The Belles (The Belles #1)

                Hello happy readers!  So I didn’t have any new books to share this weekend but I did get some reading done so yay!  One of the books I was able to finish is a new release I got thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle Clayton.  I didn’t know a ton about the book when I requested it just that I had seen it around on many anticipated reads sections and when I saw it the summary was rather intriguing so I wanted to give it a go. 

Rating: 4 Stars

                Camellia is a Belle.  She is one who is not born gray and dammed but full of color and able to control beauty in others.  Beauty is a commodity and Belles are raised and trained to use their gifts to beautify.  Camellia wants more than to be any Belle she wants to be the favorite chosen to serve the Queen of Orleans.  When Camellia and her sisters arrive at the palace to be sorted to the proper slots it becomes clear there is much more to the world than they were raised to believe.  Danger, intrigue, secrets and half-truths are everywhere including their own guardians.  Their gifts may be more powerful than anyone realized and when propositioned with a request by the Queen herself to risk her life she is caught between pleasing the queen and trying the untried or save herself and her sisters. 

                So this book appealed to me in the form of seeing beauty as a commodity in a more literal sense.  I am not the make-up type of girl mostly because I don’t have the patience to figure it out or the energy to do it but I love watching other looks and how they can be transformative.  As many people base things on first impressions and looks (beauty) is how most people (women especially) are judged I was curious about this world. 

                The first start of this I was a bit concerned because I didn’t really like Camellia.  She was vain and a bit selfish and it was harder to really feel for her character at first.  I say this because as the story progressed I did grow to like her.  There were moments where she felt just a bit static at times  where later progress seemed to come out of nowhere so it was a bit out of synch to me.  There was a bit of romance as well that just never felt viable for me so I wasn’t too invested though I feel I should have been.  He even had some of my favorite lines.  Another platonic relationship was nicely developed and had me invested but had a rather unsatisfying ending and the lack of concern to even ask about it bothered me a bit given the connection there before. 

"I don't mind it.  Sometimes it reminds me that I'm awake."

***** 

"Love is when hearts beat together."

                That probably sounds like a lot of negative things but they were just little things and overall they didn't stop me from enjoying the story.  If anything when I grew to care for Camellia it was even more rewarding.  I did enjoy the slow burn and build of the story and how many different strings that started to tug and play their way into the larger picture over time.  It was beautifully written and paced nicely keeping the suspense and danger building.  We got to know many characters.  I really enjoyed some of the ladies of honor, the other Belles, Remi, Bree and some of the royals and guardians and look forward to learning more about many of them and their roles in the future books.  While you didn’t get to know as much about some they had their own uniqueness to them that had nothing to do with their beauty treatments.  There is also much more to this world than beauty and my favorite moment is when Camellia is trying to help some see their own unique beauty that is there already. I have some theories about the next book and what I think this one has lead to.  I felt some deeper meaning to beauty than what is on the surface and it deepened the story that much more.

                I am excited to learn more about the world not in the court or high society but the regular every day markets and such which we only got glimpses of.  I also look forward to getting to know more about the sisters and characters.  While there were a couple moments with Camellia and Amber that felt a smidge off I am hoping at least one can be explained later.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

                Until next time…

Batman: Nightwalker (DC Icons #2)

                Hello happy readers!  I'm a bit behind today I had some serious sleep issues the last few days with appointments during the day (aka my normal sleep time on nights) and am just now finding a free moment for the day.  So today I have my thoughts on another Marie Lu title and the next DC Icons story, Batman:  Nightwalker (DC Icons #2) by Marie Lu.  Just a heads up my good friend is hosting a giveaway for a signed copy of this title on her blog, Bogdana the Booknerd open for a few more days!  I previously reviewed the first DC Icons book :  Wonder Woman:  Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo though they are both in the "series" they are not connected but by the DC universe.  

Rating: 4 Stars

                Bruce Wayne before he was Batman.  Coming into his trust fund and finding some trouble.  Being one of the city’s elites is dangerous with the Nightwalkers about.  Money also can’t get you out of everything and after a run-in with the police Bruce must do community service…at Arkham Asylum.  Inside he sees and hears police interrogate an inmate of his age who seems to be baffling them all.  More so when she chooses to speak to him.  Madeleine is a mystery and he is determined to unravel it.  She is brilliant and dangerous and while he is trying to figure her out, Bruce may be giving her everything she needs on him. 

                I really liked this story.  I enjoyed that it was different sort of origins story.  It’s teenage years / coming into adult hood.  It’s not him becoming Batman but more how he handles his life and what could easily be seen turned into that life.  He has friends and normal issues to deal with on top of the more serious issues that come with being rich and powerful and having so much expected of you.  I enjoyed getting to see this side of him.  His friends in particular.  I really liked the idea of him having friends because as much as I love Alfred, and I do, a teenage boy needs more friendship than in his guardian.  Bruce is struggling with some things and it had showed and had real consequences. 

                So he is put to work in Arkham enduring attitudes as well as real menial physical labor.  Bruce is smart.  He has the money and the company to have all the newest gadgets and such but he understands how they work with a sharp mind which is something I enjoyed.  I liked the back and forth, cat and mouse, with Madeline.  You can never be sure what is going on; who has the upper hand.  Madeline is a very different and complex type of criminal and I really love Lu’s take on her as the villain.  She isn’t easy to pin down and that really created a complex character image of this girl. 

                I really got caught up in the mind game and trying to figure things out just like Bruce.  The idea of the Nightwalkers and what they were doing.    The overall pacing and suspense of the book was on par.  It was a rather quick listen really and a pretty short book.  I enjoyed this look at Bruce Wayne.

                Until next time…

~Can't Wait Wednesday~ A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.5)

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOTAR # 3.5)

Out:  5/1

From Goodreads:

                Narrated by Feyre and Rhysand, this story bridges the events in A Court of Wings and Ruin and the upcoming spinoff novels.

                Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond.  But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve.  Yet even the festive atmosphere can’t keep the shadows of the past from looming.  As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated—scars that will have far-reaching impacting on the future of their Court.

Why I’m Waiting:

                I LOVE this series.  I LOVE this author.  That would be enough right there but then you see “narrated by Feyre AND Rhysand” and I need this NOW!!!!

                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.

Top Ten Tuesday: Longest wait on TBR

                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 now being hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl.

The top ten today is:  Books that have been on my TBR the LONGEST that I still haven’t read

Infinity (Nick Chronicles # 1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon- I liked the sound of it when I first got into reading again and even found the first five on sale

Tiger’sCurse (The Tiger Saga #1) by Colleen Houck- a friend at the time recommended them to me as they were reading the newest one at the time as we tailgated one of the last Harry Potter movies. 

Night World  bind up by L.J. Smith- I was hit or miss with some of the other books by her but these sounded fun.

Prophecy ofSisters (Prophecy of Sisters #1) by Michelle Zink- I got the first one when I was first getting into reading when I saw it next to another book I liked at the time and was at a box store so it was cheaper than some places and it sounded different. 

White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black- the cover wasn’t the best but I saw it with another book and it was at a cheaper price so I figured I’d dive in.

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie- The cover drew me in and I liked the sound of it.

Fated (The Soul Seekers #1) by Alyson Noel- I was really into her other series and her stand-alone pieces. 

Sweet Evil (Sweet #1) by Wendy Higgins- These were mentioned in another series I was absolutely in love with at the time of reading it so of course I had to get it

The Summoning (Darkest Powers #1) by Kelley Armstrong- I don’t even remember but it was probably the pretty necklace on the cover lol

TheLightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan- I really liked the movie and I have always enjoyed mythology so yeah it seemed like a win.  I have been meaning to read them every year but I just never get to it…

                 So I should note that I have the whole series of most of these…so it’s not one book waiting to be read I was dedicated and got all of them (or most) and they sit waiting to be picked up.  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!

City of Demons & Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid #2.5 & 3)

                Hello happy readers!  So I am continuing on with my reviews for this series that I finally finished and LOVED.  This installment though is my thoughts on both the novella,City of Demons, that takes place after Succubus on Top as well as some clearly marked spoilers before diving into my thoughts on book three, Succubus Dreams.  I think the novella plays a huge part in the characters overall and how I personally reacted to the next book but it or the events in it were never mentioned again in the series so it could be skipped.  I don't discuss spoilers for book three but my thoughts on the novella needed to be discussed and have been clearly marked for spoilers. There are spoilers for the first two books though and in case you are behind I have reviewed the previous titles;  Succubus Blues, and Succubus on Top.

City of Demons (Georgina Kincaid #2.5)

Rating:  4 Stars

                So I was about 20% into book three when I started this.  I was in a spot where I couldn’t listen to anything but I could read so this seemed like the perfect fit when I found out about it.  Short and sweet this novella isn’t necessary to the development of the story but it really does set the stage for some things in book three.  It also broke my heart a bit. This novella isn’t necessary to the overall story thus far as I can tell but it really added some insight into not only the world but Georgina and Seth.

                Georgina is sent to the demonic version of jury duty to stand in for her boss.  An immortal was murdered and they are to have a tribunal where its not really about truth and justice but bribes and power plays.  Since he pulled her away from her vacation away with Seth her boss did decide to send Seth with her which may be more trouble than help as Georgina begins to think Seth is up to something.

                The trial itself was rather fun.  I loved the idea of the one bribe and what it would mean.  The whole concept was interesting for sure to see the inner workings of demon court.  Still the happy fun times I was expecting for my couple broke my heart a bit.  Some things are done and it left me rather upset at Seth, though I do acknowledge both made mistakes. In the end the court case was a win for me and the other aspect not so much as it knocked me off my happy place for my ship.

*****SPOILERS*****

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

                So the part that annoyed me with Seth was the cheating.  Not the physical.  He had the okay to do that and while it would have been hard to see it was acceptable.  But for me, given their circumstances, what he did was worse.  He emotionally cheated on her.  He can’t pull himself from his writing for her, the woman he loves for anything but he pulled himself away and engaged with Beth.  He opened up to her about things he wouldn’t tell Georgina.  He always says he doesn’t need the physical he loves her and what they have but then he goes and basically does that with someone else.  So he’s emotionally cheating on her and then makes her feel unwanted when she is trying with him sensing something is up.  He couldn’t hold to his own level of honesty and truth.  Now I give him props for not doing anything more later but it was the stuff that happened before she took the form that got me.  So that is it on my rant.  Oh and she did totally ruin their chance to finally be together though given everything it would have been hard to do.

End Spoilers

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Succubus Dreams (Georgina Kincaid #3)

Rating:  5 Stars (even though it made me cry at work)

                So Georgina and Seth are making the most of their relationship and the limits it holds.  But things are never that simple and the area gets a new succubus, a newbie that seems to struggle with seducing men, and Georgina is meant to mentor.  All of this while someone/thing is giving her weird vivid dreams and sucking her energy out.  This means she has to work twice as hard and give everything else happening in her life that is not a good idea.  So in search of answers she goes to a dream interpreter who has his own dark history and dedicated to flirting with her as though she doesn’t have enough issues. 

                As mentioned above I was about 20% into this one when I read the novella before it.  I was already anxious about my ship but then after I read City of Demons I was even more anxious about things happening in this one.  Every little thing had my heart racing and hoping for good things only.  Well I freely admit this book had me in tears.  I was so caught up in the story and the heart wrenching moments and I should not have been listening at work (I was alone but had anyone come in….I looked like a mess) and I admit to having never been more tempted to spoil myself on a series.  This series has tempted me each time but I have thus far held off.  Everything is emotional in this book and it is a hard read/listen.  There are many mistakes made and of course some things were bound to come to an end but having just finished the novella and then this I was in serious need of a pick me up. 

                I really liked the dream aspect to the story and the inclusion of the angels.  I always like getting to know more of the supernaturals and see how normal they can be so mundane in many aspects. I liked getting to know a couple new characters and hear their story and how it in part parallels and so on.  The dreams themselves were intriguing and I found myself both wanting her to sleep to continue on them and also to not lose her energy.  Dante was also interesting.  His personality was different than what we normally see, plus the curiosity of learning about his past was pretty fun.  Obviously I wasn’t thrilled with where this book ended and the things that happened but even though it made me ugly cry at work I love how invested I am and how deeply I have fallen for these characters. 

                I really enjoyed this installment in the series and quickly dove into the next book.  More tears may be ahead.  I must find out.

                Until next time…             

~Stacking the Shelves #40~

                Welcome to Stacking the Shelves was created by Tynga and the full details can be found on her page.  Basically you showcase the books you bought or received each week.  Little, or not so little, weekly book hauls.

E-Books:

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1) by Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh

E-Books Review:

Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey & Krystal Wade

Storm Raven (Storm Raven #1) by K. Hanson

                Share a link below with what goodies you got this week.  My Marie Lu giveaway closed but my friend, Bogdana, also got a book signed for giveaway and she picked Batman:  Nightwalker (DC Icons #2) which I also really enjoyed so if you’re interested you can check it out on her page Bogdana the Booknerd.  
  

Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I am super excited with the books I am currently reading and the movies coming out this month.  I look forward to sharing them with you as I review them.  Today I’d like to share my thoughts on the first DC Icons book featuring Wonder Woman written by a favorite author of mine, Leigh Bardugo.  I held off on reading this until after I saw the movie thinking it might be related but rest assured they are not related or in the same universe.  Anywho here are my thoughts on WonderWoman:  Warbringer (DC Icons #1) by Leigh Bardugo.

Rating:  4 Stars

                Everyone knows at least one version of Wonder Woman, though most pick up after she has become Wonder Woman.  This is the story of two girls, daughter of immortals Princess Diana and daughter of death Alia Keralis.  Diana is still training and trying to live up to her fellow Amazons.  She wants to prove herself to them and has the chance to win glory but passes it by and breaks Amazon law risking exile to save a mortal.  Diana didn’t save a normal mortal though, but the Warbringer, Alia.  Alia was just trying to get away from her overprotective brother and spend a semester at sea away from her normal world of worry.  Until a bomb sinks her ship and she is rescued by a strange girl with amazing strength and she is forced to learn a horrible truth about who and what she is:  the bringer of an age of bloodshed and misery.  Together they may be able to keep this from happening and destroy the Warbringer line…if they can face all the enemies along the way.

                This story was interesting and I was intrigued by the way she grew up.  She was different from everyone and had a need to prove herself.  Seeing that the super strong and confident hero we all know was a teen and felt left out and uncertain of herself is a great play on things.  I enjoyed the journey and how it was about both girls and not just Diana.  They both have to learn and grow along the way.  Diana was learning about the world in a real way rather than just in the books.  Alia is in shock given everything but she takes the crazy in a way I think most people could relate to.  I mean I would think I had a concussion if some strong beautiful woman was talking in riddles.  They were a great balance to one another in their views: raised on the stories known as myths to be true and raised on fairytales focusing on science.

"You can't live in fear.  You make things happen or they happen to you."

                This is a journey full of action for sure from chases, fights, and explosions but it is more a character story.  Getting to know the two girls and wanting to see them succeed despite the obstacles.  I enjoyed getting to know them on such a level.  I also enjoyed the inclusion on the whole gang from friends to family.  They made a merry little band of misfits.  The connections that shone between them really bonded the characters in reality amongst the craziness that is Warbringers, Gods, Oracle, and the like.  I also enjoyed the inclusion of mythology in the story.  It flowed simply and was easy to follow, as was the science. 

                Overall I enjoyed this story and kind of wish there was more to come in the world.  It left off in a way that ended this journey.  Still I could see many more adventures on the horizon for Diana.  I enjoyed the listening of it and was excited to dive into the next Icons book Batman:  Nightwalker directly after this.  They don't go together in any way I just wanted to read them this way because I'm a bit OCD and had to see for myself!  That's all for now I look forward to sharing more later! 

                Until next time…