~Stacking the Shelves #47~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls. 

E-Book (Review):

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Audiobooks:

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi

                So I had nothing last week and now only one.  My budget is very thankful but then again I do have a couple credits I am trying to make up my mind about so more to come!  I need to get to some serious reading/listening I’m falling behind of where I want to be.  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week. 

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all are ready for the weekend I know I am.  One I’m off.  Two, Ready Player One is out and I am excited to see it later today and I have a gathering tomorrow I’m excited for.  So lots of fun.  Today I have a review for a novella that is said to set the stage to book three in the series and is a lot of fun all on its own too, Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard.  I received a chapter sampler from NetGalley, for which I was thankful for, but I hadn’t realized at the time it was a sampler and I wanted more. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                A year prior to Truthwitch & Windwitch which I already reviewed we go back to Ryber Fortiza and her journal.  She is a Sightwitch Sister in the secluded and forgotten convent working and waiting to be called into the mountain by the goddess to receive the gift of Sight.  There is no rhyme or reason as to who is called to receive the gift but soon Ryber finds herself not only the only Sister without the Sight unchosen but those called have not returned.  And when those with the Sight are called back she is left alone.  Now it is up to Ryber to find a way inside without being called and find a way to save her Sisters even without the gift of Sight.  The road is filled with many obstacles and is not easy but the fate of the Witchlands could be on the line. 

                This story is told in both Ryber’s journal and that of another Sightwitch of days past.  While I read the first few chapters in the sampler and saw it was full of illustrations and photos that really brought it to life I did miss that in the audiobook when I finished up there.  I look forward to getting my physical copy and going back through to enjoy the illustrations soon though.  Still the story itself was a novella but it told a full and rich story.  I was intrigued by how different the world was in at the convent.  Through the journal we also got to see a time way before to the original start of the Witchlands and the way the power we know came to be.  I liked the way it went back and forth and how it all flowed so nicely. 

                Ryber is an interesting character.  She goes through a lot emotionally and I am excited to see where this unfolds in book three.  I also got quite a kick out of “The Rook” even though one scene when he didn’t agree I was flinching because birds (of any type) are not my friend and them clawing/pecking freaks me out.  I enjoyed the introduction to the Captain and the interactions they shared.  I liked all the characters really including the years past story that had me captivated and hopeful.  Overall I find this to be a very entertaining story and I can’t wait to see how it will play into the next release which I should say I want now…

                Until next time…

Movie Corner #5

                Hello happy movie fans!  So I have been horrible at reading the last couple weeks because I have just had so many plans and been out and about.  Good news is that means I’ve seen several movies with friends!  I saw several it's been a pretty great couple of movie weeks!  That said here is what I’ve seen:

Tomb Raider:  Stars

                First I should say I enjoyed the 90’s Angelina Jolie versions as great fun and at one point in time played the original Tomb Raider III PS1 game.  I sucked at it horribly but had fun.  Still I have always enjoyed the character and the stories.  So when I heard a new one was coming out I was both excited and not sure what to expect.  From the trailer I was excited for the story and action.  It seemed more like a prequel of sorts as we learn how Lara became the Tomb Raider that we know and love.  She is hard working and not just taking easy handouts if it went against her morals and I liked that.  She was fun and friendly but determined.  Then we dive into the mystery and things go fast.  The movie is action packed but also gave some really good performances that gave deeper death to the character and what makes her tick.  I really enjoyed myself and look forward to seeing it again. 

Love, Simon:  5 Stars

                So as many of you know I read the book this is based on Simone Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda some time back and reviewed it here.  I was super excited to see it made into a movie.  While it has been a while and some of the specific details were a bit hazy for me I know that I was thrilled with the movie.  My favorite part being when Blue is revealed and the entire audience of the ¾ full theatre gasped loudly.  I love when people who haven’t read the book are shocked by things us book people knew!  Also I found a few Easter eggs in there like some of the books on his shelf (the other book by the author and one from her good author friend) which brought me up.  There was a whole lot of emotions happening but it was a very uplifting and fun movie.  It had my friend and I laughing through large amounts of it and really enjoying it as a whole.  I seriously can’t wait to see this again. 

Annihilation:  3.5 Stars

               So this one I wasn’t sure about.  The trailer seemed beautiful but very vague as to the concept or at least the one I saw.  Still I had some people in my circle who were interested in seeing it and since it only had 2 showings a day I knew I had to see it soon or I would miss the chance like I did with some others so I decided to go for it.  It was very visually stunning for sure from the shimmer to what’s beyond.  I can’t really talk about it as having seen it I understand why the previews are vague because it’s a journey.  An experience.  I did enjoy it overall for what it was and am glad I have seen it but I think it’s a one time watcher for me. 

The Strangers:  Prey at Night:  4 Stars

                This movie was marred by the worst theatre experience I think I have ever had.  I went with a couple of friends who ended up walking out.  While I did force myself to stay most of the movie I was wishing one of the strangers would take out the rude and horrible people sitting behind us.  Seriously these four females yell-talked through the whole movie even taking a lengthy phone call in there.  When asked to quiet down in a polite way nothing but even louder talk.  Not even all of it was movie related either.  So putting that aside and focusing on the portion of the movie I did manage to catch as I am sure parts were missed it was an okay horror movie.  Some parts were uber cheesy but overall the horror aspects were pretty good.  People did stupid things and there was lots of screaming, running, and bleeding. 

Midnight Sun:  5 Stars

                So I have been interested in this movie for a while and this was which I picked to do the advance day opening of.  It looked like a cute sweet movie and the song in the trailer totally gets stuck in my head.  Seriously I have since downloaded it to my phone.  Anywho the story looked cute and made me want to see it.  It had lots of fun sweet moments while telling a story of a girl who is taking her chance at being more than a disease.  It pulls at your heart strings and gives you some laughs.  I really enjoyed this one. 

And last but not least…

Pacific Rim Uprising:  5 Stars

                So when the first movie came out I wasn’t super familiar with it and never saw it until it was on one of the movie channels and I finally saw it.  I really liked it.  I liked how different it was from anything I had seen around that time and when I found out they were making another I knew I’d see it much sooner.  That said it takes place years in the future and it was really cool to see the after.  Sure they saved the day in the first one closing the breach and stopping more monsters from coming up but each battle wrecked the cities and caused huge damage.  So seeing that the world was still working on rebuilding was cool.  Not a magically fix type thing.  We see new characters as well as old and things progress in a very interesting way.  I liked the characters and the action and I look forward to seeing it again and can totally see potential for future movies.

  

*****

                What movies have you seen recently?  What should I see?  This weekend I’m super excited to see Ready Player One!

~Can't Wait Wednesday: Sea Witch~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

Out:  7/31

From Goodreads:

                Everyone knows what happens in the end.

                A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.

                But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.

                One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

                Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town.  A freak.  A curse.  A witch.

                A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived.  That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all.  And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

                But her new friend has secrets of her own.  She can’t stay in Havenstad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her.  Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

                The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 This cover is both beauty and terrifying at the same time which is kind of brilliant.  This just sounds like my book right there!

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books set in other countries

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is now being hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

The top ten today is:  Books that take place in another country

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley- Australia

Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins- France

Wanderlove by Kristen Hubbard- All over Central America

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1) by Laini Taylor- Prague

The Holders (Holders #1) by Julianna Scott- Ireland

Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel – Greece

Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead- Russia

And I Darken (The Conqueror’s Saga #1) Ottoman Empire

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare – London (I fought the urge to automatically go to HP)

Doon (Doon #1) by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon- Scotland

           

                So what do you think?  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Clockmaker: A Gothic Steampunk Novel

                Hello happy readers! So today I have a review for a stand-alone sequel.  I know that sounds kind of strange but it’s legit.  I reviewed the Kristen Brand’s previous book Ghost Machine:  A Gothic Steampunk Novel and really enjoyed it as you can tell from my review.  So when the author messaged me about reviewing her newest title, Clockmaker:  A Gothic Steampunk Novel that focuses on a side character from the original book some time later of course I was interested.  So it technically takes place after the other book but can be read alone as well.  I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                The crew of the Sultana is small but they have come through and rebuilt after past wows.  That has taken a toll and they are running on fumes.  Captain Melek knows this so when she gets a very generous offer from a reclusive gentleman who wears a golden mask for a quick transport job she can’t refuse.  Even if he is very mysterious about his cargo.  Now noises haunt her ship and warships fill the skies looking for her ship bringing an added danger to her ship and crew.  Despite the threats her passenger continues to be secretive and argumentative about his affairs but as the trip continues Captain Melek must have the truth if they have any chance of making it to Istanbul in one piece.

                This is a mysterious journey with all types of monsters to behold and secrets to uncover.  The back and forth with Captain Melek and Mr. Lesauvage was pretty entertaining even when I like her wanted to strange him and his secrecy.  The dangers of the journey and situations they end up in keep you on the edge of your seat.  This is a serious journey for our small but colorful crew.  I loved the way they interacted with one another both good and bad as things get dicer and sanity and loyalty are tested.  Emin, Ahmet, Ziska (who totally reminds me in small part of Kaylee from Firefly), Brocksby, and Mr. Moses.  Each one of them has a story and a purpose they are working towards as well an important job on the ship. 

                I don’t want to spoil anything but as we get closer to the destination with lots of dings and near misses along the way truths come out and it brings back old horrors and enemies.  Who can be trusted?  Is the risk too high?  Full of fantastical inventions like flying ships, recording spiders, and more it was a feast to the senses.  I really enjoyed this story and could see it being a stand-alone but having read the original introduction to the good Captain I really enjoyed seeing more of her as she had been a favorite character.

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: March

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal:  100

At:  18

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  2

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1) by Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh (debut)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 5

What I’ve Read:

Witch’s Pyre (Worldwalker #3) by Josephine Angelini (review)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 9

What I've Read:

Witch’s Pyre (Worldwalker #3) by Josephine Angelini

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (review)

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 9

What I've Read:

Clockmaker: A Gothic Steampunk Novel by Kristen Brand

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1) by Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 9

What I've Listened:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard

                So per my counter I’m still behind but I am just reading what and where I can and enjoying it.  I’m thinking of these as goals I want to reach for myself but no stressing.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

~Stacking the Shelves #46~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls.

Audiobooks:

The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross

                So I had nothing last week and now only one.  My budget is very thankful but then again I do have a couple credits I am trying to make up my mind about so more to come!  I need to get to some serious reading/listening I’m falling behind of where I want to be.  Share a link below with what goodies you got this week. 

~Can't Wait Wednesday: Ship It~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Ship It by Britta Lundin

Out:  5/1

From Goodreads:

                Claire is a sixteen-year-old fangirl obsessed with the show Demon Heart.  Forest is an actor on Demon Heart who dreams of bigger roles.  When the two meet at a local Comic-Con panel, it’s a dream come true for Claire.  Until the Q&A, that is when Forest laughs off Claire’s assertion that his character is gay.  Claire is devastated.  After all, every last word of her super-popular fanfic revolves around the romance between Forest’s character and his male frenemy.  She can’t believe her hero turned out to be a closed-minded jerk.  Forest is mostly confused that anyone would think his character is gay.  Because he’s not.  Definitely not.

               

                Unfortunately for Demon Heart, when the video of the disastrous Q&A goes viral, the producers have a PR nightmare on their hands.  In order to help bolster their image within the LGBTQ+ community-as well as with their fans-they hire Claire to join the cast for the rest of their publicity tour.  What ensues is a series of colorful Comic-Con clashes between the fans and the show that lead Forest to question his assumptions about sexuality and help Claire come out of her shell.  But how far will Claire go to make her ship canon?  To what lengths will Forest go to stop her and protect his career?  And will Claire ever get the guts to make a move on Tess, the very cute, extremely cool fanartist she keeps running into?

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Okay so this basically sounds like so many of my favorite books combined and made a baby.  I get hints of Fangirl, Geekerella, All the Feels and more.  I just can’t wait to get this one and check it out.

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is now being hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

The top ten today is:  Spring TBR

                So these are a combination of books already out / and upcoming release.  Some I have already be it a new release or ARC and others I can’t wait to get my hands on and may have pre-ordered! 

A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOTAR #3.5) by Sarah J. Maas- might be my top pick if I’m honest!  I have it on pre-order!

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young- I was lucky enough to score an ARC of this one that I can’t wait to dive into!

King’s Cage & War Storm (Red Queen #’s 3 & 4) by Victoria Aveyard- I have been putting on reading book three until closer to the release of the final book given a warning of a cliff-hanger so I am stoked to finish these bad boys up!

Secrets of Bennett Hall by Jordan Elizabrth Mierek- I got a review copy of this one and have been eagerly awaiting an opening in my schedule to check it out.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan– At least start the series I seriously want to read them this year!

The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross- A debut book I am most excited for this year because come on this cover….so beautiful!

A Reaper at the Gates (Ember Quartet #3) by Sabaa Tahir- I didn’t realize this was going to be a Quartet but I am more than eager to find out what happens now given book two!  Though again not a fan of the cover change :(

Hero at theFall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton- I had this on pre-order and I can’t wait to see where this series ends given all the story and characters we have before us.

Starswept (Starswept #1) by Mary Fan- another review book I got that sounded super interesting and unique and look forward to getting into plus hello this cover!

A Song ofSummer Lost (The Megh Meall Chronicles #1) by Sarah Negovetich- A new release from an author I am a fan of so of course I’m ready to check it out.

                         So what do you think?  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6)

                Hello happy readers!  I finally finished reviewing the whole Georgina Kincaid series!  I literally finished books 5 and 6 in the same day forgoing sleep to finish.  Yes I was obsessed with finding out how it ended.  I'm excited to have them all up now and if you need a refresher here are my thoughts on Succubus Revealed the final book and overall thoughts on the series.  If you missed it I previously reviewed all the books:  SuccubusBlues, Succubus on Top, City of Demons & Succubus Dreams, Succubus Heat, and SuccubusShadows.

Rating: 5 Stars

                This is what it all comes down to.  Georgina has been a succubus for a long time and lived many lives.  She finally has the man she loves and while there are complications things are on the up-swing.  Until she gets papers of transfer to what would normally be a desirable destination….Vegas.  While it might be a dream gig it pulls her away from her friends and life she has built, but most importantly Seth.  There is just something suspicious about everything and if there is every a snowballs chance in hell of getting out of this business she is going to try.

                This is it.  The culmination of all the other stories and what is to become of our favorite succubus and her favorite author.  We have been waiting for it through five previous books and I was glued in through it all.  I will say this one has more emotional action / drama rather than physical action but it was very rewarding for me.  I had a lot of the plot figured out early on, some I suspected from previous book and some hints but it became apparent to me very early in this book what took them much longer to figure out.  Still even when I knew watching them come up with it and then come to terms with what it meant was a roller coaster.  Ups and downs that had you unsure what way was up at points.  Georgina is always so strong and ready for anything but you see that there are times when even she is scared to face things.  I loved seeing the juxtaposition in her and how everything from the previous stories had been building to this moment.  Little bread crumbs along the way.  I love when a story is so well set up that you can look back to the first book and see certain things in a different light. 

                There is still the zanny and snazzy lines we love from our characters and their care free attitudes for many things to compliment the more emotional side of things.  I loved getting to see more with the Mortensen women because they were always so much fun.  The girls just touched your heart and I loved their interaction with Georgina.  I also enjoyed getting to see more with Peter, Cody, Hugh, Carter, and Roman.  Roman really turned a corner in the last book for me and I wasn’t sure if he was going to revert in this final installment or not but I am glad to see his character developed the way he did.  Of course Carter is amazing for me, I loved the idea of having an angel hanging out in the crew of hellish creatures.  We also got to meet some new lesser immortals in Vegas and the return of Bast, whom I was on the fence about. I really enjoyed the mystery of this story and how it has been building since book one and the payoff was everything to me in the end and I am happy.  That said I still have some questions about a few things that I would have liked more on just because I’m curious but overall the important things were there.  I think the book could have been a bit longer and the end had a bit of a rush to it for me mainly because I still have some questions.  None of this will detract any points because this story as a whole gave me so much more than I could have asked for I just wanted more.  But that seems to be the way with books we love.

                Now I have a few things I need to discuss that are total spoilers for the books and series.  So don’t continue on if you haven’t finished the series. 

SPOILERS

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Seriously this is you last warning!!!

                So he always thought they were connected.  Her past loves.  Seth and her first husband, the name I can’t spell since I listened to the audiobook.  But I knew from book one there was a connection stronger and as the series developed I saw hints all over the place.  When Seth got her a ring in style to her original wedding ring.  Him calling her his world.  The Maddie thing (she slept with his best friend in the first life and he slept with hers in this one) the parallel was real and while I hated it the parallel is what made me understand it better but more when he finally explained himself at the end of the last book in his note.  I just love it.  I love that they finally got to have their fresh start. 

                But now onto questions I still have.  I want to know what happened, for sure with Roman and Yasmine.  I want to wish for the best and until I hear otherwise they are okay.  Side note I loved that they brought Yasmine back.  What else…oh yeah what about Bast?  Did we ever find out if he was truly her friend who was lying under orders thinking it was no big deal or did he know the part he was playing?  What became of Jerome, did he get to keep his gig or did someone else take over Seattle?  If so who?  Also what about Niphon and his major screw up?  I hope he got blasted for all the torment, Jerome too.  And to think I liked him and she SAVED him.  Moving on, so she has leave Seattle which makes sense what Carter told her but the family is still there so they will make visits to see the girls and all so they could still be friends just on the down low right?  I am going with yes!  Because another big question is what about Kayla?  With them gone who is going to teach Kayla about her gift so she understands what she sees?  Also I would have LOVED a scene with them at the end with Georgina as a human and what difference Kayla sees in her.  I want to say that Carter keeps popping in and checking on them (and sending new pony toys for the stable) to keep his vow because what happens to him now.  He has been here this whole time to save her and that just made me feel amazing his final endearment “Daughter of man” just made my heart swell.  And last that I can think of at the moment:  Maddie and Doug.  I’m glad Georgina and Doug made up and we learned that Maddie ended up meeting someone which I’m happy about and it’s silly but we never find out if Doug got Georgina’s old job and I wanted to make sure the shop was in good hands!

END OF SPOILERS!!!

                Okay so that was the does it for my thoughts on the whole series. I don’t know if there was one thing that got me so deeply involved in this series, more so than I have been in one for some time but I love it.  This series is one I will forever look back on with affection and love and will re-read in the future for sure.  I can’t wait to get a few of my friends to read these so we can discus though it will be a struggle to keep my lips sealed!  I highly recommend this series!

                Until next time…