Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1)

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

Rating:  4.5 Stars

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

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

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

"Every gift is light and dark."

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

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

                Until next time…

Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3)

                Hello Happy Readers!  So I had been waiting for this book,  Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes #3) for a long time.  It is the final book by Sara Raasch is the final book in the series.  I had started reading this series (Snow Like Ashes / Ice Like Fire) and really enjoyed it but more than that I was nervous to see how they were going to wrap it all up.  I finished the series some time back but as I was going through and making my 2018 goals I realized there were several books I read in the last year or so that I never did review and I set to rectify that.  I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced copy of this book through No BS Book Reviews and the original review is posted there but this one was too good not to share on here as well. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                I read the first two books in this series earlier in the year and was blown away.  I could not wait for the final book to see how things would wrap up and if I would be right about a few things I had predicted.  OMG was I stoked to get my hands on this one! 

                So excited to dive in and see how it ends….and also not wanting to all at the same time.  I didn’t want it to end.       I managed to push though that last part clearly and now I know how things end and WOW! 

                We left our gang last time split up.  Angra is alive and the Decay is spreading.  Meira split off to go to Paisly to learn from the Order to use her magic and stop Angra while Mather is to free her people that he can, his Thaw.  Still given the past he is unable to not go after her again.  Half of their world is fighting to save their people while the other half seem to have given into Angra by will or force.  It’s a final battle for everything and no one is safe. 

                I LOVED IT! 

                Everything is happening very quickly in the book.  There is constantly something happening and it really adds the feel of imminent threat to the characters we love.  Even more with the dual POVs when one character is doing something that takes some time another character is handling something pressing.  It also manages to weave in the bits of happiness and romance amongst all the pain and tears we are faced with. The way Raasch manages to combine all the different emotions and make them feel natural is stellar work.  The bits of happiness that made me squeal weren’t out of place in the middle of war but written in such a way they are curtail and not just because I want to know if Meira and Mather will ever have their moment or if Ceridwen will find happiness but because like life there is always bits of everything mixed in.  Hope in the dark.

                Magic takes on a larger role in this one.  Meira really begins to understand.  We begin to see magic for what it truly is and I enjoyed the way it was further explained both good and bad.  The way the Decay worked was really rather fascinating, never knowing 100% if it’s the person's true desires being amplified or simply being weaker willed and easily controlled.  With the Decay it's hard to know who can be trusted, even yourself.  I loved that no one was really truly immune.  Also as Meira learns more about her own magic it really moved things along, not just in giving her a real show against Angra but in how it was centered around her emotions.  It was really empowering seeing her go from shut off and somewhat broken to facing what is on the other side of her mental walls and accepting it good and bad. 

                We also talk a lot about sacrifice.  It's been a theme for sure but now we come to what it will truly take.  I enjoyed how it was huge and important but it also wasn’t beaten into the ground.  It's discussed and thought about often but in small parts, as one might assume it would be.  Sacrifice is also seen in other ways as well and I enjoyed the other aspects of it, how it's about letting yourself be open even if it makes you vulnerable and may hurt you in the end. 

                Now I have to talk a moment about Mather.  So I was always a Mather fan.  I was a bit mad at him at times, like when he went to go marry her off and all that when he was king to name one but while I had moments and enjoyed Theron in parts I always had a bit of me rooting for Mather.  It was so nice to see them spend time together in this book where they spent most of the other book apart.  I enjoyed that reconnecting and seeing the connection they shared from growing up together and knowing one another so well.  He is devoted to her not just as her warrior but as her friend.  I also loved that while he would defend her with his life he also knows she is a warrior herself and wouldn't try to see her as anything less. 

                There is just so much happening in this book. It's the end.  Things wrap up and for me I was happy.  Some things broke my heart and I hated the book for those moments but then after I had a few tissues I had to keep going to know, what next?  It has it all, a real roller coaster of emotion.  We got to know some characters more fully flushed out, Ceridwen for one might be my favorite addition to book two and having so much from her perspective wonderful. 

                I was sad to see it end but I'm so fulfilled it's all good.             

         

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Windwitch

                “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:

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2) by Susan Dennard

Out: 1/10

From Goodreads: 

                On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery,” a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

               

                In this follow-up to New York Times bestsettling Truthwitch, a shadow man haunts the Nubrevan streets, leaving corpses in his wake—and then raising those corpses from the dead.  Windwitch continues the tale of Merik—cunning privateer, prince, and windwitch.

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                 I really enjoyed book one (review) and that ending left me with lots of feels and things I needed to know more about.  Plus it looks like we get more focus on Merik in this one and I really enjoyed his parts in the last book so I’m looking forward to more of him. 

                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 Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I finished up a read along on our Goodreads group Perpetual YA Bookworms reading The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows and we start the sequel and conclusion of the dualology The Mirror King today to finish off the series.  But before I dive into book two I wanted to share my thoughts on book one.

Rating:  5 Stars

                The Orphan Queen is a story following Wilhelmina and while she has multiple identities at the moment through and through she is a princess of a kingdom taken over by the Indigo Kingdom ten years before in the One Day War.  She and many others were left orphans and taken into the Indigo Kingdom but as they escape they took on the title of Ospreys and learn stealth and theft anything to survive and take back her thrown.  To do so she will work as a spy and infiltrate Skyvale Palace and gather information on their foes.  However, taking her throne back isn't that simple, on top of dealing with those difficulties there is a much larger issue at stake, the Wraith, toxic by-product of magic making magic illegal for years, is working it's way across the continent laying waste to the land.  Even if she manages to get her crown back she will still have to contend with this threat.

                Let us start with Wil, she is different than what I have come to expect from characters reclaiming their thrown.  She may be the rightful queen but her and the Ospreys have a different leader of their group, Patrick.  His father was the former General and he was the oldest when they escaped making him the best choice to get them where they needed to be.  Wil is a skilled fighter, they all are after years of surviving, which makes her pretty bad ass.  We also learn from the start she herself has magic, a flasher, but thankfully no one knows or she could be killed.  With magic being illegal and the cause of the Wraith it's a touchy subject.  She's a master forger and loves the art of writing and drawing and I enjoyed the way it played out.  As a future queen of her people she also sees a larger picture and while she lets others lead she does not blindly follow but questions and looks for her own answers.

                In Skyvale one figure in particular hunts down flashers and those who hurt the city, Black Knife.   Black Knife is a very complex character.  He is one to be feared but as we continue we come to see more of him and just what he does.  He is a vigilante but he also is doing so to save the people of the city which is commendable.  I think I liked this character the best as I got to know him and even as I suspected who Black Knife was beneath the mask early on it was fun to watch it play out.  I don't think the identity is meant to be shocking, I think there is enough out there to make the reader suspect and in turn enhance the character without fully confirming until the final section. 

                The characters and their interactions were what really moved things along for me.  I was invested in them, Patrick and his rule of the Ospreys and did I trust him or not, her best friend Melanie and did I suspect her, the other ladies of court while under cover and their motives.  Clearly I distrust everyone it seems.  We also can't forget some of our men, Prince Tobias and his cousin / guard James and of course our masked Black Knife all of whom have their moments both good and bad.  All of them formed a web that makes you want more.  And if that isn't enough you really get to dive into the whole world of Skyvale and the Wraith.  Trying to figure out what it is and how to stop it and the beasts it creates keeps you guessing.  What is rumor, myth, and what might actually help.  All while giving us hints of the past with connections and magic itself.  Along with pieces of what Wil herself can do as she struggles with what she thought she knew of the past and what is becoming clear may be well and true. 

                Overall it really took off and after the first 70 or so pages where I enjoyed it I moved to hard to put down.  I am so glad I waited to read this book though because with the ending that I had now I don't have to wait to read what happens next and how the story ends.  I will be starting The Mirror King today and I will share thoughts once I finish.  Until then I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments about the intrigue, action, magic, and moving parts in this fantasy. 

                Until next time…

The Star-Touched Queen ~Giveaway~

                Hello happy readers!  I was planning to post this review and giveaway Friday but I ended up staying with a friend and got in super late then slept like the dead.  That said I had a great time at the release/signing event for TheStar-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA.  I have some more events planned for this month and will be putting my thoughts together on them in detail later on at No BS Book Reviews but for now just know it was a fun time.  I had dinner with some great book friends before hand and even more friendly faces there.  The store really is full of wonderful staff who love their job and remember their customers! 

Rating:  5 Stars

                The Star-Touched Queen is a debut novel and a stand alone!  First, I have found stand-alone fantasies are a rare find so cheers there.  Second, look at the cover!  So pretty!  I was happy my pre-order arrived the day of release so I had the day to read it before I went to the event, I always try to read the books before hand just in case anyone says something spoiler-ish!  The book is pretty quick and I flew right through it in pretty much one sitting, well I had to move I started in the pedi-chair and continued when home.  It's a story unlike anything I had read before.  We follow Maya who is cursed.  Born with a horoscope that promises death and destruction she has been an outcast in her father's kingdom and harem.  Until one day her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding for political convenience.  Maya becomes queen of Akaran and wife of Amar, neither are things she ever thought to want or wish for given her horoscope.  The world is magical but full of secrets.  She is asked to trust but when you know nothing it's hard to put faith in anyone or anything.  Fate, fortune, power, passions, reincarnation, mythology and more it has it all.

                Wow.  This book kind of blew my mind.  The whole world created was so beautiful and magical for me, different from anything else I had read that I was in love.  From jeweled fruit on trees you can eat to doors that will take you to any number of places including the stars.  Maya was wonderfully written and I loved her way of thinking.  She went back and forth in her thoughts and feels on things as new information came to her.  She wavered.  She fought with her head and her heart.  She had fears but she also had passion and a willingness to do anything for those she cared for.  She was pretty awesome.  Amar was pretty swoon worthy.  He was mysterious in ways both good and bad but he was already enduring with Maya.  He was vague in many ways but what he did say always rang with a truth.  He also had some sweet moments that just made my little heart feel all the feels!

                I really can't say anything else about the story as a whole or it might ruin the discovery.  The story is told in two parts and you just have to read it to understand all the beauty inside.  That and the whole mythology and destiny/fate aspect with the horoscopes just keeps you guessing.  Oh and the idea of harems and arranged marriages in a shed a different light on things.  Everything is so wonderfully packaged in this one little book that while I want more I am completely happy.  I did however, find that there is a companion to the book that would follow Maya's sister's path which makes me happy.  She was such an interesting character and the connection between Maya and her only added to my love of both.  Something about family. 

                I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below.  Now for the goodies.  While at the signing I had the sweet Roshani sign an extra copy of her beautiful book to giveaway to one of my readers to enjoy!  The giveaway will be open until midnight Thursday May 12th.  This giveaway is open to US only.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and feels on fate and horoscopes and more. 

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Queen of Hearts (Queen of Hearts Saga #1)

                Hello happy readers.  Today I’d like to discuss with you a book I got for review and the original post is at No BS Book Reviews here, and that book is Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                Queen of Hearts follows the Princess of Wonderland and future Queen of Hearts, Dinah, who spends her days trying to keep it together through the vicious humiliations and threats of the King of Hearts, her father.  Her one place of happiness is visiting her childhood friend, and love of her life, Wardley, the future Knave of Hearts.  The pretty horrid pattern of her life is upset as a stranger comes to the palace and her life and everything she’d been looking forward to starts to slip away.  Dinah is left to figure out the truth to the mysteries that lurk within the palace before she loses everything, including her head.  Its part fantasy and party fairy tale in the first book of a series that looks at familiar and new characters we remember.

                 Okay so I’m a little confused on this.  Maybe I should first say I really enjoyed it.  It’s the publication that confuses me a little but from what I gathered it is not a “new” book as it was originally published a couple years back along with book two in the series but that this ARC “new release” is the re-release with a new and larger publisher.  That’s awesome and I love the new cover!  Plus hopefully since I’ve seen the reviews for the original sequel on Goodreads that means we won’t have to wait as long to get our hands on it.  Here’s hoping anyways. 

                Back to the really enjoying it part.  I have always been a fan of fairy tales and all the retellings that have been happening and becoming more prevalent the last few years have been so much fun for me.  Seeing something classic that I love and seeing a new side of it.  The Queen of Hearts has always been this vicious and evil figure but seeing before that to when she was merely a princess is rather interesting.  I’m a firm believer that everyone has a backstory and the best stories always flush one out, especially villains. 

                Dinah isn’t perfect she is a bit spoiled and while intelligent she isn’t quick to look for answers; still she is feisty and has a big heart.  There are small hints of the Queen I know from different tales, a bit of a temper and snark.  Her adoration to her mad hat maker brother transposed from what we see of her and her father is what really pulls you into her corner.  Other characters of interest for me, her brother Charles, Cheshire the advisor (and not a cat), and Wardley.  The King is rather complex and intriguing like the world and the towers but because they are dark and evil yet still make you want to know more. 

                Throughout we start to see what Dinah has been dealing with and how the addition of a new guest starts to ring in a change for her, and not in a good way.   The mystery begins to unravel as the closer they come to her coronation, where Dinah is to rule beside her father until she weds and rules with her husband, and Dinah must start to make sense of it all before she loses more than her crown but her head.  There is also a very light touch of romance in the story.  She is in love with her best friend but while she dreams of more with everything going on Wardley is much more focused on keeping her safe.  Not much time for romance, their friendship managed to come across as true and solid having memories of playing together from a young age to their own little codes.  I hope to see more of their friendship and possibly more in the sequel. 

                 The world building is much what I expected of a Wonderland tale.  Full of lavish and out of the box fashions and scenes.  Still while it could be both vibrant and beautiful on one side the duality of the world is that it holds some dark secrets as well.  I enjoyed the ride and getting to dive into this unique world. 

                My only issue with it was that many things uncovered hint at something larger and while I think I have it figured out (early on too) it was never confirmed.  I understand it may be flushed out further in the next book of the saga but with some of the hints being dropped early on I was hoping to have at least one of my suspicions confirmed.  With the book not being very long it could have easily added more to this particular aspect instead of making me feel it was stretched into another book.  I’m still going to read the next book, I’d read it now if I could find it, and would recommend Queen of Hearts to anyone who enjoys a good retelling or just a “before they became what we know” type of story. 

                I’d love to hear your thoughts and fells in the comments below.

                Until next time…

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…

Firstlife (Everlife#1)

                Hello happy readers!  Days off fly by so much faster than those for which we work, why is that?  If all goes according to plan I'll be seeing The Huntsman:  Winter's War tonight so I'm excited about that.  But in the mean time I do have a new release book I recently read for you, Firstlife by Gena Showalter.  I've never read anything by this author before but this cover really caught my eye and was an anticipated read after I read the synopsis. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                One choice.  Two realms.  No second chances.  That's the tagline!  Basically the life you live now is just a Firstlife and during it you make a choice as to where to spend your Everlife:  Troika or Myriad.  If you don't make a decision before your death and are unsigned you go to the Realm of Many Ends, a nasty place of bad things.  We follow Ten an unsigned seventeen year old girl who has spent the last year and change imprisoned in an asylum subjected to all forms of torture and persuasion at the request of her parents hoping to make her choose their way.  See the two after realms are at war.  Both realms want Ten, she is something special to them both and could sway the war.  Laborers, aka recruiters, from both are sent to try and convince her to come to their side.  Making such a decision is hard on a regular person and Ten isn't your regular girl. 

                This books  had me from the start with the whole concept of the first life being just a dress rehearsal for your next one where things really count.  Both Troika and Myriad have their pros and cons for me and I did enjoy hearing them pitched throughout the book.  One will offer deals and perks to sign with them, enticements, where as the other is equal everyone gets the same package, light vs. dark and so on.  Prynne Asylum is pretty horrific.  Seriously her parents were on my hit list the whole book.  I would have picked the other realm just so I would never have to see them again and oh yeah out of spite for what they did.  But Ten isn't me and she is more resilient she only wants to make her own choice and not one forced upon her out of pain or fear or anything.  I respected that.  I also enjoyed her play on numbers it was unique and something I don't think I've ever read before. This book also had one line that made me drop my book.  It was just something that was so me that I couldn't hold the book I was laughing so hard.  Took a while to start again because of tears of laughter.  There were funny moments here and there but that took the cake *pun intended* for me.  

                The two Laborers, Killian and Archer, are both hilarious.  The e-mails between them and their realm were pretty great going between intense and hilarious.  Both have their own way of doing things, they are for their realm but each at times can see how some things are flawed in time.  The dynamic between Killian and Archer is great the seething hate for one another that we see explained piece by piece was nice.  I even liked the character of Sloan who developed nicely from when we first meet her.  Still have to respect Ten though and her determination to not be forced into a choice.  She was a bit indecisive but when the choice is so big I can understand that. 

                I was pushed through the story quickly and easily picking up things here and there and found myself surprised at some aspects of the story which is nice.  War is happening and both sides want her and if they can't have her then they would rather her be in the Realm of Many Ends.  So with so many people out to sign or kill you it's a huge mess but lots of things are uncovered and she keeps kicking challenging herself and moving forward.  The whole book was a great fantasy get away for me and I look forward to learning more about all of the realms and what started the war in them to begin with.  Also if she is so important how that will play out in the battles to come.  I would highly recommend this one and would love to hear your thoughts below in the comments about which realm you might go with.

                Until next time…

The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I worked this one but I did get some sleep and some OTC stuff and my sinuses are back to their normal irritating levels.  I also had a chance to finish some great books and one I’d like to discuss today is The ShadowQueen by C.J. Redwine the first book in the Ravenspire series.  I previously reviewed the Defiance series (Defiance, Deception, Deliverance) if you'd like to check them out.  Clearly I went in a fan of her writing and ready to see what new fantasy was coming to life. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                For those who don’t know The Shadow Queen is a Snow White retelling of sorts with the evil queen and the innocent princess and rightful heir wanting to take back her crown and save her people.  Lorelai, the princess and fugitive, has one mission:  killing her step mother and evil queen Irina before she completely destroys their land.  They have one thing in common, magic.  Irina has been using her magic for longer than Lorelai has been alive and is known as the most dangerous sorceress any has ever known.  So when a neighboring kingdom Eldr, a land of dragon shifters how cool, find the war in their land with invading ogres has taken a turn they are not equipped to take on, their leader Kol will make a deal with the queen to save his land.  Bring the queen Lorelai’s heart and the ogres will be stopped; the only problem is Lorelai is on her own mission to save her people and not a damsel in distress. 

                First side note that adds to the book love, how pretty it is.  The cover is simple and perfect, even more so as you read, but the naked book…those end pages in the bright red map!  OH I was so excited for them. 

               Now moving on to what is important, what’s inside the lovely book ends.  I was in LOVE with this book from the start.  The Shadow Queen starts off with a bang for sure and in the first 50 pages I was entranced and didn’t want to put it down.  First Irina is evil incarnate and pretty badass, I can admit when someone is a good villain, while I never rooted for her I respected her power and her level of crazy.  Lorelai was just endearing from the start in her Robin Hood type moves to try and help her people and build herself up.  Plus her interactions with Leo and Gabril cemented the familial bond and I just adored them.  And while I’m not personally a fan of feathered creatures in real life, hey fears run deep, still I loved Sasha and the conversations about "gifts" brought me up every time.  Kol was very similar in several ways.  I found him charming in the best of ways not only because of the obvious charm but for his humor and his strength of conviction to what is right and to his people.  No matter how flippant he may seem in the beginning as soon as things get serious he steps up.  And while he may do anything to save his people he still struggles with his decisions and find a way to continue to be honorable. 

               

                The world we are thrown into is one of magic both good and evil and so much more.  I felt like I understood the world, though I still have much more to learn.  This is after all the first book in a new series and the map has lots of other places on it….just saying.  Plus we spent pretty much the whole time in Ravenspire and I look forward to seeing more of Eldr and the other lands.  Some of the magic has yet to be expanded upon but again more books.  The story moved along very quickly and there was a ton of action from chases to fights both normal and magical with never a dull moment.  When you're a fugitive you can't sit still too long!  We also have some romance happening and while this is a surprisingly short book it didn't feel rushed to me, it felt natural given the pacing and events in the book.  Blending foes and friends and finding the right path.

                Basically I loved it and think you should pick it up if you're in the mood for a face paced magical retelling that will keep you hooked from the start.  I can't wait to see where Redwine takes the series next.  I know throughout the book I was constantly trying to figure out what would happen and while some aspects I pegged others came about in such a different want than I expected.  I'd love to hear your thoughts below on the new series in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Threats of Sky and Sea

                Hello happy readers!  Happy April Fool’s Day!  I don’t have any pranks to pull but instead a review to offer up.  This book came onto my radar after I was contacted by the author and since then I have seen this book pop up in a few places and I can see why having now read it myself.  The book is Threats of Sky and Sea (Threats of Sky and Sea #1) by Jennifer Ellision and is the first book in the series that already has book two, Riot of Storm and Smoke, out.  I was provided a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Threats of Sky and Sea is a strong fantasy story.  I was told others compared the story to Throne of Glass so I was already hooked because I LOVE that series and I see the comparison.  We follow sixteen year old Breena “Bree”, small town barmaid working to keep the inn running with her Da.  Everything is going pretty good until the past comes knocking.  Her father’s past to be specific.  See anyone with Elemental gifts, control over fire, air, earth, or water are required to serve the king and her father ran away from his service sixteen years prior with some secrets.  Taken to the king Bree is desperate to escape before the somewhat mad and vicious king is able to use them further.  Time is short and lives are on the line as the past must be unraveled and more.

                One of my favorite parts of this book was the main character.  She’s sassy, strong, compassionate, and also uses her brain and common sense more often than not.  Wanting to help others in need even if instinct may say run and hide, but still knowing you can’t rush into everything.  It’s a balance and I liked it in Bree.  She is trying to play along and gain information to use in the end rather than making rash decisions.  She’s multi-dimensional and sassy.  There is this picture that shows up on my Facebook all the time that makes me think of her and it makes me relate to her all the more. 

                Ellision also developed some interesting relationships.  First between Bree and her Da which I think anyone can root for and adore.  They are so at ease with one another and even when she is confronted with the truth and knows he’s lied to her for so long, she still instinctively believes and loves him and still hears his voice in her head when she is doing things.  Then you as she moves through the story making both allies and enemies.  From Tregle a Torcher whom I kind of liked a lot though he wasn’t seen as much to the very bitchy and aloof Princess Aleta that kind of grows on you as you read.  Lady Kat and the King whom you love you hate, seriously both were pretty evil but Lady Kat…wow she just popped off the page for me as a psycho.  Let’s not forget Caden, our Prince and heir to the thrown so conflicted and caught between his roles.  He doesn’t agree with his father’s politics he had been a good father making it hard to think of him fully as an enemy. 

                We also see the always, for me anyways, amusing side of someone of common/humble begins brought into the proper society and struggling to play by the new rules.  As someone who is clumsy as can be and horrid at proper etiquette in anything I always understand the struggle.  There are some aspects that seem familiar and I did see some things coming, but I enjoyed getting there.  Funny enough I saw one thing coming but only as I started to type my review did I process one scene and its significance.  I had it based off my awesome deductive powers and small hints here and there but nope the bigger signs went over my head.  Still the world was unique and the control of the elements and the rules of magic were different and added their own flare to things.

                There wasn’t a ton in the way of romance happening.  There were the start of some feels rolling in slowly, building up.  I can appreciate it.  I was hoping to see more of one part of it but in a way it fit for who the specific character had been developed (yes I’m being vague on purpose).  Another aspect went from slow thought to something more quickly but again circumstances being what they are it gives a sense of urgency.  Still I hope to see more being built up in the next book, which again it already out so I don’t have to wait accept for on my schedule. 

                I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others, especially anyone who did enjoy the Throne of Glass series or similar books like the Air Awakens series (still only finished book one but it’s great).  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.  What element would you like to control? Personally it’s a touch call but I think I would lean towards air just so I could keep cool all the time, though given my luck with getting burned maybe fire would save me some pain.  One of those for sure! 

Until next time…  

The Wrath and the Dawn

                So if you saw my Waiting on Wednesday post yesterday then you know what to expect today.  That's right, my thoughts and feels on The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh.  First just a note you can still check out my open giveaway here for a signed copy of The Rose Society by Marie Lu.  Now onto the review.

Rating: 5 Tales

                This is a re-telling inspired by A Thousand and One Nights.  I admit to never knowing the full original story but I am fascinated by it.  Basically the land is ruled by a boy-king who takes a new bride each day as she never survives the dawn.  After her best friend is killed Shahrzad volunteers to be his wife vowing revenge.  She is determined to stay alive and put an end to this pain and madness.  Shahrzad manages to stay alive each dawn weaving stories that enchant the king as she had planned.  However, that's the only thing that went according to plan.  Khalid is nothing like she expected and instead she finds herself having feelings both for him and of her own betrayal to her friend.  She is determined to uncover the secret that has claimed so many lives no matter the cost. 

                So I have to say I listened to the audiobook.  I won a CD copy in a giveaway and it seemed perfect to listen to when I went up to visit a friend at the start of the year.  I figured 7-8 hours in the car overall would put a huge dent in the story and it did.  I was so captivated by the story, though I will admit like with fantasy this is full of names I have no idea how to spell/pronounce normally but as I listened I can say them but when I looked up some of the names to write this I was like…."yep never would have got that" so that's fun. I highly recommend the audiobook though. 

                This story was intriguing to me from the start.  I loved the internal conflict within the characters of Shahrzad and Khalid.  This isn't a simple love story.  There is so much happening from the secrets kept guarded, the stories, the characters and everything as a whole.  I really enjoyed the tales and how they played a part in the story, I'd heard some of them before of course but seeing them and how parts could relate to this story just enhanced it.  Shahrzad has a hatred for this man who took her best friend and yet as she is near him he looks tormented.  He isn't the monster she envisioned, heartless and uncaring.  Her opinions of him waver through the story which I enjoyed she appreciated his attractiveness near the start but there was no insta-love.  Definitly not that.  Still as she learns more about him she begins to know there has to be more, a deeper meaning.  On her mission to find that she develops feelings for the man she should hate which causes some serious conflict within her.  Then with Khalid you know this is hard for him, he isn't sure of himself with her which despite everything else he rules is kind of cute.  I also love that he appreciates her honesty and her attitude that most would condemn her for. 

                Okay where getting the book for spelling came into play, I really enjoyed some of the other characters as well for both good and bad reasons.  Jalal and Despina both had me laughing my behind off at some of their lines, normally in reference to Shahrzad.  Despina isn't taking anything from her and is kind of like a snarky best girl friend.  I even had to love the Rajput and his stoic silence.  The Sultan of Parthia and his daughter Yasmine were both interesting and added depth to the story and wow did I love some of the verbal smack-downs that happen though out the book.  Seriously, Shahrzad is like a smack down champ!  We didn't just focus on Shahrzad and Khalid but we also got bit from her father Jahandar and her childhood and first love Tariq and his best friend Rahim, who is like a brother to Shahrzad.  I'm not sold on the motivations of all the characters yet, some are still questionable to me but each element built a larger story. 

                That's all I can really say on this accept enjoy the world and the journey.  How do I want it to be May so I can have the sequel in my hands.  Seriously I didn't think I would be this in need of it but here I am.  I'm also in the middle of an internal debate about the sequel and if I want to pre-order the hardcopy or since I loved the audiobook so much do I want to listen to The Rose and the Dagger as well.  Conflicted.  Apparently I have a few months ahead of me to make the decision.  I'd love to hear your thoughts down below on the book, characters, and well thoughts on my internal struggle as well.

                Until next time…

Deliverance~ The Conclusion to a Series

                Happy Monday!  I had a very interesting weekend, I finished a couple of books, watched some movies, and tried sleeping off a possible on-coming cold.  So far so good there.  So real quick there is still time in my open giveaway for a signed copy of The Rose Society by Marie Lu, here.  Don't forget you can get one entry each day for just tweeting about it!  Now you may remember I mentioned that I was near finishing a series I started back in 2015, Defiance or The Courier's Daughter trilogy by C.J. Redwine.  I previously reviewed Defiance and Deception if you want to catch up there.  I have also finished the last book, Deliverance and can't wait to share my thoughts with you.  If you haven't finished the first two books there will be spoilers for those two.  

Rating:  5 Stars

                When we left off in Deception things were bad.  Really horribly bad.  Logan was incarcerated with Willow with two parties wanting him and the device both willing to destroy the city to get their way and both stopping him from going after Rachel.  Rachel who was injured and taken by Ian who has a serious rage hate going for Logan wanting him to suffer and hurting Rachel is a good place to do that.  Rachel is fighting for her life trying to escape at any opportunity but as she learns a secret that could put everyone she has left at risk she must hatch a new plan.  Logan our master of plans and last stitch schemes must join forces with the one man he has sought to kill since childhood.  At least until he can take down the larger threat. The enemy of thy enemy is thy friend they say.

                So I was a bit of a wreck through a majority of this book.  I did not in the least like Rachel in Ian's custody but even less as she was injured and not able to fully defend herself against his cruelty.  Thankfully we have Samuel there who is not the most likeable guy but at least he has a strict set of we'll call them morals and is determined to make sure Rachel makes it to the destination without Ian killing her.  I did almost grow to like him and I enjoyed getting to know a somewhat sane person from Rowansmark.  This book was rather dark, with lots of violence and pain happening.  Now the other two books aren't rainbows and sunshine by any stretch but this one seemed more vicious to me, maybe it was that it was the end and our MC's were in the thick of it and really struggling with everything but yeah it was serious.

                One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was getting to see more of the world.  In Deception we moved in not only more of the Wasteland but also into Lankenshire which was progression.  In the conclusion not only do we get those but we also get to travel to Hodenswald, Chelmingford, and the evil power of Rowansmark.  I loved the travel and getting to meet different heads and seeing how everyone interacted not only with the Commander but with Logan and their band of unlikely allies.  I also just adored that Connor came along and kept on the journey with them.  He was one of my favorite new characters because well, he was kind of a book nerd and he spoke so well and with such purpose and poise that I just kind of swooned for him a bit.  He was a bit of a weakling in the more physical aspects but he could lay a verbal beat down like no ones business.  Such random awkward spills that come out of his mouth just loved him and he was the perfect Lankenshire ambassador. 

                Rachel in the last book was in a very dark place.  She was making decisions and going down a path of revenge and letting nothing or no one stand in her way.  Others were hurt in her blind and sometimes suicidal quest and she didn't care, any cost would balance out if the Commander died.  Quinn, oh wonderful Quinn, took it upon himself to try and make her see things clearly.  That the pain inside bottled up was not helping her and she had to choose to feel to let it in to be able to move on.  That struck true and as much as her stubborn self didn't like it, given what Quinn scarified for her she knew he was right and she turned a corner.  Seeing her whole journey through the books was amazing.  She grew so much and there is a specific moment in the book that basically sums it all up and when you get to it you will know it.  Seeing her in even more dyer circumstances than before but more determined to make it and move through it was beautifully written. 

                Logan is also forced to come to terms with his own issues.  He feels he is a failure and that most things can be traced back to him in some form or fashion and how can everyone not look at him and see that.  He also has to work with the man he's wanted to kill since he was but a child, brutally orphaned.  I really enjoyed watching him continue to work his wonderful mind and try to see every possible outcome and grow more confident in his choices for his family.  When he makes a stupid and crazy decision that goes against the odds and rational thought, soft for women, it was so very Logan.  Also his scenes with Willow, just loved them.  She warmed up several degrees since we first met her.  She is still everything we loved about her but she also has some softness.  As Rachel is with enemies Logan is with, well technically enemies and friends, but he has that group that support system.  We got to see more of Jodi, Adam, Nola, Smithson, Frankie, Drake and so on. 

                Everything was so beautifully written from the characters and the world to the pain both emotional and physical it just came off the page.  I cringed so many times throughout because while I knew it was just a book I still was so invested in the outcome it felt real.    I just loved it!

                I highly enjoyed Deliverance as a book and as a conclusion to the series.  I feel it wrapped up the storylines in a strong finish and also left the world there rip for another story maybe sometime in the future.  Also I should point out after finishing this book I found out there was a Quinn/Willow novella from when they were still with the tree people called Outcast available on kindle which I can't wait to read.  In case you didn't know about it I figured I'd help you out!  Anywho that is all for me today, I would love to hear your thoughts on this series in the comments below. 

                Until next time…

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

                Welcome back everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break!  I am surprised to say I got no books this year for Christmas, thus far anyways.  I did need some car parts which I needed so I am okay with that plus I got some gift cards though which are basically books in waiting.  I also placed another Bookoutlet order.  2016 is fast approaching, I can’t believe 2015 is almost over.  But today as the only review for this week I wanted to share my thoughts on the start of a series I will be finishing up start of the New Year if things go right and the first book is Defiance by C.J. Redwine.

               

Rating: 5 Stars

                Defiance takes place in a world full of city-states where women are trained to sew and dance and are unable to go anywhere without a male protector.  Outside the walls there is the Wasteland and a monster that can’t be killed.  Rachel isn’t like other girls, her father raised her to track and hunt and she doesn’t want a protector, she’d rather have a sparring partner.  However, when her father doesn’t come home from his courier mission and is declared dead she is assigned a new protector, until she is of age to be claimed by a husband of course, none other than her father’s apprentice and boy she confessed to love some time ago, Logan.  Rachel knows in her bones her father is alive and she will do anything to find him even if she has to do it herself.  Together this pair with a history journey through the Wasteland and are faced with the monster, trained assassins, and pretty much everyone wanting them dead.  Oh and there is the whole pesky hurt feelings still lingering between them, what could go wrong?

                 I really enjoyed this book.  It caught me by surprise as I didn’t know much about it when I started just that it had been out for a while and I liked the simple yet striking covers. Baalboden was not my kind of place.  The role of a female was not something I enjoyed and found myself scoffing at every person who talked about it being the proper way marking them on my list of ‘okay if they die’ through the series.  Come on I know I can’t be the only one who thinks about characters as I read them and sort through in my mind, especially if it’s a book where death is a likely event for some, and wonder if I would be okay with them dying or will it be hard to cope.  Some people swap back and forth all the time based on their actions but still.  At any rate the Commander of their city-state is so far past okay with and please die category.  Not just for being the ruler and enforcer of such a system that treat women as little more than pets to cook, clean, and breed, but other more substantia reasons.  Can you tell I wouldn’t do well in this type of society and probably why I don’t read many historical novels?

                Maybe this is why I love Rachel and her father.  He didn’t agree with that notion of the world and he taught his daughter better than that.  She is strong and fierce rather than meek and shy.  I love how head strong she is, in a world where women don’t have the option she was sheltered in a way and allowed to have her own opinions and given voice to share them and develop a quick wit, which may or may not be a good thing in some instances.  Then we have Logan who was taken in by this same caring man and given a job and purpose and a new kind of family.  He sees Rachel for who she really is, not who she must pretend to be in society.  Where Rachel is headstrong and ready to rush into danger with determination and passion he is just as stubborn but more meticulous in wanting to have a plan.  They are balances to one another, yin and yang. 

                The story is a journey to overcome and fight the oppression and who doesn’t love that kind of story.  Plus there is plenty of action as monsters, assassins and such keep everyone on their toes.  The batter is both internal and external.  Both characters we see through are faced with battles on both fronts.  The world they live in in flushed out in a way I felt like I understood their life and their motivations.  I really enjoyed the book as a whole and was excited to continue on.  I didn’t marathon through one after the other, but not for lack of desire, just that I was reading with a friend and that was worth waiting a bit to continue on.  We plan to finish the last book in the trilogy at the start of the year.  Defiance has everything a good fantasy should have in my opinion, a well thought out world, interesting characters, and an intriguing story arch that builds.  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

                Until next time…