Favorite Quotes

'Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods...... But even the great can tremble with fear. Even the great can Fall.

Mary E. Pearson, Kiss of Deception

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Bout of Books Wrap-up

Bout of Books

I know this is a day late, but during the weekend I was on a mini vacation with my family that lasted until today. So, I had no computer to write up this post. But on the upside I started and finished a book during the weekend, bringing my overall read books to 4. Yay!!!

--Updates--

--Saturday--
Pages Read: 103
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: None

--Sunday--
Pages Read: 85
Books Finished: Changeling by Cate Tiernan
Minutes Listened: None

--Overall--
Pages Read-1196
Books Read- 4
(Changeling by Cate Tiernan
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness)
Minutes Listened-62:54


--Goals--
1 out of 4
Read four books- Yep!

I want to comment on at least 7 blogs participating in this Read-A-Thon every day.--- Nope (I failed miserably at this one)

I want to visit at least 11 new blogs throughout the entirety of the week.--- Nope (I didn't even visit 3)

Listen to 30 minutes of an audio book every day---Nope


How did you do during this Read-A-Thon
Happy reading


Saturday, August 23, 2014

Bout of Books Update #5 & 6

Bout of Books

So, I didn't post an update for Thursday's reading because Friday I was super busy. I got a new bookshelf and I had to make it and then before I could get to putting the books on it I had to go to a birthday party. The party lasted until 10pm and I was really tired when I got back home. So, no update for Thursday and very few pages read for Friday.

--Updates--

Monday
Pages Read: 210
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: 27:40
Pages Read Overall: 210
Books Finished Overall: None
Minutes Listened Overall: 27:40

Tuesday
Pages Read: 200
Books Finished: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened: 30:70
Pages Read Overall: 410
Books Finished Overall: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


Wednesday 
Pages Read: 300
Books Finished: The One and Only Ivan
Minutes Listened: None
Pages Read Overall: 710
Books Finished Overall: The One and Only Ivan & The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


Thursday
Pages Read: 225
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: 9:41
Pages Read Overall: 935
Books Finished Overall:The One and Only Ivan & The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


Friday
Pages Read: 73
Books Finished: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter
Minutes Listened: 7:44
Pages Read Overall: 1008
Books Finished Overall: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter, The One and Only Ivan & The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 62.54

--Challenges--
Spell It Out -- Kimberly Faye Reads


Happy Reading




Thursday, August 21, 2014

Bout of Books Update #4

Bout of Books

Today is the fourth day in the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon. I had a wonderful day yesterday. I started and finished a whole book (admitting that it was a middle grade book, but a books a book). Although I didn't listen to a second of the audio book.

--Updates--

Monday
Pages Read: 210
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: 27:40
Pages Read Overall: 210
Books Finished Overall: None
Minutes Listened Overall: 27:40

Tuesday
Pages Read: 200
Books Finished: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened: 30:70
Pages Read Overall: 410
Books Finished Overall: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


Wednesday 
Pages Read: 300
Books Finished: The One and Only Ivan
Minutes Listened: None
Pages Read Overall: 710
Books Finished Overall: The One and Only Ivan & The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


--Challenges--
Like This, Try This -- Writing My Own Fairy Tale


--Like This, Try This--
Rules
1. You must recommend a book based on another book, movie, tv show, etc similar to this: “If you liked _____, you should try _____ because _____.”

2. Any genre and reading level is fine and you may use any set-up you like, so long as you’re recommending a book based on something else and explaining why.

If you Liked This...
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay


 You'll Like This..
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Because
Both  re-tellings of Beauty and the Beast so each one has a romance that develops over time and has characters. Each has characters that change for the better because of their love for the other person.



How is your read-a-thon going?
Happy reading







Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Bout of Books Update #3

Bout of Books

So, this is the third day in the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon. I am doing good so far. I finished The Knife of Never Letting Go and started The One and Only Ivan today.

There is one challenge today, but I am not doing it since I am really tired and busy.


--Updates--

Monday
Pages Read: 210
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: 27:40
Pages Read Overall: 210
Books Finished Overall: None
Minutes Listened Overall: 27:40

Tuesday
Pages Read: 200
Books Finished: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened: 30:70
Pages Read Overall: 410
Books Finished Overall: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Minutes Listened Overall: 55:10


--Challenges--
Create a Sentece -- Book Reviews from Christian Gal



How are you doing so far in the Read-A-Thon?
Happy reading



Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Bout of Books Updates #2

Bout of Books



Today was Bout of Books day Two. Yay!!
I m doing good so far. Yesterday was a great reading day and I am almost done with the Knife of Never Letting Go; I only have 40 pages left. I really hope I'll be able to finish it tonight.

I have also added a new goal to my pile of goals. I am currently trying out Audio Books. So, I want to listen to at least 30 minutes of an Audio book. The audio book I am currently in the middle of is The Secret Diary of Lizzy Bennent by Kate Rorick & Bernie Su.

--Updates--

Monday
Pages Read: 210
Books Finished: None
Minutes Listened: 27:40
Pages Read Overall: 210
Books Finished Overall: None
Minutes Listened Overall: 27:40


--Challenges--
One True Pairing- Infinite Ink
Book Spine Poetry- My Little Pocketbooks

I will only be doing the Book Spine Poetry challenge today


--Book Spine Poetry--
Rules

1.  Minimum of 3 books and no maximum.

2.  All words in title of the book go toward your poem
3.  Take a picture of your poem and type it out so we can read it.
4.  Post it to your blog, Facebook, Twitter or wherever.
5. 1 Book = 1 FREE Word

My Poem!!


House of Dark Shadows
With a
Carnival of Souls,
Gated
Against
The Kiss of Deception,
Cursed
With
Dark Triumph

Extra Words
1. With
2. A
3. Against
4. With


That's my update and my poem. How are you doing so far?
Happy reading





Monday, August 18, 2014

Bout of Books Day One Callenges

Bout of Books

Today is the first day of the Bout of Books 11.0 Read-A-Thon. Yay!!! I hope everyone is doing good so far. I'm pretty for in The KNife of Never Letting Go so I'm happy. I will be doing both challenges today and since the day isn't over I will not be posting any updates yet. 

--Challenges--
Book Scavenger Hunt-The Book Monsters
Playlist- LuLo Fangirl

--Book Scavenger Hunt--
(I own all of these books, but since my phone doesn't have any available memory for pics I wasn't able to add any)

1. A Book that begins with “B”  (for Bout of Books!)
Bright Young Things by Anna Bodbersen

2. A book that has been made into a movie/tv show
The Giver by Lois Lowry

3. A series you love
The Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa

4. An anthology of poems or short stories
Unnatural Creatures Stories Selected by Niel Gaiman

5. A book on your TBR shelf, or your full TBR shelves
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein


--Playlist--
Rules

1. Make a playlist.

2. Make a playlist centered around at least ONE of the books you plan on reading during the read-a-thon.

3. Because this is a very simple challenge, you need to have at LEAST 5 songs on your playlist. Be as specific or as vague in your selections as you wish, but have FUN with it!

Mine is for 
-The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness-

1. Runaway  -Yeah Yeah Yeahs
2. Nothing Left to Say/Rush  -Imagine Dragons
3. Fly  -Phillip Phillips
4. Everybody Wants to Rule the World  -Lorde
5. Broken Crown  -Mumford and Sons



Those are the challenges. If you're doing this how are is your reading so far?
Happy reading


Sunday, August 17, 2014

Bout of Books 11.0 Read-A-Thon Goal post

Bout of Books
This is my goal post for the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon. I almost have the whole week free. On Sunday I will be going on a trip with my family, but the whole week before that I have nothing planned except reading. So I plan on reading all day every day for the whole week. 

--Goals--
I hope to get through at least three books. I really want to read four but I'm not that confident about that goal being accomplished. 

I want to comment on at least 7 blogs participating in this Read-A-Thon every day.

I want to visit at least 11 new blogs throughout the entirety of the week. 

--Books--
I don't have four certain books I will be reading. Instead I just have a pile of 6 books to choose from.


Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Killer Frost by Jennifer Estep
Felling Kingdoms by Morgan Rodes
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The One and Only Ivan


I will be making separate posts for my updates throughout the week. 



Good luck if you're doing this Read-A-Thon to!!
Happy reading


Saturday, August 16, 2014

Review: Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Grade: 4.5 Butterflies
Series: Pushing the Limits #4
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: Hardcover 455 pages

Goodreads Summary

 Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.


I am in love with the Pushing the Limits series like so many other readers. So I of course I read this one as soon as possible. I loved this book! It was another great, touching, emotional love story that was just so cute and serious. Crash Into You is still my favorite book of this series, but this one is a very close second.

This story follows West, Rachel's brother, and a girl named Haley who has been through some tough stuff. West is in a terrible place because Rachel was just in her accident and he blames himself. By blaming himself he goes in a spiral of self-loathing about how he always fails, in his mind. Haley has a very tough life and her family can beat Rachel's for the most dysfunctional, which I didn't think was possible. Her father lost his job so they moved into her Uncle's house who is emotional abusive. Added to that is the fact that a few months earlier she was in an abusive relationship, so she is also in a very dark spot emotional and physically. This book overlaps Crash Into You. Rachel was just put into the hospital, so for most of the book it is set in the time we didn't get to see in Crash Into You.

 I loved West's and Haley's relationship, because they made each other stronger. This story, like Katie McGarry's other ones, is about coming into your own, moving past some stuff and growing stronger. West needs to figure out his life and get over thinking he is failing everyone and Haley needs to get through her emotional trauma. Both West and Haley helps the other get through their messes and were their for each other. It was just so great to read about their relationship developing and that being what helps them through their lives and/or gives them the motivation to face things and stand up for herself  themselves. They were also so cute and great together.

The characters were, as usual, great! They had a lot of depth and so much character growth in this book. Katie McGarry wrote all of them so well, she also did a fantastic job at writing the dysfunctional families. Like I said before, Haley's family was so dysfunctional and I hated almost every single one of her relatives. (Rant starting) She gave up on herself and everyone followed suit. Her father no longer stood up for his own daughter, her bother and cousin who say/said they had her back treated her awfully just because she withdrew into herself. When she started keeping to herself they got mad at her for keeping things from her and blamed her for something I didn't understand. I just got mad at them for not thinking outside of the box and saying "hey something most of happened to her for to be like this" instead of just being mad at her. And don't get me started on the Uncle. (Rant End).

One thing that annoyed me was how West would sit there and think about how his family doesn't understand him and they don't like him. This annoyed me because 'hello you have Rachel, she loves you. You have Ethan, your brother". But then I realized that he was talking more about his parents then his siblings.

Overall this was another great love story from the Pushing the Limits series. I loved it, I loved the characters, their stories, West's and Haley's relationship, I basically loved everything but how West thought of his family.
I still like Crash Into You and Rachel & Isaiah better, but this one and West & Haley are close seconds.

This book got...

4.5 Butterflies
Beautiful, this is a great book. 

Happy reading





Thursday, August 14, 2014

Review: The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima

Grade: 4 Butterflies
Series: Seven Realms #3
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: Paperback, 517 pages


Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisa ana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family as good as killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen. 

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough.

The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.





I am in love with this series so far! The first two where really great and I loved where the plot went. So, I started this one right after finishing the second and thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. All the aspects that made the first two great carried over to this one and it was such a great book!! However, there are two things that I had slight problems with.

This plot starts off right were the second one left off. Rai is making her way to the Fells after escaping from The Bayers. Han is also making his way back to the fells looking for Rai. The summary promises us that Han saves Rai and then learns her true identity. The first problem I had with this book is that it took the first 130 pages to get to this part. You had to read 130 pages so you can get beyond the summary. I hate when publishers do this! I know this isn't the writer's fault, it's the publishers, but it really hindered my reading experience.

Since the first 130 pages were from the summary it took that long for me to get into it, but once I got into it I couldn't get out of it! After the 130 page mark I just got swept into this world and it's politics! The plot was just so fast paced that I finished this after three and a half days, which is great for a 500 paged fantasy. However, looking back nothing much happened. It kept my attention, but there weren't that many significant events that happened and overall the plot felt like a set-up for the last book. I can tell you in one or two sentences all that happens in this book. This is a little weird considering how addicted I was to reading this book. Although, I will say that besides the fact that this plot felt like a set-up it didn't leave it wide open for the next one. The author just left subtle hints and clues as to what the twist and turns and the overall plot will be in the last one instead of spelling it out for us.

The characters were just as likable as before and I was rooting for Rai and Han the whole way through. I really hope though that Han's and Rai's interests keep coming together, because she has so many people who have different interests then her who try to influence her and she needs someone who will support her.

The romance was okay. I really like Han and Rai together, I think they are perfect for one another and are just cute together! However, I really wish the  last book touched more on their relationship. Their relationship really bloomed in the last one and was developed in it too, but I really wished it didn't skip over those two months they were together. I know I can't call it insta-love since they were together two months, but since it only gave us a brief overview of those months it feels like insta-love. So when they reach a bump in the road that is her reveling that she's the princess, I couldn't get behind it because it felt like insta-love. However, the troubles their relationship goes through did help make it feel less like insta-love because of the complications and the pinning for one another.

Overall I highly enjoyed reading this book! The cast of characters were just as good as before and I like how the author shows all the sides of the politics. I also like how everyone, and I mean everyone, has their own agenda and Rai has to deal with that. And while I would have liked more significant things to happen in it and the plot to feel less like a set-up I was still addicted to reading this book.

This book got...

Butterflies
Beloved, This is a really good book!
-Recommended if you like-  
The Seven Realms series
Fantasy
Magic books


Happy reading

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (51)

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'm Not Sure I Want To Read (books you may have bought but aren't sure if you are into it anymore, books you wanted to read but heard mixed things about, hyped books you aren't sure about --- basically any book that has you going, "TO READ OR NOT TO READ?"


--Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd--
I really didn't like Madman's Daughter. The only thing I liked was the creepy setting and the direction the plot took and the barely negated my dislike for the characters. Since the creepy setting is gone I don't think the plot will save the book from the characters and I heard from reviews that the characters, especially the MC, are just as annoying as they were in the first one. So, I don't know if I want to continue this series, even though I like the plot. 

--The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa--

I loved the Iron Fey series. I loved the setting, the plot, and the characters, I especially loved Meghan. When this first came out I really wanted to read it, so I could go back into this world. However, since then I've seen countless reviews where the reviews state that Ethan's resentment of Meghan makes you resent her and I don't want to resent her because then I feel like it'll ruin the Iron Fey series for me. 



--Natural Born Angel by Scott Spear--
I read Immortal City a year ago and enjoyed it. But I didn't pick this one up right away because I had no immediate urge to read it. Since then I"ve forgotten what happened in Immortal City and I don't know if I want to re-read that one before reading this one. 

--A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray--

I've tried to read this one many, many times, but I could never get past the 70 page mark. The premise sounds cool and it has great reviews, but I don't know if I want to try to read it again. 



--Eon by Alison Goodman--
This is kind of the same thing as A Great and Terrible Beauty. I DNFed this one when I first tried to read it with some intention of maybe picking it back up. Since then I've heard from reviewers that I trust that it;s a great book and I don't know if I'm going to give it another try. I still remember why I put this one down and I don't know if i've changed enough as a reader to like it. 

--Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson--

I like fairy-tale retellings. I love them. So I was really excited when this one released, but then it seemed every reviewer would mention how much of an naive idiot the MC is. I don't like reading books with stupid, annoying MCs because they often ruin the book for me. So I don't know if I would try and read this one or not.



--Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan--
I've heard good things about this series, but outer space books just aren't up my alley. However, since I do own it I don't know if I should just give it away or at least give it a try.

--The Luxe by Anna Godberson--
This is said to be like a Victorian Gossip Girl and at first that sounded cool, so I got the book. Then I realized I don't like Gossip Girl or any story similar. So, I think I'll still give this one a try, but I don't think I"m going to invest much heart into it. 


--These two Jennifer E. Smith books--
I liked Love at First Sight, but I just don't really like fluffy contemporary. So, I don't know if I should just get these from the library or just not read them at all. 


--Blood Red Road by Moira Young--
I got this one a while ago with all the reviews that said the writing style was hard to get into in mind. I didn't realized what they were all talking about. I just don't think I'll be able to get into a book with that kind of writing. 




Those are the books I don't know if I want to read, what are yours?
Happy reading



Sunday, August 10, 2014

Bout of Books 11 Sigh-up

Bout of Books

It is almost Bout-of-Books time!!! Yay!! I love this read-a-thon and I am so excited to participate in it again! I will be making a separate TBR and goals post closer to the date. 

-Here is the blurb-

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 18th and runs through Sunday, August 24th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 11 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team


If you are participating in this, please comment.
Happy reading

Friday, August 8, 2014

Review: Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Grade: 4 Butterflies
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #1
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: Hardcover, 486 pages

Goodreads Summary

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.




I am a huge fantasy fan. So I was super excited to read this one when it released. A fantasy book about a runaway princess with a Prince and an Assassin after her, hell yes! I was not disappointed a bit. This book was an enjoyable fantasy book that is mainly a love story, but also a story about what it means to be a leader, and sacrifice.

This plot never lost my attention. While some people might find the first half a little boring since it is basically about Lia running away and putting down roots in a village and falling for two guys who are the Assassin and the prince, I never lost interest. This may be because I love love stories and this one was done so well. It was balanced between the romance and Lia finding herself. It also may be because it had an undertone of mystery and suspense because we aren't told which of the two guys are the assassin or the prince. So it's a guessing game. This mysterious aspect is reinforced by the writer adding short chapters here and there from the Assassin's POV or the Princess POV and then from Rafe's POV or Kaden POV without ever telling us who is who. It was really fun to try and guess who was who before the final reveal and if I may add, I guessed right. The suspense came from waiting for when the Assassin's time ran out and her had to kill her and seeing what he was going to do.

When the 300 page came the action picked up. The plot took a complete turn-around and it was so freaking good!! It was done at the perfect time. It gave enough time before hand to develop the relationship between Lia and the guy so liked, so when she was pinning for him I could get behind it. And it was done before I got bored with the plot.

Now I want to talk about something.....strange about this book. When reading the first half I noticed that it had this leisurely tone to it, which matched the pace and the plot. However, when we got to the 300 page mark, when things got a little crazy, this tone was still there. So all this actiony stuff was happening and I got into it, but the tone stayed the some. This didn't hinder reading the action scenes, it just made the book more unique.

I really liked the romance in this book, which is great since it was a big part of the book. I liked how it wasn't a love triangle even though there was two guys. She preferred one guy over the other and their love blossomed. I also liked how it wasn't love at first, it was curiosity and compatibility that drew them together and their relationship developed. It wasn't like she was saying she loved him after knowing him for a week. Their love grew over time and that gave so much depth to their relationship and made me able to get behind this romance.

Also, one last thing. I am in love with this woman's writing style. It was so beautiful!! It was poetic in some points and it was just addicting. And when she explained the world I could see, hear, and smell it so vividly! She is such a great author and she was amazing at the world building!

I really enjoyed this book! I thought it was a great starting point to this series. I thought the writing was outstanding! The plot was a great start to this series. It felt like it's own plot and the next books are just the continuation of that plot, instead of it just setting up for the next books. And if you think you would get bored of this plot I would suggest still giving it a try, because the plot does it actiony and with that ending you can tell that the next books will be full of action.


This book got..

 4 Butterflies
Beloved, This is a really good book!

Recommended if you like- Love stories, fantasy, and/or Emotional finding yourself books.  


Happy reading

Thursday, August 7, 2014

July Wrap-Up


July was a great month for me! I did a lot of things with my family, we went camping almost every weekend. I love camping, so it was a lot of fun. The Booktube-A-Thon was in July and it was really fun! I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, but I did read some good ones. 

Reading wise I read a lot of books, a lot more than I thought I would since I haven't been reading a whole lot this summer. I am also proud of, not only the number of books I read, but also the fact that three of them were kind of long. 

-Books Read: 9-

The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima| 4 Butterflies
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson| 4 Butterflies
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling| 4.5 Butterflies
Wicked Lovely by Marissa Meyer| 3.5 Butterflies
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer | 4 Butterflies
Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne| 3.5 Butterflies
Her Mad Hatter by Marie Hall| 3 Butterflies
Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall| 3 Butterflies
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons| 5 Butterflies


-Books of the Month-

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
This book was just so brilliant!! I loved every single second of reading it! It was just so beautifully written and makes you feel all of the emotions. I just loved it!

Reviews Posted: 5
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Just One Year by Gayle Forman


How was your July?
Happy reading


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday

 

This meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Okay, so this is my first Top Ten Tuesday in a long while. I don't know why I stopped doing these, because I love this meme, but I'm starting to do them  again.

Top Ten Books I'd Give To Readers Who Have Never Read X (examples: New Adult novels, historical fiction, a certain author, books about a certain topic, etc)

I chose.
-Fantasy-
By fantasy I mean any kind of fantasy, not just YA fantasy or Adult Fantasy. I mean the genre as a whole.

-Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder-
This is one of my all time favorite books, ever. I love it and I feel it's a really good introduction to the genre. The world isn't to intense, the plot isn't to super intricate, the writing is wonderful, and the world building is done to well that never are you info dumped but at the same time confused on what going on in the setting. The characters are also very real and likable so you are invested in the story.    

-Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson-
This one, to me, feels like a fantasy and contemporary hybrid. It's set in a fantasy world with princesses, princes, and assassin's but the plot is a lot about the main character finding her place in the world. It focuses a lot on the MC's character development and her life problems and her love life. However, it is also highly about the political unrest of this world. So, there's a nice balance between the two genres.The world building is also amazingly done and you can visualize everything with perfect clarity.  


-The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima-
This is where the plot gets intricate. I'm not yet finished with this series, but I can tell that the overall plot is intricate and everyone is connected. This one has two main characters, but everyone kind of feels like a main character. Everyone has a story and a life and everyone's life connects and impacts the other people's lives. This may sound complicated, but the author wrote it in such a way that it really isn't when you read it and everything flows together. So, if your hesitant to reading fantasy because of plots like this, I suggest reading this one to see how great these plots can be, because it's a great transition in. 

-The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson-
So, this one isn't really a fantasy. It's much more a historical fiction, but I consider it fantasy because it feels like a fantasy book. It's set in a time frame that's reminiscent of the early twentieth century in America, but it has different technology, the geology of America is way different, the government is completely different, and it has Rithmatists (magic). All of these makes it feel like a fantasy book. I feel like this is  good first fantasy because the author explains in much detail about Rithmatists, it's history, and how they are able to do it. So, you are never confused on anything about Rithmatists and the world's society with them.


-Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas-
This book has everything in it! It has a kick-butt main character, a great plot, an outstanding world, and fantastic writing! What really wonderful about this book is the world building. The author is just so good at introducing readers to this world. First you're just told about a place, then somewhere along the way your shown it and all of these other faraway places are explained to you. So, this world gradually becomes more and more fleshed out until it feels like a real place. The Author put so much time and energy on developing this world, making up towns and places, and explains it that it feels like I can hop on a plan and go there. Not to mention the plot is super great and gradually gets more and more layers added to it. I would recommend this book to anyone.

-The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson-
This book is just so well written. All of the characters have depth to them, the MC's problems are relateable even though she's a Queen, and the world is very well written. The only thing is that this book has a touch of religion to it, but if that isn't your thing don't let it stop you from read this because it's so much more then the religious aspect. 


-Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore-
These are slower paced books. The author really takes her time to set up the world, to explain about the Gracelings, flesh out the characters, and develop the world. However, you don't get bored. They still have plots to them, plots that are addicting to read about! They are just so good and easily read that I would suggest them to newbie fantasy readers and experienced fantasy readers. 


-The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke-
This fantasy is one of the most adventurous fantasies next to LOTR. It's this big adventure and you get to see all of the exotic places that this author imagined and wrote so well. The plot is really fast paced, so you'll finish it in mere hours. It also has a romance that is just so subtle, slow building, and cute!

-Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson -
So, this one is on the longer side and is probably better explained has high or epic fantasy. I think this is a good one to get into that fantasy sub-genre because it is just so good!! Everything about it is just wonderful! The setting was so well written and amazing to read about because it came alive in your mind's eye, They are themes in this that impacted me as a person, and the characters are just so realistic.This author can also create a tone of a book. This book is depressing, but still great, to read with it's messed up world, people that have given up on life, characters dying left and right, people trying to inspire others to fight, it just makes you feel all of the emotions! And the magic system in this world was extremely well thought out! The author did a wonderful job explain and visualizing how alloymancy works. And while it's long, the plot is fast paced and never slows down. 



What's your Top Ten?
Happy reading