Ohana Reads: January 2016

Sunday, January 31, 2016

January Monthly Wrap Up 2016

January was a busy month for me, starting up at school again after break, exams, my first Be First Book Club, plus working on the side. Not to mention my Blogiverary! So like I said, it's been busy!

After three exams, I was finally able to relax and read Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys for the McNally Robinson Be First Book Club. I was super excited to be able to join and participate in the group with my sister, because quite often we don't have many book related events in my city, so when we do have something I get to geek out with all the other new people that I get to meet! If you'd like to learn more about my Be First Book Club experience then feel free to check out my post about it here.

I got my first ever OwlCrate! After having heard about OwlCrate online, EVERYWHERE, my mom decided to get me the January box for Christmas. So it finally arrived and I was in AW! In the box was a Hermione Granger Pop Figure from Funko, Book Swag designed by Evie Seo, a white chocolate Patronus lip balm made specially by @geekfirelabs, Worlds of Ink and Shadows by Lena Coakley, a note from the author, and paper dolls specially made to go with the book! The box itself and everything inside of it was gorgeous! I can't wait to read the book!

I also finally Skyped with my Gummy Bear Crew for the first time ever, and when I say that, I

mean all of us! (Well mostly, everyone. We were missing one important person!) We did a Secret Santa and we all finally opened our presents! It was a great time!

And that sums up my month of January! Hopefully February won't be as busy, but knowing the past years that probably won't happen!

Now for the bookish stats

That's it for this month! How was your month? Do anything special? Fun? I'd love to know!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Book Review: Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

Release Date: February 2nd, 2016
Read: January 19th-21st, 2016
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: N/A
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Source: McNally Robinson/ Two Thumbs Up Program

Description from GoodReads:

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.

Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.

But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now.

Review:

People with secrets can't hold them forever.
I first encountered Revenge and the Wild when Epic Reads released the cover, back when who knows when. The description had me intrigued, and the cover was fabulous. As usual people started to get ARCs, and I unfortunately did not. McNally Robinson once again came to my rescue.
I had a sense of deja-vu when reading Revenge and the Wild, it was as if the book was written in the same style as books from when I first started my bookish obsession. (So roughly 2010). I felt as if I was back in 2010 again. I'm not sure if that makes sense at all, but that's what it was like for me.
Revenge and the Wild was strange mix to me, it was a mix of supernatural creatures, addictions, robotics and western historical fiction. It was a mix of a lot of things, and I don't know how that settled with me. You could definitely call this one unique.
Overall the plot was perfect, the book had me captivated throughout all of it's pages. Being Michelle Modesto's debut, I can definitely say that writing is the job for her.
Quick, entertaining and unique, Revenge and the Wild is a must read for anyone looking for something different to read.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

" Poisons were like woman, placed in beautiful packages but deadly within."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historical Fiction, Westerns, Vampires, Cannibals, Revenge

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Be First Book Club: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

As most of you know, roughly a little bit less than a year ago I discovered McNally Robinson, a local independent bookstore in my city. With more or less discovering it, I also was introduced to it's Two Thumbs Up Program, a program where they give out ARCs to reviewers who in return give an honest opinion about the book for them to post on their site. So I've been doing that for a long time now, it's pretty much where I get all my fabulous ARCs. Anyways, I was really letting you guys know about this because in the end it the person in charge let me know about their Be First Book Club. Where once a month they hold a meeting for maybe 10 readers who, roughly a month before received an ARC to read for the club. Last Thursday my sister and I went to our first meeting!

For the month of January our book was Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, it was a contemporary historical fiction. It actually connected to her debut novel, Between Shades of Grey if any of you have read that one. It was a very informational and grim read.

We went from discussing the seriousness of WW2 to the creepiness of one of the main characters. Overall it was a more serious discussion because of the topic.
Being my first meeting, I was not expecting the turn out that we got but I was impressed with the passion that the readers had for the book. I hadn't been in a large group of bookish people in a while, so it was lovely to be able to experience that love for books again.

Next month's ARC is Riders by Veronica Rossi, the meeting is going to be on the 18th of February. So expect a post a little after that date! I just know these book clubs are going to be something to look forward to each month!