Showing posts with label Evelyn Skye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evelyn Skye. Show all posts

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Ohana Talks: Top 10 Favourite Reads of 2016


   I had many favourite reads of 2016, and even though we're already 22 days into 2017, I still want to  share them with you! So these are the books that I continue to find myself thinking of, every now and then, even when I had read some of them last January. Some were published in 2016, some in 2017, and some in 2015! So without further ado! 




Top 10 Favourite Reads of 2016




   And those are them! Did you guys love these guys too? Which were your favourites of 2016? I'd love to hear what those were!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Ohana Talks: Favourite Debut Authors of 2016


   Hello, hello, hello! 
   Today, on Ohana Talks, I'm going to tell you guys about my top favourite Debut authors of 2016. There were a lot of fabulous debut authors this year. Unfortunately I wasn't able to read all their books but from the year, but out of the ones I did read, here were some of my favourites! I already can't wait to read what they have next in stored for us!


Katherine McGee

HarperCollins
Released: August 30th, 2016


Description from GoodReads:


   New York City as you’ve never seen it before.

   A thousand-story tower stretching into the sky. A glittering vision of the future, where anything is possible—if you want it enough.

   Welcome to Manhattan, 2118.

   A hundred years in the future, New York is a city of innovation and dreams. But people never change: everyone here wants something…and everyone has something to lose.

   Leda Cole’s flawless exterior belies a secret addiction—to a drug she never should have tried and a boy she never should have touched.

   Eris Dodd-Radson’s beautiful, carefree life falls to pieces when a heartbreaking betrayal tears her family apart.

   Rylin Myers’s job on one of the highest floors sweeps her into a world—and a romance—she never imagined…but will her new life cost Rylin her old one?

   Watt Bakradi is a tech genius with a secret: he knows everything about everyone. But when he’s hired to spy by an upper-floor girl, he finds himself caught up in a complicated web of lies.

   And living above everyone else on the thousandth floor is Avery Fuller, the girl genetically designed to be perfect. The girl who seems to have it all—yet is tormented by the one thing she can never have.

   Amid breathtaking advancement and high-tech luxury, five teenagers struggle to find their place at the top of the world. But when you’re this high up, there’s nowhere to go but down…



Alwyn Hamilton

Viking
Released: March 8th, 2016

Description from GoodReads:


   Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic.  For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female.

   Amani Al’Hiza is all three.  She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead.

   Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.



Jessica Cluess

Random House Books for Young Readers
Released: September 20th, 2016

Description from GoodReads:


   Henrietta can burst into flames.

   Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she’s shocked when instead of being executed, she’s named the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years and invited to train as one of Her Majesty’s royal sorcerers.

   Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the prophesied one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

   But Henrietta is not the chosen one.

   As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?



Evelyn Skye

Balzer + Bray
Released: May 17th, 2016

Description from GoodReads:

   Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

   And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

  Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

   For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip-smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

   And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love…or be killed himself.

   As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear—the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.


   Those were my favourites from the year! Who were your favourite debut authors from the year? Are there any debuts that you're looking forward to next year?



Saturday, January 7, 2017

Ohana Talks: Top 5 Most Anticipated Reads of 2017

   Hi guys!

   For today, I'm going to tell you about my most anticipated reads for 2017, or well at least my top 5 so far. Of course I'm still not sure what they're going to announce later in the year for the fall, and obviously I haven't included the final Throne of Glass book (I didn't really want to bother since a title and a cover haven't been revealed yet), but I've put together my current list for you anyway. Without further ado, my top 5 anticipated reads (so far), for 2017!


North of Happy

Adi Alsaid
HarlequinTeen
Expected: April 25th, 2017


Description from GoodReads:


   Carlos Portillo has always led a privileged and sheltered life. A dual citizen of Mexico and the US, he lives in Mexico City with his wealthy family where he attends an elite international school. His friends and peers-fellow rich kids-have plans to attend college somewhere in the US or Europe and someday take over their parents' businesses. Always a rule follower and a parent pleaser, Carlos is more than happy to tread the well-worn path in front of him. He has always loved food and cooking, but his parents see it as just a hobby.

   When his older brother, Felix--who has dropped out of college to live a life of travel--is tragically killed, Carlos begins hearing his brother's voice, giving him advice and pushing him to rebel against his father's plan for him. Worrying about his mental health, but knowing the voice is right, Carlos runs away to the US and manages to secure a job with his favorite celebrity chef. As he works to improve his skills in the kitchen and pursue his dream, he begins to fall for his boss's daughter--a fact that could end his career before it begins. Finally living for himself, Carlos must decide what's most important to him and where his true path really lies. 

Traitor to the Throne

Alwyn Hamilton
Rebel of the Sands, #2
Faber & Faber
Expected: February 2nd, 2017 (For the UK Edition)


Description from GoodReads:

   This is not about blood or love. This is about treason.

   Nearly a year has passed since Amani and the rebels won their epic battle at Fahali. Amani has come into both her powers and her reputation as the Blue-Eyed Bandit, and the Rebel Prince's message has spread across the desert - and some might say out of control. But when a surprise encounter turns into a brutal kidnapping, Amani finds herself betrayed in the cruellest manner possible.

   Stripped of her powers and her identity, and torn from the man she loves, Amani must return to her desert-girl's instinct for survival. For the Sultan's palace is a dangerous one, and the harem is a viper's nest of suspicion, fear and intrigue. Just the right place for a spy to thrive... But spying is a dangerous game, and when ghosts from Amani's past emerge to haunt her, she begins to wonder if she can trust her own treacherous heart.

The Dark Calling

Kresley Cole
The Arcana Chronicles, #5
Expected: 2017


Description from GoodReads:


   N/A


The Crown's Game

Evelyn Skye
The Crown's Game, #2
Balzer + Bray
Expected: May 16th, 2017


Description from GoodReads:


   Russia is on the brink of great change. Pasha’s coronation approaches, and Vika is now the Imperial Enchanter, but the role she once coveted may be more difficult—and dangerous—than she ever expected.

   Pasha is grappling with his own problems—his legitimacy is in doubt, the girl he loves loathes him, and he believes his best friend is dead. When a challenger to the throne emerges—and with the magic in Russia growing rapidly—Pasha must do whatever it takes to keep his position and protect his kingdom.

   For Nikolai, the ending of the Crown’s Game stung deeply. Although he just managed to escape death, Nikolai remains alone, a shadow hidden in a not-quite-real world of his own creation. But when he’s given a second chance at life—tied to a dark price—Nikolai must decide just how far he’s willing to go to return to the world.

   With revolution on the rise, dangerous new magic rearing up, and a tsardom up for the taking, Vika, Nikolai, and Pasha must fight—or face the destruction of not only their world but also themselves. 


A Court of Wings and Ruin

Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3
Expected: May 2nd, 2017


Description from GoodReads:


   Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit-and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

   As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords-and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 



   And those are them! So what do you guys think? Have you guys heard of them before? Are you excited for them too? Anyways, what are you looking forward to releasing in 2017? Let me know so I can add them to my TBR pile!


Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Ohana Reads 3rd Blogiversary!

   It's been another year already, holy crap, oh how time flies when you're having fun. In the past year, so much has happened, for better or worst. I've started University, wither I like it or not, I joined more bookish things, and I overall got a lot of things done. I didn't let 2016 break me, that's for sure.

   Although a lot was accomplished, I didn't stick to some of my goals like I said I would. I didn't host any giveaways, I didn't really advertise my posts, but I did talk to bloggers and my online friends more! This year, things will definitely be different than last year, although I'm not sure if that's for the best yet.


This is my Break Down of the Year:


Over 140, 950 Total page views
208 Published Comments
384 Published Posts
My Top Series Enders of 2013 being my most viewed post...at 47, 310 views
The Ohana Reads 2nd Blogiversary Post being my most viewed post of 2016... at 731 views
59 Bloglovin Followers
14 GFC Followers
53 People have me in their Circles
895 Twitter Followers
86 Facebook likes
381 Instagram Followers

   Like every year, I say I only ever focus on a few sites in particular, and this year is no different. Twitter was definitely a priority this year, and in my mind GFC is as well, even if I don't boost it often. 
   Although it varies everyday, I'm really satisfied with my average number of pageviews per day, this year. I find that I get around 250 pageviews, roughly each day. To think that 250 people visit my blog a day, honestly just amazes me. That number sure has grown since I first started out. 
   I know I said this last year as well, but this year I think I'm really going to drop Facebook. I don't even check my blogs Facebook page anymore, and so I think that it's really time to go. I guess we'll see, what happens with that.


   Like always, the year wouldn't have been anything with out amazing friends and amazing people in general. Here are the people that made my year great. (Definitely give them a follow)


People Who Made 2016 Great:


Joy from Joyousreads

Kristie from Lost in Ever After

Sara from Just Another Story

Mari, Ola and Lauren from The Autumn Bookshelf

Brittany from Brittany's Book Rambles

and

   Like usual, Stephanie was a huge part of my year, I even got to meet her for the first time. It was the best feeling, finally being able to meet one of your best friends for the first time. Lots of tears were shed, but I honestly had the best time being able to spend a whole week with her. I love this girl, with all my heart and I can't wait to see her again soon. I love you lots girl. 



Highlights of Ohana Reads 2016:


   1. Since I first started blogging, I've encountered a few Winnipeg Bloggers to talk with online. For the first time this year I've actually had the chance to meet them all in person, and become super close with them. This group consists of Joy from Joyousreads, Kristie from Lost in Ever After, Sara from Just Another Story, Sabrina from Behind the Book Reviews, and Mari, Old and Lauren from The Autumn Bookshelf. We try to hang out at least once every month, and its become something that I look forward to. I love hanging out with these girls, and I can't wait to hang out with them more this year!

   2. This year, I was asked to become a member of MYRCA, the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. I couldn't be more excited to be apart of something that encourages young readers to read, and honestly, I get to read as a job. MYRCA has already made my life all that more fun, with getting to meet Kenneth Oppel, to just getting to meet every month and discuss Canadian Books that we love. I've only been apart of MYRCA for half a year, but I'm super excited to see where else it takes me. 

   3. In 2016, I was able to go to my second book convention. I was able to go to BEA 2016, with one of my best friends, Stephanie from Doodle's Book Review. It was sort of a last minute decision on our part, but in the end it was the best decision. Besides meeting Stephanie in person for the first time, I was also able to meet so many other book friends that I had been able to befriend online in the past few years. Obviously bringing home 80+ books was also another highlight, but just making so many memories to look back on was a favourite. Just looking back at that trip, always brings a smile to my face. Although I probably won't be able to do BEA again, anytime soon, I look forward to seeing more friends and attending more signings and conventions in the future! 


Goals for 2017:


   1.  With the end of 2016 being a little iffy for me blog wise, one of my goals for 2017 is to actually make time to plan and write posts for the blog. I love running this blog, and I don't want to give it up or let it die, so I gotta keep up with posts.

   2. I've only ever seen Ohana Reads as my own, but it's always nice to switch things up and have other people bring their ideas to the blog. For 2017, I'm going to try to have multiple guest posts on the blog. So if you're interested in maybe having a post or two on Ohana Reads, shoot me an email and I'll try to work something out!

   3.  It's not really a goal for Ohana Reads, but I want to actually write a book. I've plotted out a few already, and started little things but I'd like to actually write it this year. I'm one of the biggest procrastinators I know, so we'll see how that turns out. 



Giveaway

To celebrate another year passing, I have a giveaway for you all. The giveaway features my favourite 2016 releases that I read in 2016! Good luck!

- Ohana Reads Giveaway Policies apply. (Check out the policies page)
- Open to any country that can receive books from Book Depository!
-Price of book limited to $25 Canadian.
- Winner gets to choose from any book pictured or any book from one of the series pictured.
- Must have followed @OhanaReads on Twitter, and had Retweeted the Tweet. (I will be checking)
- Giveaway runs until February 6th, 2016.


To enter the giveaway click the link below.

ENTER GIVEAWAY.


   Thank you guys so much for all your support in the last year, I wouldn't have done it without you all! Hopefully 2017 will take it easy on us all, we sure as heck need it!

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

May Monthly Wrap Up 2016

      May was a busy and fast month compared to previous months, the beginning of the month was literally all BEA prep. Then BEA and BookCon actually took up a week of the month. Then the rest of the month consisted of catch up in school, and a lot of after school working.
   BEA was a truly amazing experience, and I am so happy to have been able to have had the chance to go, and to have been able to have met my best online friend Stephanie. I was also super lucky enough to have been able to collect roughly 80 ARCs/Books while there, so you'll see that most of my book haul is BEA books! You can read about the first few days of BEA here: Maggie Stiefvater Signing, BEA Day: 1, BEA Day: 2. If you want to know more about my adventures at BEA, then make sure to keep an eye out in the next little while, while the last of the posts go up!
   I'll probably say more about it later, but meeting Stephanie was honestly such an amazing experience for me. Leading up to BEA I was worried that there might be a chance that we wouldn't get along in person, but the minute I saw her at the airport I was just so overwhelmed, but I knew knew that I wouldn't have to worry about anything.
   And that pretty much sums up my May! And don't forget that if you'd like to know what else happened at BEA, to keep an eye out for more of my upcoming BEA posts!

   Now for the bookish stats!


Books Read:


Book Haul:

The Crown by Kiera Cass (International Paperback)
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas X2 (Signed Hardcover)(Hardcover)
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (Signed Hardcover)


Books Reviewed:



Books I'm Looking Forward to in June:


   That's May! It was a long and fast month, June will definitely be different considering I'll be graduating High School at the end of the month. So we'll see how much time I'll actually have to myself! Until then!



Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Book Review: The Crown's Game by Evenlyn Skye

Release Date: May 17th, 2016
Read: May 16th-18th, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: The Crown's Game, #1
Format: ARC, 416 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Be First Book Club



Description from GoodReads:


   Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

   And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

   Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

   For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

   And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.

   As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose. 


Review:


   Come and play with me.
   With seeing the cover everywhere, and hearing about it constantly, I thought that The Crown's Game would be WAAY too over hyped. But when hearing that my Be First Book Club would be reading The Crown's Game, I still couldn't help but be ecstatic. I'm glad that I didn't let the hype get to me, because it was everything it was said to be, and more. 
   I've never read a novel that takes place in Russia, let alone Russia 1852. The background info and culture in the novel was phenomenal, learning about both was entirely new to me and a completely unique experience. The language especially was a favourite of mine, with words like Tsar, mazurka, and kazakh. Then the little shops and roles in society, one couldn't help but fall in love. Although I did have a hard time pronouncing and reading names.
   I adored the characters as well, the innocence of Pasha, the confidence of Vika, the tenderness of Nikolai. They all had something that made them who they were, and let them stand out from the rest. I also couldn't help but be intrigued by Aizhana, her being was creepy yet exciting all at once. I can't wait to see where her character leads us later in the sequels, especially where the main characters are concerned. 
   I also enjoyed the small connections The Crown's Game had to a retelling of Cinderella. For anyone being a huge fan of that classic tale, it would be a lovely little surprise to have experienced while reading. 
   The only concern I had for the book was the closeness it had in resemblance to Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. The competition to work for the king, the romance and three main characters being so similar to Chaol, Dorian and Celaena, and having that one secret that made Vika stand out above the rest. To anyone who hasn't read that particular series yet, you will have no worries. But to someone like me who has already, you won't be able to not compare the two throughout the whole story. 
   The Crown's Game was a captivating yet quick read thats' magic pulled you in, and wouldn't let you escape. Hopefully the sequel arrives quickly, because I don't know how I'll survive the wait.

Rating:




Favourite Quote:


I am tied irretrievably to my enemy.

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, High Fantasy, Russia, Kingdoms, Magic



Saturday, April 30, 2016

April Monthly Wrap Up 2016


   Hello everyone! April is over, and it is finally time for May flowers! I couldn't be more excited for
May! A few sort weeks ago I very last minutely signed up to attend BEA 2016 and BookCon, and oh my gosh that's coming up so fast. I guess that's what happens when you plan a trip last minute right?
   Along with attending BEA and BookCon, I will also be at the Maggie Stiefvater signing on the 10th, as well as the Sarah J Maas signing on the 14th! If you see me at all, feel free to come and say hi!I promise that I'm super friendly and would love to meet you! And if you're a blogger then, hopefully I'll be seeing you at the Blogger Dinner?
   When it's come to packing I am honestly so stumped on what to pack book wise! Because I'm flying in I'll have a few restrictions, including a weight one. So bringing books from home to get signed, as well as picking up new books at BEA will be a struggle. So far all I know is that I need my ARC of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas to be signed.
  here. Next months book club book is The Crowns Game by Evelyn Skye! I'm been dying to read this one for a while now, and I couldn't be happier to finally get the chance!
   Besides planning for BEA, April was a more relaxing month. The only other things that happened was a Be First Book Club meeting and a signing for Colleen Nelson, that you can read about
   That's all for this month! Expect TONS for next month, I'm sure that I'm going to be rambling on about BEA for a long time!
   Now for the stats!



Books Read:




Book Haul:

 A huge thank you for McNally Robinson and Raincoast Publishing for two of the lovely pictures posted above! 

Books Reviewed:




May Books That I'm Excited For:



   That's it for this month! What new books did you pick up this month? What were some great books that you read? Let me know in the comments! I'm always in need of a new book to add to my TBR pile!