Jul 31, 2018

Echoes Winner!

Time to announce the winner of the pre-order of Alice Reeds' Echoes! The book that totally held me riveted and desperate need of a sequel! Lol!

And the winner is...


DANIELLE HAMMELEF!!


Congrats Danielle!


Danielle will have 48 hours to respond to my email or else a new winner will have to be chosen! I hope you all will still give Echoes a chance at some point! It's truly one of the most exciting and thrilling reads I've read this year and I still have chills thinking about it! We need a sequel, so be sure to read and post reviews everywhere! ;)






ARC Review--Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

A new novel in the New York Times–bestselling Remnant Chronicles universe, in which a reformed thief and the young leader of an outlaw dynasty lock wits in a battle that may cost them their lives—and their hearts.

When the patriarch of the Ballenger empire dies, his son, Jase, becomes its new leader. Even nearby kingdoms bow to the strength of this outlaw family, who have always governed by their own rules. But a new era looms on the horizon, set in motion by a young queen, which makes her the target of the dynasty's resentment and anger.

At the same time, Kazi, a legendary former street thief, is sent by the queen to investigate transgressions against the new settlements. When Kazi arrives in the forbidding land of the Ballengers, she learns that there is more to Jase than she thought. As unexpected events spiral out of their control, bringing them intimately together, they continue to play a cat and mouse game of false moves and motives in order to fulfill their own secret missions.


I received this ARC in a contest that I won from Fierce Reads. This review is my honest opinions and completely voluntary. I was in no way compensated for this review.


I was most ecstatic to read Mary E. Pearson’s Dance of Thieves that is set in the world of The Remnant Chronicles. It’s been many reads since I read that series, so I couldn’t quite remember everything about it, but in a way, that works best, for this new series isn’t about Lia and Rafe, it’s about Kazi and Jase. If you’ve read The Remnant Chronicles than you can pretty much expect the same greatness that series held in this first installment of the new series, Dance of Thieves.

The beginning of this one was a touch confusing for me, perhaps because I was looking for familiar names and faces, struggling to remember what had happened in the first series. I do this to myself a lot and really need to find a way to get over that. Lol. But within just a few chapters I was finally able to see where Kazi’s story began, as there was a bit of a recap of sorts of what her past was like and it was necessary to help set the story, I see that now. Kazi is being sent by the queen to go to Tor’s Watch to search for a criminal who escaped long ago. Her friends will be joining her as well. Kazi and her friends were once thieves, and maybe still are, but they have also been trained by the queen herself to become the perfect solider, the ones that no one would ever suspect.

Jase has just become Patrei after his father passed away, he’s basically king of his country. He knows that many of his father’s enemies won’t be too happy that he’s in charge now and when he sees Kazi causing a bit of mischief in his town, he gets curious. Though, it’s his curiosity that will be his doom for it’s not long after they meet that both Kazi and Jase are kidnapped by slave laborers to be taken to who-knows-where to be forced to work in harsh conditions until the keel over. Naturally, this idea doesn’t make either of them happy and Kazi manages to free herself, Jase, and the other prisoners…only they didn’t get themselves unchained before losing the keys.

Kazi and Jase will have to work together if they want to stay clear from the slave laborers and get to the next town which is some hundreds of miles away. So they walk barefoot and chained a great distance.

Naturally, you can pretty much guess that these two who hate each other are going to end up falling for one another. They are chained together after all. Oddly enough, this journey of theirs is only the beginning of the story. Much more will happen to them afterwards and it will be nearly impossible to guess the future outcomes. Kazi has her mission. Jase has his kingdom to protect. They are at odds with each other and yet, neither one can forget the events they went through while chained together.

I wouldn’t exactly call the relationship that developed insta-love. True, it happens quick and is foreseeable, or perhaps I’ve just read too much, but yet I have to say, it was rather sweet, and incredibly swoony! Though just because they fell into these feelings rather quickly, doesn’t mean things will continue to go well for them. There will be many more trials and tribulations that will affect their growing relationship.

We get both Kazi and Jase’s points of view in this one, there’s no guessing games this time around, sadly. Lol. I really enjoyed getting both their views for you saw how they truly cared for one another despite what they might actually say to each other and you were better able to understand what was driving them to complete their goals.

Except for my initial hiccup in the beginning, I have to say that this novel was incredibly well-paced! I don’t want to get into the details explaining why, but I never felt like the story dragged. Not one bit. It was purely page-turning (as I am one who could never grip the book to damage the spine and say “spine-gripping”, lol!).

The characters were lovable in their own ways, I especially enjoyed Kazi’s friends, Synove and Wren. They had their quirks but were hysterical as well! Jase’s many siblings were also a riot! I truly loved his family. Needless to say the characters were all winners for me!

The ending though was quite the puzzle! There’s some different going on after a nice steady stream of a pattern, you could say. I’m not sure what to make of it and I think that was Mary’s point. She led me into this false sense of security where I felt like I knew what was going on and what might happen and then POW! I see what you did there Mary, and I applaud you for it! ;)

Dance of Thieves may be a new story with new characters, but it’s set in the familiar world we already know from The Remnant Chronicles. It’s a story that you will be quick to fall in love with as you did its predecessor. Dance of Thieves was a truly marvelous piece of artwork from its cover to the very last word on the page. There is no doubt about it that I will be very much looking forward to its sequel!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars


Dance of Thieves releases August 7, 2018






 

Teaser & Top Ten Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by Purple Princess of The Purple Booker.


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.

Omg. I am loving this one!! And I dare you to tell me you're not singing the song after reading this teaser! ;)

"It was the song she had sung after she rescued him, the song that had burst unbidden out of her heart as he lay there, unconscious. It described the beauty of the sea and the land and the mortality of humans and the wonder of life. It had poured out of her like life itself." p 76*


*Quote comes from the ARC, therefore it and its page number are not final.









TITLE: Part of Your World
AUTHOR: Liz Braswell
PUBLISHER: Disney Press
GENRE: Disney Movies Retold--what do we call this?! Lol.
RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2018



Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.


 This week's topic is: Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype


*in no particular order
**and needless to say that this is in my opinion! Lol!


10. ZERO REPEAT FOREVER by G.S. Prendergast--I remember seeing a lot of hype and buzz over this one and since it was claimed to be for "fans of The 5th Wave" I decided to give it a shot and I really liked it despite the slower pace! Which is really weird!
9. THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski--there was a LOT of hype for this series and I eventually gave in at some point. It was around the third book releasing because I know I was able to binge read them all just before meeting the author! So glad I did too!
8. STALKING JACK THE RIPPER by Kerri Maniscalco--there was lots of buzz over this one and I was pretty much game for it once I saw "Jack the Ripper"!


7. THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE by Stephanie Perkins--I remember a lot of hype about this one before its release! It seemed to be what everyone was talking about. I think afterwards the reviews were kind of mixed, but I honestly LOVED it! It was just the kind of creepy I like in my thrillers!
6. ILLUMINAE by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff--I was a tad late to the game on this one...basically waiting until Gemina came out! Lol! There was so much hype and at first I didn't get it, but after reading it I was in love!
5. A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas--like any book of hers there was a LOT of hype to this one! While her first series did nothing for me, THIS one I did love! I LOVE BATB and faeries in general, so this was a winner in my opinion!


4. THE KISS OF DECEPTION by Mary E. Pearson--LOVED this one! I remember all the excitement and mystery of who we thought was who and all that whatnot! I know it wasn't a winner with everyone, but I positively loved it!
3. THE LANGUAGE OF THORNS by Leigh Bardugo--is there anything Leigh writes that doesn't live up to the hype? I haven't read one yet to be honest! Lol! This one though is probably my favorite since I LOVE fairy tales and I found this one to be dark, magical, and creepy!
2. OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L. Armentrout--pretty much like I said with Leigh...is there anything this woman has written that I didn't love?! Granted I skip the contemporaries but from what I've read, I loved it all! This was one that was either loved or hated, but with all the loved there was a lot of hype! I mean, she was a blogger, how could you not get excited about that?! Lol!


1. CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber--no one should be surprised by this one! Why I was slow to join the hype...ie: I hadn't heard about it prior to getting an ARC and then gave it to my friend who desperately needed it...I was soon totally game about a month or so before its release! I read it, loved it, and immediately began collecting it! Lol! So yes, I'd say this one lived up to the hype!




 

Jul 30, 2018

Let's Discuss: Required Reading

It's almost August and since I was scrapping for ideas for a discussion post, I came across this idea on the idea list! It's almost back-to-school time! Tax-free weekend for Missouri is coming up and despite my laptop being slightly more cooperative I can't help but think I should just buy a new one...otherwise I'm waiting a whole other year. But the back-to-school-ness combined with possible ideas sparked a discussion in me...


Required "Fun" Reading in School


The original topic asked about your feelings towards required reading in school and that doesn't garner much from me, because, yeah, you got to read certain titles in school and all that.

But I thought what about the other side to that? The "required" reading of a book that's not for class. In my schools they kind of made you read a book that wasn't assigned for 15 minutes each class period, probably English, I can't remember what class it happened in, possibly even a study period class. But the point of it was to help encourage kids to read something fun. Something that wasn't required of them.

And naturally, THIS was my favorite part of class! I was always ecstatic to have the 15-20 minutes of reading time for my book because at this point my reading life had really come into fruition! 

Though I feel like I remember a time when the class talked the substitute teacher out of making us read. And I'm like really? I didn't say anything because I wasn't going to be the kid everyone hated for mentioning it, because more than one kid agreed with the speaker. I think it wasn't until high school when they finally got smarter and said, oh no, it's not 15 minutes, it's 30! Or something like that!

Anyway, I think it should be more of a requirement that kids read one fun book every school quarter, semester or whatever. It's important to try to establish an enjoyment of reading for kids. There's always a book for someone out there, you just have to figure out what they like. 

Ironically I was talking with a coworker about this last week too. Trying to think of books his 9-year-old daughter would like. You just have to think of what they already like and try to find a book in that area. I think I even recommended Melissa de la Cruz's Isle of the Lost trilogy since it was based on The Descendants and is basically the Disney Villians' kids going to high school with the heroes and what not.

What about you guys? Do you think it should be a requirement of schools to have kids read a "fun" book? Or do their schools already have this rule? I can't be sure of the ones by me anymore. I know my sister gets her class to do this throughout the year.





ARC Review--#murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil

WELCOME TO THE NEAR FUTURE, where good and honest 8/18 citizens can enjoy watching the executions of society’s most infamous convicted felons, streaming live on The Postman app from the suburbanized prison island Alcatraz 2.0.

When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera wakes up in a haze, lying on the ground of a dimly lit warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of the app. Knowing hardened criminals are getting a taste of their own medicine in this place is one thing, but Dee refuses to roll over and die for a heinous crime she didn’t commit. Can Dee and her newly formed posse, the Death Row Breakfast Club, prove she’s innocent before she ends up wrongfully murdered for the world to see? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners kill them off one by one?






I received this ARC from the author in a contest I won awhile back, my review is completely honest and voluntary. I was in no way compensated for this review.


I was soooo excited for Gretchen McNeil's #murdertrending! I have always loved her thrillers! They're creepy, eerie, and suspenseful! #murdertrending is no different! It's a book that kept me on the edge of my seat eagerly turning the pages one after another dying to know what was going to happen and it was epic!

Dee Guerrera was convicted of murdering her stepsister, even though she didn't do. The evidence against her was too damning. She awakes to find herself wearing a Cinderella gown outside a maze which she knows is on Alcatraz 2.0. What you need to know about Alcatraz 2.0 is that it's the latest reality TV sensation! Convicted murderers are sent here to live, work, and try to survive. For also on the island are a set of serial killers who basically go about killing the other murderers. It's a little convoluted in some sense as I didn't quite understand why the society of murderers weren't allowed to kill anyone or whatnot, but it's one of those things you just roll with.

Anyway, Dee manages to survive her encounter with the famed Slycer, who has a penchant for dressing his victims up before running them through his maze of horror and killing them. Dee changed the rules and survived which sends fans into a frenzy, because it's all about the ratings. Dee is introduced to life on Alcatraz 2.0 by Nyles who acts as her tour guide. He supposedly poisoned his parents, but has diplomatic immunity and isn't allowed to be killed or harmed. Dee starts to learn that a lot of the serial killers are her own age or are of the young and pretty variety and starts to think that something is not quite right. She was innocent of her crime and the others claim their innocence too, and they aren't just saying it to say it.

Though there's a change to life on Alcatraz 2.0, Dee was never a fan of the show because when she was young, she was kidnapped and seeing people imprisoned on an island set off triggers for her. Things aren't running as smoothly as they once did and it all started when Dee arrived which doesn't exactly endear herself to her new friends. Soon it will take everything she has just to survive the island with its maniac killers.

There's definitely a lot of tension and suspense to this one! There's this elusive Postman who controls the island and it happenings. We don't see him much but for a chapter or two that's from his point of view, but it never really lets you in on his character type, just to see him in his sinister action! Also included throughout the book are excerpts of chatroom chats from fans. This was a creepy read in a sense because Dee is basically surrounded by criminals and THEN there are the actual killers who have free reign to kill people because society has already forsaken them for their previous crimes, whether they were just or not.

I had strong suspicions about some things but I have to say I was still surprised by the outcome! I was on the right track, I just couldn't quite fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

There's also just the tiniest bit of romance in the book, it wasn't much but it's just enough to give me happy tingles! Though of course, I was left theorizing too many things about all the characters so I wasn't all up in the swoony swing of things because I basically trusted no one! I feel like with all Gretchen's thrillers that's what I've learned to do; trust no one! Lol!

#murdertrending is a read to keep you reading through the night and have you jumping at every sound! It's still a thriller at heart because people are kidnapped, people are killed, maniacs roam at night...no one is ever safe! But like all Gretchen McNeil novels, it's one that I enjoyed from beginning to end! The ending was pure perfection...resolution with just a touch of OH  MY GOD! #murdertrending is just yet another example of why Gretchen is one of my favorite authors!


Overall Rating 5/5 stars


#murdertrending releases August 7, 2018





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:

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd (ARC)--Review to come at a later date
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey (3.5 stars)
Fragile Spirits by Mary Lindsey (4 stars)


Reviews That Were Posted:

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas (ARC) (4 stars)
Echoes by Alice Reeds (ARC) (5 stars)


Currently Reading:

Part of Your World by Liz Braswell (ARC)


What I Plan to Read this Week:

Moonlight Seduction by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Other Posts of Interest: 





 

Jul 29, 2018

Reading Habits Book Tag

I found another book tag this week that I thought looked like fun! I'm pretty sure I did a similar tag somewhere down the line with similar questions, but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was! Lol! So I thought I would do this one!

I'm not sure where it originated, but I found it over at Cornerfolds and borrowed Tracy's image as well since I had no clue where the original one is!

DO YOU HAVE A CERTAIN PLACE AT HOME FOR READING?
 
Pretty much my room in bed. I don't have a good comfy reading chair. Although the last time I was off I did prop myself on our couch and used some pillows to make a footstool! So as long as no one else is home, I might make that my reading spot since I leave the TV off when I read!

BOOKMARK OR RANDOM PIECE OF PAPER?
 I believe the picture speaks for itself! ;)

CAN YOU STOP READING ANYTIME YOU WANT OR DO YOU HAVE TO STOP READING AT A CERTAIN PAGE, CHAPTER, PART, ETC.?
I'm definitely more of a stop at a new chapter person. If I'm deciding to be "done" for the time, it needs to be a new chapter. Though I have been known to "pause" at any old point while I get up to use the restroom, answer a phone call, etc.

DO YOU EAT OR DRINK WHILE READING?
Not intentionally, but since I want to read my book on my lunch break and still actually eat lunch I do. I've been able to master the one handed reading and page turning. Though I don't have it down to a science. Needless to say my napkin gets very rankled and I do put my book down for moments when I actually need two hands!

CAN YOU READ WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC/WATCHING TV?
Not anymore. Granted if there's music I don't mind, but I don't put it on to read. When I was in school I would listen to my iPod basically to tune out everything else while I read and it was easier to focus on the book. But I can't really watch TV and read anymore. Not sure if I ever really did. It doesn't work for me!

ONE BOOK AT A TIME OR SEVERAL AT ONCE?
Definitely one book at a time! I've such a bad memory these days that I am likely to cross wires with events from different books if I tried to multi-read!

READING AT HOME OR EVERYWHERE?
Everywhere and anywhere! Can pretty much read wherever I'm at. It's probably why I now struggle to be social with "outsiders".

*outsiders, as defined by book readers everywhere, are people who don't read books.


READING OUT LOUD OR SILENTLY IN YOUR HEAD?

Silently in my head. I have no reason to read out loud really.


DO YOU READ AHEAD OR SKIP PAGES?

Oh no, no, no. I pretty much read every word. That might be why I read so slow compared to others! Lol!


BREAKING THE SPINE OR KEEPING IT NEW?

I'm all for keeping it new as much as possible. Seriously, I still cringe when I see people folding back the cover when they read paperbacks. It hurts.










Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! The meme is now hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Reading Reality.


This week I was actually pretty good! I only bought one book! But...er...uh...I still got a few more things! And I might have a few more things ordered as well. So yeah...I only bought one book! LOL!


Contagion by Erin Bowman--it's been a long time since I bought a book almost willy nilly like with not having read some reviews or did a little bit of research. It was after hearing a few good words on this one that I immediately became interested in it, so I bought it!


Books I received for review were:

Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep (ARC)
Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins (ARC)


THANK YOU Harper Voyager & Harper Teen!


Then I got two sets of preorder goodies this week:


My A Reaper at the Gates preorder goodies!! Was super happy seeing this box waiting for me on Monday afternoon after work!


Then my Kill the Farm Boy buttons came! These are a riot! This was a most enjoyable read and I love these buttons! My button banner is already overflowing...might have to rework a few of them and possibly order another?! LOL!


Then it shouldn't surprise anyone that I bought another book sleeve. I have a serious problem if you hadn't already guessed it! But the pattern was just too cool! I couldn't pass it up!

So pretty much Fandom Sleeves has been feeding my book sleeve addiction these days! Love the quality and the prints are always amazing!!


Then this was a Walmart impulse buy! I mean how can you pass it up when it was only $8?!


 A fun Harry Potter shirt that is perfectly in my House colors! So yay!!


And that was my haul this week! What did you get?









Jul 28, 2018

Cake Flavored Book Tag

I saw this book tag over at JennReneeRead who saw it from My Lovely Little Secret (which is where I borrowed this lovely image) but it originated with Cait from Paperfury! Yes, that's probably the longest credit I've ever written too! Lol!


CHOCOLATE CAKE: A Dark Book You Loved
(imaged borrowed from Taste of Home)



I remember this one had quite the dark atmosphere to it.


VANILLA CAKE: A Favorite Light Read
(image borrowed from Country Living Magazine)




Not too many "light reads" in my collection, but this one easily fits the bill and was still one I really enjoyed!


RED VELVET: A Book That Gave You Mixed Emotions
(image borrowed from Modern Honey)




Omg. This one gave me a mix of messy emotions!


CHEESECAKE: A Book You Recommend to Everyone
(image borrowed from Food Network)




Clearly! ;)


COFFEE CAKE: A Book You Started but Never Finished
(image borrowed from Martha Stewart)


There's only been a handful of DNF books in my reading days, some I don't even consider DNF when I only read a few pages and wasn't interested in the story. This is one I am possibly considering returning to...if I can find a copy! 
 



CARROT CAKE: A Book with Great Writing
(image borrowed from Inspired Taste)




Too many books with great writing these days, but this was one that came to mind quickly after a glance at my nearest bookcase!




TIRAMISU: A Book That Left You Wanting More
(image borrowed from Food Network)




Though it was a standalone, I remember it ended in a way that I was craving more!


CUPCAKES: Series with 4 or More Books
(image borrowed from Celebrating Sweets)


So many series to choose form. I think 13 is like the magical number most of my longest series contained! There may be another one that's longer, but I am so behind in it that I can't remember! 


FRUIT CAKE: A Book that Wasn't What You Anticipated
(image borrowed from NYT Cooking)


Aother oldie, but goodie! This one took me by surprise by how much I loved it!




Feel free to join in on the fun! And I apologize if I picked too good of cake pictures for this post. I know I was craving cake by the end of it! LOL!