Brave Enough

                Hello happy readers!  So a little bit of an apology.  So I have been struggling with some time management and ability to focus the last couple of weeks.  Which makes it really hard to keep on track/schedule.  Part of that is my party planning, see I was wanting to do a birthday party for myself this year but it's hard with so many of my friends having kids birthdays the same week, and it sucked and I do get a bit depressed on my birthday every year.  But this year I decided screw it I'd rather have a Halloween party anyways so yeah I decided I am going to have one of these instead and wow the amount of time spent on Pintrest looking at stuff is insane and makes you lose track of time.  But now that I have a better grip on the party and what needs to happen I am getting back to myself and I hope to get things on here back to normal too!  Anywho sorry but thanks for sticking with me! 

                Now today I am so excited to share my thoughts on not only a new release last month but a debut author as well.  Brave Enough by Kati Gardner.  The cover was so beautiful it made me click and then the summary just touched my heart and that was it for me I knew I had to get my hands on it.  I was lucky enough to snag myself an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review so here goes. 

Rating:  4 Stars

                Cason Martin is a prima ballerina at the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory.  The best.  She has spent her life at dancing t was never a choice with her mother being the artistic director making all of her decisions.  Cason is dedicated and willing to do whatever it takes….even pushing past pain and injury.  Though it is much worse than she imagined.  On the flip side Davis Channing is struggling in his own way, having beat cancer and living with his drug addiction that nearly killed him.  Staying clean isn't always easy when your past is always there in front of you.  Cason and Davis hardly know of the other but their worlds collide that all changes.

                I really enjoyed this book.  It wasn't super plot / action driven but more a journey story and I can enjoy those.  I could tell as I read, even before reading the authors note, that this is a very personal story for the author wanting to see people like herself represented in books.  They way she writes it shows this depth of understanding and authenticity which is pretty great.  There were some things happening which I thought were awesome as the story moved along quickly for me but it felt more like a misplaced.  Not bad just felt a bit odd story wise after, like a too soon climax.  This also happened a few times when a chapter would end and we'd time jump.  Sometimes we didn't immediately know and it was from things mentioned or things happening around them that made you think you missed something then "it's been "x" amount of weeks since my audition" so you realize they jumped.  This was okay and again the story went by quickly just at times it was a smidge jarring.  It also took away some of the moments between Cason and Davis and while I totally loved them together it was a bit sudden.

                Cason and Davis are both struggling with major things.  Things I don't see as much in my YA reading and I was happen to have it front and center.  I loved the idea that just because of cancer or drug addiction the struggle of being more than that label.  How you might have described yourself one way, now the first thing someone sees is something else, something you can't control.  Understanding from both of their heads what it is like in their struggles from small things that are their new every day to the larger more complex issues really came through.  However, while I enjoyed them as characters I thought they could have been a bit more developed.  Like they did that to themselves as well, confining themselves to one thing.  With Cason it makes sense before she was a dancer, that was her sole focus in life, making things that much more real for her.  But with Davis we don't learn much about him aside from cancer and drugs.  I would have liked to know more about him as a whole before the drugs.  I got enough of him and his character to adore him and want things to be better for him but still a bit more would have rounded him out more. 

                I found the story pretty uplifting overall and again I really flew through it.  I enjoyed it and was smiling for a vast majority of the time reading it and yes I admit to tearing up as well at times.  Things can get dark but that is the nature of life.  I really enjoyed this story and while there were a couple small things I think could have made it even better nothing I "disliked" as it were turned me away from the story just made me want more and that is a huge yay because who doesn't want more of what they like!  I would recommend this for sure!  This journey was one I am glad I was along for the ride. 

                Until next time…

Everless (Everless #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope everyone is excited for the weekend, I'm working so it's iffy lol.  I am hoping to get some reading done so that's a positive.  But first, I am happy to finally be adding a 2018 debut to my list/challenge board!  Today I am happy to share my thoughts on the new Everless (Everless #1) by Sara Holland.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                In Sempera, time is currency. The rich can live for centuries and the poor die young.  The rich tax the poor and live on in splendor.  The Gerlings are one of those families and no one dislikes the family more than Jules.  She used to live at Everless, the Gerlings estate, with her father as a child but after an accident they fled from their comfortable middle class life for fear of their life.  Now her father is dying and they are behind in bills and going back to Everless to work is the fastest way to earn more time.  It's been years and she was young so she hopes to go unnoticed and unremembered.  But the danger at Everless is still there and Jules finds herself caught up in a mess of secrets and hidden truths. 

                So this book had a beautiful cover that drew me in and the summary kind of reminded me of a fantasy take on the movie In Time that I really liked so I was ready to give it a go.  I quickly fell into this world and it is clear from the start the danger from not just thieves but of giving up your time day by day to try and survive.  It's a very interesting system and like most the rich had all the power.  The history of how time came into the form as it did was rather interesting and I liked how it was woven into the story as a whole.  The world is beautiful and dark all at the same time.  The idea of the glitz and glam on one side and the possibility of anything to the darker side of the poorer struggling to make it from one day to the next.  There were some amazing lines and imagery I wish I had taken the time to pause and bookmark. 

                The characters are interesting in their own way.  There is lots happening as we work to uncover the mystery of the past and I liked that the characters had little things you would come to expect but that they could be unique in some way made it special.  There are little hints of romance but more childhood crushes coming back into your life.  I enjoyed the relationships being developed between the different characters (mostly platonic) and how they relate to one another and their lot in life. 

                There is danger and political intrigue as we navigate royalty but I will say there was a bit less action that I thought.  Though the world building more than made up for that because it has so much set up and the main parts of the mystery were uncovered so I have some high expectations for the next book and where the author will take up.     There are some tropes you expect to see and many things I didn't see coming.  I think this was a slam dunk for a debut and I can't wait for the sequel after what happens and the discoveries that are made in this one.  The world is full of stories and huge potential.  I look forward to more.

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1)

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

Wicked Like a Wildfire (Hibiscus Daughter #1) by Lana Popovic

Out:  8/15

From Goodreads:

                All the women in Iris and Malina's family are born with a gleam—a unique way of manipulating beauty through magic.  Seventeen-year-old Iris sees flowers as fractals and turns her kaleidoscope visions into glasswork, her twin sister Malina interprets moods as music, and their cold, distant mother Jasmina bakes scenery into decadent treats at her confectionery in Old Town Cattaro, Montenegro.

                Jasmina forbids Iris and Malina to share their gleams with anyone, and above all, she forbids them to fall in love—being discovered could shatter the quiet lives they've built in their tucked-away, seaside town.  But Iris and Malina are tired of abiding by their mother's rules and rebel in secret whenever they can.

                Yet when a mysterious, white-haired women attacks their mother and leaves her hovering between life and death, the sisters unearth an ancient curse that haunts their line—a wicked bargain that masquerades as a blessing, and binds the twin's fates—and hearts—to a force larger than life.  To save each other, they must untangle a thousand years of lies and reveal their own hurtful secrets.  But even the deepest sacrifice might not be enough.

                Wicked Like a Wildfire is the first book in a sumptuous, bewitching duology about the power of love, death, magic, and the many faces of beauty.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 First that cover.  It is so pretty.  Reading what it is about really has me excited for this debut.  I love that while it sounds like romance may play a part the story sounds to be focused more on the bond of sisters which is really sweet.

                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.

Cover Reveal: ACCA (Angelbound Origins #3) by Christina Bauer!

Hello happy readers!  Today I am showing a first look at the cover for a new Angelbound book: Acca!  Now if you don't know I just adore this series so I'm stoked for this book to arrive!  So check it out this new cover with me and take a moment to get caught up with the series thus far!  I've reviewed every book so if you want to see my thoughts click the title: Angelbound, Scala, Armageddon, Maxon, and Portia. 

Acca
Christina Bauer
(Angelbound Origins, #3)
Published by: Ink Monster LLC
Publication date: December 13th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

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?

Goodreads / Amazon

Previous books in the series:

Author Bio:

Christina graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School with BA's in English as well as Television, Radio, and Film Production. Her day job is in marketing for companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Zerto. Back in the go-go 90′s, she founded her own software start-up, Mindful Technologies. Christina believes that, upon close examination of Tolkien's text, it's entirely possible that the Balrog was wearing fuzzy bunny slippers.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

A tale of revenge in Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

                Hello everyone!  So yesterday was a bit of a bust for keeping on tract.  My mother came by before my eye appointment to get technical assistance for her Kindle and then me being completely spacey forgot what they do at most eye appointments…dilate your eyes.  I have some issues with this in it just makes me nap because everything is too bright for several hours after.  Thus I couldn’t stand to look at my screen to post; and just left my wonderful flash drive with my reviews at home today.  Holiday brain is what I’m calling it.  I hope you all are finished or at least in the home stretch and getting ready to just sit back and enjoy the rest.  I have everything finished but my loads of baking I’ll be doing Monday/Tuesday.  But I love to bake as much as I love to read so should be fun.  Back to bookish matters though I have for you today my thoughts and feels on Daughter of DeepSilence by Carrie Ryan.

Rating:  5 Stars

                This is a story of revenge.  Plan and simple.  Our main character lost everything when the Persephone was attacked.  Everyone was killed and the ship sank.  Only three survivors to tell the tale and two of them are lying.  Only Frances knows the real truth and she will stop at nothing until the murders of her family and everyone else on that ship are made to pay.  Even if she has to take down the first, the only, boy she’s every loved to do it. 

                I really enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed Frances and her story.  She has turned herself into someone else for four years.  She let her old self die on that ship and became Libby.  This was so heartbreaking to be because not only did she go through so much to that point but she then lost everything else that was hers including her ability to really mourn for her family or to remember old times with others.  I just wanted her to find out her truth.  I wanted to know what and why it all happened as much as she did.  It was a page turner for me for sure.  I was always disappointed to reach the daily goal (week read-along) and put it down. This is probably why I finished it a few days early. 

                Aside from Frances and her journey I also found myself really feeling for Shepherd.  He was royally screwed in it all.  Everyone is really going through something.  The depth of the characters emotions really came off the page for me and I was constantly torn between my feelings for several of the characters.  Even Grey, who we know has been lying this whole time, seems to be really messed up over it which gives you the feels.  Still Frances most of all in the whole mess for so many reasons I can’t fully explain without ruining things.  I seriously found myself downing my glass of water while reading this book because hearing of that thirst made me thirsty.

                Basically this book is one big take of page turning vengeful fun.  I really enjoyed the ABC show Revenge, some seasons more than others, and this took me back to the best parts about it.  Also his name was Grey haha.  The plot kept me going trying to figure it all out and how I wanted it to end because as a reader I was invested and I had my own thoughts and visions for the end game and it changed each and every time something new came into play.  I was caught up in it all and loving every minute. 

                I really enjoy a good story of revenge and really got behind this one.  I would recommend it to pretty much anyone.  It plays with more than revenge but with pain, identity, love, loss and the search for the truth.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the book or the plot.  What do you think of revenge as a whole?  Share your thoughts below and let’s converse on it. 

                Until next time…

Let's talk Shatter Me

Look isn't it so pretty

               At the start of the year I completed a series I had been hearing about for a while but had put off.  My reasons are not story related but simple book nerd problems.  The covers changed by the time I heard of them so I had to wait for them all to be in paperback so they could match.  Plus the last one was about out so I figured why read them then have to wait so close to the end?  So I waited and marathoned them.  Yep this is the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi.  I read them all, Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, and the two novellas Destroy Me, and Fracture Me (novellas also available in a bind up called Unite Me).  I’ve went back and forth on doing a group/series review but I find I can’t do that without the whole thing being super vague or one big spoiler so I’ve decided to break them up. 

                Today I’ll be discussing only Shatter Me the first book and what brings us into the story and world.  The reader follows Juliette, a girl who is not quite normal.  She hasn’t touched anyone in 264 days and that was an accident that was branded murder.  The Reestablishment is the government and have branded her a murderer and locked her away because her touch is fatal.  As long as she doesn’t kill anyone else in the looney bin no one cares, they have more to worry about with the world falling down around them than a 17 year-old girl.  The Reestablishment said they had a way to fix the world when they took power but now with so many dead the survivors are whispering war and The Reestablishment has changed its mind to help.  Juliette could be more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body and just maybe she is what is needed.  But she’ll have to make a choice to be a weapon or be a warrior. 

                I have to point out the cover, the redesigned cover, is beautiful.  I have a thing with eyeballs, when hurt they make mine water but when done beautifully and artistically they are fascinating.  Also I love the added feature of the bird image in the iris very subtle but it carries through with the other books.  Totally superficial but let’s be honest we all love a pretty cover.

                Shatter Me does have more to offer than a pretty cover.  I found the plot to be gripping and intense.  I also immediately felt for Juliette.  To have a lethal touch and be unable to touch or be touched without killing someone, she reminded me of Rogue from X-men, which I adore so points there as well.  That would be a harsh way of life.  This book did take a little bit for me to adjust to it style wise, there is a lot of strike through.  I wasn’t accustomed to it but once I acclimated to it, it became part of Juliette and helped it fly by.  Also if this is something that bothers you stick with it because it lessens through the story as our main character grows into herself.  She no longer needs to cross out or retract her own thoughts as much. 

The original isn't bad but I like to match!

               

                This story has a lot going for it and interesting characters.  Some things are left vague and unexplained but as we know what she knows and she’s been locked up for a while it’s part of the story.  You want to know more and that’s important.  Oh and some of the characters be it love them or hate them.  Juliette like I said I related to some of her pain and isolation and felt for her.  I wanted to see her take charge of her own life.  She is strong.  Even if she doesn’t know it or is afraid of it and not just physically with her power but mentally and emotionally.  To go through what she has to this point and still keep her head is amazing.  Her love interest, Adam, at first leaves you unsure who and what he wants but as you read you see their connection and he is able to give her the one thing she’s never been able to have with another person, physical contact without the overwhelming dread of killing or hurting someone.  Warner, the young leader ruthlessly ruling his section with an iron fist and no heart.  He is obsessed with Juliette and the weapon she can become.  Oh how I hate him.  The vile things we see him do are just….yes horrid.  Then we have Kenji.  I ADORE Kenji.  He is hilarious and sarcastic even when he's in serious pain.

                The romance between our characters is sweet.  It's a first love and totally new and amazing because for Juliette she has never even hoped she'd be able to have this.  Add his soft and sweet way with her and their shared past and you have some cute first love.  You root for them and hope they don't get caught or get in trouble, or at least I did. 

                I enjoyed this book and gave it 5 stars for being different and captivating.  There were some parts that I found to have a lot of coincidence happening in them.  Some luck of the draw and hard to believe this just happened naturally, but not enough that it detracted from my reading experience.  By a certain point in the book, which I won't say directly because I don't want to ruin anything, but yeah it cleared up any doubts I had about some future story line paths.  That part had me fuming as one of my book buddies can attest. Still I enjoyed the story and I liked where things were going overall with the world, the powers, and the rebellion.

Rating:  5 Stars

                What did you think of Shatter Me?  What was your favorite part?  Also I am getting the chance to interview Sarah Negovetich, author of Rite of Rejection which I reviewed here.  I've opened up for questions to add to the interview on my Twitter page (@Evilous88) and on here.  If you have any questions and post them on my Twitter or in the comments I'll try and ask them.  I'll also be hosting a giveaway then as well, I'll post more on dates when I have them so stay turned.  Next I plan to finish reviewing this series. 

                Thanks for checking in.  Don't forget to take a moment to comment please J