26 Feb 2019

#BlogTour: THE DYSASTERS by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast // #Review + #Giveaway

26 February 0 Comments
Hello and welcome to my blog tour post for

THE DYSASTERS by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast!

I have a review of the book for you today plus a giveaway for a copy of the book! Be sure to check that out below. But first, let's learn more about the book...


THE DYSASTERS

Author: P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Series: The Dysasters #1
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication Date: February 26, 2019

Overall Rating:


Diversity Rating:

Summary:
Foster Stewart knows she's different. Her life has never been "normal." Talking to plants and controlling cloud formations aren't things most seventeen year olds are into. Tate "Nighthawk" Taylor is perfect. Star quarterback and all around dreamy boy next door he never thought about his "extra" abilities. What quarterback wouldn't want night vision? That's not weird, right? It's cool! 

But on the night of their first meeting a deadly tornado brings them together and awakens their true abilities - the power to control the element air. Unbeknown to Tate and Foster, they are the first in a group of teens that were genetically manipulated before birth to bond with the elements. Which truly sucks for Foster, as she has to face the fact that Dr. Rick Stewart, her beloved scientist father, betrayed her and now wants to use her and the others for his own nefarious world domination plot. 

Foster and Tate must stop Dr. Stewart and his minions before he destroys their lives and the world.
Purchase:
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

I went into this book a little hesitant because it sounds a lot like a couple other books I've read (and enjoyed), so I was worried about the comparison. However, I was blown away (wind joke) by how much I really loved this one! The black and white pictures mixed with the prose made this a really cool and unique read.

25 Feb 2019

#BlogTour: DREAMER by Ja-Mel Vinson // #DreamerBlogTour

25 February 1 Comments
Hello and welcome to my blog tour post for

DREAMER by Ja-Mel Vinson!

I have a review of the book for you today plus a giveaway for a signed ARC of the book! Be sure to check that out below, along with everyone else's posts from the tour! But first, let's learn more about the book...


DREAMER

Author: Ja-Mel Vinson
Series: Dream Come True #1
Source: ARC via Author
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: March 19, 2019

Overall Rating:

Diversity Rating:
Summary:
The day before moving into her new dorm, college freshman, Maya Lilac, has a haunting dream that ends with her coming face-to-face with a second version of herself. After being haunted by the dream during move-in day, she finally comes in contact with her double, nicknamed “Lucent”, and learns that she actually has powers and can—among other things—make her dreams come true.


Maya’s heritage, however, runs deeper when she discovers that she’s the True Dreamer, a person reaching back as far as Joan of Arc that’s tasked with protecting her species, as well as the world, from any and all threats… including her seemingly-peaceful and non-combative double. But, not everyone shares Maya’s vision that her clone isn’t out to harm anybody, especially her mother. As Maya and her mother fight over whether Lucent is a legitimate threat, Maya trains in her now-active powers to fulfill her destiny of protecting the world, whether she has to take care of Lucent or not.
Purchase:

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacts my opinion.

I am so glad I signed up for the DREAMER blog tour because I probably wouldn't have picked up this NA Fantasy if I hadn't done so. I thought there were a lot of really good things about this one, especially the premise and the main character, Maya. However, there were some downsides to this that I think another round of beta readers and/or edits would have solved. Such is the case with self-published books, but I definitely still recommend checking this one out if you are looking for a true coming of age story!

15 Feb 2019

#BlogTour: CROWN OF FEATHERS by Nicki Pau Preto

15 February 0 Comments
Hello and welcome to my blog tour post for

CROWN OF FEATHERS by Nicki Pau Preto!

I have a guest post from the author about some amazing feminist fantasy books! I can't wait to share it with you. Special shout out to Simon Teen Canada for connecting Nicki and I for this post! You can pick up your copy of CROWN OF FEATHERS right now so be sure to do so.


CROWN OF FEATHERS

Author: Nicki Pau Preto
Series: Crown of Feathers #1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 12, 2019

Summary:
I had a sister, once…

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders—legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire—until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart.

I promised her the throne would not come between us.

Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders—even if that means disguising herself as a boy to join their ranks.

But it is a fact of life that one must kill or be killed. Rule or be ruled.

Just as Veronyka finally feels like she belongs, her sister turns up and reveals a tangled web of lies between them that will change everything. And meanwhile, the new empire has learned of the Riders’ return and intends to destroy them once and for all.

Sometimes the title of queen is given. Sometimes it must be taken.
Purchase:

5 (Other) Books to Read if you Love Feminist Fantasy Novels



1. Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns series)


Three Dark Crowns is the dark, moody, matriarchal book series of my heart. The plot is slow building and exquisitely tense, the main characters sympathetic and trapped in no-win situation after no-win situation, but what truly captivates me is the mysterious world building of Fennbirn, a matriarchal island isolated by magical mists and in thrall to the cult of the goddess and the tradition of triplet queens who murder one another for the throne. The series is chock-full of women in power—the church, the crown, and every important family and ancient bloodline—and they spend the series plotting and planning and outmaneuvering one another. Brilliant.


2. Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin series)


Grave Mercy is one of my favorite books of all-time, but the entire His Fair Assassin series is truly breathtaking. It’s a historical fantasy inspired by medieval Brittany, and the mythology is rich and vibrant and everything feels entirely plausible, the line between history and fantasy deliciously blurred. Many of the women in this series were rescued from terrible fates (like abusive marriages and dangerous families) and brought to the convent of Saint Mortain—the god of death—to serve him as assassins. There they learn to fight, brew poisons, and find their own strength—whether it be in vengeance or in forgiveness. 

9 Feb 2019

Stacking the Shelves (6): February 9, 2019

09 February 1 Comments
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!
I keep thinking that we are in March because I definitely need this year to go by so much faster. I am still ahead of my reading schedule and goals for this year, but I can already feel myself falling behind!

How's everyone doing with the readalong for THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin?

8 Feb 2019

#Review: blud by Rachel McKibbens

08 February 0 Comments

blud

Author: Rachel McKibbens
Series: N/A
Source: Purchased from Amazon
Publisher: Copper Canyon Press
Publication Date: October 10, 2017
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:

McKibbens's blud is a collection of dark, rhythmic poems interested in the ways in which inherited things―bloodlines, mental illnesses, trauma―affect their inheritors. Reveling in form and sound, McKibbens's writing takes back control, undaunted by the idea of sinking its teeth into the ugliest moments of life, while still believing―and looking for―the good underneath all the bruising.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
After the whole plagiarism thing came out, I thought I'd read the original source of the poem in question. I wanted to make sure I was giving money to the content creator who actually deserved it. And I am SO glad I did. This poetry collection is incredible, but definitely not for the faint of heart.

4 Feb 2019

ARC #Review: THE QUEEN'S RISING by Rebecca Ross

04 February 2 Comments

THE QUEEN'S RISING

Author: Rebecca Ross
Series: The Queen's Rising #1
Source: ARC via Publisher
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:


Summary:
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.

There were a lot of aspects to this one that were too easy, that fell into place too quickly, and that were convenient for the plot to move forward. But I highly enjoyed reading it and thought that it was a good, fairly fast paced book that fans of period pieces, Jane Austen, and YA Fantasy in general will enjoy.

I really liked Brienna as a character and that she wasn't quite good enough at anything she did, but that she had to work extremely hard for everything. I liked that it took her a while and some starts and stops before she was able to determine the best route forward. She was such a strong character and was really loyal to those she trusted. I really admired that she took it upon herself to be the role of advisor.

I liked the whole idea of the school and refining the arts and culture. I thought the different categories of study that were available were really intriguing. However, the whole "school" thing never really had an impact on the future of the story. It kinda just seemed like the author wanted to write about this...so they did. Which is fine, but it was just more of a segue that was treated as a main plot point.

The romance was kinda meh but I think it is because it plays into a lot of what was too convenient about the plot. Some of this may be spoiler-y so feel free to ignore it if you don't want to be spoiled for the book!

First of all, the genealogical trees at the beginning of the book should definitely be moved to the end because it gave away a MAJOR spoiler. The whole point of the plot is that Brienna doesn't know who her father is, but if you read the family trees, you are spoiled for that. It was pretty obvious who her father was going to be, but I still think that it took away the element of surprise. 

Further, every aspect of the second half of the book was just too easy. Brienna needs this to happen? Well of course it will happen with no problems. The entire plan to get over to the other continent hinged way too much on convenience. There was not enough tension, mystery, and intrigue to really keep me hooked into the plot. I guessed every twist and turn along the way, even what should have been Big Reveals.

All that being said, I truly did enjoy reading this and I look forward to the sequel that comes out oh so very soon! I think there is a lot of promise in what can come out of this series. I will say though that there is not a whole lot of magic involved in this and it is VERY loosely a fantasy novel. I would say it's more historical, but that's just me.

2 Feb 2019

#StackingTheShelves (5): February 2, 2019

02 February 1 Comments
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts, and of course ebooks!
Today is the (sorta) start to a new month and I for one am glad that January is over. I actually ticked off all the books I wanted to read on my TBR in January, which I am very surprised by! I have an Instagram post up of the anticipated reads I have for this month, which is embedded here below.

How did you make out with your reading goals in January?
  • Indigo Book Box: Leigh Bardugo (I'll have an unboxing on Instagram soon!)

1 Feb 2019

#Review: HOUNDED by Kevin Hearne

01 February 2 Comments

HOUNDED

Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: The Iron Druid Chronicles #1
Source: Purchased from Audible
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
Overall Rating:
Diversity Rating:
Summary:

Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old—when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power—plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish—to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
I liked a lot of pieces to this one and didn't enjoy others, especially the gratuitous aspects of "I am the hottest dude ever and every woman who encounters me wants to bang me" that you find all too often in Fantasy books written by men. Like, sure Jan. However, an intriguing start to an Urban Fantasy series that does things just a little differently, I do actually recommend reading this one.