Saturday, April 30, 2016

April 2016 Wrap Up & Book Haul


*April Book Haul*

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (Movie Tie-In Version)
When We Collided by Emery Lord
Soldier by Julie Kagawa
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows
The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdeih


*April Wrap Up*

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead
When We Collided by Emery Lord
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Lynn Meadows
The Mirror King by Jodi Lynn Meadows
Nightstruck by Jenna Black
No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
Night Speed by Chris Howard
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi


Even though I was crazy busy this month, I still managed to read 12 books!
(I sometimes work better under pressure, apparently. Ha!)
I fell in love with a LOT of books this month,
and I am excited to get started on my May TBR next!!

How many books did you read in April??



Friday, April 29, 2016

Review: The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25203675-the-star-touched-queen
The Star-Touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 26th 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781250085474
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Netgalley

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Available for Purchase:
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Fate and fortune. Power and passion. What does it take to be the queen of a kingdom when you're only seventeen?

Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of Death and Destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father's kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran's queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar's wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire...

But Akaran has its own secrets -- thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most. . .including herself.

A lush and vivid story that is steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. The Star-Touched Queen is a novel that no reader will soon forget. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

To be honest, I hadn't planned on reading The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi right away. I had it on my to-read list, and planned to get to it when I got caught up on my reading. Then I started seeing all the positive reviews for the book, and I knew I would have to check it out sooner rather than later. I'm really glad I did!

I really liked the characters in the novel. The main character, Maya, has not had the easiest life. Although she is a princess, she is one who is cursed, or so people let her believe. I found her to be very strong willed, and very much determined to find where she belongs in the world. There were a lot of great secondary characters in the novel as well, including Amar, who was completely mysterious and I wanted to know more and more about him as the story went along.

The storyline for the book was very unique and quite captivating as well. I've read quite a few novels lately that have been retellings of folklores, and I find myself enjoying them so very much. This book was full of twists and turns that definitely kept me guessing throughout, and with this being a standalone novel, the ending wrapped up perfectly.

Overall; I really enjoyed everything about The Star-Touched Queen, from the great characters, the captivating storyline, and even the gorgeous cover. I'm putting Roshani Chokshi on my list of authors to keep an eye out for, as I'm definitely interested in reading more of her work in the future!



Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Blog Tour: Night Speed by Chris Howard


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26074199-night-speed
Night Speed
by Chris Howard
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr

Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 416
ISBN: 
9780062415349
Genre: Young Adult | Sci-Fi
Source: For Review


Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | iBooks | The Book Depository

Only those young enough can survive the pulse-pounding rush of tetra, a dangerous and addictive new drug that fuels a nine-minute burst of superhuman strength and speed. Alana West has been trained to use the drug so she can pursue the young criminals who abuse its power—criminals like the breakneck who nearly killed her kid brother.

On tetra, Alana is unstoppable. The rush makes her an explosive blur as she surges through New York City, battling to bring down breaknecks before they leave more people dead or injured in their wake. But with the clock ticking down to her eighteenth birthday, Alana will soon be too old for the rush...when just one more dose will prove deadly.

Supported only by her strong and steady handler, Tucker, Alana goes undercover, infiltrating an elite gang of breaknecks to stop the supply of their drug. But when Alana gets trapped on the wrong side of the law, she learns the breaknecks are not quite what they seem—especially Ethan, the artistic boy whose bottomless brown eyes seem to see the truth inside her. With her own dependency on tetra increasing, Alana must decide where her loyalties lie before the rush ends. Forever. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

When I was first approached to be a part of the blog tour for Night Speed by Chris Howard, my curiosity was instantly piqued. The book sounded as addictive as the drug used in the book, and I couldn't wait to read the story.

Tetra is a dangerous and addictive new drug that can give its user a nine minute burst of strength, as well as speed. Alana West has been trained to use the drug safely, to help stop the criminals who abuse it. Alana loves the rush that comes with using the drug, and also the fact that she's helping to stop the breaknecks who hurt and destroy when they use. With her 18th birthday right around the corner, Alana knows she will soon be too old to use, and when she finds herself on the other side of the law, she discovers that things in her world are not at all what they seem.

It was really interesting to read this story from Alana's eyes. While she tried to justify her using the drug as helping to catch the criminals, and to keep her family and others safe, she was completely addicted, constantly looking for the next fix to give her the rush that she craved so much. To be honest, it was sometimes painful to read, as it felt really realistic. I love how much she loved her family, however. Especially her relationship with her brother. It was super sweet.

The storyline for the book was also really interesting, and a little bit predictive. (I guessed early on about something that I figured would happen, and it did!) However, there was enough action and suspense throughout the novel that completely kept me turning the pages. I basically read this 400+ page novel in just one days time. I was super curious to see how it was all going to come to an end.

Overall; If you're a fan of action and suspense filled sci-fi novels, you should definitely consider adding Night Speed to your to-be-read list. It was a quick, thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Howard's novels in the future.

Happy Reading!!

____________________________________________________



Chris Howard was born and raised in England, and it was there he first began writing stories and songs. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, where he and his wife enjoy mountains, music, and mugs of good coffee. Chris is also the author of the Rootless trilogy. Connect with him online at www.ChrisHowardBooks.com.




____________________________________________________



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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose and the Dagger
(The Wrath and the Dawn #2)
by Renee Ahdieh
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 26th 2016
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780399171628
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: For Review | Own

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Available for Purchase:
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The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."
I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.
In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I started reading The Rose and the Dagger just moments after finishing The Wrath and the Dawn. I enjoyed the previous book so much, I was super curious to see how The Rose and the Dagger would compare. Once I started reading this book, I was completely captivated, and, if possible, I think I love it even more than the first book!

Shahrzad is quickly becoming one of my most favorite heroines. I love that she's so determined and willing to do whatever she needs to do to save the ones that she loves, even when putting herself in danger to accomplish it. Her relationship with Khalid is perfection, and I loved all the swoon-worthy moments between the two. They are definitely one of my favorites couples of all time.

There are so many secondary characters in this series that I love, a few that we met in the first book, and some we meet for the first time in the sequel. They are all so well written, you can't help but love them, except for the ones that you'll love to hate, and there are more than a few of them as the story goes along.

The storyline for the book picks up right where the previous book leaves off. I dove right into the pages, dying to know what was going to happen next, especially after that ending in The Wrath and the Dawn. I do believe this book was an even wilder ride than the first book, as it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the story as well, and I love that it kept me guessing. And, the book seriously has the most perfect ending. Everything came together wonderfully, and I was left completely satisfied after I closed the last page. I love it when that happens.

Overall; I adored this series so very much, and implore you to check them both The Wrath and the Dawn and The Rose and the Dagger! This series was full of adventure and romance, and it will keep you completely captivated as you turn the pages. I know it did for me, and Renee Ahdieh is definitely now on my list of authors to watch to keep an eye out for. I can't wait to read more by her in the future!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEgMqv4DMe-/


Monday, April 25, 2016

Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18798983-the-wrath-the-dawn
The Wrath and the Dawn
(The Wrath and the Dawn #1)
by Renee Ahdieh
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: May 12th 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 395
ISBN: 9780399171611
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Retelling
Source: Own

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Available for Purchase:
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One Life to One Dawn.

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

Inspired by A Thousand and One Nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is a sumptuous and enthralling read from beginning to end. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I purchased The Wrath and the Dawn after it had been out for a while, and then it sat on my shelf for an even longer while before I finally picked it up to read. I've only read one other book that was a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, so I was curious to see how this book would compare. I definitely was not disappointed, and I'm now kicking myself for not having read the book sooner!

I was completely captivated by the main character in the book, Shahrzad. She was such a great character, so strong-willed and full of determination throughout the story, this is a girl who sets her mind to something and goes after it. She also has an amazing gift of storytelling, and I was completely fascinated by all the tales she told. I'm so curious to see more of her as her story goes along.

There are so many secondary characters in the novel that I have grown to love as well, and some that I've grown to hate, and they are all so well written. I could go on and on about them all, especially one guy that has nearly stolen my heart, but I'd rather you read the book and meet them yourself! (And come back to tell me what you think when you do!)

The storyline in the book is completely engrossing. I have not read the original tale of A Thousand and One Nights, but these retellings of the tale definitely make me want to check it out. I love the setting and the descriptions of everything from the food and clothing and more. Also, there's romance in the book, and it was SO well written. Not too much, but just enough to make you swoon. *Wink*.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed The Wrath and the Dawn, and I'm starting the sequel, The Rose and the Dagger, right away, as I must know what's going to happen next, and how it will all end for Shahrzad. Definitely pick up this book if you're a fan of A Thousand and One Nights retellings, as I know you will enjoy the book as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEb1gFVDMWs/


Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #241 - Roseblood by A.G. Howard

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28818314-roseblood
Roseblood
by A.G. Howard
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 10th 2017
Publisher: Amulet Books
ISBN: 9781419719097
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28818314-roseblood

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

In this modern day spinoff of Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera.

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn -- an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known.

A. G. Howard brings the romantic storytelling that Splintered fans adore to France—and an entirely new world filled with lavish romance and intrigue—in a retelling inspired by a story that has captivated generations. Fans of both the Phantom of the Opera musical and novel, as well as YA retellings such as Marissa Meyer’s Cinder, will devour RoseBlood. (Goodreads)

Is this cover freaking gorgeous, or what?!?!
I've had A.G. Howard's *Splintered* series on my TBR for FOREVER,
and now she has a new book coming out!!
I can't wait to read it, the book seriously sound awesome. :)
Also, she has the BEST website that you should totally check out!!
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Review: Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25852870-eligible
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice
(The Austen Project #4)
by Curtis Sittenfeld
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 19th 2016
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 512
ISBN: 9781400068326
Genre: Adult Fiction | Retelling
Source: Netgalley

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

From the “wickedly entertaining” (USA Today) Curtis Sittenfeld, New York Times bestselling author of Prep and American Wife, comes a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. A bold literary experiment, Eligible is a brilliant, playful, and delicious saga for the twenty-first century.

This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .

And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

Wonderfully tender and hilariously funny, Eligible both honors and updates Austen’s beloved tale. Tackling gender, class, courtship, and family, Sittenfeld reaffirms herself as one of the most dazzling authors writing today. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

When I first heard of Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld, I was instantly curious. I love a good retelling, and Pride and Prejudice happens to be my favorite book by Jane Austen. Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy... I can never get enough of their story, and I was curious to see Sittenfeld's modern take on the original. While I didn't love the book as much as I had hoped to as a retelling, it was an interesting read as a novel itself.

All the characters that I know and love from Pride and Prejudice make an appearance in this retelling, some in different ways that the original, thank goodness. (Be honest, we ALL were wondering how Mr. Collins would work into this modern retelling!) Liz and Jane were both modern women of the world, living in New York and working as a magazine writer and yoga instructor. Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia were just as annoying as ever, while Mr. Bennet tells it like it is, and is always a favorite. Mary Bennet was mysterious and perplexing. Darcy and the Bingley's, of course, also had roles in the book, as well as many, many more from the original.

One of my favorite things about the original book is Lizzie Bennet herself. She's such a great character, and I've always loved her. Unfortunately, in this book, I didn't so much. I could not find that connection with her that I always love. And with Darcy, I feel like I didn't even really get to know this modern version of him that well in the book, and what I did know if him, I didn't really care for. As for the relationship between Liz and Darcy, I didn't buy it for a moment. That spark, the tension, that I absolutely adore  was noticeably missing, and I kept waiting for it to appear, but it never did, which was unfortunate.

While Pride and Prejudice is one of my most favorite books ever, I wouldn't call myself a die-hard Austen fan or even an Austenite. I never go a retelling of one of her books, or any book for that matter, expecting a book to be even close to the original. (I mean, come on, this is Jane Austen.) I do wonder if I went into this book with my expectations a bit too high. I didn't love it, and I really wanted to. The storyline for the book was engaging, although a bit slow paced in some parts, which caused a bit of skimming for me. I did enjoy some of the modernized parts of the story, even while it seemed to be trying a bit too hard to be modern, as there was so much going on, I kept wondering how ALL of it could be happening with just the one family. I found the following quote from the book to be pretty accurate, "We're expanding your horizons," Kitty replied. "Welcome to the twenty-first century."

I somehow did not know that this book was part of The Austen Project series, which is a group of six bestselling authors who are retelling Jane Austen's six original books. I wish I had known about this before now, as I would have totally checked out the other books in the series sooner.

Overall; Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice just wasn't the right read for me, unfortunately, but I'm sure most others will love it! I'm definitely curious to check out the rest of the books in The Austen Project series, at least for the books I've read of Austen's already. I'd love to see more authors takes on these classics.


Monday, April 18, 2016

Review: No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23288804-no-love-allowed
No Love Allowed
(Untitled #1)
by Kate Evangelista
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 19th 2016
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Pages: 256
ISBN: 9781250073907
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary
Source: For Review

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Available for Purchase:
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It's all fun and parties until someone falls in love in this modern fairy tale from author Kate Evangelista.

Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love!
(Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

The first thing that drew me to No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista was the gorgeous cover. I'll admit it, I can't resist a stunning cover! It looked so fun, and once I read the summary for the book, I knew I would have to add it to my to-be-read list. This book was fast and fun, and will make a great summer read!

The characters in this book were a lot of fun, especially the two main characters, Didi and Caleb. Although I worried that I wouldn't like Caleb when I first met him in the book, he definitely grew on my as the story went along, and I'm glad that he had so many different sides to him. Didi was lively and outgoing, and was what sounded like a pretty great painter as well. Together, they made the story a really interesting read.

No Love Allowed is the second book I've read this month that has had mental illness in the storyline, and a character with bipolar disorder. It was interesting to see another authors take on the illness, and the similarities as well. I'm so glad that these books are being written, so people will know they are not alone, that help is out there.

While the story ends in a satisfying way, I was a little concerned about a few things that were left wide open.  I was pleased, however, to discover that there will be another book in the series coming soon, one that will have the secondary characters from this novel as the stars of the story. I'm super curious to check it out!

Overall; No Love Allowed was a quick and fun summer read, that also has a message about mental illness. I'll definitely check out the next book in this series, No Holding Back, when it's released in October!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Review: Nightstruck by Jenna Black

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25659436-nightstruck
Nightstruck
by Jenna Black
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780765380043
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Horror
Source: Netgalley

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Available for Purchase:
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It starts with a cry in the night.

Becket, walking her dog one winter evening, fears it’s an abandoned baby left out in the cold. But it is something else—something evil—and it tricks Becket into opening a doorway to another realm, letting a darkness into our world, a corruption that begins transforming Philadelphia into a sinister and menacing version of itself…but only at night.

The changes are subtle at first, causing Becket to doubt her senses and her sanity. But soon the nightmarish truth is impossible to deny: By day, the city is just a city, but at night it literally comes alive with malevolent purpose. Brick and steel become bone, streetlights turn into gallows, and hungry alleys wait to snare mortal victims. Terrified citizens huddle indoors after dusk, as others succumb to the siren song of the night, letting their darker sides run wild.

Once, Becket’s biggest problems were living up to her police commissioner father’s high expectations and a secret crush on her best friend’s boyfriend. Now she must find a way to survive and protect her loved ones…before the darkness takes her as well. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I was pretty excited to read Nightstruck, as I'd always wanted to read something by Jenna Black. I have a few of her previous books on my bookshelf, but haven't had a chance to get to them, so I jumped on the opportunity to read this new release from her.

Becket was an interesting main character. The girl had been through a lot in the past year, with her parents divorcing and her mom moving away. Living with her super strict police commissioner dad has not been easy, and it gets even more difficult one night when Becket reports a cry she heard in the dark, that wasn't exactly what she thought it was to begin with. For all this girl had been through, she managed to keep her head throughout, even when most people would have given up. I definitely admire her for that.

The storyline for the book was really interesting. The first few chapters of the book were a little slow  placed, but once the story picked up, I was hooked. I can see now why this story was listed under horror, as some of the things that happened were pretty brutal. And, there were lots of creepy parts as well, some that made me a little paranoid. I don't usually read this type of book, mostly because I'm a big chicken, but I found myself getting more and more into it as the story went along, and I really enjoyed it!

The  book ends with a pretty massive cliffhanger, which kind of confused me because I went into this book thinking it was a standalone, not part of a series. So I'm curious to see if that is just how the book was supposed to end, or if is, in fact, part of a series.

Overall; I thought Nightstruck was a really interesting read. I'm super curious to know if it's a series that will be continuing along, as after that ending, I'd love to know what's going to happen next!


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #240 - The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28763485-the-sun-is-also-a-star
The Sun is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: November 1st 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 9780553496680
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28763485-the-sun-is-also-a-star

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? (Goodreads)

First, this book cover is pretty awesome!!
I've not read anything by Yoon, yet...
But I'm kind of dying to read her first book, Everything, Everything.
Both of these books sound awesome,
and I can't wait to check them out!!


Monday, April 11, 2016

Review: The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22909838-the-mirror-king
The Mirror King
(The Orphan Queen #2)
by Jodi Meadows
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 544
ISBN: 9780062317414
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss / Own

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Wilhelmina has a hundred enemies.

HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED. After her identity is revealed during the Inundation, Princess Wilhelmina is kept prisoner by the Indigo Kingdom, with the Ospreys lost somewhere in the devastated city. When the Ospreys’ leader emerges at the worst possible moment, leaving Wil’s biggest ally on his deathbed, she must become Black Knife to set things right.

HER MAGIC IS UNCONTROLLABLE. Wil’s power is to animate, not to give true life, but in the wraithland she commanded a cloud of wraith mist to save herself, and later ordered it solid. Now there is a living boy made of wraith—destructive and deadly, and willing to do anything for her.

HER HEART IS TORN. Though she’s ready for her crown, declaring herself queen means war. Caught between what she wants and what is right, Wilhelmina realizes the throne might not even matter. Everyone thought the wraith was years off, but already it’s destroying Indigo Kingdom villages. If she can’t protect both kingdoms, soon there won’t be a land to rule.

In this stunning conclusion to THE ORPHAN QUEEN, Jodi Meadows follows Wilhelmina’s breathtaking and brave journey from orphaned criminal on the streets to magic-wielding queen. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I started reading The Mirror King just moments after finishing The Orphan Queen. I'm so glad that I had the chance to read these books back to back, as The Orphan Queen had a pretty big cliffhanger ending, and I was DYING to know what would happen next! Thank goodness I didn't have to wait to start reading The Mirror King, because I think the anticipation would have killed me.

All of the characters from The Orphan Queen appear again in The Mirror King. Wilhelmina proves herself over and over again throughout the story to be just an awesome character all around. She goes above and beyond to do what is right for her people and her kingdom, sometimes facing dangers that she should not face, but doing so nonetheless.  I said so in my review of The Orphan Queen, but her actions in The Mirror King just prove it; Wilhelmina will make a wonderful queen.

All of the secondary characters that I loved in The Orphan Queen are back in this book, and some new ones as well, some you will love, and some not so much. I particularly wanted more of the Wraith Boy, as I was so curious about him, and he wasn't in the story nearly as much as I wanted him to be. He was such a mystery!! I loved these characters.

The storyline for the book followed the same as in The Orphan Queen, and I was in stitches waiting to see how this it was all going to come to an end. Even though there was a moment in the ending of the book that made me so sad, the ending wrapped up very nicely, and I was satisfied with the way everything came together. I closed the last page with a pretty huge smile on my face, and I love when an ending makes me that happy.

Overall; The Mirror King was a wonderful conclusion to The Orphan Queen! I really enjoyed this duology, and now that I've finished it, I'm really looking forward to finishing Meadow's Newsoul series soon!

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Review: The Oprhan Queen by Jodi Meadows

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18081228-the-orphan-queen
The Orphan Queen
(The Orphan Queen #1)
by Jodi Meadows
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: March 10th 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 391
ISBN: 9780062317384
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: Own

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.

She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.

She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.

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

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

My Thoughts...

After having The Orphan Queen sitting on my shelf for an embarrassingly long amount of time, I finally decided to pick up the book, partially because I was curious, and partially because it was super close to the release date for The Mirror King, and I thought it would be pretty awesome to read the books together.  I'm totally kicking myself for not having read The Orphan Queen sooner. I enjoyed it so much!!

I really loved the main character in the story, Wilhelmina. I love that there were so many different sides of her character. Not only was she a lost princess who desperately wanted to get her kingdom back, she was also a theft who stole to survive, and a spy to get information, as well as a wielder of magic, which was completely illegal to use. She was such a well written person, and I love that she was willing to do whatever she needed to do for her friends and her kingdom. She'd definitely make an excellent queen.

There are SO many secondary characters in the story that I enjoyed as well. Too many, really, to even list, so read the book to discover them for yourself! And, the romance in the book was perfection. Not too much, not too little; it was absolutely perfect.

I really enjoyed the storyline for the book, especially the magical aspects. It really held my interest throughout. I'm also really fascinated lately with historical type settings, and that's exactly what you get in The Orphan Queen. The book ends with a pretty massive cliffhanger, and I'm thrilled that I already have a copy of The Mirror King on hand, just waiting for me to start it. I must know what's going to happen next!

Overall; I really enjoyed reading The Orphan Queen, so much more than I expected to, and I can't wait to start The Mirror King right away! I'm super curious to see what's going to happen next for these awesome characters and great story.


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Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #239 - Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28449207-strange-the-dreamer
Strange the Dreamer
(Strange the Dreamer #1)
by Laini Taylor
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: September 27th 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316341684
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28449207-strange-the-dreamer

Available for Pre-Order:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Strange the Dreamer is the story of:

the aftermath of a war between gods and men.
a mysterious city stripped of its name.
a mythic hero with blood on his hands.
a young librarian with a singular dream.
a girl every bit as dangerous as she is in danger.
alchemy and blood candy, nightmares and godspawn, moths and monsters, friendship and treachery, love and carnage.

Welcome to Weep. (Goodreads)

Ummmm, does this sound INSANE, or what??
Seriously, a war between gods and men?
A mythic hero?? A LIBRARIAN??
Yes, please!!

I read Laini's Daughter of Smoke & Bone,
and really enjoyed the uniqueness of the story.
(Although I still need to finish the series!)
I'm super excited to dive into this book!!
**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Review: When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided
by Emery Lord
Website | Twitter | Tumblr

Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781619638457
Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Realistic Fiction
Source: For Review

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know…

Jonah never thought a girl like Vivi would come along.

Vivi didn’t know Jonah would light up her world.

Neither of them expected a summer like this…a summer that would rewrite their futures.

In an unflinching story about new love, old wounds, and forces beyond our control, two teens find that when you collide with the right person at just the right time, it will change you forever.
(Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

Emery Lord has quickly become one of my most favorite authors to read. I loved her previous books, Open Road Summer and The Start of Me and You, and I absolutely couldn't wait to read When We Collided. I knew it would not disappoint, of course, and I loved it just as much as I expected to!!

I loved the main character in the story, Vivi, the moment I first met her. I found myself relating to her in so many different ways.  We see many different sides of Vivi throughout the novel, there are lots of ups and downs for her as the story goes along. I love that there are books in the world with stories like Vivi's, as I think this is a great way to get a message across to someone who may need to see it.

The character who stole the story for me would have to be Jonah. This boy has an amazing heart, and I love how much he loved his family. He had more on his shoulders than any 17 year old should ever have to bear, but he did and he set aside everything for his family, and I found that so very admirable. His family was really great as well, I loved all of his brothers and sisters, especially little Leah.

The storyline for the book is a lovely and sweet contemporary, but also carries a very strong message about mental illness. Again, I love that this message is there, and I hope that people will read this book, and relate, and know that there is so much help and hope out there for them. This story was super realistic, and beautifully written.  I loved it.

Overall; I enjoyed When We Collided just as much as I expected to. The storyline and the characters were so great, and I couldn't help but completely fall in love with everything about this book. Read it. I know you'll love it.


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Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish People to Follow


April 5: Ten Bookish People You Should Follow


Hi Bookworms!!
Today I'm sharing with you some really awesome bookish people,
on different forms of social media, that you should totally follow!!

I don't really use ALL the social media platforms that I have very often,
so today I'm sharing with you some of my faves from the ones I do try to use.


*Instagram*
https://www.instagram.com/youngadultbookaddict/

1. Tracey at Young Adult Book Addict has some of the most awesome
pictures on Instagram!! I love following her, she's so creative and I'm
always looking forward to seeing what she post next.
Follow her HERE!!

https://www.instagram.com/foldedpagesdistillery/

2. Hikari at Folded Pages Distillery is another great Instagrammer who posts
some really awesome pictures!! You should totally check her out.
Follow her HERE!!

https://www.instagram.com/_halfbl00dprincess/

3. I've been following Andie at _HalfBloodPrincess for a while now,
and I LOVE HER FEED!! SO many great photos.
Follow her HERE!!



*Tumblr*
http://www.buttermybooks.com/

4. I just recently discovered Summer at Butter My Books on Tumblr,
and I love her feed so much!! She's also on Instagram, so you
should check her out there as well!!
Follow her HERE!!

http://throneofpages.com/

5. Chloe at Throne Of Pages is another that I just recently discovered on Tumblr.
I first discovered her on Instagram, and am following her in both places now.
Such a lovely feed! Check it out!!
Follow her HERE!!

http://www.introvertedbookworm.com/

6. Another lovely feed to follow is Luana at Introverted Bookworm!!
Ok, as soon as I saw the word Introvert in her title,
I knew she was someone that I'd have to follow.
You should too!!
Follow her HERE!!


*Twitter*

6. You should totally check out Kathy on Twitter, because she's my best bookish buddy,
and she posts ALL the great things, and always knows what's going on
in the bookish world!!
Follow her HERE!!


7. If you're not already doing so, you should totally follow Sarah at TheBookTraveler!!
She has the best tweets, and I love following her!!
Follow her HERE!!



8. I totally love following RosettaBooks!!
Their posts... they just totally get me!!
Follow them HERE!!


9. Another great bookish account to follow is The Reading Room!!
Just like RosettaBooks, The Reading Room totally gets me.
I love how relatable their tweets are!!
Follow them HERE!!



10. And because I just had to throw at least one author into the mix,
if you're not already following Victoria Schwab, you totally should.
Seriously, she has some really awesome tweets. :)
Follow her HERE!!



These are just a few of the awesome people that I follow on
Instagram, Tumblr & Twitter!!
Totally check them out!!

And don't forget to follow me as well!!

Find me on:
Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr
Snapchat: TheReaderBee

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Review: The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

The Glittering Court
(The Glittering Court #1)
by Richelle Mead
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: April 5th 2016
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781595148414
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy
Source: First To Read

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The Selection meets Reign in this dazzling trilogy of interwoven novels about three girls on a quest for freedom and true love from #1 internationally bestselling author Richelle Mead.

"Brilliant and original, Mead’s new series starts off with a bang and will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."
—School Library Journal


For a select group of girls, the Glittering Court offers a shot at a life they’ve only ever dreamed of, one of luxury, glamour, and leisure. To high-born Adelaide, whose wealthy family is forcing her into a loveless marriage, the Glittering Court represents something else: the chance to chart her own destiny, and adventure in an unspoiled, prosperous new land across the sea.

After a chance meeting with the dazzling Cedric Thorn, Adelaide poses as a servant to join the crop of impoverished girls he promises to transform into proper ladies. But her familiarity with upper class life comes with a price: she must hide her identity from her new friends, mysterious refugee Mira and fiery former laundress Tamsin, and most importantly, from Cedric himself—even though she’s falling in love with him.

Everything begins to crumble when Cedric discovers Adelaide’s ruse, and she catches the eye of a powerful young governor, who wants her for a wife. She didn’t leave the gilded cage of her old life behind just to become someone else's property. But nothing is as daunting—or as wonderful—as the potent, forbidden attraction simmering between Adelaide and Cedric. One that, if acted on, would make them both outcasts in a wild, dangerous, uncharted world, and possibly lead them to their deaths. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...

I've been a fan of Richelle Mead's writing for a really long time. She's one of the first authors I picked up when I first started reading the young adult genre, and I am always excited to read something new by her. I especially knew I'd have to read The Glittering Court as soon as possible, because it sounded super exciting and creative. And it totally was!

Adelaide was an interesting main character. She wasn't happy with her current situation, and when the opportunity arose to change it, she took the chance even when she had no idea what she was getting herself into. I enjoyed reading about her time with The Glittering Court, as it was not only fascinating to see what she had to go through, but I also loved watching the friendship grow between Adelaide and her two new friends, Mira and Tamsin. These two girls were really great secondary characters, and I'm hoping to learn more about their stories as the series continues. Also, there is Cedric Thorn, who was charming and completely adorable, and totally swoon-worthy.

The storyline for the book was really creative, described as The Selection meets Reign, both of which I've read/watched, and enjoyed, so I was instantly interested. Reading the book kind of felt like reading two different books, as the first half was completely different than the second half of the book. But it was all still very interesting, and I flew through the second half of the book much faster than the first half. The book closed in a way that left me both satisfied, but curious enough to keep reading if there are more books in the future. I'm assuming that there will be, and I'm super curious to know what will happen next for these three great friends.

Overall; I really enjoyed reading The Glittering Court. The characters and storyline were both very interesting, and the book cover is just stunning. I can't wait to add this book to my collection, and to continue the series as it goes along!!


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