Friday, November 28, 2014

The #FridayReads Review (11/28/14)



Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
This Shattered World (Starbound, #2)
This Shattered World by Kaufman & Spooner (ARC)
I've been desperate to read this book since August 2013, so needless to say I'M SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW I CAN'T EVEN *FLAILS*


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Inherit Midnight
Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers (ARC)
If a rich and highly dysfunctional family from a daytime soap went on The Amazing Race, you would have Inherit Midnight. While it didn't blow me away, it was a solid 3-star read. And it was clean, if you don't count some rough violence. Review to come.


>> READING NEXT <<
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)
Pawn by Aimee Carter (ARC)
It's next, I swear!


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

WoW: School for Sidekicks (Kelly McCullough)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


School for Sidekicks
Title: School for Sidekicks
Author: Kelly McCullough
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Summary:
Being a hero isn't always what it's cracked up to be in this funny and genuine novel from adult fantasy author Kelly McCullough.

Evan Quick is a GIANT superhero geek who dreams of one day becoming a superhero himself. Every morning he checks to see if he's developed his powers overnight, and every day there's nothing. No flying, no super strength, no invulnerability—that always hurts to check—no telepathy, no magic. Not even the ability to turn off the alarm clock without smacking the switch.

But then Evan somehow manages to survive a supervillian's death ray, and is sent to the Academy for Metahuman Operatives. Unfortunately, his new school is not what he expected, and instead of fighting bad guys, Evan finds himself blacklisted, and on the wrong side of the school's director. If Evan ever wants to realize his dream, he must convince his "mentor" Foxman, a semi-retired has-been, to become a real hero once again.

Why I'm Looking Forward To ItIf it's about magic or superheroes (especially a school for either), I'm all over it like spandex on Spider-man. This sounds like Sky High but WAY better!


So what book are you waiting on?

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR


Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week's topic: 

Top 10 (Well, 12) Books On My Winter TBR

This Shattered World (Starbound, #2)All Fall Down (Embassy Row, #1)Captive (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #2)
The ImaginaryThe Start of Me and YouSoulprint
The Paper Magician (The Paper Magician Trilogy, #1)The Glass Magician (The Paper Magician Trilogy, #2)
Steelheart (Reckoners, #1)Vicious
XXXHOLIC REI 2Millennium Snow, Vol. 4

A few Winter must-reads, 
a few Bloomsbury reviews, 
a few titles I've put off for far too long,
and a few manga series to continue!
All are already on hand or soon to be!
  1. This Shattered World (Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner) - These Broken Stars was my favorite 2013 read, so this has been my most anticipated 2014 release!
  2. All Fall Down (Ally Carter) - Love Ally's writing so I'm excited to begin her new series! And I just became an #AllyAmbassador, so you'll hear a lot more about this book from me in the coming months! 
  3. Captive (Aimée Carter) - Enjoyed the first book (Pawn), so I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
  4. The Imaginary (A.F. Harrold) - This looks like an awesome children's read - can't wait!
  5. The Start of Me and You (Emery Lord) - Enjoyed Emery's debut so looking forward to more from her!
  6. Soulprint (Megan Miranda) - Such an interesting concept, I couldn't resist!
  7. The Paper Magician (Charlie N. Holmberg) - Paper magic is my favorite kind - so excited to dig into this series soon!
  8. The Glass Magician (Charlie N. Holmberg) - As I have both, I can't read just the first book, right? ;)
  9. Steelheart (Brandon Sanderson) - Love Brandon's writing and superheroes - how have I not made time for this before?
  10. Vicious (V.E. Schwab) - Okay, world, okay, I'm getting to this already! Stop constantly reminding me that it's the best read since ever and I should've read it already! I hear you and my copy is on its way!
  11. xxxHoLic Rei Vol. 2 (CLAMP) - So stoked to be getting more from the xxxHoLic world, which is my favorite from CLAMP!
  12. Millennium Snow Vol. 4 (Bisco Hatori) - Sad to see the series end with this volume, but after so many years of waiting I also can't wait to see how it ends!

So what's in your winter TBR pile?

Friday, November 21, 2014

The #FridayReads Review (11/21/14)



Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Inherit Midnight
Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers (ARC)
I couldn't resist any longer! Just started it this morning so only about 10 pages in. It's a bit more violent than I expected, but that's never stopped me before.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, #3)
Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (Pbk)
Yet another thoroughly entertaining read from Ms. Carriger! This time Sophronia takes her team on a grand adventure where on their travels they get up to even greater mischief with even graver consequences - and some exciting twists at the end that have me positively vibrating with anticipation for the final installment in the series! Review to come.


>> READING NEXT <<
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)
Pawn by Aimee Carter (ARC)
Another re-read, prepping for the sequel! And I owe you guys a review.


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

WoW: Prudence (Gail Carriger)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


Prudence (The Custard Protocol, #1)
Title: Prudence
Author: Gail Carriger
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Publisher: Orbit
Summary:
When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Crumpet and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?

Why I'm Looking Forward To ItWell hello there book by my favorite author that I've been waiting on since 2011 but somehow forgot to feature until now! Aren't you looking fabulous today? Can't wait to finally meet you soon!!


So what book are you waiting on?

Monday, November 17, 2014

Review: Otherbound (Corinne Duyvis)

Otherbound
Title: Otherbound
Series: standalone
Author: Corinne Duyvis
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy
Rating: Older Teen (some heavy sensuality, some language, lots of brutal violence and abuse and torture [see Trigger Warning below])
Told: Third Person Duo (Nolan, Amara), Past Tense
Format Read: ARC (traded)
Find It OnGoodreads

Summary:

Amara is never alone. Not when she's protecting the cursed princess she unwillingly serves. Not when they're fleeing across dunes and islands and seas to stay alive. Not when she's punished, ordered around, or neglected.

She can't be alone, because a boy from another world experiences all that alongside her, looking through her eyes.

Nolan longs for a life uninterrupted. Every time he blinks, he's yanked from his Arizona town into Amara's mind, a world away, which makes even simple things like hobbies and homework impossible. He's spent years as a powerless observer of Amara's life. Amara has no idea . . . until he learns to control her, and they communicate for the first time. Amara is terrified. Then, she's furious.

All Amara and Nolan want is to be free of each other. But Nolan's breakthrough has dangerous consequences. Now, they'll have to work together to survive--and discover the truth about their connection.


*          *          *

Why I Read It: The premise was so unique I had to give it a try.

Series: This is a standalone with a full arc and a conclusive and satisfying ending.

Writing: Engrossing, with excellent description and flow. Even though Chapter 1 opened with Nolan shopping for notebooks in a Walgreens, I was sucked right in and had the hardest time putting the book down. Although some have complained about Nolan's back and forth between worlds being hard to follow, I had no trouble at all and thought it was very well done.

Setting: There were two settings: Nolan's on Earth in Arizona, and Amara's in a fantasy world on the lam. We didn't see much of Nolan's world as he mentally spent most of his time in Amara's, which was an interesting albeit kind of vague but colorful fantasy world with mages and slaves and diverse races living on oddly shaped islands. The magic was original and interesting, both the inherent magic of Amara's world and what Nolan, a traveler from another world, brought with him.

Story: Impressive, with stellar intrigue and brutal action. The mystery was good, with lots of twists and surprising revelations. There was pinches of tedium here and there, but they still held my interest and were quickly smothered by violent acts of magic and escape and abuse. Said escapes were choppy but thrilling and almost impossible to stop in the middle of, and the magical backlash caused all sorts of chaos, which was one of the highlights for me. Magic gone right can be dull - magic gone wrong can be magnificent. The climax was perfection, just the right pacing and length and lots of action, and the end was sweet and satisfying.

Characters: All the characters in the story were contradictory, confused, and complicated, which made them realistic but extremely difficult to describe. Amara was fear and hate in her forced situation but courage and loyalty in the face of duty. Nolan struggled for normalcy and control, but once he found control he put responsibility above normalcy. I struggled to truly understand them and, while I eventually did with Nolan, I never quite did with Amara. Her situation was confused so she was confused, and if the character didn't know then I certainly couldn't. This wasn't particularly a bad thing though, and made for a raw and realistic read.

Romantic Relationships: Bisexual. Of the main characters, Amara was the only one who had the time for a relationship, and she didn't waste any of it. She made out and slept with whoever was on hand, no matter how she felt about them at the time. I did think she and Maart were sweet together, but otherwise her lack of sexual morals degraded my opinion of her a bit.

Trigger Warning: Abuse and Violence. There are a few scenes of pretty brutal abuse (Amara at the hands of her adult male caretaker), nothing sexual but very violent. There are also several torture-like instances at the hands of a curse that some might find rather disturbing.

Conclusion: An impressive, diverse and engrossing read that I quite enjoyed. Highly recommend for older teens who enjoy unique multi-world fantasies.

Read It Again?: Possibly, but probably not (it's a good one-time read)


Scribble Rating
4 1/2 of 5 Scribbles

Friday, November 14, 2014

The #FridayReads Review (11/14/14)



Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, #3)
Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (Pbk)
Finally, pretty. FINALLY.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)Voice Over!: Seiyu Academy, Vol. 7

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (Pbk)
No matter how many times I read them, Gail's books are always a delight. And my re-re-read of this book was no exception! You can check out my review here.

Voice Over! Seiyu Academy Vol. 7 by Maki Minami (Pbk)
Although I wasn't that impressed with this series at first, it has grown on me. This volume wasn't the best, but it had its moments.


>> READING NEXT <<
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #1)
Pawn by Aimee Carter (ARC)
Another re-read, prepping for the sequel! And I owe you guys a review.


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

WoW: The Imaginary (A.F. Harrold)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


The Imaginary
Title: The Imaginary
Author: A.F. Harrold
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Summary:
Rudger is Amanda’s best friend. He doesn't exist, but nobody's perfect.

Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend – until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr Bunting hunts imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he's sniffed out Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?

A brilliantly funny, scary and moving read from the unique imagination of A.F. Harrold, this beautiful book is astoundingly illustrated with integrated art and colour spreads by the award-winning Emily Gravett.

Why I'm Looking Forward To ItI sadly don't read that many Juvenile or Middle Grade titles anymore (maybe 1 or 2 a year), but as a girl who still plays with imaginary friends (it's what writers do ;), when I discovered this book I knew immediately it was a read for me! Looking forward to making this my first children's read of 2015!


So what book are you waiting on?

Friday, November 7, 2014

The #FridayReads Review (11/7/14)



Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (Pbk)
Just started my new paperback this morning! Love being back in Gail's world once again.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Bone Season
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Pbk)
Nothing like I expected, which turned out to be both a bad and a good thing. Bad because it just wasn't as good as what I'd been expecting, but good because I had absolutely no idea what to expect and became pretty engrossed finding out what it was all about. The movement was a little random for me, and the world was complicated to the point that I had some trouble keeping things straight, but overall it was an interesting and pretty exciting read. Review to come. I think what I was expecting will be in the next book, so I'll definitely be reading on soon! 


>> READING NEXT <<
Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, #3)
Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (Pbk)
A paperback of this beauty is waiting impatiently for me to get to it! Soon, pretty, soon...


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

WoW: An Ember in the Ashes (Sabaa Tahir)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:


An Ember in the Ashes
Title: An Ember in the Ashes
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Summary:
Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

LAIA is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution.
 
ELIAS is the academy’s finest soldier— and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor.
 
When Laia and Elias’s paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Why I'm Looking Forward To ItFound out about this amazing book not even a week before I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC! *flails* But I have to wait until January at the earliest to read it (my reading schedule cracked the whip *sob*) so I'm still "waiting on" it with great anticipation!


So what book are you waiting on?

Saturday, November 1, 2014

THE TWIXT GUIDED TOUR: Grand Prize Winner


Well, hi there! It's always great to see you, but what are you still doing here? I'm afraid the Tour is over... Hmm? The Grand Prize Giveaway? Grand Prize? What Grand Prize...? Just kidding, I know you're here to find out who won the Grand Prize Pack! ;) With an annotated copy of Indelible, vintage rose necklace, Barnes & Noble gift card and signed swag up for grabs, how could you not be hoping to win!

So let's get to it, shall we? Without further ado, the winner of the Grand Prize Pack:


Alisha S.

Congratulations, Alisha!! You'll be receiving an email soon. Thank you to everyone who followed the Tour and entered the giveaway! We hope you enjoyed getting to know the locations and characters of the Twixt better. You can still check out all the Tour posts here, and if you haven't already collected the Special Digital Prize be sure to do so! You can find the instructions on how to do so here.

Well, that's it for The Twixt Guided Tour! As Filly would say: May we meet again before the EverBattle! Until then, happy reading! :)

P.S. And if you haven't already read the first two books in this amazing series, order your copies right now! If you love Fantasy and/or Contemporary Romance, you're in for a real treat. Purchase links below!


Indelible (The Twixt, #1)

PURCHASE LINKS:



Invisible  (The Twixt #2)

PURCHASE LINKS: