Showing posts with label Fierce Reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fierce Reads. Show all posts

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Book Review: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

Release Date: February 25, 2020
Read: October 20-22th, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 336 pages
Source: McNally Robinson


Description from GoodReads:
Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.


But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Book Review: Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

Release Date: February 26th, 2019
Read: February 8-10th, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 336 pages
Source: McNally Robinson



Description from GoodReads:


How do you kill a god?

As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Book Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: November 8th, 2016
Read: November 5-7th, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Series: Standalone
Format: Signed ARC, 449 pages
Source: BEA 2016





Description from GoodReads:


   Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

   At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.


   Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans. 

Review:


   Sometimes your heart is the only thing worth listening to.
   Marissa Meyer has been one of my favourite authors since Cinder first released, oh so long ago. When I finished Winter last year, I had thought that the wait for a new Meyer book would be a long one, but then Heartless was announced. At first I was a little bit skeptical, I'm not the biggest fan of Alice in Wonderland, but when I heard that it was going to be a retelling from the Villain or rather, the Queen of Hearts point of view, I knew I was a goner.
   Like most people I thought I was going to have to wait until November 2016 to read the book, but fortunately for me, and 5 hours of wasted time waiting in lines, I was able to get an ARC at BEA 2016. So I was able to read the book earlier, although not that much earlier.
   The book was a treat filled dream, Catherine, our main character was a baker, a baker with a dream of one day owning a bakery with her friend. From just saying that, you can expect treats galore in Heartless, you can also expect to be hungry the whole time you read it. Meyer described each of the treats perfectly to the point where I was constantly felt the need to be baking.
   Catherine was also just like your average villain, someone wanting the best for themselves but have it ruined for them. In Catherine's case, she was just born into the wrong family, thus having to follow the responsibilities that came with her family. It also didn't help that her parents didn't understand her at all, and what they thought was best for her, was really what was breaking her. At times it got to the point where you couldn't help but pity her.
   Overall for me the book was fabulous, the minute I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Heartless was the perfect blend of sanity and insanity for when it comes to Wonderland, an insane treat filled Wonderland. I would recommend Heartless to anyone who is a fan of Alice in Wonderland or of Marissa Meyer, because in the end, it was definitely worth the 5 hour wait in line. 

Rating:


Favourite Quote:


It is a dangerous thing to unbelieve something only because it frightens you.

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Alice in Wonderland,  Villains, Pastries, Magic, Pumpkins



Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Book Blitz: Public Enemies by Ann Aguirre

Public Enemies - RWB - banner  

   We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Ann Aguirre's PUBLIC ENEMIES!! PUBLIC ENEMIES is a Young Adult Paranormal novel filled with horror and suspense and is a part of Ann Aguirre’s Immortal Game Trilogy, published by Macmillan. Grab your copy today!! And don't miss MORTAL DANGER, book 1 in this awesome trilogy!

Public Enemies - coverPublic Enemies by Ann Aguirre


Release Date: August 4th, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: Immortal Game, #2
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   In Book 2 of the Immortal Game trilogy, Edie must learn the rules of the game . . . and then play better than anyone else.

   Through a Faustian bargain, Edie Kramer has been pulled into the dangerous world of the Immortal Game, where belief makes your nightmares real. Hungry for sport, fears-made-flesh are always raising the stakes. To them, human lives are less than nothing, just pieces on a board.

   Because of her boyfriend Kian's sacrifice, she's operating under the mysterious Harbinger's aegis, but his patronage could prove as fatal as the opposition. Raw from deepest loss, she's terrified over the deal Kian made for her. Though her very public enemies keep sending foot soldiers--mercenary monsters committed to her destruction--she's not the one playing under a doom clock. Kian has six months...unless Edie can save him. And this is a game she can't bear to lose.





   “Better?” he asked.
   “A little. How long have we been here?”
   “I’m not sure. But probably not as long as you think.”
   “More of the Harbinger’s tricks?” I tugged at my clothes, only to notice that they’d shifted back at some point. So… was I wrong before? Am I wearing the same dress? The constant unreality might wreck my brain.
   “Mostly. I think.”
   The Harbinger stopped his bizarre frolicking to clap his hands, and the sound rang out like thunder, much louder than anyone else could achieve with two palms. “We have one final diversion before the feast is ended. Shall I show you?”
   Like before, the mob practically destroyed the ballroom with enthusiasm. By then, numbness had taken over; I could only exist in a state of abject terror for so long. Along with everyone else, I watched as two giant amorphous moth-beasts dragged someone up onto the dais. At first glance, I thought it was a girl but when the person rolled over, I realized it was a boy, probably fourteen or so, and small for his age. Definitely human, unless this was the best illusion ever. His terror was palpable, and it made the immortals nearby stir with avid anticipation.
   “Delicious,” something with sharp teeth hissed.
   The boy came up onto his knees, resting delicate hands on the floor before him in a posture of defeat so abject that I took a step forward. Bruises ringed his throat and his wrists, and what he had on could barely be called clothes; the shirt was torn in three places and the pants had frayed until they hit his knees, revealing filthy calves and feet that were sliced up as if he was routinely forced to walk across broken glass. On his right hand, two of the fingers were bent at unnatural angles, either broken now, or they had been, then they healed badly afterward.
   “Kian…” I whispered. “I don’t like where this is going.”
   “This one has a most impressive survival instinct,” the Harbinger said, indicating the cowering boy with a flourish. “He’s been my favorite pet for some time. But his luck might run out today. Shall we find out?”
   The audience rumbled in agreement, and the room changed. I had no explanation for it, but suddenly it seemed as if we’d moved from the ballroom entirely. We were standing outside an arena now with a blood-stained pit below. Bones littered the floor of it, along with broken weapons. Snarls came from the sublevel, enough to chill my blood.
   “Time for a bit of fun,” the Harbinger said.
   Before I knew what I planned to do, I broke away from Kian. He reached for me but I wasn’t stopping. I’d been passive for too long, waiting and hoping that things would get better. It was time for me to fight, even if I didn’t know how. Yeah, there might be fallout, but the Harbinger had to protect me, right? Even if I interfered with his grisly show.
   Scared didn’t cover how I felt just then. This is a death match, a gladiator fight, and you’ve never even played Mortal Kombat. You don’t know shit about knives or swords or whatever. You’re probably going to lose. Horribly. 
   But I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I stood by and watched.
   When I climbed up on the stage, the Harbinger was a statue, lightning eyes flashing astonishment and displeasure. But he held still and waited for me to play my card. Maybe Dwyer was right, and I’d end up broken if I participated in their game. I only knew that I was sick and tired of being moved on the board.



And don’t miss the previous books in the Immortal Game Trilogy!



Mortal Danger - CoverMortal Danger by Ann Aguirre


Release Date: August 4th, 2015
Publisher: Square Fish
Series: Immortal Rules, #1
Format: Paperback, 400 pages


Description from GoodReads:


   Revenge is a dish best served cold.

   In Ann Aguirre's Mortal Danger, Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn’t imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She’s not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he’s impossible to forget. 

   In one short summer, her entire life changes and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly . . . bad things are happening. It’s a head rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil’s bargains, she isn’t sure who—or what—she can trust. Not even her own mind.



Author Photo      About Ann Aguirre: Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.        





 


   I just picked up the first book a few days ago! I'm excited to give it a read! 







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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Book Blitz: Gabriel by Nikki Kelly



Hey Y'all!

   Welcome to the Gabriel Book Blitz!
   Today I have for you an exclusive interview with the fabulous author, Nikki Kelly herself! I hope you enjoy!


Gabriel by Nikki Kelly


Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Series: The Styclar Saga #2
Format: Hardcover, 352 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.



   




Will we get a peek at Styclar Plena in the current action of the book or are we doomed to just hear about from Gabriel's memories only?


Lol doomed you say?! I can tell you exclusively, here in this interview, that in Book3 we get to go to to third dimension, and the first dimension (Styclar-Plena) in the current action of the book ;)


I need a sneak peak! What's going to happen with Jonah? *waves #TeamJonah flag*


...Now that would be telling ;) You can, however, get a sneak peek through the Gabriel cover reveal blog tour, where I shared 6 excerpts form Book2: http://www.thestyclarsaga.com/blog-tour/


Can you describe this second book in a tweet? (140 characters)


Just when you think you know... you have no idea ;) #TheStyclarSaga #GABRIEL #NoMercy


Best gif that describes Jonah and another for Gabriel?





How much of Jonah will we see in Gabriel?


Plenty, I promise! ;) The second book may be titled GABRIEL, but it is told from Lailah's POV. The reason the book is called GABRIEL is because there is a focus on what becomes of Gabriel's 'soul' if you will. Take my word for it though, Jonah gets plenty of 'screen time' ;)


If you were FORCED (hahahahha) to help Gabriel or Jonah train to be lifeguards, who would you choose?? Obviously they will only be wearing red speedos. ;)


Sadly, I wouldn't be able to help either train to be a lifeguard as my ability in water is non-existant... That said... *has idea!* I could quite easily throw myself in and begin to drown (because that would require no acting on my part what so ever) and then they would have to jump in and save me... In fact, I think that's exactly what we should do, that way we also get to see both of the boys in red speedos.. because #HellsYes !


In 10 words or less, what can we expect from Gabriel?


A definite need to *fist pump and plenty of *face palming!

(Okay, I know that was 11, but it was close!)


What's the ONE thing about the series that you'd like readers to know that they don't know already? : )


There are elements of my own life weaved through the story telling of the entire series. When I say I gave a part of myself to these novels, I wasn't joking!


What inspired you to mix vampires and angels together?


   I wanted to tell a story about light and dark, good and evil if you will, and how things are never quite what they seem....To do this for the saga, I borrowed a little here and there from my own belief system, and I was able to create new worlds and beings, but utilize existing belief or myth on which to base them. For example, the two worlds the beings emerged from were based on the concept of Heaven and Hell. I then spun that into something else entirely. I took the myths about vampires and angels etc. and tried to demonstrate how, through storytelling and game of telephone, the idea of what they are has become quite different from the truth – the truth of course being the reality of things in my books! If you want to tell a story about light and dark, preconceived notions and perception, what two better candidates than Gabriel and Jonah, an Angel and a Vampire in which to explore those very themes!


What was the most challenging part of writing Gabriel?


Lailah picks her ship! That was not an easy thing to pen! **eep**


Lailah was such a successful start to this series, people seemed to really love it! Did that make you feel additional pressure to ensure the sequel was just as good?


When people express their love for your story it always adds to the pressure of making sure you get it right, not just for your characters, not just for you, but for the reader. But there will always be instances where the reader doesn't agree with something that happens as the journey progresses, for example which ship makes it out the port! ;) I always keep the readers in mind, but ultimately I have to be true and honest to the characters and their story, even if it means that sometimes people want to throw things at you! So yes, I guess the prospect of twitter bombs being slung my way adds to the pressure!


If you had a chance to re-live your life, what would you have done differently?


Not a single thing. Every shelf I ever stacked, every customer I ever served, every diary I ever organised... in fact, every minute of every day, all the laughs and all the tears led me tohere—and here is the most wonderful place. There is a very fine balance between having ambition and gumption to go out and make your dreams a reality, trying to find the 'good times' if you like, and being able to see and know exactly when you are in them! I'm in them now.


If a celebrity was going to play Gabriel, who would it be and why?


Alex Pettyfer for sure because he's a very talented English actor... yada, yada, yada... Okay people, lets keep it real #LeSwoon .. #NuffSaid


If you had to pick ONE song that either represents you or your books, what song would you pick? (You can totally pick one for you and one for your books if you want!)


For Styclar— Imagine Dragons:Demons For me—Boyzone:Words


Where did Gabriel and jonah come from? Any real life influences?


Gabriel and Jonah both possess qualities form my own bea :) He was a little more like Jonah when I met him (I was 16) and he's a little more like Gabriel now, but when I ask nicely he will still, from time to time, point his collar up ;)


ALSO, What do you love most about Jonah?


He's a bit rough around the edges, but give him a polish and he shines likes a diamond :)


And in case you haven't read Lailah yet. . . . 



Lailah by Nikki Kelly


Release Date: October
Publisher: Feiwel and 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.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads | Wattpad | Youtube





   Thanks for stopping by! I hope you decide to give the series a try!


Sunday, February 22, 2015

Book Review: Lailah by Nikki Kelly

Lailah by Nikki Kelly


Release Date: October 7th, 2014
Read: February 16-19th, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: The Styclar Saga #1
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Source: Gift



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.


Review:


   I lost you to darkness. You disappeared.
   When ARCs came out for Lailah, the book became all the rage on Twitter. No one could stop talking about it. So obviously I needed to get a copy and see what the commotion was about, but time went by and it was released (October) and I had't gotten a copy yet. I got myself a copy for Christmas, and was finally able to read it. Sadly, unlike my Twitter friends Lailah was not for me.
   Everything bout this book frustrated me, the story, the characters, everything. I can't even explain it, I would constantly role my eyes at everything the characters did, said or thought. The characters were just plain ridiculous to me, there was supposed to be a love triangle in this book but I could not even see a romantic connection between any of the characters. Besides Hanora's obvious interest and Lailah's past memories nothing should have been viewed as romantic.
   The story also felt like it had a bunch of holes in it, the way everything was put together, why the characters went to the places they did, along with a bunch of what I thought was obvious problems. One upside I felt about the book was that even with everything I said above, the book still made you want to finish it.
   I had high hopes for Lailah, considering it was one of my most anticipated books of Fall 2014. As much as I really wanted to love Lailah, I just couldn't because like I said, it just frustrated me too much.


Rating:

Favourite Quote:


   " Much like the road, I was far from living; I merely existed." ~ Lailah


Recommend to People Who Enjoy:


Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Supernatural, Vampires, Angels, Demons, Heaven, Hell