Why I've been MIA& Sept. Wrap-up + Oct. TBR!!

For first things first, I have been very MIA lately. Sorry about that. I've been put in charge of several projects recently and have all types of meetings to attend. So it's been hectic. But I think I'll be back for a nice long time :)

Now back to business

IT'S WRAP UP TIME!

During this month I participated in a TBR Read-a-thon challenge. And it was ultimately successful. There is only one book on that list I am still reading from that list.

For some reason I put Six of Crows on my TBR list for this month and considering it just came out a few days ago, that was not the smartest idea. But that's neither here nor there.

All the books I completed:

and now for the  October TBR!

Currently Reading:

Rest of the Month:

An ARC I received

A DoS&B continuation

A new series to start (thought it was stand alone)

An audio book I will be listening to

Let me know what you think of my TBR for October And even share yours with me! Happy reading!

Cinder Review

 Goodreads

Rating: 4.5/5

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Yes, this is another amazing book series that I am several years late getting to. I know I know. But better late than never right? And I am sooooo glad I did. This book was amazing!

This year I have come to find myself really enjoying the fairy tale retellings and this one does not disappoint. The concept is so intriguing  and that is what makes it special. It is its own story, while being loosely based on Cinderella. It is an old story in an awesome futuristic setting. And to be honest I'm not always one for books set in a futuristic kind of dystopian time.

Once I picked the book up, it was really smooth sailing from there. I would look down and see that I have read so many more pages than I thought, in short amounts of time. The book flowed so well that it was hard to not keep reading the little masterpiece.

And the plot line that Meyer came up with! Cinderella definitely wasn't on the run from people living on the moon. And the ENDING! I did not see that coming! And it was hinted at just enough in case you were able to find out 

This is a great read and I'd highly recommend it. Now I need Scarlet! I want to have all of them done before Winter!

Snail's Castle by Mark Gordon BOOK TOUR!!

This book tour is hosted by  Legit Lit Book Tours

 Goodreads   Purchase on Amazon             

Jake Milson wants one thing and one thing only--to win the coveted and prestigious Hollingshead Scholarship to do postgraduate work at Oxford. He intends to travel to England with his girlfriend, Rebecca. But a problem arises. Professor Gregory Percival keeps getting in his way. During Jake's struggle with Percival, the lives of Jake, Rebecca, Percival and Percival's wife, Margaret, intertwine. The novel, with its unexpected twists, draws you into the inner lives of its many captivating characters. It is a story of ambition, love, lust and revenge set against the backdrop of romantic Montreal in the early 1960's.         

Rating: 4/5 stars

When I was given the opportunity to participate in this blog tour I thought I'd give it a try. Considering my typical reads delve into the sub-genres of YA, I thought I would broaden my horizons. And I have to say, at first I was not too sure if I would end up liking it. After ending a great book (Queen of Shadows) that is fantasy, it's a little hard to transition the very next day. But I did enjoy this book after all.

There were times where I found myself not being able to stop reading the book and staying up until early in the morning. The characters that we are introduced to are enticing, interesting, and well written. They are unforgettable to say the least! Most of the dialogue can be described as hypnotic and will definitely leave you wanting more.

The plot line of this book is not something I usually find myself wanting read. But reading the synopsis I felt that it might be about something, and it was! It is also something you can relate to easily. Having a goal set in mind and feeling that everything gets in your way so you cannot accomplish what you need to. That is what originally drew me to this story.   

Gordon makes the words wrap around you, invite you in, and then they have you hooked. I am very glad that I ended up reading this great book!

About the Author:

Mark Gordon is a novelist and poet, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His published novels are The Snail's Castle, The Kanner Aliyah and Head of the Harbour. He is presently living in Toronto, Ontario, and teaches English to newcomers to Canada. He updates his information regularly at www.markgordonauthor.com 

His poetry has been published in numerous literary journals in the United States and Canada, including Quiddity, Illuminations, Poet Lore, RiverSedge, The Fiddlehead, White Wall Review, Roanoke Review, and in the anthologies Arrivals: Canadian Poetry In The Eighties, The Northern Red Oak, and Bright Stars 5, an Organic Tanka Anthology. Online, his poetry has appeared in Linden Avenue Literary Journal and Versewrights.

                    

Queen of Shadows Review!!!

Rating 6/5 stars (yes I gave it a 6)

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

I finished this book during a TBR read-a-thon hosted by Wishful Endings

This book was so friggin amazing. There is no other way to say it but that. Phenomenal, superb, fantastic, just wow. Now let me tell you why

This book had m booked from the first page. I only put it down when I absolutely had to, like when teachers were staring at me for reading in class or it was 4 in the morning and I had three hours to sleep.

For one I would like to say I have never encountered a main character that goes through a name change in a book or series. But I felt it to be necessary due to Celaena finally accepting who she is and what she had to do. In this book, Celaena is bad ass as hell! You really get to see how cunning, ruthless, cut throat, and intelligent she is. Though we have seen all of these aspects from her in the previous books, it has only been in snippets. At this point, she is done playing games and she is out for blood. Also, it seems no matter what corner she is pushed into, she is always three steps ahead and all you can do is marvel at how well she is at predicting how things turn out and making them go in her favor.

This book was action packed from the beginning. Many parts had my heart racing and had me on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out the fate of Celaena and the friends we have come to know. And new friends we were introduced to as well. I just want to get off my chest, I HATE CHAOL IN THIS BOOK. There I said it. He pisses he off soooo much. I never thought I'd be able to say that. I have been on Team Chaol since ToG! He really started pissing me off in HoF but I hadn't pushed him away just yet. A few chapters in to this book I'm like fuck you Chaol! I stopped hating him toward the end of the book because he was not being a prick anymore, thank the gods (a very QoS like term). 

So we come to Manon Blackbeack. I love her so much. Is she a bloodthirsty witch that will kill a human without second thought because she can? Yeah. So? Though she is Wing Leader, based on her interactions in the last book, especially with Abraxos, we all know shes NOT her grandmother. So that's good. But happens when a crippled little human walks into her life? Well... you'll have to see for yourself.

The plot line to this book is so thick I could slice it with a knife. Sarah J. Maas is just a amazing as she weaves her story and captures us in it. But we willingly go. I won't say there are necessarily any huge plot twists in this book, but there is some really good information that he find out. This information puts us closer and closer to finding out how things are going to play out for our Assassin Queen and her court. 

If you haven't read the book, read it. If you haven't started the series, start it, like now. If you read this too and feel the same way, let me know below!

TBR Read-a-thon and a Very Mini (and red) Book Haul!!

So I felt like popping into Barnes and Noble yesterday to see what would catch my eye (besides everything). And this is what I got:

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

and

Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Now.......

TBR Challenge Time!

9/14/2015-9/27/2015 I will be participating in the Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon hosted by Wishful Endings

For this read-a-thon I'm going to try to be very realistic. so I plan on only reading up to 4 books. So no homework for me! Just kidding I want a job in the future.

 Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas               

This is my current read at the moment. I will take Monday September 14- Thursday September 17th to finish this.

Snail's Castle by Mark Gordon                                                               

This is an ARC I received for an upcoming book tour I am to participate in (more details to come). I will be reading this from Friday September 18th- Monday September 21st.

 Cinder by Marissa Meyer                                                             

I plan on reading this book from Tuesday September 22nd- Thursday September 24th. I will be doing this as a buddy read with my best friend :)

 Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi                                                        This is what I plan to be my reach book, in case I run over on some of the other books that I have. I want to read this book from Friday September 25th- Sunday September 27th. If that does not work out I want to be done with it by Wednesday September 30th.

Feature and Follow #2

This is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

This week's question: Undiscovered talent- tell us about a book you loved but no one seems to have heard of it. It can be new or old, any genre. Suggested by Becky's Barmy Book Blog

I immediately had a series come into my mind. The Cold Fury trilogy by T.M. Goeglein 

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure 

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob). 

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives. 

Living in Chicago my whole life and loving my city proudly, I picked it up without a second thought after seeing the setting. Goeglein came up with such an interesting concept that I found refreshing. And let's be honest, a girl learning how to work her way through a mob is pretty awesome.

Let me know what you think and leave your links below!

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas Review

Rating: 5/5 stars

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.

This book is amazing.

Okay now that I've gotten that out of the way. 

Sarah J. Maas has done it again! This book is quite the journey, literally and figuratively. Celaena has just traveled over the seas to Wendlyn on a job. But what the king does not realize is that this is the worst place he could have sent her, in his favor at least.

Our favorite assassin has to face something she hasn't had to in ten years whether she likes it or not. For he time being, she cannot be Adarlan's Assassin or the King's Champion. She must be Aelin Galathynius. The heir to a once mighty and peaceful kingdom. Enter Rowan

Prince Rowan Whitethorn, the fierce warrior sworn to Queen Maeve of the Fae. A centuries old Fae that does not want to be bothered with spoiled Celaena and her mouth. He is given the duty of making sure that Aelin knows how to use her power properly. Now when Rowan is first introduced and you spend time with him, he is an asshole. But at the same time I understand he was put into a position he did not want to be in. So yet another book with intense training sessions.

Oh but this was so much more. Because Rowan pushed her to physical, emotional, and mental limits, even when he did not realize it. 

In Celaena's mind she has lost everyone there is to care for, whether it is through death or through betrayal. She is at an all time low, if that is even possible. We get to explore some more of her scarred past and we learn about events she'd rather die than relive. Which she ends up doing.

The king has some real twisted shit in his mind. Of course we know he is practically trying to conquer everything. Okay that's fine, but he i one of the most cut throat and evil people I have ever read about! You never how much or how little he actually knows, and that is the scary part. He has plans to cover all of his bases, and they are definitely twisted.

One of these plans include Manon Blackbeak. She is an Ironteeth witch much like Baba Yellowlegs, just rival clans. Though she is a ruthless witch, who is going to aid the King in bringing about misery in the lands, I cannot help but really like her. She is different in some way than the rest of her kind, especially from her wretched grandmother. But I cannot help but feel that even though they made a deal with the king, things will not go too well for them either.

In this book we get the chance to see the world from other eyes besides just Celaena's and it was a breath of fresh air. It was a great way for us to keep tabs on several different story lines that are all going to collide in Queen of Shadows without a doubt. Several chapter had me on the edge of my seat, not being able to wait getting to the next page or even paragraph. Toward the end, everything picks up and is flying by with such speed! The revelations! The feels! And so many things happen....

Read it. just read it. It is so worth it.

Waiting on Wednesday

Happy hump day! This is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it spotlights any upcoming releases you are excited for

This Week:

The Rose and the Dagger

by Renee Ahdieh

Release date: May 3, 2016

 (unfortunately the cover has not been released yet)

I LOVED the Wrath and the Dawn and I really do not want to wait so long before it comes out!
On the plus side it comes out a couple days before my birthday, so I know what I want!

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Have Yet to Finish

This is hosted by The Broke and Bookish

This week's topic is Series You Have Yet to Finish

Don't Intend on Finishing:
Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare

Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth

Need Series by Carrie Jones

Reading Currently:
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor

Covenant Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout


Will Continue Later:
Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

Revenant Series by Amy Plum

Cold Fury Trilogy by T.M. Goeglein

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Feature and Follow

This is a great way to make friends, gain followers, and visit other blogs. Because this is a blog hop, the purpose is to follow others and be followed in return

The Feature and Follow is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

I prefer G+/GFC and Twitter followers

Goodreads and Email is great too!

Question of the Week:

Name a movie you would have loved to read as a book (that is not one already)

Suggested by Go Book Yourself

I would have LOOOVVEEDDDD to read Moulin Rouge if it were a book. This has been one of my all time favorite movies since about 6th grade. Yeah the book would be pretty depressing but heyyy I read books all the time that I know will make me roll over and cry, so why not?

Sidenote: I really wanted to do the How to Train Your Dragon movies but as I was typing I remembered, IT'S A CHILDREN'S BOOK DAMN IT ALL!

Leave your link in the comments so I can follow you back!

ARC Update

Happy Wednesday! I just wanted to give you all an update and tell you about the ARCs I have received, so when the reviews come out, you'll have a little bit of background
Most of these authors found my blog through Goodreads and then contacted me for reviews

 

Azurite: Daughter of the Mountain book 1

Megan Dent Nagle

Zora Winnser is the last princess of Samaria, but even though she is the only heir to the Winnser bloodline, she will never rule the Samarian throne. Zora is a baseborn, a child born out of wedlock to Queen Evangeline whose disdain for her illegitimate daughter festers with every passing day. 
Zora’s unfortunate birth status is not the only thing that makes her different. She is also a Chimera, a human whose blood is mixed with a sorcerer's-only the Samarian princess doesn’t know it. 
When Zora is sixteen, Queen Evangeline decides to marry her off to the Prince of a foreign land infested by dark swamplands. Unbeknownst to Zora, Samaria faces threats from both inside and outside its borders. There is something in Samaria that the race of sorcerers want: azurite crystal mined from underneath Samaria’s mountains. Queen Evangeline is more than willing to give it to them, but at what cost? As Samaria enters into a war they cannot win, loyalties will be tested and all faith in Queen Evangeline will be lost. The only hope in combating Samaria’s bleak future rests in the hands of a traitorous group of Evangeline’s advisors. With the help of other allies in the Realm, those loyal to Zora set out retrieve her from exile so she can take her rightful place as Queen and save the future of Samaria

Boost: A Haunted Addiction #1

D.A. Paul

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.

The Snail's Castle

Mark Gordon

Jake Milson wants one thing and one thing only--to win the coveted and prestigious Hollingshead Scholarship to do postgraduate work at Oxford. He intends to travel to England with his girlfriend, Rebecca. But a problem arises. Professor Gregory Percival keeps getting in his way. During Jake's struggle with Percival, the lives of Jake, Rebecca, Percival and Percival's wife, Margaret, intertwine. The novel, with its unexpected twists, draws you into the inner lives of its many captivating characters. It is a story of ambition, love, lust and revenge set against the backdrop of romantic Montreal in the early 1960's. 

To Nowhere

C.E. Wilson

A world no one would believe.

From the moment Lyris is treated to coffee by a beautiful stranger, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever. In her enthusiasm to start at a new school with a new boyfriend, Lyris is almost able to look past his oddities.

Almost.

The way he eyes up her striking red hair.

The way he loves that she’s seventeen. “The perfect age.”

And the way he’s gone from all but begging to show her a specific room in a specific house to making her swear never to even think about it again.

When Lyris doesn't take his strange warnings seriously, she finds that nothing could have prepared her for what lay behind that door.

Suddenly, Lyris finds herself in a world no one would believe. A world where she’s only a few inches tall and giants aren’t creatures from fairy tales. Where humans are no longer the dominant race, but pets auctioned off to the highest bidder. Lyris understands the true danger of such a place, but there seems to be one person on her side.

Her kind and surprised captor.

And while Brindt appears to be sweet and trustworthy, he also straddles the line between seeing her as an equal and a cute animal.

Lyris has to get home… before the one person can turn to becomes the one person who can’t let her go.

August Wrap Up + September TBR

Another month has come and gone and its time for me to pile even more books into my TBR lists

Books I finished in August:

So because of moving back to school, and life in general, I did not get very many books done at all. And its terrible. But I really enjoyed bother of these books and plan on continuing them soon.

 Book I'm currently reading:

I wanted to be done with this before Queen of Shadows came out! But mine just shipped today so I still have a few days before I have the book! :)

September TBR:

(Drum Roll Please)

 Finally it's here!!! Even though I haven't finished HoF, I'm still excited!

I'm also excited to get all of my buttons for pre-ordering it a few weeks ago. So everyone on my campus will know the wonderfulness that is Throne of Glass .

No more countdown widget :/

Considering Winter is coming out this year and I've always wanted to read this series, why not now?! I got it in a book haul a week or so ago. So my best friend and I have decided to buddy read it, so I will probably have to go back and forth between this and Queen of Shadows

I am so excited for this book! I feel like I will love this

I haven't read anything of Leigh Bardugo's yet, but I plan on reading the Grisha series soon

Another book I meant to read in August, but oops. In my mind, as long as I'm on the second book by the time the TV series starts, I'll be ahead. also, I love this cover. Who are we kidding I love the covers of the entire trilogy.