Ohana Talks: Top 5 Favourite Authors.

   Since I began my obsession with reading oh so long ago, I've come to read a lot of books over that time, and with those books, I've fallen in love with so many great authors. Today I wanted to show you all, my top favourite authors. The authors that I own almost all of their books, as well as multiple editions of them. Many of them don't need any help getting their books out there, they're already big names, but I wanted to show them off to you anyway.

   I was originally just going to do my top 5, but I found that I had two authors that were tied in 5th place. So now I have 6 total.

Marisa Meyer/ Kiera Cass

   I was lucky enough to have met both Kiera and Marissa, to be completely honest, I've met all the authors on this list, expect one. I met Kiera Cass back in 2014, at YALLfest. She still remains one of the sweetest people I have met in my entire life. She adored how loved my copy of The Selection was, as well as The Selection and The Elite earrings that my sister was wearing. (That I made, hehe) I've loved her book since that one camping trip when I happened to have picked up The Selection at the library to bring along, and finished it in one day.
   I first met Marissa at BEA 2016, when I went through what you could say was A LOT of trouble to get tickets to her Heartless signing/ARC drop. I've adored her books since I first read Cinder, oh so long ago. Her Lunar Chronicles had been instant pre-orders, the minute the next book in the series was announced. 

Richelle Mead

   The Vampire Academy series was one of the first series' that I got into when I first started reading. My mom thought that because I started reading because of Twilight, that it was the vampires that sucked me in. (LOL, excuse my pun.) And so my love of Richelle Mead started. I went from reading and loving her Vampire Academy series, to her Bloodlines series, to eventually reading all her adult series' like the Dark Swan series. As of today, I've read everything but two books that Richelle has published, and I just can't wait to read her latest upcoming book, Midnight Jewel. 

Cassandra Clare

   Cassandra's City of Bones is what got me into her writing. The first trilogy of the series, The Mortal Instruments, was all released when I first picked up the series, and so I was able to read them all as a binge read. But it wasn't until I realized that she had a prequel series out as well, that I really became a fan of hers. I picked up Clockwork Angel, and read it, I believe in a week, although, Clockwork Prince is what really got me hooked. Will and Jem are who won my heart. Since then, I've read everything that connects to the Shadowhunters, and made it my mission to own all of them in hardcover. 

L. J. Smith

   The Night World series was another one of the series that got me into reading, reading it after Twilight but before Vampire Academy. I had picked up the Omnibus of the first three books, and so I was able to read them all at once. Even though the three should have lasted me a while, I had to go to the bookstore twice in the following two weeks to pick up the next two omnibus'. To this day, the series still has a place in my heart. Unfortunately it's been almost 19 years and we still don't have a conclusion to the series, but I still have hope. I even own the originally 1990's editions of the series. 

   I fell in love with the original few seasons of her Vampire Diaries TV show as well, even though it's totally different from the books. I still love them just the same. 

   She is the only one of my top five authors that I have yet to meet, I hope to change that one day.

Sarah J Maas

   I met Sarah J. Maas back at YALLfest 2014, along with Kiera Cass. At the time I had only read her Throne of Glass, which I hadn't really enjoyed. It wasn't until after that festival that I received the first ARC for her new book/series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, that she finally had me obsessed. I couldn't wait for the sequel, but since it was an ARC, I knew I had a long wait ahead. So I finally picked up the rest of the Throne of Glass series. Today, the A Court of Thorns and Roses series remains my all time favourite, and her Throne of Glass series is just a little bit below on that list.

   For her A Court of Mist and Fury tour, I was able to meet her again, but as a true fan. I was a blubbering mess, but at least I was able to see her and have my prized books signed for my collection.

   Those were my top 5,(6) all time favourite authors. Who are your favourites? What stories do you have behind those authors? What do they mean to you? I'd love to hear about your favourites!

OwlCrate Monthly Haul: June Box 2016

   Hi y'all! So today I wanted to show everyone my June box from OwlCrate! In order to not spoil anything for anyone, I decided to wait and post it a good while after most people have received theirs already.

   OwlCrate is a monthly bookish YA subscription box, which every month features a new theme. Each box features a recently released YA book, along with a few bookish goodies created specially for the box.

   This month's theme was Royalty!

This months box included: 

- Three magnetic royalty bookmarks created by Craftedvan

-A Bracelet inspired by The Lunar Chronicles by Rich Love Shoppe

- A Disney Mini Mystery Figurine by Funko

- A Red Queen Print designed by Evie Bookish

- My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand and Jodi Meadows, 

with a note written by Jodi Meadows and a paper crown.

   Everything about this book was fabulous, from the book to the bookmarks. Being as I am such a huge fan of The Lunar Chronicles and the authors of My Lady Jane, I was super excited with what came in the June box.

   Having yet read My Lady Jane, and it being close to the top of my TBR pile, I am super excited to finally have a copy!

Next months theme is: Good vs. Evil!

Stay tuned to see what is in-store for that box!

Book Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: February 2nd, 2016
Read: March 1st-2nd, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.1,  1.5, 3.1, 4.5
Format: Hardcover, 369 pages
Source: Gift

Description from GoodReads:

   The enchantment continues....

   The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

   With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

   The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.

   Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….

   The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

   Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

   The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

   After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

   The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess

   The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

   Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century... 

Review:

   Sweet Crescent Moon, up in the sky...
   I was what I believe, halfway through Winter when I'd heard of the bind up for all the Lunar Chronicles novellas. At first mention, I hadn't really thought anything of it. I had already read two of the novellas, and usually I'm not a novella fan. But when Something Old, Something New was mentioned, holy crow, I needed it. Where I adored the epilogue to Winter, Something Old, Something New was just the little extra piece that my heart needed.
   After finishing all the novellas, even rereading the ones I had already read before, I can honestly say that they were perfect for anyone whose hearts hadn't completely let go of the Lunar Chronicles world yet. From learning the backstories of some of our favourite characters, to seeing old scenes from a new set of eyes. There was a little something for everyone.
   I had two favourites when reading Star Above, those two were The Little Android and Something Old, Something New. With the Little Android we got something completely new, we got a new story, and new characters, it was a refreshing twist to the original series and wonderful to read.
   With Something Old, and Something New I just couldn't contain my excitement when reading it. Starting off 2 years after the epilogue in Winter occurred, we got to see what had happened to all of our favourite characters and what they were up too. Then as you guessed from it's title, we got to experience a wedding and oh boy did I have fun guessing whose it was. Being just as wonderful as The Little Android, Something Old, and Something New was the perfect treat for all fans of the series.
   Where I usually don't enjoy Novellas, Stars Above hit just the spot with the perfect length enriching little short stories. Stars Above is must read for all Lunar Chronicles fans.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Seeing my princess's smile when she is returned safely home is all the reward that I need." - Jacin, The Princess and the Guard.

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Retellings,  Space, Princess's, Star Wars

Book Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: November 10th, 2015
Read: January 5th-8th, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #4
Format: Hardcover, 824 pages
Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

   Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

   Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Review:

Contains Minor Spoilers:

   And the wolves all howl, aaooooooooooh...
   The Lunar Chronicles is one of my all time favourite books series, and I was sad to see it go.  Since first discovering Cinder in a magazine article in 2011, my heart has been hooked on this unforgettable series.
   The first thing I noticed when opening Winter was that Cinder and Kai were an item now, I had reread Cress before reading Winter so it was not that I had forgotten what had happened in the third book. It was that after three books of them not being together, it was an odd feeling to overcome. But oh boy, I loved the feeing so much. The same went with the other main characters, all their relationships were at a peak and perfect spot in Winter. It was joyous to see, and the heartbreak and pain that I endured for them to get a happy ending was perfect. Meyer couldn't have ended the relationships for us any better. Although I was not a huge fan of Scarlet and Wolf throughout the first books, I definitely felt a connection to them in this book, I even weeped a bit for them when they reconnected after Scarlets kidnapping. 

   Throughout Winter I had grown a connection like I said above to Scarlet and Wolf, but I also felt the same connection to Winter and Jacin. Already knowing a bit about them from reading Fairest, and from meeting Jacin again in Cress, I thought I was prepared when being introduced to them, I was waaaaaay wrong. Jacin's love for Winter knew no bounds, I was instantly in love with them. Although both their situations were terrible, they both endured everything they faced, and they did it together.
  Even if I didn't feel the same connection to both Cinder and Kai's, and Thorne and Cress' relationships in Winter, I still love where Meyer took them. The cute relationship that was Cress', and the serious relationship that was Cinders. In the end the secret moments were my favourite for Cress and Thorne, how they'd be in a dire circumstance but Throne always knew how to lighten the mood. For Cinder and Kai, when Kai found Cinder dying and the very last scene of the book were my favourite, both two totally different moods but both just as great. The tenseness and sadness from Cinders life threatening wound to Kai practically asking Cinder to be with him forever, my heart broke each time.
   With all the build up Meyer had set, I expected the final moments of the book to be intense, Meyer did not let us down, she did one better, she made every moment intense. From start of the book to the very end, it was non stop action on every page. There were moments where I'd get so involved in the story that when I looked up and inspected the book expecting to have read a huge amount of pages, but in reality I had barely made a dent. I don't even know how to explain it, it was like the book was bigger then it really was, like there were pages hidden in the book that just made it seem so much longer then it should have been.
   There were times where'd you'd forget that the story was a retelling of sorts, in moments you'd see things happen that would seem weird or a have a different turn of events but then suddenly everything would click and you'd think back to the original fairy tale and it would all make sense. Meyer had definitely planned her storyline out perfectly, incorporating so many little details that sometimes you wouldn't even notice unless you were looking for them.
   Marissa Meyer concludes the series in utter perfection, having rollercoasters of emotion on every corner, and having the story pan out exceptionally, you couldn't have asked for a better ending. Leaving my heart wanting more, Meyer made the right decision publishing Stars Above, her  bind up of all her novellas for the series, after Winter. With the never seen before novella called Something Old, Something New featuring a wedding with our beloved characters, it will be another perfect epilogue to an already perfect ending.
   Besides Stars Above releasing February 2016, Meyer's next series releases November 2016 which is certainly going to be as exceptional as The Lunar Chronicles if Winter was proof enough, hopefully I'll be able to survive that long until I get it.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

" We may be animals, but we will never again live in your cage."

" One of these days, I just want to open my eyes and see you."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Romance, Snow White

Book Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 27th, 2015
Read: December 31st, 2015 - January 1st, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5
Format: Hardcover, 220 pages
Source: Gift

Description from GoodReads:

   Mirror, mirror on the wall, 
   Who is the fairest of them all?

   Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

   Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series. 

Review:

   Here is what I think of love.
   After receiving Cress in February 2014, I thought for sure we'd get Winter the following year around the same time. Unfortunately news spread that Winter was not to be released until November, but we got Fairest as a surprise instead. At first I was a bit sceptical of Fairest, with my dislike of novellas. But after hearing that it'd be a full length book, and knowing that we'd get a good look into the life of Levana, I just knew Fairest would be a keeper.
   Villains always have a reason for being villains, Levana is no different. Tortured her whole life by her older sister, literally, she did not have any friends, and she didn't have any love from her parents. She grew up a misunderstood girl and grew to not know what love truly was.
    I think that ones view on Levana in Fairest could have gone one of two different ways, you either felt disgusted by her or pitted her. For me it was a little bit of both. To me, Levana is a broken human being. All she wanted in her life was to be love, or even acknowledged. Growing up without these things taught her to be in ways ruthless, and not learn the true meaning of everything. In the end she forced a man to love her, ruining him and his daughters lives, and attempting to murder a child for selfishness.
   Levana's life has helped me learn and understand her actions in the main books of the Lunar Chronicles, her story even helped me understand little actions that occurred in Cress. After reading Fairest, I know I'll be better off when going into Winter.
   Fairest was tense and pitiful read of the story of Levana's life, the book was definitely something I needed, even though I never knew I did. By reading Fairest you'll start to see both sides in a different light. Picking up a copy will probably be one of the best decisions you ever made.
 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"I know you bear the weight more than anyone." 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings,  Fairy Tales, Dystopian, Futuristic Worlds, Royalty, Magic

Ohana Talks: Last Read of 2015 + First Read of 2016

  Goodbye 2015 and welcome 2016! Today I wanted to talk about my last read of 2015 and my first read of 2016! When it comes to New Years I always find it neat to start a book before hand than finish  it in January! Anyhow, here are my reads!

Last Read of 2015

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 27th, 2015

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #3. 5

Format: Hardcover, 220 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

   Mirror, mirror on the wall,

   Who is the fairest of them all?

   Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

   Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

First Read of 2016

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 27th, 2015

Publisher: Square Fish

Series: The Lunar Chronicles, #3

Format: Paperback, 552 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together they're plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

   Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker; unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

   When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

   Those were my first and last reads of 2015 and 2016! What about you? What book have you been reading since last year? ;)

Waiting on Wednesday (21)

Fairest

Author: Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles

Feiwel and Friends

Expected: January 27th, 2015

Description from GoodReads:

   In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

   Mirror, mirror on the wall,

   Who is the fairest of them all?

   Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

Why I Want It:

   The Lunar Chronicles are one of my favourite book series ever, so of course I'm going to be excited for the next up coming release! It's going to be different from the rest of the series of course because it's Levana's story of how she became the way she is, but at least it'll tie all the fans over until Winter releases! 

Why You Should Want It:

   Futuristic Fairytale retellings! Imagine Cinderella, Rapunzal, Red Ridding Hood in space! If you like fairytales, robots, and space then The Lunar Chronicles is seriously a series for you!


   That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week! Will you being picking up Fairest? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!

Book Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: February 4th, 2014

Read: July 17th, 2014

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Series: The Lunar Chronicles

Format: Hardcover, 550 pages

Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

  Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

   When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Review:

I accept those odds.

   I had first seen the series in a magazine oddly enough, because I tend to never read those. The red heel on the cover of Cinder tugged and tugged at my conscience until I finally gave in and bought the book. I was astonished by the unique and unusualness of the world that is The Lunar Chronicles. Since I picked up Cinder, The Lunar Chronicles has been a must buy series. Which is how I came to read Cress.
   Cress continues almost immediately where Scarlet left off, all character in tow. Although with a new narrator, her name is Crescent or rather Cress for sort. I rather loved this character, she was young and juvenile. Which to say meant she had no experience with the world, this made for an even more astounding character. With Cress being from Luna, she had never really seen Earth. What she had seen was only from pictures on her computer. So when she had finally gotten the chance to explore Earth, she was amazed by everything. She would see the true beauty in everything around her , even the simple things that we'd taken for granted. This was my favourite quality of Cress.
   Then there was Captain Carswell Throne.  I am like Cress with that one, he is a dreamy piece of hunk. Hubba bubba! Easy to say I rooting for him out of all of the boys. Cress's obsession with Throne is adorable, Cress is a classic fangirl. She's one of us! This was another trait of Cress's that I could relate too! The fact that Throne was charming and encouraging was also adorable. You'd have thought he'd be a little creeped out at the fact that she's a little bit of a stalker aha.
   With the world, the characters and all of the adventure makes out an out of this world read! Marissa knows her stuff, I can not wait for Winter to be released! I need to know where Cinder and crew travel next!

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Maybe great, epic romances don't just happen. We have to make them ourselves.”

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Rapunzel