Monday, August 1, 2016

The Crown (Selection #5)

                Hello happy readers!  Last week I finished the Selection series with The Crown (Selection #5) as stated in my monthly challenge wrap-up but life has been in my way and I haven’t had a chance to type up my thoughts before now.  That’s right I have went from being super behind and having not read any to finishing the whole series the last couple of months!  Score!  So now I’m ready to share my thoughts on the final book as well as my thoughts on the series as a whole.

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                So if you remember from my review of The Heir (review) I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I did the first three books in the Selection series.  It wasn’t bad but Eadlyn just didn’t pull me in as much.  Plus while it was a gender reversal the selected guys didn’t have to go through nearly as much as the girls did to prove they could in fact handle it.  I went into The Crown a bit worried yet still optimistic as she had started to grow on me a bit more towards the end.  And it paid off because I did really enjoy this one. 

                Eadlyn started to make me feel for her struggle more and I saw her as more than a spoiled brat.  So huge plus there.  I could see in this more that she wanted more than to be powerful and stand on her own and not rely on a man, which I did respect from the start.  She wants to rule because she wants to help her people, even if she is a bit out of touch with them.  Also her harsh exterior has something soft and warm inside and some of the things that made her seem harsh were practical things designed to compensate for her being a female leader taken a bit too far.  Things came more into light.  Basically I’m saying I really came to enjoy Eadlyn and care for her. 

                As for her selected.  Well this is where things got real tricky.  I still with they had to preform like the girls did, tasks and such to prepare them and equality and all, but I enjoyed getting to know more of them.  I was conflicted in the first one because I was really liking a couple of different ones for different reasons.  I thought I knew which one I wanted her to end up with and I could see it playing out but at the same time I was kind of rooting a bit more for another.  Still as we get to know the guys was spot on.  Some you know while it wouldn’t work out you will always be able to count them friends which is a huge plus to have people leave on good terms.  Some not so much. 
                 Boy drama for sure.  Still we also have many things to deal with in way of the people, politics, family issues and lots of personal struggles.  The Crown gave us a wrap up to Eadlyns selection and figuring out her heart but more than that it worked out some more political issues.  The first trilogy set up some serious changes and for a long time things have been well and peaceful but as with life nothing is able to stay that way forever and changes must continue to be made.  While I liked the way the original books ended and could see and love the happily ever after feel, seeing years later how while it was like that it also had its hardships and such.  It brings it back into reality and shows there is more.

                 I enjoyed this final book and the selection series as a whole with a minor stumble in The Heir.  Still this one brought me back up and I’m so glad to have finally caught up and finished this series I have heard so much about over the years.  I do recommend anyone who hasn’t read the series yet but has been lingering to go ahead and give it a try.  

Thursday, July 28, 2016

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 fiancĂ©, 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?
Previous books in the series:
18459932 18708440

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.

XBTBanner1

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Replica (Replica #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:


Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Out: 10/4

From Goodreads:
                Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born.  'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice.  But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

                Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra—or number 24 as she is know as at Haven a and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape.  Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing, they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever…

Why I’m Waiting:
                So I first heard about this book from all the BookTubers I watch after BEA and it just sounded interesting and the book itself seems like an experience with three different ways to read it just yeah I'm in. I got an ARC of this one and I am working hard to get through my stack so I can dive into this one!

                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!


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday: Things books made me want to do/try/learn

                Hello everyone!  Top Ten Tuesday is just how it sounds, a topic is picked and we put our Top Ten for that in a post and share and check out everyone’s answers.  Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The top ten today is:  Things books made me want to do/try/learn

Travel- duh!  So basically last weeks list times fifty lol.

Learn new languages- so many books!  Mostly though Daughter of Smoke and Bone where she can just use one of those wishes to be perfect in a language….so jealous!

Learn to fight- Okay so many books feature kick ass characters but yeah I always thought it’d be good to learn and doing so would get me in shape so win/win.

Learn to dance / play an instrument- I have zero rhythm and it’s horrible to see me try and dance but I always want to.  I’m also uncoordinated and tone deaf.  Though if I could both play and dance together like some Lindsey Stirling holly wow ;)

Weapons- Hunger Games started it with archery, to which I did go shoot a bow at a sporting goods grand opening just because and I was super excited to hit the target on the first try!  Okay technically the second but the first time they had me use this pull/release thing I couldn’t figure out how to release lol but using my hand I was good!  Still while that is fun I’d like to learn other weapons you never know what you’ll need in the apocalypse

Survival skills- So dystopia….basically everyone has to survive in different conditions somehow or another and I am clearly a product of my era and don’t think I can even camp let alone if it was necessary and I didn’t have all the current amenities campers do

Road trip-I’ve wanted to go on a long road trip with a friend or friends for a while!  Kind of no plan and just driving and hoping for the best or some loose plan with an ending destination in sight but no idea or plans for the way.

Be a PI / solve mysteries- From show (and books) like Veronica Mars to the mysteries you read who doesn’t want to solve mysteries?

Go to a real ball (preferably a masquerade)- where it’s not cheap or cheesy but there really are super nice gowns and dancing and all!

Date a bad boy- Okay so I’m currently single and yeah you read stories about the bad boy, some who turn into the perfect boyfriend but many just break your heart still I’ve never had a bad boy and I think it’s something to try ;)



                 Tell me what you think of my list in the comments below.  Also please link back to your Top Ten as well so I can check out your list and see what I missed!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Challenge Wrap-Up: July

                So today is the 25th which means it is time for my monthly challenge update and wrap-up; Month 7.  Basically I want to share my progress with you all and it helps me hold myself accountable.  With that in mind this is how I’ve done this month.

Goodreads Challenge:
Goal: 100
At: 83
The GoatChildren by Elizabeth Jordan Mierek (review) / The Head ofMedusa (Elementals #3) by Michelle Madow (review)

2016 Debut Authors:
Goal: 12
At:  10
Just a FewInches by Tara St. Pierre (review)
Supremacy (Supremacy #1) (review)
The Carver by Jacob Devlin (review)

Rock My TBR:
Goal: As many as possible!
At: 32
What I've Read:
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell (review)
The Heir (Selection #4) by Kiera Cass (review)
The OrphanQueen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows (review)

Series Ender Challenge:
Goal: 15+
At: 8
The Selection Series by Kiera Cass with The Crown 

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

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Carver: Review & Blog Tour!

                Hello happy readers!    So today I am participating in a fun blog tour for a book I was super excited to dive into.  I received an early copy to read for an honest review today so here goes.  The #roadtripwithpeterpan has begun!  THECARVER is a young adult fairy tale retelling that takes you on a road trip with an adult Peter Pan and the children of some of your favorite fairy tale characters.  Together, they must find out what happened to their missing family members as secrets of the old world and the new are revealed, with only Pinocchio’s carvings to guide the way.  You can get your copy of THE CARVER by Jacob Devlin on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Book:
THE GIRL IN THE RED HOOD has been looking for her mother for six months, searching from the depths of New York’s subways to the heights of its skyscrapers…

THE PRINCE looks like he’s from another time entirely, or maybe he’s just too good at his job at Ye Old Renaissance Faire…

THE ACTRESS is lighting up Hollywood Boulevard with her spellbinding and strikingly convincing portrayal of a famous fairy.  Her name may be big, but her secrets barely fit in one world…

Fifteen-year-old Crescenzo never would have believed his father’s carvings were anything more than “stupid toys.”  All he knows is a boring life in an ordinary Virginia suburb, from which his mother and best friend have been missing for years.  When his father disappears next, all Crescenzo has left is his goofy neighbor, Pietro, who believes he’s really Peter Pan and that Crescenzo is the son of Pinocchio.  What’s more:  Pietro insists that they can find their loves ones by looking to the strange collection of wood figurines Crescenzo’s father left behind.

With Pietro’s help, Crescenzo sets off on an adventure to unite the real life counterparts to his figurines.  It’s enough of a shock that they’re actually real, but the night he meets the Girl in the Red Hood, dark truths burst from the past.  Suddenly, Crescenzo is tangled in a nightmare where magic mirrors and evil queens rule, and where everyone he loves is running out of time.


About the Author:

When Jacob Devlin was four years old, he would lounge about in Batman pajamas and make semi-autobiographical picture books about an adventurous python names Jake the Snake.  Eventually, he traded his favorite blue crayon for a black pen, and he never put it down.  When not reading or writing, Jacob loves practicing his Italian, watching stand-up comedy, going deaf at rock concerts, and geeking out at comic book conventions.  He does most of these things in southern Arizona.


Review:
 Rating: 4.5 Stars

                This book was calling to be I LOVE Once Upon a Time and the whole fairytale retellings and reimagineings and such but the combo of interacting different stories together is a favorite.  So to see some like Pinocchio who I don’t know much about was intriguing but to follow children of characters we know it creates a whole new level.  Plus I’ve kind of really been digging Peter Pan lately. 

                The POV shifts as we follow along Peter Pan, Enzo, and Rosana for the majority of the story but also with our villain of sorts and several others to really give you a feel for the story and the world.  The story also is told in different times, we see things in the present in both worlds, three years prior and even twenty five years prior.  Everything is weaved together nicely and really keeps you wondering and wanting to turn the page for what’s more.  What happened then that would lead to what you know of the present? So much fun.

                Enzo, the Carvers son, Pinocchio’s kid.  All your life is simple and normal then all of a sudden it’s one hit after another until you are left with the most insane possibility of them all.  Fairy tales are real and you’re on a road trip with a grown up Peter Pan to save everyone you love.  Why not?  Peter was also rather interesting in the story, seeing the way he is both grown up but also still the same character I remember from my childhood a true and literal version of a man child in many ways.  He has the heart of a child but he’s also an adult with a child of his own and a job and adulting happening.  We got a bit of backstory on most and with it shifting to their perspective at different points we “knew” how they felt and who they are.

                The overall story with the quests and missions to accomplish all while uncovering the facts.  It was a fun tale that had both light and dark moments mixed in.  I had a lot of fun reading this story and I look forward to more.  I don’t really want to give too much away because figuring out who people are at times is half the fun!  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! 

                Until next time…

                 Want to stay up to date on everything from Balze Publishing?  Become a member of the Blaze Pack by signing up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!  Joining the pack gives you access to exclusive news, teaser, prizes, and ARCs! 


                Get ready to give up your time to THE SURRENDERED by Case Maynard—a young adult dystopian sure to suck you in further with ever page!  Want to be a part of this new release?  You can sign up for the Facebook parties, blog tours, or to review.  The #taxonkids is coming!

Giveaway:
And for extra fun...a Giveaway!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Lifeblood (Everlife #2)

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


Lifeblood (Everlife #2) by Gena Showalter
Out:  March 2017

From Goodreads:
                It's time to do what I was born to do.  It's time to arise and shine.  Whatever I face—be it war persecution, hunger, simple threats of my Second-death—I will not be deterred.  Night will be replaced by day, and those who cry in the dark will rejoice in the morning.  The day is about to dawn.  Time is short.  Let the battle begin.

                My Firstlife is over, but my Everlife is only now beginning.

                With her last living breath, Tenley "Ten" Lockwood made her choice and picked her realm in the Everlife.  Now, as the war between Troika and Myriad rages, she must face the consequences.

                Because Ten possesses a rare supernatural ability to absorb and share light, the Powers That Be have the highest expectations for her future—and the enemy wants her neutralized.  Fighting to save her Secondlife, she must learn about her realm from the ground up while launching her first missions:  convincing a select group of humans to join her side before they die.  No pressure, right?

                But Ten's competition is Killian, the boy she can't foget—the one who gave up everything for her happiness.  He has only one shot at redemption:  beating Ten at a game she's never even played.  As their throw-downs heat up, so do their undeniable feelings, and soon, Ten will have to make another choice.  Love…or victory.

Why I’m Waiting:
                I just adored Firstlife so much (review) and I was instantly wanting book two in my hands when I finished the last page.  So yeah this is on my anticipated reads of 2017 because I need to know what happens next.  Also having finally gotten myself to read the summary….OMG!  Now my need is even more because OMG WHAT!!!
               

                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!