Ohana Reads

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Talon

Author: Julie Kagawa

Series: Talon #1
Harlequin Teen

Expected: October 28th, 2014

Description from GoodReads:

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.

Why I Want It:

I've been a huge fan of Julie Kagawa since her Iron Fey series since a little after The Iron Knight came out. When her Blood of Eden series came out, I was just so out of my mind excited that I rushed to the library to pick up a copy! I feel the exact same way about Talon! There has been so much hype about this book for months, I've just so many good things about it that I will most likely rush to Chapters as soon as the doors open on the 28th.

Why You Should Want It:

Dragons as well as Julie's writing. I love the way Julie's writing just pulls you in when you read one of her books. Her books make you feel as if they were written just for you. Dragons are another prime factor in wanting this book. Why are dragons important? BECAUSE THEY'RE DRAGONS.

That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week, what are you waiting on? Will you be picking up Talon on October 28th? Let me know in the comments!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Book Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Release Date: November 18th, 2008

Read: August 17, 2014

Publisher: Mira

Series: Study #1

Format: Paperback, 416 pages

Source: Bought.

Description from GoodReads:

Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.

As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear..

Review:

Contains Minor Spoiler:

Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder.
I had first found Poison Study in a local used book store by my High School that I often visit. Almost all of Maria's Chronicles of Ixia series was there, with all the covers being so pretty and the summery's sounding so interesting I just and to pick up the first copy. It was shortly after that my blogger friends started to fangirl over it on Twitter, it was then that I knew I had made the right choice in buying the book.
I instantly captivated by Poison Study from the moment I read the summery. A food tester? That was new to me. I enjoyed the thought of becoming a master of the poisons. While Yelena learnt to master poisons, she was still under the control of them as well. Yalek, the poisons master, sure had found a brilliant way of making sure prisoners stay.
No matter how strong Yalek or any of the other characters were, I found Yelena the strongest. She was an orphan who was abused, tortured and raped but yet she stood tall. The message about rape in this book was a strong one, besides the fact that she killed her rapist, Yelena showed readers that a woman shouldn't have to lay down and let a man do whatever he wants with her. Woman have as much right to be respected as men do, she even showed us that a woman can stand up for herself. I very much enjoyed Yelena as a character and can't wait to see more of her in the next novels.
Poison Study enchanting read and I look forward to Magic Study, the sequel to The Chronicles of Ixia series and the Study series by Maria V. Snyder.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

“You have slipped under my skin, invaded my blood, and seized my heart. You have poisoned me.” ~ Valek

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure, Sci Fi, High Fantasy, Mystery

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Snow Like Ashes

Author: Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes #1

Expected: October 14th, 2014

Description from GoodReads:

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Why I Want it:

So many of my blogger friends have said this book was out of this world amazing! With so much hype on my social media feeds and with so many friends talking about it's no wonder I'm intrigued to read it!

Why You Should Want it:

Each land is named after a season, whaaaaat? I know right? Along with teenage romance, saving lives, and living in a land of Winter, this book is a must have!

That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week, what are you waiting on? Will you be picking up Snow Like Ashes on October 14th? Let me know in the comments!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Book Review: If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

Reads: April 15th, 2013

Publishing: Harper Teen

Series: Revenants #3

Format: ARC paperback, 405 pages

Source: Won from GoodReads

Description from GoodReads:

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

Review:

Contains Spoilers:

I've been with this series since I picked up Die for Me from the library, to having it in my hand when school got rough. This series has given me smiles, and it's given me tears. I will forever love and remember The Revenants. Love you Kate and Vincent <3

I had tons of ideas for what i thought would happen in If I Should Die. Like A Numa wanting to be good, Kate dying, Kate actually being the Champion. I was glad when they did happen! But I pictured it a WAAAY different way. In the book I felt a little distant. I had re-read the other two books before I read this one so that I would remember everything that had happened in the previous books. In the book I loved everything until they suggested to make a body for Vincent then fly to New York. I felt no need for that. Amy could have just kept Vincent alive and trapped in the castle.

Another thing I felt strongly about is when Jules just got up and left. She could have done a better job at resolving that problem. Unless Amy plans on writing a prequel series about Jules, That maybe continues from the novella. She could have just got one of the girls from the fight to fall in love with. A good idea for a Prequel though, maybe have it in Jules point of view while living in New York and maybe he could fall in love with one of Kates old friends:) There is also one more thing. I felt it needed a better ending. Maybe have it go a year in the futre or maybe 100 just to show that there love is still strong, and so that we could see what happened after the war to everyone else and what happened. I know I'm being very critial here, but also maybe more of a dramatic conclusion for the people who died?

But it is Amys work, so she can do as she pleases with it. I was just glad that I was picked as an advance reader. Amy your books were a work of art and I am privileged to read them.

This review was written before my blogger days.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Feelings change with time - or at least pain lessens with time; I know that from experience.” ~ Kate

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Ghosts, Urban Fantasy, Paris

Friday, October 3, 2014

Book Blitz: Lailah by Nikki Kelly

Hey everyone!

Welcome to the Lailah Book Blitz, hosted by The Book Bratz! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Lailah. I hope you will too!

Lailah by Nikki Kelly

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

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.

Pre-Order Today!

"An extraordinarily imaginative look into the realms of good, evil, and all that comes in between. Lailah will have you gripped until the very end." -Brittany, Please Feed the Bookworm

“Lailah: Original. Swoonworthy. Captivating. Lailah will make you have all the FEELS, and you’ll find yourself flailing for Book #2, Gabriel!” -Andrew, Endlessly Reading

“Lailah is a fast-paced read that will keep you hooked from cover to cover." -Jess, The Book Bratz

“Lailah is paranormal romance like you have never read before. With its hauntingly beautiful writing it will have you craving for more!” -Dana, Dana Square

“AHHHHHHHH! (in a good way)” - Ri, Hiver & Café

“Dark. Sexy. Intriguing. Filled with twists and turns and set on a beautiful backdrop, Lailah is sure to enchant and haunt you from the start.” -Rachel, A Perfection Called Books

Styclar Street Team!

The Styclar Street Team is essentially bloggers and readers who are fans of the story, and wish to declare and spread their love for Styclar!

MEMBERS
Want to become a member of the Styclar Street Team? We'd love to have you!

If you've read Lailah, enjoyed the story, and want to get involved, simply take a selfie with your copy of the book, and tweet it with the following hashtag: #StyclarStreetTeam

Be sure to also email the photo direct to Nikki — nikki@thestyclarsaga.com and your awesome selfie will be uploaded to the Street Team page of The Styclar Saga website! (www.thestyclarsaga.com)

Check out the page to grab buttons for your site, find out about how you can participate in the latest spreading the Styclar word activities' and enter special giveaways!

Nikki's going on the Fierce Reads Tour in October! Want to meet her? Check out the stops here: http://fiercereads.com/

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).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you end up picking up a copy of Lailah!

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

The Blood of Olympus

Author: Rick Riordan

The Heroes of Olympus

Expected: October 7th, 2014

Description from GoodReads:

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

Why I Want it:

I've loved Percy Jackson since 2010 when I was in grade 6, he was one of the first books that started my love for reading. I can't wait to finally see the end to his beloved story, I hope not too many people die.

Why You Should Want it:

Percy Jackson and friends are perfect for people who aren't big fans of reading, his story is hilarious , adventurous and a blast to read about. It's also a perfect blend of Greek and Roman for fans of both mythologies. You won't believe how much you learn about the different myth's in this series. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, young and old!

That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week, what are you waiting on this week?Will you be picking up Blood of Olympus on October 7th? Let me know in the comments!

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September Wrap Up!

This month many things happened for me! First of all school had started up again, and I couldn't be happier to see my friends again. On the down side my Math class is a totally pain in my butt, but oh well that's life for you.

Bookish wise, YALLFest is little over a month away and I am working my book off to collect enough money and books for the trip. You could say I'm a little bit excited.

Diamonds in the Rough comes out this month! Soon enough everyone will be able to own a book with my name in it, just the thought makes me giddy.

Lastly for this bookish month, I finally sent out my first ARC requests. Guess what?! I already got my first request in the mail, I got Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano.

When I first started blogging I had heard multiple times that publishing's don't consider you a serious blogger until 3 things happened. One, you post multiple times a week. Two, you have over 100 blog followers or a good amount of page views each month. Three, your blog must be over 6 months old. So having Simon and Schuster accept my request makes me feel like I'm serious blogger now, and that's all I really wanted.
Something that I'm also very excited about that's not really bookish but exciting, is Halloween! I have nothing official yet about what I want to be, but I have a few ideas. What about you guys? What are you guys planning? Let me know here or on Twitter!

Now for the bookish stats!