Daughter of Smoke and Bone Review

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal other worldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

There are so many things to say about this book. This book first caught my attention because of the interesting cover art and the title of the book, In my opinion they are very different from most books and pretty unique. I also wanted to read this book because I wanted to know why sooo many people just loved the book and Laini Taylor.

From the synopsis alone, you aren't given too many clues as to what the book is really about. It could be considered confusing. So you almost go in with an open mind and not clued in to too many secrets. Actually no secrets at all. I typically start a book knowing a lot about the character and their personality because it is given. I will also know what the actual struggle of the book is or the entire problem. Here, you just get a glimpse, a sliver. But you have nooooo idea.

I would like to commend Laini Taylor. I heard she is a very prolific and poetic writer. That can be too much for me sometimes, but I have to say that I absolutely loved it. It did not come off as she was just trying to be poetic, it just flowed that way. Now I would also like to say WHAT THE HELL LAINI TAYLOR! Perhaps I'm just slow, and maybe I wasn't thinking ahead, but she gave such little foreshadowing that when shit hit the fan, I was scrambling around trying to guess what was going to happen AND I COULDN'T. I'm concocting these crazy ideas because I don't know enough, and then boooooommmm. But oh wait. She isn't finished. She gives you the answer to your huge question bit by bit, piece by piece. It's not just oh one sentence and life makes sense. No no no no no. Like 4 chapters and then you might have an idea. Just dropping bombs on us. Its refreshing not to be able guess the ending.

Now for her lovely characters. Karou, a very interesting name to say the least, is secretly special. Because none of the humans knows her family, or at least the ones that raised her. And lets face it, blue hair is cool. But she is a down to earth girl, for the most part, and I love that she's an artist. The location of the book is also interesting because most YA books are not set in Europe for the most part. Enter Akiva with his sexy, fiery, and tiger like eyes. No instalove, but there was a force or attraction between them that brought them together and made them feel a certain way toward each other. And believe me, there is a reason for that. So fret not. But I do like them together. Yeah they are very different and it has that typical forbidden love stamped on it, but it also has something else mixed in there that makes it even more interesting.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it lived up to the hype in my opinion. The only reason it wasn't 5 stars was due to a section toward the end that kind of dragged for me and confused me a bit. But hey, its sooo worth it

Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout Review!!

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi pure bloods have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals--well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

I personally really like this book. It was action packed, it involved Greek gods (which I LOVE), and I liked the characters. There was just one very big problem that demoted it a star....IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE VAMPIRE ACADEMY! This was my first Jennifer L. Armentrout book and all I could say was "Really?" It was like when an old movie is redone with characters of different names, yet the same personality, and the plot is slightly different. So I really knew all that was coming before it even happened. Luckily I loved Vampire academy, it was just annoying to continually compare the two while reading.

I love Alex's personality. She is all or nothing, do or die. When the going gets tough, he keeps on kicking and she doesn't not give up. She definitely is not weak. Despite this she does not have a problem admitting to herself when she is wrong or she screwed up, admitting it out loud is a different subject though. She went to hell and back without really complaining or whining. Some realities were hard to grasp but she would eventually get the message.

Aiden is bae to put it simply. He isn't too rigid,  not too carefree, but juuustttt right. I appreciated that he didn't come off as completely void of emotion when his actions spoke otherwise. If they did, it was because he had to force himself to do so. He is much like Alex in the aspect of having to bounce back quickly from his tragic childhood. The Pure turned Sentinel did what he had to do to keep his family going and to keep purpose in his life.

I could not help but enjoy this book. Anything with the Greek gods in it, I'm on board. I want to see how much of the series continues to mimic the Vampire Academy series. That does not mean this book/series is not worth the read! Because it really is, especially if you haven't even read VA. Just go in with an open mind and an understanding heart (or something like that). From what I've read from  J. Armentrout I have enjoyed. Give this one a try!

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!

Thank you sooooo much to Erika from Books, Stars, Writing. And Everything in Between. for nominating me!

Rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their website

2. Use the award logo on your post

3. Answer the 10 questions provided by the blogger who tagged you

4. Nominate 10 bloggers

5. Ask them 10 questions

Questions:

1. What book have you reread the most?

I'd have to say Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian. 

2. Most anticipated read(s) coming out this year?

Probably Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas and Winter by Marissa Meyer. I even have their countdown widgets

3. What's your favorite genre?

Well, I mostly read from fantasy and paranormal so I'd have to say those are the ones

4. Paperback, hardcover, ebook, or audiobook?

This is tough because as long as I have physical pages I'm content. Paperbacks don't cost as much, but hardcovers stand up much easier on their own and don't get bent...

I may just have to go with paperback

5. Do you read before you sleep?

Do I breathe?

6. Top three favorite book couples?

Percy and Annabeth, Khalid and Shazi, and Anna and Charles (this is a non YA series called Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs)

7. Do you listen to music while reading?

Yes I do. I don't have trouble concentrating while reading so I enjoy the background noise. 

8. Prettiest book you have/ have seen?

OOOO. Tough. I have a thing for pretty book covers. I believe the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout and Across the Universe by Beth Revis have very pretty and simplistic covers.

9. Do you like reading buddies? If so, what book have you read with a buddy/ want to read with a buddy?

I was supposed o have a reading buddy while reading Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, but it fell through. But I will be buddy reading the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer up until the release of Winter later this year.

10. Three under-hyped authors you love?

Erika Johansen, Simone Elkeles, and Amy Plum

My nominees: 

Sorry if you've been nominated!! But if not, you've just been nominated!

1. Theepika @ It's Theepika

2. Evie @ Bookish Lifestyle

3. Stephanie @ Reading is Better with Cupcakes

4. Jess @ Princessica of Books

5. YA Bookspace

6. Steph F. @ I am Simply a Book Drunkard

7. Amanda @ Little Miss Reader

8. Hannah @ TheDonkey Invasion

9. Erin @ Angel Erin's Book Obssession

10. Lianna @ Idiotic Reviews

My Questions:

1.What is the best book you've read thus far this summer?

2. A genre you haven't read or haven't read much from?

3. Favorite time of day to read?

4. How long does it take you to usually read a book?

5. Book(s) you're looking forward to reading next year?

6. Favorite author in your favorite genre?

7. Character that you want as a best friend and why?

8. Do you try to convince your non-reading friends that books are worth it?

9. How many books were in your most recent book haul?

10. Book you want to see turned into a T.V. show or movie? 

COLLEGE BOOK HAUL!

What time is it?? BOOK HAUL TIME!!

Yayyy for college book hauls! So while I was at home I was banned form bringing more books into the house. Soo of course I just sent them to my school. Clever, I know

Without further do, the books I have obtained:

Book Depository:

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

The first three of these books I need to fulfill my need of starting series that I haven't yet. I am so late, but hey better late than never. I will admit that I am sick and tired of being out of all the fandom talks. But I'm finally getting around to these series.

and.......

MY FIRST UPPERCASE BOOK!

Clearly I cannot disclose what Uppercase sent this month, at least I can't just yet. But I'll let you know it's a genre I've never read before and the bookish delight inside were really nice

Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

So I found this book tag on YouTube and it was started by The Book Archer.
This tag is about expressing some of your feelings toward books or series that may not be looked upon favorably by others.

Remember, these are just my opinions. Sorry if I mention a series you like. And hopefully I don't spoil anything for you.


1. A popular book or series that you didn't like

 

The Wolves of Mercy Falls and the Beautiful Creatures Series will have to top the cake for this one.
I could NOT get through Shiver. I've never been so bored with a book in my life. I was intrigued with the summary, but once it came to reading the book, it did not live up to my expectations.
I loved Beautiful Creatures! It was the rest of the series that I couldn't stand.


2. A popular book or series that everyone else seems to hate, but you love

Now I don't love this book, and the writing is atrocious, but I liked it and it really grabbed my attention. This would be none other than the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. 80% of the time I was laughing at the writing and comparing it to Twilight but I'm not with everyone else on the FSG hating bandwagon. I think hating the trilogy is just a cool thing to do, like loving Justin Bieber or 1D.


3. A love triangle where the main character ended up with a different person than you wanted to or an OTP you did not like. (Warn for spoilers)

I'm going to go with Edward and Bella from Twilight. I just don't like them together. I was totally Team Jacob, and yes I understand he serves his purpose in the end and doesn't really need Bella. And that's cool.

As an OTP I just don't like them together. I don't like them even if they aren't together.


4. A popular book genre you hardly reach for

Historical Fiction, Dystopian, and Contemporary.

Now I have read several books from each of these genres and loved them. I just don't jump up and down for them really.

5. A popular or beloved character that you didn't like

Katniss was never a character that I wanted to be one of my best friends. I didn't hate her character, she was just alright. Got on my nerve sometimes

6. A popular author you can't seem to get into

SORRY. SORRY. SORRYYY. John Green. I can't get into his books, I may like the cover of his books  but once I read the synopsis I put it back down and walk away

7. A popular book trope that you're tired of seeing (ex. 'lost princess', corrupt ruler, love triangles, etc.)
"I'm so ugly. I'm thin with long blonde hair and big blue eyes. Oh what to do?" Just stop it. That's the western beauty standard. Let's get real. I'd like to see more diversity. Let's describe a character with tan or chocolate skin. Maybe with almond shaped eyes and curly hair.

8. A popular series that you have no interest in reading

The Selection Series because the ENTIRE thing was spoiled for me. But it was my fault and the way it happened was hilarious.

9. The saying goes "The book is always better than the movie", but what T.V. show or movie adaptation do you prefer to the book?

Hm. This is hard because I have none. There are only a few movies I saw without reading the book. Any other time I hate the movie and usually want a refund of some sort. But my best friend watched Vampire Diaries and read the first few books. Many people also say that the show is better than the books. Sooooo I shall take their word for it

Wouldn't it be cool if...

There was a bookstore that was open 24/7,

Always there to cater to your read-aholic needs,

Available when you finish a book at 2 in the morning and NEED to keep going in the series,

and where you can find just what you need?

Yeah, I know it would.

Top Ten Tuesday

Hey all! It's Tuesday anddddd you all know what that means! TOP TEN TUESDAY

So this week I will be listing ten authors that I can say I have not read from

Most of these are just sad and tragic but it will soon be changed! These are in no particular order

1. J.K. Rowling- Before anyone even starts I know I know. It's terrible. But I'm sorry! I read the first Harry Potter book forrrever ago. I don't even remember what happened at this point. But rest assured I do plan on binging the series Netflix style very soon.

2. Kiera Cass- Well a while back I accidentally ruined the Selection series for myself by watching Epic Read's Barbie YouTube summaries of all the books. Well once I watched the first, there was no turning back so I had to watch each video that summarized a book. So I've practically read the series ;)

3. Marrisa Meyer- Now this is sad because I have always commented on how much i love the covers of the Lunar Chronicles. With Winter coming out soon I figured it would be the perfect time for me to take the plunge

 

4.Marie Lu- I am always hearing about Lu's work and her series, but it never really interested me that much. I might pick it up one day to find that I really like her books. Who knows?

5. John Green- Plenty of people might think I have a brain defect but John Green's works have never piqued my interest. Yes I'm aware two of his books have become motion pictures. That's great. Only a few of his book covers have interested me, and I don't delve into his genre too much.

6. Jennifer L. Armentrout-  This is going to change very soon! Whenever I go to my closest B&N THEY NEVER HAVE THE BOOKS OF HERS I WANT TO READ! And if they do, it's never the first book in the series. Buttttt I outsmarted the system and just went to good ol' Book Depository and sent what I wanted to my school.

 

7. Rainbow Rowell- I have heard so many good things about the books that Rowell writes. If I ever want a light and easy read I just may pick up Fangirl or Eleanor and Park.

8. Libba Bray- Can I just say I love saying her name? 

9. Ransom Riggs- I must decide if I will start Miss Peregrine's at some point in time. 

10. Scott Westerfeld- Eh. The Uglies never really captured me. I've heard mixed review but I really try to not let that sway me.

1 MONTH ANNIVERSARY OF BEING A READ-AHOLIC

While scouring Twitter yesterday, a fellow blogger noted their blog's one month anniversary. Then I thought, isn't mine coming up soon? And when I looked at my first post I SAW THAT IT HAD PAST! Sunday was my one month anniversary of blogging all about being a read-aholic.

The time has just flown on by and I have been loving every second of it. Being apart of the blogging community is a great feeling and I've met so many great people and learned about books I never would have. 

I have always been reluctant to start blogging, but now I wish I had started earlier when it first came to mind. It's a great opportunity to discuss books  and show how much you love them. There's no pressure that comes along with it and that makes it all the better

This first month has been great and I can't wait to keep going

Confessions of a Read-aholic #1

Before I start reading a book I always turn to the back page of the book to see the number of ages and to read the lat sentence

August TBR!!

Hello all you lovely people and sorry. I'm a day late and a dollar short but I have finally compiled my August TBR
I'm going to be heading back to school in a few weeks so I'm not going to give my self too many books.

 This is an ARC that I received not too long ago.  I want to get it finished and have a review up for the author as soon as possible. Find D.A. Paul on Goodreads!

They call it a boost.

It’s the buzz you get from absorbing the spiritual energy of the dead, and it absolutely terrifies Lidia Powell. 

Shortly after meeting Ander at summer camp, Lidia is thrust into the world of psychic mediums and brought to a new school. At Mountain Heights Academy, even a casual pizza-date is accompanied by a ghost, and only a frightened uberdork would refuse the boost. To Lidia, the peer pressure to absorb phantom apparitions is horrifying, but to everyone else, it's the drug of choice. 

However, when one of the students delves into dark energy, Lidia suspects that a boost isn’t as innocent as it seems. Soon, the boost becomes an addiction and Lidia must act fast before the changes become irreversible.

 Finally I'm getting this book and I'm gonna read it! Being behind in fandoms is so tiresome. And this cover is awesome as ever.

See I was binging on the ToG series but then I felt like I needed a two week break to absorb all that had happened. Gave me a chance to read a stand alone.

 Yet another series I haven't read! Just disgraceful. I know I know. But there's no time like the present and better late than never.

Read-aholic Writing #1: 7 Cliche Characters in YA (BORING)

Now we all know that it is pretty annoying when you run into a character that is special just like every other character. Yes they may be the bees knees in their story, but they have a similar background to so many other ones

So the lovely Hannah Heath complied a list of seven common characters in YA. So if you want to write, make your characters exciting!

This list includes:

• The character that is full of “teen angst.” Yuck
• The girl that’s pretty, but doesn’t realize it until a boy tells her so. Thanks 1D
• Character’s involved in love triangles #TeamEdward #TeamJacob
• The Chosen One There can only be Harry
•  The one with horrible parents. Okay we get it.
• The “strong” female character. Not everyone can conquer the world with an eyebrow raise and strong resolve
• The brooding bad boy. Go smoke and set fires somewhere else

http://hannahheath-writer.blogspot.com/2015/05/7-cliche-characters-in-ya-fiction-that.html

Written in the Stars Review

Rating: 3/5 stars

This heart-wrenching novel explores what it is like to be thrust into an unwanted marriage. Has Naila’s fate been written in the stars? Or can she still make her own destiny?
 
Naila’s conservative immigrant parents have always said the same thing: She may choose what to study, how to wear her hair, and what to be when she grows up—but they will choose her husband. Following their cultural tradition, they will plan an arranged marriage for her. And until then, dating—even friendship with a boy—is forbidden. When Naila breaks their rule by falling in love with Saif, her parents are livid. Convinced she has forgotten who she truly is, they travel to Pakistan to visit relatives and explore their roots. But Naila’s vacation turns into a nightmare when she learns that plans have changed—her parents have found her a husband and they want her to marry him, now! Despite her greatest efforts, Naila is aghast to find herself cut off from everything and everyone she once knew. Her only hope of escape is Saif . . . if he can find her before it’s too late.

The first thing that interested me about this book was the cover and the summary. I think the cover is just beautiful. It says so much, without being too much to process. This summer I finally got around to reading the Tiger's Curse Saga and I read the Wrath and the Dawn as well. Both of these series involve cultures I am not familiar with and they taught me a great deal when it came to customs, titles, and the overall languages. But those books were fantasy, and this book was clearly set set to be realistic. Also this stand alone would give me a chance to take a break from binging on series and losing my mind.

Now for the book itself...

I expected a lot more from this book. It is not as if this book was hyped up. I heard about it from BookTube and Goodreads, but not often. For one I wasn't sure how I felt about finishing it in less than a day. Yes, those easy reads are nice but for the past few weeks I had been reading books up to 500 pages. 277 pages was child's play at that point.

I felt that the book moved too quickly. This book would have easily almost hit 400 pages. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated that we jumped right into the plot right before everything went to hell.  But I'm sure we could suffered through just a little bit of plot. Too many things were happening all at once. Yes I suppose that could display the urgency of things but I did not take kindly to it.  But you're going through everything with Naila and then... SHIT GETS REAL.  I couldn't help but reread a few chapters. The book took a dark turn I sure as hell was not expecting. And it really got me thinking about the lengths one would go to if they felt in their hearts the were doing some good.

I also think that character development was minimal at best. I still don't even know the main character that well. Luckily I never found her as whiny. She was forced to do a lot of things and she used to submit. But then she took charge and decided she would rewrite her destiny. I did admire that about her. 

Saeed writes a very real story. I believe it gives great insight into how modern day Pakistani immigrant couple would react to raising their children in America. You saw some favoritism toward Naila's younger brother. You could easily pick up on their fierce need to stick to their ways. I couldn't imagine how I would react if that were my life. You end up being happy with what freedoms you have and appreciating the knowledge you have gained