Ohana Reads: Kristen Orlando

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

January Wrap Up 2017!

January was good, January was really good. In the last months, I'd been on hiatus because of the stress of my University classes. This month I started a new bunch of classes, with a lighter load, as well as classes that actually interest me. It's safe to say that this course load is just what I needed.

I said I'd do two things last month, one was try to get motivated to blog again, and the other was to start a TBR pile for the month, and try to get through them all. One of the two was successful, unfortunately it wasn't the blogging part. I ended up being able to read practically all of the books I had added to my TBR but, in the end I just couldn't review them. I'm still going to work on that, especially when it comes to other blog posts too. For now I'm just going to keep up with all all the reading I've been doing, and hope that I can stick with that as well!

In the last month I was able to participate in two bookish events, one being my Winnipeg Blogger Groups' Secret Santa party, and the other being an IndigoTeen Hangout. Both were amazing, but I mean, I got to hang out with the same set of friends both times, so they were bound to be great. My Secret Santa, Sarah from Just Another Story, was SUPER AMAZING and got me an ARC of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, and The Throne of Glass Covering Book, so you can tell that I am over the moon excited. Then at the IndigoTeen Hangout I was lucky enough to have won an ARC of 100 Hours by Rachel Vincent, and Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee. Both events were fantastic, and so much fun, from bookish trivia to just discussing books. I love my group of bookish ladies, and can't wait to see them again next month!

Outside of the bookish world, my friends and I did a fancy dinner night at one of my favourite restaurants. We all dressed up in some of our nicest outfits, and literally just went out for dinner. It was a lot of fun just dressing up, and going out. I can't wait to do it again sometime in the future. (Please enjoy our lovely selfie.)

And finally, the last two weeks, and still going, I've been sick. Everyone has been getting sick recently, and I guess it was just my turn. This time around has been a bit worse than usual, especially since my asthma kicks in whenever I get a cold, but I've been slowly getting better, so hopefully that goes away soon.

That was my January 2017! I'd say that it was a good start off to the year, if you completely ignore the fact that Trump is the president of the United States anyway. Anyways, here are the stats for this month!

P.S. You guys have to go see A Dogs Purpose, it was such a beautiful movie, and I honestly can't stop tearing up when I think about the movie. It was also actually filmed maybe 15 minutes away from my home, the diner that the characters go to is actually a favourite place for me to go eat in the summer! So definitely make time to go see it!

That was the month! February is usually a super busy month for my family and I, so we'll have to see what's in store for us. I know that I've already got a bunch of things planned, like our late Staff Christmas Party, a Book Signing, and my 19th Birthday Party! So already, I know that'll be a lot of fun, until next time!

Monday, January 9, 2017

Blog Tour: You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

Hello and welcome to the You Don't Know My Name Blog Tour! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Raincoast Books a few months ago, and couldn't put it down! Today you will be able to read my review of the book, as well as enter a giveaway! I hope you guys enjoy!

Release Date: January 10th, 2017

Read: December 7th-13th, 2016

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Series: The Black Angel Chronicles, #1

Format: ARC, 320 pages

Source: Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review

Description from GoodReads:

Fighter, Faker, Student, Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan has to decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she's always wanted? And does she even have a choice at all?

Review:

Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop
Where I usually don't enjoy everyday Contemporary novels, I do enjoy Thrillers. Saying that, You Don't Know My Name caught my eye because of it being a spy novel. I grew up with Spy Kids, and my dad being the biggest fan of James Bond, so I did grow up enjoying a good spy story here and there. But when it comes to YA novels, I haven't had the chance to read many spy novels. So I was very excited to pick this one up, when I heard about it.
I thought that when going into You Don't Know My Name, our protagonist, Reagan, would already be a somewhat established spy. I got it into my head that the story would be about her already learning the ropes of how to be a Black Angel, I went into the book thinking wrongly. Reagan lives with her parents, the already spies, and trains constantly, but she doesn't really want the spy life. Although she doesn't want to let her parents down, the two pretty much already see her as a spy, all she wants is a normal life without all the running and hiding. I could really connect with Reagan as a person when it came to the decision and her parents. The panic attacks, and pressure of letting her parents down, I've been in a similar situation before, so it really hit home for me. I really loved how she overcame her fear and was able to speak her mind to her parents. Even though our parents just want what's best for us, it doesn't always mean it's the best decision for us.
I wasn't a huge fan of Luke, as a person he was fine, but what he did to Reagan just wasn't my favourite. Obviously people do things differently when they're crushing on someone, but I just couldn't get over how Reagan changed herself for him. I'm not sure if it was the authors intention on portraying it this way, but when Reagan was slowly falling for Luke, and started to show her 'real self', it felt as if she was really just changing herself for him. As someone who grew up being secretive, and having to live a certain way in order to live, you don't just forget it all for a boy, not even when you think you're just letting him get to know the real you. It felt like Reagan was completely betraying her character just to become a 'better' person for him.
As a spy book, Orlando did really well with her 'spy talk'. The language used, the terms, and the way the characters acted, all felt really authentic and spy like to me. I could really get into the story, the action and mission we got to experience was all very exciting.
You Don't Know My Name was the perfect spy book for people who are looking for a little bit of action in their lives. I can't wait to see where Kristen Orlando takes us with the Black Angels, sequel.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"The world is expecting some big things from you, Reagan Elizabeth Hillis."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Contemporary Thriller, Spies, Adventure, Action, Weapons, Training Acedemy's

Writing is one of the great loves of my life (with bacon mac and cheese, Netflix binges and PJs also

in the mix). My childhood in Columbus, Ohio was spent reading every single Baby-Sitter’s Club book ever written and acting out imaginary tragedies in my room (complete with costumes and props) until a really embarrassing age. I started writing plays for my younger cousins as soon as they were all old enough to act (The Spoiled Princess may be a personal favorite) and haven’t stopped writing since. After graduating from Kenyon College with a B.A. in English Literature, I’ve been lucky enough to make writing my career; first as a television producer, then as a marketer and now as a novelist.