Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Book Review: Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Release Date: October 20th, 2015
Read: October 14th- 17th, 2015
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Series: Wolf by Wolf, #1
Format: ARC, 400 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Two Thumbs Up Program




Description from GoodReads:


   The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule the world. To commemorate their Great Victory over Britain and Russia, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor's ball.

   Yael, who escaped from a death camp, has one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin's brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael's every move. But as Yael begins to get closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission?


Review:

   
   Tomorrow will not be forgiving.
   I did not expect much when I first heard of Wolf by Wolf, sure I had heard a bunch of bloggers rave on about it, but with a WWII theme I just didn't really picture the fantasy hint to it. To be honest, I pictured a Book Thief feel. So I was sure surprised, and very intrigued when I actually started the book. I'm glad McNally Robinson had this one for me!
   I loved the plot of the book, the race to end Hitler. Yael was the perfect character to pull it off, fuelled by vengeance and the power to do so, I couldn't get enough of her. With the way the story was  written we were able to experience Yael's life in the present as well as the past, I enjoyed this immensely because we got to hear what each of her wolf tattoos meant and the story behind them. With my mini obsession of tattoos, it satisfied a small craving of mine. 
   With Yael being undercover, I could always feel myself screaming in my head going, "TELL THEM THE TRUTH." I guess you could say I could never work undercover. Either way, a situation like that would put an enormous amount of pressure on a person, and it was good to see Yael feel that pressure in the story. It was shown in the way she acted, and I'm glad it was because we are only human, little indications like those are what connected me to the character.  
   Felix and Luka were my favourite, I knew where I should have stood with both of them even though I really didn't stand there. I loved the characteristics of Felix, how he was so caring and just wanted what was best for his sister, especially after their brother, he acted the way I would for my sisters. But I would constantly be aggravated at him because I thought he would mess everything up on multiple occasions. Then for Luka, I knew never to trust him but I couldn't help but want him to be with Adele/Yael. I was on a fence for both of them.
   Finally the race, I loved the description and layout of the map. No adventure doesn't go without it's disadvantages and struggles, like the sandstorms and landslide. I'm glad Graudin incorporated them into the story, it wouldn't have felt legitimate without them. The only thing I wished was different was how we didn't really learn much about the bikes, with Felix there you'd think we'd have had learnt more about them considering he was a mechanic. For someone who doesn't know anything about motorcycles, I didn't really know what to picture.
   Wolf by Wolf was full of raw emotions, and an adventure of a lifetime that left us desperately needing to know what happens next. Hopefully the sequel doesn't take too long to release, because I'm going to need it yesterday!
   

Spoiler:
   I have a theory for the sequel, I think Aaron-Klasu actually killed the Führer when he tried to assassinate him. But like the retaliation said, because the kill wasn't really shown they were able to pull off replacing him with a skinshifer.  So that's who Yael killed. If my theory is true then the troubles for the sequel shouldn't be as bad, but knowing Graudin that won't be the case.


Rating:






Favourite Quote:


"Sometimes people have to die to make things better."


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Motorcycles 




Monday, October 19, 2015

Book Blitz: Gabriel by Nikki Kelly


   Hello amazing people who have stumbled onto my blog! Welcome to the Gabriel Book Blitz! Today you're in luck, I have for you an interview with Nikki Kelly, herself! And a giveaway for a matching set of Hardcovers of Lailah and Gabriel! Good luck, and I hope you check out this series!


Gabriel by Nikki Kelly


Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friendss 
Series: The Styclar Saga, #2
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   The handsome Angel from Lailah gets center stage in this continuation of Wattpad sensation Nikki Kelly’s romantic and action-packed series about mortals, vampires, and angels.

   Gabriel is an Angel Descendant. He's also an ally to a generation of vampires who want to break away from the demon who controls them. His faith in the power of good over evil wavers, however, when he discovers that Lailah, the woman he considers his only true love, may be both angel and demon. Is their love enough to overcome the dark forces who are ready to go to war with Gabriel, the vampire Jonah, and the angel and vampire forces? And can Gabriel compete with Jonah, who is also in love with Lailah?

   Once again, Nikki Kelly looks deeply into the heart and soul of good and evil to create a romantic, action-packed reading adventure.





What did you do on your research trip to France? 

   Mainly, I visited all the locations used in the book! I also spent some time writing while I was there of course! I think the nicest thing about my research trip was that I ended up using my Auntie and Uncle's barn conversion as a base for the property our gang find themselves staying in! Everything in the story form the barn, the village itself and various locations (including the snowy mountains) are completely real - you could even go and visit them all yourself!



Was the writing process for Gabriel a lot different than Lailah? 

   The writing process for GABRIEL was shorter, because this time around I was writing full time! But the actual 'writing' part was much the same. I start with a premise, have an idea in my head of the beginning/ the ending/ a specific character etc etc. and start writing! I only ever do rough outlines, it's all pretty much in my head, which is another reason why I have often said I feel like this story was implanted in my brain sometimes and I am the mere mortal who gets to put pen on paper to bring it to life!



What can we expect from Gabriel (the novel) ? 

   Gosh, A LOT! The story picks up right where it left off, and continues to be told form Lailah's POV - The main cast are back, but we get to meet some lush new ones too! I am still a great fan of the twist - suffice to say, just when you think you know, really you have no idea! ;) Oh, and also, did I mention... #NoMercy ;)



Would you say that you’re similar to Lailah in any way? 

   Naturally, Lailah and I have a few of the same traits, I think every character in my stories have a little something piece of me, whether intention or not! But I think we can all relate to Lailah's plight, I think most of us go through a time in our lives where we are working out who we are and making choices that carve out who we ultimately end up becoming.



What are you currently reading? 

   I have a new baby, so my hands are a little tied at the moment! But I can tell you what I will be reading next *grabby hands* Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo !!!



Any advice for aspiring authors? 

   If you have a story to tell, don't stop until it's told... and Never.Ever.Give.Up



How much of your personal experience is tied into this series? 

   A very large percent! A good example — In GABRIEL Ruadhan tells Lailah 'You only fail, if you never try.' That is the very advice my Mom gave me, and one of the reasons I am living my dream today... I think it all goes back to that great advice you hear again and again about writing - about writing what you know. So in this case, for example, I know very well the true meaning and the importance of that message...  Even down to the mythology in the story -- it's all based loosely on my own belief system (you'll see plenty more of that in Book2 and especially in Book3)


Check out the rest of the series!


Lailah by Nilki Kelly


Release Date: October 7th, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends 
Series: The Styclar Saga, #1
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.

   On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.

   In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?

   Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.


   NIKKI KELLY was born and raised only minutes away from the chocolately scent of Cadbury World in Birmingham, England. Lailah was first launched to Wattpad, an online readers and writers community. Within six months, the novel had over one million reads. Lailah is Nikki’s debut novel, and the first book in The Styclar Saga. She lives in London with her husband and their dogs, Alfie (a pug) and Goose (a Chihuahua).

   LAILAH is my debut novel, and first launched in serial form to wattpad, a readers & writers community. Within just 6months, LAILAH had over a million reads and thousands of comments and votes.

   Since then, The Styclar Saga has gone on to pick up a traditional deal with Feiwel & Friends, and LAILAH, the first book in the series is due for release on October 7th 2014.

   These days I spend my time balancing my amazing job of writing fantasy fiction, with my other, very important role of Chocolate Connoisseur. I like to multitask and do the two together. It makes me happy.




   Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think of the series!




Saturday, October 17, 2015

Book Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Release Date:  October 20th, 2015
Read: July 29th- August 18th, 2015
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series: The Illuminae Files, #1
Format: ARC, 608 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Two Thumbs Up Program



Description from GoodReads:


   This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

   This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

   The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

  But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

   Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.


Review:


   Am I not merciful?
   After BEA 2014, Illuminae was all the rage. Everyone needed their hands on the ARC, the same went with the hardcover ARC that was released a few months later. It was the latest book craze, so when I found a copy while picking up my latest book to review from McNally Robinson, I died a little bit inside. I could not wait to read it.
  When I first started reading Illuminae I was mesmerized by the beautiful pages and the uniqueness of the way it was written. I couldn't stop staring at the pages and continuously flipping through them. It was definitely a new experience, reading Illuminae.
   Unfortunately the beauty of the pages were not enough to keep me entertained throughout the book. I found the story itself to be bland and not have anything special about it, and at times I found the characters to be a bit ridiculous. While the story could be interesting at times, the only thing I found special about Illuminae was the way it was printed.
   Illuminae may not have been for me, but like I said above it was a unique experience and so I hope everyone will give Illuminae a try. 

Rating:



Favourite Quote:


"If I breathed, I would sigh. I would scream. I would cry."


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Space, Space Travel, Robots



Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday: (50)

Shallow Graves 

Kali Wallace
Katherine Tegan Books
Expected: January 26th, 2016


Description from GoodReads:


   For fans of Holly Black and Nova Ren Suma, a gripping, hauntingly atmospheric novel about murder, revenge, and a world where monsters—human and otherwise—lurk at the fringes.

   When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous.

   Tense, complex, and wholly engaging, Shallow Graves is a stunning first novel from Kali Wallace. 


Why I Want It:


   If I woke up a year after my death, to find out I was murdered I think I'd freak the heck out and go on a rampage, then to find you you have a power? 
   Death, murder, cults and mysteries, honestly I just think this book will be a must read. 


   What are you waiting on this week? Will you be picking up Shallow Graves? Let me know what you're waiting on in the comments! 


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Ohana Talks: Top 10 2015 Releases I Meant to Read but Haven't


  2015 is almost over and there are still so many books I have yet to read, including a rather large list of 2015 releases. Because of the large list, I've decided to put together a post with my top 10 that I've been looking forward to! So today I'm going to tell you about my top 10 releases of the year, that I haven't read yet but meant too!  

Red Queen 

Victoria Aveyard
HarperTeen
Red Queen Trilogy, #1
Published: February 10th, 2015

Description from GoodReads:


   This is a world divided by blood - red or silver.

   The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

   That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

   Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

   But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart...


   There was a lot of word about Red Queen before it was released, so much word that everyone was completely pumped within a month and dying to read it. I was one of those people, and even though months have passed I'm not dying to read it as much as I was in January, I'd still like to read it. 


The Wrath & The Dawn

Renne Ahdieh
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
The Wrath & The Dawn, #1
Published: May 12th, 2105


Description from GoodReads:


   One Life to One Dawn.

   In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad's dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph's reign of terror once and for all.

   Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she'd imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It's an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid's life as retribution for the many lives he's stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?


   Who doesn't want an Aladdin retelling? That is what drawer me in!


The Last Time We Say Goodbye

Cynthia Hand
Harper Teem
Published: February 10th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   There's death all around us.
   We just don't pay attention.
   Until we do.

   The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

   Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

   As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

   Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.


   I adored Cynthia Hand's other series, Unearthly, so when I heard of this one I just knew I was going to love it!


The Stars Never Rise

Rachel Vincent
Delacorte Press
The Stars Never Rise, #1
Published: June 9th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

   When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

   To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

   Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

   The Stars Never Rise was another one of those books that I adored the authors other works, I've read all of Rachel Vincent's books except her recent releases from this year. That is going to change, starting with this one!


All the Bright Places

Jennifer Niven
Knof
Published: January 6th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
 
   Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
 
   When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.
 

   Every person that I know that's read All the Bright Places has cried, so I've felt like I need a good cry. So All the Bright Places is my go to for that! 


Insidious

Dawn Metcalf
HarlequinTeen
The Twixt, #3
Published: August 25th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   True evil is rarely obvious. It is quiet, patient. 

   Insidious. 

   Awaiting the perfect moment to strike. 

   Joy Malone finally knows who she is, where she comes from and how to live in two worlds at once. And now she can introduce her family and friends to her mysterious boyfriend, Indelible Ink. But when Ink's twin sister, Invisible Inq, calls in a favor, Joy must accept a dangerous mission to find a forgotten door between worlds—a door hiding a secret that some will kill to keep. 

   Unseen enemies, treasonous magic and an unthinkable betrayal threaten both the Twixt and human worlds as Joy races to expose an ancient conspiracy and unleash the unalterable truth—some secrets cannot remain secret forever. 


   After the ending in Invisible I'd just like to see more of that happy ending we got! 


An Ember in the Ashes

Sabaa Tahir
Razorbill
An Ember in the Ashes, #1
Published: April 18th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   Laia is a slave. 

   Elias is a soldier. 

   Neither is free.

   Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

   It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

   But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

   There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.


   This was another one of those books that everyone was hyped for, so I obviously I became hyped too!


Every Last Breath

Jennifer L. Armentrout
HarlequinTeen
The Dark Elements, #3
Published: July 28th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

   Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

   Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

   Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell… 


   This one I have a reason for not reading yet, the first two books are some of my all time favourite books but with the publishing house being bought over it caused a few problems. So by not reading Every Last Breath I'm low-key protesting the cover change and the height change. I will eventually read it though, once I get over my little protest.


Fairest

Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends
The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5
Published: 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. 


   The only reason I haven't read this one yet is because I'd like to buy it and read it, and I just haven't gotten a chance at buying it yet!


Dead of Winter

Kresley Cole
Simon & Schuster for Young Readers
The Arcana Chronicles, #3
Published: January 6th, 2015


Description from GoodReads:


   Can Evie convince her rival loves to work together? Their survival depends on it in this third book of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole’s Arcana Chronicles, a nonstop action tale of rescue, redemption, and a revenge most wicked.

   Heartbreaking decisions 
   Evie was almost seduced by the life of comfort that Death offered her—until Jack was threatened by two of the most horrific Arcana, the Lovers. She will do anything to save him, even escape Death’s uncanny prison, full of beautiful objects, material comforts…and stolen glances from a former love.

   Uncertain victory 
   Despite leaving a part of her heart behind with Death, Evie sets out into a perilous post-apocalyptic wasteland to meet up with her allies and launch an attack on the Lovers. Such formidable enemies require a battle plan, and the only way to kill them may mean Evie, Jack, and Death allying. Evie doesn’t know what will prove more impossible: surviving slavers, plague, Bagmen and other Arcana—or convincing Jack and Death to work together.

   Two heroes returned 
   There’s a thin line between love and hate, and Evie just doesn’t know where she stands with either Jack or Death. Will this unlikely trio be able to defeat The Lovers without killing one another first...?


  My sister and I actually bought Dead of Winter together but she read it before me, and now she's obsessed and won't give it up! I'll eventually get it from her to read, but for now I'm out of luck!



   Those are the 2015 releases I haven't gotten a chance at reading yet! What about you? Are there any 2015 releases you haven't gotten a chance to read yet?