Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Mini Review: The Dogs of Athens by Kendare Blake

I loved reading this short story. It is set before the Antigoddess trilogy. And it is from the point of view of Artemis, Goddess of Hunt. And oh my gosh, I adored reading from her. But then I remember how she ends in Antigoddess, and that breaks my heart. I wanted to read more about her. She seemed amazing.

This story is about Artemis and her pack in Athens. She is looking for other gods, but she doesn't find any. Which is just heartbreaking. Especially knowing that they are all dying somewhere. Sigh. I loved getting to know Artemis a bit more. She's awesome. And I liked her talking dogs a lot too. Exciting.

I won't say too much about this story. Just that it is so exciting. And dark. Very dark. I adored it. But yesss. So short. Which is just so sad. Hmph. Yet it was short and perfect. I just wish there had been more. I wish to read more about Artemis. I want to read about how she dies in Antigoddess, from her point of view. It would be heartbreaking. Yet amazing. This is short, yet I got to know her a bit. And I adored her. And I got to know her dogs too. And they are changing. Becoming wild. Dangerous. It was creepy. And so interesting. Just wish it had been even longer. Kendare writes such amazing stories. Now I will not say more about this one. Just, it was incredible. And I think you must all read this short story. Loved it lots. Like I knew I would :)

They are not your dogs anymore, Artemis.
They are beasts.


Mini Review: When Gods and Vampires Roamed Miami by Kendare Blake

I adored this Goddess War short story. It is about Athena, whom is my favorite character in these books by Kendare. And it is set in 1991, so a while back. The writing is gorgeous. But the story is oh so short. Ack. I wish it had been much longer. But while short, it was also amazing. And I very much enjoyed it.

I'm not going to say much about the plot, since it is so short, but still going to share lots of it. Athena is alone in Miami, and she's being followed by a fifteen year old boy. He thinks she's a vampire. And he wants to be one too. His name is Lark, and he was pretty cute. But total stalker and pretty crazy too, lol.

He follows her around, and Athena enjoys it. She takes him in for a day, as he is so skinny and alone too. A runaway. She feeds him. I loved how she took care of him for a little bit. But yeah. As I said, he was a little bit crazy. Wanting her to turn him into a vampire, but she isn't one. He did so much trying to make her turn him. It was a bit funny. Yet depressing too, as he was so young. Sigh. But anyway. This story is so short. And I'm not going to say more about it. Just that the writing is gorgeous, like everything that Kendare writes. She's the best. I adored reading a bit more about Athena. I think she's an amazing person. The ending of this story was a bit sad; I loved it lots. You really should read this story. It's interesting and exciting :)


Waiting on Wednesday #207

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

THEIR FRACTURED LIGHT (Starbound #3) 
BY AMIE KAUFMAN & MEAGAN SPOONER

Goodreads Description:

A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.

Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.

When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.


Hardcover, 400 pages
Expected publication: December 1st 2015 by Disney-Hyperion
Pre-Order here and here

I adore this series. And I think this third book is going to be aaaamazing :D I cannot wait to get to know Gideon and Sofia. <3 And see more of Flynn and Jubilee and Tarver and Lilac :D Sigh. This third book is going to be awesome. And oh my gosh, it looks so pretty. Sigh. I'm going to love this one, I just know it. I haven't read other books by Meagan yet, but doing that one day :D But I have read Illuminae by Amie. And it was perfection. Sigh. So I'm even more excited for this one now :D My cover reveal post. <3
What are you waiting for on this fractured Wednesday?

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Review: Ungodly by Kendare Blake

I have waited so long for this book. Yet I was so nervous when I finally got my hardcover. I was scared that I might not love it. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. It was perfection. Such a good ending. Best book of the three. And I loved book one and two to pieces. So thrilled that I loved Ungodly even more.

I have enjoyed this trilogy so much. Antigoddess and Mortal Gods and Ungodly. All three books were amazing. Such stunning writing. Such amazing and awful characters. I adored and hated them all. This book had the perfect ending. Though I do wish it had been a bit longer, lol. There was one scene I really wanted.

But oh, how much I loved this book. Once I started it today, I could not stop reading. Was sucked in from the very first page. There are a few different point of views. Cassandra. Athena. Henry. And a few others too. I loved reading from them all. It was all so interesting and exciting and heartbreaking and I loved every moment. Though, I must confess, my favorite character is still Athena. And I wanted to read her point of view at all times, lol. She was just the very best in my eyes. So broken, yet so proud and strong. I wanted the very best for her. And I loved reading about her oh so much. But I did love the other characters. They all have their own story, and I loved reading about them all. But my favorite was Athena. And Hermes too.

I'm never going to be able to share why I love this series so much. But I will try to talk a little bit about it. It is just. So close to my heart. The story is amazing. The writing is so easy to read and so well written. Kendare is all kinds of adorable. She's so kind and sweet. And she writes amazing books. I simply cannot wait to read whatever it is she is writing next. She's the best. And her books are always amazing. Sigh. So excited for her next books. Anyway. More about this one. Which I adored so much.

There is so much I can say about Ungodly. I want to talk about all the spoilers, lol. But I will try my best not to. But oh, it is hard. The biggest spoiler made my heart the happiest. But one of the things I wanted the most to happen in this final book did not. No more Aidan. While it made me so sad, I must also say that I'm sort of okay with him not coming back from the dead. But yes. So sad. I loved him so much in book one. Sigh. My heart still aches. But the story was still the most amazing without him in it.

I had such complicated feelings about Cassandra in Mortal Gods. And I still have. I loved her in the first book. But she got so bad in the second one, for good reasons. And in this final book. I sort of still don't like her. Yet I love her at the same time. But I still don't get why she hates Athena so much. And that just breaks my heart. Athena does not deserve that. But even so. Cassandra changes a lot in this one too. She wants vengeance. And she does a lot to get it. I loved reading about every moment of it, lol.

There are so many characters to love in Ungodly. We see more of Hermes, whom is still so adorable and fun and sweet. Yet dying the most awful death. I cannot. It hurts so badly. He is the sweetest. And we see more of Henry and Andie too, and I adore them both. A bit romance too. And it was so sweet and ahh. Adorable. I loved reading about how Henry needed to fight. Loved reading about all of it. They are all such stunning characters. Written so well. My heart ached for all of them. Loved them all. Sigh.

I even grew to love Ares. Whom has done lots of bad things. Yet he was so awesome in this book. He does something really amazing near the beginning of the book. And that just warmed my heart towards him right away. Ugh. And his last two wolves were just so cute. Aw. Yet vicious too. Yeah. Ares ended up being amazing. I still didn't like Calypso. How she thought she had a claim on Odysseus. Hmph. But I loved her friendship with Cassandra, and I did like reading about her. For the most part. She was okay.

Then there is Athena, my precious. And Odysseus. Book two ended with him about to die. This final book begins with Athena having taken him to the underworld, where he is not dead or alive. She tries to save him. And I won't say more than that. Just. Athena is my favorite character of them all. And I adore Odysseus to pieces too. They have the cutest romance. I want more more more. I loved every moment of romance in this book. Ack. Just wish there had been a tiny bit more, lol. But still. It was perfection.

I should mention the plot a bit too, lol. I just loved the characters so much. All of them. And oh, a new character too. The God of Death. I actually liked him. And his almost romance with Cassandra. I thought I would dislike it. But I didn't. Because there was no romance, not really. It could happen. But not yet. She still mourns Aidan. And I love that. But yes. I liked this new boy. And I wouldn't have minded seeing more of him. Though he was so bad too. He has killed so many people. But still. I ended up liking him.

But yes. I was going to talk about the plot. It is perfection. The gods are still at war. So many are still dying. And it is the most heartbreaking thing. Yet so interesting to read about and so exciting. I loved the fight scenes. Basically, I loved every scene, lol. This whole book was amazing. I loved learning new things about the war, about how to fight it, about how it might be possible for the gods to win. How it might be possible for them to stop dying. But it isn't without a price. It was all kinds of exciting to read.

Ungodly is a perfect ending to an incredible trilogy. I could not have loved it more. The writing is stunning, the characters even more so. The plot is exciting and heartbreaking at all times. It was the ending I had always wanted. Perfect. If you have yet to read this stunning book, then you really must do so. Antigoddess and Mortal Gods and Ungodly were all three amazing books. I loved reading them all. And I cannot wait to read them again and again. Which I will. And you should do so too. Go buy them.


Cress Tuesday #101

I adore sharing these teasers from Cress. But I'm going to stop doing them once Winter comes out this November. Which will be a bit depressing, since I have done this for ages. Aw. But it is time to stop, I think :) But I have loved it so much. <3 As you know, I adore Marissa Meyer. She is all kinds of amazing. She's so kind and sweet. And she writes such perfect books. I have loved all her books and short stories so far. I'm dying to read Winter. <3 See the very gorgeous cover reveal for it here. I'm also dying to read her upcoming book, Heartless, which will be out next November. Oh. I cannot wait. <3 But it has been pushed back. And waiting for it is just going to kill me. Sniffs. I want it now. Also don't forget about the short stories book, Stars Above, coming out. <3 I haven't been brave enough to re-read Cinder, Scarlet & Cress just yet, but I shall be doing right before Winter comes out. As I love these books oh so much. They are the bestest. I hope you have all read these books by now. And if not, you really should. I hope you are all enjoying these awesome teasers from Cress :) See all the previous Cress Tuesdays here. <3


~

Cinder stumbled, but Wolf caught her and dragged her a few steps before she found her balance again. "I'm sorry, Wolf. But I had to. I couldn't leave you there." "I know. I understand." Reaching out, he grabbed a sack out of the doctor's hand, lessening his load as they hurried toward the ship. "But it doesn't change the fact that no one should have that sort of power."

~

  
So true.

Huge thank you to Marissa Meyer and Macmillan Kids for letting me share these gorgeous Cress Tuesday teasers with you all. <3 They are the bestest. Thank you so much. I hope you are all loving the teasers :D I know that I am loving finding them and sharing them with you all. If you haven’t yet read Cress, I hope these teasers are making you more excited about it. <3 I’m sharing all these teasers from my stunning hardcover of Cress. Well, from one of my copies. I might be owning a whole bunch of them :D


Monday, September 28, 2015

Review: The Accidental Afterlife of Thomas Marsden by Emma Trevayne

I have wanted to read this book ever since I saw that precious cover. And yet it still took me weeks after it published until I read it. But now I have. I did like it a lot. But it was different from what I thought it would be. Giving it three stars. There was nothing I hated about it, but I still didn't fully love the book.

I don't know where to begin. I'm not really sure what I had imagined this book to be about. Maybe, you know, that Thomas was actually dead, considering he found his body in a grave. Yet that is not the plot at all. Instead it is about faeries. And the body was sort of the twin of Thomas. It was a bit confusing.

But even though this book wasn't what I thought it would be, I still ended up liking it a lot. I enjoyed the writing, though it was a bit different too, and a bit weird. But I liked it. And I thought the main character, twelve year old Thomas, was all kinds of awesome. I adored him. And I felt so sorry for him at times too. He lives with his mom and dad. They are very poor. And he and his dad rob graves to afford food. It was depressing. Yet pretty awesome to read about too. And interesting. Yet this book is pretty short, so I felt like it didn't focus enough on Thomas and his life. I would have liked more of that. But anyway. I did like his parents a lot. Wish they had been there more about them. Thomas has a best friend, Charley. I liked him a lot too.

There were some things about this book that I didn't like. I wish it had been more about Thomas, as I was expecting a book about him. Sigh. But instead it focused on the faeries. And I did like that, I did. I just. I loved Thomas. And I wanted more of him. That was disappointing. But I also enjoyed the faerie chapters. I did end up liking Deadnettle. And Marigold. She was pretty great, though I didn't get to know her nearly well enough. Hmph. But anyway. There were some pretty awesome characters in this book.

I did like the faerie parts of the book. I just didn't love it. But my heart was breaking for the faeries. They had been taken from their home so many years ago. More than one hundred and fifty of them had died already, because of the iron and the pain. They are held captive. And used. It was heartbreaking. Yet I felt like I could have gotten to know much more about it. Would have loved it then. Oh, well. It was interesting and I liked reading about it all. But I wanted more. Still, I liked Marigold a lot. And Thomas.

There is a villain in this book. The one who has captured the faeries. But I just. I don't get the big finale with him. It was just silly. And felt so rushed. I wanted much more from that. He was so awful earlier. And his ending was so tame and lame, lol. But still. I did find the whole book interesting and I did like it. I just wish it had been a bit more. Was a bit disappointed. But still glad I read it. Thomas was a great character. I just wanted to get to know him much more. And oh, I wanted a much longer ending. Ack.

I don't really know what else to say about this book. So I will not say much more at all. It is about faeries. And about London, ages back, I think. There is some magic. Some great characters. A few heartbreaking scenes. I was a bit disappointed, yet I liked this book a lot too. The plot was pretty exciting and interesting. I loved reading the scenes after Thomas had gotten some money. I loved how he spent it, how happy it made him. But I hated that he left his family behind for a bit. Hmph. Not okay.

I do own another middle grade book by Emma, called Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times. Which I'm excited to read as well sometime soonish. It do look so cute. And while I didn't love this first book by her, I did enjoy it, and I am curious about her other books. Her middle grade books looks so pretty. Sigh. I adore pretty artwork. Anyway. I'm glad I decided to finally read this one. It was good. I didn't love it, but I liked it lots. And I think many others would enjoy it too. So yes. I would suggest that you read it.


Saturday, September 26, 2015

In My Mailbox #204

Well. This week didn't go as well as I had hoped. Had another hospital trip this Tuesday, to help them with some research. I loved going shopping. Ended up buying waaay too many dragons. Ack :D But hated having my blood taken. Was to fill 12 vials. Ended up with 5 needle sticks and it took more than an hour. Fuck that nurse. She was awful. Sigh. But it is done with now :) I have been feeling so exhausted this week, though. And a bit sad. Yet excited about some things. But sad about not liking books, so did not read much. Sniffs. And sad because I feel like so few comment on my blog and that almost no one tweets to me. I'll get over it, I'm sure :) But anyway. I did get some gorgeous books and stuff this week :D Happy with it all. <3 This week I read Velvet Undercover. Which was disappointing :( Posted another Cress Tuesday. <3 I shared the Launch Day post for Walk on Earth a Stranger. <3 This week I'm waiting on Winter :D Then I posted a DNF review of Blood and Salt. Sad face. What did you get this week? <3


The Golden Compass. YAAAY :D A bit unsure, but still gorgeous. Yay for Graphic Novel :D Love it so.
Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. FINALLY got this gorgeous book. Damaged. Getting new ones :D Excited.
Endsinger. Finally bought this UK paperback edition from last year. <3 Perfect book. Stunning edition.
Walk on Earth a Stranger. I love this book so so so much. It is perfection. And so gorgeous. I love it :D
Ungodly. YAY! Finally this book is out :D I cannot wait to read it. Next week for sure. Cannot wait. <3
Blood and Salt. Sadly, this book was so so so disappointing. But it do look gorgeous. But regret buying it.
The Perilous Sea. Yay for stunning paperback editions. <3 I had to buy two, hih. My collection is huge :D
The Art of Hotel Transylvania 2. So sad I won't get to see it for another month. Sniffs. It is GORGEOUS.
HTTYD. Getting so so many more like this, lol :D Spent so much money o.O But worth it. Gorgeous.
Inside Out. Yay for more Inside Out books :D I do need them all, hih. And these stickers are so pretty.
Tonight the Streets Are Ours. I'm nervous about this book. Yet I think I will read it. Hope I will love it :)
The Raven's Prophecy. This bookish package is gorgeous :D I love it. Love these books so much too.
Frozen: Fun Book. More Frozen books, hah :D Love. This one is pretty cute. Many cute things insides.
The Blacklist CD. It arrived broken. Ugh. But getting new from Amazon :D I love this show a whole lot.



How To Train Your Dragon 2. Dragons. Many, many, maaaaany dragons :D And lots of money. Ugh. But they were new. And I had to buy them. I just had to. Couldn't stop myself :D Love them all so much.
Frozen. Another Olaf, lol. I just had to buy him. He's cute. I love cute things. And adorable book too :D
Plushes. I bought this for me, and another for my nephew. It talks. So cute. Love the other one too :D
FBI Dean + Harry Potter. YAY! Bought these via HotTopic. Expensive, but worth it. I love them so much.
Inside Out. Another precious book about this movie. <3 Much love. It is pretty awesome inside. Love.
Big Hiro 6. Yay for comic book :D It is so so cute. Ugh. I adore it. Thinking I must read it sometime too.
TinkerBell and the Legend of the Neverbeast. Best movie. Getting more books. This is adorable. Love.


More Instagram photos here. <3

Thursday, September 24, 2015

DNF Review: Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

This is breaking my heart. It does not happen often that I have to DNF a book. But this time I must. I have gotten to page 104, and I simply cannot read more. I wanted so badly to love this book. It looks stunning. I had heard great things. So I started it right away. But it went downhill pretty fast. It was bad. So bad.

I don't like giving up. And I still don't think that I should. But I tried reading more. I just cannot stand it. The writing. Oh my gosh. The writing is so bad. I cannot deal with it. There is no way I will be able to read more of this book. It makes me sad, yes, but then again, it was just not a book for me at all. Ugh.

I won't write much about this book. Considering I did not finish it. But I did peek a bit at the ending, and I know for sure that I would not have ended up liking it. Since I did not finish, I will not rate this book on goodreads or post my review on Amazon. But I will say that this book would have been a one star for sure. Ugh. It sucked. Really badly. And I must try to explain why I could not read more of it. Which might be a bit hard, as I don't have a single positive thing to say about this book, even though I only read one hundred pages. I wanted to love it so badly. But it was simply not going to happen. So I decided to quit. And I'm pleased about it. When you cannot stand a book you should not force yourself to read more of it. So I will not.

This book could have been so good, I think. But it was not. Not for me. Sure, other people love it. Which is good. Though, to be honest, I do not understand why they do. Because the writing. Oh my gosh. I cannot. The writing was so goddamn awful. I don't have often have trouble with writing in books. But it happens. And this time it happened in a huge way. I think it was the worst writing I have read in many, many months. And that is just heartbreaking. I wanted so much more from this one. I'm disappointed.

I didn't read much of this book. So I cannot say if it got any better, but I doubt it. The writing was bad for me from the very beginning. The story is told from the point of view of seventeen year old Ash. She could have been great, I suppose. But I knew not a single thing about her. Only that she is a conduit. Which is mentioned so many times. Yet, what the hell is it? Ugh. She also has a twin brother. Whom was so boring. And all the time it felt like he was ten years old, which bothered me so much. Sigh. Not good.

What bothered me the most about the writing was how everything were described. It was so annoying. It wasn't described in a good or interesting way. There was way too much. I knew nothing about Ash, the girl. Just everything about everything around her. It was so so so annoying and I cannot deal with how bad it was. Ugh. Plus Ash acted so weirdly too. I didn't like her, and I should have liked her after one hundred pages. Sad face. I just couldn't with this book. Writing was way too bad for me. It was awful.

I think that is pretty much all I'm going to say about this book. I didn't get it at all. Yes, I only read to page 104 of 352. But still. It was bad. And I'm glad I didn't read more of it. I doubt I ever will. Though I still consider that I should read more. But I will not. I don't need more one star reads for me. I will read something better instead. I'm sorry to say that I cannot recommend this book to anyone. I couldn't stand the parts that I did read. Boring and bad writing. Silly. Annoying. But still. It is a really pretty book. Sigh.

DNF
 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #206

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

WINTER (The Lunar Chronicles #4) BY MARISSA MEYER

Goodreads Description:

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend–the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?


Hardcover, 824 pages
Expected publication: November 10th 2015 by Feiwel and Friends
Pre-Order here and here

AHHHH. Winter is ALMOST HERE :D You have no idea how many years and years I have waited for this book. Okay, it hasn't been THAT many years, but still. Been dying for this final book ever since Cinder came out. And oh, it is almost here :D Eeek. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for this book. I LOVE Marissa Meyer. She's aaamazing. And her books are goddamn perfect. This series is the very best. And I simply cannot wait to read this final book :D It's going to be epic. Ugh. There is so much I want from it. I won't mention any of it, lol. I need my happy ending for all the characters :) Just, Kaaaai. <3 Oh! As you know, I have posted a whole bunch of Cress Tuesdays. <3 This series means the world to me.
What are you waiting for on this final Wednesday?

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson Launch Day Post + Giveaway

So excited to be a part of this launch day posts for Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson :D I loved this book so, so much. See my five star review of it here. <3 And I simply cannot wait to read this precious book again. It is oh so gorgeous. And such stunning writing. I'm dying to know more about the sequel :D Time for that soon, I hope. <3 So excited. If you haven't all bought this book already, you really need to do so. Because it is stunning. And so worth reading. I loved it lots. Thank you Rachel and Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours and Amber at Me, My Shelf and I for letting me take part in this great release day celebration :) It is so gorgeous. Sigh. Love. There is also this very awesome US only giveaway at the end. You must go enter that one :D Have any of you read this gorgeous book yet? What did you think? :D

http://www.memyshelfandi.com/

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.


Read chapter 1 of WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER annotated by Rae Carson HERE!
 
Buy Walk on Earth a Stranger: Amazon - B&N - The Book Depository - Indiebound
- CDON - iBooks



Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Her next book, Walk On Earth A Stranger, will be available September 22, 2015. She lives in Arizona with her husband.

Where to find Rae Carson:
Twitter. Website. Facebook


1 winner will receive a set of the 3 GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series (in paperback.)
US Only. Ends on September 30th at Midnight EST!
 


Cress Tuesday #100

I adore sharing these teasers from Cress. But I'm going to stop doing them once Winter comes out this November. Which will be a bit depressing, since I have done this for ages. Aw. But it is time to stop, I think :) But I have loved it so much. <3 As you know, I adore Marissa Meyer. She is all kinds of amazing. She's so kind and sweet. And she writes such perfect books. I have loved all her books and short stories so far. I'm dying to read Winter. <3 See the very gorgeous cover reveal for it here. I'm also dying to read her upcoming book, Heartless, which will be out next November. Oh. I cannot wait. <3 But it has been pushed back. And waiting for it is just going to kill me. Sniffs. I want it now. Also don't forget about the short stories book, Stars Above, coming out. <3 I haven't been brave enough to re-read Cinder, Scarlet & Cress just yet, but I shall be doing right before Winter comes out. As I love these books oh so much. They are the bestest. I hope you have all read these books by now. And if not, you really should. I hope you are all enjoying these awesome teasers from Cress :) See all the previous Cress Tuesdays here. <3


~

"Captain," she murmured. "I think I'm in love with you." An eyebrow shot up.  
She counted six beats of his heart before, suddenly, he laughed. "Don't tell me it took you two whole days to realize that. I must be losing my touch." Her fingertips curled against him. "You knew?" 
"That you're lonely, and I'm irresistible? Yeah, I knew. Come on, Cress, you're getting up."

~

Even the fantasies that had consoled and comforted her for so many years aboard the satellite were growing feeble. She was not a warrior, brave and strong and ready to defend justice. She was not the most beautiful girl in the land, able to evoke empathy and respect from even the most hard-hearted villain. She was not even a damsel knowing that a hero would someday rescue her. Instead, the spent the agonizing hours wondering whether she was to become a slave, a servant, a feast for cannibals, a human sacrifice, or whether she would be returned to Queen Levana and tortured for her betrayal.

~

  
Thorne and Cress are way too cute together :D I ship them so hard.
And that second teaser from a different time. Sigh. So heartbreaking.

Huge thank you to Marissa Meyer and Macmillan Kids for letting me share these gorgeous Cress Tuesday teasers with you all. <3 They are the bestest. Thank you so much. I hope you are all loving the teasers :D I know that I am loving finding them and sharing them with you all. If you haven’t yet read Cress, I hope these teasers are making you more excited about it. <3 I’m sharing all these teasers from my stunning hardcover of Cress. Well, from one of my copies. I might be owning a whole bunch of them :D


Sunday, September 20, 2015

Review: Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown

I'm so disappointed. Which is just so heartbreaking. Because I really wanted to love this book. It looks gorgeous. It sounded pretty interesting. But then I read all of it today. And it was bad. Really bad. Hurts my heart, but it is the way I felt. This was a two star for me. I have so many reasons for that. Ugh.

This book started badly for me from the very first chapter. It was so bad. Like, I haven't read such a bad chapter in a long time. Which is so sad, but it is how I felt. Writing was bad, which sucks, as I did love Born of Illusion by Teri from two years before. But this one? Oh, I did not like it. Not at all, really. Sigh.

About this first chapter. I did not like the writing. And my first impression of the main character, Samantha, was not good at all. It starts with a competition between her and two other girls. She thinks she will win. But she doesn't. And she runs to the bathroom to cry and sob and just act so badly. I didn't like being inside her head at all. Ugh. It was very painful to read about. So yeah. First impression was not good at all. And then it just went downhill from there. I'm not sure I will even be able to write about all the bad things. But I'm going to try my best. There are a bunch of characters in this book. And, sadly, I didn't like any of them at all. They were just so weird and they didn't feel natural at all. Well, the kids did; only them. Just, disappointing.

This is a book from 1915. Yet I don't think I ever felt like it was a book from the past. I felt like I never saw interesting things from the past. It was to be about World War I, but nothing bad happens at all. Nothing about the war. Just a teenage girl suddenly turning a spy, and trying to search for another spy in such a pathetic way. It wasn't good at all. Sam was a bad and boring character and I felt nothing for her. I didn't like her. But I didn't hate her either. But yeah. No good feelings for her at all, which is just sad.

I don't know how to speak about the plot in this one. It was so badly done. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to DNF this book after the first chapter. But I did not, because it was a print ARC from the publisher. So I read it. And it was such a struggle. I wouldn't have minded to stop reading it no matter when. Sam works as a messenger. Then suddenly she gets a job as a spy. She has zero training in that. None. Then she trains for a couple of weeks. Then gets sent to German. It was all so silly and didn't feel natural.

There is a bit of romance in this book. Well, more like insta-like. There isn't a single kiss. But Sam sees a guard. And she blushes just by looking at him. Wth. So weird. And then he helps her with everything after that, and he smiles and laughs at her all the time, and it did not seem natural at all. I didn't like it. And she has such weird thoughts about him. It was just awkward. I felt nothing for any of them. Small romance, but it sucked. Which breaks my heart. Ugh. Max was nothing special at all, unfortunately.

I don't know what else to say. I mean, there are so many bad things I could mention. But I'm not going to. Two stars. I didn't like the book. But I didn't hate it either, but I would not read it again. Ever. The plot is so badly done. The whole spy thing was so silly. Sam is not a good spy at all. She had such weird thoughts. She did it so badly. She kept thinking so often that she was using people. Just, what? When did she ever use anyone? She never did anything. I felt like this whole book was about.. nothing. Ugh.

I'm sorry for not saying more about this book. I suppose it could have been good. But I felt like it was so boring. This book just takes place inside a castle thingy. With Sam thinking that everyone is Velvet and doing such silly things trying to figure it out. It was so boring and not interesting. I didn't even like the one villain in this book. It made so little sense. There is one death. And I did not care at all. I expected more from this book. I wanted so much more. Like what I got from Wolf By Wolf. Sigh. Disappointed.

Thank you so, so much to Megan at HarperCollins International for sending me this print ARC for review. <3 It is all kinds of gorgeous. I'm so sorry that I sort of hated it. Breaks my heart. But still happy that I read it. And having gotten it from you guys meant the most to me. But, sadly, I will not be ordering the finished hardcover. My space is limited, and considering this was a two star, it is not a book I want to buy and own as a hardcover. Sigh. But I do think others might enjoy it. Maybe. I'm still a bit unsure :)


Saturday, September 19, 2015

In My Mailbox #203

I read four books this week. And I'm very pleased about this :D I want to start a new one right away too. But I can't. I really, truly need to catch up to SO MANY comments on other blogs. Ack. I'm behind. Again. Which happens way too often. Ugh. But doing it today. And reading again tomorrow, lol. Though I read lots of books this week, I have been feeling so exhausted. The hospital trip for more medicine went okay, though I got so tired. And I'm still tired because of it. Hmph. Hoping to feel better soon. Sigh. But ahh. Another hospital trip this Tuesday. This time to take part in some research thingy for the hospital :) Bad part, leaving at 7:30 with plane, coming back home at 10:30 at night. Ugh. Will be gone so long. But mom going with me, and I'm sure it will go fine. Just exhausting :) Anyway. So happy with what I got this week :D Though I only got one regular book, ack. But still. Other precious things, even so. I love it all. <3 Also pleased with blog posts this week. I posted my review of Guys Read: Terrifying Tales :) Another precious Cress Tuesday. <3 This week I'm waiting on Soundless :D Then I read The Mirror King. <3 Which I loved so much. And then I read A Curious Tale of the In-Between which I also loved :D And then I read Wolf By Wolf, which was perfection. <3 I read three gorgeous books right after each other. Lots of love.



Inside Out. Yay for more of these precious looking books :D Still many to buy.. I will get them all. <3
Frozen. Two more Frozen books :D I adore the Sven one, lol. Isn't he just so cute? I love these books.
A Curious Tale of the In-Between. Aw, the one and only print book I got this week. But it was perfect :)
Avengers: Age of Ultron. Yay for this movie being out on blu-ray :D Not re-watching all just yet, though.
Big Hero 6. Yes, I might have bought the 2D version of the game before, but I wanted 3D too :D Cute.
Disney Infinity. More of those power discs. I just love buying them, lol. And Jack too; he looks awesome.
Frozen. Elsa Pop figure :D Isn't she so pretty? I love her. And puzzles. Love. And figures. And Olaf :D
Dragons. Also got two tiny HTTYD dragons. <3 They are so pretty. But they were a bit expensive. Hmph.
Inside Out. Last of the Inside Out Disney Infinity figures :D I have them all now; they are perfection.
Plush Animals. Aren't these two just the cutest? I love them. My Minions pillow plush is so gorgeous.




The Mirror King. When I saw this gorgeous on Edelweiss, I had to download it right away. <3 I cannot tell you how thankful I am that HarperTeen has me auto-approved on there :D Though I always worry that one day they will take it away, sigh. I hope not. But anyway. I read this book the day after, and I loved it so so so much :D This sequel was perfection. You must all read it.

 
More Instagram photos here. <3

Friday, September 18, 2015

Review: Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

I was excited yet nervous about this book. It sounded absolutely fantastic. Plot sounded so good and I love the time period thing with Hitler and such. But worried I wouldn't love it. Then today I started reading. And I could not stop. Not at all. Ended up loving this book to pieces. It was simply perfection. Thrilled I read it.

There was so much I loved about this book. I don't think I will ever manage to mention it all. But I will try. And try to convince you all to read this precious next month. Because you really must. Because this book was truly amazing. And nothing could have been better about it. But now I'm dying for the sequel.

This book is told from the point of view of eighteen year old Yael. Whom is the strongest girl I have read about. And oh gosh, how I loved reading about her. She is amazing. And broken. And I loved every piece of her. You see, this is a book that tells the story of what would have happened if Hitler had not lost the war. It is set in 1956. And it is such an interesting book. With an evil plot that I loved so much. You see. Yael is a Jew. And she and her mom was sent to a camp when Yael was just six years old. She was then chosen for something, something awful that changed her so much. It was heartbreaking to read the flashbacks. Yet they were the very best. She stayed there for a year. Reading about what she went through.. shudders.

There is so much about this book. Reading about Yael's past. How she lost so many people that she loved. Why she has five wolf tattoos on her arm. Why she is on a mission to kill Hitler. How it is possible that Yael can change her skin to look like anyone, though only the same gender. What was done to her to make her this way. It was pretty heartbreaking. Yet so interesting and exciting to read about. Because Yael is fierce. Yet broken and lonely and sad. And I only want the very best for her. Sniffs. I adored her.

I'm not going to say too much about the plot in this book. There is a motorcycle race. And it takes a long time to race it. There are twenty teens, all trying to win, all most likely willing to fight dirty to be the first one to the finish line. And Yael has signed up for it this year. To get close enough to kill Hitler. But to do so she must become another girl, Adele, who won the race the year before. First she kidnaps her. Which was pretty awesome. Then she becomes her. And race as her. And oh. Such excitement. And fear.

But even though Yael looks like Adele, she is not her. And she thinks like herself. And she worries. And oh, it broke my heart a lot. Yet so beautiful to read about. Because Yael is not the only one in the race. Adele's twin brother, Felix, is there too. And ahh. So exciting. Because Yael does not know everything about Adele. She does not know about their relationship, how they talk together. And it is so stressful and I was so worried. Yet it was perfect. I liked Felix a lot. He was kind and protective. I loved him.

But Adele also had a sort of ex-boyfriend. Luka. Though I wouldn't say they used to be together, considering they only spent time in the last race, and for a few days only. But they have history. History that Yael knows nothing about. And oh my gosh, it was so exciting to read about. I loved it. Luka was such a great character. I mean, he tricked Yael aka Adele a whole bunch, which made me angry. But I didn't blame him either. He did think she had broken his heart. But Yael never did that. Sigh. So good.

There is a tiny hint of a romance in this book. But it isn't much of it. And I'm so worried about the next book. I just need it to be from Yael's point of view again. I'm not done with her. She is not done. I need more. And in this book.. Luka did not know who Yael truly was. But he would know in the sequel. And ahh. I just think this would be an epic romance and I want it very badly. Pretty please. So yes. That might be my biggest wish for book two. Though I want more of this amazing and heartbreaking plot too.

But ack. Now I have already said so much about what happens. Which I was not planning to, lol. But I just couldn't stop writing. I loved this book so much. The plot is sad and not very fun yet it's perfection. I loved every moment. I loved the race. All the characters. Learning about Yael's past. And worrying about her future. It was all so incredible to read about. I just, I need more. I cannot. This book ends with an evil cliffhanger. And I worry that sequel won't be from her point of view. But it must. It must.

Okay. Fine. I'm going to finish talking about this book now. Just know that the time period is perfect. The characters are all amazing to read about and get to know. Yael is fierce and perfectly flawed. I loved her. Wolf By Wolf is the most stunning book. I loved reading every moment. It is heartbreaking, exciting and so interesting. I loved the time period. I loved how brave and strong and broken Yael is. Basically, I loved everything about this book. I cannot wait to read it again. Now, go order it. You will not regret it. Thank you so much to the publisher Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the Netgalley approval :)


Goodreads - The Book Depository - Amazon

Update: Newer and better review of the book can be found here.