~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1) by Cassandra Clare

Out:  4/2/19

From Goodreads:

                From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new trilogy featuring centuries-old High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood after they survive the Mortal War.

               

                Magnus Bane, a centuries old High Warlock, has taken possession of one of the great relics of the supernatural world, a powerful spell book of dark magic known as The Book of the White and there are many who want to claim it for themselves.

                After the Mortal War where the part-human and park-angel Shadowhunters teamed with the part human-demon Downworlders to fight against the incursion of an army of demons, Magnus and his new lovers, the mortal Alex Lightwood celebrate their survival and victory by escaping the supernatural battlefield of New York City by touring the world, but the world won’t leave them alone.

                The first adult novel set within #1 New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter series, written with award-winning science fiction author Wesley Chu, is a fantasy thriller that will give new readers a great way to enter the Shadowhunter world and give the millions of readers across the globe answers they’ve been looking for in this start of The Eldest Curse trilogy.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 Okay so huge fan of the Shadowhunter world.  I don’t care if some think she’s overusing it, I LOVE it!  I mean who wouldn’t want to stay in this huge world that was created when there is so much to work with.  Plus and this is probably more important….Magnus is my favorite character.  I adore him!  And I adore him and Alec so much so a series on them….sold!

                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: Halloween-ish Books!

                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 hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

The top ten today is:  Halloween-ish Books

This is a Halloween freebie so I decided to pick some books that sound like good Halloween-ish reads (scary/creepy/etc)

There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

The Madman’s Daughter series by Megan Shephard

The Fall by Bethany Griffin

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mathers

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys An Anthology full of monsters

Anna Dressed in Blood series by Kendare Blake

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Asylum series by Madeleine Roux

Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

               

                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!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: October

                Hello happy readers!  So there were a few changes made at work last week that changed some of my normally scheduled plans, i.e. formatting and posting from work in slow times.  No more social media access including blogs from the computer during shift so I had to do all this at the house which is taking some adjustment but I will push through.  That and I also forgot about to post this when I posted my movie corner I was focused on movies and Kingdom of Ash. So this wrap-up will focus on everything finished to the 28^th!  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: 52

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 7

No progress this month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 13 (almost there!!!)

What I’ve Read:

Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 18

What I've Read:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34!!!  COMPLETE

What I've Read:

Check, Please! (#Hockey  Vol 1) by Ngozi Ukazu (review)
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5) by Christina Bauer (review)

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  30 COMPLETE!!!

What I've Listened:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

                So I’ve knocked out 2 whole challenges with 2 months to spare!  I am getting close to my series ender and debut challenges which are goals now the others are not looking good but still hope to get higher on the list!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Check, Please! (#Hockey Vol 1)

                Hello happy readers!  So today I’m here with something new and different.  I know I’ve talked about a couple graphic novels before, ones for the series I already read and loved but I have now read a graphic novel on its own and I loved it!  My first is Check, Please! (#Hockey Vol. 1) by Ngozi Ukazu.  I picked this up because it looked adorable yes, but also because I was going to an event and she was the only author I hadn’t heard of and have something to get signed and that wouldn’t do.  I’m glad I got it because it was great fun.  My thoughts and feelings on it below but also if you read graphic novels I would love some suggestions for future adventures! 

Rating:  5 Stars

                So this is a webcomic series in book form.  We focus on Bitty, a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger, and baker who is a freshman at Samwell University.  He is also on the hockey team, which is much different from the co-ed hockey he was used to playing in Georgia because as the title suggest there is checking.  Oh and a cute moody captain Jack.  This is the first half of a coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life. 

                I wasn’t familiar with this webcomic but knew the author was going to be at the event and as the only author there I didn’t own something from or have any idea of her work I wanted to check it out.  Amazon had this handy preview option with lots of clips and I found it totally adorable so yeah I snagged it so I could read the whole thing.  That said it was well worth the price as the art was beautiful and fun and the story had just as many feels as the books I am used to reading in the same area.  I never really took the time to notice how much talent it takes to project so much of the story through a visual way when text space is limited.  Still Ukazu managed to really show you these characters and make you feel like you know and care for them in so few words.  This story is so much fun and I found myself laughing constantly. 

                Bitty is amazing.  All of the characters are amazing really but Bitty.  I adore him.  He is so sweet.  I just love his epic need to bake and be positive.  As I read he made me want to strive to do better in seeing things more positively.  Even when things are hard and could easily pull one down he just keeps on going and being himself and I think everyone can learn something from him there.  The mix of hockey, college life, and the comradery of teammates was perfect. 

Pardon the horrible selfie!

                Having talked with the author/artist and how she came up with the series was amazing.  Something someone said in one of her classes just sparked this amazing little story and I love it.  My book even has an extra Bitty drawn in the front at the event by Ukazu and it is even better because she did it in seconds and I’m honest I can’t even draw a stick figure well so I adore when authors doodle in my book at signings! I am looking forward to the second half of this series.

                Until next time…

Movie Corner #20

                Hello happy movie fans!    So another good couple weeks as far as movies go even if I am having serious issues with MoviePass.  I highly doubt I'll be continuing the service past this month and only have it now as it renewed before I could get the app to allow me to cancel.  See they have taken away my 3rd movie two months in a row now and that simply won't do for me.  So I don't know how this will impact my bi-weekly movie corner in the future but I will advise when I know more.  Until then here is what I’ve seen the last two weeks:

Bad Times at the El Royale: 4.5 Stars

                This movie had be hooked from the trailer.  It was different from everything coming out as of late and that appealed to me.  The idea of a bi-state establishment is always kind of fun but the idea of someone watching you….that amps up the suspense.  The film has a real noir feel to it and it is enhanced by the stellar cast for sure.  The pace slags in small parts but the story is there and really brings you into the characters stories.  I enjoyed the movie, more than I thought so win! 

Goosebumps 2:  Haunted Halloween: 4.5 Stars

                Okay so I of course watched the first movie when it came out because hello I grew up on Goosebumps books and VHS movies.  I always loved them and I enjoyed the movie it was cheesy and fun and something to enjoy.  So when I heard of another and focusing on my favorite holiday….yep of course I was down.  Movie two was much the same with all sorts of creatures you know from books and such and the ability to make fun of itself and I enjoyed it.  The only thing that brought be down, and it wasn’t even bad just something that was totally in my head.  I totally had Emma Swan vibes from Once Upon a Time from the main female, the red jacket, the black and white stripped sweater, the long blond hair, it was there.  I thought of course she had to be Emma for a costume or something right…nope never mentioned the resemblance and even a moment in the movie where I swear she looked just like Emma Swan just a coincidence.  None of this is bad just something that had been on my mind and after some searching I found several people who had the same thoughts so I wasn’t alone.  Now you can wonder too. 

The Hate U Give:  5 Stars

                So for this one I really wanted to read the book first but like most things I was behind schedule and didn't want to miss out on the big screen experience so I went for it.  So that said I can't speak to how well the book was translated just the movie as a whole.  I really liked it.  It was harsh.  It was hard.  It was very real.  It dealt with a major issue that is sadly nothing new, only now it is getting more light shed on it.  The acting was on point, Amandla Stenberg did an amazing job with this content.  Everyone else did a great job but Amandla went above and beyond.  Also side note Archie from Riverdale is in it and seeing him without the bright red hair I was used to was odd.  But back to the story I loved how grey and merky everything got.  Something horrible and tragic happens and the questions and conversations it brings up are ones that need to be addressed.  I really enjoyed this movie and I can't wait to read the book to compare. 

*****

                So some people from work are getting together to see Halloween, which I admit to having never seen any of those movies before.  I'm trying to find the 1978 version to watch so I can join in because scary movies with others are even better.  Aside from that upcoming movies I'd like to see are Hunter Killer comes out this week and I also still want to catch Night School and Small Foot.  What about you fellow movie lovers, what movies have you seen recently?  What should I see? 

~Can't Wait Wednesday: Circle of Shadows~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Circle of Shadows by Evely Skye

Out:  1/22/19

From Goodreads:

                Sora can move as silently as a ghost and hurl throwing stars with lethal accuracy.  Her gemina, Daemon, can win any physical fight blindfolded and with an arm tied behind his back.  They are apprentice warriors of the Society of Taigas—marked by the gods to be trained in magic and the fighting arts to protect the kingdom of Kichona.

                As their graduation approaches, Sora and Daemon look forward to proving themselves worth of belonging to the elite group—but in a kingdom free of violence since the Blood Rift Rebellion many years ago, it’s been difficult to make their mark.  So when Sora and Daemon encounter a strange camp of mysterious soldiers while on a standard scouting mission, they decide the only thing to do to help their kingdom is to infiltrate the group.  Taking the risk will change Sora’s life forever—and lead her on a mission of deception that may fool everyone she’s ever loved. 

Why I’m Waiting:

                 So I really enjoyed her other books and I am excited to see this new world.  That’s really all I need but the cover and the summary don’t hurt either.

                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.

The top ten today is: Best Villains

                Hello everyone!  I’m late getting this up and I missed yesterday it’s been kind of crazy here at work which means less time to format and post sigh.  But back to your regularly scheduled blog post…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 hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 

The top ten today is:  Best Villain

Maeve from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas- Side note Kingdom of Ash came out today and I’ve been trapped at work all day unable to start it but my friend has informed me she has cried several times already and only a few chapters in...

The Darkling from The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo

Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

President Snow / Coin from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

The Commandant from An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir

Minya from Strange the Dreamer series by Laini Tayloy

Yvon Dono from The Loom Saga by Elise Kova

Armageddon from Angelbound series by Christina Bauer

Adelina from The Young Elites series by Marie Lu

The Pirate King in Daughter of the Pirate King series by Tricia Levenseller

               

                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!

The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5)

                Hello happy readers!  So today I have for you a new release from the end of September and a new addition to a favorite series of mine, The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5) by Christina Bauer.   So this series is a bit out of order as I’ve already read some into the spin-off series as well as book 7 in the series, but that is just because the author is non-linear and wrote the original series with some time jumps between them and is now writing from those time jumps and all the adventures and shenanigans we missed out on.  I like to think this is because fans like myself wanted more, and that’s what I’m going to tell myself.  Anywho Goodreads makes things so easy for knowing the proper order as of now and here are my reviews leading up to this title: Duty Bound, Angelbound, Scala, Acca, & Thrax.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Myla’s life has changed for sure now a wife, mother, Great Scala, and Queen of the Thrax, she has her hands full.  Things seem to be going pretty well…until it hits the fan like always.  Her honorary brother Walker is being more secretive than usual and when he disappears into the Dark Lands leaving her a countdown and a promise to uphold they have another mission to complete, stopping Lucifer from escaping and all, and save not only Walker but all of the after realms.  So you know…no big deal.

                So in this we have another adventure with our favorite quasi, Myla.  She and Lincoln are always finding some trouble they have to stop.  They are trouble magnets.  This time it is Lucifer and someone trying to break him free to reign down all sorts of evil and honorary brother Walker’s disappearance is connected.  Meaning if they weren’t involved to begin with they are now for Walker.  I love these stories.  They are such fast paced books they fly on by.  You have a huge mystery and suspense and tons of action carrying you along.  Still no matter the seriousness of the matter Myla never loses her trademark sarcasm and I love her for it. 

                I will always read these books for more Myla and Lincoln.  They are relationship goals.  Plus added bonus baby Maxon time was just precious.  Seriously this kid is totally adorable and how he brings complete hard core kick butt characters to a panic is epic.  This is another fun adventure as we delve deeper into the world and make new discovers about the past.  I enjoyed getting to see more of how things used to be as well as learning about this whole new area and distant/reclusive House full of new characters you can love. 

               

                All in all this was a great addition to the world and I loved seeing Myla and Lincoln fight so hard for Walker.  He has done a lot for them over the years/series and they love him for sure and to see them go to bat for him like he always has for them was just epic.  This is a beautiful world I always look forward to getting lost in, magma demons and all if Myla and Lincoln are there too! 

                Until next time…

~Can't Wait Wednesday: The Queen's Resistance (The Queen's Rising #2)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

The Queen’s Resistance (The Queen’s Rising #2) by Rebecca Ross

Out:  3/5/19

From Goodreads:

                At long last, Briena is a mistress of knowledge and is beginning to settle into her role as the daughter of Davin MacQuinn, a disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his house.  Though she’d just survived a revolution, one that will finally return a queen to throne, she faces yet another challenge:  Proving herself trustworthy to the MacQuinns.  But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh’s closest confidant, she’ll have to balance serving her father’s house as well as her country.  And then there’s Cartier, a wholly separate but desirable factor in her new life.

                Aodhan Morgane, formerly known as Cartier Evariste, is adjusting to the start contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia as a master of knowledge and his current one as the lord of a fallen house.  During the castle’s restoration, he discovers a young boy named Tomas, whose past and parentage are a complete mystery.  So when Cartier’s former pupil Brienna is as taken with Tomas as he is, he lets his mind wander—what if he doesn’t have to raise him or his house alone?

                As the Lannon trial swiftly approaches, Brienna and Cartier must put their love aside and stay focused on the most vital task at hand—forging alliances, executing justice and ensuring that no man, woman, or child halts the queen’s coronation.  But resistance is rumbling in the old regime’s supporters, who are desperate to find a weakness in the rebel’s forces.  And what makes one more vulnerable than deep-seated love?

Why I’m Waiting:

                 So book one was a huge hit with me this year. One of my favorite debut books for sure.  I loved everything about it.  I was happy with it as a stand-alone but I was thrilled to hear we’d see more in this world.  And now I see we even have a new cover!  Though I admit I’m partial to book one with the blue cloak and all but this keeps the same design and as most sequels these days are changing the scheme on me I appreciate that!  But I just want more Brienna and Cartier if I’m honest!!!!!

                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.

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So I have been slacking again, though this is partly in that I lost my USB with all my reviews temporarily (it was in my wallet for some reason) but also storm related I mean can we be done with storms for a bit please?  So I have finally gotten around to the first book in this series, Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake.  I started it a while back but I couldn’t give it the attention it needed to learn all these new characters, powers, and overall world.  That and it was one of my “I’ll wait until close to the next book then read it….” Ones which sort of worked as the 3^rd book did recently come out.  So here are my thoughts on the first book in this new series.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                Fennbirn is ruled by one queen.  Each generation is set of triplets are born, three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessing a particular magic.  When they are but small children they are pulled apart and raised by their own house:  elemental, naturalist, or poisoner.  When the time comes only one can live and be crowned, the others must die.  Each sister must try to learn her gift and how to defeat her sisters for the crown before the battle begins for the crown and life.

                This generation we have Mirabella the elemental, Katharine the poisoner, and Arsinoe the naturalist.  This book was a bit slower to start but if you can just hold out it is worth it.  Blake takes the time to introduce three separate main queens and their life thus far.  How they have been raised including the magic of and how each group and how it falls in the overall system of the world.  Three separate storylines that all meld into one as the sixteenth year approaches.  Each queens’ story is whole and developed with their own characters, motivations and problems. 

                Katherine doesn’t seem to have much of a gift despite the poisoners being at the top of the hierarchy, and every intention of staying there.  She is raised in a harsh life, constantly poisoned to build immunity and so on.  She is starved for not just for a good meal but real love.  Still and maybe partly despite what she went through she isn’t all doom and gloom and has an almost naivety to her.  Arsinoe also doesn’t seem to have much of a gift for nature but her best friend, Jules, is one of the most powerful and trying her best to help.  Arsinoe and Jules and the dynamic and loyalty there is really amazing and a feel of sisterhood that in a book about three sisters who are being raised to kill one another might lack.  Last but not least we have Mirabella who seems to be the strongest of the sisters and thus has a stronger hand trying to guide and shape her. 

"Every gift is light and dark."

                There are still some questions about the world I need to know.  Questions I think will come into play in book two.  I loved the dynamic of seeing each girl raised differently.  A real case of nature vs. nurture.  Still as you try to take all of this information in the first say quarter of the book can be a bit of a struggle.  You get to know one set of characters and life then move to someone else and have to start all over again with a new set and so on.  Still if you hang in there it’s worth it as the stories unfold and meld.  I found the audiobook helped tremendously here for me.  Personally I sometimes struggle when there are so many names/things I can’t pronounce that hit me all at once.  It messes with my flow. 

                As the story progresses and knowing the idea of this world I found myself tallying up who I liked more and who I wanted to win.  It gets harder with each section for sure.  There were some things I liked about each and some things I didn’t like as much.  Each is very real and human in this way with flaws as well as strengths.  Each queen was different and unique in her own story and I connected to each of them.  I still don’t know how I want things to turn out because there are twists and turns all over the place. Still my favorite part was the characters and their connections.  That is what made me ache for each of these girls, from the lives they lived sure, but the people in their lives.  I mean some of the side characters were my favorite to love/hate!  All I know is with how book one ended I can’t wait to dive into book two and have it on my phone ready to dive right back in. 

                Until next time…

Movie Corner #19

                Hello happy movie fans!    Michael update I lost power for a few hours, which made it hot as hades inside with no fans but everything worked out okay.  No damage just some limbs down.  I hope anyone else in the path are safe.  So lots of movies I want to see right now and I haven’t had a chance yet to see them all just yet but here are some I have seen the last couple weeks:

Venom:  5 Stars

                I don’t read any comics or graphic novels and my only experience with Venom prior to this was his appearance in the original Spiderman movies with Tobey McGuire so from the trailer alone I knew this was vastly different.  Still it looked super cool and I love some Tom Hardy so I was game.  I really enjoyed the movie.  I don’t see why it has such a horrible rating because I found it great.  I loved the comedy moments thrown in and the action and CGI were awesome to me.  It was strange and cool.  I enjoyed it!

Hellfest:  5 Bloodied Bodies

                Okay can I just say how excited I am for Halloween.  Seriously it’s my favorite time of year.  I don’t get scared easily by “scary” things but I love being around it and watching people try.  I love haunted houses, mazes, trails and all things of the like.  I love to go through and have some startling fun with friends and I love going through with people who scare easy even more.  So that said a movie about a haunted festival already had me, and made me jealous because OMG I want to go to something like this!!!  But yeah add in a creepy stalker/killer into this event and I was there.  I loved the idea and how crazy everything seemed.  Again can I say how jealous I am because this park looked like some amazing fun!  I even managed to see the last showing of the night at my local theatre and for the first 5 minutes of the film I was the only person in there (some late stragglers took that away but they screamed at random scenes which made it even more fun for me).  Aside from one eyeball scene which freaked me out, because anything involving eyeballs is a no go for me my eyes are watering even as I type this, but yeah the rest was great.  It wasn’t over the top gory either.  I look forward to adding this to my regular Halloween marathon!

  

*****

                Not a ton but Michael did shut the local theatre down yesterday and everyone was advised to not travel unless necessary so...there is that.  Anywho still have many more to see but I enjoyed the ones I picked so I call it a win.  What movies have you seen recently?  What should I see?  This week I’m super excited to see Bad Times at the El Royale and Goosebumps 2.  I still have others I need to catch up on!

~Can't Wait Wednesday: Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard

Out:  2/12

From Goodreads:

                High in the snowy mountain range, a monastery that holds more than just faith clings to the side of a cliff.  Below, thwarted by a lake, a bloodthirsty horde of raiders await the coming of winter and the frozen path to destroy the sanctuary and its secrets.

                The Bloodwitch Aeduan has teamed up with the Threadwitch Iseult and the magical girl Owl to stop the destruction.  But to do so, he must confront his own father, and his past.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 I’m really enjoying this series and I am excited to know what happens next.  There is a lot happening and I’m intrigued to know what will become and how they will all overlap and come together. 

                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.