Wednesday, December 30, 2015
2015 Wrap Up and Top Books!
Taking a look back on the past year, I've read some pretty amazing books. And like many other people, I have decided to compile a list because a) lists are fun b) thinking about all the great books I've read in the year is enough to put a large smile on my face c) it's a great way to prep myself for all the great books/sequels that are coming out next year. So in no particular order, here are my top 10 books of 2015:
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy Review: Jack
Book: The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 2.5
Setting: London, 1897
POV: 3rd person by Jack, past tense
Genre: YA steampunk, paranormal
Source: ebook
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 44
Release: July 1st, 2013
| Goodreads Before he makes his appearance in The Girl with the Iron Touch, Jack Dandy had an adventure of his very own. Learn how his actions set the plot in motion in The Dark Discovery of Jack Dandy, a short teaser story from author Kady Cross’s Steampunk Chronicles. Jack Dandy didn’t become prince of the London underworld at barely twenty-one by being softhearted, even if a certain girl in a steel corset has wormed her way into his affections of late. He knows how to manipulate, charm and rob people blind. And if his criminal activities embarrass his aristocratic father, so much the better. So when a friend of Jack’s father hires him for an underhanded job, Jack is happy to oblige—for an outrageous fee, of course. Delivering a mysterious crate seems like an easy task—until Jack realizes just what is inside... |
Monday, December 28, 2015
Title Change!
Hi guys!
As I have mentioned before, I am currently revamping my blog for the upcoming new year. The first step to this was changing my blog's name. Hopefully it's not too big of a shock to everyone (it's actually not that different). I've been mulling over it for a while, and I've finally decided to get it over with. My old blog title, Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything in Between was quite a mouthful. It also was a little cliche, which I'm sure many of you noticed. So it was definitely time to change it to something shorter and easier to say.
In essence, I think the new title is similar enough to the old title, and still retains the idea of books being stars, just with a more emphasized sense of reading with the "pages" part.
My next step will be a header! I'm currently using Pixlr to create it, so hopefully I'll have one up soon. Fingers crossed it comes out nice!
Hope you guys all had a great Christmas, and are having a great week :)
Sunday, December 27, 2015
The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn Review: Jasper
Book: The Wild Adventure of Jasper Renn
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 3.5
Setting: London 1897
POV: 3rd person by Jasper and Cat
Genre: YA paranormal, steampunk
Source: enovella
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 51
Release: November 1st, 2013
| Goodreads In this companion novella to The Girl with the Iron Touch, American cowboy Jasper Renn finds himself in a situation his lightning-fast skills cannot rescue him from… After surviving a triumph-turned-tragedy in New York City, Jasper is determined to secure a happier future with his gifted band of friends. So when the group's mechanical genius Emily is abducted, he'll plunge into England's darkest places to rescue her…. But his old flame Wildcat is turning London town upside down to find her missing sister, and Jasper finds the attraction between himself and the fierce beauty as tempting and dangerous as ever. Their trail leads deep into the city's most unusual circus. Soon, Jasper will find his loyalties—and future—tested more than he could ever imagine…. And don't miss Jasper's continuing exploits in The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross, available now from Harlequin TEEN. |
Saturday, December 26, 2015
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne Review: Finley
Book: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles
Standing: Book 0.5
Setting: London, 1897
POV: 3rd person by Finley
Genre: YA paranormal, steampunk
Source: ebook
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 83
Release: May 1st, 2011
| Goodreads Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined. |
Friday, December 25, 2015
Happy Holidays!
I just want to wish you all a terrific holiday, whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or simply the festive climate of the year (yes, I know some have already past/haven't happened yet).
I hope you're all having a fantastic week, and will continue to have a great remainder of the year! May it be filled with tons of books and happiness!
Cheers! :)
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
A Thousand Skies Above You Review: Marguerite
Book: A Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: 1st person by Marguerite, present tense
Setting: San Fransisco, New York City, Paris, Cambridge (alternate realities)
Genre: YA sci-fi
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 424
Release: November 3rd, 2015
| Goodreads Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions. Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared. The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book. |
Sunday, December 20, 2015
A Darker Shade of Magic Review
Book: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic
Standing: Book 1 (ongoing)
POV: 3rd person by Kell and Lila
Setting: London(s)
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 398
Release: February 24th, 2015
Goodreads Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit. Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped. |
Thursday, December 17, 2015
End of Days Review: Penryn
Book: End of Days
Author: Susan Ee
Series: Penryn and the End of Days
Standing: Book 3 (final)
POV: 1st person by Penryn, present tense
Genre: YA post-apocaplytic, paranormal
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Skyscrape
Pages: 344
Release: May 12th, 2015
| Goodreads End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy. After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all. When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other? |
Monday, December 14, 2015
Firewalker Review: Lily
Book: Firewalker
Author: Josephine Angelini
Series: Worldwalker
Standing: Book 1 (ongoing)
POV: 3rd person by Lily, past tense
Setting: Salem, Massachusetts
Genre: YA fantasy, paranormal
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Feiwei & Friends
Pages: 352
Release: September 1st, 2015
| Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy. "You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified." Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good. Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves. Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini! (Goodreads) |
Friday, December 11, 2015
Rivulet Review: Indie
Book: Rivulet
Author: Jamie Magee
Series: Rivulet / A Web of Hearts and Souls
Standing: Rivulet Book 1 / A Web of Hearts and Souls Book 11
POV: 1st person by Indie, past tense
Genre: NA paranormal, mystery
Source: ebook, Netgallery
Publisher: Mark My Words Book Publicity
Pages: 212
Release: October 3rd, 2013
| Unfathomable forces have always contested Genevieve Indiana Falcon, known as Indie. The curse of her cold touch entraps her just as the grief ignited in her past torments her. Yet, her mysterious ability to dream while awake saturates her in the belief that she was not always anguished. There is hope that one day a true peace in her soul can be found. Foolishly, Indie assumes she has contained her life in an odd balance, and she cherishes the visions she sees of the enigmatic boy that held her in a lost time, but can never reach. She grieves for a life she fears she'll never possess, and that grief is a weapon she uses against her aunt who stands between her and her inheritance. Weeks away from her twenty-first birthday, the date where she would assume control over her family legacy, a night terror robs Indie of the balance she was clinging to. Like the dream she had before she lost her family, it predicts a fatal catastrophe on the horizon. The fight between life and death, good and evil, began the moment her thundering heart awoke her. Everything changed after that dream. The one thing that keeps her curse at bay is stolen, and then the enigmatic boy arrives in the flesh. Face to face with her fiery born-again lover Indie realizes that the only way she can prevent the tragedy before her is to surrender everything she was, is, and could be. Can she bend the laws of nature and fight the improbability that fire and ice could ever be one? As far as Indie is concerned, there is not a myth, spoken fate, or curse that is stronger than her stubborn desire to have it all ... including him. (Goodreads) |
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The Rose Society Review: Adelina
Book: The Rose Society
Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: first person by Adelina and third person by Raffaele
Setting: Kenettra
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical Copy
Pages: 395
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Release: October 13th, 2015
| Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all. Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her. But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness? (Goodreads) |
Monday, December 7, 2015
Crown of Midnight Review: Celaena
Book: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: third person by Celaena and Chaol and Dorian
Setting: Erilea
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 418
Release: August 27th, 2013
| "A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend." From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart. Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for. (Goodreads) |
Friday, December 4, 2015
Faceless Review: Mackenzie
Book: Faceless
Author: Monica Millard
Series: Mortal Monsters
Standing: Book 1
POV: 1st person by Mackenzie, present tense
Setting: Wasilla, Alaska
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: ebook, author (thank you, Monica!)
Pages: 163
Release: September 1st, 2015
| There isn’t a lot of excitement or drama to be had for a teenager in Wasilla, Alaska. This is especially true for students of the charter high school, Lakes Charter. That is until a jock is killed in a brutal attack on school property. The victim is the instigator of the school’s bullying ring and his biggest target, both literally at six and a half feet tall and in frequency, is Eli Markham, the lead suspect. The only problem with that story is at the time the murder took place, he was in the school parking lot installing a new battery with Mackenzie Carver. Me. I didn’t really know Eli before I gave him a ride. I don’t think anyone does know him. He’s kind of a loner, but we’ve been thrown together and the more time I spend with him, the more I want to learn. All of that will have to wait though, because something is after us, something that isn’t human, something that keeps trying to frame Eli for crimes he didn’t commit. The scheme might be more successful if I didn’t keep getting in the way of someone’s plans. (Goodreads) |
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Rebel Spring Review
Book: Rebel Spring
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms
Status: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: 3rd person by Cleo, Jonas, Magnus and Lucia, past tense
Setting: Mytica
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical Copy
Publisher: RazorBill
Pages: 401
Release: December 3rd, 2013
| The road to power... is paved with blood and magic. Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people. Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia. Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms. Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius. After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over... At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand. When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences. (Goodreads) |
Friday, November 27, 2015
One Year Blogging Anniversary!
Yes, that's right! It's officially been one year since I started blogging! Now, I know that means I'm still a complete newbie, but hey, I think this is something to be proud of. When I first joined, I wasn't sure whether I would be fully committed to blogging or not. But needless to say, I am absolutely dedicated to this, and am very far from quitting!
I just want to take a moment to thank YOU, my wonderful readers. After all, what is a blog without readers? If it weren't for each and every one of you, I'd probably have lost heart in blogging eons ago. So thank you guys so much! You are all fantastic. I've met some amazing bloggers this year and done some amazing things with you guys, and I can't wait to see what we'll end up doing next!
Sadly, I have no special giveaway or anything, but what I will say is that I'm going to be fiddling around with my blog (like adding a much-needed/anticipated header!) just to freshen it up a bit. So be warned! Construction ahead!
Thank you all for making this past year amazing, and cheers to another fantastic year of blogging to come!
~Erika
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Six of Crows Review
Book: Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Six of Crows
Status: Book 1 (ongoing)
POV: 3rd person by various people, past tense
Setting: Kerch
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Henry and Holt
Pages: 465
Release: September 29th, 2016
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
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Monday, November 16, 2015
Cover Reveal: THE CROWN
Okay, so I'm about a week and a half late in this, but better late than never, right?
Right. So who's ready to see The Crown, the final book to Kiera Cass's Selection series? Because here it is!
It's pink/purple!
I really do like the dress. However, if I'm going to be honest, I'm not quite sure about the cover model. She's kind of staring you down in a way. I suppose it fits Eadlyn's character, but...yeah. And I feel like the crown that she's holding is a bit too camouflaged by the rest of the background, since I didn't see it the first time I looked. Speaking of the background, isn't it pretty? I love all the twinkle lights, just like with The Heir! Overall, yet another gorgeous cover to the Selection series!
This book comes out May 3rd, 2016. Who do you guys think she'll end up with? I have a few theories, but I'd love to hear what you guys think!
| Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series has captured the hearts of readers from its very first page. Now the end of the journey is here. Prepare to be swept off your feet by The Crown—the eagerly awaited, wonderfully romantic fifth and final book in the Selection series. In The Heir, a new era dawned in the world of The Selection. Twenty years have passed since America Singer and Prince Maxon fell in love, and their daughter is the first princess to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and now Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected. (Goodreads) |
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Iron Warrior Review: Ethan
Book: The Iron Warrior
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Call of the Forgotten (aka The Iron Fey sequel series)
Standing: Book 3 (final book)
POV: 1st person by Ethan, past tense
Setting: Nevernever (faery world)
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384
Release: October 28th, 2015
| The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all. He killed me. Then, I woke up. Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever. Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore. (Goodreads) |
Sunday, November 8, 2015
The Infinite Review: Kai
Book: The Infinite
Author: Lori M. Lee
Series: Gates of Thread and Stone
Standing: Book 2
POV: 1st person by Kai, past tense
Setting: Ninurta, Lanathrill
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 387
Release: May 10th, 2015
| The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe. Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever. To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city. In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known. (Goodreads) |
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Percy Jackson Reread: Final Discussion Saturday!
The final day of Caroline and my Percy Jackson reread has come. To finish off, we'll be talking about why, and how, Percy Jackson has impacted our lives on reading.
I went through phases of reading as a child. I'd pick up a book, become obsessed with it and read it, then completely forget about it. I was first introduced to Percy Jackson when I was 11. My teacher read it out loud to the class over a period of time, and I was hooked. I tried to find all the books I could, but at that time, not all the books had been released yet. But rather than move on and forget about Percy Jackson like I had to so many other series before, I remembered the series, and was dying to know what happened.
This was also the first time I ever experienced the pains of waiting for a book, and the giddy excitement of walking into a bookstore and finally seeing it, and then finally being able to read what happens next. Turns out I really love the feeling of reading a much-anticiapted book, and it's not something you can easily forget. The Percy Jackson series was the first series that got me super excited about book releases, and clearly I still haven't gotten over them.
The big question: why did the Percy Jackson series impact me so much? I think the main reason was that at the time, Percy was my age, and he was a hero. I realized that you didn't have to wait until you turned 16 to be a hero, that you could be heroic. Add that he was smart, funny, and had a good heart, and he was the perfect role model to look up to. Percy begins the story off telling about how he never truly fit in, and we find out that he actually does fit in, just never in the way you expect. For me, that stuck home, because I felt like the odd one out more often than not, and having a story about how being odd was what made you a hero really resonated with me. Plus, I had no idea mythology was so cool, and the magic and swords made everything all the more better for me. Percy Jackson remains to be my number one children's series, because without it, I probably wouldn't have loved reading so much, and I would never had discovered my undying love for mythology and other fantasy stories!
Thank you guys so much for tagging along with our reread for the past 5 weeks! I hope you've enjoyed our Mythology Wednesdays, Review Fridays, and Discussion Saturdays. Hopefully, if you haven't read this series yet, our reread has convinced you to pick it up!
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