Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #2)

                Hello happy readers!  Okay so today I am super excited to share my thoughts on one of my most anticipated reads of 2018 and an ARC I walked into a wall when I saw I got….should not check e-mail from NetGalley while walking.  That book is, Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #2) by Tricia Levenseller.  Now you may know I got the first book last year and it ended up being one of my favorite reads of 2017 so I was super excited for the sequel but you can check out my full review here.   Book two comes out tomorrow 2/27/18 but thanks to the publishers and NetGalley I was able to review it a bit early though my hardcover will be here this week!

Rating:  5 Stars

                When we left Alosa had one of the map pieces  but she set off after but she now had a more personal reason to find the final one and settle a score with the owner after his imprisonment of her forcing her to use her siren gift like a trick for him.  Riden is still recovering on her ship, because he's useful and not because she has undeniable feelings for him in the least, while his much lesser half of a brother is imprisoned at her father's keep.  Getting the final piece of the map is goal one and making sure Vordan pays is icing on the cake.  But when she is faced with Vordan again she is presented with a secret her father has kept from her for years.  A secret that puts Alosa and her crew at odds with the feared Pirate King himself.  With danger everywhere they know they have to reach the treasure first if they want to stand a chance against him.  After all, who better to sale to the island of sirens than a ship of women with the Siren Queens daughter as your captain?

                Book one was one of my favorite books I read last year.  I adored it.  I had this one on my most anticipated list for a long time because I needed more.  We made it a good chunk of the book before we even learned that Alosa is a siren she was just a kick-ass pirate with an awesome crew that ruled the seas and had devious plans using the fact that they were underestimated as females to their advantage.  A treasure hunt for the map piece with a cat and mouse between Alosa and Riden.  It was awesome and then you find out more and it's just mind blowing.  My favorite thing is that she didn't need her ability, she was top dog all on her own and that just made her even better.    So I was totally invested in her character and that of her crew from the start.  This merry band of females (and the occasional male) who hold their own and are just as any man and smarter.  Plus I was really wanting to see what would happen between Alosa and RIden given what was between them already.  Though they are both stubborn, Alosa even more so, so I knew it would be good.

                The action was there full of missions, chases, ship battles, sword fights, and more.  It was a fast fun read that really dived into the character and we got to see a softer side of Alosa we knew was there for her crew but being with them the whole time we see the depth of it.  There was the ups and downs that kept you entranced.  It’s a book about ruthless pirates and killer sirens so there is death and pain and some of it hurt my poor little heart.  There is a lot to be learned in this world still and I love how the siren aspect of things is explored.

                But most of all I loved Alosa and Riden.  They are on unsure footing and watching as they press each others buttons time and time again was amazing.  The sexual tension is so tough.  I wanted to shake them at times for being so pig headed but they were always fun to read and I was glued to the screen of my kindle when they were in the same scene!  I liked watching it play out and the development that went into it as they learned about one another and who they truly are.  It was a huge hit for me.  I can't wait to get my physical copy in the mail and convince my bestie she needs to read this next so I can discuss it in more detail with her.   This was by far one of my favorite books so far of 2018 and one of my favorite series I have read!  Highly recommend! 

                Until next time…

Top Ten Tuesday: Love Freebie- Authors I ship the most!

                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:  Love Freebie- Authors who write romance well

                These are all authors whom have several ships I love and would have been happy to make a list of just their ships but that would limit me to like 2 authors lol.  This way I can include them all in one because I think these ladies really know how to get you invested into their characters. 

Sarah J.Maas- SO MANY SHIPS!!!!!  I can't even start out between the two series I have so many ships and I think everyone knows them.

RichelleMead- AGAIN SO MANY SHIPS!  Seriously she has several series I am adoring and love ships from them all! 

CassandraClare-  How many times can I saw SO MANY SHIPS???  We shall see I guess.  But she has an entire universe of characters for you to fall in love with.  Magnus is still my favorite all time character in this world so of course him and Alec but I need the final Dark Artifices book sooner than December so I can know about my newest…

MaggieStiefvater- She is so full of beautiful writing and amazing build up with romance.  I have enjoyed it in all of her series and look forward to more.

RainbowRowell- Romance is so touching and amazing from fantasy to contemporary!

StephaniePerkins- This is just about the cutest of them all!  I love the companion books and how much love and romance are in them!!!

Jennifer L.Armentrout- Okay I haven't even read or caught up with all of her books yet but she has some seriously sexy characters to start and the couples just explode out of the page for you! 

P.C. Cast- I have enjoyed her work for a long time but I still think her Goddess Summoning books are some of my favorite romance books of all!

MarisaMeyer-  She gave me Thorne….that is all I have to say.

Elise Kova- I still need to catch up with the first series but she made me dislike then love someone so much and then worry for their fate such a cruel game really!  Then we have two very different and unlikely people that somehow many the perfect match and I love it! 

                Okay so this was a super hard and painful list because even as I sat here and typed it I wanted to add in all the couples (but didn't for possible spoilers) and add many more authors to the list but this is where I had to stop for the time.   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!

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  First I'd like to announce the winner of my latest giveaway that closed the other day (Epic Reads tote and signed ARC) and the winner is Meigan.  Congrats!  Today I'd also like to share my thoughts and feels about a relative new release from last month, Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas.  Now this is the 6th book in the series so there will be spoilers for the previous books so read on at your own peril. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                This book is all about Chaol's journey.  Well him and Nesryn.  I was totally team Chaol in the first three books before I finally moved on but I was happy to do so as the characters grew into different people.  That said I still loved my Chaol.  He has his faults but I adore him and was thrilled this would be his book.  Now timeline wise this book takes place after Queen of Shadows but during Empire of Storms.  Basically while Empire of Storms is happening with the rest of our characters this is what is happening on the other side of the world with Chaol.  I would recommend reading this after Empire of Storms though as parts of it are mentioned and it would ruin things.  So yes read it as book 6 as intended!

                Chaol was nearly killed but some hidden protection and some quick patch work saved his life just not his mobility.  Chaol, former Captain of the Guard, is stuck in a chair, one of the worst kinds of torture for an active man who is used to being able to take care of and defend others.  Dorian has made him part of his new court and his first order of business is to travel to the healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica and seek out help to heal his body.  While there he is also to work with Nesryn to try and convince the rulers in Antica to join their cause and fight with them.  However, as Chaol and Nesryn spend time in Antica they discover the place will change them both and may be more vital to saving Erilea than anyone ever dreamed.

                Chaol being injured and in this chair is hard.  He is such a vibrant, active, and yes proud man and to see him struggling to do basic tasks and need so much help is hard.  Though being in his mind we know its more than the body weighing on him its all that he has witnessed and all that has happened that he was unable to stop.  He feels he has let others down and it weighs on his soul.  He still wants to help his king though and that means keeping up as much as possible and trying to play the games of Antica.  Nesryn has family in town and is eager to see them and see this place she is from but doesn't know as well, but she has a mission.  She spends much time with one of the princes, Sartaq who also commands the Rukhin.  I adored learning all about the Rukhin as well the subsets and how they had their own set of politics was kind of great. 

"Nesryn supposed that was why she liked the queen:  there were plans so long in the making that for someone who let the world deem her unchecked and brash, Aelin showed a great deal of restraint in keeping it all hidden."

*****

"You would be surprised by how closely the healing of physical wounds is tied to the healing of emotional ones." 

                Antica has some very different and unique politics.  The system for heirs is very interesting , and very harsh.  The princes and princesses don't know who will be the next in line.  Some are favorited of course but you never know so everyone plays to keep in favor and power.  All of the siblings were pretty awesome though to read about be it that I wanted to strangle them or I enjoyed them.  Some both at once, it was never dull.  They are currently mourning the loss of one of the princesses who died, or as one of her brothers believes was murdered.  Chaol is asked to help uncover any hidden darkness in exchange for help backing his request for aid.  The search is slow, as is his healing with the spirited and angry healer assigned to help him, Yrene Towers.  Yep you guessed it another resurgence from the novellas.  Can I just take a moment to say how much I love all these novellas coming back into play?  I mean I love how full circle all of this has become. 

                Basically the rest would be spoiler material but lets just say there is lots happening.  Murder, mystery, theft/kidnapping, chases, fights, brewing romance, panic, political balancing act, internal character struggles, and so much more to keep the story going.  I loved the journey we were taken on.  I loved every moment of it.  I didn’t want to stop listening for a second.  We got to see a whole new side of this beautiful world of the South.  The new people both friends and foes and journeys we went on….it was a wild ride.  That isn't all though this book is important to the series in so many ways.  Not only does it tie in the novella again and work on handling Chaol and his healing as it is or just bring in a new force in the battle but the information that we learn is just epic.  Small little pieces throughout that come together and when tied into the larger story just blew me away.  I had to stop at one point to just think about some past books and the experiences within them and have my mind blown as it all came together when you have the right information. 

"What did Aelin promise you?"

 "A better world."

                It was amazing and now I need the next book so much.  Right now.  I have so many thoughts and theories about how things will go down.  I seriously had a dream about one part in particular and how it might play out, it was so vivid I can't wait to see how right I am.  It has to do with a certain meeting.  I am nervous about the coming war/battle because well things are not the best right now (end of Empire of Storms) for some but the coming together of all the different good guys I am beyond excited to see this play out.  Going to be crossing my fingers and listening clutching a pillow to mu chest I'm sure praying for my favorites to make it through.   I'd love to hear what everyone else thought.  None of my friends are currently caught up on this series and its killing me not to talk about it.

                Until next time…

Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1)

                Hello happy readers!  Don’t forget to check out my giveaway open until 4/22 for a SIGNED copy of A Crown of Wishes here.  Now for today I am correcting an oversight on my part.  I swear I wrote a review for this book already, like I honestly remember typing up all my thoughts about it but I can’t find it on any computer of flash drive so maybe I just had a very vivid dream.  Anywho I wanted to share my thoughts in the real world on a book I just adored and listened to in one sitting, Reign of Shadows (Reign of Shadows #1) by Sophie Jordan. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                In a world cloaked in darkness for the last seventeen years the world is not a nice place.  Luna, Relhok’s lost princess, has been hiding since she was born and darkness fell, that’s how she stays alive by others thinking her dead.  However when a mysterious Fowler is out in the dark woods braving things Luna is drawn to him.  When her safe home for all these years is attacked they must work together to escape.  Luna realizes things are much more treacherous than she imagined as threats keep stacking up against them.  Falling in love with so many secrets between them may be more dangerous yet. 

                Reign of Shadows is my first Sophie Jordan book and one that I listened to on Audible.  I got it on sale and waiting for my new credit to kick in so I could get another more expensive title but was loving listening to many of my books.  So when I was home from work and not interested in watching any TV to relax and didn’t want to turn the lights on to read I started this one.  I figured an hour or two in I’d go to sleep.  Well that didn’t happen.  I was listening completely entranced in the world and story and then next thing you know when I do start to get tired because well it had been a long day I see how long I have left in the chapter and find I only have about two hours left in the book and it is WAY past my bed time.  I then decide to finish it because I’m already going to be tired the next day I should just finish it or I’d be thinking about it.  So I got less than two hours of sleep that night and it was totally worth it.  Though thinking back about this now I see where I might have “typed” my review and just done it in my head. 

                I really liked the pace of the story it just kept moving forward and did so quickly.  The story was easy to follow and kept you invested throughout.  I liked seeing both Luna and Fowler and what was happening within themselves and how being together really changed them and their plans.  I also loved the whole idea of Luna having the handicap/disability that she does.  I can't think of a better way to say it without spoilers though we learn about it so early I don't worry about it being spoilery just that it was so much better to learn as they reveal it.  She is so strong and determined and doesn't let anything slow her down.  Fowler though, I love how he develops.  He is so closed off and separate from everyone and everything in the start but he starts to see the value in having someone with you and caring about someone else.  And the romance that develops between them is so nice I loved how it progressed. 

                There was so much to love about this story.  Everything from the character development to the journey and action and more.  We are on a mission after all.  Darkness has fallen and we have evil rulers and so so much goodness to work with.  I am looking forward to continuing on in the series but I have to admit I will probably wait to listen just because I liked the first audiobook experience so much.  Maybe I'll listen to book two in one sitting as well?  Though I probably won't start it if I have to work the next day just to be safe.  I highly recommend giving this one a read/listen. 

                Until next time…

Wayfarer (Passenger #2)

                Hello happy readers!  It was a very long weekend for me at work and before I retire for to my bed for the day (night shift vampire) I wanted to share my thoughts on a new release and series ender I finished, Wayfarer (Passenger #2) by Alexandra Bracken.  This is the second and final book in the Passenger duology and picks up where we left off in Passenger (review).  Spoilers ahead for book one, if you don't know the easiest way to describe it is a scavenger hunt across the globe and time. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                So in Passenger we left off in a bit of a mess.  Etta had been gravely injured and thrown through time and away from the man she loves, Nicholas.  Etta finds herself with Julian Ironwood, the last person she expected to ever find alive.  She is unsure whom to trust in this world where warring families have been having it out through time for power and she is still so new to everything it's hard to know who she can trust besides Nicholas.  Nicholas had tracked down the treacherous Sophia and finding her in bad shape demanded she live to fight on and help him find the missing astrolabe and with it Etta.  He doesn't believe he will ever trust her but the enemy of my enemy is my friend and all.  They both must make their way through time in search of each other and so much more.

                In Passenger we spend so much time building this amazing world with the rules of the traveling game and getting to know the different characters on the ride of a lifetime.  We get to watch Etta and Nicholas grow close and fall in love and just adore them!  Then they are ripped apart and all you want is for them to magically get back to one another ASAP and then worry about the rest of the major issues in the world.  So when they don't get back together after the first few chapters I knew I would more than likely be suffering for some time as they journeyed towards one another.  It was both beautiful and painful.  It was so beautiful to see how they were separately, to see how they thought of the other no matter the distance, how the other stuck with them through it all in some small part.  Remembering things taught to you by the other and using that knowledge to hold onto…well it just made me so so happy but also so sad because OMG did I want them to get back together all the time!

                 Aside from trying to find one another we are trying to reclaim the astrolabe.  Keeping it out of Ironwoods hands seems to be the only thing most everyone agrees on.  What to do with it after is up for debate.  We see much more of the Thorns and what they stand for and aim to do.  The different timelines and the whole chaos of trying to fix timelines and such is so incredible and complex yet it still manages to make sense.  I was floored.  To be able to write this world and keep everything straight is an impressive feat so huge kudos to Bracken for managing this.   

                We have some new characters, and some old ones we just got to know more about.  Favorite new addition was Li Min.  She is pretty awesome, I love her crafty side.  I liked getting to see a deeper and more real side of Sophia as well.  She was just this teachers pet for most of the previous book trying to impress grandfather and a thorn in my side.  Now she has depth and purpose.  Julian, previously thought dead, was nice as well.  He was what I expected of him.  He wasn't evil or even horrible more that he was caught up in himself to much to see things in front of him.  Though seeing him learn and grow was rewarding.  I also loved the moments with Etta and her father.  Those, while I didn't trust them at first, were so precious.  The duet moment.  Sigh.

                 I liked the combo of Nicholas and Sophia as it went on and she grew on me.  She is fierce and determined and balances things out.  She's the more vicious and blood thirsty of the two which was funny.  Then when Li Min was added the trio became amazing to read.  I loved the interactions and banter between them.  On the flip side I liked how Etta interacted with everyone, experiencing so many new wonders in traveling.  The time with her dad was great reading but seeing her mom again.  That first scene felt so legit.  All the raging emotions fighting for dominance for her and for the reader as we try to figure out how we feel.  I loved it. 

                This book had a lot of ground to cover.  It managed to close out the series so beautifully.  I was biting my nails until the very end.  I had so many emotions I was texting my friend who had finished it a few days before my thoughts as I read.  Wayfarer was a huge success in my book.  I had so many of my questions answered and so so much more.  This book took the beautiful world we came to love in Passenger and made it more vivid and flushed out before ending the main storyline in a way that really left me happy.  It left me feeling hopeful.  I loved it and highly recommend this series! 

                Until next time…

Top Ten Tuesday: Valentine's Day Freebie / Ships

                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 Broke and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Valentine's Day Freebie

                This week is kind of freebie on Romance.  After lots of back and forth and tons of half finished lists I have decided to just share some of my favorite ships!  I just randomly picked some because I could do a book on just ships I ship but I did try to add in some of my new ships ;)

Feyre & Rhysand in A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas- I don't normally jump ships but this book…..damn!  I ship so many of her characters in her books could have just done a whole list on it.

Rose & Dimitri in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead-Seriously one of the best!

Eleanor & Park in Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell- this is just….OMG Or any of her other characters because so many ships!

Alex & Aiden in the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Still working on this series but OMG)

Emma & Julian in Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare- I just finished this one and it both filled and broke my heart.

Blue & Gansey in The Raven Boys series by Maggie Stefivater- Just all the feels through this series and other ships as well.  All the ships.

Becca & Alex in The Holders series by Julianna Scott- I just adore this series and I have been waiting SO LONG for more!  Can I please have more now???

Isla & Josh in Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins- I thought they were all so cute but this one just hit me. 

Cress & Captain Thorne in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer- They are just so adorable from her sweet crush full of adoration and belief he is a good man and well all things Thorne because he is Thorne!

Ruby & Arcus in Frostblood by Elly Blake- I liked the dynamic between them! 

                 What books have I been missing out on?  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 Edge of Juniper

                Hello happy readers!  So last year I read and reviewed Outspoken by Lora Richardson (review) and really enjoyed it.  When I was asked about reviewing her next book The Edge of Juniper I was more than happy to do so.  Things got a bit crazy and I’m more than a bit behind but I was finally able to read this book in pretty much one sitting.  Would have been one but I got off work and hard to drive home to finish it ;)  So here are my thoughts and feels on it.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Sixteen-year-old Fay is spending the whole summer with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins in the small little town of Juniper, Indiana.  She is excited for the adventure having been close and loving her week long visits to spend with her cousin Celia.  Though she quickly discovers that things are not what they seem and far from the perfect way she imagined.  Her Uncle has a grudge with the Dearing family in town and no one is supposed to speak with them, off limits.  Not a problem.  Until Fay is left with lots of free time as Celia has a boyfriend keeping her busy most of the time.  Enter Malcolm, the sweet, warm, and attractive boy who caught her eye.  Only one problem, he’s Malcolm Dearing and off limits.  This only makes her think of him even more as the summer and all the happenings going on in Juniper.

                I really enjoyed this one.  It was super sweet in so many ways.  I just adore Malcolm.  Seriously book boyfriend material of the highest quality!  The story was also very real.  It tackled so much in handling so many issues from alcoholism, first love, and all types of relationships and loves both healthy and not so healthy.  Still while some items really tugged at your heart or upset you there was so many other funny or lighthearted scenes that all flowed so wonderfully together.  The story as a whole really came together and I just had such a good time reading it.

                I enjoyed being with Fay as she stayed with her family for eight months and learned so much but mostly about herself.  She came to really know who she is as a person and the self discovery was wonderful.  While I didn't always agree with Fay she had he reasons for things and she was willing to admit when she was wrong.  Malcolm was just wonderful in so many ways and what I think most would adore in a boyfriend.   Celia is so much different from Fay in many ways but at the same time you see the similarities as well.  Their relationship also had me turning the pages to see what would happen. The Edge of Juniper is a beautiful contemporary that you can fly through on a nice lazy day but that might also tear at your heart as well.  I know I got teary in parts.  Falling in and out of love, first love, and family love are just a few of the loves to love about this book.  I highly recommend it. 

                Until next time…

Waiting on Wednesday: Wayfarer

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Wayfarer (Passenger #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Out: 1/3

From Goodreads:

                All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history.  After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed.  When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master's heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta's past could put them both at risk.

                Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail.  They cross paths with mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia.  But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

                As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable…and might just run out  on both of them.

Why I’m Waiting:

                Well with how Passenger (review) ended can you blame me?  I have been so ready for this book before the first one officially came out because I read an ARC lol.  So torture waiting for what’s next in this world. 

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

The Crown's Game (The Crown's Game #1)

                Hello happy readers!  Another exciting day hopefully full of reading and other goodies.  Today I’m sharing a review for a debut book that was originally posted at No BS Book Reviews, here.  This debut book is one I was anticipating hard and even more excited when it was in my hands and that is The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye!

Rating:  5 Stars

                This has been one of my most anticipated books of 2016 after I heard about it and having read it the sequel is my most anticipated book whenever it comes out!  OMG AMAZING!  I was completely blown away by this story and everything in it.  Enchanters and magic, secret games, murder plots, a beautiful and amazing world, political intrigue, strong characters and lots of feels galore.  It had everything.

                We follow several characters but the primaries are Vika and Nikolai our tow enchanters and Pasha, Nikolai's best friend and heir to the throne.  Vika has grown up away from everything only training to one day be the Imperial Enchanter, never knowing that she would have to battle it out for the position.  Nikolai however has known he would have to play a game for the roll but even he didn't know how series the stakes were.  Death for one.  These are serious stakes.  More so when overtime all three form a connection of sorts.  It's not easy to kill someone you don't know but to kill someone you care for seems impossible.  As a reader it was difficult knowing one was meant to die, trying to figure out as I read who I liked more so I wouldn't get too attached to the wrong one but it was hopeless as I didn't want either to die! 

                I really enjoyed getting to know all the different characters and how they have different quirks about themselves.  From the mains to the supporting characters who played just as big of a part.  From their mentors or servants and bakers to the Tsar and royal family themselves each one plays a part and they are introduced for a reason but I never felt like they were only there to move the story along each one felt natural and purposeful.  The friendships and relationships between the different characters both good and bad were deep.  My favorite being the friendship between Nikolai and Pasha!  Those two were so on point and just a ying and yang of one another in the perfectly balance way.

                The world is so beautiful and while I have never been to Russia I felt like I have seen a piece of it.  A piece of history wrapped up in magic and wonder.  The scenes described where so real, my favorite parts involved benches.  Vivid and miraculous to say the least.  The magic of the world was explained in a way that I understood but I see room for more to be explained through the series as we discovered new information, from nymphs and healers and more.

                The Crown's Game had a bit of everything in it and I highly recommend it because I need people to talk to about it!  Everything tied in nicely from the romance to the political aspects to the game itself.  The game was not what I originally expected a battle between the two in the traditional sense but a competition which I liked a bit better having finished it, with the tasks which pulled you into each page imagining each one as they played out.  The book is impossible to put down and quick to fly through IMHO! 

                There's nothing else I can say without giving away some spoilers which I just can't bring myself to do because uncovering it all is half the fun.  I do recommend this and would love to hear what everyone thinks of this.  I know I'm ready for book two already! I’d love to hear your thoughts and feels in the comments below!

                Until next time…

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy #1) & GIVEAWAY!

                Happy Monday readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was rather problematic from loss of water in my apartment for most of one day and other things being put on hold or off because of it yeah it was not as productive as I'd have liked.  That said I did get a little bit of reading done.  Last month I had the chance to go to my second Fierce Reads tour and see Marie Rutkoski, Anna Banks, Harriet Reuter Hapgood, and Cecelia Ahern.  Now at the time I hadn't read any of their books though I had several waiting for me on my shelves, I know bad me.  Still I was excited to go and meet them.  Since then I have been dying to dive into the Winner's Trilogy by Rutkoski, and having then purchased the final book in the series I was ready to start and picked up book one, The Winner's Curse.  Giveaway details will be at the bottom! 

Rating: 5 Stars

                Book one follows the generals daughter, Kestrel who at seventeen is struggling to face her two choices in life, marry or join the military.  She has a few years to make the decision but her father is bound and determined to convince her to join him in the military.  She isn’t of a mind of the military, she has a sharp whit and good strategy skills but her first love is music, despite the stigma on it being something slaves are used for.  Unexpectedly one day she ends up at a slave auction, despite her distaste for it, she purchases the first one up for auction, Arin.  There is something about him that calls to her.  The price paid may be too steep not in coin but in something of much higher value, something she could never imagine. 

                The world in which this is set in is amazingly thought out and it shows in the writing.  A world where you have two options as a woman, marry or fight.  I like the difference here where in many the women only have the option to marry, the only roll for a woman but in this it allows a different path.  A fantasy world at war, plus there is a map!  The different stories of the past, how the war was fought and how they came to rule over it were really interesting both to the story and to the strategist aspect. Plus the game they play throughout the story Bite & Sting just sounds really interesting and made me want to learn to play and how cool is that to create a game! Which I just found out you can play online here.

                Character development was on point as well.  The two main characters are Kestrel and Arin.  Both are opposites in many ways; the most obvious being generals daughter and slave.  Still they have many things in common, their love for music for one.  They are hot and cold, they seem to connect in some areas but are completely at odds the next.  The start is very much like this, curious about one another but with the history of their people it’s hard to look past it.  Kestrel is conflicted between her choice, she isn’t really interested in marring anyone but she also doesn’t want to join the military.  She wants freedom but not at the cost of military service and by that standard she doesn’t want to marry and sacrifice what little freedom she has to her husband.  She doesn’t see all of Herran as bad, she has deep affection for her nurse maid and she appreciated their love for music and easier way of life before.  Arin on the other hand has some serious anger and resentment issues but given what he has been through what he has seen it stands to reason.  That said even when he is angry he has a softness as well, at least for a few.  He is very conflicted about his feelings for the actions he is a part of. 

                The dynamic of seeing things from both of their perspectives on both sides of the spectrum in different areas pulled the story together.  How they go from enemies to friends of sorts and something more but the emotional conflict as they go back and forth constantly is what really intrigues it.  It’s a slow build and while the romantic aspect isn’t as strong for me as it may be for some, the beginnings are there without a doubt and it has me really interested to know what happens next. 

                The plot of the story is a bit slower in the start as we fall into the world and works because things amp up for sure and keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.  Seriously they aren’t afraid or shying away from the brutality of war in this.  Lots of death and pain happening. I am excited to start the next book in the series and figure out what happens with all the characters and how the decisions of the past book will factor into the story.   

                If you follow me on Twitter you may remember that I posted a poll question asking which book from the tour everyone would most like me to get signed for a Giveaway.  There were a few votes for everything which was rather fun but the poll winner was the final book in this series, The Winner’s Kiss.  So today I have another giveaway for you featuring a signed copy of The Winner’s Kiss (The Winner’s Trilogy #3) and a cool Fierce Reads tote bag!  This is open to US only (you can live anywhere if you have a US address I can send it too) and will be open until Monday June 27^th! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rebel's Honor (Crown of Blood #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you had a great weekend.  Mine was spent sleeping and working but I did get some reading done as well.  Oh and the season premiere of Game of Thrones!  I’m also stoked because the next couple of weeks are going to have some amazing books coming out and I think at least 4 or 5 I’ve pre-ordered.  Score!  I’m also going to a signing even this Thursday for The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi and plan to do a giveaway for it as well.  I have a few of those planned actually so stay tuned.  For today I’ll be discussing Rebel’s Honor (Crown of Blood #1) by Gwynn White, a book sent to me for an honest review. 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Rebel’s Honor is about Lynx, a warrior princess of Norin, who is bound by treaty of old to marry the crown prince of their conqueror, Lukan Avanov who she has been raised to hate.  Things aren't always what they see as a warrior is sent to the enemy for an arranged marriage neither wants.  She wants to do everything in her power to help bring them down.  Spy games, romance, curses, prophecies and more abound.

                I didn't know a whole lot about this book when I started it, just enough to be intrigued.  In it we get three different perspectives, Lynx, Lukan, and Axel.  All three are in this mess and trying to find the best way to deal with it.  I instantly loved Lynx.  Not going to lie the whole ostrich people and egg raids scared the crap out of me but then again known issue I don't like birds, especially HUGE angry ones who try to kill you.  She is loyal and dedicated to her family and her people.  Oh and she kicks ass.  Axel and Luken, I was not a fan of either of them for the longest time.  I thought they were both….shall we say delicately chauvinistic pigs but as we got to know them better I could see things about them I liked and one grew on me more than the other.  They both wanted something from Lynx and were willing to use her to their ends.

                The world is lush and beautiful (or horrifying see above egg raids).  I felt like I could be there.  There was something for everyone from the political/court suspense to the mysteries being uncovered with magic and curses and prophecies there is so much to keep you flipping the page.  And while there is romance in the book it is not the main focus and I didn't even see any romantic possibilities for over half the book.  Aside from the three main characters there is a vast crew and lots of wheels turning and things happening.  This is also a brutal world.  Threats and schemes galore!  I was caught in this book and flew through it.  I look forward to reading on and figuring out what happens next because that end….yes it needs more.  Bright side is this book two Warlord's Wager and book three Dragon's Fire are already out and ready to devour.  Please share your thoughts and feels in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Cursed (Beholder #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So today I have exciting news a new book for Christina Bauer starting a new series put out by InkMonster.  I’m so excited to share the news with you on this one as you may know with how much I mention it, I LOVE her other books in the Angelbound series.  That being said the new book is called Cursed and is book one in the new Beholder series that deals in magic.  I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and Ink Monster.

               

Rating: 5 Stars

                There hasn’t been a book by Ink Monster that I haven’t completely loved and Cursed is no exception.  We follow Elea, a girl with necromancer magic, who doesn’t see the need to use it for much but helping in chores around the farm.  No formal training or anything.  Then one day her best friend returns to town with the news that the new Tsar has placed a curse and she will burn and burn as a ghost tortured for all eternity in five years to the day.  Elea knows the chances of her changing the curse are slim but she is determined.  Embracing her powers she goes to be trained, made into a Grand Mistress able to kill the Tsar and void his curse.  Five years of training and planning and then everything goes wonky when she runs into a handsome mage in Caster magic, Rowan.  He has new information that makes her rethink her entire strategy and consider a partnership with this man who brings her a lot of confusing feelings.

                Our MC Elea is a bit older, 18 when the curse is placed and then 5 years of training, so this story does contain a bit of adult material in way or violence and some language.  Nothing extreme just a friendly notice that the characters are a bit older.  Elea is a strong character who has had to fight for everything she holds dear and then when she is cursed she continues to fight, determined to fight the odds against her.  She is fiery and I liked her instantly.  She has magic but she isn’t controlled by it or reliant on it, just using it to help her with her normal life chores still doing work herself.  Sometimes we find people with magic become lazy, let’s be honest I would, but not Elea.  As she is trained they are taught to not show emotion, complete control of your emotions is a key to controlling the magic, but she’s a bit quick tempered and more in the speak/act then think part of the population; so 90% of us.  Then she is pushed back out into a world in which she has to interact with vast amounts of people that is so different from her life thus far it’s a challenge.  Rowan, our handsome Caster is guarded sure when he needs to be but he is also open and warm in ways that Elea isn’t used to.  Their dynamic is rather fun.  His type of magic is both similar and different and seeing them together was interesting for sure.  Plus, he’s a sexy and powerful mage who wants to help so even someone trying to keep emotions cut off is going to notice.

              There is a lot going on from planning and improvising to accomplish their goal.  Nothing is ever as easy as it seems.  There is always bumps along the way.  I really enjoyed getting to know some of the secondary characters as well like Nan, Ada, Sophie, Laurel, Orion, Jakob, even Marlene and Viktor were very interesting.  Plus we learn about the different types of magic and what they mean to Changed ones, cloisters, familiars and more.  Bauer was able to create a unique little world that was easy enough to pick up and understand and want to know more about.  There is action and suspense moving things along with just a touch of romance sprinkled in as we uncover the mysteries that are laid out before us. 

                I highly recommend this book for anyone enjoying a bit of magical adventure.  I mean there are some brutal moments that hit you square in the feels but that makes it better.  You connect with them and fall easily into the story.  I flew through it and am already look forward to the sequel and seeing if some of my pending theories are true.  Cursed is out now and I hope you will check it out because I need to discuss in spoiler-y detail with someone ASAP!  Only half kidding ;) Tell me your thoughts and feels in the comments below. 

                 Until next time…

Cruel Beauty

                Hello and happy Friday!  I'm working this weekend but still plan to have a great time and hopefully do some good reading!  I've been trying to do really good about keeping up with reviews in a relatively close time to reading books but as I was discussing fairytale retellings with someone the other day and one mentioned was Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge and I realized I read it last year and really enjoyed it but never wrote a review.  That needs to be fixed so here it is.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Cruel Beauty is a loose Beauty & the Beast retelling that also deals in magic and mythology.  We follow Nyx who has been betrothed to an evil ruler of the kingdom since birth because of a deal her dad made.  Since she was old enough to understand she has been trained to kill her husband to be.  She is resentful that of the twins she was the chosen one and treated differently always for a choice made for her.  She has no choice and instead plans to seduce and destroy him and the curse put on her people for over 900 years.  But when Nyx meets Ignifex finally he is not what she expected.  He is charming, handsome, and seems giving and caring rather than the evil she knows him to be.  Even his magical castle captivates her.  Still she searches for a way to free her people by uncovering his secrets and trying to fight the attraction to him.  It is insane after all to fall for your sworn enemy. 

                So this was different that I expected.  Going in I knew mostly that it was a B&B retelling and as that is one of my all time favorite Disney movies that I watch at least once every couple of months while singing along to every word I had to read it.  Plus the cover was so beautiful!  I see the parallels to the classic but it isn't so strict that it's predictable.  Nyx was at times a bit rough around the edges and hard but she is a seventeen year old girl who was treated different than her twin her whole life and somehow picked to be married off to some dark lord by her father.  That is horrible parenting so yeah while her inner rants might seem a bit excessive at times I was okay with it knowing what she went through.  Plus come on who wouldn't be constantly thinking about the things that ended them in a certain position? 

                 There is a common edge to Ignifex and Shadow.  They seem similar in some aspects, handsome and charming in some respects but like opposites in others at first.  You also have our dark lord Ignifex who was much the beast I loved from the movies.  Not the beastly appearance, he's described as very handsome, but in that he is different than expected, kind but can have a cruel side and he gives her freedom to explore but keeps secrets from her.  Though he never pushes himself upon her for company or anything else.  He is rather the gentlemen at times.  Shade seems perfectly charming and friendly, open and honest without a single bad thing going for him, even a captive much like Nyx, but like Ignifex there is always more to a person than first glance or reputation.

                The story progresses in a way I enjoyed and Nyx is able to see more of him Ignifex and wavers back and forth on her duty.  He is the master of bargains and while some seem cruel she is able to understand some of his reasoning.  Everyone in her world knows he is the devil and he bargains always cost more than they are worth but yet they still come.  I love how her inner darkness, her hate and resentment end up making her a better match for him being able to understand things more easily.  Still while the heart might say one thing it is selfish to make a choice for only oneself when an entire kingdom is at stake.  But can you crush the one good thing you finally found to save those who never treated you nearly as well?  It's a touch call and being in her head while she rationed through it all was what made it for me. 

                Anywho that's really all there is to say without spoiling it.  I have not yet picked up the other books by Hodge yet though I do look forward to doing so.  I have a couple on my shelf or kindle ready to go.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below.  Also please share any other B&B retellings because I'm sure I've missed some. 

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Cursed (Beholder #1)

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Cursed (Beholder #1) by Christina Bauer

Out: 3/29

From Goodreads:

                Most days, Elea couldn’t care less about having Necromancer magick.  Who needs to conjure skeletons and spirits when you’re a farm girl?  Elea only uses her powers to speed up chores and scare off suitors. 

                Everything changes when the evil Necromancer Tsar curses Elea.  Now, Elea has five years left before she burns as a ghost, tortured for all eternity.  They say there’s nothing she can do, but Elea disagrees.  She decides to embrace her Necromancer powers, train as a magickal assassin, and kill the Tsar…All before his curse kills her.  Impossible as it may sound, Elea thinks she has it in the bag, but then everything goes horribly wrong.

                That’s when a handsome mage named Rowan steps up to help.  Elea wants an ally, but she doesn’t need all the mixed-up feelings that come along with Rowan’s crooked smile.

                An assassination mission is no time to fall in love, but Elea’s heart may have other ideas…

Why I’m Waiting:

                Okay this is an Ink Monster book and we all know how I LOVE their other books!  I have read all of them so far and been blown away by them so I’m all for this new series!  So aside from my automatic need for this book, the plot sounds super interesting.  Cursed to have five years before you turn into a ghost and are tortured for all of eternity!  Necromancy, which I’m developing a bit of a fascination with in books as I’ve stumbled into it more and more and I’m liking it.  Oh and magickal assassinations and ill-timed romance.  Yep I need this in my life ASAP!

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