The #FridayReads Review (12/16/16)

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 <<

Prophecy by Ellen Oh (PBK)
I haven't been feeling much like fiction this week, but this caught my eye so yesterday afternoon I just sat down and started it. The writing is a little hard to follow at times and the world a bit much to keep straight, but it's an interesting enough Asian fantasy so far.

The Library: An Illustrated History by Stuart A. P. Murray (HBK)
When my interest in fiction wanes, my interest in non-fiction grows. I love reading about books and libraries, so of course I immediately reached for this. It's rather heavy so it's been slow going (hardcovers, *sigh*), but so far so interesting! What I wouldn't give to have seen the Nineveh library...

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Yona of the Dawn vol. 2 by Mizuho Kusanagi (PBK)
3 Stars. While this volume was a little better than the first because of the action and the basic plot is interesting, Yona is just so bland a character and THE STORY NEEDS MAGIC. Might give the series one more volume if I see it at the library, but Yona had better start growing a personality. Or at least discover some magic.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Noragami vol. 11 by Adachitoka (PBK)
I have 6 volumes of this backed up so it's time for a binge!

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (12/18/15)

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 <<

Insidious by Dawn Metcalf (PBK)
I've been in a serious novel reading slump so I decided a new book in a favorite series was in order! No surprise I was immediately sucked in with the first sentence and am quite enjoying it.

Black Butler vol. 21 by Yana Toboso (PBK)
I really enjoy this series, but I'm hoping this volume finally finishes the current arc - it definitely hasn't been my favorite, although it was certainly revealing.

>> ON HOLD <<

Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith (PBK)
While I am really enjoying this, it's not quite what I've felt like reading so I'm putting it on hold for now.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Supervillains Anonymous by Lexie Dunne (PBK)

2.5 Stars. FINALLY finished it. It started okay but I eventually had to force myself to read it and then couldn't bring myself to finish the last two chapters for over a month. Since it took me two months to read I can't recall exactly what my problems with it were, although I remember a lot of too-long chunks of either action or downtime that I had trouble pushing through. I partly blame my struggle on a wonky reading mood though, so I'll probably give it another try one day.

The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 2 by Kore Yamazaki (PBK)
4.5 Stars. This is proving just my kind of story, with this volume even better than the first! After another serious cliffhanger, I can't wait to get my hands on the third!

The Secret Sakura Shares by Akira Hagio (PBK)
4 Stars. Sounded right up my alley so I took a chance and pre-ordered it one half-off B&N Manga Monday. Turned out to be sweet and funny and just what I was hoping for, although I wish the ending had wrapped up more. 

>> READING NEXT <<

Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi vol. 1 by nanao & HaccaWorks* (PBK)
Another half-off B&N Manga Monday title. I adore stories relating to Japanese spirits, especially foxes, so when this popped up I couldn't resist!

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (12/11/15)

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 <<

Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith (PBK)
While I am really enjoying this, it's not quite what I've felt like reading so it's been slow going this week. Deep into Part Two though and excited to see where the story leads!

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign vol. 1 by Kagami & Yamamoto (PBK)
I'd seen a lot of buzz about this series so when I spotted #1 at the library I grabbed it. While the premise is pretty original, the plot and characters are not. It's been interesting enough I guess, but I set it down at Chapter 3 a few days ago and have yet to pick it back up.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Love at Fourteen vol. 1 by Fuka Muzitani (PBK)

3.5 Stars. A simple and sweet romance about two young teens growing into their first love. Much better than I'd imagined and I'll definitely be continuing the series.

The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 1 by Kore Yamazaki (PBK)
4 Stars. A highly engaging fantasy that feels like it should be a novel but just words alone would not do the imaginative story justice. Not only will I be continuing the series, but I'm already collecting it. Highly recommend for reluctant manga readers who love fantasy!

Idol Dreams vol. 1 by Arina Tanemura (PBK)
4.5 Stars. Arina's stories tend to be too emotionally complicated for me (although I do read and enjoy them), but this "adult" series - which (by her own admission) shies away from a lot of the normal Arina touches - turned out to be a refreshing and relatable surprise that I will definitely be continuing and possibly collecting.  

>> READING NEXT <<

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson (ARC)
Seriously excited to re-read this highly original and hilarious middle grade in its new illustrated form! Be on the lookout for my review early February.

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (12/4/15)

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 <<

Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith (PBK)
On Anya's recommendation Wednesday I grabbed this from the library yesterday and immediately started it. It's a little odd that the 16 year-old MC constantly insinuates that people her age are old (hopefully this will be explained later?), but otherwise it's a really interesting, unusual and magical post-apocalypse!

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross (ARC)

3.5 Stars. An imaginative and inventive Middle Grade dystopian adventure with thrilling action and engaging characters. Will definitely be interested in continuing the series. Review to come.

>> READING NEXT <<

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (ARC)
I'm in a weird reading mood right now so I have no idea what I'll read next, but with Marissa coming to my local indie in February I know I'll be re-reading the first two Lunar Chronicles books soon and then finally tackling the rest of this amazing series! 

So what are you reading this week?

Top Ten Books I've Recently Added To My TBR List

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

Top 10 Books Recently Added to My TBR List

1. The Unquiet (Mikaela Everett) - Teens trained to kill their parallel selves in a parallel world because theirs is collapsing? Um, yes please.
2. Vermilion (Molly Tanzer) - I don't know that I've ever read a "weird Western" before, but this sounds like an amazing place to start! 
3. My Little Brony (K.M. Hayes) - I'm not (yet) a My Little Pony fan, but K.M. Hayes is a pen name for Natalie Whipple and whatever Natalie writes, I will read. Besides, the main girl is named Skye!
4. These Vicious Masks (Kelly Zekas & Tarun Shanker) - This sounds like Jane Austen with powers - I'm game.
5. The Novice (Taran Matharu) - YA Fantasy about a boy who trains to summon demons. I need more fantasy this year and this sounds like a good one!
6. The Crossroads of Should & Must (Elle Luna) - I'm currently trying to find my passion so I can follow it, and this sounds like a great resource!
7. Kill the Boy Band (Goldy Moldavsky) - [no cover] A recently announced YA that follows a group of girls who “accidentally kidnap their least-favorite member of their most favorite boy band” and then have to deal with the aftermath when he winds up dead. Oh yeah, gotta give this a try.
8. The Scorpion Rules (Erin Bow) - [no cover] Dystopian continues to be my go-to genre, especially when writers keep coming up with such interesting premises for them! Really looking forward to this one.
9. Illuminae (Amie Kaufman & Kay Kristoff) - [no cover] I'm not normally one for a "told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents" kind of story, but I'll try anything by Amie.
10. Spirit Hunters (Ellen Oh) - [no cover] Recently announced 2017 MG about a girl with shaman training and a ghost friend who has to save her brother. Sounds fun.

So what did you recently add to your TBR pile?