Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Review: The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass

I have been curious about this book for months now. Because that cover is all kinds of gorgeous. Plus the book sounded pretty interesting too. Today I finally got the chance to read it. And oh, how I am disappointed. I from the very beginning that I would have issues with this, because of the writing. Then it got worse.

Everything about this book was wrong. I tried my best to give it a chance. To enjoy it. But it was simply impossible. I had so many issues with it. Sad face. It is the first book I have read in weeks. I really wanted to enjoy it. But I'm giving it a one star. Because it really truly did not have a single part that I enjoyed reading. Ugh.

I thought this book would be pretty amazing. And I guess it could have been. I liked the plot, how it could have been. This book is about Castley and her five siblings and their father. And mother, whom I thought for sure was dead, but there she was in their living room a few pages after. Huh. Not dead, then. But so not there either. Waste of a character. Anyway. The plot. These six siblings have been growing up pretty badly, with their father being crazy about god and whatnot. God is so not my thing, but I thought this sounded like it could be pretty horrible and interesting to read about. Sadly, it was not. I felt like it was done really badly. First, the writing was not good at all. Second, I did not care for any of the characters. Like, at all. They were awful.

This book wasn't very long. Just two hundred and fifty pages. Still felt like it took me forever to finish it. I kept waiting for the climax to happen. And when it finally did, at the end, it lasted for only a few pages. And ended way too soon. Made no sense at all. Ugh. The ending wasn't good either. I mean, it wasn't tragic at all, which I wanted. No heartbreak. Not really. Nothing gruesome. Nothing scary. Nothing sad. I felt nothing. Which I haaate while reading. Anyway. The ending was so rushed. And not done well. Sigh.

I kept waiting for amazing things to happen. But nothing ever did. I'm not writing my review like I usually do. Sort of. I don't feel like talking about everything about this book. About the characters. Their names were pretty interesting, except they all had nicknames too, and so their special names made no sense. Sigh. I didn't like the siblings. At all. They were all sinners, haha. And mean at times. And didn't seem to really care about anything. Not even each other. They were just boring. Painfully boring. Disappointing.

I suppose that the main character, Castley, was supposed to be more interesting. With her rebelling and whatnot. But she wasn't interesting at all. She did nothing worth talking about. She was just so boring to read about. Which disappointed me a whole bunch. She spends most of the book thinking about sex. And god. And her father. And sex with her brother. See, their father has decided that they are all going to go to heaven. And the six siblings have to marry each other. And none of them really minds this. What. Ugh.

And so there is also incest in this book. There is even a sibling kiss. And I hated every moment of it. It wasn't done well. And it was annoying to read about. Especially since when the kiss was happening, she was thinking that she wanted him inside of her. And that was all kinds of perverse, as he is her brother, and have been with her all her life. It was wrong. I did not like it. Sigh. It wasn't written in a good way. It didn't make sense. And this brother was pretty awful too. I didn't like reading about him. She loves him.

Sigh. I don't know what else I wish to share about this book. All the siblings were just awful. I didn't care for any of them. Well, I might have been really interested in knowing more about Baby J. Whose name made no sense to me, since she's supposed to be older than six, but I have no idea how old. Ugh. She was sort of interesting. Maybe. But not enough. There is also a regular boy in this book. There is kissing. I felt nothing. Written badly. He seemed good, until suddenly he wasn't a nice person. It made no sense.

Okay. I'm done with this. I really wanted it to be amazing. But it was not. It was just all kinds of awful. Ugh. I haven't even mentioned most of what happens. About the plot and her father and whatever. I'm just done with this book. Plus side, it is gorgeous looking. But so not worth it. I would not recommend it at all. Aw. Anyway. Huge thank you to the lovely Becky, an awesome friend, for sending me this stunning ARC of this book. Means so much to me. Sadly, the inside were not stunning at all. Not a book for me.


Waiting on Wednesday #268

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

WONDER WOMAN: WARBRINGER BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Goodreads Description:

The highly anticipated coming-of-age story for the world's greatest super hero: WONDER WOMAN by the # 1 New York Times bestselling author LEIGH BARDUGO.

She will become one of the world's greatest heroes: WONDER WOMAN. But first she is Diana, Princess of the Amazons. And her fight is just beginning. . . .

Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mere mortal. Even worse, Alia Keralis is no ordinary girl and with this single brave act, Diana may have doomed the world.

Alia just wanted to escape her overprotective brother with a semester at sea. She doesn't know she is being hunted. When a bomb detonates aboard her ship, Alia is rescued by a mysterious girl of extraordinary strength and forced to confront a horrible truth: Alia is a Warbringer—a direct descendant of the infamous Helen of Troy, fated to bring about an age of bloodshed and misery.

Together, Diana and Alia will face an army of enemies—mortal and divine—determined to either destroy or possess the Warbringer. If they have any hope of saving both their worlds, they will have to stand side by side against the tide of war.
 


Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected publication: August 29th 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order here and here

Eee! I cannot wait for this book :D I adore Leigh Bardugo oh so much. <3 She's awesome. And her books are amazing. And I simply cannot wait to read her version of Wonder Woman. Eee. I must admit that I have never watched anything with Wonder Woman before.. ahh. I read one middle grade book months ago, but I did not like it at all. Ugh. But I think WW seems amazing, even so, and I think I will love this book a bunch :D So curious about it. Aaalso, that cover is awesome. Love it so much. I'm so excited.
What are you waiting for on this wonderful Wednesday?

Saturday, November 26, 2016

In My Mailbox #265

I still haven't read anything. Sobs. I just do not have the energy or the will to read. Or the want, really. I hate that my health is so goddamn bad at the moment. Everything hurts. My body is killing me a bit. Ugh. It hurts to move. It hurts to sit still. It hurts to sleep. Every single thing hurts. Sigh. Plus side, finally, finally getting more medicine on December 1st, and then I shall start feeling better. I hope. I'm planning, hoping, to read tons in December. If I have the time.. because every December I take part in tons of Christmas calendar contests thingy here in Norway online each day. Takes ages. But I shall read too. Once my body feels better. Sigh. I really hoped to read something this week. I have even had a small book next to me all week long. I just never have the energy to pick it up. Ugh. Hopefully today. Or tomorrow. We'll see. Since I didn't read this week, I also didn't blog much. Aw. Especially since my book collection posts are on break too. Hmph. But I did post two things, so yeah, better than none :) I shared the gorgeous cover for Lord of Shadows :D This week I'm waiting on Shadows of the Lost Sun. <3 Despite not having the best week, as I'm in so much pain and such, I'm still feeling pretty happy. I got some gorgeous mail :D Eee. Got one of my most wanted ARCs from a lovely trade. <3 So, so happy. Also, I am so excited about it almost being Christmas :D Eee! Christmas stuff is getting put up in my house this weekend. It is all so pretty. Cannot wait for all the awesome food later in December, haha :) Hoping next week will be better.


Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. My hardcovers finally arrived :D They are gorgeous. And huge.
Gemina. Finally got my Australian edition of this gorgeous book :D So big. Love it. My final version :)
Heartless. Eee, two gorgeous UK editions of this lovely book :D They are so pretty. And different. Love.
Wolf By Wolf. I was missing this new UK paperback edition of this amazing book. Had to have it. Love.
Moana. I got this the week before, lol, just forgot to include it :D I want this movie. Sobs. February yet?
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls. AHHH! Thank you so much Cristina for trading with me :D Eeee! I am so, so happy to finally own this most precious ARC. <3 Now I have them all by Claire. Eee.
Lodestar. I couldn't help but buy this one signed and personalized :) It is so gorgeous. And all the swag.
The Legend of Tarzan + Ice Age 5. I loved both these movies a whole bunch. So I had to own them. <3
Beauty and the Beast Lego. There was a sale. I couldn't help but buy this pretty thing. Eee. I love it so.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #267

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

SHADOWS OF THE LOST SUN (Map to Everywhere #3) 
BY CARRIE RYAN & JOHN PARKE DAVIS

Goodreads Description:

Magical worlds and incredible creatures fill the pages of this action-packed adventure in the Map to Everywhere series!
Fearless adventurers Marrill and Fin have just barely stopped the Iron Tide and the evil wizard Serth from destroying the Pirate Stream. Now they're on a mission to find Fin's missing mother, but before they can blink, Fin's people have found him--and they're not as friendly as he'd hoped. In fact, they're after a powerful wish orb that could resurrect the debilitating Iron Tide and end the world as we know it. Without their captain Coll and wizard friend Ardent to guide them, are Marrill and Fin brave enough to take on the magic (and evil) of the Pirate Stream on their own? Find out in this exhilarating third book that raises the stakes to new heights!


Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: January 10th 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order here and here

THERE IS A COVER! AHHHH :D SO PRETTY! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK. Seriously. This book is one of my most anticipated reads. Eeee :D January 10th cannot arrive fast enough. Sigh. This middle grade series is beyond amazing. And heartbreaking. And so, so good. I loved book one and two the most. Eee. And I'm dying to read this third book :D Ahh. I don't want this series to ever end. Sigh. Fin is just the most amazing boy. And Marrill is awesome too. And I just love this story so much. Eee. Also collecting all of these amazing books. <3 I am currently only missing the ARC of book one, The Map to Everywhere. Let me know if you might have one you don't need? :) Anyway :D This book will be the best.
What are you waiting for on this lost Wednesday?

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Cover Reveal: Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Eee! I am SO excited about this book :D I loved Lady Midnight oh so much. And I adore Cassie the very most. She's all kinds of awesome and I have loved all her books the most. Lady Midnight was perfection. Of course, it broke my heart into a million pieces, but I loved it. But that ending was the meanest thing. Ever. And so I'm a bit nervous about Lord of Shadows.. especially with the summary saying Emma is dating Mark. I'm not okay with it. I don't approve. My heart is still bleeding and I'm a bit angry about it too, haha :) Oh, well. I'm hoping they don't do stuff together.. sigh. Please don't. But anyway. I do think I will love Lord of Shadows SO MUCH :D Because more Julian. Swoon. He is the most amazing boy, and I love him to pieces. I ship him and Emma so much. Sigh. I'm just worried. I need this book to end well for them. Please. Either way, though, I'm going to love this book. It sounds so amazing. Eee. And oh god. This cover! JULIAN. My baby. He is so gorgeous. The cover is so awesome. So curious about why it will be in London. And what will happen. And ahhh. I just want this book right away. Sniffs. I need it. I'm going to love it so much. Why isn't it May 23rd yet? Sigh. And eee, 608 pages :D Wishing it had been longer, but this is long, and I'm so excited. Anyway. What do you think of the cover? :D Isn't it just gooorgeous?


Sunny Los Angeles can be a dark place indeed in Cassandra Clare’s Lord of Shadows, the sequel to the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Lady Midnight.

Emma Carstairs has finally avenged her parents. She thought she’d be at peace. But she is anything but calm. Torn between her desire for her parabatai Julian and her desire to protect him from the brutal consequences of parabatai relationships, she has begun dating his brother, Mark. But Mark has spent the past five years trapped in Faerie; can he ever truly be a Shadowhunter again?

And the faerie courts are not silent. The Unseelie King is tired of the Cold Peace, and will no longer concede to the Shadowhunters’ demands. Caught between the demands of faerie and the laws of the Clave, Emma, Julian, and Mark must find a way to come together to defend everything they hold dear—before it’s too late.




Saturday, November 19, 2016

In My Mailbox #264

I haven't read anything this week. Sobs. And so I haven't blogged much either. Aw. I just haven't been feeling good at all. My body is in so much pain at all times. My stupid arthritis is acting up lately, because it has been more than nine weeks, instead of six, since I last got my medicine. The stupid hospital are messing with things, so I haven't gotten an appointment yet. I'm so upset about it. My body needs it. Sigh. So anyway. I'm still behind on everything. I'm still so behind on reading. I just hurt all the goddamn time. And I cannot do anything, because everything hurts. And so I spend most days just sitting here, doing nothing. Sigh. I wish I could have the energy to read. But I don't. And it just makes me so, so sad :( I'm so behind. Ugh. I'm going to a different doctor at the hospital this tuesday, to talk about changing place I get medicine. Hopefully getting more medicine on December 1st, but it isn't decided yet, sigh. So I'm unsure. But oh, how I hope so. It's already been way too long :( And December 1st is still forever away. Sobs. Anyway. I posted two new blog posts this time. I'm waiting on Caraval this week :) And I'm taking a Book Collection Break. Sobs. Because it is now winter and too dark to take any pretty pictures. Ugh. Which you can see below too.. with my pretty Heartless ARC box you can't even see the writing on it. Uuuugh. Next week I will have to use my ceiling light. Ack. I did get a bunch of gorgeous mail this week, though :D Which I'm so, so happy about. I just wish I was feeling better and reading too. Aw. Getting an amazing ARC trade next week, I think, and I'm thrilled about it. <3 Fingers crossed next week will be better for me.



Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. Gorgeous UK hardcover :D With poster. Eee. I love it. So pretty.
Shadowhunters. And this gorgeous art book by Cassandra Jean. <3 She is awesome. And I love her art.
Walk on Earth a Stranger + Like a River Glorious + Three Dark Crowns. Eee :D My changing hands order finally arrived. YAY :D Signed and personalized books. <3 I adore all three books. So much. And these authors are just amazing. So glad I bought these :D You can see how they are signed here. Eee. Love.
Heartless. EEEE! Thank you so so much Jenna for sending me this ARC + box :D I'm so, so happy. <3
Miraculous Ladybug. I love love love this tv-show so much. <3 And these books from it are just so cute.
Trolls. I had to buy this book about the movie :) So cute. And a couple of the toy figures too :D Adorable.
Gemina. Yay! Finally got my gorgeous audiobook :D Not sure when I will ever listen to it, lol, but love it.
Robbie Williams. I bought this. But I only like the song Party Like a Russian, lol. But I LOVE that one.
Shannon Messenger Swag. Eee :D Thank you so much Shannon. Gorgeous Lodestar pre-order swag.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Friday, November 18, 2016

Book Collection Break


Starting today I'm taking a break from posting my book collections for a few months. Not because I want to, but because it is winter time here in Norway, and for a time we will have no sun at all. Meaning I don't have enough daylight to take pictures of my collections. Aw. I also need time to make my collections grow a bit, haha :) And figure out which books to share pictures of next. I still have some left :D But yeah. Not posting again until February sometime, I think. Will have to see when it will be light enough. Thank you all for commenting on my posts and looking at my collections :D I truly love sharing pictures of all my books.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #266

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

CARAVAL BY STEPHANIE GARBER

Goodreads Description:

Before you enter the world of Caraval, you must remember that it’s all a game . . .

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.


Hardcover, 401 pages
Expected publication: January 31st 2017 by Flatiron Books
Pre-Order here and here

Gosh, I'm unsure about this book. It is so gorgeous. So many have read and loved it already. But I feel like there is a love triangle in this one? And I'm not going to like that at all, haha. Yet I'm still so curious about this book, and pretty excited about reading it when it comes out :) Just hoping that I will love it.
What are you waiting for on this playing Wednesday?

Saturday, November 12, 2016

In My Mailbox #263

This have been a bad week for everyone. I never thought someone that awful could ever win in the US. So disappointed in so many of the people there. And so sorry for the rest of you :( And I fear for the rest of the world too. Sigh. Oh, well. Enough about all of that. I had a sort of good week. I only managed to read one book, but it was Heartless, and so I'm more than okay with reading only one book :) Bad part, though, is that I'm 19 books away from completing my goal of 100 books read this year. I don't think I will make it. So so sad about it. Aw. But my health have been awful this year. Still is. And reading it just so hard. Aw. Hoping it will be better soon. I'm mostly just distracted playing Pokemon GO, which I will never get tired of. And also playing the Trolls game on my iPad. I can't stop playing it. Ugh. Still behind on everything, but starting to have the time to catch up. I hope :) I did get some gorgeous mail this week, eee, and waiting on two precious ARCs that I'm getting from a friend and from a trade, and oh god, I'm the most excited. I just hope I will be feeling better next week. Still haven't gotten medicine, after it got cancelled weeks ago, and yeah. Not feeling good. Still waiting for appointment. Ugh. Anyway. I managed to blog a little bit this week :) This week I'm waiting on The Shadow Cipher :) My newest Book Collection is books by Courtney Summers. <3 Then I posted my review of Heartless. <3 Eee. I probably won't post another book collection post until February sometime, since the daylight these days is really low. My collection this week was with a case of bad lighting. Aw. But I got lucky with my picture below. Hmph. Yet not lucky a few days ago. How rude. It is now almost the time where we have no sun at all for some weeks. How depressing. But so excited for Christmas :D Eee. Love that it is almost December already.




Trolls. I can't help it. I now want every single book from this movie. Ack. And toys. And everything. Cute.
Heartless. Eeee! FINALLY MINE :D My precious hardcovers. <3 Wishing I had it signed to me too. Aw.
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. One of more have arrived :D Haven't read these stories yet. <3
Heartfire. I adored book one. So much. I must re-read it so that I can finally finish this stunning trilogy :D
Gemina. Eee, my UK finished copy have finally arrived. <3 Sigh. It is so tiny. Ack! And gorgeous. Love.
Moana. Another gorgeous book from this upcoming movie. Gosh, I simply cannot wait for it. Eee. Excited.
Heartless. Gorgeous audio version of this book. Eee. I loved Heartless so much. Will listen to it one day.
Movies. A few movies I just had to buy, hih. Just watched The Witch.. it was pretty awful. Disappointed.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I have waited so long for this book. As I adore Marissa Meyer, and I knew I would love this book the moment I heard of it ages ago. I feel like everyone have already read this precious, but I didn't get that chance. But now I have finally read it too. And oh. Heartless was all kinds of perfection. Just like I knew it would be. I loved it.

I have so many thoughts and feelings about this book. I'm unsure where to begin. The writing was so gorgeous, like all other books by Marissa. And oh gosh, how I loved the world she created in this book. Must admit to never having read the Alice books, only seen and loved the three Disney movies. I liked how this was so similar.

There is just so much to love in the world of Heartless. There are so many talking animals, living like humans, and it is all so special to read about. I must admit that I loved Cheshire the most of the animals, hih. This cat is just the cutest. And a bit rude. And I loved him. This book is told from the point of view of Catherine. And oh how I adored this girl. She was all kinds of sweet and gentle and I loved how much she loved to bake. And to eat too. Eee. She was awesome. Though I didn't like how she felt the need to not disappoint her parents all the time. Aw. I wish she had more courage when it came to all of that. Sigh. But despite that, I adore Cath. She was amazing to read about and I loved that the book was from her perspective. I simply loved getting to know her. Sigh.

The plot in this book is a bit complicated to explain. But I need to talk about it a little bit. Catherine have always dreamed of opening a bakery with her best friend and maid, Mary Ann. They have wanted this for so long. And oh, how I adored their dream. But they don't have the money for it, unless Cath's parents support it. And they will not. Because it is not the things a lady should be doing with her life. They want more for her. They want her to be queen. Since the king is very much taken with Cath and her baking.

I couldn't deal with this king at all. I pretty much hated him, despite the fact that he wasn't cruel at all. He was pretty sweet, I guess, but he was also almost twice the age of Catherine. And shorter than her. And always sweating and giggling and not doing a good job as king. And just, oh, I did not like him one bit. Might also be because I kept imagining him as King Gristle from the movie Trolls, lol. But yeah. The king does have a large part in this. Considering he wants to marry Catherine. And she cannot say no. Sigh.

The plot focus a lot on that. But not too much, and I didn't really mind reading about it all. It was really interesting, despite my dislike of the king, lol. Cath also does not like him. And she does not want to marry him. But she doesn't want to disappoint her parents. And ah. It is a whole bunch of complicated stuff. And of course, there is Jest. Swoon. The love interest in this book. He is there from the beginning. And oh, how much I loved this boy. He is the court joker. He's so talented. And handsome. I loved him.

I would say that this book is about the romance between Cath and Jest. Sort of. It is about them falling in love. About Cath wanting to chose her own life, and not the life her parents want for her. There is just so much happening in this book. There is a monster. Both human and not. There are a few awful people. But also some sweet ones. I adored getting to know the hatter in this book. But I didn't like how things ended with him. Aw. So sad and mean and so good, though. I really disliked Peter Peter. Hmph. An awful man.

There is so much I want to say about this book. Yet I feel like I'm not doing a good enough job describing what I loved about it. Sigh. I just loved the entire book. I loved how amazing Cath was. I loved how cute Jest was, and how he just wanted to be with Cath. I loved how he had some pretty awesome secrets. I really liked how the world in this book was built. It was so interesting and a bit creepy at times and I just loved it to pieces. I adored how Jest had a raven with him at all times. I liked that special raven a lot. Ack.

I feel like I should mention that this book broke my heart the very most. Which should be obvious, since it is called Heartless, lol. And it is a prequel. Before the red queen became evil. And oh. Those last pages of this book just broke me. It was so unfair. So cruel. And I wish it undone more than anything. Especially how things ended with the king. Hmph. But yeah. Despite how much this book hurt me, I also found that I loved the ending a whole bunch. It was brutal. Yet written so well. Ack. I loved it. I think. I'm still shocked.

I think I'm mostly done talking about this precious. I'm giving it five stars. Because I loved it oh so much. There wasn't a moment where I was bored. This book was captivating from beginning to end. Heartless was everything I wanted it to be and more. Sigh. I just wish it hadn't been a standalone, lol. I so wish this had been a trilogy. Aw. Because I really wanted my happy ending. Sigh. Oh, well. Heartless was perfect. I simply cannot wait to read even more books by Marissa. She is my favorite author. Adore her the most.


Friday, November 11, 2016

Book Collection #37


37th week of my new Book Collection posts. I will be doing this every Friday. And I am loving it. I own so many amazing books, and I love that I get to share my collection of many of them. I will be posting all my collections randomly, but I love them all. I hope you will all enjoy these posts of mine. Would love to know if you have any collections like mine; if you own and love these books too. Let me know. I love my books.

Books by Courtney Summers.
 
Eee, I adore Courtney. She's all kinds of awesome and I adore the books of hers I have read so far too. I also love how we both love Supernatural a bunch, hih. I own all of her books. Though I'm missing one of them alone, but I have the double version. So far I have only read This is Not a Test and All the Rage. But gosh, I loved those two books. Eee. I haven't read her other books yet because it isn't truly my genre, but I also adore Courtney, and I do think I will like her other three books. I must read them soon. I'm excited. Wishing I had her other ARCs too, but so pleased about having one of them. Eee. I also have one This if Not a Test personalized to me, which just means the most. Also, small note. The color of these pictures ended up being all wrong, because the sun is leaving for the winter, and gah. Daylight is just about gone. Will most likely be starting my break next week. Either way, though, I do like these despite the weird light.



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #265

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

THE SHADOW CIPHER BY LAURA RUBY

Goodreads Description:

It was 1798 when the Morningstarr twins arrived in New York with a vision for a magnificent city: towering skyscrapers, dazzling machines, and winding train lines, all running on technology no one had ever seen before. Fifty-seven years later, the enigmatic architects disappeared, leaving behind for the people of New York the Old York Cipher—a puzzle laid into the shining city they constructed, at the end of which was promised a treasure beyond all imagining. By the present day, however, the puzzle has never been solved, and the greatest mystery of the modern world is little more than a tourist attraction.

Tess and Theo Biedermann and their friend Jaime Cruz live in a Morningstarr apartment house—until a real estate developer announces that the city has agreed to sell him the five remaining Morningstarr buildings. Their likely destruction means the end of a dream long-held by the people of New York. And if Tess, Theo and Jaime want to save their home, they have to prove that the Old York Cipher is real. Which means they have to solve it.

From National Book Award Finalist Laura Ruby comes a visionary epic set in a New York City at once familiar and wholly unexpected.
 


Hardcover, 448 pages
Expected publication: May 16th 2017 by Walden Pond Press
Pre-Order here and here

I'm pretty curious about this one. I really liked the other book I have read by this author; Bone Gap. And so I'm super curious about her upcoming book :D The summary makes me a bit confused, though, to be honest. But I still think this book seems like it will be pretty exciting. I can't wait to read it :) Goodreads says this is to be a middle grade book. Which I'm really excited about :D Just hoping that I will love it. <3
What are you waiting for on this magnificent Wednesday?

Saturday, November 5, 2016

In My Mailbox #262

This week have been sort of better. The pain I was always in did leave me a week ago, so I'm thrilled about that. Though I was nauseous all this week and had zero energy. Ugh. But finally stopped taking antibiotics a couple of days ago. I think the nausea will finally go away. Eee. So fingers crossed they will let me get my medicine soon too, so that my stomach will be okay as well. Ugh. I wasn't sure if I would be able to read anything this week. Yet I managed to read two books :D For the first time in two weeks. So YAY. Feeling happy about that :) Hoping this means I'm finally ready to read more. Fingers crossed. This week I did blog a bunch. I shared about the Blood For Blood Launch Day :) This week I'm waiting on A Conjuring of Light. <3 I read Daughter of the Pirate King :D Loved it. My newest Book Collection post is books by Leigh Bardugo, part two :) And then I read 100 Hours. Which I hated. Sobs. This week I also got a bit of gorgeous mail. <3 And I love all of it so much. Yay :) Though I didn't have the best week, I also had a better week, so happy about that. Just, yeah. A bit upset about my signed book. Aw. More below.

The Lunar Chronicles Coloring Book. International. Ends 11/10.



Moana. Gah, I want this movie NOW. I simply adore all of these books from it. Eee. They are so so cute.
Lodestar + Neverseen. Yay for these gorgeous books :D I must re-read book one and two soon. Excited.
Blood For Blood. Stunning hardcover edition. Eee. I loved this book a whole bunch. Sigh. It's awesome.
Gemina. Eee! My signed copy :D Love that they all personalized it. <3 So happy. But. I paid over $50 for this one. Because Jay told me there would be bookmarks. And that I might get Nevernight bookmarks too. And my copy arrived with no bookmarks at all. I am so so disappointed. And sad. Just. So sad :(
Frozen. Sometimes I just cannot help but buy the Frozen books I think looks gorgeous. This is so cute.
Bookmarks. More HappyHello bookmarks :D Eee. They are all so gorgeous. And I love them all so much.
Trolls. I simply loved this movie. And I need everything about it. These cards and Pez are so gorgeous.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Friday, November 4, 2016

Review: 100 Hours by Rachel Vincent

Gosh, I really tried with this book. I truly wanted to love it. Cause it looks so amazing. And I have read one book by Rachel that I really loved, and one more than I liked a lot. And so I thought I would love this one too. But, yeah. I did not. Not at all. And I just barely managed to force myself to read all of it. It was so painful.

I will try my best not to share that much about what I disliked about this book, lol. But it will be hard not do. And I disliked just about all of it. And I need to write about it. Ugh. Might be a few spoilers. But yeah. I really don't recommend that anyone reads this book. And that makes me a bit sad, to be fully honest. Sigh.

I have decided that I'm giving this one star. Because I seriously did not like it much at all. I don't think there was anything that I truly liked, to be honest. I loved nothing about it. Which makes me so sad, cause I really wanted to love this book. But it was just impossible. I guess that others would enjoy it, but these type of characters were not for me. At all. I had so many issues. Sigh. I must admit, though, that I think the plot could have been great. It was supposed to be about teens being kidnapped at night and held for ransom. I thought this would be exciting and scary and full of death. It was so not. I didn't find it exciting at any moment. Sobs. It took one third of the book before the first death. Sigh. And I did not care. Spent just about all of this one not caring.

I'm trying to figure out what to say. Words seems to be failing me. Because this whole book was one big fail. So disappointing. I thought it would be so good. But it was so not. Sigh. 100 Hours is told from two point of views. Genesis and Maddie. They are cousins. And oh gosh, I did not like either of them. They were both horrible. Genesis is a spoiled rich girl, with stupid rich friends. She just drinks and party all the time. She and her boyfriend cheat on each other all the time. Made zero sense to me. I did not like them.

And Maddie wasn't really any better either. She's supposed to be sort of a nerd, I guess. Thinking she's above Genesis and her friends. Always thinking badly about them, laughing about them and such. I feel like I learned so little about Maddie and Genesis. I don't know much about who they are as people. But I still know that I did not like any of them. They were both awful. I couldn't care less about what happened to them. Ugh. Not good. I also didn't really like the writing much at all. Which just makes me so sad. Sigh.

I think my biggest reason for not liking these girls was because the book begins with them out partying at a bar. Maddie is drinking for the first time in ages, whatever, though they are just sixteen and seventeen years old. Ugh. I hate underage drinking. So yeah. She's drinking and having fun. And kisses the first guy she's dancing with. Then there is Genesis. She's there with her boyfriend. But she's flirting and seriously kissing some other boy she just met. Then she's making up with he boyfriend. Wtf. They made no sense.

I could have gotten over this bad beginning. Except it happened again. And again. Also, Genesis had a boyfriend. Sure, he wasn't such a good guy, but whatever. They were together. She kissed someone else early on. Then a bit later she meets another boy that she's suddenly all over and ends up kissing him so many times, and breaking up with boyfriend. It just made no sense to be at all. So much drinking. And so much kissing of different boys. I would never have done such a thing. And it bothers me so much. Sigh.

I guess the reason for why it bothered me so much is because this whole book takes place in just 100 hours. For real. And Genesis is all over the place with her feelings and whatnot. At the end she seems to be in love with this new boy. Made no sense. He seemed cute, but knew nothing about him. And Maddie. Sigh. She didn't have a boyfriend. But she was also kissing three different boys in this book. Wtf. Third boy seems like he would be love interest. But he was just fifteen and a nerd and they make fun of him.

I just. I had so, so many issues with this book. Spoiled rich kids. Drinking and kissing everything. And Genesis and Maddie wasn't truly friends either. I just. This whole book didn't make sense to me. And when they finally get kidnapped, I wasn't even excited. It was so so so boring. I didn't care about any of it one bit. The ending was boring to me as well. A cliffhanger, I guess, as this is a trilogy. But I will not be reading the other books. Sigh. I was so disappointed. The girls were awful. The other people so boring.

I'm trying to decide what to share about this book. And I'm sort of coming up empty. I thought I would want to write for ages about the things I disliked, lol, but I didn't have all that much I wanted to share. But I think I managed to share enough. This book was just not for me. I was so disappointed. And I would not read it again. Or recommend it for others. Sigh. Oh, well. I'm sort of glad I gave it a try. Maybe. It was so bad. Thank you so much to the publisher for having me auto-approved on Edelweiss. Means the most.


Book Collection #36


36th week of my new Book Collection posts. I will be doing this every Friday. And I am loving it. I own so many amazing books, and I love that I get to share my collection of many of them. I will be posting all my collections randomly, but I love them all. I hope you will all enjoy these posts of mine. Would love to know if you have any collections like mine; if you own and love these books too. Let me know. I love my books.


Books by Leigh Bardugo: Part 2.

I couldn't help but share my second collection of books by Leigh right away. And oh gosh. I love this trilogy of books so much. Shadow and Bone is all kinds of amazing. I love Alina and Mal the very most. Eee. They are my favorites. And these books are just so precious to me. Which you probably can tell, with how many copies I have.. haha. Still missing a few, I think. My collection is a bit random at times. Most I have more than two of, yet some I only have one of, and I need to complete it one day, maybe. But even so. My books are so pretty. And I love them all so much. Eee. Though, hah. Turns out I have four complete US paperback trilogy sets. Not sure why, lol. Just that I love these books so much. And I adore Leigh. Sadly, I only have one paperback of Ruin and Rising signed to me. And one hardcover of Shadow and Bone just signed. Aw. Wishing I could have them all signed one day, hih. It's been so long since I last read these three books. I have only read the final one time. Gosh. I must re-read them all soon. Excited. I also have a huge Leigh swag collection. Missing tons, though, sobs. Like the Shadow and Bone ARC. I need. And Ruin and Rising sampler. I need that one too. But anyway. I will be sharing all my swag one day too, though probably not until the natural daylight is back again. Just, oh. I love these books the most.



Thursday, November 3, 2016

Review: Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

Pirate books are amazing. And so I couldn't resist this gorgeous book when I read more about it. And saw that stunning cover. So glad I decided to get this book from the publisher via Netgalley. Eee. It was the first book I read in two weeks. And I simply could not stop reading it. It was all kinds of exciting and fun. I loved it.

I am unsure what to say about this book. I truly enjoyed it from beginning to end. I had a few issues, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of five. But despite those small parts, I pretty much loved this book. It was fast paced and written pretty well and just so good. I enjoyed reading everything about this book.

I love that this is a pirate book. That the main girl, Alosa, is a pirate. A pretty important one too, which was pretty interesting. The summary mentions that there is a bit of magic in this one. And gosh. It was all kinds of stunning and perfect. I loved that part of the story the most. Eee. So much fun. And awful too. And I can't wait to read more about it all. The sort of twist was hinted at all through the book, but it was still a pretty awesome reveal. I loved it. And I want more of this magic part in book two. I want it very much. And oh. Alosa. This girl was all kinds of amazing. I adored her a whole bunch. I simply loved getting to know her. She was awesome. I did not like her relationship with her father. It was not good. Shudders. Yet so so interesting to read about.

This book is mostly about Alosa being held capture by some pretty bad pirates. She let herself be taken, so that she could steal a map she knows is supposed to be on their ship. Though things don't actually go as she had planned, hah. There is so much happening in this book, despite most of it taking place on one ship. I loved getting to know Alosa. I loved getting to know a couple of the crew on this bad ship too. Two of them were pretty interesting and kind and I liked how the book ended for them. Yay. So many pirates.

And then there was the boy. Sigh. Riden was all kinds of amazing. I had a few issues connecting with him at first, but my love for him just got bigger and bigger. He is sort of a mystery at times. He is trying to get Alosa to tell him about her father, the pirate king. But he is also falling for her. Though the point of view is all Alosa in this book. But yeah. Riden was surprising at times. I liked getting to know him so much. He was so cute. Yet could be bad too. Either way, though, I loved this boy a whole bunch. Need more of him.

And I must mention the romance. Because it is there. And there are some amazing kisses. Eee. I loved those parts so much. But it is also pretty complicated, considering Riden is holding her capture on his brother's ship. But I think they would be amazing together, always. Because they banter so well. And they are so awesome together. And I just adored this romance. I wish there had been even more about it, lol. But the ending has given me hope for even more, eee, so I'm crossing my fingers. I simply adored it all.

I'm not sure what to mention about the plot. Other than that it was amazing. I love reading about pirates. Some of these were pretty bad, though, and I didn't like that one bit. Aw. But I loved how Alosa dealt with them all. She was so awesome. I loved how strong she was, how capable. Maybe a little too stubborn at times, but I didn't mind too much. I adored this girl. Except for one thing she did with the captain. Ugh. It bothered me. This is a four star because I didn't fully love the writing, but I loved the story. It was great.

This book ends pretty well, but it is also sort of a cliffhanger, just not a bad one. But definitely not a story that is finished. And then I checked on goodreads, and it told me nothing about a sequel; I got so worried. Then I saw that Tricia had tweeted about writing book two, and eee, I'm excited. I need more books about these characters. And this awesome story too. I just wish book two was out right now, lol. Cause I'm sure I will love it. And I want to read it right now. Ack. This first book ended way too fast. Yet was long enough.

I'm just so glad I read this book. I was a little unsure about it before I started it, as I had not heard of this author before, but now I will be checking out whatever she writes next, lol. Daughter of the Pirate King was such an amazing debut. It was so fun and awful and a bit romantic too. The magic parts were the best. And all the characters were so interesting to read about. I would highly suggest that you all read this book when it comes out. Eee. Because it was such an awesome read. And I liked it so much. Go order it.


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #264

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

A CONJURING OF LIGHT (Shades of Magic #3) 
BY V. E. SCHWAB

Goodreads Description:

The battle between four magical Londons comes to a head in this stunning finale to the New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy by rising star V. E. Schwab

London's fall and kingdoms rise while darkness sweeps the Maresh Empire—and the fraught balance of magic blossoms into dangerous territory while heroes and foes struggle alike. The direct sequel to A Gathering of Shadows, and the final book in the Shades of Magic epic fantasy series, A Conjuring of Light sees Schwab reach a thrilling culmination concerning the fate of beloved protagonists—and old enemies.
 




Hardcover, 592 pages
Expected publication: February 21st 2017 by Tor Books
Pre-Order here and here

Is it cheating to have this one as my pick when I haven't read book two yet? lol :D I think not. Because, gosh, I loved book one SO MUCH. And I was just too nervous to read book two when it came out. Ack. And now this one is almost out too, and I am just going to wait until February to re-read book one and finally read book two :) I'm so nervous about this final book. Yet beyond excited too. I adore Victoria. And I think she will make A Conjuring of Light be amazing. Eee. Cannot wait to read it. Also, it's so gorgeous.
What are you waiting for on this magical Wednesday?

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Blood For Blood by Ryan Graudin Launch Day Post + Giveaway

Eee! Blood For Blood is out in the US TODAY :D If you still haven't read the amazing book one, Wolf By Wolf, then you really must get going. Because this duology is beyond amazing. And I loved both books so much. Blood For Blood was such a stunning finale. And evil. Beyond evil. I loved it oh so much. You can see my five star review of the book here. Thank you to Rockstar Book Tours for letting me take part in sharing about the book on release day today :D I just cannot wait for you all to read this book. Blood For Blood was amazing. Eee. I'm also so excited about getting my stunning finished hardcover of it, finally. <3

http://www.rockstarbooktours.com/

There would be blood.
Blood for blood.
Blood to pay.
An entire world of it.

The action-packed, thrilling sequel to Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf.

There would be blood.
Blood for blood.
Blood to pay.
An entire world of it.


For the resistance in 1950s Germany, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun.

Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against the New Order, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.

But dark secrets reveal dark truths, and one question hangs over them all: how far can you go for the ones you love?

This gripping, thought-provoking sequel to Wolf by Wolf will grab readers by the throat with its cinematic writing, fast-paced action, and relentless twists.




Ryan Graudin grew up in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Creative Writing in 2009. She is the author of All That Glows and The Walled City. She resides near Charleston with her husband and wolf-dog. You can find her online at www.ryangraudin.com.

Where to find Ryan Graudin:
Twitter. Website. Facebook. Blog.
Goodreads. Tumblr. Pinterest.

Giveaway.

5 winners will receive a finished copy of WOLF BY WOLF, US Only.
Ends on November 15th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway