Review: The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

Book: The Rose & The Dagger
Author: Renée Ahdieh
Series: The Rose & The Dagger #2 (final)
Genre: YA fantasy
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 416
Release: April 26th, 2016

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad is forced from the arms of her beloved husband, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once thought Khalid a monster—a merciless killer of wives, responsible for immeasurable heartache and pain—but as she unraveled his secrets, she found instead an extraordinary man and a love she could not deny. Still, a curse threatens to keep Shazi and Khalid apart forever.

Now she’s reunited with her family, who have found refuge in the desert, where a deadly force is gathering against Khalid—a force set on destroying his empire and commanded by Shazi’s spurned childhood sweetheart. Trapped between loyalties to those she loves, the only thing Shazi can do is act. Using the burgeoning magic within her as a guide, she strikes out on her own to end both this terrible curse and the brewing war once and for all. But to do it, she must evade enemies of her own to stay alive.

The saga that began with The Wrath and the Dawn takes its final turn as Shahrzad risks everything to find her way back to her one true love again.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Bookish Musings and Ponderings: To Be Fictional or Not to Be Fictional?

Hi everyone! Welcome back to another instalment of my Bookish Musings and Ponderings, where I discuss random book-related topics for my (and hopefully your) entertainment :)

Today's topic...to be fictional or not to be fictional?

Review: The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

Hi guys! So, I recently just binged The Selection series. Like, I read a book a day. So I figured I'd do mini-reviews of each since I didn't stop between books to write full reviews!

Ready? Here we go!

Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

Book: The Alloy of Law
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #4
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Fantasy 
Pages: 392
Release: Oct. 20th, 2012

Centuries after the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is on the verge of modernity - railroads, electric street lights, and skyscrapers. Waxillium Ladrian can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After 20 years in the dusty Roughs, in the city of Elendel, the new head of a noble house may need to keep his guns.

Goodreads / Amazon / iTunes / Audible

September TBR!

Hi all!

Jeez, is it September already? Wow. Where did the summer go? Scratch that--where did all my time to read during summer break go??? NOT COOL.

Alas, the beginning of a new month means it's time for a TBR!

Bookish Musings and Ponderings: Reorganizing Bookshelf Distractions

Welcome back to another one of my Bookish Musing and Ponderings posts! These are posts where I discuss book-related things.

Today's topic: reorganizing bookshelf distractions!

Review: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

Book: Crooked Kingdom
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Six of Crows #2 (final)
Genre: YA fantasy
Publisher: Henry + Holt
Pages: 546
Release: September 20th, 2016

When you can't beat the odds, change the game.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Cover Talk: A REAPER AT THE GATES by Sabaa Tahir

Sabaa Tahir's book An Ember in the Ashes took the entire world by storm. Well, at least my world, anyways. And probably many of my other fantasy loving brethren book lovers. Which is why I'm jumping here to tell you about the title and cover reveal of the third book to the series, A Reaper at the Gates!

Ready for the cover and synopsis? Here it is!

Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger. 

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister’s life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she’d have to fight. 

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias’s devotion—even at the cost of his humanity.

Review: Gemina by Amie Kaufman + Jay Kristoff

Book: Gemina
Authors: Amie Kaufman + Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #2
Genre: YA sci-fi
Publisher: Knopf Books
Pages: 680
Release: October 18th, 2016

The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Timesbestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.” 

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Goodreads

Release Week Blitz Excerpt + Giveaway: THE HUMMINGBIRD HEART by A.G. Howard

I am so excited that THE HUMMINGBIRD HEART by A.G. Howard is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author A.G. Howard, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for 5 awesome prizes, courtesy of A.G. Howard and Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: THE HUMMINGBIRD HEART

Author: A.G. Howard

Pub. Date: August 15, 2017

Publisher: Golden Orb Press

Pages: 234

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Find it: Golden Orb Press, Goodreads

Set 19 years after The Architect of Song:

Shortly after escaping a circus tragedy, young Italian orphan, Willow Antoniette, seeks refuge at The Manor of Diversions—a holiday resort in England born of a ghost story. For eleven years, she’s raised alongside the children of the resort’s owners: Julian, his twin brother, Nick, and their younger sister Emilia. Now that Willow is of marriable age, she's determined to escape finishing school along with everyone's efforts to make her a proper lady. The only man she wants to spend her life with is Julian, after all. Yet how can she tell him, when he thinks of her as nothing but a friend?

As a machinist and engineer, Julian Thornton prefers a governable life. He can't allow his ever-deepening attraction for Willow to distract from his amusement park plans to lure a younger, wealthier clientele to their family's resort. In hopes to escape Willow and find investors, Julian sets off on a transatlantic ocean liner headed for the St. Louis World’s Fair, unaware Willow has secretly stowed away on the same ship.

A tiny, mute orphan named Newton and a pair of haunted Italian shoes bring Willow and Julian face to face on deck. Forced to work together to solve the mystery of Newton and his vindictive, ghostly companion, Julian and Willow can no longer fight their untapped passions. However, time to admit their true feelings is running out, for the ghost and her murderer have enlisted them as unsuspecting pawns in a karmic game of cat-and-mouse that could cost all of them their lives.

New Adult: Recommended for ages 17+.

Release Blitz Excerpt + Giveaway: THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F.C. Yee

I am so excited that THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO by F.C. Yee is available now and that I get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author F.C. Yee, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for 5 finished copies of the book and a bookmark courtesy of Pique and Rockstar Book Tours. So, if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:

Title: THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO

Author: F.C. Yee

Pub. Date: August 8, 2017

Publisher: Amulet Books

Pages: 336

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Find it: Amazon, Barnes&Noble, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

The struggle to get into a top-tier college consumes sixteen-year-old Genie Lo's every waking thought. But when her sleepy Bay Area town comes under siege from hell-spawn straight out of Chinese folklore, her priorities are suddenly and forcefully rearranged.

Her only guide to the demonic chaos breaking out around her is Quentin Sun, a beguiling, maddening new transfer student from overseas. Quentin assures Genie she is strong enough to fight these monsters, for she unknowingly harbors an inner power that can level the very gates of Heaven.

Genie will have to dig deep within herself to summon the otherworldly strength that Quentin keeps talking about. But as she does, she finds the secret of her true nature is entwined with his, in a way she could never have imagined…

Review: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Book: The Hero of Ages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #3
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Pages: 784
Release: October 14th, 2008

Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness---the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists---is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can't even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!

The conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy fulfills all the promise of the first two books. Revelations abound, connections rooted in early chapters of the series click into place, and surprises, as satisfying as they are stunning, blossom like fireworks to dazzle and delight. It all leads up to a finale unmatched for originality and audacity that will leave readers rubbing their eyes in wonder, as if awaking from an amazing dream.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Book: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Genre: YA fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 565
Release: September 2nd, 2014

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

The bestselling series that has captured readers all over the world reaches new heights in this sequel to the New York Timesbest-selling Crown of Midnight. Packed with heart-pounding action, fierce new characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this third book will enthrall readers from start to finish.

Review: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli + Random Personal Thoughts

Book: The Upside of Unrequited
Author: Becky Albertalli
Series: Standalone (slight spin-off of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda)
Genre: YA contemporary
Publisher: Baltzer + Bay
Pages: 336
Release: April 11th, 2017

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love—she’s lived through it twenty-six times. She crushes hard and crushes often, but always in secret. Because no matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly’s totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie’s new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. Will is funny and flirtatious and just might be perfect crush material. Maybe more than crush material. And if Molly can win him over, she’ll get her first kiss and she’ll get her twin back. 

There’s only one problem: Molly’s coworker Reid. He’s an awkward Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there’s absolutely no way Molly could fall for him. Right?

Guest Post: Publishizer's Plot Without Cause Novel Contest!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing great :)

A few of us in the blogging world are aspiring writers, and we all know the difficulties of getting a book published. I have the absolute delight today to bring you a guest post about an awesome writing contest (which includes the chance for your novel to be queried out to publishers!!!) held by the company Publishizer!

The contest is super cool and super easy: just pitch your book proposal! It's also open to anyone and everyone, with no international restrictions, which is fantastic. Allow me to let Publishizer continue on and explain a bit more about this amazing contest:

Review: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Book: The Hammer of Thor
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Book #2
Genre: Mythology
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 471
Release: October 4th, 2016

Thor's hammer is missing again. The thunder god has a disturbing habit of misplacing his weapon--the mightiest force in the Nine Worlds. But this time the hammer isn't just lost, it has fallen into enemy hands. If Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve the hammer quickly, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against an onslaught of giants. Ragnarok will begin. The Nine Worlds will burn. Unfortunately, the only person who can broker a deal for the hammer's return is the gods' worst enemy, Loki--and the price he wants is very high.

Review: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

Book: The Well of Ascension
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #2
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
Pages: 763
Release: August 21st, 2017

They did the impossible, deposing the godlike being whose brutal rule had lasted a thousand years. Now Vin, the street urchin who has grown into the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire.

They have barely begun when three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

July TBR!

Aaaand we're now into July!

Review: The Crown's Fate by Evelyn Skye

Book: The Crown's Fate
Author: Evelyn Skye
Series: The Crown's Game #2 (final)
Genre: YA historical fantasy
Publisher: Balzer + Bay
Pages: 415
Release: May 16th, 2017

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.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks

Review: Legion by Julie Kagawa

Book: Legion
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Talon (Book #4, ongoing)
Genre: YA urban fantasy
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384
Release: April 24th, 2017

The legions are about to be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragon slayer can stand against the coming horde.

Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all—dragons do not suffer human emotions—let alone the love of a human, and a former dragonslayer at that. With ex-soldier of St. George Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she’s capable of doing and feeling.

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against St. George and her own twin brother Dante—the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known. Talon is poised to conquer the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who will not yield.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Cover Reveal: The Traitor Prince by C.J. Redwine

If you know me, then you know I LOVE C.J. Redwine. I've said this probably about a million times, but she is probably the most under-rated author I know, and seriously deserves more credit for her masterpiece books.

Which is why I was absolutely thrilled when the synopsis and cover to her third Ravenspire novel came out. Because the cover is dark and gorgeous, completely different from her other covers in the series. Are you ready?

Here it is:

Like I said: Dark. Gorgeous. And might I add mysterious, sexy, and dangerous? Heck, if this cover were an character, I would be seriously inclined to make it my next book boyfriend.

Review: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Book: I'll Give You The Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA contemporary
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 384
Release: September 16th, 2014

“We were all heading for each other on a collision course, no matter what. Maybe some people are just meant to be in the same story.” 

At first, Jude and her twin brother are NoahandJude; inseparable. Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude wears red-red lipstick, cliff-dives, and does all the talking for both of them. 

Years later, they are barely speaking. Something has happened to change the twins in different yet equally devastating ways . . . but then Jude meets an intriguing, irresistible boy and a mysterious new mentor. 

The early years are Noah’s to tell; the later years are Jude’s. But they each have only half the story, and if they can only find their way back to one another, they’ll have a chance to remake their world. 

This radiant, award-winning novel from the acclaimed author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless and teary and laughing—often all at once. 

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Review: Secrets of the Tally by Halie Fewkes

Book: Secrets of the Tally
Author: Halie Fewkes
Series: Secrets of the Tally #1
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: hardcover, author (thank you, Halie!)
Pages: 330 
Release: August 21st, 2015

Meet Allie: she's just woken up in an empty forest with blood on her hands and everything she's ever known wiped from her mind. In her survival-oriented world, people are hunted by vicious predators and it quickly becomes clear that they are specifically hunting her. 
Allie's friends and sister have no insight as to why she's a target, and her only clue is a list of tally marks she finds tucked away, detailing how many lives she's saved and how many deaths she's caused. Judging by the amount of ink slashed across the page and the fact that nobody seems to know about it, Allie knows she used to have secrets that need to be recovered. 
Without knowing whom to trust, she finds herself drawn to a new stranger in the caves they call home, and even though he won't talk about his own past, he's ready to help Allie recover hers. 
The problem now is that Allie's instinct to survive is the only thing strong enough to bring her memories back. Flashes of her old self will only surface to save her from life threatening danger, so if she wants to avoid living as an echo of her former self, danger is what she must seek.

Goodreads / Amazon

Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Book: A Court of Wings and Ruin
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3
Genre: YA/NA fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 699
Release: May 2nd, 2017

A nightmare, I’d told Tamlin. I was the nightmare.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Audible

Review: Ignite by Skye Malone

Book: Ignite
Author: Skye Malone
Series: The Kindling Trilogy #2
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: author (thank you!)
Publisher: Wildflower Isle
Release: July 27th, 2013
Pages: 269

Find your people. Save us all.

When a horrific assault on their hideout leaves the Hunters shattered, Ashe has only one choice: follow Carter’s orders and embark on a desperate mission to find the Merlin wizards and expose the secret sect of the Blood once and for all. She only has one problem.

She has to convince her people the Blood exist first.

It will be no easy task. Scorn for the Hunters runs deep and the Merlin wizards are fighting a war all their own. No one can be trusted and nothing is what it seems. On her own and with no hope of support, Ashe is in a race against time to stop a conflict that is spiraling dangerously out of control.

But when old prejudice turns deadly, Ashe’s mission becomes more desperate still. Betrayal lurks around every corner. Dark revelations challenge all that she thought she knew.

And suddenly the Blood aren’t the only ones after her anymore.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Kobo / Nook

June TBR!

Happy June! Wow, the summer solstice is almost upon us, huh? Crazy! Get ready for the longest day of the year!

Longer days = more daylight = more ideal reading times. So what better to kick June off with a TBR post?

Almost Summer Bookhaul!

Hi guys!

So, the sun is shining over here (mostly...it's been rainy these past few days). And what does the sun make me want to do?

Now, the standard answer would be "buy books to read outside." However, if you've been sticking around with me for these past 2 years, you'll know that I'm an interesting person in the sense I dislike the heat. So when the sun is bright and the temperatures are bringing to soar, for me it's the absolutely perfect weather to be sprawled out comfortably in my room, nose buried in a book. (Please believe me when I say I have good reasons for disliking heat.)

Regardless! Sun = perfect time to read books = books = book haul!

So without further ado (no games this time either, as fun as it was last time), allow me to present my latest beauties :)