Thursday, March 30, 2017

Review: Flashfall by Jenny Moyer

I'm so thrilled to say that I loved this book the most. I had seen so many others enjoy it, yet I was still unsure whether I would enjoy it or not. Yet so curious. I'm thrilled that I gave this book a chance. Because I loved it so much. I am so glad I read it. This book is amazing. And I need the next book more than anything.

There is much I loved about Flashfall. I'm not going to describe much about the plot, only a few small things. But oh gosh, how amazing it was. The writing is stunning, which was so awesome. The characters were all the best. I adored the main girl so much. Orion was simply the very best. Really loved getting to know her.

The story in this book was heartbreaking and yet fun too. Loved every moment of it. And the romance too. It's beyond beautiful. Loved it to pieces. Wish there had been more kissing, lol, but I adored what was there. So perfect. I hope it doesn't change in book two. Don't think it will, but some authors do seem to enjoy killing off their characters. Still. Don't think it will happen in this. And I think the romance will be even better in book two, and ah. I'm so excited. I just wish I could read it right now. Sigh. Anyway. Flashfall was all kinds of stunning. A lot of the book takes place inside a mountain. And that reminded me so so much of The Descent, which is a horrifying horror movie. Loved that this book was almost the same. Flashfall is dark. Dark and beautiful.

This book is told from the point of view of Orion. She's almost seventeen years old. And she is beyond amazing. I loved getting to know her so much. She's so kind and sweet and just the very best. There is no drama with her at all. Which I loved a lot. Loved getting to know details about her family. Her father was amazing. I felt so sad that her mother and brother were dead. Loved reading about them, though. Loved how she felt about her family. Orion was just amazing. Really loved reading from her point of view.

Orion has a best friend, Dram. He is eighteen years old, and they have been friends forever. They mine together. They trust each other. And they just have the best friendship. I loved reading about them. And gosh, I loved Dram. So much. He's simply amazing. And eee, I loved how Orion began to have feelings for him, how she realized it. And how the romance began. Sigh. It was beautiful. I need more of it. I loved how amazing they were together. No drama at all. No fighting. It was so perfect. Need more of these two.

I loved the world in this book. It's dark and awful. Yet the characters are making the best of it. Orion lives in a very small town, on a mountain. Which she and her people are forced to mine every day, looking for something that others need to survive. Orion and her people are a bit different, and they don't die while looking for the cirium, but the radiation is still slowly killing them all. Which was so heartbreaking to read about. And I need that to be fixed for a character in book two. I'm so nervous for him. Need happy ending.

Anyway. The plot in this book is so exciting. If the sixty people in this town mine enough cirium they will be able to go to a city, to be free. But it is impossible to mine that much. Except that Orion is so close to getting it done. As she's even more special. And ahh, I loved that lots. Anyway. This world. This world is slowly killing them all. There is this curtain of death, you could call it, that is fully deadly. And so reading about it was pretty awful yet so interesting. I can't describe it right. Just that it's awful yet so fascinating.

There are tons of way to die in this book. And a lot of people end up dead. And gosh, such horrible ways to die. There are creatures in these mountains. And it was awful to read about them. Orion get hurt so often. And Dram too. And it's simply horrible. Yet I loved those parts the most, lol. I love reading about when my favorite characters are hurt. It was awful, and so perfect. I loved how they healed each other, and took care of each other. So beautiful. Sigh. I just loved these characters so, so much. My precious.

So much about this book was perfection. And I haven't talked about a lot of it at all. And I'm not going to. Just. Read this book. Read it right now. It's stunning. And I cannot wait to read it again, before book two is out. Eee. So excited. Cannot wait for the sequel. It shall be perfect. Sigh. Flashfall was truly amazing. Full of stunning romance and friendships. Horrifying creatures and other things. This book was perfection. So interesting and exciting and I loved every moment of it. Eee. So hope there will be many more books.


Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Waiting on Wednesday #285

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

THE KNOWING BY SHARON CAMERON

Goodreads Description:

Samara is one of the Knowing, and the Knowing do not forget. Hidden deep in the comfort and splendor of her underground city, a refuge from the menace of a coming Earth, Samara learns what she should have never known and creates a memory so terrible she cannot live with it. So she flees, to Canaan, the lost city of her ancestors, to Forget.

Beckett has flown through the stars to find a dream: Canaan, the most infamous social experiment of Earth's antiquity. Beckett finds Samara in the ruins of the lost city, and uncovers so much more than he ever bargained for -- a challenge to all he's ever believed in or sworn to. When planets collide and memories clash, can Samara and Beckett save two worlds, and remember love in a place that has forgotten it?

At once thought-provoking and utterly thrilling, this extraordinary companion novel to Sharon Cameron's #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling THE FORGETTING explores the truth and loss that lie within memory, and the bonds that hold us together.


Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: October 10th 2017 by Scholastic Press
Pre-Order here and here

Eee! I am so so excited for this book :D I loved The Forgetting so, so much. <3 Sniffs. So good. A bit sad this isn't a sequel, but it still sounds aaamazing :D And I cannot wait to meet these characters. Eee. I'm using the Amazon description for this one, as I liked that one better, haha. So different too. Either way, though, so excited for this book. I think I will love it tons. Hoping there will be something about the old characters too, though :) Crossing all my fingers. Wait. Ack. No. I just thought of something. Might this be a book that happens before The Forgetting? Ahh, I hope not.. but now I'm worried, lol. Still so so excited.
What are you waiting for on this unsure Wednesday?

Monday, March 27, 2017

Review: Shadow Run by AdriAnne Strickland & Michael Miller

Oh, this book was disappointing. I had hoped so badly to love it. Because I adore everything space. Books, movies, shows. And this one sounded pretty exciting. But hah. I had big issues right away. But I thought it would be getting better. Sadly, it never did. This book only got worse and worse for me. Very disappointing.

There were times when I liked the writing. But those times were not often. For the most part the writing in this book annoyed me a whole lot. I didn't care for any of the characters. And both main characters had such weird ways of thinking. And the whole book was more telling than showing, which is annoying and not good.

This book is told from the point of view of Nev and Qole. Sadly I cannot say that I loved either of them. I liked Nev at times. But most of the time the way he behaved was silly and just cheesy. And Qole was not a good person at all. I so wish she had been better. But she wasn't. I hated the way she treated Nev for most of the book. It wasn't okay. They claim she is the best pilot there is. I didn't see that at all. And hahaha. That summary. It sounds like she has a big crew of horrible but loyal people. Again, not true. And the way they are described isn't correct at all. There is Qole, her brother, a girl, and two other boys. Only five people on this ship. And five very badly written people at that. Her brother is overprotective, in a real silly and stupid way. I felt nothing.

The other girl is a hacker, and with no personality at all. Then there is this boy or girl, who knows, which is written so badly, and the characters are always wondering if he is a boy or a girl. It wasn't done well at all. He seemed interesting, but cared not one bit. At the end he was such an awful person and it bothered me greatly. Not a character for me. And the final boy, okay, man. He was huge and so strong and whatever. And he was so protective of Qole. Was stupid and silly and all he did was hurt aka beat Nev, all the time.

Just, yeah. This crew of hers was just not for me at all. They were written so badly and I did not care for any of them. Didn't see how they were a family at all. Ugh. It was just stupid. And I'm so disappointed in it. Sigh. And oh, Qole. I wish I could say I loved her. But I did not. She was always rude towards Nev. And she hurt him too. She didn't understand him at all. Or his feelings. Yet she keep claiming that she cares for him, and hah. I didn't get that. She also wasn't an interesting person, sadly. I wanted to love her. Sigh.

And oh, Nev. I didn't love him either. Aw. Spoiled rich son of a king. Yet he was very gentle and kind and pretty fierce too and great at fighting. Yet I cared for him very little. He starts liking Qole right away when he meets her. For no reason. So silly. This boy is a prince. And after lying to this crew for 24 hours, they find out the truth, then they all beat him, sort of. And I just. They all treated him horribly all the time. Even after he saves them so many times. They still treat him badly. And yet he considers them his friends. Ugh.

The plot is about Nev wanting to kidnap Qole, because of something in her blood. This book is about Shadows, or whatever. Something dangerous that ends up killing people after years. Don't know nearly enough about this, so didn't really care at all. Qole is supposed to be full of this Shadow thingy. And so she is special. And has some kind of power. Sigh. It was a little bit of interesting, except when she killed hundreds of people and didn't care at all. For real. I'm so upset about it. None of them cared. Not okay.

Anyway. The plot. It wasn't really interesting at all. They are just on their ship, trying not to get killed by other people. Then they return to Nev's home, and his family are rich evil people and hahaha. Oh, and he's engaged. Which he didn't mention. Engaged to such a spoiled rude girl and it was so so typical and I hated every moment of it. Such a stupid book, sadly. His family were awful. I could have liked his sister, but she was awful too, yet he is so kind and so different, and hahaha. Yeah. They weren't a good family.

Oh, romance. There wasn't any. First kiss happens on the second to last page of the book. And it was the most badly written kiss I have read. Ugh. It wasn't good at all, which makes me so sad. And there wasn't any romance in the book. Yeah, Nev and Qole are supposed to feel for each other the whole book. But it was silly and stupid and I didn't care for it one bit. Ugh. Then that ending. Yeah, I hated one torture thingy, but only that. Did not excuse that they all killed so many people and didn't feel bad for it at all. Not okay.

Ack. I have only written negative things about this book. Yet I'm giving it two stars. Sigh. I didn't fully hate it. Though it do seem that way now, lol. I just had so many issues with it. I liked some parts. But I still kept reading, but I loved nothing. And I just wanted the book to be over. And yet it wasn't the worst book I have read. But it was really, really bad. And I really wouldn't recommend it to anyone else. Sigh. I felt like this book could have been so much more. But it just wasn't. And so I'm disappointed. Wish it had been better.


Saturday, March 25, 2017

In My Mailbox #281

I have been reading so much this month. And it makes me so happy. Eee. This month I have read 13 books so far. It's been aaages since I last read this much. And I still want to keep reading, lol. I love it. So much. But I also know that when I get the spa bath up again in May sometime, I might read a little less. Ack. Because I will be bathing for 2+ hours each day, and that always make me exhausted. But still going to try my best to read often :D So many books still to be read. This week I only got one book. Waiting for lots more next week, though :) But yeah, this book even arrived yesterday, which is last mail day. Slow shipping. Ugh. Oh, well. I did get a bit of mail this week, and it do look so gorgeous :) I also blogged a lot this week. As I did read four books. Eee. I shared my review of Darkthaw and of Heartfire :) Sadly, so disappointed in them both. Aw. This week I'm waiting on Invictus. <3 Then I shared my review of The Crooked Sixpence :) I shared the gorgeous cover for Godsgrave. <3 Eee. Then I shared my review of The Dragon's Price :D Which I loved. My health isn't very good this week, and I'm having the worst kind of stress too. But reading a lot, so happy about that at least. Hoping that next week will make it all better.



Shadow Run. I'm reading this one very soon, and I'm pretty excited about it. It do look so gorgeous :D
Nero Sport Ball. I know, nothing bookish, haha, but this one looked like so much fun to bounce around :D


More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: The Dragon's Price by Bethany Wiggins

My love for this book surprised me. I was lucky enough to get an ARC of it, otherwise I would not have read this one, which would have been awful. I had seen others enjoying it. Yet because of this cover I never thought to try the book. But then I got it in the mail, and I had to try it. And gosh, how much I loved this story.

I'm so glad I got this ARC. So glad I was able to read this book. Because I enjoyed it so much and I'm so happy that I have read it. Eee. I didn't really think that I would love this. I hoped I would enjoy it, but didn't think I would like it that much. I'm so so glad I was wrong. I liked the writing right away, which was awesome.

Gosh, how am I supposed to wait until next year for book two? That's going to be torture. Because the ending for this book was pretty evil and heartbreaking and I need to know what happens next so badly. Ugh. Okay, the ending wasn't that bad, but it was still so rude, and I need the next book right away. Hmph. There is just so much about this book that I enjoyed. Eee. The writing was just perfect. and the characters were so so amazing. Oh, how I loved reading about them all. They were all written so well. And I loved that. So thrilled that I loved this main girl so much. Sorrowlynn was amazing. Fierce and brave yet so gentle and scared too. Adored her. Her father and mother were the worst parents ever. But I liked the small glimpse of her three older sisters.

Getting to know Sorrowlynn was the best thing. I loved everything that I learned about her. She's just the best. The plot in this book is about these two kingdoms that have had this deal for so many years to keep a dragon safely locked up. Because of this deal, Sorrowlynn has to marry someone from this other place. Or get fed to the dragon, if she refuses. Which was so interesting to read about. I loved how Sorrowlynn worked through it all, trying to decide what she should do. She really, really did not want to get married.

But then she meets one of the princes from this other place. And she likes him right away. And oh, I liked their first meeting a lot. They just clicked right away and it was awesome and a bit hilarious too. So cute. But Sorrowlynn still doesn't want to get married, because she thinks she has to marry his very much older brother. And so she says she's choosing the dragon. Until the boy, Golmarr, says he chooses her. And she agrees to marry him. Except, she has already chosen the dragon without knowing it. So complicated.

Which begins this amazing story. Sorrowlynn gets fed to the dragon in the mountain. And Golmarr climbs down after her, hoping to protect her, and get them both out of the mountain. Which just begins the most awesome story. I loved how Sorrowlynn and Golmarr worked together. How he teached her stuff about surviving. How they quickly grew to be friends, then more. The romance do happen a bit fast, but I loved it beyond words. It moved just fast enough. And it was so glorious. I wanted more, lol. Stunning romance.

There is just so much happening. I'm not going to describe all of it. Yet I must talk about a few moments. Like, there are dragons in this book. And gosh, they are dark and vicious and I loved reading about them. There is this pretty brutal scene happening inside the mountain with one dragon and Sorrowlynn which broke my heart a little with how brutal it was. A bit too much, yet so perfect too, and I liked those scenes a lot. Especially how Sorrowlynn changed after that. What she got from the dragon. Ahh. So, so interesting.

Not going to say anything more about that. Just that it is all kinds of exciting and different and I loved it beyond words. I need to know more about it all. I need to know what happens next. And oh, the romance. I adored Sorrowlynn and Golmarr together. They were so perfect. Sniffs. Stunning romance. Only wished there had been a bit more heat, though. But still, so lovely. There was this girl near the end of the book, and oh, how I hope she and Sorrowlynn becomes friends in book two. I think I can see it happening, lol.

I'm pretty sure that I'm giving this book five stars. I was a bit unsure in the beginning, because I worried a bit, but then it just kept getting better and better and I ended up enjoying this book so much. I'm giving it five stars because I loved it. I loved every part of it. I loved the story. I loved the characters so much. And the romance was the most perfect thing. I even loved that evil ending. I don't think there will be drama in book two, which I love even more. There was just nothing I disliked about this one. Eee. I loved it tons.

If you haven't read this book yet, you really must. Because behind this not so pretty cover, lol, there is an amazing story. The best romance. Brutal dragons. This book was just so awesome. I loved The Dragon's Price beyond words. The romance is incredible. The story is exciting, interesting and everything I wanted. I cannot wait to read the next books. Eee. They are going to be amazing. Just wish I didn't have to wait so long. Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review while I was in Chicago. <3


Thursday, March 23, 2017

Cover Reveal: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Eee! I am DYING to read Godsgrave :D I loved Nevernight so, so much. It's already been eleven months since I read it. Gosh. So long already. I'm dying to re-read it. But going to wait until I have book two in my hands. Eee. I hope there will be ARCs. And I hope I will be able to get them all. Sniffs. Fingers crossed. <3 I just. Gosh. THIS COVER. I cannot. IT IS GORGEOUS. Eee :D Such stunning US editions. Perfect. Mia looks so good. Eee. I also cannot wait to see the UK cover. I'm sure it will be just as pretty and fierce. Oh, I cannot wait to own all the editions. There will be many special ones and I will get them all. Eee. I'm just so excited to read Godsgrave :D But also beyond nervous and worried too. Something bad happened at the end of Nevernight. I worry it won't be undone. I need it undone. Just, crossing all my fingers it will be undone, lol. But so worried. Either way, so excited for this book :) And so so in love with this cover. <3


A ruthless young assassin continues her journey for revenge in this new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff.

Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.




Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Review: The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell

I enjoyed this book a lot. That cover is stunning, and the book was amazing inside too. I didn't fully love it, so I'm giving it three stars, but there were parts that I loved a lot. I found the story to be so good and interesting and I wanted to know more so badly. I will be reading the next books in this series for sure. So excited.

I found the writing in this to be great. I enjoyed it at all times. And the characters were awesome. I liked Ivy and her brother Seb a whole bunch. There were things I didn't like about how some of the characters were written, felt a bit silly at times, but mostly I liked them all, and enjoyed getting to know them. So interesting.

This book tells the story of eleven year old Ivy. And her fourteen year old brother Seb. And eee, I liked both characters so much. Ivy was adorable. And I loved that this book was from her point of view. I loved that she's smart and kind and just awesome. But I didn't like how she treated one character. Hmph. But besides that, she was awesome. And Seb was a pretty good character too. I'm curious about him. I adored their relationship with each other. Such awesome siblings. They are staying with their grandmother, who just had an accident, and is now going to the hospital. Which starts the whole story. There is so much happening, and bad people are coming after Ivy and Seb, and it's so exciting too. I enjoyed figuring out what all the bad people wanted.

Not going to say too much about the plot, but it's so interesting. Ivy is trying to figure out what happened around forty years ago, when her grandma had a bad accident and lost all her memory of her life before. Because Ivy have just learned what her life was like before the accident, but not why she got hurt. And it was so interesting to try to figure it all out. So much happens in this book. For the most part I loved all of it. There were a lot of exciting moments. And the ending was pretty good too. I liked the mystery of it all.

The plot in this book is set under London, sort of. There is a whole different world under there. Not magic. But like it, even so. There are uncommon objects, which can do amazing things. Not going to describe it, but it was awesome to read about. I liked learning what each item could do. It was exciting. And I really enjoyed the talking bells. They were adorable. Especially Scratch. Liked that tiny bell a bunch. There are also ghosts. Which was interesting. And some other creatures as well. I liked reading about all of them.

The reason for why I'm giving this book three stars is because I had a few issues with some things. I felt like the book was a bit too much like Harry Potter at times, though I did enjoy that, it as just a little bit too much, with the villains and such. But still good. I had some issues with the new boy they meet, Valian. I liked him right away. And wanted to know more of him. But they treat him pretty badly, and I felt like his character could have been done better. Hope that is fixed in book two. I need more of this curious boy.

I just adored some of the characters in this book. Ivy was so sweet. And I liked Seb too. And Valian was my favorite. I just wish I knew more about him; that he had been written a little bit better. But still. I can't help it. I ship him and Ivy, lol. But guessing that won't ever happen, as she's eleven, and he is fifteen. Aw. But still, I hope. There are also lots of other people in this one. Like their grandmother. I liked her. But she wasn't written fully well enough for me. Still, I liked her a lot. And Ethel too. Liked a lot of the others too.

I'm really glad that I read this book. I hadn't heard of it before the publisher sent it to me, ack. So glad that I got it in the mail. Because then I got to read this gorgeous book. I'm really curious about the next books too. Hoping book two will be better at the things I disliked in this one. Fingers crossed. Either way, I'm so excited. Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review while I was in Chicago. The Crooked Sixpence is full of adventure and has such a stunning story. I enjoyed it a lot. You must read it.


Waiting on Wednesday #284

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

INVICTUS BY RYAN GRAUDIN

Goodreads Description:

Time flies when you're plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past.
But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

In this heart-stopping adventure, Ryan Graudin has created a fast-paced world that defies time and space.


Hardcover, 464 pages
Expected publication: September 19th 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pre-Order here and here

Ahh, I'm so excited about this book :D I adore Ryan. And I have loved some of her books too. Eee. And I think this new one of hers sounds like it will be amazing. Sigh. I simply cannot wait to read Invictus. It also looks so so gorgeous. Love this cover. Just crossing my fingers that I will love it the most :D Cannot wait.
What are you waiting for on this traveling Wednesday?

Monday, March 20, 2017

Review: Heartfire by Kate A. Boorman

Oh, how I wish I could have loved this final book. But sadly, I did not. I even liked it less than book one and two. Which is why I have to give this one a one star. Ugh. So disappointed. And so sad too. I had such high hopes for this trilogy. I really thought I would love them all. Instead I disliked every one of them. Sniffs.

I don't even know where to start. It is not that I hated this book like crazy. Because I didn't. I simply felt nothing. And that isn't a good thing. I grew to dislike the writing a whole bunch. It just got worse and worse. How Emmeline describes things. And how she thinks. It just bothered me so much. And that makes me so sad.

I wish I could say that Emmeline was better in this third book. But she wasn't. For me, she was even more selfish and even more boring. Simply cared nothing for her. She felt so false to me. Like how she starts caring for a horse and a dog in this book. Yet I did not at all feel that she loved either of them. I felt that Emmeline was just cold. All the time. She thinks about feeling such a fierce love and whatever. But I didn't get that feeling for her at all. And her relationship with Kane. Haha. I don't get this romance at all. They never talk. They never do anything together. Yet they are deeply in love. Hah. Such a silly romance. And Emmeline doesn't get anything that Kane feels at all. She is so selfish. They don't talk about things. She doesn't. He doesn't. It was annoying.

Oh, and there are love triangle hints in this book. Ugh. There isn't a real triangle. But there is a girl that, to Emmeline, is crazy about Kane. And Emmeline is full of jealousy and rage and it was so incredible silly. There was lots of drama between her and Kane too. Silly drama. This whole book was just silly. I found all the friendships to be silly too. And cheesy. I didn't get these relationships at all. I so didn't get why any of them were friends. Or why they seemed to love each other so much. Ugh. Just, so disappointing. All of it.

There was one character I would have liked to read more about. Charlie. Who was supposed to seem like such an awful person. Because he tried to kidnap Matisa, a girl he didn't know at all, to be able to save his very pregnant sister and his younger brother. Because of this, Emmeline hates him, and leaves him to die in book two. For real. This girl was the most horrible person. Charlie was the most interesting person and he did the right thing for his family. He was a kind boy. I only wish there had been more of him. Ugh.

Wishing I could say that the plot was exciting. But it wasn't. I suppose that some will find it full of exciting stuff. But I didn't. I didn't care about a single thing. It all just felt silly to me. Probably because of how I did not like Emmeline at all. Sigh. I felt like they all acted weirdly. I was sort of curious about the sickness in the water. But didn't like their name for it. Or how they went about it all. So I wasn't that interested in all of it. Most of this book is just about them trying to figure out the cure, and fighting. It became so, so boring.

I don't really know what to say about this book. So I'm not going to write more. I didn't find it interesting or exciting. I didn't care for any of the characters. I didn't care for the romance at all. It was just so silly. No heat. No feelings. No talking. So annoying. I am glad I tried reading all three books, though, I'm proud of myself for not quitting, lol. They are such stunning covers. And the author is lovely. But these books were not for me at all. Curious to know what others think of them all, though. I'm glad to be finished with them.


Sunday, March 19, 2017

Review: Darkthaw by Kate A. Boorman

I tried really hard to like this book. But it just wasn't meant the be. Aw. I really wanted to like it more than book one, yet I ended up liking it less. Which is just so disappointing. Especially since the first time I read book one I loved it. Aw. But not this time around, sadly. I seemed to have issues with this book at all times. Sigh.

I'm not sure how to write this review of mine. I'm giving this book two stars. Because while I didn't like it, I also didn't fully hate it. I enjoyed some parts of the plot, but for the most part I disliked it all. I just did not connect to anything. I found this book to be silly and just boring. I didn't care for the girl at all. Was disappointing.

I really wanted to enjoy this book a lot. And it makes me so sad that I didn't. But there was just no way for me to like it. Sigh. I felt like this book didn't make much sense, and it annoyed me often. I liked the writing in book one, but in this one it bothered me a lot. This book was describing way too much. It made my head hurt a bit. Sigh. This book is also from the point of view of Emmeline. While I sort of liked her in book one, I sadly didn't like her much at all in this sequel. I found her annoying and selfish and oh so childish too. I think she was supposed to come off as fierce at times, but she really wasn't. I strongly disliked how she treated some people. Like Kane at times. And Charlie. The ending with Charlie bothered me a lot. She didn't make the right choices.

This time my review will not be long. Because I really don't know what to say about this book. I had many issues reading it. I just wanted the book to end. Sigh. I'm still going to read book three, though. Because I am sort of curious about what will happen next, yet also not really curious at all. Book one at least had a plot. I wouldn't really say that this one had a plot at all. It only takes place in the forest, where they are traveling to find Marisa's people. It was sort of interesting to read about, the forest parts. But not enough.

As I said, I didn't really like Emmeline at all. She was so selfish. Like, she wanted Kane to be with only her, she didn't understand why he wanted to stay with his two really younger brothers and his mom. She didn't understand why he would chose them over her. And that bothered me like crazy. She was not a person that felt for others. She just seemed to want herself to be happy. Sigh. I hope she's better in book three, but I sort of doubt it. I don't think I will grow to like her more. But I do have a small hope, even so.

I wish I could say that the romance was good, but it really wasn't. They share a few kisses. I felt nothing. Nothing at all. Emmeline is always going on about feeling moths in her stomach while looking at Kane.. and I found that to be so cheesy and silly. I didn't get their feelings for each other at all. I still haven't seen them talk to each other for real. I wish I believed in their romance, but I still haven't seen any reason for why they should love each other. Ugh. I wish the romance had been better. I simply didn't care for it at all.

There are other characters in this book too. Like the other girl, Matisa. And I didn't really get her at all. Didn't know her either. She just showed up in book one, having dreamed about Emmeline, and Emmeline dreaming of her. And this was another thing that made no sense to me at all. Emmeline can dream the future, or whatever. Parts of her dreams are written down, and they just felt really silly to me. I just didn't understand the point of it at all. Sigh. And didn't understand her friendship with Matisa either. Wish I had.

I'm not sure what else to say about this book. So I won't say much more. I wish that it had been better, I wish that I had liked it more. But I guess this book just wasn't for me. Which is just all kinds of depressing, because I really thought I would love this series, as I loved book one years back, but not this time. Sigh. It's just depressing, lol. I wish it had been better. But it wasn't. I had lots of issues with this book. But I do think that maybe others will enjoy it a lot. And I do think you should give this trilogy a chance. If you wish.


Saturday, March 18, 2017

In My Mailbox #280

I have been reading a lot this week. YAY. I finally re-read the Graceling books. <3 And gosh, I'm so, so happy that I did so. They are just so perfect. Sniffs. So glad I finally made myself read them again, lol. Been too long since the last time. Ack. Anyway. I had a good week. Health isn't the best, but dealing with it. Having issues with other things in my life, which is just the most stressful. Gah. Hopefully that will be sorted out shortly too. This week I also got some stunning mail. <3 But oh.. I wasn't able to get the new Moana limited edition doll from Disney. And I'm so so angry and upset about it. I wanted it the most. But it got sold out before I could enter my payment details, which is beyond weird, because if I didn't have time, no one else would have had the time either. Ugh. But anyway. This week I posted a bunch of reviews. I shared my review of Graceling. <3 And my review of Fire :D And my review of Bitterblue. <3 And my review of Winterkill :) This week I'm waiting on The Glass Spare. I'm so happy to be reading a lot lately. Eee. Also not that far behind on stuff either, which is also good. Just wishing I was feeling better with my health too. Hmph. I'm just waiting for May, to be able to get my spa bath up again :D I'm so so excited.




Moana Snow Globe. Ahh. Look how gorgeous it is :D Eee. I love this one. Couldn't resist buying this.
Hunted. I loved this book so, so much. Want all the copies of it. It's such a stunning book. Eee. Love it.
We Can Be Mended. Hahahaha. I have heard spoilers. Not happy. Doubt I will read this. But will own it.
Tsum Tsum. Eee. So many new plushes :D All the new Bambi ones. And more. They are just the cutest.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Friday, March 17, 2017

Review: Winterkill by Kate A. Boorman

This is my second time reading this book. I first read it almost three years ago now. Back then I gave this book a five stars. I loved it a lot. Yet I didn't read the sequels when they came out. And so now I decided to re-read this book, so that I can finally get to read book two and three. Oh. I'm not sure how to say this.

But, well. This time when reading this book I didn't really like it at all. And it breaks my heart. Because I do remember that I loved it. I had forgotten just about all the details, but still. I can't believe I have changed that much in just three years. But I must have. I loved it that first time. But this time, it's a two star for me. Sniffs.

I really wish I could say that I loved this book. And I did love it that once. But not this time. This time I had so many issues with it and I just don't understand why I did love it almost three years ago. Sigh. I'm so, so sad that I didn't love it this time too. It just breaks my heart. But even so, I'm still going to read book two next, and I'm excited about it. I hope that it will be better for me, and that I will love it lots. Crossing all my fingers. I'm trying to decide how to write this review of mine. I'm going to have issues trying to describe this book this time. Because, yeah, I really didn't think that I would end up disliking it now. And I'm already having trouble finding the words. But I'm trying my best. Just really wishing I could have loved it this second time too.

I wouldn't say that I had issues with the writing, thankfully. Some things were a bit hard to understand, but for the most part I liked the writing. Sadly, one thing I noticed while re-reading this book, is that it focus a whole lot on religion. And that just isn't my type of thing at all. Talk about the Almighty and whatever. They are all pretty obsessed with it, in a way. And in the way they live too, which just wasn't for me at all. I am unsure how it didn't bother me the first time I read it. Aw. I do not like religion books at all. Was too much.

But it also wasn't all bad. I did like the main character, Emmeline, a little bit at least. Was curious about her, and wanted to know her better. But I also sadly felt like I didn't get to know her much. I was curious about her past, about her grandmother. Wanted to know more about that. Her dad wasn't very interesting at all, sadly. Emmeline has problems with a foot. And I liked that a lot, that she was a bit broken. Except, well, she keeps hurting herself with her foot on purpose, all the time. I didn't care for that. Not my thing.

This book is about a village. It seems like it's set far in the past, considering how they all live. Supposed to be a type of fantasy book. But, well, there weren't anything magic in this one. No magical creatures. So no fantasy at all. Aw. But I still did enjoy the plot at times. And I did love it the first time I read it. But, well. This time I didn't care much for it. Aw. I found the story to be pretty boring and moving way too slow. And then the ending moving way too fast. Was too rushed, and not that good either. Still, curious about more.

Anyway. About this village. I liked reading about how things worked in this place. If there had been less religion, I might have liked it more. I also liked this village because it reminded me about the movie, The Village, which I saw years ago and liked a lot. But this one was a bit too boring, sadly. I just couldn't find it in me to care for Emmeline. She just turned sixteen. Boys that are sixteen will want to marry her now. But also this man that is ten years older than her. He wants to marry her too. And just. Ugh. I did not like this.

I'm not sure how I managed to enjoy this part when I first read it. Okay, how I managed to just move past it. Because this time I cannot. This man wants to marry Emmeline. He's starting to hang around her all the time. She doesn't tell him no. But she does not want to be with him, and she doesn't feel anything for him, yet she's still thinking that she has to marry him. And I didn't care for that at all. Ugh. He wasn't a love interest. He was just this creepy older guy and I did not like him one bit. It annoyed me so much too.

The love interest is a boy of sixteen, Kane. And I wish I could say that I loved him. But I really didn't. He fell so flat to me. I didn't care for him one bit. Emmeline just suddenly notices him in the crowd, and her stomach feels weird right away. Uhm. Okay. And then they sort of spend time together. Not much time. Not time to talk to each other about themselves. But they are in love a little bit after. Even saying I love you. Just. Gah. It bothered me a lot. Such insta-love. I just didn't feel anything, sadly. Aw. Disappointing.

I just. I so wish I had been able to love this book again. But I wasn't. I was pretty disappointed by it, to be honest. Sort of wish I hadn't read it again, since my opinion changed. Aw. But also glad I did. And I will be reading the next two books. Hope they will be better for me. I didn't share much about the plot, because it isn't much of one. It's interesting at times, but I wasn't in love with it. Sigh. I do think you should read this book, though. Because I did love it that time three years ago. I just had all these issues this time. Sigh.


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Fourth time reading this stunning book. Just can't believe how amazing this story is. Eee. These three books are the best. And gosh, I love this third one so much. While it is a bit slower than the first two books, it is still just as amazing. The characters are all there. They are written so well. I love them all so much. Sigh.

Bitterblue is such an amazing person. I adore her. And getting to read more about her story is just the best thing. Although I have read this book three times before, I was still surprised at some of the twists in this one, lol. This whole book is just so exciting and horrible and full of secrets. I loved reading every moment of this.

I just wish this book had been even longer. I wish there would be a fourth book. Hmph. Need more books from this kingdom. More about these characters. Because, see, Graceling and Fire both have happy endings with the romance. But Bitterblue does not. Well, it isn't unhappy, but it doesn't end the same. I want to know more. I need to know what happens next with Bitterblue. I'm so curious. I'm dying of want. Oh, I hope there will be more books one day. Either way, I'm so excited to read more books by Kristin. I simply love her writing the very most. I'm so glad to have read this book again. Had forgotten some things. Loved learning them all over again. And I loved reading about all of these characters again too. Simply adored reading this for the fourth time.

This book is all kinds of heartbreaking, though. Which makes me so sad. It made me cry too. Which I also just loved so much, lol. This book is full of feelings. Full of heartbreak. Also a bit full of madness. There is a lot of crazy people in this book. Yet they are all so interesting to read about. I just. There is so, so much happening in this story. And I love all of it so much. Not sure how to describe my love for this book. These characters. This world. Sigh. But will try. It's a favorite book of mine. Bitterblue is just all kinds of amazing.

This book tells the story about Bitterblue. She is now eighteen years old, and it has now been eight years since her father died. Leck was the most horrible person I have ever read about. He is the biggest villain. Even though he is dead, he's still the worst villain. He still manages to hurt and kill people, despite being dead. Which is just all kinds of horrible. Because Leck had the most awful Grace. People did everything he told them to. They believed it all, they did it all. Oh, I'm just so glad this man is dead. He was horrible.

Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. A lot of this book is about her trying to figure out what is going on in her own kingdom. Because for eight years she hasn't really know the truth about what happens in her city. Because her advisers have kept it from her. And ahh. It is just so exciting and interesting to get to know all the things that Bitterblue learns. She's amazing. I loved how she sneaked out of the castle at night. How she made friends. She's adorable. Didn't like her lying, but I fully understood why she did so.

I loved reading about the things happening in the castle. Yes, it was a bit slow at times, but it was never boring. Because Bitterblue is amazing. And I love reading about her. I loved getting to know her more. I love how kind she is. I loved how she starts to notice things, how she starts getting better at things. I love how fiercely she loves her friends. She is the best. I also love those that are close with her. Like Helda. She's awesome. And I adored Hava too. I had forgotten about Fox. Ack. An interesting character, though.

Then there were the old characters from Graceling. Katsa and Po and Raffin and Bann and Giddon. They are now eight years older, but gosh, how I love them all. Sniffs. Katsa felt a bit different from Bitterblue's point of view, but I still love her the most. And reading about the love that Katsa and Po still have for each other makes me so happy. My favorite couple. I wish they wouldn't argue, though. Aw. But still. They are the cutest. I love Raffin and Bann too. Eee. And oh. Giddon. I adored him in this book. Want more of him.

Another character I really liked was the librarian, Death. He is old and cranky and I loved him to pieces. He has the most awesome aka awful cat too. Loved that. Loved reading about this man. Many interesting scenes. And oh, then there was Saf. The love interest. I loved this boy, most of the time. Until he learns the truth about who Bitterblue really is. Because then he becomes so mean and hurtful towards her and I couldn't stand it. Sniffs. He gets better, though, and ah, I really love this boy. I ship them so much. Ugh.

I'm unsure how the romance in Bitterblue can have a happy ending. Bitterblue is queen. And she needs a king one day. And I'm not sure how all of that will happen. I want her to be with Saf. I want it so badly. But I don't think it will happen. Sniffs. And if it doesn't, then I want Bitterblue with Giddon. I think. Cause they have the most gorgeous friendship. And I sort of ship them too. Maybe. Ugh. I just need another book to know for sure what happens next, haha. I can't stand not knowing. Crossing all my fingers for the future.

There is just so much going on in this book. People are being killed. And Bitterblue doesn't know why. I loved how she tried to figure it all out. I loved all the things that happen. Also learning more about what happened when Leck was alive. Shudders. It was awful. Yet fascinating, and I wanted to know more. Ack. And oh, Thiel. And all those other old men. I couldn't help but love them at times. But I also hated them too. All that lying and hurting and I just. I'm not happy with what Thiel did at all. It wasn't okay. Also sad.

Anyway. I love this book so much. And I can never stop writing about it, ack. I loved how it connects with Graceling and with Fire too. So many surprises. I loved it all so much. All these three books are amazing. And you need to be reading them all. There is just so much happening at all times. I love Bitterblue the most. She's such an amazing character. I wish there had been a bit more romance, but what there was, I loved it so. Gosh, I'm just in love with this book. So glad I finally read these books again. The very best.


Waiting on Wednesday #283

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

THE GLASS SPARE BY LAUREN DESTEFANO

Goodreads Description:

A banished princess.
A deadly curse.
A kingdom at war.

Wil Heidle, the only daughter of the king of the world’s wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father—whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war—Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance.

Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified—but as she tests its limits, she’s drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with her power.

With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?


Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: October 24th 2017 by Balzer + Bray
Pre-Order here and here

Eee, I think that this book will be all kinds of exciting. At least, I hope it will be :) I love this type of fantasy. And this book sounds so good. I think I will love it so much. Sigh. I'm not the biggest fan of the cover, but I do think that parts of it is pretty. Yay. I'm just hoping that this book will have an awesome romance, hih :)
What are you waiting for on this spare Wednesday?

Monday, March 13, 2017

Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore

My love for this book is endless. My gosh, how I loved to finally re-read it, this time for the fourth time. I love this book more than I can say. Graceling is still my favorite, most likely, but Fire is just incredible. Everything about this book is special. I am so thrilled that I finally read it again. Sigh. It has a special place in my heart.

There is so much I love about this book. I don't know where to begin. I won't talk too much about it. Probably. It has been over three years since I last wrote about this stunning book. Sigh. I just love it to pieces. Such stunning writing. I love every word of this book. And oh gosh, that cover is beyond stunning. I love it.

Fire is not a sequel to Graceling. Aw. Which still breaks my heart, because I need more of Po and Katsa. But my gosh, this book is amazing. It takes place so many years before Graceling. And in an entirely different place. Okay, just over the mountains, but still. It's different. The Dells is an amazing place to get to know. It's a beautiful land. There are so many interesting people. And there are monsters. Colorful monsters. And hungry monsters. It was all kinds of exciting to read about. I just love the plot in this book so much. Eee. There is so much happening at all times and I love it so much. All the characters are amazing to read about. I love all the friendships so much. I loved all the monsters. And the places too. There are so, so many gorgeous things in this one.

This book tells the story of Fire. She is seventeen years old and she is the most beautiful person. But she's a monster. A human monster. And oh gosh, I loved reading about that so much. There is so much to know about her. About what she is. How awful men behave when they look at how beautiful she is. Shudders. But Fire is strong. She's so strong and kind and lovely and fierce and I loved her the most. I loved her horse, Small. I loved her music. I loved her mind powers. And I loved everything about this girl.

Then there was Brigan. I loved him beyond words. He is a bit brutal at first, but he gets so much better, and I loved getting to know him. Sniffs. He is the sweetest man. I love him so much. While the romance takes some time to happen, it was the best thing for me. I loved reading about them together. How they slowly became friends and then more. How they are with each other. How much they care. It is just the sweetest thing. I simply want to read more and more about them. I want another story of them one day.

So much happens in this book. I'm not going to talk much about the plot. Just that there is so very much happening. There is a big war. And Fire has to help in it. And I loved how she helped with it. Sigh. There is a lot of heartbreak. And it just about murdered me all over again. So sad. So perfect. I was a bit angry at Fire near the end, for the distance she kept, but I understood her too, but gosh, that broke my heart a bit. There is just so much I love about this book. I'm not going to mention all the reasons. Just, perfection.

There are so so many characters in this book. I'm not going to mention everyone. But oh, how I so loved reading about them. The royal twins. They are amazing. And the small princess. She had my heart at all times. I loved so many of them. But ah, Archer. I noticed this time while reading that I hate him a lot. Yet I love him too, at times, because Fire loves him so much. But, truly, he was an awful guy. He was jealous and violent at times. He slept with everyone. He wasn't a very nice man. Only sometimes a good friend.

I love that this book is not afraid of sex. There aren't much details, but there is a lot of it happening in the book. And a lot of the book focus on when Fire gets her period. And I loved that too. This book is just so perfect. It has everything. And I couldn't have loved it more. Eee. I cannot wait to read Bitterblue again next. Though the action is a whole lot less. But the story is just as amazing even so. I simply love these three books so much and oh, how I wish for there to be more books coming. I'm crossing all my fingers.

There is one thing about this book that makes me a bit sad. That there isn't more details in the romance. I love the romance between Fire and Brigan more than I can say. But I wish there had been more details in it. I wanted their first kiss to be written a whole lot better. I didn't really feel the passion, which depresses me a bit, but still. I ship this couple much more than other couples. I so love reading about them together. But yeah, I do wish the romance had been written a bit more. Wanted more details. But it was amazing.

Fire is such a stunning book. I love it more than I can say. If you have read Graceling, but still not read Fire, then you are awful. Because Fire is not a book to miss out on. It's perfection. And everyone must read it. But do read Graceling first, if you haven't. Because while this book is not a sequel, it is a series, and they must be read in order to fully understand everything about the story. At least that is how I see it. I just, gosh. Fire is one of the best books. My second favorite. I love it so incredibly much. It is perfection.


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I have finally read this book again. Eee. I cannot believe I let it go more than three years before I did this. Graceling have been my favorite for years. I was a bit nervous about reading it again, this time for the fifth time, as I worried that I wouldn't love it as much as I did years before. I shouldn't have worried. It is the best book.

Graceling is still my favorite book. The characters are beyond amazing. And I love this romance more than I can say. This book still made me cry, even though this is the fifth time I have read it. Sigh. It is simply the most beautiful story. And I'm thrilled that I loved it just as must this time, despite the years since last time.

This is a book that I could talk about forever, I think. But I'm not going to. I'm going to mention some of the parts I love about it, but nothing too much. Though, if you still haven't read this book yet, as it had been out for nine years, then shame on you. Hmph. This is a book that everyone should read. You don't want to miss this. I cannot wait to re-read Fire and Bitterblue next. So excited. Have missed these books so much. My mind is already full of the things that I know are coming up and I'm so excited to be in this world again. Sigh. I just wish there were news about more books from this world. I want more than three. I want it so badly. I need another Po and Katsa story more than I need anything else. They are simply the most amazing characters. Love them so.

This book tells the story about Katsa. Whom is the most interesting character. I love reading about her so much. She's exciting and fierce and strong and I love that about her. She's killed a lot of people, because her king demands it of her. But she doesn't like it. Reading about her rebelling was all kinds of awesome. I just adore this girl. I love that she had the most amazing Grace. Which is this gift that some people get when they are young. Most people doesn't have a Grace. It's this kind of power that is pretty awesome.

Katsa is such a fierce fighter. No one can defeat her. And I loved it oh so much. But then Po arrives. And he's just as good as she is, almost. And watching them fight together.. sigh. It was so awesome. I adore these two characters beyond words. Reading about how Katsa and Po became friends, then more, was the most amazing thing. They are so cute. Their love is the strongest. I also really loved reading about Katsa's other friends. Raffin is adorable. Bann and Oll too. Giddon.. not so much. But he'll grow on me.

There is just so much about this book that I love. I'm not going to mention much of the plot. Just that it is so exciting and mysterious and I loved it beyond words. I love the sort of adventure that Katsa and Po goes on. It's the best. But gosh, this book is heartbreaking. And I loved every moment of it. There isn't really that much about Leck in this first book. But yeah. He was still horrible, and learning about what he does is the worst. But his daughter, Bitterblue. Oh, I adore this little girl so much. She's just so amazing.

I'm not going to mention much more about this book. Already written more than I had planned to. Just, gosh, I love this story so much. There are seven kingdoms. And I want to know more about all of them. Loved what I did learn, though. I love how amazing Katsa is. She truly is the strongest person. And she has the best heart. She will anger me a bit in Bitterblue, but I still love her to pieces. And Po. Eee. He's my favorite. I love learning more about this man. He is amazing. And his Grace is perfection. Love him.

I'm so thrilled to finally have read this book again. It's been way too long. I just haven't felt like re-reading it for three years. I could say that I don't know why, but, well. I do. The last time I read this, I wrote a very, very long letter to Kristin. Was really excited, waiting for a reply. Then she had a goodreads chat, and I asked about it, and she sort of told me that she wouldn't be able to respond. Which made my heart hurt a bunch. But I do understand. I do. I just got my feelings hurt a bit, lol. But it's better now. I do adore Kristin.

For real, if you still haven't read Graceling, then get moving. This book is the best. These three books are beyond amazing. And I love them all like crazy. You really need to read and love them too. I can't imagine never loving this book and these characters. Sigh. Graceling is simply the best book. With the very best characters, the best story, and the best romance. I love everything about this book. And this world. And gosh, I'm so glad I finally made myself re-read this one. It still has everything I want in a book. Love it so.


Saturday, March 11, 2017

In My Mailbox #279

I read a lot this week. Yay :D Four books. Okay, two were graphic novels, but they still count, lol. I'm still not fully well from my cold.. sigh. But getting better at least. I'm doing better at catching up more often now, so that's good. I'm still playing Pokemon Go all the time, haha. Yet I do have time to read as well. Hoping that I will manage to read tons of books this year. <3 Fingers crossed. This week I blogged a bit too :D I shared my review of Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo :) Then I shared my review of The Sand Warrior. Then I shared my review of Here Lies Daniel Tate. <3 This week I'm waiting on Retribution Rails :D Then I shared my review of The Eye of the North :) I'm re-reading the Graceling books next. Finally. It's been way too many years since I last read them. Ahh. Hoping that it is still my favorite :D I'm sure it is, though. Just a bit nervous, as I think it has been over three years now since I last read it.. ahh. Nervous. Yet so so so excited to finally read them again. Yess. I had a good week. Lots of mail too :D



Traitor to the Throne. I must read this book soon. I'm just nervous, lol. It's so big and gorgeous, though.
Ungodly. Stunning paperback edition. <3 Yess. I love this book so much. Love this one oh so much. Yay.
Vengeance Road. Gorgeous paperback edition :D So pretty. I liked this book a lot. Had to buy this one.
Daughter of the Pirate King. Eee! Thank you so much for trading with me lovely one :D You are the best.
The Winner's Kiss. I do like this new cover a bunch :D Not more than the old one, hih. But love this pb.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Friday, March 10, 2017

Review: The Eye of the North by Sinéad O'Hart

I really wish I could say that I loved this book. Sigh. Because it sounds just like a book that I could love. And that cover is truly gorgeous. And I love middle grade and fantasy so much. Sadly, this one was a bit disappointing. I felt like maybe I could have loved it, had it been written a bit differently. It just wasn't for me.

I mean, there were parts of this book I liked a lot. But there were more parts that I didn't really like at all. I didn't hate any of it, but I mostly found this to be boring. I did not care for the characters like I was supposed to. I didn't think it was written well enough. I liked the creatures, but they weren't such a big part of this book.

This tells the story about Emmeline and Thing. They are both around twelve years old, I think. While I enjoyed reading about Emmeline, I didn't really care for her at all. She seemed rude at times and I just didn't feel like I got to know her at all. Which was disappointing. I felt like she could have been a great character. Sigh. I did, however, like Thing a lot. Well, except for his name. But I liked even less when he starts using a different name near the end of the book. Ugh. Found that to be just silly. But yeah, Thing was an interesting character. He had a tragic past, which I was curious about, though the reveal wasn't good at all. Ugh. Thing has something wrong with his lungs, which I was even more curious about, yet I never got to learn the reason for. Sigh.

This book starts with Emmeline finding out that her parents have been kidnapped, and are most likely dead. She's then told she has to leave right away to some woman in Paris, and stay there until she is eighteen. Uhm. And she just leaves, right away too. Felt a bit weird to me. Oh, well. She's going on a big ship, and there she meets a boy, Thing. I guess they were supposed to become best friends, or whatever, but I didn't feel that way at all, sadly. They don't talk much in the day they get to know each other. Sigh.

And then Emmeline gets kidnapped herself. And so she and Thing spend most of the book away from each other. Which I didn't like at all. I thought I would get to read about a lovely friendship in this book. But that wasn't the case, sadly. They knew each other for about a day. And they didn't seem all that close, to be honest. But they both didn't have any friends before, so I guess they got close because of that. I don't know. But because of this, Thing wants to rescue her when she gets taken, and he tries his best.

I'm not sure what to say about this book. I wanted an epic friendship. Instead they are apart almost all the time. They both spend time with adults. And so this book wasn't nearly as fun as it could have been, aw. I wanted to so much more. There were the adults, which I sadly found to be written really badly. Emotional about things that didn't make much sense at all. I could have cared for them all, I think, if only they had been a bit more realistic. Sadly, I didn't really care for any of the characters in this book. So disappointing.

While these two kids aren't together in the book, they both have two adventures. I suppose I was curious about what would happen with them both, but I didn't really care much. A lot of things seemed a bit over the top, a bit too much. Sigh. This book is about the person who kidnapped Emmeline wanting to wake an ancient creature. And control the world. Which could have been exciting, except it wasn't. Didn't even get to know the villain at all. Why did he even want to live forever and wake up this creature? I have no idea.

Overall, I am glad that I gave this book a try. I did enjoy some parts of it. I didn't like the ending, sadly. But I liked some of the creatures, like the horses. So yay. But mostly this book was disappointing. Aw. Giving it two stars. Wishing I could have loved it more. Oh, well. I do think others should try it, though. Hope that many kids might enjoy it a lot. Huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC to review while I was in Chicago. While I didn't love it, I'm glad that I tried it. It is gorgeous. If you do read it, let me know.