Friday, February 17, 2017

The #FridayReads Review (2/17/17)



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 Great Hunt (Eurona Duology, #1)
The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins (ARC)
Ever since I acquired the sequel I've been curious to give this duology a try. Although I'm not crazy about the multiple Third Person Limited POVs, it's interesting enough so far.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Lost Property Office (Section 13, #1)#famous

The Lost Property Office by James R. Hannibal (ARC)
3 Stars. A fun and unique world concept with memorable characters and amazing magic, but the twists and clues and mishaps of the convoluted mystery story wound on some 150 pages too long, and the book was in desperate need of illustrations. The concept is interesting enough that I'm tempted to read the next one, but currently still on the fence if I want to invest that much time and brainpower again in a Middle Grade.

#famous by Jilly Gagnon (ARC)
2 Stars. A cliche and somewhat dispiriting #awkward contemporary romance about unexpected fame, bullying, and self-realization. Review to come.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
The Great Pursuit
The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins (ARC)
If all goes well with the first I plan to go straight into the second!


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

WoW: Roar (Cora Carmack)

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:


Roar (Stealing Storms, #1)
Title: Roar
Author: Cora Carmack
Release Date: June 13, 2017
Publisher: Tor Teen
Summary:

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage. 

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough. 

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.



Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Storm magic!!! Nuff said. 


So what book are you waiting on?

Monday, February 13, 2017

Paragraph Reviews: The Shadow Society (Marie Rutkoski) | Countdown (Michelle Rowen)

The Shadow Society  (The Shadow Society #1)
Title: The Shadow Society
Series: standalone
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Science Fiction
Told: First Person (Darcy), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, minor torture, some sensuality, a few words of language)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase OnAmazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Darcy Jones doesn't remember anything before the day she was abandoned as a child outside a Chicago firehouse. She has never really belonged anywhere—but she couldn't have guessed that she comes from an alternate world where the Great Chicago Fire didn't happen and deadly creatures called Shades terrorize the human population.

Memories begin to haunt Darcy when a new boy arrives at her high school, and he makes her feel both desire and desired in a way she hadn't thought possible. But Conn's interest in her is confusing. It doesn't line up with the way he first looked at her.

As if she were his enemy.

When Conn betrays Darcy, she realizes that she can't rely on anything—not herself, not the laws of nature, and certainly not him. Darcy decides to infiltrate the Shadow Society and uncover the Shades' latest terrorist plot. What she finds out will change her world forever . . .

In this smart, compulsively readable novel, master storyteller Marie Rutkoski has crafted an utterly original world, characters you won't soon forget, and a tale full of intrigue and suspense.


*          *          *

This book turned out to be nothing like what I expected going in. I hadn't been impressed with The Winner's Curse so I didn't expect much of this earlier work, but it was surprisingly quite good! Although it began with the extremely overused "girl who appears normal but has a dark secret is drawn to a new mysterious boy at school" opening, after some rather shocking violence and alternate world twists it turned out to be an exciting read with engaging intrigue and action and a really strong female lead. I even rather liked the romance - messy and somewhat intense with a lot of baggage though it was - which is rare for me. The writing wasn't too descriptive with good dialogue and banter, and while not particularly visual I didn't have much difficulty following the movement. If I think about it too hard the parallel universes and Shades didn't make complete sense - neither are explained in great detail, and what details we did get were vague and kind of waved off for the sake of the plot - but it was an interesting and unique idea. Recommend for Contemporary Science Fiction readers as long as they're willing to let the setting slide and just enjoy the story.

Scribble Rating
4 of 5 Scribbles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Countdown
Title: Countdown
Series: standalone
Author: Michelle Rowen
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Thriller
Told: First Person (Kira), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, sensuality, some language, life/death situations)
Format Read: Paperback (purchase)
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase OnAmazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped. 

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game. 

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis. 

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it. 

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape. 

GAME OVER

*          *          *

With its surprise Psi abilities, advanced AI, and dystopian world, this book was nothing like the straight thriller I anticipated. Middling characters and a subpar world left me wanting, and when the deadly game I was reading for ended with still over 100 pages to go I found what little interest I had floundering in too long a rest and romantics period before the teens headed off to "save the world." At Page 245 (of 367), after not picking the book up for almost a week I started a new book instead and pretty much threw in the towel, but after skimming the last chapter I gave it a few weeks distance and then decided I was curious enough to polish it off. Overall not quite engaging enough for my tastes, but lovers of teen dystopian thrillers might enjoy it as a guilty pleasure read.

Scribble Rating
2 of 5 Scribbles

Friday, February 10, 2017

The #FridayReads Review (2/10/17)



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 Lost Property Office (Section 13, #1)
The Lost Property Office by James R. Hannibal (ARC)
After my last read (see below) I needed a romance break, so I naturally reached for a Middle Grade. But while the setting and magic are fun and amazing, the story has been way too long and convoluted and in desperate need of illustrations. At the halfway point I started despairing the remainder but decided to persevere, and am now thankfully only 50 pages away from the end. Hope to finish this weekend.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
To Catch a Killer
To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough (ARC)
2 Stars. To a mystery show buff like me this was a disappointingly obvious mystery with an excess of movement that focused too much on romance and not enough on forensics. Review to come.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
By Your Side
By Your Side by Kasie West (PBK)
I am definitely going to need a light, uncomplicated story next - can't wait!!


So what are you reading this week?

Thursday, February 9, 2017

STARFALL Launch Blitz & Giveaway


I am so excited to be part of the launch blitz for STARFALL, the second and last book in Melissa Landers' Starflight duology from Disney-Hyperion, which finally hit shelves this Tuesday! STARFLIGHT was my favorite read of 2016 (see my review here) and I cannot recommend it highly enough, so if you haven't checked out this duology yet do so below and order yourself a copy of each (the first book is currently less than a dollar)! And don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end for a Starflight duology swag pack!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Starfall (Starflight #2)
Title: STARFALL
Author: Melissa Landers
Release date: February 7, 2017
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Summary:

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home, but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend...with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn't exactly in need of heroics—she's claimed her birthright as Eturia's queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn't a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia—and is certain she returns his feelings—but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.



Check out the first book!

Starflight (Starflight, #1)

Book 1: Starflight



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.


Hi, booklovers!

I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m so excited to launch STARFALL, the second and final book in my Starflight duology! This story picks up shortly after the first book ends, but now Cassia and Kane are the main characters, with Doran, Solara, and the rest of the Banshee crew pitching in to help take down an intergalactic mafia. (You know, just an ordinary day in space.) And while saying goodbye to characters is never easy, I think I gave the crew a proper sendoff with plenty of humor, heart, and action. I hope you love STARFALL as much as I do!

Haven’t read the first book? You’re in luck, because for a limited time, Starflight is on sale for 99 cents in all e-formats. Now you can binge read the entire duology in one sitting!

Praise for Starflight:
“Smart, action-packed and utterly addictive!” –New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman 
“Starflight has the cinematic appeal, warp-speed action and unlikely heroes of Star Wars.” –Justine Magazine 
“A lively tale of romance, space pirates, conspiracy, and made (as opposed to genetic) families.” –Booklist 
“A great choice for fans of raw sci-fi action, reminiscent of the lawlessness presented in the television series Firefly.” –School Library Journal
If you love sci-fi adventure with a dash of romance, I hope you’ll pick up the Starflight duology today. Starflight and Starfall are both available in stores and online.

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

Best of luck, and happy reading!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

WoW: Tash Hearts Tolstoy (Kathryn Ormsbee)

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:


Tash Hearts Tolstoy
Title: Tash Hearts Tolstoy
Author: Kathryn Ormsbee
Release Date: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Summary:

From the author of Lucky Few comes a quirky teen novel about internet fame, peer pressure, and remembering not to step on the little people on your way to the top!

After a shout out from one of the internet’s most beloved personalities, Natasha “Tash” Zelenka has found herself and her amateur web series plucked from obscurity and thrust in the limelight. And who wouldn’t want fame and fortune?

But along with the 40,000 new subscribers, the gushing tweets, and flashing Tumblr gifs, comes the pressure to deliver the best web series ever. As Tash struggles to combat the critics and her own doubts, she finds herself butting heads with her family and friends—the ones that helped make her show, Unhappy Families (a modern adaption of Anna Karenina, written by Tash’s eternal love Leo Tolstoy), what it is today.

And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a prestigious award, Tash’s confusing cyber-flirtation with an Internet celeb suddenly has the potential to become something IRL—if she can figure out how to tell him that she’s a romantic asexual. But her new relationship creates tension with her friend Paul since he thought Tash wasn’t interested in relationships…ever.

All Tash wants to think about is the upcoming award ceremony in Orlando, even though she’ll have to face all the friends she steamrolled to get there. But isn’t that just the price you pay for success?



Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Asexual female main character ftw!!! Finally a romance I may be able to truly relate to!


What book are you waiting on this week?

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Release Spotlight: Starfall (Melissa Landers)


Today I'm thrilled to spotlight Starfall by Melissa Landers! After declaring last January that Starflight would prove my favorite read of 2016 (and it did!), I've been looking forward to this companion sequel with great anticipation. If you haven't already checked out Starflight, see the links at the end for more information!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starfall (Starflight #2)

Title: Starfall (Starflight #2)
Author: Melissa Landers
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: 2/7/17

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home, but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend...with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn't exactly in need of heroics—she's claimed her birthright as Eturia's queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn't a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia—and is certain she returns his feelings—but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family's complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.


Add to Goodreads

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


Check out the first book!

Starflight (Starflight, #1)

Book 1: Starflight

Monday, February 6, 2017

Review: A Shadow Bright & Burning (Jessica Cluess)

A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire, #1)
Title: A Shadow Bright & Burning
Series: Kingdom on Fire, Book 1
Author: Jessica Cluess
Publisher: Random House BYR
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Horror Fantasy
Told: First Person (Henrietta), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (scary images, minor horror/gore, fantasy fighting, sensuality)
Format Read: ARC (publisher)
Find OnGoodreads
Purchase OnAmazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

I am Henrietta Howel.
The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces a powerful, unforgettably heroine, and a world filled with magic, romance, and betrayal. Hand to fans of Libba Bray, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare.


*          *          *

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


In a Sentence: An engrossing yet frustrating yet enchanting alternate historical horror fantasy with vivid characters and engaging prose.

It's rather fascinating how humans have the emotional capability to be engrossed in a book and yet at the same time frustrated with it as well. That was my constant state for most of A Shadow Bright & Burning - reluctant to put it down, but always upset about one thing or another. Usually it was main character Henrietta, a moderately clever girl in the beginning but flippant about serious matters and later so distractedly concerned with the opinions of others that she came to rely too heavily on them and rarely seemed to think for herself. Occasionally it was the setting, a mishmash of history and fantasy and gothic romance with an odd dash of the Fae thrown in (for reasons never explained) that I never really wrapped my mind around until the very end. And then there was the action, too short and choppy and rather nonchalant to excite me or make any kind of impact despite the thrilling things happening.

But in spite my frustrations, this was one of the best books I read in 2016. It started strong on the very first page, delivering an engrossing story with enchanting magic and chilling monsters I had not expected but nevertheless found sensational. While Henrietta was generally more frustrating than not, she was a vivid character with an entertaining journey full of unexpected twists and animated secondary characters that really made the story shine. And although the action fell disappointingly flat, the rest of the writing was expressive and engaging and brought the enigmatic world to life.

I didn't quite agree with how the book concluded (despite its logic, I guess), but by the end I realized just how fully developed the formerly frustrating world had become and how invested I now was in the story and its players. It took the full 400 and change pages but everyone and everything had grown on me, and I am now very excited to continue following Henrietta and her story in A Poison Dark & Drowning!

Conclusion: While frustrating at times, this was an engrossing story of magic and monsters that was one of my favorite reads of 2016. I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys alternate historical horror fantasy, and look forward to the next book with great anticipation!

Re-read?: Definitely

Scribble Rating
4.5 of 5 Scribbles


Friday, February 3, 2017

The #FridayReads Review (2/3/17)



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 <<
To Catch a Killer
To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough (ARC)
I'm not normally much for reading mysteries, but I'm intrigued by forensics and the story sounded interesting so I decided to give this a try. Unfortunately it has since reminded me why I don't like to read mysteries, but now about 40% in I'm invested enough to see it through. I believe I've already called the killer/mystery, although the story is still young so I do have an alternate theory as well. The problem is I've watched so many mysteries in the last two decades that I never know if something is purposefully obvious or I just picked up on it easily because I'm conditioned to notice such things. We'll find out.


>> JUST FINISHED <<
The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game, #1)Duels and Deception

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (ARC)
4.5 Stars. An amazing alternate historical fantasy with a rich world, solid writing, vivid characters, awesome magic, and an engrossing story. I did have some small issues with the love triangle (or was it a love square?) and omniscient point of view, but overall more 5 than 4 stars by the end, especially after the climatic twists I did not see coming. Wish I had the sequel for immediate consumption! T-T Review to come.

Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey (ARC)
4 Stars. A lighthearted Austen-esque mystery romance with entertaining characters and an engaging whodunit. Mini Review to come.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<
(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)
By Your Side
By Your Side by Kasie West (PBK)
A new Kasie West!!! Set in a library!!! Finally the time has come!!! XD


So what are you reading this week?

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

WoW: The Crown's Fate (Evelyn Skye)

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 Crown's Fate (The Crown's Game, #2)
Title: The Crown's Fate
Author: Evelyn Skye
Release Date: May 16, 2017
Publisher: Balzer & Bray (HarperCollins)
Summary:

Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Red QueenThe Crown’s Fate is the thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Crown’s Game, an atmospheric historical fantasy set in Imperial Russia.

Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.

Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.

For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.

With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves.



Why I'm Looking Forward To It: I just finished devouring The Crown's Game this week and now I needs the sequel, precious! I needs it!!


So what book are you waiting on?