Legendary (Caraval #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you had a great weekend.  I’m a day late, sorry, but I spent most of yesterday running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to sort out some phone issues and jazz but they are resolved for now at least.  My weekend wasn’t as reading productive as I would have liked but I did get to spend more time with a good friend who is moving several states away tomorrow so that is even better!  Still today I am sharing my thoughts on a very highly anticipated sequel for me, Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber.  I loved Caraval (review) and was thrilled there was going to be more in the world.  I went in thinking this was a duology but then happily after finishing and being very upset thinking this was the end, I found out it is really a trilogy so I have one more book to look forward to!  So yay!

Rating: 5 Stars

                Tella made a bargain with a mysterious criminal that lead to freedom form her father for both her and her sister.  She even got Scarlett out from an arranged marriage.  Still the game is over and she got her part of the bargain now she has to deliver what was promised:  Caraval Master Legend’s true name.  She has one chance to uncover the identity, win the next special Caraval.  Tella throws herself into the game and her mission even as it puts her on a very dangerous path, because this Caraval is different from the rest where you lose yourself to what is only a game, this year is real!  Secrets, doomed love, heirs to the throne, fates, and more press Tella to be as cunning and brave as ever, risking everything she cares about including her life.  Winning Caraval will change the world forever.

                A Caraval doesn’t typically happen this close to end of the last but with Empress Elantine’s 75^th birthday she gets what she wants.  Now we follow Tella as she and her sister are free of their father.  Tella though has a different mission, to gain Legends true name and gain the information she has been searching for.  Tella has been on this path for some time and there is a method to the way she acts, where as I found her a bit harder to love in the last book her were see her side of things and see the reasons behind her antics.  She has a good heart though she feels she is never meant for love, based on a drawing of the cards of destiny in her childhood.  This has lead her every step and it all comes down to playing another game of Caraval.

“If you can convince yourself it’s true you can convince anyone.”

                The way this world has expanded from not just the magic of Caraval which is amazing, but the way the mythology of fates was weaved in from the start.  They were mentioned in the past but as a fairytale sort, now it seems they may be very real….or is that the magic of Caraval?  The back and forth of what is real and can it be believed was captivating.  Winding in all the different elements expanding this world was amazing and seamless.  I was rooting for Tella but I wavered in what I wanted her to accomplish as many times she is at cross purposes.

                While this time we do focus on Tella rather than Scarlett we do get to see so many of our returning characters.  I enjoyed seeing Scarlett and Julian again though things aren’t perfect they are fun and many more including Dante.  The story is still that of the game and a large mystery there did feel there was a more romantic feeling in this sequel.  I was totally on board for it because it was so beautifully done and fit with what we know of the characters, unraveling new layers of them as we go.  Tella is not set for romance or love, something most assured the opposite of what she wants and some of the scenes she is in just makes me so happy. 

“Every story has four parts – the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending.”

                Now when I first finished this book thinking it was a duology I was a bit upset.  There was so much more I needed.  So much left way way too open for me.  I mean we just found out who Legend was!!!  FYI I totally had it pegged for a long time, even had my suspicions in book one but confirmation is always appreciated.  Satisfaction after an adventure filled journey.  But upon finding out it was a trilogy and I had one more book to look forward to I was in love.  I can see how all of my questions and open things will lead into a thrilling final book in the trilogy.  I can’t wait to find out more! 

                Until next time…

               

These Broken Stars: Cover love and thoughts

                Welcome back book lovers for another fun review.  I hope you all are doing well.  First, I wanted to discuss my plans to try and be more punctual/regular with my posts.  I'm working on a redesign to make things cleaner and easier.  This would include a posting schedule and various items.  Feedback is always welcome, really I want to hear from you.  Let me know in the comments what you'd like, dislike or want to see more of. 

                Announcement over.  Today I want to share with you my thoughts on These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.  I read this book a couple months back and have been wanting to do a review and now is the time.  First, I have to point out why I was first pulled to it, the beautiful cover.  Look at it.  Night sky with stars and this fetching image and a billowy dress.  I wanted to know more about such a pretty cover.  Then I heard Sasha (abookutopia) rave about it on Booktube and knew I had to have it on my shelf and in my life.  Book two in the series is already out (review coming soon) with another amazing cover and best news I recently saw the cover for book three which I assume is coming out soon, and it keeps to the theme meaning all my covers will match!  I just love it when I can finish a series and have the same cover design.  Moving on.

                These Broken Stars, book one in The Starbound Trilogy , focuses on two characters; one is Lilac LaRoux, the daughter of the richest man in the universe.  Yes, universe because this book takes place in space and other planets.  Our other character is Tarver Merendsen, a war hero who is pretty cynical about the way the system is set up.  They seem like complete opposites but they meet on the luxury spaceliner Icarus and are bound together when the spaceliner falls from hyperspace and begins to break apart.  They are the lone survivors, landing on an unknown planet without much in their favor.  They are stuck together as they search for help or a way off the planet, but things are not what they seem as the planet holds secrets that will push both Lilac and Tarver. 

                The bulk of the story takes place with only our two characters around but the planet itself is like it's own character.  Lilac isn't what you expect, she's different than the media portrays her, the perfect princess who does nothing but enjoy daddy's money.  She has a brain and thoughts of her own.  Best of all, she has a legit reason behind her actions, something the reader can understand.  Tarver has his own issues and struggles to deal with.  A war hero who is being paraded around like a performing monkey able to look at the fancy life but not good enough to really be more than a pet in it.  Watching as these two very different and yet similar characters struggle with their surroundings kept me turning the page as did the changing POV that let me see how one reacted to something the other did and seeing how each perceived the other and how perceptions morphed as the story progressed.

                 The tagline for the trilogy is: Three worlds.  Three love stories.  One enemy.  If you didn't figure it out yet there is a romantic element playing into this.  There wasn't any insta-love though.  Maybe some good old fashioned insta-attraction but insta-love, no way.  Far from it.  The story focuses less on the romance, letting anything happen naturally, and more on the plot.  A goal to survive and solve the mystery.  Because I'll tell you one thing this book has some serious mystery and creep factor to it.  I was not expecting it but wow was I surprised.  In a good way.  I won't spoil you or anything but yes the planet is interesting to say the least. 

                The last quarter of the book completely caught me off guard and was a tad bit confusing at first, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it,  but after reflecting on it I was okay with it.  There was also so things that occur that went against the past character development that I had a small issue with.  There were some 'conveniences' here and there that seemed a bit on the nose but otherwise I really enjoyed the book.  It was more about the journey and character growth and development, and you know how I love my characters.  It left me satisfied but still wanting more and made me with up book two, This Shattered World.  Overall I gave this book 4 stars. 

Rating: 4 Stars

                Have you already read this title?  Planning to?  Comments are love, share some below.  Until next time.

Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

                Hello All!  I am on my first day off from my brand new job and I love it.  The new schedule is not set yet as I'll be moving around with trainings and such but yeah the first week I think the pure excitement was too much for me.  I was wide awake at work but then at home between 6pm-7pm I was passed out on the couch trying to watch a show, read, type, whatever until the next morning.  Anyways I think I have managed to get a handle on that, mostly by avoiding the couch at that window lol.  And the week before was running around finishing paperwork and getting parking permits and IDs and letting my old job know and saying goodbye to people there, moving jobs is crazy busy .  But now I'm off and have some reviews to type.

               

                Now I was provided Contact by LaurisaWhite Reyes by NetGalley and Hallowed Ink Press to read and review.  This is an ARC and is set to come out June 23rd.  This is a story about a girl, Mira, who tries to kill herself.  We join her after her second failed attempt.  She isn't depressed and suicidal as you might initially think, no she has a deeper reason.  Every time she comes into contact with someone, skin to skin, for even just a second she can see everything about the person.  Their whole psyche loads into hers and it sucks.  Not only does it hurt physically but she also feels so alone.  And on top of all of that her father is ruining for political office and is being investigated for several deaths during testing for the miracle drug he helped pioneer. 

                 I clicked on this book first because the cover caught my eye.  A beautiful girl with an cracked glass background in cool colors and font clutching an old school record, I was curious to know more.This book was pretty interesting.  It was set in modern day and I'd even say not a fantasy or sci-fi really.  Sure the seeing peoples mind is a bit fantasy but its more a symptom and the rest of the story is about a mystery and a girls struggle to deal with her life and everything in it.  She has family issues including a father who seems somewhat aloof and distant but whom she with her 'stunts' is clearly bringing more bad press to him.  Oh and did I mention this drug also is mandated now because it cures, you guessed it, depression so when your daughter is still suicidal it raises questions. 

                Mira is a solid character for me that has a lot of things going on in her head and heart and doesn't know what she wants anymore.  That's pretty much something everyone can relate to.  Then we have David, a guy she meets in the most interesting way, who seems drawn to her and despite her rationalizations she is drawn to him.  When you can't touch another person being around a boy that makes you want to touch is a conundrum.  As her life starts to spiral David is there to help her search for answers and keep her sane while maybe even bring her through this. 

                The story itself as I mentioned is more of a mystery than a fantasy as Mira and David search for clues about what she is and just what really happened in those trials.  It’s a dangerous game filled with excitement and intrigue so enjoy the ride.  I give Contact 4 Stars.  I enjoyed it and read through it pretty quickly, less than a day really.  It has a little bit of everything in there for you and  keep you going  to the last page.  Now it is currently only listed as a single book with nothing to indicate, that I have found, a start to a series but the book.  It ends but and you are okay with the ending but there was the option to continue so if the story of Mira does continue I look forward to reading it.   So check out Contact when it comes out soon on June 23rd.

                So I'm aiming for Monday to have my review of The Culling by J.C. Andrijeski ready to post.  But in the mean time, I adore all of you who take the time to read my blog and my ramblings about everything but I would love to hear from you as well.  So I ask you all, would you like the ability to read others minds/see their past?  Would you think of it as a curse or a gift?  Share your thoughts below please and stay tuned!