The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen #2)

                Hello Happy Readers!  So I read The Orphan Queen (review) back before I hit my reading freeze or whatever with everything happening and I really enjoyed it.  I was also thrilled, and only somewhat nervous, that it was part of a dualology and that I had the next book ready to go.  So one book left to figure out oh so so much.  So today I’m discussing the sequel and final book, The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows.  Spoilers for the first book as this picks up where the other left us hanging.

Rating:  5 Stars

                When I saw we pick up where we left off, I mean it.  Prince was breaking our hearts announcing his wedding date to his fiancé and not our Wil and then being shot.  We don’t know if he’ll make it and all sorts of madness ensues. I was caught in this because I wanted something to stop the impending wedding but I didn’t want him hurt.  Saving him is of utmost importance and then, despite it all he still must hold true to his plans for the wedding which breaks our hearts in a different way.  What’s harder still is that his bride to be, Meredith,  isn't horrible. 

                The Mirror King had a lot to answer to finish up the journey we started in book one.  More than the clear romantic pairing that is separated by so much that is.  Though I admit to having that high on my list.  What can I saw I'm a romantic.  We also had this Wrath boy to contend with on top of the whole battle against the wraith and battle of kingdoms.  Both Wil and Tobiah are in difficult situations and we keep seeing that no matter how much you may desire something when you have people or a kingdom counting on you its never that easy.

                Meadows drove in deeper with the characters themselves.  We got to really get into Wil's mind and also see much more of some of the others both those we enjoy and those we wouldn’t mind the wraith swallowing up.  No one was one sided and dull but multi-faceted.  Wil in particular really grows to understand herself but also her powers more while struggling with something everyone can understand, insecurities.  While she has her magic sure I love she never uses it as a crutch but rather her strength and skills she has built over the years is her strong base. 

                The fact that there are multiple "villains" in the story both real people and the wraith but also the evil inside ourselves.  I loved the complexity of this.  While it did have a few moments here and there where it seemed a bit slower pace than I would like I was so invested in the story and unraveling it all that I didn't mind.  Still there was a level of seriousness throughout and it is very clear there are consequences to this war and people you love may not make it out alive.  Knowing that no one is safe and trying to figure out constantly a way to possibly resolve this into a happy ending for everyone in my head was intense. 

                Overall as a duology I highly recommend it.  It had all the great elements from complex characters, heartbreak, developed world and story line, and an end that is satisfying.  Sure it may break your heart a million times over but you still love it.  Meadows did a fantastic job of hitting just the right notes of hope and despair throughout.  She also ended things in a way that cleared everything up and didn't leave you with tons of unanswered questions.  I loved it.

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ The Wish Granter (Ravenspire #2)

                “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 Wish Granter (Ravenspire #2) by C.J. Redwine

Out: 2/14

From Goodreads:

                An epic, romantic, and action-packed fantasy inspired by the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, about a bastard princess who must take on an evil fae to save her brother’s soul, from C.J. Redwine, the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen.  Perfect for fans of Graceling and the Lunar Chronicles.

                The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king.  Their mother was murdered.  The royal family died mysteriously.  And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop. 

                Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess.  And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate.  It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

                So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague.  With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother---and herself.

                But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess.  And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.           

Why I’m Waiting:

                I really enjoyed The Shadow Queen (review) so I’m excited to see what else this world has to offer.  Plus I never knew much of the Rumpelstiltskin story other than from Once Upon a Time and I really enjoy the character so I’m thrilled to see this idea play out.         

                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.

Vincent, Survivor (Vincent Series #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So as I mentioned last week in my challenge wrap-up post I explained why I’ve been so MIA as of late.  Also the better news that everything seems to be calming back down I also am fighting off the last of a sinus infection so cheers but I’m getting back into the swing of things and back to blogging as usual!  Also I’m so in love with my house!  I will share photos of the library once I get it finished or at least set up as I want it for now.  Today I want to share my thoughts on Vincent, Survivor (Vincent Series #1) by O.L Eggert, which is the first book in a new series and a debut author for the author.  I was contacted about this book by the author and was happy to received an ebook copy and provide an honest review.  So here goes.

Review:  4 Stars

                Vincent, Survivor is a bit different than some of the typical YA I've been reading as of late and if I'm honest part of what drew me to it.  It's real and gritty.  It's the end of the world and there is lots of swearing and some bad decisions.  Vincent is a regular guy working in a gang infested home of Oakwood where he always figured he'd end up dying be it from gangs or his vices of smoking and booze.  Never did he think creatures from another world like minotaur's or ghouls and the like would make the list.  Still as the world goes to hell and back as a mysterious figure opens a portal to another world Vincent must face more than he ever expected.  Vincent is a survivor and he will do whatever he has to in order to make it.

                The circumstances Vincent and those he is with are faced with and the decisions that have to be made seem like real conversations I'd have.  Saving people and playing hero is well and good but so is not risking your life for strangers on a whim but being practical.  When everything you know about life goes out the window and you're forced to create a new resting point for "normal" you learn things about yourself and what one can learn to adapt to.  That's what kept me in the story as much as the supernatural elements wondering what could be happening next.  The idea that it was about a normal person, not some chosen one or someone destined to be a hero just a normal guy.  As strange as it sounds it seemed normal in his voice.

                The story moved along quickly making a fast read.  The only down side to that for me were a few instanced of injury that were very serious but then later at an unspecified amount of time later it wasn't as big of an issue.  This didn't deflect my enjoyment at all I still very much enjoyed the read but just in a few moments did get pulled out of it long enough to check and see if I had missed something. 

                So Vincent is real.  Some of our other characters had their own great aspects.  I adored Flea.  He was so fun to read about all of his scenes he stole them.  His personality was so strong but then when you have the mental image as well it just took the show.  Grandma was a hoot.  I mean she's not like my grandmas that's for sure but I have known some people in my life that I feel could be her and some parts to aspire to be.  Elise, like Vincent for me, was real in that she really struggled with the whole right and wrong morality of the new world understanding the logistics that the world has changed into a darker version of itself and really accepting it.

                Because let's face it there is some seriously dark stuff happening.  Not only from the creatures that have taken over which seem bad enough but then factoring the rest of the human population and if they are a good hearted band of survivors like yourself or a demented band of psychos.  Again the idea that the story pulls in both aspects of the supernatural threat but doesn't ignore that another world might not be the only threats.  Still as dark as the book seems in parts there is still that hope.  You have to have something to keep pushing you to survive the world after all.

                Overall I enjoyed the book and I'm happy to have read it and look forward to following into the next book as it wrapped up some aspects but still have a lot of ground to cover and questions left to answer.  Plus I have some suspicions about a few things and I'm curious to see if I'm right or way off base.  Vincent, Survivor was a book that did manage to surprise me at times that is for sure.  I saw a few larger things coming but was kept on guard most of the time which is always fun. 

                Until next time…

A Season for Fireflies

  

                Hello happy readers!  So today I wanted to share my thoughts and feels on a cute contemporary that I read some time back that I realized I never posted my review on.  Bad me.  The book in question is ASeason For Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel and the original review can be found on No BS Book Reviews as I received a copy for an always honest review.

Rating:  4 Stars

               This book was such a quick read.  I flew through it in one sitting which is a great feeling to start and finish a book so rapidly and have that sense of completion.

                That said this book hits one of those areas that I’ve seen pop up a bit more as of late, memory loss.  Whatever the circumstance the memory is lost to a point and how life has changed.  This always intrigues me and makes me wonder if I lost my memory and had to ask people what kind of person I was would I like the answer.  Penny didn't lose all of her memories just those from the last year when her life went completely upside down from what she was used to. 

                Penny is fun and quirky.  She always likes to make an entrance and she loves her friends and has her passion.  She is having a hard time with things at home though and it takes a toll.  I could relate to some of her decisions and her lack of desire to want to talk about things even with her closest friends.  When you've always thrived at being in the spotlight and now you need to step back and stay out of the light.  Sometimes it's easier to start fresh, rather than pull down the good in one's life with the bad.  She makes some pretty crappy decisions along the way.  She basically decides to change her entire life in one emotion filled night.  While it made an interesting concept but it was a bit harder to see her sticking to her guns like that.

                Two others who really caught my eye were Wes and new BFF Kylie.  I loved the dynamic after Penny loses her memory and pretty much doesn't remember Kylie but on the other end she always felt a connection to Wes.  There is something really great in those parts to read.  Maizel did a great job there. I enjoyed post memory loss the best part because it was like relearning things all over again and the emotions portrayed were so genuine.  Confused to find your life not as you remember….horrifying.  Thankfully for me my life doesn't change all that much so I wouldn't have much issue but it's still a scary thought.  I wish we had a bit more with her original drama friends before to get more of a feel for them and just have a bit more of a connection to them but for such a short read it gave me enough to imagine the depth of their connection. 

                This book is full of complex dynamics between friends past and present and reconciling the different but it also touches on some serious family dynamics. Her mom is not mom of the year.  Her dad is sweet but distant, lost in his own world.  Throughout the book they both come into play and both factor into who she is and who she becomes because in the end it's a book of self discovery.  It only took a little lightening strike in a pool to help her put her priorities in order.  Side note here, apologize to my mother for all the times I rolled my eyes as she made me get out of the pool when it started to storm because yep nope this doesn't sound fun in the least.

                Overall I enjoyed it and for a couple hours of reading I had a great time.  I even liked the idea of the influx of fireflies because who doesn't remember being a kid and chasing after them to catch them.  In times much more innocent before things got all wonky and adulting took over.  

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Acca (Angelbound #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:

Acca (Angelbound #3) by Christina Bauer

Out: 2/14            

From Goodreads:

                In just one week, supernatural warrior Myla Lewis must discover enough evidence to send the evil House of Acca to prison…or she’ll end up in jail herself, along with her fiancé, Prince Lincoln.  No pressure.

                To gather proof, Myla and Lincoln go undercover at an all-girl’s high school on Earth.  Lincoln acts as the new gym teacher; Myla becomes the school’s least popular transfer student ever.  To stop them from getting the goods, Acca releases Hell on Earth.  Literally.  Good thing Myla and Lincoln aren’t afraid of a tough fight.  This one promises to be the hardest yet.  After all, who ever said high school wasn’t hell?

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                I love this series.  I always wanted more between Scala and Armageddon with the time jump and now going back we find out some of the adventures they have had.  Plus a reason to have more Myla and Lincoln oh yeah!!!               

                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.

Fantastic Beast & Where to Find them Movie

                Hello happy readers!  So this is a bit late to you, go figure I’m behind, but I saw the first showing offered in my area for Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them and I’ve been holding in my thoughts and feels for so long I might burst!  If you don’t know I’m a huge Harry Potter fan so the idea of having more movies in this world is the best news in a long time!  So diving right in, I LOVED IT!

Rating:  5 Fantastic Beasts

 

                It was AMAZING! 

                Basically I could see this movie over and over again.  And I plan to see it again soon.  It was such a good story and visually it was stunning!  One of the best things about this movie is that while it is the first movie in a new story it doesn’t feel like a set up.  It feels like a complete story that stands on its own.  But of course you want more because it was AWESOME!

                We know the world of Hogwarts already but this time we go back in time to one of Harry’s required readings authors before he finished his book in America.  This right here opens up so many new areas for us seeing how things differ between the two countries from Muggles to No-Maj (I still prefer muggle) or the Ministry of Magic to the Magical Congress.  The world was both magically similar but also completely new and exciting.  You can go in knowing all about Harry Potter and that series or you can go in knowing nothing and still be amazed and understand it all.

                I personally went into this movie not knowing a ton about it.  I knew it followed Newt Scamander who wrote the book I know of and have read like a dutiful Hogwarts student and that he comes to New York with his suitcase and beasts are in need of being caught as something is causing huge problems for the wizarding community of New York along with the.  And it was Harry Potter universe so yeah that’s all you need to know.

                Newt was perfect! He was charming and sweet but most importantly good.  He prefers the company of beasts to other people.  They are his passion.  He loves caring for them and understanding them.  He has such simple yet grand dreams that instead of banning and harming them we should endeavor to understand them.  He was portrayed perfectly and I can’t imagine anyone else every playing him now because this is Newt for me.  The rest of the cast did an amazing job as well but he stood out the most for me.  Kowalski also brought an added level of humor and wonder to the story instead of being the muggle who needs things explained to him as he could have been, but rest assured he is so much more.

                 Visually this movie was stunning!  The beasts were well crafted and looked so real.  Each one was so unique and beautiful (or horrifying) from Bowtruckle, Demiguise, Erumpent, Graphorn, Murtlap, Niffler, Occamy, Thunderbird, and of course Swooping Evil.  Some of my favorites and ones I could remember how to say to look up the spellings in my book and some weren’t in there so I’ll have to see about a more complete book in the future.  The team who pulled this off deserve an award because WOW!  And not just the creatures themselves but the suitcase!  First ummm I would never need a house again just put my suitcase somewhere and I’m good.  I mean that charm in there is insane.  All the different habitats for the beasts was so mind blowing I couldn’t even function. 

                 I mentioned before you could go into this without having seen the other Harry Potter movies or reading the books and be okay but if you are like the rest of the world and have seen the movies there are so many little bits that will give you “ah ha” moments and get your inner conspiracy theorist spinning.  I was dying to chat with other readers when I got out and couldn’t wait for them to see it. 

                There is so much happening in this movie and knowing there will be more just makes my little heart so happy.  I am beyond excited to see what J.K. has in store for us next.  Until next time I need to memorize everything in this and also I feel a Harry Potter movie marathon in the works as well!  I’d love to hear your thoughts and feelings about this movie so we can discuss. 

                Until next time…

Challenge Wrap-Up: August-November

                I hope everyone had a good and safe Thanksgiving yesterday. I had an early dinner with the family then straight to work then a quick check for a few deals on the way home. Now that also means today is the 25th which means it is time for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up; and because I’ve been such a bad blogger the last couple months this will cover Months 8-11.  Basically I haven’t made a ton of progress in the time this encompasses but bright news is I bought a house!!!  That was a lot of work and has kind of impeded things with its own list of troubles on top of birthday season for friends/family and getting sick but nothing I can’t handle.  And handle I shall as I’m getting a better grip on things with being in the house, internet up and running, and books unpacked I hope to get back into my routine.  Still I want to share my progress with you all and it helps me hold myself accountable. 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 98

How to KeepRolling After a Fall by Karole Cozzo

HarryPotter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II (review)

StealingSnow (Stealing Snow #1) by Danielle Paige

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

QuantaReset (The Shadow Ravens #3) by Lola Dodge (review)

Concealed (Beholder #2) by Christina Bauer (review)

HighlyIllogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

2016 Debut Authors:

Goal: 12

At:  10

I’ve read a couple but I since I’ve been bad at posting I haven’t gotten the reviews up yet and thus they don’t count yet.  Just means I’ll make a bigger jump for the final stretch!

Rock My TBR:

Goal: As many as possible!

At: 34 

What I've Read:

The DreamThieves (Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater (review) 

Blue Lily,Lily Blue (Raven Cycle #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 10

The MirrorKing (The Orphan Queen #2) by Jodi Meadows

Frost LikeNight (Snow Like Ashes #3) by Sara Raasch 

                All in all I'd say it was a pretty successful month.  I didn't get to finish or review my debuts but that just means next month will be even better!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!