Friday, February 26, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (2/26/16)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Raging Sea (Undertow, #2)
Raging Sea by Michael Buckley (ARC)
While the second half hasn't been quite as torturous as the first, Lyric's reckless impulsiveness continues to wear on me. Debating if I have enough interest left to finish it.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Horimiya, Vol. 1So Cute It Hurts!!, Vol. 5

Horimiya vol. 1 & vol. 2 by Hero & Daisuke Hagiwara (PBK)
5 Stars. Another random grab from the library shelf that turned out to be one of the best manga I've ever read! I love the quiet simplicity of the everyday story and setting, and in spite of their relative normalcy the characters are so interesting and complex. (Miyamura-kun, especially - if Hori-san doesn't snap him up soon, I will!) Already re-reading and cannot wait for more!

So Cute It Hurts!! vol. 5 by Go Ikeyamada (PBK)
2.5 Stars. I don't know why but the spark died in this volume for me, probably because the fun initial premise has completed and left little to take its place. I do like Megumu and Aoi's relationship but it lost a ton of steam, and Aoi's secret has been put off so long that I've lost most of my interest in finding out what it is. As for poor Mitsuru, I've lost all interest in his love life - I really liked Shino but really don't care one way or the other about Tokugawa. I'll try one more volume, but I don't have high expectations of continuing the series much further. So sad.


>> READING NEXT <<
Tell the Wind and FireSkip Beat!, Vol. 36

Tell the Wind and Fire by Sarah Rees Brennan (ARC)
I literally flailed when this appeared in the mail! Putting it off in favor of closer review titles has been torture, so I doubt I'll be able to resist it much longer.

Skip Beat vol. 36 by Yoshiki Nakamura (PBK)
This is currently on its way and although I was a little disappointed with vol. 35 I'm dying to see what happens in this volume!


So what are you reading this week?

Monday, February 22, 2016

Review: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians (Brandon Sanderson)

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
Title: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
Series: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson (site)
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: February 16, 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Contemporary Fantasy Adventure
Told: First Person (Alcatraz), Past Tense
Content Rating: Middle Grade (violence, minor torture)
Format Read: ARC (publisher)
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase OnAmazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry gets a bag of sand in the mail-his only inheritance from his father and mother. He soon learns that this is no ordinary bag of sand. It is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians who are taking over the world by spreading misinformation and suppressing truth. Alcatraz must stop them, using the only weapon he has: an incredible talent for breaking things.

*          *          *

Review copy provided by publisher for an honest review. Thank you, Tor!!


In a Sentence: A concisely clever and comical adventure with witty writing, creative characters, and a playful and ponderous plot.

I originally discovered this book when it first released in 2007 from Scholastic, and after a thoroughly delightful read declared it pure brilliance and absolutely hilarious. I was heartbroken when it fell out of print a few years ago (it's hard to recommend a book one can't readily purchase!), so when Tor announced last year that its Starscape imprint would be reissuing the series, and with new illustrations by Hayley Lazo, I couldn't have been more excited! Alcatraz's playfulness and wit transcend age with flawless writing, quirky and diverse characters, and an original story that is fun and fraught with excitement and danger. In my opinion, a read really doesn't get much better!

The Story: After living with numerous foster families for thirteen years, Alcatraz Smedry receives - and quickly loses - a mysterious birthday inheritance from his real parents: a bag of sand. When his grandfather arrives (late, of course) and informs Alcatraz that his knack for breaking things (doors, kitchens, chickens) is a family Talent, and in the wrong hands the stolen sands could cause untold suffering, they infiltrate a library to steal back his inheritance from the dastardly evil librarians who secretly rule most of the world. Along the way Alcatraz breaks many, many things (some helpful, some not so much), discovers girls make killer knights and glasses are not just corrective eye-wear, and finds the true place where he belongs. Swiftly paced and hilariously witty, this is a quick and adventurous read with exciting action, engaging intrigue, and just the right amount of silliness.

The Writing: As a whole this book is a mastery in all areas of writing with sharp dialogue and precise description, but it is the concise and snappy movement that really make the prose pop for me - especially Alcatraz's actions and reactions when his Talent is activated. I don't know how many times Alcatraz tosses a handle in this book, but I snickered every single time. My favorite:
"I walked up, pulled open the screen door--threw the door handle over my shoulder as it broke off--then stepped inside after Grandpa Smedry."
Written as an autobiographical account under a borrowed pen name (to hide from Librarian agents), the author allows himself comical and occasionally reflective chapterly tangents about things like fantasy stories (you know, "important" books where the boy's mother and dog die), irony (be prepared to own a mousetrap factory), information (and morons), and most amusingly (especially to a fellow writer like myself), authors:
"Some people assume that authors write books because we have vivid imaginations and want to share our vision. Other people assume that authors write because we are bursting with stories, and therefore must scribble those stories down in moments of creative propondidty. 
Both groups of people are completely wrong. Authors write books for one, and only one, reason: because we like to torture people."
So true, so true. But I digress.

The Setting: The "real world" of the librarian-oppressed Hushlands sprinkled with advanced Free Kingdom tech such as self-driving cars, empowering sunglasses, crystal swords, and stairs. While some things may seem a bit foreign, most of the tech is really rather logical when you let yourself ponder just how "advanced" many of our advancements really are...

The Magics: Just when I think no one could possibly come up with any more unique and original magics, Brandon "Magic Master" Sanderson presents the Smedry Talents, where arriving late, tripping, and breaking things are considered powerful gifts instead of mundane annoyances. Because what if you could arrive late to a bullet? Or trip and fall behind a sorting cart when you would rather not be seen? Or break a monster made out of romance novels when you would prefer not to be killed by it? But Sanderson doesn't stop there as this book also has a second magic: Oculary. Donning Lenses forged from different sands, those with the ability (Occulators) are able to follow the footsteps of those they know, translate illegible languages, and project ice, fire, and wind from their glasses. Both magics are unique, fun, and highly inventive, and add great humor and twists to the story. And we only scratch the surface of both magics in this book, which leaves a lot of further exploration and elaboration to look forward to as the series progresses!

The Characters: Wielding clever powers, advanced Free Kingdom tech, and unique looks, this book's quirky, diverse cast make for one lively and diverting read! With characters from all walks of life, there are no absentee guardians or unsupervised youth here - both children and adults get into all sorts of trouble and danger together, as they should. Alcatraz proves an unreliable and entertaining narrator with a flair for the dramatic and turns of phrase, and his indifferent, jaded approach to life and breaking things creates comical content and many quotable lines. (And paragraphs. And chapters. And books.) He isn't all comedy and quotes though as he deals with some more serious revelations about his past and complicated family, but this slightly somber edge to his character offers a nice balance to his otherwise prevalent playfulness. Rutabaga.

The Illustrations: As can happen with ARCs the illustrations were sadly draft so I can't give a full account of them when paired with the text. However even unfinished they were a fun addition to the narrative, especially the different glasses that headed each chapter, and I look forward to rereading the book again soon with the finished artwork!

Conclusion: Be it the first read or the fourth, Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians continues to be pure brilliance and absolutely hilarious! If you enjoy evil librarian stories with masterful writing, quirky characters, unique magic, forgotten languages, talking dinosaurs, and lanterns shaped like fruit, then I highly recommend you pick up this exceptionally entertaining and fantastical autobiography. (I mean, Middle Grade Fantasy. Yeah.) And while you're at it, I just as highly recommend grabbing the second book, The Scrivener's Bones, which rereleased February 16, 2016 as well (review to come soon)!

For Fans Of: Harry Potter

Scribble Rating
5 of 5 Scribbles


*Parts of this review were previously published on my former blog, Black Kitten Reviews.

Friday, February 19, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (2/19/16)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
Raging Sea (Undertow, #2)
Raging Sea by Michael Buckley (ARC)
While I found the first book (Undertow) a thrilling and engrossing story, this sequel has been a disappointing torture of a read due to the characters complete lack of common sense and ingenuity. I persevered though, and I think things finally took a turn for the better at Chapter 13. Fingers crossed it doesn't turn back.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Scrivener’s BonesFirst Love Monster, Vol. 2 (First Love Monster, #2)

The Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson (HBK)
5 Stars. Another excessively exciting and entertaining episode in the Alcatraz saga! Could not put it down and wish I had the next book on hand. Review to come!

First Love Monster vol. 2 by Akira Hiyoshimaru (PBK)
2 Stars. While I relatively enjoyed the first volume, this second was sadly too weird and kinky for me. Will not be continuing the series.


>> READING NEXT <<
Love Fortunes and Other Disasters (Grimbaud, #1)QQ Sweeper, Vol. 2

Love Fortunes & Other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius (ARC)
In desperate need of some fluff so I'm finally trying my very first Swoon Reads!

QQ Sweeper vol. 2 by Kyousuke Motomi (PBK)
Really enjoyed the first volume so I'm excited to see how this series develops!


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Waiting On Wednesday: Railhead (Philip Reeve)

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:


Railhead
Title: Railhead
Author: Philip Reeve
Release Date: April 1, 2016
Publisher: Switch Press
Summary:
The Great Network is an ancient web of routes and gates, where sentient trains can take you anywhere in the galaxy in the blink of an eye. Zen Starling is a nobody. A petty thief from the filthy streets of Thunder City who aimlessly rides the rails of the Network. So when the mysterious stranger Raven offers Zen a chance to escape the squalor of the city and live the rest of his days in luxury, Zen can’t believe his luck. All he has to do is steal one small box from the Emperor’s train with the help of Nova, an android girl. But the Great Network is a hazardous mess of twists and turns, and that little box just might bring everything in this galaxy — and the next — to the end of the line. The highly anticipated novel from Carnegie-medal-winning author Philip Reeve, Railhead is a fast, immersive, and heart-pounding ride perfect for any sci-fi fan. Step aboard — the universe is waiting.

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: The summary had me at "sentient trains," but on the whole this YA sci-fi heist story sounds like a thrilling read!


So what book are you waiting on?

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Release Spotlight: ALCATRAZ Series 1 & 2 (Brandon Sanderson)


Today I'm thrilled to spotlight the release of the illustrated reissues of Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians and The Scrivener's Bones, Books 1 and 2 in the Alcatraz series by Brandon Sanderson! I was a fan of these books when the first released in 2007, and couldn't have been more excited when Tor announced last year that they would not only be reissuing the first four books but finally publishing the fifth and final installment in the series this summer! If you haven't yet heard of these books I HIGHLY recommend both, and be on the lookout for my reviews soon!

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians

Title: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: 2/16/16

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians is the first adventure in a fantasy series for young readers by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson. The fast-paced and funny series is now available in deluxe hardcover editions illustrated by Hayley Lazo.

On his thirteenth birthday, foster child Alcatraz Smedry gets a bag of sand in the mail-his only inheritance from his father and mother. He soon learns that this is no ordinary bag of sand. It is quickly stolen by the cult of evil Librarians who are taking over the world by spreading misinformation and suppressing truth. Alcatraz must stop them, using the only weapon he has: an incredible talent for breaking things.

"In this original, hysterical homage to fantasy literature, Sanderson's first novel for youth recalls the best in Artemis Fowland A Series of Unfortunate Events." -VOYA


Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository



The Scrivener’s Bones

Title: Alcatraz vs. the Scrivener's Bones
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape (Tor)
Release Date: 2/16/16

In this second Alcatraz adventure, Alcatraz finds himself on a mission to meet Grandpa Smedry when he gets swept up by a flying glass dragon filled with his unusual and mouthy Smedry cohorts.

Their mission? A dangerous, library-filled one, of course!

They are on their way to the ancient and mysterious Library of Alexandria (which some silly people think was long ago destroyed!) where they must find Grandpa Smedry, look for clues leading to Alcatraz's potentially undead dead father, and battle the creepy, dangerous soul-sucking curators who await them.


Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository

Monday, February 15, 2016

Review: Starflight (Melissa Landers)

Starflight (Starflight, #1)
Title: Starflight
Series: Starflight, Book 1
Author: Melissa Landers (site)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction Adventure
Told: Third Person (Solara & Doran), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (sensuality, violence, some innuendo, a few words of language, minor underage drinking and accidental drug use)
Format Read: ARC (friend)
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase OnAmazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world--and each other--the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...


*          *          *

In a Sentence: A thoroughly entertaining sci-fi with a wild and unpredictable adventure plot and a cast of some of the most vivid characters I've ever read!

Sci-fi is my favorite genre, so when I first heard about this Firefly-esque YA back in March 2014 I could not have been more excited to read it. My eagerness didn't fade for almost two years (quite a feat for capricious me), and when I finally got my hands on it last month I was blown away by one of the best reads I've had the pleasure of laying eyes on!

Story: A delightfully pure adventure story with minimal foreshadowing and epic twists - especially at the end - that I did not see coming. I usually prefer twists foreshadowed, but here I relished the uncertainty and impulsiveness of the deficiency as the plot detoured this way and that due to unforeseen roadblocks and revelations. Out of their element but driven to reach their destinations, Solara and Doran find themselves trading - and fighting - with pirates, robbing a medical center, accidentally intoxicated (and tattooed), and on the run from not one, not two, but three different groups simultaneously. It was a thrilling roller-coaster of frying pan to fire and back again and I enjoyed every second of it.

Firefly Comparison: While a Firefly comparison is definitely valid, unlike others I didn't feel it was overly similar to the show. They do share a basic plot structure - two fugitives finding refuge on a questionable ship of mysterious misfits - but aside from both also having colorful characters and adventurous stories, I think Starflight stands separate.

Characters: This book had some of the most vivid characters I've ever read, flawed and realistic in their personalities and mannerisms. All had interesting little tics and quirks - from Kane's smile to Renny's kleptomania to the sugar bear that lived in the Captain's pocket - that really brought them to life and enhanced the story. But with her strength for survival and dogged motivation, Solara stole the show and proved one of the most engaging characters I've had the pleasure of reading. From Page 1 her conviction to obtain a better life for herself fueled the adventure, and at every turn it drove the story even as she and it evolved due to shifting situations and intriguing revelations. Another pleasure was Doran, who even from the beginning wasn't just your average handsome spoiled rich boy. His fears and flaws and his struggle to overcome them were refreshing and compelling, and I really enjoyed watching his growth as he discovered his courage and his aspirations for the complicated future ahead of him.

Romantic Relationship: Solara and Doran's romance was a great example of the fine line between hate and love and how shared experience and eventual trust can push you from one side to the other. It had an enjoyable slow burn that culminated in passion but also a sweet intimacy and friendship.

Writing/Setting: Great movement, smooth dialogue, description easy to picture. The Third Person perspective lost me a bit at times, especially as the chapters randomly switched back and forth between Solara and Doran, but for the most part it engaged me well enough. The setting was mostly the usual ships in space and terraformed planets, but they proved appealing backdrops with both familiar and foreign elements, and there were a few intriguing aspects to some of the tech.

Conclusion: Already a finalist for my Best Read of 2016, this amazing sci-fi completely blew me away with its vivid characters and unpredictable adventure story. If you enjoy space adventures, Starflight is not to be missed! Cannot wait to get my hands on next February's companion sequel, Starfall, which will be told from the perspective of pugnacious fellow crewmates, Cassia and Kane!

For Fans Of: Firefly

Scribble Rating
5 of 5 Scribbles


Saturday, February 13, 2016

{Reading Quirks} My Love/Hate Relationship with Mysteries


Over the past few years I've discovered I have some pretty odd reading quirks, so I thought I'd share them to possibly explain some of my more unusual eccentricities. If this Reading Quirk applies to you as well, do Comment!


My Love/Hate Relationship with Mysteries

I love mysteries! On the screen. Played out in an hour-long television drama or two-hour movie/BBC episode, I enjoy guessing who did it and usually get it right based on the clues and how recognizable the actor is. On the screen, there really is nothing better than good mystery for me.




But book mysteries? Yeah, we don't get along so well. I'm a slow reader, so keeping track of all the suspects, evidence, red herrings and the like over, say, a week-long period (if I'm speed-reading) is difficult for my sieve of a brain. I can barely tell characters apart sometimes, let alone recall what the crime was by the time the culprit is revealed.




Funny enough, when I was younger mysteries were my go-to reads - I couldn't get enough of them! But back then, I read a lot faster - and they were a lot shorter. A Boxcar Children took a day to read, two days tops. But the older one gets, the longer the mysteries become, and by late Middle Grade I was struggling.




If a book only has a mystery element, sometimes I can keep up with it. But a straight-up Mystery has to have character and setting elements that I just can't live without reading because otherwise, it's better for both of us if I simply pass.

What genres do you have a love/hate relationship with?

Friday, February 12, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (2/12/16)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
The Scrivener’s Bones
The Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson (HBK)
Alcatraz Book 2!! Reading a finished copy this time, which means finished illustrations as well. To no one's surprise I am devouring it and already wish I had the next book on hand.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Nightmare Affair (The Arkwell Academy, #1)QQ Sweeper, Vol. 1

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett (PBK)
4 Stars. A fun but darker teen paranormal mystery with witty writing and engaging characters. Review to come.

QQ Sweeper vol. 1 by Kyousuke Motomi (PBK)
4 StarsA new series from the Dengeki Daisy author. Surprisingly a lot better than I'd expected! An original and interesting story with fun and interesting characters. Looking forward to the next volume!


>> READING NEXT <<
The SirenFirst Love Monster, Vol. 2 (First Love Monster, #2)

The Siren by Kiera Cass (ARC)
Although I did enjoy the first two Selection books, I've been on the fence about this one so it's time to give it a try!

First Love Monster vol. 2 by Akira Hiyoshimaru (PBK)
FINALLY came in at the library. I'm really interested to see how the relationship progresses!


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

WoW: The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl (Melissa Keil)

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 Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl
Title: The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl
Author: Melissa Keil
Release Date: April 1, 2016
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Summary:
Alba loves her life just as it is. She loves living behind the bakery and waking up in a cloud of sugar and cinnamon. She loves drawing comics and watching bad TV with her friends. The only problem is shes overlooked a few teeny details. Like, the guy she thought long gone has unexpectedly reappeared. And the boy who has been her best friend since forever has suddenly gone off the rails. Even her latest comic book creation is misbehaving. Also, the world might be ending-- which is proving to be awkward. As doomsday enthusiasts flock to idyllic Eden Valley, Albas life is thrown into chaos. Whatever happens next, its the end of the world as she knows it. But when it comes to figuring out her heart, Armageddon might turn out to be the least of her problems.

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Comics + bakery + end of the world = a story I've been dying to read since it was originally published September 2014 in Australia! So excited that Peachtree is bringing it to the states, and with illustrations!


So what book are you waiting on?

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

GLASS SWORD (Victoria Aveyard) Release Day Celebration + Giveaway



Today I'm excited to be a part of the Me, My Shelf & I release day celebration for GLASS SWORD by Victoria Aveyard, the sequel to RED QUEEN, which releases today from HarperTeen (HarperCollins)! If you haven't yet heard about this gorgeous book check it out below, add it to Goodreads (and maybe purchase a copy while you're at it ;), and be sure to enter to win a Red Queen Prize Pack at the end!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2)

Title: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Pub. Date: February 9, 2016
Pages: 448

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. 

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. 

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. 
Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever? 

Purchase your copy:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Victoria Aveyard is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Queen. Victoria was born and raised in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a small town known only for the worst traffic rotary in the continental United States. She moved to Los Angeles to earn a BFA in screenwriting at the University of Southern California. She currently splits her time between the East and West coasts. As an author and screenwriter, she uses her career as an excuse to read too many books and watch too many movies. She has sold several television pilots and feature-length screenplays. 

THE GIVEAWAY

One winner will get a RED QUEEN Prize Pack from HarperTeen, which includes:
- 1 Physical Copy of CRUEL CROWN (0.1 & 0.2 Red Queen)
- 1 RED QUEEN foam sword that reads “Kneel or Bleed”
- 1 Scarlet Guard scarf

Must be 13+ to Enter | Ships US Only

See Terms & Conditions for full contest rules before entering some restrictions apply.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 5, 2016

The #FridayReads Review (2/5/16)



Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!


>> CURRENTLY READING <<
The Nightmare Affair (The Arkwell Academy, #1)
The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett (PBK)
Needed a reliably good read so I grabbed this for a review re-read, and it's even better than I remember! Looking forward to finally reading the entire trilogy over the next few months.


>> DNF <<
Reawakened (Reawakened, #1)
Reawakened by Colleen Houck (ARC)
DNF at Page 95. While a fun and intriguing Egyptian premise, right from the start I did not connect with the writing, the main character, or the story. DNF review to come.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
Komomo Confiserie, Vol. 2Behind the Scenes!!, Vol. 1

Komomo Confiserie vol. 2 by Maki Minami (PBK)
5 Stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this cute and funny volume! Komomo's naive and straightforward nature makes for so much fun, and I love how she reacts to Natsu's masochistic tendencies towards her. Really looking forward to the next volume!

Behind the Scenes!! vol. 1 by Bisco Hatori (PBK)
3 StarsA new series from the Ouran High School Host Club author! While little busy and frenzied, it had a fun story and characters so I'll try another volume.


>> READING NEXT <<
The Scrivener’s Bones
The Scrivener's Bones by Brandon Sanderson (HBK)
Excited to continue the Alcatraz series with the new illustrations! Look for my gushing review of the first book in the next few weeks.


So what are you reading this week?

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

STARFLIGHT (Melissa Landers) Launch Blitz + Giveaway!


I am so excited to be part of the launch blitz for STARFLIGHT, the first book in Melissa Landers' Starflight duology from Disney-Hyperion, which finally hit shelves today! I gave this YA sci-fi ALL THE STARS and cannot recommend it highly enough, so if you haven't yet heard about it do check it out below and order yourself a copy! And don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end for a STARFLIGHT swag pack!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Starflight (Starflight, #1)
Title: STARFLIGHT
Author: Melissa Landers
Release date: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Summary:

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...




PURCHASE LINKS:



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information, or just to say hello, visit her website.



Hey there, booklovers!

I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce the release of STARFLIGHT, the first in a brand new sci-fi series from Disney-Hyperion. I originally pitched this story to my editor as “Overboard” (one of my favorite romantic comedies) meets “Firefly” (an amazing show that was tragically cancelled after one season). STARFLIGHT follows the misadventures of Solara Brooks, a penniless felon who indentures herself to her high school nemesis, Doran Spaulding, in exchange for passage to a new world. But when Doran’s memory is temporarily erased, Solara convinces him their roles are reversed—that she’s the master and he’s the servant—and leads him onto a renegade spaceship, where intergalactic shenanigans ensue. STARFLIGHT is very different in tone from the Alienated trilogy, but the story is still filled with all the things I love: humor, heart, and adventure.

What do reviewers have to say? 

“Get ready for blast-off! Action-packed and utterly addictive, nobody writes like Melissa Landers. A smart, satisfying romance set in a vividly detailed world, Starflight was just plain fun!” –New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman
Teens will be bracing themselves during the swashbuckling action scenes. A great choice for fans of raw sci-fi action, reminiscent of the lawlessness presented in the television series Firefly.” –School Library Journal 
“A lively tale of romance, space pirates, conspiracy, and made (as opposed to genetic) families.” –Booklist

If you like your sci-fi adventure served with a side of romance, I hope you’ll pick up a copy of STARFLIGHT today. It’s now available in stores and online.

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a STARFLIGHT swag pack, complete with custom nail wraps, bookmarks, and a mini poster! The giveaway is open internationally. Due to sweepstakes laws, entrants must be 18 years or older to participate. 

Best of luck, and happy reading!


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