cover.
I didn't have many books to choose from that had green on it, surprisingly. And I wasn't going to read Heir of Fire AGAIN. Well, yet, anyways. I luckily had one book with tons of green on it that I have not yet read. I have heard great things about this book as well, despite it being on "James Patterson's presents:" books. (I am not a fan of him) The book though sounds really cool because it has a dark, gruesome, premise. That book is Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco.
Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
5. Read a book while wearing the same hat the whole time.
I have two hats I can use for this one. I have a Louise (from Bob's Burgers) rabbit ear hat, or my baseball cap. I also have a cowboy hat buuuut I decided not to use that one. Depending on how hot it is, I'll be able to choose which one I wear. Since that challenge doesn't really have anything to do with the book itself, I was free to choose any book. I really needed to get to the second book in the "An Ember in the Ashes" Trilogy by Sabaa Tahir. I thought it was a perfect way to read this book by putting it in this readathon.
Synopsis: After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.
Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars' survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom. But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike. Bound to Marcus's will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape...and kill them both. 6. Read a book with a beautiful spine.
I had a good number of books with a beautiful spine. They were mostly hardcovers and I just felt like reading paperbacks instead. I also decided to go with a book that doesn't have the greatest reviews on Goodreads. It only has a 3.12 rating. That is not the greatest. I do know that every reader is different and I really wanted to give this a chance without really knowing why people hate on it. Sarah J. Maas blurbs it so I figured it can't be that bad. I chose Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings. It really has a gorgeous spine. I love the color purple and I love the Galaxy look on it.
Synopsis:
Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, Marauder, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader. But when a routine mission goes awry, the Marauder's all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past. Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two. Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their shipor just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the Marauder hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.
7. Read seven books.
For my last book... This one was difficult. It took me all weekend to decide what book I wanted to read or re-read. At first I thought I would continue V. E. Schwabs "A Darker Shade of Magic" Trilogy with the second book. I'm not quite finished with the first book though. Or I could read a really tiny book but, I didn't have that many to choose from. Then I took a look at Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I read this YEARS AGO. And I never finished the series. So, I am going to re-read it and finish the darn series.
Synopsis:
Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold―a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed.Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite―and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.
Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.
That's my list! Hoping to get through all books. I will be reading and reviewing them on this blog, so be sure to check it out through out the week. Also follow me on twitter and instagram (links on the side) and stay up to date with the progress of my reads.
The acclaimed New York Times bestseller! Welcome, welcome to Caraval—Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of the unbreakable bond between two sisters. It’s the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world...
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.
Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . beware of getting swept too far away.
My Review:
This book.... oh my lordy!
This book got me out of one of my biggest book slumps ever! I mean I have read very few books this year but dang. This book makes me want to read more. It was so fast paced and so intriguing that I didn't want it to end. Scarlett did however, bug the crap out of me. The whole time I felt like she was so focused on getting married to get away from her father that she didn't even see the fact that Caraval was literally her ticket to get away from her father. It was all she could focus on. I felt that she could have been too dang dramatic. My face every time she talked about getting her sister and leaving to get married was just of so much annoyance.
I'm just so glad that her character does a lot of growing during this book. It was like a lightbulb went off in her head. The magic in this book was so creatively done. I love how the author made it something that makes you a different person depending on how you use the magic. It reflects you. So if you're going to be a devious person in the game with the magic, once it's over you're still going to be a horrible person. BUT! The great thing is, is that you can change yourself, which Legend himself does. Tella is my favorite character of this book. I instantly fell in love with this character. She is so much smarter than her sister gives her credit. I do love that Scarlett protects Tella so much but it was awesome to know Tella was doing the same for Scarlett. She wanted Scarlett to experience life outside of her fathers island with an adventure, not to a marriage with a man she only knew from letters. I love Julian. I knew he was going to be the love interest from the beginning but it was interesting to see how she played it off, as he started with Tella... or so we think. Julian also does a lot of growing in the novel even though we don't get a whole lot of his back story. He is definitely a new book boyfriend of mine. The plot twists involving Julian I somewhat kind of felt would happen but wasn't sure exactly what it would have been. It was a crazy plot twist for me.
With so many amazing twists this book gave me, I cannot wait to start Legendary. It was such a spell-binding, page turner that kept me up late hours of the night just so I could see what happened next. I didn't want it to end. You seriously need to read this book/series if you have not yet. So picking up the next book on payday!
Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7 and up Series: A Young Elites Novel (Book 1) Hardcover: 368 pages Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (October 7, 2014) Language: English ISBN-10: 0399167838 ISBN-13: 978-0399167836 Buy Here:Book Depository Amazon
Rating -
Synopsis:
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
My Review:
I was so excited to read The Young Elites when I received a copy at ALA in 2014. The book did not disappoint. The book is so fast - paced, and you never want to put it down. You hate having to come back to real life because all you want to do is read this book.
The book had started a bit slow but it still grabs you within the first chapter. Adelina is a character that has to learn to grow from a life that has so much pain. You can see the growth in the story. Also, the whole situation between Teren and Enzo was heartbreaking. The end made me horribly upset but the cliffhanger gave me high hopes. I like the fantasy aspect that Lu has in this book. I feel that she could touch more on the other characters backgrounds instead of just Adelina.
When I read this I had to compare it to her other series Legend. I absolutely love this book at lot more than the Legend series. I felt that I could connect with the characters more. I loved the pace of this book. It was a lot faster I feel. The cliffhanger is what makes me want to read more. Excited to see where the story goes with the rest of the series.
Morgan Rhodes Buy Here: Book Depository Product Details: Age Range: 12 and up Grade Level: 7 and up Series: Falling Kingdoms (Book 1) Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Razorbill; Reprint edition (March 11, 2014) Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1595145850 ISBN-13: 978-1595145857 Rating:
Synopsis: Princess Cleo of Mytica confronts violence for the first time in her life when a shocking murder sets her kingdom on a path to collapse. Once a privileged royal, Cleo must now summon the strength to survive in this new world and fight for her rightful place as Queen.The King of Limeros’s son, Magnus, must plan each footstep with shrewd, sharp guile if he is to earn his powerful father’s trust, while his sister, Lucia, discovers a terrifying secret about her heritage that will change everything.Rebellious Jonas lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making.Witches, if found, are put to death, and Watchers, immortal beings who take the shape of hawks to visit the human world, have been almost entirely forgotten. A vicious power struggle quickly escalates to war, and these four young people collide against each other and the rise of elementia, the magic that can topple kingdoms and crown a ruler in the same day. Review: I have read this book twice. The second time reading this book I noticed things that I hadn't prior. The multiple point of views was actually one of my favorite things about this book. I enjoyed how it gave insight to the other characters. It was a gripping read, kept me on my toes even the second time reading it. It is a fast paced read and I am ready to devour the rest of the series. Princess Cleo was an interesting character, very stubborn but strong willed. I liked her character a lot. She did a lot of growing in the first book, it will be interesting to see where the books take her character. I felt that no matter the things that happened around her she was frozen. Of course, she should have spoken up about the wrong things that happened but I can see where she comes from. If I were in her shoes, I'm not sure what I would have done. I probably would have froze in fear. Jonas family did not deserve what happened to them but he can't also wholly blame Cleo for someone else's idiocracy. Her fiance was whole heartedly to blame. My gosh did he bug the crap out of me. I wanted to jump into the book and kill him myself just so i didn't have to read anymore about him. Jonas was a character that I felt deeply sorry for. I just didn't like what he did later in the book. I believe that two wrongs don't make a right and I feel he was a little too vengeful without really asking questions. He was more of a "kill first, ask questions later" kind of character. It bugged me at points but I was glad that he was seeing hipocracy surrounding him and wanted to change it. Especially at the end of the book when he knew things took a turn for the worst and sees what he is to do to change it. That made me really happy. Magnus... now he was my favorite. Such a tormented soul. The feelings he has were pretty crazy addition to the book but it made for an intriguing storyline. I loved that he knew how his fathers mind work and could hide his true self behind a facade. Certain things were still shown to him by other characters (which was crazy that they toyed him with it). Lucia though could have been a bit nicer about it when she eventually finds out. I can't totally blame her though, because it was a weird thing to know about your own family, and what your brother really felt. Some of the things that happened the first time reading it really surprised me. The length the king of Limeros would go to make sure he had the power of all kingdoms. The second time around I noticed his mental incapacity to love. His hunger for power mattered more than anything, even his own family. He was willing to use his own children just to get to the point he is at the end of the book. It'll be interesting to see what he does in the rest of the series. I seriously hope to see him killed, by Cleo. This book was a great adventure. I loved the multiple point of views as well as the action and the magic in the book. Morgan Rhodes knows how to weave the story into a beautiful, adventurous read. I believe it to be like a YA Game of Thrones but more fast paced and bit more enjoyable to read.
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.
My Review:
Wow, why didn't I read this book sooner!! As much as I want to start the second book, I want to wait a few months just so the last book can come out. I really enjoyed this book, and was so enthralled by it that I had a hard time putting my kindle down. I love how the world is separated by seasons, and people looks like they belong in a certain season. I love that Winterians have white hair. For some reason, it just spoke to me. I pictured Meira almost like Khaleesi from Game of Thrones.
Meira was fierce, and she was written like a warrior princess. She had her flaws like most YA MC's do. There was also a love triangle but it wasn't written like it was of importance like some other books are. It wasn't it's main focus, which I really appreciated. I cared more about what was going on with the world she was in. I also knew that there was going to be some pivotal moment in the story where something big is revealed. I knew only half of it though. I was surprised be the other half. In this book, Raasch knew how to weave in the magic and power that people had in this world. She also knew how to take you back to the past without having to have stupid flashbacks as a whole chapter. I appreciated every small detail that she had put in the book. It was a puzzle I enjoyed putting together.
If you're going to pick up a fantasy YA novel, it needs to be Snow Like Ashes. It's a fast ride that keeps you on your toes. You will not be disappointed when reading this book. I fell in love with the characters as well as the world of seasons that she lived in. LET ME LIVE IN WINTER! Raasch made strong characters and I'm excited to see where Meira ends up with the kingdom.
At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….
Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.
When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.
Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.
But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?
Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.
Review:
I really loved reading this gripping adventure. Romina had done a great job at working sci-fi with fantasy by including the zodiacs and their constellations as the soul for the plot. Rho felt like a really strong character to me but even strong characters have their faults. I think the whole love triangle could have been not put in the story at all. Partly because I didn't see the chemistry between Rho and Mathias. I think there was more chemistry between her and Hysan.
That being said though, I felt that she gave in to Hysan a little too unbelievably. Sure, they like each other but from the way Rho was talking, she was a virgin. I just can't see how she would have given it up so easily. Yes, I did like how she became jealous after it in certain scenes but before hand, it felt way too fast even though the story has spread over a long span of time.
Even with all of things i did not like about it, I'm ready for Wandering Star. I'm so happy for Rho to find the one person she wanted. I'm also upset that she had to lose people and other things at the end of the book. This is for anyone who loves sci-fi, fantasy or even horoscopes. This story is very fast-paced and gripping as well as highly intense. Definitely pick it up because you'll wish you'd have done it sooner.
