~Can't Wait Wednesday: Finale (Caraval #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:

Finale (Caraval #3) by Stephanie Garber

Out:  5/30

From Goodreads:

                Welcome, welcome to Caraval…all games must come to an end.

                It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has been Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own.  Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it.  She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.

                Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own.  She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage.  Finally, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future.  She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.

                Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun—with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake.  There are no spectators this time:  only those who will win…and those who will lose everything.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I LOVE THIS SERIES!  I have loved listening to this since I started Caraval (Reviews:  Caraval & Legendary) and I can’t wait to see how things wrap up.  There is so much I need answers to and so much I want to happen.  I can’t even begin to form them but yes so much needs to happen.    

                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.

~Can't Wait Wednesday: Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)~

                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:

Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

Out:  10/23

From Goodreads:

                The FINAL installment to the Throne of Glass series.

                Captured by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin is trapped inside an iron box in a secret location, with seemingly no hope for escape.  As she endures months of torture, her friends scatter to different fates.  Without Aelin to protect them, soldier Aedion and shapeshifter Lysandra need to defend their homeland at all costs.  Also left to forge their own paths in order to change history are Chaol, the witch Manon, and the golden boy Dorian-while Aelin’s mate, the fae male Rowan, searches the world over for his lost love.

                As Aelin gathers the strength to save herself and fight the ultimate battle of her life, all of their destinies hang in the balance.  Some ties will bond even tighter together, others will be severed forever, and mysteries will be revealed in this action-packed, heart wrenching series finale.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 MONTHS?????? Okay so yes I love this series and this is where it all ends.  I need to know what happens next after how Empire of Storms left off but then I finally got to read the summary and again….MONTHS!!!!!!!  NO!!!!  I have so so so many needs in this book.  I need it ASAP of course but in the book itself I have so many things I need to happen and I am not please it’s going to take at least MONTHS to happen. But yeah the cover dropped finally and I knew this was next and my most anticipated book of this year!

                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.

War Storm (Red Queen #4)

                Hello happy readers!  So I finally finished the final book in the Red Queen series War Storm by Victoria Aveyard.  Now you may remember that I went to a signing for this book last month and got to meet so many amazing people, including Beth Crowley who writes original music based on books she read and this one for Freysand of ACOMAF is stuck in my head!  Anywho at the event Victoria mentioned that people seemed to be split down the middle about her final book they either love it or hate it.  I was a bit concerned by that but now having read it I kind of get it.  I took a bit of time to process after finishing before I could sit down and articulate my thoughts.  But here they are fully digested and ready to share, spoilers for the previous books in the series.  Reviews to previous books:  Red Queen, Glass Sword, & King’s Cage. 

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                When we left  off things were not in a happy place.  Not like book two where Mare is taken captive bad but Cal just agreed to marry Evangeline and basically just broke Mare's heart choosing a crown over her.  So not a happy place.  Plus he messed up Evangeline's happiness which thanks to book three I now want.  But on more important news Cal's decision to fight for the crown has caused a hidden split with his Red allies as they don't plan to put another Silver in charge of them again.  But first they must remove the current king and go from there meaning Mare must continue to work with the boy who broke her heart.  Maven is a force but he is driven by an obsession deeper than any realize as he and his brother have more in common than they realize.  Allies that want to overthrow them.  It is all out war involving Silvers and Reds alike both on the same side and against one another.  Who will win?  Who will make it out the other side alive?  What will Norta end up?

                So this is a story of split war.  I loved that we got so many new POV's.  As I mentioned I was a bit leery of Evangeline getting a POV in the last book as I hated her but then I went and grew to like her.  I didn't full on love her like some of my others as she was still kind of a witch but I understood her so much better.  I even grew to want her to find a way to win, though only if she didn't mess with any of my others!  Which is huge progress from the first two books.  I looked forward to her story and seeing what was happening.  I felt bad for her and the whole love situation she was in, seriously I almost cried at some parts.  It was so messed up.  She ended up being one of my favorites of the series so huge kudos to the author for making that even possible!  We also got a new POV in Iris, the Lakelander princess / Maven's new wife.  That was very interesting to see how things are on her side, we got both the Lakelander perspective as well as one so close to Maven seeing him with a new outside light.  I liked getting to know more about the Lakelanders as they have been background for the first few books with new information constantly coming up.  She/they were also a villain different from Maven and seeing the pair side by side was very interesting. 

                And for other new surprising POV's that don't happen much and start late we do get a couple chapters from Maven himself!  I nearly swerved when the audiobook chapter stated "Maven" as the POV like what when did this happen???  The chapters while brief and limited are very enlightening.  His mind, warped as it has been from childhood is a very captivating place to me.  I can understand why the chapters are placed sparingly as too much from him would have taken away from him.  Small glimpses was a treat and more than enough to see just what has been hinted at.  On the flip side we also get to see a few chapters from Cal's POV which I enjoyed though as much as I enjoyed him, I didn't find them as fascinating as Mavens.  They didn't offer as much new insight for me.  I understood his reasons well enough as he is an open type of person who shares and is readable.  I already knew his reasons and motivations he was easier to read.  Still it was nice to have his own thoughts of his mother and brother that was a nice balm to the crazy going on.

                Of course we have Mare as the main POV.  I have some slightly mixed feelings on her.  I did feel at times she could be a bit wishy washy but she made a choice and she stuck with it.  She never wavered.  She hoped for a difference and took time for her when possible but she didn't waver in the overall choice.  I respect that.  She had some bad choices throughout the books sure but I think she held firm on the important parts.  I was with her in this, even as she struggled with her broken heart, her PTSD, and more she kept pushing forward.  That is impressive no matter what anyone says.  I enjoyed as she got to know more Newbloods like herself.  Knowing she wasn't the only one was a sweet moment not only in solidarity but in that they can teach her more of herself. 

                There are so many side characters who really came to life in this story.  Some stepped into new lights like Jullian.  We got to see more of Evangeline's family which again is crazy and Cal's granny.  We also got to see more from the Premiere and the world he lives in and wants to help spread.  The world we want!  The time spent there was beautifully written and impacted so much.  And of course General Farley was up front and center because she has come a long way since we first met her and she has struggled through so much on her own.  I really wished we had a few chapters from her.  Some of the others we spent so much time with in previous books were less focused in this one like Cameron and Kilorn to name a few. 

                Overall the story was well done for me.  There was action and intrigue as we expect and lots of political espionage happening in all corners.  The character building and even world building as we tear down one part.  It had a lot going for it in this book and series overall.  The end had parts I expected and parts that shocked me.  I was unsure how I felt at first having finished it just in shock of it all but it makes sense.  It won't be a perfect happily ever after for anyone there was just a massive war both internal and external so lots happening there.  That can't be solved or wrapped up in a little bow.  It gave the open ending we needed to believe it was possible.  Some relationships were broken but some have the possibility of rebuilding just like the world and I love that.  I love the parallels there.  At first I wanted a quick instant fix but then I realized that wouldn’t have fit with the epic journey we had just finished.  So I am very satisfied with the ending.  Even if I wanted more as soon as I finished!

                Until next time…

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3)

                Hello happy readers I'm posting to you from my friend's (Bogdana the Booknerd) place as I am spending a couple days with her since I came to town for a book signing event for War Storm (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard.  More on the event later as I'm typing this before going to make sure it's ready.  That said while I get ready to dive into one series ender it is only fitting that I talk about another series ender I just finished, Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton.  I previously reviewed the first books Rebel of the Sands and Traitor to the Throne and this review will have spoilers for the first couple as is the nature.  So let's dive in.

Rating:  5 Stars

                We left off with Amani, the blue eyed bandit, escaping from the Sultan's grasp but it comes with  great cost.  Many of the rebellion are captured including the Rebel Prince they aim to put on the throne, Ahmed.  Amani finds herself taking charge and leading the rebellion as they try to figure a way out of many difficult situations to save Ahmed and their friends and take the throne.  It's a lot to accomplish even for the Demdjii and their remarkable powers.  Her journey will take her to her past she thought she left behind, the mythical city of Eremot and more.  She never set out to be a leader and making hard calls that put those she loves in danger is not what she wants but she is determined to put this rebellion back into the hands of its rightful leader.

                This is the final book and it brings up lots of emotions as with war there is death.  There were times when I was prepared for it and others it just took me by storm and I was left crying at work yet again.  One death in particular got me going then as things continued even as I had an idea what would happen I was all boohooing and couldn't reason it out.   Super vague but if you've you read it you will understand.  I am a character reader and it is impossible to not love and respect Amani who has been through so much and really grown as a person through this incredible journey.  Same goes for Jinn they are there from the start and I just adore their connection as they build better together but strong on their own, never losing sight of their individuality.  Of course the same goes with our other rebels some of my favorites to name a few, Shazad, Sam, Maz, Izz, Delila, and Hala to name a few.  Seriously Shazad is amazing and just as kick butt awesome as Amani.  Sam reminds me of a charming rogue like Captain Jack Sparrow so of course I love him and the twins are always a delight to read as they normally bring some levity. 

"She was all fire and gunpowder, and her finger was always on a trigger."

                The story felt like it flew by as so much was accomplished in such a small time frame but it had been building up and things started to fall into place.  The end was coming.  There is doom and gloom on the horizon for some and they still continue on which I love.  Enemies and Allies.  A fight within and without with the foreigners ready to pounce next there are serious things stacked against our group.  Still no matter how bleak there is still hope and I love that about them.  The mix of magic and strategy really work well.  There is always something happening to make you wonder of the possibilities/repercussions which is always the case when dealing with the Djinni.    

"We would be stories long after we were gone.  Imperfect, inaccurate stories.  Stories that could never even come close to reality." 

                Speaking of we get to know more of the myths and culture that the world is built on.  In both nations.  From a mythical city, old languages, stories from before time remembers fully, and more.  Hamilton found a way to weave in things from book one that fit so perfectly and clicked together I can't wait to re-listen and see if I catch even more.  Overall, this book is a slammed packed series finale.  It covers everything from action, suspense, romance, magic, fantasy, beautiful writing, drama, all the feels, a kick butt female lead and more.  I was not disappointed in the least and I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy.

                Until next time… 

Crowned (Beholder #4)

                Hello happy readers!  Life around the holidays has been kind of crazy, go figure.  That said I was able to curl up and cuddle with my cat and finish a new release that has been on my anticipated release list for some time.  It is the final book in the Beholder series by Christina Bauer, Crowned.  I previously reviewed all of the books: Cursed, Concealed, and  Cherished 

Rating:  5 Stars

                So when we left off Elea and Rowan are together with a goal to save the world by preventing Viktor’s invasion.  That means finding the Sword of Theodora, the only weapon that will kill Viktor without killing herself.  Though on the eve of battle Elea begins to realize that her enemies may be far more powerful than him, but the Sire and the Lady as well.  With the battle coming at her on all sides she must fight and with her mate and others she loves she is ready to give it her all.

                This is what it has all been building towards.  We know the gateways need power and everyone seems to think that means Elea.  Petra sure is determined that she will be the one to die for the recharging and is willing to do anything to convince her of this.  So what do you do when you have many questions and a limited amount of time to figure things out?  You use what you got.  In this case you ask the trickster gods for help during a celebration and hope they grant your boon.  Still even if they do, they are tricksters and they don’t do anything for free.

                I was nervous going in worried how things would end for my Elea and Rowan because something always seems to come between them and their happy ending.  I also on principle never trust deals made as there are always loopholes.  So dealing with tricksters I knew something would go wrong and I was right.  I was even so proud of her for her attention to detail but sigh the tricksters are good at tricks.  Their tricks though about broke my heart many times over.  As I read I just couldn’t believe it and kept reading until I got to the next page.

                Things happen real fast and you never lose the momentum.  It is a constant rollercoaster of action and suspense as you unravel the secrets and mysteries surrounding this comment and the gates.  Nothing is easy and hard decisions are plentiful.  Everyone has really come a long way in the series and I am sad to see it end.  We got to meet new characters, learn about a whole new people and of course work to save the world.  Crowned worked to resolve many open storylines as well as giving up more to feast on.  I was very happy with the end of this book and this series, if only that I was sad to see the end.  I also wish there was a bit more to the end as I am sure some of the after effects would have been interesting to watch.  That said I have recently seen there is going to be an epilogue novella so yay!  That said even with the upcoming epilogue these four books are very satisfying and I would highly recommend them for a marathon they are set up perfectly for that! 

                Until next time…

Fall of Thrones & Thorns (Threats of Sky & Sea #3)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I know I did.  I finished two books at work, yes it was that slow and dead.  The one I’ll be discussing today is Fall of Thrones andThorns, what a tongue twister, the final book in the Threats of Sky and Sea series by Jennifer Ellision.  I previous reviewed the first two books Threats of Sky and Sea and Riot of Storm and Smoke so check those out.  This one will have spoilers for the first two books.  Duh.

Rating:  5 Stars

                We left off the previous book right as Bree had come clean in a very visual way, her blood spilling into the sea showing her to be the true Queen.  A secret she had kept since end of book one having previously decided to keep it to herself and let Aleta be the queen as she had always believed she was.  Very shocking reveal but having just been called liars there to trick them she didn’t have much choice.  Truth out things are not easy.  This had been built up in her mind and heart as a safe haven, a place out of reach of the King Langdon.  Things though are not that simple or that safe as her and her friends grapple with changing of identities and the understanding that Langdon will never back down until he finds a way to conquer Nereidium.  Nowhere is safe so they decide to act first instead of waiting for further attacks.  They must go back, back to the place they just fled.  To bring this to an end once and for all. 

                I was excited to be able to marathon these two audiobooks back to back and finish out the series.  There is just something great about it.  No lag time in remembering who people were or what was happening I was in it and anxious to see how it would end.

                We are at war.  We have lost many characters over the series and there is still more fighting to do.  King Langdon is evil and there is no question he must go.  Bree is caught up in her newfound acceptance of her birthright and learning about her people, as she hasn't spent her life planning for this like Aleta.  Watching as she interacted with her Aunt was beautiful, both very eager to get to know the other but also a touch apprehensive.  It has been so long and getting to know long lost family is hard.  We also took some time for Aleta, who really grew on me in the second book, to deal with this mess.  She has spent her whole life focusing on the Nereidium people and how she would fight the king to get back to them and her people only to find out she's just a commoner.  That is a harsh blow.  Oh and your friend has been holding this truth back for a while.  I'm glad the book allowed Aleta to deal with that, to see what it was doing to her and how she could recover her new identity. 

                In my last review I mentioned the little pieces of romance in the story.  Little bits that make you want more but it's not the primary focus which was so refreshing and different for me to read.  I love me some romance heavy stories don't get me wrong but this was done so beautifully.  Bree and Caden have a romance and a connection but they both clearly admit that while they care for one another and would like to see what could happen if they ever manage to find peace, they are in a WAR and worrying about romance isn't really even on the top fifty things they need to focus on.  That was great.  The other romantic side we see again just has its moments that make you want more but again both parties have more important things to worry about.  Though thinking about the "what if" moments for a few moments here and there is nice and real. 

                This is a conclusion and a final battle of the war.  We see just what King Langdon has been up to and the danger that he brings.  He has truly lost his mind.  Our group is both pulled apart and pushed together in this crazy story each finding more solid footing on who they are and what they want for themselves in this life.  The battle is on and only one can win while many will lose. 

                Fall of Thrones and Thorns was a great ending.  It really managed to encompass the entire series and what the story had been building too and wrapping everything up (be it good or bad).  Still it managed to not just be a conclusion but a whole story in itself as these characters we watched from nothing come fully into themselves and battle the odds.  I loved getting to see the dynamic of the group, all of varying personalities and motivations coming together.  This was a great conclusion to the series and I don't want to say much more or I'd give more away.  I look forward to future books/series from this author for sure.

                Until next time…

The Crown (Selection #5)

                Hello happy readers!  Last week I finished the Selection series with The Crown (Selection #5) as stated in my monthly challenge wrap-up but life has been in my way and I haven’t had a chance to type up my thoughts before now.  That’s right I have went from being super behind and having not read any to finishing the whole series the last couple of months!  Score!  So now I’m ready to share my thoughts on the final book as well as my thoughts on the series as a whole.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                So if you remember from my review of The Heir (review) I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I did the first three books in the Selection series.  It wasn’t bad but Eadlyn just didn’t pull me in as much.  Plus while it was a gender reversal the selected guys didn’t have to go through nearly as much as the girls did to prove they could in fact handle it.  I went into The Crown a bit worried yet still optimistic as she had started to grow on me a bit more towards the end.  And it paid off because I did really enjoy this one. 

                Eadlyn started to make me feel for her struggle more and I saw her as more than a spoiled brat.  So huge plus there.  I could see in this more that she wanted more than to be powerful and stand on her own and not rely on a man, which I did respect from the start.  She wants to rule because she wants to help her people, even if she is a bit out of touch with them.  Also her harsh exterior has something soft and warm inside and some of the things that made her seem harsh were practical things designed to compensate for her being a female leader taken a bit too far.  Things came more into light.  Basically I’m saying I really came to enjoy Eadlyn and care for her. 

                As for her selected.  Well this is where things got real tricky.  I still with they had to preform like the girls did, tasks and such to prepare them and equality and all, but I enjoyed getting to know more of them.  I was conflicted in the first one because I was really liking a couple of different ones for different reasons.  I thought I knew which one I wanted her to end up with and I could see it playing out but at the same time I was kind of rooting a bit more for another.  Still as we get to know the guys was spot on.  Some you know while it wouldn’t work out you will always be able to count them friends which is a huge plus to have people leave on good terms.  Some not so much. 

                 Boy drama for sure.  Still we also have many things to deal with in way of the people, politics, family issues and lots of personal struggles.  The Crown gave us a wrap up to Eadlyns selection and figuring out her heart but more than that it worked out some more political issues.  The first trilogy set up some serious changes and for a long time things have been well and peaceful but as with life nothing is able to stay that way forever and changes must continue to be made.  While I liked the way the original books ended and could see and love the happily ever after feel, seeing years later how while it was like that it also had its hardships and such.  It brings it back into reality and shows there is more.

                 I enjoyed this final book and the selection series as a whole with a minor stumble in The Heir.  Still this one brought me back up and I’m so glad to have finally caught up and finished this series I have heard so much about over the years.  I do recommend anyone who hasn’t read the series yet but has been lingering to go ahead and give it a try.  

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3)

                “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:

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu

Out: 10/11

From Goodreads:

                The thrilling finale to the New York Times bestselling Young Elites series from “hit factory” Marie Lu.

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

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

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

                Bestselling author Marie Lu concludes Adelina’s story with this haunting and hypnotizing final installment to the Young Elites series.

Why I’m Waiting:

                Ummm OMG do you have to ask?  This series has been so different and so dark following Adelina who has morphed through the first two books I’m dying to see where she ends up next!  Plus it’s the last book and with how things left off in The Rose Society I need to know more!!!!

                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!

Top Ten Tuesday: Anticipated Releases for the 2nd Half of 2016

                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:  Most Anticipated Releases for 2nd Half of 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling 7/31

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir 8/30

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas 9/6

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo 9/27

Frost Like Night (Ice Like Fire #3) by Sara Raasch9/20

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu 10/11

Heartless by Melissa Meyer 11/8

Witch's Pyre (Worldwalker Trilogy #3) by Josephine Angelini 9/20

Shattered Pack (Alpha Girl #6) by Aileen Erin 11/29

Quanta Reset (The Shadow Ravens #3) by Lola Dodge

                 As you can tell I have a bunch of final books in here, series I will be wrapping up and I'm stoked for that!  Also a couple starters, because let's face it I will never finish everything!  Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Which would you recommend so I know which ones to get first?  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Rite of Redemption (Acceptance #3) & Author Giveaway

                Hello happy readers!  So some of you may remember I’ve talked before about the Acceptance series by Sarah Negovetich with the first book Rite of Rejection and the sequel Rite of Revelation which I reviewed and really enjoyed.  I also had the pleasure of interviewing her about the book (here if you'd like to see her picks for casting) and then last year I got to hang out with her during UtopYA which was pretty awesome.  The final book in the Acceptance trilogy Riteof Redemption came out just Tuesday (6/6) and I had the pleasure of receiving an early copy for review to share my thoughts with you all and join the blog tour!  I also had my copy on pre-order.

Goodreads / Amazon

Rating:  5 Stars

                At the end of the last books things were bitter sweet.  He had some major losses but we also had some victories and a sense of home among the Freeman.  The Cardinal is bound and determined to hunt her down at all costs.  When his men start to attack other Freeman villages to that end she knows without a doubt it will never stop and no one is safe from him.  She is the face of resistance, the only one people have seen stand up against him with her broadcast and escape and now it’s time to convince others it’s time to fight.

                This series has come so far that to think in the first book Rebecca was sent to the PIT by the Machine predicted she would be a horrid criminal.  Now having found out the Machine really pushes out those less than perfect or more common those who question the Cardinal and his system in any way.  Weeding out the undesirables basically.  Now as one ready to fight to remove him and his machine maybe the Machine was right, she is breaking some laws now.  It all plays back to the initial book where you wonder if they were always meant to be criminals or if they only turned to criminal type behavior because they were put in there?  I love how it all plays back around. 

All the pretties!

                It’s been two books in the making but the characters we grew attached to in book one, and the ones we found and brought into our family in books two are ready to take on the Cardinal.  It’s scary and will be hard but they know it’s no longer about escaping and hoping to find peace.  He will never let them have peace, so they must free themselves and the world from his evil.  It’s almost hard to remember where one book ended and the other picked up as the whole series flowed so smoothly between them into one seamless story.  We spent most of the last book in the Freeman villages whereas the first we spent mostly in the PIT and in book three we are constantly moving giving us new and exciting places to learn about and discover, growing the world. 

                The characters arcs from start to wherever they end up, they have all been through the wringer.  We’ve lost those we loved and we have gained some along the way as well.  While the books do seem bleak and dark at times they are also full of hope and love in a way that helps level them out and give the characters something to fight for.  Some have been changing constantly and others have had more subtle changes along the way.  Loss and grief are something many of the characters face and how each one reacts differently is so true to life it hits home. 

                The first two books were good but this conclusion really amps up what has been building in the back of the series and leads you to what I’d say is a very satisfying conclusion.  It manages to have it all and keep you guessing along the way.   

Sarah's Bio:

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Sarah Negovetich knows you don't know how to pronounce her name and she's okay with that. 

Her first love is Young Adult novels, because at seventeen the world is your oyster. Only oysters are slimy and more than a little salty; it’s accurate if not exactly motivational. We should come up with a better cliché.

Sarah divides her time between writing YA books that her husband won’t read and working with amazing authors as an agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her life’s goal is to be only a mildly embarrassing mom when her kids hit their teens.

You can learn more about Sarah and her books at www.SarahNegovetich.com or follow her antics on Twitter @SarahNego. 

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~Waiting on Wednesday~ Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3)

                “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:

Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3) Sara Raasch

Out: 9/20

From Goodreads:

                Angra is alive, his Decay is spreading—and no one is safe.

                Meira will do anything to save her world.  With Angra trying to break through her mnetal defenses, she desperately needs to learn to control her own magic—so when the leader of a mysterious Order from Paisly offers to teach her, she jumps at the chance.  But the true solution to stopping the Decay lies in a labyrinth deep beneath the Season Kingdoms.  To defeat Angra, Meira will have to enter the labyrinth, destroy the very magic she's learning to control—and make the biggest sacrifice of all.

                Mather will do anything to save his queen. He needs to rally the Children of the Thaw, find Meira—and finally tell her how he really feels.  But with a plan of attack that leaves no kingdom unscathed and a major betrayal within their ranks, winning the war—and protecting Meira—slips farther and farther out of reach/

                Ceridwed will do anything to save her people.  Angra had her brother killed, stole her kingdom, and made her a prisoner.  But when she's freed by an unexpected ally who reveals a shocking truth behind Summer's slave trade, Ceridwen must take action to save her true love and her kingdom, even if it costs her what little she has left.

                As Angra unleases the Decay on the world, Meira, Mather, and Ceridwen must bring the kingdoms of Primoria together…or lose everything.    

Why I’m Waiting:

                So I finally caught up with this series this year and OMG I need to know what happens next.  How the last one left off just….NO.  People are dying and everything is just all sorts of out of whack and I need answers!  ****Update**** I had this post ready to go but I just got an ARC of this in the mail the day before and OMG OMG OMG!!!

                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 Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn #2)

                Hello everyone!  So first things my giveaway for a signed copy of the Last Star by Rick Yancey (here) closes later today and I look forward to announcing the winner tomorrow with my Top Ten Tuesday post!  So get your last minute entries in!  That said yesterday I finished a book I had been highly anticipating since January of this year when I finished the first book, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh (review).  I was so enthralled when I finished that book that I was dying to get my hands on the sequel in the duology, The Rose and theDagger.  When it came out I was in a bit of a slump/behind on some reading and couldn't dive right in, that and I was planning to read it with a friend.  But now that I have finished it I can't wait to discuss it and share all my feels.  If you haven't yet read the first book I highly suggest you do before continuing reading this review or you will be spoiled.

Rating:  5 Stars

                All the feels!  OMG I am in love!  All the things I loved about the first book with the beautiful writing, complex characters, and enticing storyline all continued into the sequel but this time they were upped another notch even I didn't think was possible.  This book will rip out your heart and punch you in the feels hard several times.  I remember reading and feeling my heart literally pounding in my chest.  I also read most of this while at work so I would have to read something that made me want to cry and have to suck it up, no crying at work.  I had read the novellas released up to this point which only amped up my desire to read more. 

                Shazi and Khalid.  They are…epic.  I love them so much.  They went through so much to get where they were and now they are seperated and neither wants it but both are looking after the people of Khorasan and the curse set on them.  Khalid misses her terribly and he hates what has happened to his people.  Shazi is a captive almost in the camp of her first love, the man trying to bring down her husband and true love for the wrongs he has done that she can't explain.  She has her family, her father and sister back but still she wants to find a way to break the curse and save the people before more destruction happens, but most find a way back to the man she loves. 

                Shazi is pretty much a  badass because not only is she faced with so many obstacles she also has her internal ones as well, ie her temper.  But she doesn't let anything stop her.  Khalid you just fall more in love unsure how you could ever have thought anything less of him.  The love he has for her is so rare and true it's impossible to not see and feel.  Still as he loves Shazi he also loves his people and wishes to do anything he can to help them or let those he is close to think he is a monster, OMG his fight with one person in particular wrecked me.

The novellas

                The magic in the first book is small but builds along with the magical tales she weaves and with this one they grow.  Shazi understands she has power and looks to learn more to the purpose of breaking the curse.  We get more about Khalids old tutor and his magic carpet, I'm in the mood to put in my Aladdin DVD as I type this.  Yep solves it I' watching that tonight!  We make even more friends along the way and discover more about old ones as well. I really liked getting to know her sister some more in all of this.  Her first love, Tariq, literally built an army to save her but even he can see he wasn't saving her in the end but that she loved the monster boy-king and having to stay in the same camp, to interact knowing that was as tense and awkward as you would imagine.

                So much is happening in this book.  There is something for everyone and it will make your heart race, break, soar, and more.  It was a never ending thrill ride and I was sad to have reached the end because while I am beyond satisfied with the story it has played out in my heart and mind I don't want it to be over.  I want more of this beautiful world and writing. But this was a duology and it was perfect.  I couldn't ask for anything more.

                 That's it for this one.  PLEASE share your thoughts and feels in the comments below because I am dying to discuss this book.  What did you think of the ending?

                Until next time…