Sep 29, 2016

Follow Friday

This is a weekly blog meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read

 

The Rules:

  • The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
  • You create your own post using the post prompt.
  • You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt.
  • Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment.
  • If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation.
  • The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
  • It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
  • As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES:

  • Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  • Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
  • If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed FOLLOW as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
  • Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
  • If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
  
This week's prompt is: Is there a book/series that everybody seems to love, but you can't stand? Why?


MY ANSWER: Oh no...this question is going to lead to hate mail, I think! LOL! Kidding! ;)

Yes, sadly there is a series that is soooo greatly loved, that I tried to read the first book and just couldn't get into it! I was told to read book 2, that it gets better, but honestly I just wasn't feeling the story all that much.

Yeah, shame face. Sorry guys. I wanted to love this series with you, but for some reason I just didn't love it. I guess I set my expectations sky high after everyone was loving it and all, I was just meh.

But I will say I LOVED ACOTAR! Yeah, I still need to read ACOMAF, but I'm hooked into one series! So I'm not a total loss! LOL!






MIA



Hey all! Just popping in to say that I will be MIA from here til Monday! I'm going to NOLA! Specifically, I'm going to NOLA Storycon!!! Hope to see some of you there! See you all Monday!!






Random Thursday

So now we return to That's a Fact Jack: A Collection of Utterly Useless Information [Updated] by Harry Bright and Jakob Anser after that happy accidental break! LOL! But seriously this little book is fun, so I'm glad to get back to it even if for a short time, as in next week I'll start sharing some Halloween factoids that I discovered! Like legit just discovered!

I wanted something Halloween themed for the week leading to Halloween and saw an article chock full of factoids, so many that I decided I would divide them among the month of October! But for now, enjoy these little random facts!

(image borrowed from Assassin's Creed Wikipedia)
"'Assassin' comes from the word hashshash, meaning 'one who smokes or chews hashish'. During the Crusades an arcane Muslim order called the Assassins terrorized invading Christians by carrying out secrets murders while under the influence of hashish."


Wow. That is just totally new to me information! Lol!


(image borrowed from commons.wikimedia)
"The two robbers crucified next to Jesus were Dismas and Gestas. Their names are not mentioned in the Gospels but can be found in the Gospel of Nicodemus (Acts of Pilate), one of the many books of Christian Apocrypha."


I'm thinking back on it now, I don't think I did ever learn those two robbers name before reading this factoid!






Sep 28, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blog post by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights releases we're eagerly awaiting.
 
 
 
The thrilling finale to the New York Times bestselling Young Elites series from “hit factory” Marie Lu.

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all that she’s achieved.

Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds when a new danger appears, putting not only Adelina at risk, but every Elite and the very world they live in. In order to save herself and preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

Bestselling author Marie Lu concludes Adelina's story with this haunting and hypnotizing final installment to the Young Elites series. 
 
 
So excited for this one because it means I can finally read The Rose Society! Yes, I still haven't read it! If memory recalls, people were talking about yet another killer cliffhanger and since I was on a binge of making myself wait to finish all these trilogies or start these duologies once they were all set and out, I am going to have my work cut out for me starting this fall and all the way into next year! Let's have at it!! LOL!
 
 
AUTHOR: Marie Lu
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
GENRE: Fantasy YA
RELEASE DATE: October 11, 2016 
 
 
 
 
 

Sep 27, 2016

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by MizB of Books and Beat

Here are the rules:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a page
3. Pick out 2 lines that are SPOILER FREE
4. Name the title, author, etc.


"Not one second later, the ground shook beneath us.

Something else was on its way in.

Figured." Kindle loc. 73%*


*Quote comes from the eARC, therefore, it and its location are not final.









TITLE: Freed
AUTHOR: Amanda Carlson
PUBLISHER: Self
GENRE: Urban Fantasy

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2016



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.



This week's topic is: Books on my Fall TBR Pile!

*in no particular order


 10. OF FLAME AND LIGHT by Cecy Robson--one of the many on my review pile.
9. MIDNIGHT HOUR by C.C. Hunter--yet another review book that I SO can't wait for! Dying to find out who Miranda winds up with!
8. THE WOMEN IN THE WALLS by Amy Lukavics--another BEA book that I didn't get to in time but still want to read! Including her first non-related book!


7. HEARTLESS by Marissa Meyer--a BEA book that needs to be read ASAP! I can't prioritize apparently when I want to read every book I own! LOL!
6. THE OPERATOR by Kim Harrison--one I've had for awhile as well that needs to be read! Eek!
5. TORN by Jennifer L. Armentrout--how is it that I have JLA books that are unread? It doesn't seem right!


4. THE RETURN by Jennifer L. Armentrout--see above, at number 5.
3. SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo--I can finally almost read this one! LOL! Technically I can start whenever, but again, sooooo behind on review books!!
2. A COURT OF MIST AND FURY by Sarah J. Maas--I had intended to read this one this week...but I don't think that's gonna happen.


1. DAUGHTERS UNTO DEVILS by Amy Lukavics--yeah, I need to start reading some of those scary books I have! Halloween is coming up and I still have no idea what book I am giving away!!





Sep 26, 2016

ARC Review--Freed by Amanda Carlson

Phoebe Meadows has one thing on her mind: Free her mother.

For the last month, Phoebe has been training in the Valkyrie stronghold readying for battle. But when she stumbles into a secluded valley after a day of grueling practice, she’s given a dire prediction. Phoebe must leave the stronghold immediately with the aid of the giant, Junnal, to rescue her mother from the dark elves. If Phoebe fails, Leela will be transported to a place that can no longer be reached.

Leaving Fen behind threatens to undo her, but Phoebe stays true to the mission. Along the way, she allies with the god Baldur and an old white elf mage. Together, they storm the realm, and with the help of an angry wolf and her Valkyrie sisters, they just might stand a chance to free the valiant shieldmaiden.

But Phoebe soon learns that in order to save her mother, she might lose something too precious to sacrifice…


I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Phoebe is back in the game with Amanda Carlson’s Freed! The mission to rescue her mother from Svartalfheim is nigh and it’s going to take serious cunning and moxie to break her out. Once again, Amanda Carlson brings new light to Norse mythology with this incredible entertaining and exciting new series!

Phoebe has been training with the Valkyries for a while now. Her best friend, Sam is with her, as well as her newfound brother, Tyr and of course Fen. Phoebe struggles to adjust to this new way of life, learning to harness her power and of course, training her body to the best of her abilities. She must learn to fight and fight well. Not long into her training, she’s confronted by Huggie, Odin’s trusty raven. She is told that the time to venture to Svartalfheim is now and that she must go only with Junnal, who had also ventured to the Valkyrie stronghold. Leaving behind Fen and her friends goes against her gut instincts, but since everything here seems to be about prophecy and such, she does Huggie’s bidding and goes through a portal only with Junnal, just as Fen was coming to find her.

This book was quite an adventure! I loved being back in this world. Phoebe is such a fun heroine! She’s someone you can relate to as she’s just discovered her true roots. She’s trying to adapt to powers that she didn’t know she had and adjust to an entirely new world! It’s always exciting to see in some ways how different characters can adjust to so many changes, and Phoebe does rather well! She’s gotten over the whole new world adjustment in some ways and she’s on board with the mission at hand to rescue her mother. Svartalfheim is no walk in the park, if you know anything about Norse mythology! Or Thor movies, lol! But yeah, different mythos there I’d say!

Phoebe meets some interesting new people on her journey to rescue her mom. Some that were rather surprising and a few that were entertaining as well! Though one thing that sadden me about this one was that Fen wasn’t nearly in it enough. There were a few light-hearted moments before Phoebe’s journey and then she’s separated from him for a good chunk of the novel. And it surprises me how much of a romantic I’ve become lately! Lol! It’s not that I wanted them to have smexy times or anything, but just to be there together would’ve sufficed. But I could see the purpose for Phoebe needing to do all these things without Fen. Though, from what we learn in this one, I can easily see them being together more in the next book with the next mission which will definitely make me happier!

I guess I also wished Sam would’ve been around more. Sam accompanied Phoebe to the Valkyrie stronghold and learned that she has a connection to this world as well as Phoebe. She definitely brings some much needed humor and relief from all the tension and stress-induced situations. Plus the girl’s got snarky and I love me a snarky heroine, be she the main character or not! I also am really digging the connection she’s having with Tyr. However brief it may seem, in that we only catch glimpses of it here and there, and naturally, through Phoebe’s eyes. I definitely sense something starting between these two and I so hope we can see more of that! Either in Phoebe’s story at large or maybe even a side novella or something!

This was definitely a most adventurous read! It was quite exciting and fast paced when I look back on it. There’s really no slow moments, even when you think things might not be going where you think they are, things are happening or being laid in place for future books. It’s basically intense! There’s lots of intense moments or building moments and it’s all going to lead to yet another awesome and incredible read next spring! So looking forward to seeing where Phoebe’s story will end up come the end. Which as of this time, I’m not sure how many books there will be. Definitely got a third one coming up and just based on what I feel like will happen in that one, possibly a fourth one too. But don’t quote me on that!

The ending here was much like the ending of the first book. That nice sort of pause in the action, where the characters have gotten themselves through one round of obstacles only to have the next round being set up for them and that’s pretty much where we left them. It’s a nice place come to think of it…the pause in moment, not the actual place where the characters are at! That’s a rather intense pickle they’re in actually. I’m looking forward to the next book to see what other shenanigans will befall Phoebe and Co. This is definitely a read to check out for all mythology fans as it’s a fresh and entertaining take on a mythology that’s not seen very often in literature (outside their actual myths that is!)!


 


Overall Rating 4.5/5 stars





 


ARC Review--One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards

Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling. Are they labels or a warning? The answer could cost Sera everything.

Murder, justice, and revenge were so not a part of the plan when Sera set out on her senior camping trip. After all, hiking through the woods is supposed to be safe and uneventful.

Then one morning the group wakes up groggy, confused, and with words scrawled on their wrists: Damaged. Deceptive. Dangerous. Darling. Their supplies? Destroyed. Half their group? Gone. Their chaperone? Unconscious. Worst of all, they find four dolls acting out a murder—dolls dressed just like them.

Suddenly it's clear; they're being hunted. And with the only positive word on her wrist, Sera falls under suspicion…




I received this eARC from the publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.


When I saw the cover for Natalie D. Richards' One Was Lost, I was immediately intrigued! It looked like one heck of a thriller and my initial impressions were correct! This was one intriguing, thrilling YA read! Try as I might, I really never got the answer right to the mystery that's happening to these teens! It was so scary at times, because seriously, you're in the woods, in the middle of nowhere, camping, and there's some creepy stalker stalking you and leaving scary clues that lead to a countdown. So basically, we have a creepy read on our hands here!

It all begins with a simple camping trip. I was never clear on the whys of the camping trip itself, but that seems to be inconsequential in the long run. Sera is our heroine and we learn right away about how unhappy she is about this trip. And that's mainly because Lucas is also there. We don't really know what the deal between them is, but you can take some guesses and be mostly correct. So there's that added tension between them. Then we have Emily who is sort of Sera's buddy on the trip, then there's Jude who is the brooding boy who can get on your nerves real quick. But once the introductions are done with the group, which also includes a set of twin teen girls that we don't see much of for reasons, there's also two teachers, one who stays with the twins and of course, Sera's teacher who remains unconscious for most of the horrors.

There's seriously like 3 or 4 chapters of normalcy before the weird stuff starts going down and I was all for that quickness. This is a thriller after all. It's scary. The teenagers wake up sick, for they were all drugged and all their supplies have been destroyed. They are without food, water, decent clothing but for what's on their backs, no phones, and their teacher is unconscious. They start to find creepy little clues like a number made out of sticks, starting with the number three. And so begins the terror!

Granted, this is not a horror story, but a thriller. So don't think there'll be monsters chasing them or Jason running through the woods either. That's not happening here. Instead, the teenagers are struggling to find their way out of the woods and to civilizations, but they quickly learn they are being hunted by whoever is toying with them.

This was quite the eerie read! I love a good mystery, especially thriller related ones. I always try to figure out the whodunnit, but sadly this time I was way off base! Though, ironically, that didn't bother me at all. Sometimes I find myself so absorbed into the mystery that I don't play detective about it. I just enjoy the creepiness and the weirdness of it all!

The characters were also pretty awesome! They all had their own secrets they kept close. They weren't friends at the start of this trip. We know that Sera and Lucas have some sort of past with one another because of the way they act towards each other, and eventually Sera does do enough flashbacks to give us that story. I have to say, while I can understand Sera's part in the situation, I wasn't thrilled with her. I don't want to get into the details for spoiler reasons, but let's just say I am a firm believer in being your own person and don't let others or yourself, believe you'll be a certain way instead.

Then we have Jude and Emily who are complete opposites of one another. Emily was the shy, quite sort and Jude was a bit of a loud mouth, bad mouth. But as I said, despite all their differences, they come together to try to fight this thing and survive.

I also felt a little letdown about the reveal of our mysterious stalker and their motives. I mean, I guess I expected something ultimately sinister and creepy! It resulted in something a little more maniacal, but not as completely twisted as I had hoped. I guess that says something about myself. LOL!

All in all, One Was Lost was still a creeptastic mystery read! If you enjoy thriller/mysteries, than I would definitely recommend checking this one out. Despite a few minor issues I had with it, it was still a very twisted and engaging read! 


Overall Rating 4/5 stars


One Was Lost releases October 4, 2016



 

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It's a fun meme where we gather to share what we've read last week and our reading plans for this week.


Last Week I Read:

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (4 stars)


Review That Was Posted:

The Immortal Throne by Bree Despain (ARC) (5 stars)


Currently Reading:

Freed by Amanda Carlson (ARC)


What I Plan to Read this Week:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer (ARC)


Other Posts of Interest:







Sep 25, 2016

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!


I had a pretty good week this week! Got some new release beauties that I so can't wait to read!! Here's what I bought:

 Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake--Keeper copy! Yes, I still bought it despite note quite enjoying it. I have high hopes that the next one will hook me like I've seen this one hooking everyone else! LOL!
Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini--can't wait to see how this one ends!
A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess--never did read the ARC, but I saw preorder swag and couldn't resist going for it. Now to wait for said swag. Which makes me nervous when it doesn't come during the release week, which I know is crazy to feel that way! LOL!
Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch--I can finally read book 2!!
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco--hearing amazing things about this one and can't wait to read it!
Impulse by Vanessa Garden--belatedly found out that these books are being printed in the US now! Yay! I read Captivate forever ago it seems and while I had a few issues with it, I remember still really liking it and wanting to read the next one that wasn't available in the US! Better yet, I do believe I saw a third book too! So yay!!


For review:


Of Flame and Light by Cecy Robson (ARC)--dork that I am, I didn't open this email until a few days later, I initially thought there would be a mobi or pdf to download inside it. I was wrong. I should've opened it because it was saying they were being sent directly to the kindle and I should add their email to the approve sender list. I didn't do this on the day I should've, i.e.: the day I got the email (I assume). I've emailed the book tour people and will hopefully be receiving it soonish! So I technically don't have it, I should've but it's my own fault! Lol! So hopefully it will arrive soon! But I'm adding it here anyways!


THANK YOU Tasty Book Tours!!

I also added a few other items to my hoard this week, that aren't entirely bookish, but close enough! LOL!

Beauty and the Beast: The 25th Anniversary Edition BluRay/DVD Combo Pack--technically, this is bookish since it's based on the original fairytale, only Disney-ified. But it's Disney, so no justification is really needed anyway! ;)


Then there's this gorgeous necklace I bought from Jenna Black! One of my favorite authors who now has an Etsy shop, called JennaBlackZen! So kinda bookish!



Last week, I saw an instagram picture of this gorgeous set of Tarot cards--it was being pictured with Kresley Cole's Arcana Rising! They were soooo pretty, so I bought a set for myself! So not really bookish, but since I agreed with the Instagramers on their beauty and how they fit perfectly with the series, I'm calling it as a kinda bookish item! Plus a how-to book did come with it, so even more bookish! :D




Then I received my invitation to join the Society! Pretty cool!!!




And finally one more item that's only sorta bookish as it too was based on a fairytale before being totally and completely Disney-ified!


Ariel as a Itty Bitty Biggys! You can kinda see the size comparison as I hold the big one next to the original Itty Bitty.

I apparently have a stuffed animal problem. Which is sad for an adult I suppose, but in my defense, it's DISNEY!! LOL!