Cress Tuesday #73

Oh! The cover for Winter has been revealed. Sigh. Swoon. It is perfect. But.. full size of it isn't out yet, so I haven't been able to blog about it yet. Sad face. Hoping it will be up shortly :D Fingers crossed. Eeek! Have you all seen the summary for Winter yet? :D It's on goodreads, here. <3 And it is perfection. And now I'm even more excited. And omg. 800 pages! It will be so huge. And gorgeous. I just cannot wait. I know that Winter will be amazing. <3 Because I really loved Cinder, Scarlet, Cress & Fairest. I also cannot wait for all the other upcoming books by Marissa; especially Heartless :D So excited for everything that she writes. I will be re-reading these books pretty soon, I think, because I have waited more than long enough already. Ack. And I love them so much. Just wishing it was November already. Sigh. Waiting for Winter has taken forever, but I know the wait will be worth it. I'm thinking about doing these teasers until November. We'll see :D I love sharing them. I hope you are all enjoying these small and awesome teasers from Cress :) See all the previous Cress Tuesdays here. <3 Have you read it yet?

~

Suddenly she was crying, without knowing when the tears had started. Thorne's hands had found her

 elbows, tender and gentle. There was a moment in which she expected to be taken into his arms,

 pressed warm and safe against his chest. She yearned for it. But instead, he shook her--hard.

~

 I adore how cute Cress is, how she is crushing on Thorne so early on.
And how he does nothing about it, lol. They are adorable. 

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

My review of Fairest. My review of Cress. My review of Scarlet. My review of Cinder.

Cress Tuesdays. Cyborg Monday. News: Fairest. Scarlet Paperback. Cinder Blog Tour.

My review of The Little Android. My review of Glitches. My review of The Queen's Army.
Cinder. Scarlet. Cress. Winter. Fairest. Glitches. The Queen's Army. The Little Android.

Marissa Meyer. Marissa’s Website. The Lunar Chronicles Facebook. The Book Depository.

Review: The Novice by Taran Matharu

This book was a mess. And not in a good way. I wanted to read this book once I saw that gorgeous cover. And I was so happy when Ksenia at Macmillan Kids sent me a copy of it for review. <3 But then I started it. And my god. This book was awful. I shall try my best to explain all the reasons for why I hated it.

Well, okay, I didn't fully hate it, as I am giving it two stars. But I also did not like it. I only found a few parts to be exciting. And I didn't hate this book like I have others, which is why I'm giving it two stars. But oh. It was bad. First, the writing. I didn't like the writing at all. It wasn't good. It annoyed me.

Then there is the main character and the story. This book is told from the point of view of fifteen year old Fletcher. First, I do not like reading about characters in that age. It's weird to me. And this boy. He was just.. so annoying. I didn't like him one bit. I wanted to. But I didn't. Also. Keep in mind. The summary for this book? It sucks. First, it isn't all that accurate. Nothing about it happens until after ninety pages. That whole the fate of the empire is in his hands. What the hell. That wasn't true at all. And if it becomes true in a sequel, well, then screw this series. It is so predictable and in a very bad way. And it is a big rip-off too. At least to me. It has so many things that are like His Dark Materials, The Hobbit, Harry Potter and more. Seriously. It was so annoying. Nothing special about this book at all. Which was such a shame.

I don't feel like talking much about this book. So I won't. Probably. But I will try to explain some things. I do wish I could have liked this book. But for me, the writing sucked. The characters were silly. There was the typical rich kids who were so much better than anyone else and whom just had to bully and threaten and hurt the other kids. Ugh. It annoyed me greatly. There was even a boy in the beginning of the book who reminded me so much of Draco. Seriously. And not in a good way. Sigh. Very annoying.

Then there was the thinking of the main boy, Fletcher. I sort of liked the beginning, getting to know his sort of adopted father a little. But then that was gone and not thought about again. But oh. Fletcher and his thinking. It's bad. And he keeps taking deep, sobbing breaths. I just. It bothered me so much. Such bad writing. And so many things that didn't make sense at all. Sigh. I wouldn't recommend that anyone read this book, to be honest. Sure, some might like it, but I kind of doubt it. Still, I am curious to know.

The plot. I can't. There are demons. Which some very lucky few people are able to summon. And Fletcher, the poor orphan, just happens to be one of them. It was so much like His Dark Materials, and their demons. So many similarities. I hated it. I hated it so much. This book was nothing compared to the other ones. Sigh. Anyway. The demons. They were so many of them and so complicated and written about so much and I couldn't care less. Didn't even manage to fully pay attention to it while reading.

And of course, these humans are in a war. Sort of against dwarfs. And elves. But they are all in war against the orcs. Whom are led by the pale orc. For god's sake. This book sucked. Not a single thing about it was unique. Everything felt stolen from other books. And it bothered me so much. It wasn't done in a good way. This book didn't feel special. And it made me so angry. Sigh. I regret reading this one so much. But I had to. As I did request and get it from Macmillan. Plus, I was sort of curious. Sigh.

I don't know what else to say about this book. Fletcher goes to a magic school. Where he learns magic spells and whatnot. It was so annoying, because it has been used before, in a much better way. Sigh. I'm done talking about this book. It annoys me. Though I wouldn't mind answering questions about it. Sigh. Yeah. I do not think you guys should read this book. Either way, huge thank you to Ksenia at Macmillan Kids for sending me this ARC for review. <3 You are the best. The cover is so gorgeous, though. Hmph.

Goodreads - The Book Depository - Amazon

In My Mailbox #176

I have read more this week. <3 Three books. I'm feeling about about that. Though two of them were kind of really short.. but still :D I have also watched a lot of movies that I enjoyed. Will try to read more this coming week, maybe, as I have so many gorgeous books. Well. This week. My health still sucks like crazy, just waiting for MR on the 27th. Going this monday to get more medicine too. I just want to feel better. Which isn't happening yet. How mean. But other than that I had a good week :) And I shared a whole bunch of blog posts. First I read Lost. <3 Which I liked. I shared another awesome Cress Tuesday. I'm waiting on The Jumbies this week :) I'm a part of the Blue Birds blog tour. <3 Amazing guest post. My review and US giveaway. I read The Orphan Queen. <3 Which I loved so much. Then I was a part of the Shadow Scale blog tour. <3 With review and US/Canada giveaway. Then I took part in The Infinite blog tour :D Interview and giveaway. And then today I shared the beautiful cover for Firewalker. <3 So, busy week. Maybe not that much next week. Will see :) I'm also really happy with the books/movies I got. <3 Still waiting on a few really amazing things. Ack. Getting here soonish :D What did you get this week?

The Orphan Queen. I loved this book so much. And it is so gorgeous and precious. So much love :D
The Infinite. Had to get this new US paperback. <3 Finishing this series soon, I hope. I'm excited.
Vicious. Finally owning this book :) I shall read it someday. I'm very curious about it. Hope I love it.
Death Sworn. I did love this first book. So I had to get the gorgeous US paperback. <3 It's so pretty.
Storm Siren. Finally got this book :) I shall be reading this and the sequel soon I think. I'm curious.
Frozen. Yay for new gorgeous Frozen and Frozen Fever books :D They are so cute. So much love.
Mamma Mia. Finally have this on blu-ray. <3 Seen this movie so many times. Seeing it again soon :D
Dracula Untold. I saw this a few weeks back. I loved it. So I had to get a gorgeous blu-ray copy of it :)
The Maze Runner. I'm excited about seeing this movie. I'm reading the books.. someday. Probably ;p
The Rover. I love Robert Pattinson. And sooon I shall watch this. Had to own with subtitles too, hih :)
Into the Storm. I'm curious about this movie. Since I remember many loving it. Seeing it sometime.
The Legend of Hercules. Since I bought movies on sale, I wanted this too. It might be interesting :)
Grown Ups 1&2. I did like movie one. Sister loves these, so I had to get them ;p Seeing nr 2 soonish.
The Other Woman. I'm curious about this movie too, as sister loved it. Hoping to see it sometime soon.

Shadow Scale. Gorgeous book! Two hardcovers. <3 One library? edition, one US paperback edition too :D I'm getting them all. Waiting on UK paperback as well. <3 This book was all kinds of amazing. Love it.
The Dickens Mirror. I have not read book one yet; White Space. But I shall. Soonish. I'm excited :)
Burning Kingdoms. I'm excited yet nervous about this sequel. I want to love it. Reading it very soon.
Perfect Ruin. I'm still unsure about these new covers, but still, this paperback is all kinds of gorgeous.
Princess Mononoke. Finally got this movie on blu-ray :) Resent, first copy went missing in the mail. Sob.

More Instagram photos here. <3

There are four giveaways on my blog right now.

Hardcover of Unchanged + Limited Poster. US. Ends 03/18.
Five The Infinite Swag Packs. International. Ends 03/20.
Hardcover of Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose. US. Ends 04/01.

Two hardcovers of Shadow Scale. US/Canada. Ends 04/02.

Cover Reveal: Firewalker by Josephine Angelini

Sharing the gorgeous cover for Firewalker today. <3 This book is the sequel to the amazing Trial by Fire; which I loved so so much :D There is also a new cover for Trial by Fire. I'm not sure how to feel about it, as I loved the first one, sigh, BUT. I am also really, really growing on the new covers :D And I do think they look all kinds of gorgeous. The colors are amazing. And I love the font. And I think they will be perfect in person. I cannot wait to own them both in the fall :D Anyway. I loved Trial by Fire SO MUCH. And I am dying to read Firewalker :D It sounds so amazing. I can't wait to read more of Lily and Rowan. <3 They are adorable. And I'm so excited for more of their romance. Eeek. And the amazing plot. Basically, I cannot wait for this book. Such pretty covers. Josephine is also all kinds of amazing :) Firewalker is coming out on September 1st. I can't wait for it. <3 What do you think of the covers?

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

Trial by Fire. Firewalker. Josephine Angelini. Official Reveal Post.

The Book Depository. Amazon. My review of Trial by Fire.

The Infinite Blog Tour: Interview with Lori M. Lee + Giveaway

So thrilled to be a part of this blog tour :D These books are so gorgeous looking. <3 The covers are stunning. Thank you so much Lori for letting me be a part of this awesome tour :D You can see the full blog tour schedule here. Lots of amazing tour stops. <3 The Infinite is such a pretty book. I do think many might love it, though I haven't read it. Thank you so much Lori for answering my interview question. <3 You are all kinds of amazing. There is also this great international giveaway at the end of the post :D Enter to win 5 gorgeous swag packs. <3 Best of luck :) My review of Gates of Thread and Stone can be found here, though you might not want to read it. Have any of you read these books yet?

Interview with Lori M. Lee.

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Either Scotland or Japan. I’m a bit obsessed with the land and the histories/cultures of both countries. I briefly wanted to be a historian just so I could study their long histories. Then I decided I could just, you know, study them independently. *is such a rebel*

2. What part of Gates of Thread and Stone surprised you the most while writing it?

There weren’t any big surprises. I’m a hardcore outliner so, while things sometimes didn’t play out the way I’d planned or a new scene demanded to be added between chapters, I always knew where things were heading. I know, that’s so BORING, but… ah well lol. Maybe in the next book, I’ll just kill everyone. That’ll surprise readers ;)

3. Which character of all the characters you have written do you like the least?

This is tough. I like all my main and supporting characters in one way or another, even if it’s for their bad qualities. Reev’s boss in book 1 was pretty despicable, though. So maybe him. One character I love to hate is Istar. She’s a terrible person, but she’s so delightful about it!

The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.

Gates of Thread and Stone Buy Links:
Amazon - B&N - The Book Depository - Indiebound - CDON - Brilliance Audio - iTunes 
  

The Infinite Buy Links:
Amazon - B&N - The Book Depository - Indiebound - CDON - Brilliance Audio

Lori is the author of young adult fantasy novels Gates of Thread and Stone and The Infinite. She has a borderline obsessive fascination with unicorns, is fond of talking in capslock, and loves to write about magic, manipulation, and family. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and a friendly pitbull.  

Twitter. Website. Facebook. Goodreads. Tumblr. Pinterest. Instagram.

Praise for Gates of Thread and Stone: 

“Lori M. Lee excels in building a world of intrigue, oppression, and magic amidst a Labyrinth setting as twisted and winding as the secrets hidden inside her characters’ hearts. Fans of strong heroines who don’t need a boy to hold their hands, action-packed fighting scenes, and whispers of steampunk and mythology, will find themselves wishing they, too, could manipulate the threads of time, if only to stay inside the story a little longer.” 
A.G. Howard, New York Times bestselling author of the SPLINTERED series 

“A fast-paced, heart-wrenching whirl of a story full of magic, immortals, and a romance that will leave readers gasping for more. I adored the tough, scrappy narrator and fell in love with the boy chasing after her heart. Lori M. Lee introduces us to a fantasy world unlike any other and gives us the first taste of an epic love story in the making. I can’t wait for more!” 
Mindee Arnett, THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR series and AVALON series 

“Inventive, romantic, and gripping. I was hooked from the first page!” 
Amy Tintera, REBOOT and REBEL 

“A thrilling adventure in a vivid world, GATES OF THREAD AND STONE is the kind of book you want to read both fast and slow: fast to find out what happens next and slow to savor the journey. I couldn’t put it down.” 
Sarah Beth Durst 

“Lee has woven a captivating fantasy that will thread its way into your heart and pull you into a world of magic and intrigue.” 
 Christina Farley, GILDED and SILVERN

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