Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: October

                Hello happy readers!  So there were a few changes made at work last week that changed some of my normally scheduled plans, i.e. formatting and posting from work in slow times.  No more social media access including blogs from the computer during shift so I had to do all this at the house which is taking some adjustment but I will push through.  That and I also forgot about to post this when I posted my movie corner I was focused on movies and Kingdom of Ash. So this wrap-up will focus on everything finished to the 28^th!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 52

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 7

No progress this month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 13 (almost there!!!)

What I’ve Read:

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

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 18

What I've Read:

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

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34!!!  COMPLETE

What I've Read:

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

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

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  30 COMPLETE!!!

What I've Listened:

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

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

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: September

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!  I am also having an extra two fosters for a short time while their normal foster is out of town and yeah I have been spoiler Bella is perfectly laid back for me but these two have crazy energy!  Plus 1 to 3 is huge and I love them but glad it's temporary I might have to ease on up to more!  Anywho here is my September wrap-up! 

One of the temps Texas (left) siting with Bella watching
Jackpot (not pictured) run in circles

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:46

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  8

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 10

What I’ve Read:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 17

What I've Read:

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 29

What I've Read:

Brave Enough by Kati Gardner

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 26

What I've Listened:

Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

                So some are doing pretty solid and others not so much.  I hope to get a surge here towards the end and finish a few of the challenges at least!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: August

Bella with her cookie!

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did!  I'm a bit later than normal but I forgot today was the 25th until I was at the adoption event.  My first one as a foster of the beautiful Bella was great she did well but still came home with me but I'm not complaining!  

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 43

Not looking the best as I'm not halfway there but I still hope to finish strong!

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 6 

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

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

 Nothing new...though when I started it I thought In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) was the last one but I was wrong...

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At:

What I've Read:

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At:  27

What I've Read:

Star-Touched Stories (The Star-Touched Queen # 2.5) by Roshani Chokshi (review)
Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi Adeyemi
Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons #3) by Sarah J. Maas

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  23

What I've Listened:

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1) by Tomi AdeyemiCatwoman:  Soulstealer (DC Icons #3) by Sarah J. Maas
In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

                I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: July

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

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 39

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Nothing new to report yet.  But next month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

I’m lacking but working on it.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 15

What I've Read:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)
By Your Side by Kasie West (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 24

What I've Read:

A Study in Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete (review)
Being Alpha (Alpha Girl #7) by Aileen Erin (review)

Cradled (Beholder #) by Christina Bauer

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 21

What I've Listened:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout
By Your Side by Kasie West

                I've got some serious catching up to do.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: June

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

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 34

So according to my bar I’m 14 books behind schedule…..yikes.  Need to get on this!

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson (review)
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 14

What I've Read:

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 21

What I've Read:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard

Goal Keeper: A Pearson Players Novel by Sarah Nego (review)
Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 19

What I've Listened:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

                Still have a ways to go but I'm still proud of the progress!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1)

                Hello happy readers.  I don't know about where you are but here in South Georgia it has been raining pretty non-stop for the last two weeks.  Basically it makes me want to curl up with a book and/or nap constantly.  Even as I type this a nap is calling my name as the drizzle continues.  Still I am excited to have had the time to finish another new release book that doubles as a debut book that had been on my anticipated reads list.  And let me tell you it was more than I hoped.  What book you ask?  AshPrincess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Theodosia has lived more of her life as a captive in her own palace after the Kaiser took over her country and murdered her mother, the Fire Queen, when she was only six.  Now at sixteen she has lived longer as a captive, regularly abused and ridiculed in the court at the Kaisers whims, than as a the true ruler.  She should be the queen but he mocks her as an Ash Princess.  She has become used to her life but one day the Kaiser pushes Theodosia further than she thought she could handle and instead of breaking she remembers who she really is and that surviving is not enough and she must do what she can to take down the Kaiser and save what is left of her people.

                We are taken right into her world and it is harsh and cruel.  She is a symbol and kept under extreme conditions, all Astreans are.  Theodosia, Theo, is very anxious and nervous knowing even if she follows every rule and does everything she can the Kaiser will always change the rules and find a way to punish her.  Her life, while not that of a slave in the mines risking being driven mad by the magic or poorly fed, she is just as much a slave.  She is interesting as she comes to terms with things.  She has to keep repeating it to herself given she doesn't want to risk losing it again.  It came at a cost. The weight of this upbringing really shapes Theo and the way she carries herself.

                There are a lot of darker tones to this book and they are made clear from the start.  This is a land that was conquered and that isn't something that happens peacefully.  So the world is shown as brutal but it's done in a way that gets the point across without being gratuitous, in my opinion.  There is a lot happening with Theo coming into her own for sure as she gets to know the only Astrean's she's had contact with since she was a child, Blaise whom she knew as a child and others.  She also has grown to be friends with Cress who has taken her under her wing of limited protection from other Kalovaxians as the daughter to the right hand of the Kaiser.  And now Soren, the Kaisers son, is back from battle and he seems less evil than his father and proves he might be the key to her crazy plan. 

                I loved getting to know everyone and Theo as she got to know herself.  She has vague memories of life before and was not raised to be a queen by any means.  She has spent her whole life surviving.  Now she has a purpose and has to push down old fears even as circumstances grow more dangerous as she continues to push forward.  There is magic too.  It is limited in this book.  The gems her people have been enslaved to mine, one small one in the hands of a true guardian could cause such power, but the Kalovaxians use them as bobbles and product.  We hear what they do but don't get to see their full power though I hope we learn more in the next book.  And then there is romance.  A triangle of sorts really.  I enjoyed that both grew from different sides of the coin.  With Soren she is playing on him to get information and protection it is strategy but things are never that easy when you have to get someone to fall for you a part of you must be in there too. 

                I really enjoyed this book.  There were some things at the end that have me really amped up and excited for book two for sure but it didn't leave us at a huge cliffhanger, which I appreciate.  I am ready to see what happens next though I have some theories.  The book had it's predictable moments for sure as anyone who has enjoyed some YA Fantasy some things you expect but it had it's own unique voice and I enjoyed taking the ride.  I was captivated through the story and the audiobook was really good, I love the accent it was read in.  I highly recommend this debut! 

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: May

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

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:27

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross (review)
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 6

What I’ve Read:

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton (review)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 12

What I've Read:

King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 16

What I've Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas (review)
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton
Moonlight & Midtown (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1.5) by Christina Bauer (review)

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 14

What I've Listened:

         
The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas
King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton

                I have a few more I’m enjoying including the new War Storm which will count for several challenges so even better!  I also have some ARC’s to dive into so lots to keep me busy!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

The Queen's Rising (The Queen's Rising #1)

                Hello happy readers.  I hope you all are having a good week, mine is so close to being back on a regular schedule again.  It's such a pain from knowing your schedule for the year set days then you have 2 weeks where you have to look at the schedule every day to remember what day it is and if you have to work.  Not cool.  But onto more important and much for fun things, Aprils book of the month with Perpetual YA Bookworms was The Queen's Rising (The Queen's Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross.  My thoughts on the book in the different sections can be found in spoilery detail on the discussion board.  In May we have 2 books A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas which I already finished and reviewed here, and Renegades (Renegades #1) by Marissa Meyer which I hope everyone will join us for!  But onto my review of  The Queen's Rising.

Rating:  5 Stars

                So first off this cover when I first saw it made me want a cloak all the more.  Yes if and when my bestie finally makes us those cloaks she's been talking about making us for YEARS I will totally be the one rocking a cloak like a boss.  We follow Brienna who is put into the Magnalia House to master one of the passions:  art, music, dramatics, wit, or knowledge, and in the end gain her cloak and a patron I was ready.  I was a good student but I think a cloak would have motivated me more than a piece of paper…I'm just saying.  Struggling to find her place she chose to study knowledge much later than she many others and when her seventeenth summer solstice comes she finds herself without a patron.  Still things are not over for her as she discovers something different about herself aside from being of both Velenia and Maevana.  Brienna ends up taking many risks as she takes on an unexpected and unorthodox patron as she fights to restore the rightful queen to the Maevana throne.  War is building and sides are drawn as Brienna uses the gifts she was given and must choose her own side. 

                So right off the back we have the mystery of her parentage not knowing who her father is just that he is Maevana.  The rules are bent in order to allow her, a sixth girl into the program despite her not having an initial talent.  Brienna goes from passion to passion not finding her place right away like the others but they are all so supportive and really a great sisterly pack.  I do hope we get to see more of Ciri, Oriana, Abree, Sibylle, and Merei as the series continues on.  They were a nice part of the first part of the book and I loved their interactions as they worked with one another.  Honestly I think Brienna is the most unique not just by her parentage but because she has spent time with each passion she is a fuller individual for it drawing on a small thing learned from each one.  She wouldn't master them but she took something from each and I love that.  Then of course in Magnalia we have to talk about her Master of knowledge Cartier.  I enjoyed watching him build her up and encourage her. 

                Things get much more interesting as the world continues to grow and build as we leave the Magnalia house and learn about Maevana and how some plot to take the kingdom back and put it back into the hands of the rightful queen as a king was never meant to rule.  I loved this aspect.  The uprising and espionage here but also that it is a woman's land to rule.  They are trying to find the two pieces they need to make their stand and Brienna is the key to finding one of them.  She begins to learn more about Maevana history and customs, learning the other half of herself.  I like the balance between the two, again making her a beautiful balance.  I also like that she is fighting to help the rightful queen, she is just a cog in the wheel rather than the main part which is different from most fantasy I have read as of late.  So that was neat. 

"If you offend a Valenian, you lose your reputation.  But if you offend a Maevan…then you lose your head."

                There is a really slow build romance happening that while I wanted more it wasn't the primary focus as higher priorities took president but it was still there in the background just simmering to a boil.  It was done with great care.  The world building really went all out.  I was enjoying all the different locations greatly as we dove deeper into things.  This is a beautiful world made more beautiful by the writing.  I look forward to seeing more in the world even though I could say this title could have easily been a stand-alone I am curious to see what more will happen.  This was an amazing book and even more amazing debut!

                Until next time…

Sky in the Deep

                Hello happy readers!  As you may have seen I already posted once today and now I am here with the promised second belated review.  Again I am very thankful that I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.  This book is also a new release that came out on 4/24 and an anticipated read for me of this year, Sky in the Deep by debut author Adrienne Young.

Rating:  5 Stars

                Raised as a Aska warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her clansmen each fighting season against the Riki clan.  Her life is simple and brutal.  Until the day she sees something impossible, her brother she watched die years ago fighting with the Riki.  She chases after him desperate to understand what is happening and finds herself trapped in the mountains with the Riki as a prisoner.  She comes to learn many truths she never wanted to know, that the Riki are not so different from her own people and the truth of what happened to her brother those years past.  Still he Riki and Aska are enemies as old as time.  Until one night when another ruthless class raids all of the villages Riki and Aska alike showing a common enemy may force an unlikely alliance.  Beliefs and loyalties are tested and formed as war blooms.

                I knew instantly from the summary and the cover I wanted to read this.  A new debut that sounded epic and it was a standalone so that was even more impressive as most books I was starting/reading seemed to be part of a series.  Plus it seemed like a pretty awesome story.  I wasn’t wrong.  I really enjoyed this debut.  Eelyn is a fierce warrior and won’t let anything slow her down.  We learn how the Aska live, believe, and fight.  Then as things progress we get to see the same things from the Riki side.  More we see the Riki side through the eyes of an Aska, one who is very upset about being there.  Still as she gets to know the people, one familiar in particular she is able to see them as people rather than simply enemies. 

                The story has some pretty well flushed out characters.  I of course loved Eelyn.  I enjoyed getting to know both Riki and Aska, though it does seem we get to know more of Riki.  This didn’t hit me until just now because I still felt while we spent less time with the Aska they were equally understood because our MC is Aska.  Each character from Myra, Iri, Runa, Inge, Fiske, and Halvard were all different and had their own qualities both good and bad.  I had some strong words for each at one time or another to be sure.  Both have their own prejudices and issues to be sure as any groups with contrasting opinions normally do.  More so in this regard as they have spent years past going to war with one another and that leads to a lot of bloodshed. 

                There is a lot of action and fighting in this one for sure but one of my favorite parts was the struggle for the characters.  Warring with their beliefs and history.  Trying to overcome so many years of prejudice and the like.  Reconciling everything you were raised with to what you see in front of you.  What is more important?  What can be forgiven?  I love all of that.  This book had a lot of deeper meaning and struggles inside of it.  It had its share of pain and loss but also hope and love.  It was a full and satisfying standalone.  I look forward to checking out the author’s next book.   

                Until next time…