Guest Review: Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Release Date: June 27th, 2017
Read: October 2017
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Series: The Conqueror's Saga, #2
Format: ARC, 471 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   She has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself.

   After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada Dracul is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

   What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

   As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won…and souls will be lost.

Review:

   No one will be more ruthless
   Like the previous book, this one serves up a lot of drama, deep questions, and make-or-break decisions. It leaves you constantly wondering and complaining about choices the characters have made. And that makes it so good. It's not often that a book leaves me questioning and hoping for a character's safety and joy.

  And I do love each and every character, good or bad. They are all well-developed, and always show a little bit of humanity, no matter how evil their actions are. Lada is by far my favourite. She is ruthless but doesn't require forgiveness. Her storyline in this book is, in my opinion, more interesting.

  The whole book reads like a young adult, and less complicated Game of Thrones. I could not wait until the next chapter from either Lada or Radu's perspective, and I cannot wait until the next book.

Rating:

Book Review: The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones

Release Date: August 8th, 2017
Read: August 10th-15th, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 400 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   When Dee Moreno makes a deal with a demon—her heart in exchange for an escape from a disastrous home life—she finds the trade may have been more than she bargained for. And becoming “heartless” is only the beginning. What lies ahead is a nightmare far bigger, far more monstrous than anything she could have ever imagined.

   With reality turned on its head, Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer. And as something grows between them amid an otherworldy ordeal, Dee begins to wonder: Can she give someone her heart when it’s no longer hers to give?

Review:

Contains Minor Spoilers:

   Cold hands, cold heart.

   The idea of a world where you can sell limbs and other body parts to demons in order to get wishes fascinated me. The idea really reminded me of the show Supernatural, and its crossroads demons and hell hounds. Since I really enjoyed the first few seasons of the show, I decided to give The Hearts We Sold a try.

   Emily Lloyd-Jones' writing was fairly addicting, the pages just flew by when reading the book. Although as much as the writing was addicting, the story itself was not what I was expecting. I wanted a story about people making wishes and just their lives with their missing limbs and granted wishes. But of course it ended up becoming an alien, save the world book. The storyline we got didn't feel right with the synopsis.

   One thing I enjoyed about the little heartless group was that they all had their reasons for selling their hearts. It was neat to get little breaks from the main plot line to get a quick chapter from each of the characters. In particular I really loved Cal's story, the brainiac kid who traded his heart so that his grandfather could have one. Being a huge supporter of organ donation, I couldn't help but love his story.

   Overal The Hearts We Sold was a quick, sweet read that I'd recommend to anyone looking for something fast, with no commitment and is craving a good old fashion YA paranormal read.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Stars die, worlds die with them."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Demons, Aliens

Book Review: Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

Release Date: September 12th, 2017
Read: August 27th-30th, 2017
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Series: Fallen Isles Trilogy, #1
Format: ARC, 485 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   Before

   Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the peace treaty named after her, an agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

   But Mira never felt perfect. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

   After

   Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit—the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

   No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles—and herself—before her very world begins to collapse.

Review:

   I was a girl again. Shivering. In the dark. In the soundless void. Alone. 

   I never finished Jodi Meadow's first series, Newsoul. There was something about it that in the end, that just did not hook my attention enough to go out and pick up that last book. But then I gave My Lady Jane a try, a book cowritten by Jodi Meadows, and I completely adored it. Thus, obviously proving that I needed to give Jodi Meadows another try, this time with Before She Ignites.

   Before starting the book, I thought I was getting into a book solely focused on dragons and magic. In the end that is what I got, although not in the way I imagined it. Before She Ignites is a fantasy novel that is focused on politics. The book referred a lot to how the 7 islands were ruled, and how the people lived their lives. With saying this, the story took great care in showing us the political corruption of the islands. I couldn't help but compare Before She Ignites' political mentions to the problems with politics that the US is facing today. I also couldn't help but think that this aspect became such an important part of the book, in hope of having readers question the designs happening around them, and try to make a change.

   For most of the book, our protagonist was locked up in a cell, because of this it felt as if a whole lot of pointless things happened. The book itself was fairly large, but with all that occurred in the novel, it's almost as if the book could have been cut in half, cutting out all the pointlessness. I understand why Mira was locked up, and the role that the prison played in furthering the plot but I feel as if the prison could have been a part of the novel rather than the whole thing. I hope that in the upcoming novels more things happen rather than being stuck in one spot again.

   I couldn't help but love the dragons in the book, I found it fascinating how many dragon types there were and how the society honoured them. This aspect of the novel really reminded me of the movie How to Train your Dragon. I really look forward to seeing what Jodi Meadows does with the dragons in the next book of the series.

   Before She Ignites was not what I was expecting, and it really surprised me how the story turned out. I did not end up loving the story, but I do intend on reading the sequel in the future. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"I wanted freedom in the same way I wanted my next breath: an unspoken but constant desire."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons, Politics, Magic, Chosen Ones

Book Review: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Release Date: September 5th, 2017
Read: October 9th-16th, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 384 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure and to live a lifetime in a single day.

Review:

   Do it up

   My friends were the ones to convince me to give Adam Silvera another chance. Back in January I had picked up History is All You Left Me, and it was one of the most depressing things I had ever read, and so I DNF'd it at 40% through the book. I had heard that his previous book had also been the same way, and that this one was guaranteed to be the same. So I put the thought of reading They Both Die at the End away, and continued on. That is until my friends promised that this would be the one I enjoyed, and so I gave Adam another try.

   After basically having read two Adam Silvera books, I've determined that his books usually contain two things; lost of death and grief, and a LGBTQ+ character/romance.

   Adam's stories are not for the faint of heart, they really get you hard with your emotions and make you think of what would happen to you and those you love when you die. That's basically the state I was in for the entirety of the book, I could not stop thinking about what would happen to everything when I died. It even got to the point where I brought it up as a dinner time conversation. I think the book was really important lesson when it comes to living your best life. Throughout the book we saw through the perspective of a bunch of different characters and the state that they were in before they died, they either went out with a bang or with regret. Unlike the people in the novel, we don't get to know when we die. Because of this, we never know if the day could be our last or not. I think the lesson of the book is to try and make every day count, and I'm hoping that lesson sticks with me.

   From the two books I've read, LGBTQ+ characters are the second piece that continues to make an appearance. In books now a days, throwing in a LGBTQ+ character or two is becoming a common thing. I love how it's becoming a norm, that we don't even think twice about it anymore. I love how it's become a constant in his books, and so I want to thank Adam for doing so. The world needs more LGBTQ+ books for people to finally have characters that they can relate to.

   They Both Die at the End was an emotional rollercoaster, filled with french toast, skydiving and so much more. I'm glad I gave this one a chance, I really did enjoy different aspects of the book. So I look forward to seeing what Adam Silvera publishes next. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"You may be born into a family, but you walk into friendships. Some you'll discover you should put behind you. Others are worth the risk."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Contemporary, Dealing with grief, Dealing with death, Bucket Lists

Book Review: Hunting Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Release Date: September 19th, 2017
Read: August 24th-26th, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper, #2
Format: ARC, 434 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

   But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again. 

Review:

   Catch me if I fall, all right?

   I really wanted to love this book, the same went with the first in the series, Stalking Jack the Ripper.  I had so much hope, only to be disappointed.

  I read Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula back to back, and honestly, that was way too much for me. The writing was easy enough to read, the way Kerri Maniscalco would describe things was phenomenal. It was super intriguing to learn and read about how morticians do their work, especially during the time the series takes place. My only problem with her writing was that it was insanely predictable. You could tell who Jack the Ripper was so easily, and it made the protagonist look as if she was daft. It didn't help that her character was just annoying in the first place.

   I couldn't stand Audrey Rose, she has got to be one of the most annoying characters I've ever read about. All her actions, and views on thing were just so all over the place. She was constantly jumping to conclusions, thus making the worst out of a situation. If I counted, I probably groaned at least 300 times when reading about something that involved her character.

   All that aside, the historical aspects of the story were amazing. Had I not read Hunting Prince Dracula, I would have never known about the secret society involved with Dracula or about the secret passages of death that resided in the castle. If you were able to put aside everything else I said above, then you are definitely in for a treat with the historical aspects of the novel.

   Hunting Prince Dracula was certainly not for me, between my hate of the protagonist and the predicability of the plot, I do not see myself picking up any more of the sequels in the future.

    

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"The world is neither kind nor is it cruel. It simply exists. We have the ability to view it however we choose."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy: 

Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Horror, Sherlock Holmes, Romance

Book Review: North of Happy by Adi Alsaid

Release Date: April 25ht, 2017
Read: August 6-9th, 2017
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   His whole life has been mapped out for him…

   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. 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 United States 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.

Review:

   What a world.

   As most of you know, I am the biggest Adi Alsaid fan. I own all his books, and am always impatient for his next latest and greatest. It was no different with North of Happy.

   One thing I learned right away from North of Happy, was that I was going to be constantly hungry while reading the book. The book is about Carlos, a kid with a love of cooking and food. With saying this, you get a lot of different recipes that keep popping up while you read, the same with at the beginning of each chapter. The book starts out with a recipe to start off each chapter, so you get somewhat of an idea of what each character is eating and of what you suddenly want to eat. One thing I didn't enjoy about the book was that the recipes were not whole/complete recipes, so you were left wondering how to actually make the dish.

   There are a lot of times when in YA when the character does and acts a completely different way than teens do in real life, by them being the "outcast" or "stood out from the others". North of Happy actually has realistic characters. Carlos and his friends did things that I would have done right before going into University, drinking after work, hanging out late into the night, making the mistake of choosing one thing over another, heck, I still do all of that. It was refreshing to actually be able to relate to a character for the first time in a long time.

   Finally, I really enjoyed how the novel showed how Carlos got over his grief. Grief never goes away, you just have to learn how to live with it, and that's exactly what Carlos did. The grief was always a constant in the novel, and how Carlos eventually came to terms with it. It was all nicely written and I couldn't have done it better myself.

   North of Happy has quickly become one of my favourite contemporary novels, and like always, I can't wait to see what Adi Alsaid has in store for us next. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Plain Omelet: 3 eggs, who the fuck knows?"

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Food, Grief, Being hungry while reading

Blog Tour: Invictus by Ryan Graudin

   Hello and welcome to the Invictus Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours! I am so happy to be apart of the tour, and an not wait to introduce you to the book! I'm a huge fan of Ryan Graudin and I hope you will be too! Today I have for you my review of the book as well as a giveaway, I hope you enjoy!

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Release Date: September 26th, 2017

Read: September 20th-28th, 2017

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Series: Standalone

Format: ARC, 464 pages

Source: Publisher in exchange for honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   Time flies when you're plundering history.

   Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 

   But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

Review:

   Make a wish. Make it count.

   Three years ago I received a copy of Wolf by Wolf and could not put it down. It was full of action, adventure and mystery. Since then Ryan Graudin has become an instant buy for me, Invictus was one of those buys.

   I couldn't help but fall in love with the story of the time keeper and gladiator. The small bits we got at the beginning of the novel and at the end just weren't enough to satisfy me. I honestly could have read an entire book about the two of them, if Ryan announced a book tomorrow about the two of them I'd be the first one to pre-order.

   I found Invictus to be a little different when it came to the romance aspect of the novel. Most of the time the main characters will find love at some point in the novel, but in this case Far was already in a relationship when we met him. The developing romance were more focused on the secondary characters, and I couldn't have been happier about that. Everything about the romances in the novel were exceptional, they weren't the main focus of the novel, and they weren't anything but innocent and fun. I found their relationships rather fun to read.

   The story itself was exciting to read, I loved that they were able to time travel to whenever they wanted just because of the bargain they made. I understood how and why Far failed his exam, but I couldn't help but wonder what the story would have been like if he had passed. That's another book I would gladly read, an actual story about a time keeper going through time recording things. If she just wrote the story about Far's mom and the gladiator, and how she records time I would be so happy.

   Time traveling pirates, that's what I was expecting from Invictus. The description of the book tells us about a time traveling team who steals artifacts from historic events, oh and the captain just happens to be the product of a roman gladiator and a time traveling time keeper. Even with not particularly enjoying time travel, the premise sounded perfect. Unfortunately after reading the book I feel like the synopsis of the book did not suit the overall story that took place in the novel. In fact I feel like it put your heart in a different direction than what actually happens in the novel. Or at least, that's how it was for me.

   Invictus ended up being something completely different than what I initially expected, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. I can not wait to see what Ryan Graudin has in store for us next! Hopefully it'll be the story of his mom.... just saying.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Are you you without your memories? If not, who do you become?"

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Time Travel, Saving the world, Villains turned hero, alternative universes, Guardians of the Galaxy

Ryan Graudin grew up in Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Creative Writing in 2009. She is the author of All That Glows and The Walled City. She resides near Charleston with her husband and wolf-dog. You can find her online at www.ryangraudin.com. 

3 winners will receive a finished copy of INVICTUS, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Week One:

9/25/2017- Mary Had a Little Book Blog- Review

9/26/2017- The Petite Book Blogger- Review

9/27/2017- Seeing Double In Neverland- Review

9/28/2017- Mom with a Reading Problem- Review

9/29/2017- That Book Gal- Review

Week Two:

10/2/2017- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review

10/3/2017- The Book Nut- Review

10/4/2017- Omg Books and More Books- Review

10/5/2017- Wonderland Novels- Review

10/6/2017- Ohana Reads- Review