The 5th Wave Review: Cassie

Book: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Series: The 5th Wave
Standing: Book 1 (ongoing)
POV: 1st person by mainly Cassie
Genre: YA sci-fi, post-apocalyptic 


Source: Physical copy
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 457
Release: May 7th, 2013

Goodreads After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Fall With Me Review: Roxy

Book: Fall With Me
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Wait For You
Standing: Book 4
POV: 1st person by Roxy, past tense
Genre: NA romance, contemporary

Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 389
Release: March 31st, 2015

Goodreads Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice. Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already. But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Best YA Book Blog Winner!!!

Oh my god, guys!

So here I was, going about my day, when suddenly, I received an email saying that I had won an award for being one of the best YA bloggers of 2015.

No. Freaking. WAY.

But there was a link to see the full announcement, and I clicked it, and it was true. My humble little blog was one of the winners. To see it among some of the biggest YA blogs out there...there's no way I can recreate that feeling.

I have no idea who nominated me, as I wasn't even aware of this award. But I'm extremely grateful and really want to hug whoever did. Words cannot express my utter befuddlement and shock! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I'll be proudly sporting this image as a badge very soon, so keep an eye out for it! :D Congratulations to all the winners, and I hope every single one of you have a fantastic day!

Silver Eve Review: Evie

Book: Silver Eve
Author: Sandra Waugh
Series: Guardians of Tarnec
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
POV: 1st person by Evie, past tense
Setting: Rood Marsh, Gren Fort, Haver
Genre: YA fantasy


Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 384
Release: September 22nd, 2015

Goodreads The Healer Evie saves two herbs for herself—yew, a quick and painful poison, and heliotrope, for the deep, deep sleep that never ends. After the death of her beloved, seventeen-year-old Evie Carew wants nothing more than to lose herself forever in Rood Marsh. But when the old seer Harker tells her she’s meant for a greater task, Evie’s curiosity keeps her going. What is this shell that Harker insists she must find? And why can’t she stop thinking about the handsome Rider Laurent, the man who saved her on the worst day of her life? Soon Evie discovers that she is the Guardian of Death, the second of four Guardians who must awaken to their powers to recover four stolen amulets. Together, the amulets—Life, Death, Dark, and Light—keep the world in balance. To take back the shell that is Death’s amulet, Evie has to learn to trust her Healer instincts and understand that love never dies. In this spellbinding fantasy, Sandra Waugh continues the beautifully written series begun with Lark Rising.

The Heart of Betrayal Review: Lia

Book: The Heart of Betrayal
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Series: The Remnant Chronicles
Standing: Book 2 (ongoing)
Setting: Venda (fictional world)
POV: 1st person by Lia, Rafe, and Kaden, past tense
Genre: YA fantasy


Source: Physical copy
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 470
Release: July 7th, 2015

Goodreads Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save Lia's life, her erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen. Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: There's Rafe, who lied to Lia but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be savages. Now that she lives among them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

COVER REVEAL: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

OH MY GOD GUYS IT'S FINALLY HERE. Drop whatever you're doing and take a look at this beauty!!!

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two. With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

I have been waiting forever for the cover of this, and have been ranting/complaining/crying non-stop about how we haven't gotten a cover yet to people (hi Cody). And now! Finally! After waiting and waiting and WAITING!!!

First off, THAT HAND!!! In the previous cover, Feyre's hand was cut off from the cover, and we only got to see the tattoo from her wrist up. Here, it's the exact opposite: we see her only her hand, and how the tattoo extends all the way to her fingertips. What I'm noticing is that by not showing the rest of her arm, we have no idea if the tattoo progresses any further...

I also like Feyre's outfit more than the last one. It seems more metallic, which makes me think of armour. Armour means battles, and I do love myself some good battles (especially since Feyre doubtlessly wins)!

Anyone else noticing the two streaks of air? Most noticeably Feyre's windblown hair? Anyone want to hazard a guess with me in saying that this development is a result of Feyre's new "status"? ;)

The city in the background is quite intriguing, isn't it? I'm excited to explore the scenery of the Night Court! And speaking of Night Court...many people are talking about ships. Tamlin and Rhysand are the newest members of the swoon-worthy guys with claims to our hearts. And I know everyone has a team picked, but I for one don't have a team! Not because I don't love them (I DO, I DO), but because I can't pick between them. So more accurately, I'm on BOTH teams. And believe me when I say it's tearing me apart. Seriously. 

This book comes out May 3rd, 2016, so be sure to add it to your Goodreads!

What do you guys think of the cover? Was the wait worth it?

Blogging Buddies Tag!

Hi guys! I had the utter pleasure of being invited by Eve from Edge of Night to do this tag with her. As the name suggest, this tag involves the collaboration of two bloggers to answer some questions together. Eve is an amazing writer, and her poems are absolutely mystifying. If you haven't checked Eve's blog out, please do so now! Her blog is great, her writing fantastic, and her personality is simply the sweetest :)

For distinction purposes, my answers will be in purple and Eve's will be pink. Ready? Let's go!

COVER REVEAL: The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Yes, there is another Jennifer L. Armentrout book coming out! And yes, there is FINALLY a cover! Feast your eyes on her brand new YA contemporary:

It's quite pretty, isn't it? It's also very different from her other books cover-wise. The water colours make it seem innocent enough, but the red near the bottom seem to have a rather degrading affect the word "forever." Makes you wonder just how ideal forever really is...

I don't read much YA contemporary fiction, and I haven't read Jennifer L. Armentrout's other YA mystery contemporary The Dead List, but I'm looking forward to this book! Also, the name Rider Stark is pretty badass, if you ask me. *swoon*

This book comes out May 17th 2016, so for all you JLA fans, don't forget to mark it on your calendars!

Goodreads For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime. Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day. It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

Alice Takes Back Wonderland Review: Alice

Book: Alice Takes Back Wonderland
Author: David D. Hammons
Series: Standalone
POV: 1st person by Alice, past tense
Setting: various fairy tale worlds
Genre: YA fairytale

Source: Netgallery
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Pages: 309
Release: September 28th 2015

Goodreads After ten years of being told she can't tell the difference between real life and a fairy tale, Alice finally stops believing in Wonderland. So when the White Rabbit shows up at her house, Alice thinks she's going crazy. Only when the White Rabbit kicks her down the rabbit hole does Alice realize that the magical land she visited as a child is real. But all is not well in Wonderland. The Ace of Spades has taken over Wonderland and is systematically dismantling all that makes it wonderful. Plain is replacing wondrous, logical is replacing magical, and reason is destroying madness. Alice decides she must help the Mad Hatter and all those fighting to keep Wonderland wonderful.  But how can she face such danger when she is just a girl? Alice must journey across the stars to unite an army. She discovers that fairy tales are real in the magical world beyond the rabbit hole. But they are not the fairy tales she knows.  Fairy tales have dangers and adventures of their own, and Alice must overcome the trials of these old stories if she wants to unite the lands against Ace. With the help of Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White and heroes old and new, Alice may have the strength to take back Wonderland.

Night of Cake & Puppets Review: Zuzana

Book: Night of Cake & Puppets
Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Standing: Book 2.5
POV: 1st person alternating between Zuzana and Mik, present tense
Setting: Prague, Czech Republic
Genre: YA paranormal

Source: ebook
Publisher: Little Brown Books
Pages: 100
Release: November 26th, 2013

Goodreads In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy — the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike.  Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan.  It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.

Happy New Year 2016!

2016 is officially here!

I want to wish every one of you along with your friends and families a very Happy New Year!

I personally can't wait for all the new books this year has in store for us, for both continuing series and new debut novels. And for all the amazing blogging events and fangirling conversations I know will continue to happen along the year! I can't wait to see what amazing things are in store for us, and for the new characters who will doubtlessly steal our hearts :)

Happy 2016 from me to each and every single one of you, and may this new year be filled with much happiness and joy (and books) all year long!