The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan Review

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

I have always been a fan of Rick Riordan's novels, ever since I picked up Percy Jackson and the Olympians in fourth grade. It only took me nearly two months to finish this book, but I've finally made it through the finish line. I don't know what it was about this book, but I kept getting distracted by other things while reading it, causing me to forget that the book was even a thing that I could open and read. I really enjoyed all the characters - especially Magnus, with his supreme sass and shifty remarks. There were no specific problems with any of the characters that didn't benefit their development or the plot line itself. Oh, and all the Game of Thrones references thrown into the mix - thanks Rick :) But I wasn't as blown away by this series as much as I was when I read Percy Jackson and the Olympians; take it, that was about eight years ago, but I can still remember all the feelings that were brought up with reading those emotional rollercoasters *ahem* books. The world for me was a little hard to get in to, maybe because I wasn't really passionate about reading the book when I first started it, but as I read on, I was roped in as I always am with Rick's books, and had powered through the first third of the book without even realizing it. You definitely need to be in the mood to read a Rick Riordan book, and can't just wake up one day and be like "Oh jeez, I guess I'll read this book today and see how it goes." No. Don't do that. I beg of you, please do not do that. It will take away from the book because you will feel as if you are pushing yourself to read this. *rant over* Overall, this was such an interesting story and I can really commemorate Rick on his world building and attention to detail throughout the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is already a fan of Rick Riordan's writing as well as fans of The 100 by Kass Morgan and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I will definitely be finishing this series and will be reading The Trials of Apollo series by Rick as well. Once you're hooked on Riordan, there's no turning back ;)

Caraval by Stephanie Garber ARC Review

Caraval By Stephanie Garber

Wow. This is definitely one of the best if not the best book that I have read in 2016. I honestly am at a loss for words after finishing this novel. I received an ARC copy of Caraval from BEA this year, and I finally decided to sit down and read it, and I am so glad that I made that decision. I managed to fly threw this enticing novel in just two days, and I could not put it down. The writing was absolutely exquisite, it pulls the reader in as the words are woven into an elegant story full of risks and romance. The world of Caraval is something that you won't find anywhere else in the YA genre - the constant struggle to determine what is true and what is an illusion causes the reader to solve the puzzle alongside the characters that we come to adore and root for. Our main characters are thrown into each others lives and have to band together in order to survive Caraval and win the game before time runs out and what Scarlett wants the most is taken from her without wasting a moment. I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this novel, they were so different than any other character that I have been exposed to, and they each were their own person that had their own goals, and didn't always depend on the other in order to accomplish the goals that they were trying to achieve throughout the story. The twists and turns that are present in the novel are even more full of illusions that I had ever expected, and I was completely mesmerized by how the author was able to weave this world so delicately that everything fell into place just as it should have. This novel is truly made of something that can not be found anywhere else, and I highly recommend it to fans of The Wrath and The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Caraval will be available for purchase on January 31, 2017 and will be available for pre-order as well.

Oh, and just one more thing...

The Transfer by Veronica Roth Review

The Transfer by Veronica Roth

This is the first of four short novellas by Veronica Roth that center around Four from the Divergent series. Each of the novellas are available for individual download as ebooks, or can be purchased as a collection bind up, Four, in hardback. Okay, so I have no serious problems with this novella, but I can't seem to really connect with Four as much as I try. I feel as if Four is a character that can either be liked or not, and there is no in between with him. This novella is just one of the many steps I am trying to take in order to find out how I really feel about Four and the way that he acts. Taking into consideration that I read this without having read the last book in the Divergent trilogy, I can't really have the full perspective on Four as I would like to. This novella focuses on how Four decided to transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, and on the events beforehand that cause him to finally be able to choose on who he wants to be and how he wants to get away from his old life. I really liked being inside the mind of Four because we don't get that in the first two books of the Divergent trilogy, which became a nice change in POV. It really makes you rethink Four as a character and reevaluate why he is the way that he is. I'm glad that I was able to see the reasons why Four chose to be in Dauntless and be able to get a glimpse inside his life before he took his life into his own hands and stopped being afraid of his father. I definitely look forward to reading the rest of the novellas that focus on Four.

“You're the one who has to live with your choice, everyone else will get over it, move on, no matter what you decide. But you never will” 
― Veronica Roth, The Transfer

United by Melissa Landers Release Day Blitz + GIVEAWAY

United, the third installment in the Alienated series by Melissa Landers, is here!

Here's a message from the author:

Hey there, booklovers!

I’m author Melissa Landers, and I’m thrilled to announce the release of UNITED, the final book in the Alienated trilogy. Our star-crossed lovers Aelyx and Cara have overcome some heavy obstacles to be together—riotous mobs, alien hybrids, and worst of all, high school on two planets. Now to stay together they’ll have to unite their people against a common enemy, a threat more deadly than they ever imagined. (NBD, right?) I’ve written an ending to this trilogy that makes my heart happy, and I hope you’ll love the conclusion as much as I do!

What do reviewers have to say about the series?

“The author’s storyline is out of this world.” –VOYA on Alienated

“The unusual plot and world building are ingenious.” –Library Media Connection on Alienated

“If [the third novel] is as entertaining as this tale, it can’t come soon enough.” –Kirkus Reviews on Invaded

“A fun genre-blending series that will only gain traction as it continues.” –Booklist on Invaded

If you love hot aliens, snarky humans, and wild sci-fi adventure, make sure to pick up a copy of UNITED today. It’s now available in stores and online.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/25XrSct

iBooks: http://apple.co/1sGfH1Z

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1tqvT7u

Book Depository (free international shipping): http://bit.ly/1XpeAjN

Indie Bound: http://bit.ly/1Uc75wb

To celebrate my book birthday, I’m offering one lucky winner a set of all 3 mini-posters in the Alienated series—signed by me! The giveaway is open internationally.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

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Melissa Landers is a former teacher who left the classroom to pursue other worlds. A proud sci-fi geek, she isn’t afraid to wear her Princess Leia costume in public—just ask her husband and three kids. She lives outside Cincinnati in the small town of Loveland, “Sweetheart of Ohio.” For more information or just to say hello, visit www.melissa-landers.com.

The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker Review

The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker Review

I wish I could give this book 100 stars, it was just such an amazing ending to a duology and I am so satisfied with the ending that the author wrote :) I was so happy to be back in the world of Elizabeth, John, Fifer, and everyone else, and it was such a well written novel as well. It picks right back up after the ending to The Witch Hunter, and dives back into the situation that we were last left off with handling. The book ran very smoothly, and was at such a nice pace that I was able to nearly finish the entire book in a day; the pace really helped the motions of the book flow as well, and added the extra action that the book needed. Virginia Boecker did an amazing job writing the characters and their developments throughout The Witch Hunter, and she definitely did not disappoint in this installment. You are able to feel connected to the characters and understand why they do the things that they do, and get into their thought processes as well. Elizabeth is such an interesting character to read about because she starts off in the series as one of the most hated types of people in the land - a witch hunter - and then slowly is able to change her ways and become one with the people of the city. Each character has their flaws, and they make them who they are and influence how they act in certain situations. I absolutely loved this book, and can probably say that it is one of my favorite reads of 2016, and one of my favorite series that I have read. I highly recommend this series to fans of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas and Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige. Both books involve young girls who are fighting to take over the existing ruling power, and are done so beautifully. “I understand the need for deception. I should; I live a life of it. Distasteful, perhaps. But necessary.”  ― Virginia Boecker, The Witch Hunter

COVER REVEAL: The Promise by C.E. Wilson

   

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

The Promise by C.E. Wilson!

 

What does it mean to be a human?

Lily Larkin is about to find out when on what should have been a day of great happiness, she is diagnosed with a rare and unbelievable disease. She is shrinking, possibly without limit. As her life starts to spin out of control and the world starts to grow around her at an uncontrollable rate she is forced to confront her greatest fear - losing the man whom she loved from the moment she saw him. Can they stay together even though she feels her humanity slipping away? Can she trust him with her secret and, as her disease progresses, her safety and even her life? Can she trust herself? A bittersweet story of love and loss, The Promise is a YA Paranormal Fantasy that will have you questioning the meaning of your own humanity and the weighing of trust against love. What will Lily choose? What would you choose?

The Promise by C.E. Wilson Publication Date: November 16, 2013

Available for Purchase:

Amazon

 

 

C.E. Wilson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and has been living in Pittsburgh since 2009. For the first few years living in Pittsburgh, she was an English teacher. Her first book, "Oath of Servitude," was published in 2012. In 2013, she quit teaching to be a full time author and hasn't looked back since. She loves spending time with her daughter and husband.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee ALexander Review + BLOG TOUR

Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee Alexander Review

I would first like to thank Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours for providing me with a copy of this novel and choosing me as a host for this tour, and to Entangled Teen publishing as well. This is a companion novel to Love and Other Unknown Variables, and while I have not read that novel, I feel as though the reader does not need to read it in order to understand the plot and the characters in the novel. I absolutely think this book was super cute and definitely something that anyone can enjoy if you like romantic books with a hint of the classic teen angst put in with a touch of sweetness. The characters were so adorable and lovable, and were actually some of the most realistic characters that I have ever read about. You meet Becca, this young girl who has just had one of life's greatest obstacles thrown at her at such a young age. She really learns to overcome her grief while still holding onto what has happened as something that will always be with her in the end. I'm not usually such a big fan for books in this genre, but I have to say that this book made me laugh, cry, and root for the main characters like no other. I highly recommend this book to fans of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This book will give you all the warm feelings that a rom-com YA should, with the touch of contemporary that ties the entire work together in a perfect package, ready to be opened by the reader.

Book Title: Life After Juliet

Author: Shannon Lee Alexander

Release Date: July 5, 2016

Genre: Contemporary YA

Becca Hanson was never able to make sense of the real world. When her best friend Charlotte died, she gave up on it altogether. Fortunately, Becca can count on her books to escape—to other times, other places, other people...

Until she meets Max Herrera. He’s experienced loss, too, and his gorgeous, dark eyes see Becca the way no one else in school can.

As it turns out, kissing is a lot better in real life than on a page. But love and life are a lot more complicated in the real world...and happy endings aren't always guaranteed.

The companion novel to Love and Other Unknown Variables is an exploration of loss and regret, of kissing and love, and most importantly, a celebration of hope and discovering a life worth living again.

Link to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114303-life- after-juliet

Link to Tour Schedule: http://www.chapter-by- chapter.com/blog-tour- schedule-life- after-juliet- by-shannon- lee-alexander/

Extra Content: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/brbb3qo8ulv7ahl/AABNBS5BVIINrTavZt65B2Tea?dl=0

Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife and mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. She spent most of her time in high school hiding out in the theater with the drammies and techies. Math still makes her break out in a sweat. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family.

Author Website: http://www.shannonleealexander.com

Author Twitter: @shanlalexander (https://twitter.com/shanlalexander)

Author Facebook: Shannon L Alexander (https://www.facebook.com/shanlalexander/)

Author Goodreads: Shannon Lee Alexander (https://www.goodreads.com/shannonleealexander)

Newsletter: Sign up here - http://eepurl.com/09Igj

Giveaway Information: Contest ends June 15, 2016

Open internationally, but prize packs ship only to US. International winners will receive Amazon gift cards (listed below).*

 Grand prize: Hyperboles are the best EVER! tote bag, a 4oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Toe-meo and Juliet Shakespearean socks, Life after Juliet poison and dagger necklace, Velveteen Rabbit note card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*

 1st Runner Up: Hyperboles are the best EVER! tote bag, a 4 oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Toe-meo and Juliet Shakespearean socks, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*

 2nd Runner Up: 2oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, Velveteen Rabbit note card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*

 3rd Runner Up: 2oz. Novelly Yours Antique Books candle, Life after Juliet dagger earrings, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate*

*All contests are open internationally, but international winners will receive the following:

 Grand prize: $25 Amazon gift card, signed signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate

 1st Runner Up: $20 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate

 2nd runner up: $15 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate

 3rd runner up: $10 Amazon gift card, signed Life after Juliet bookmark and bookplate

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