Books and Ladders

22 Feb 2017

ARC #Review: GILDED CAGE by Vic James

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 22 February 3 Comments

GILDED CAGE

Author: Vic James
Series: Dark Gifts #1
Source: Traded for an ARC
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:
Not all are free. Not all are equal. Not all will be saved.

Our world belongs to the Equals — aristocrats with magical gifts — and all commoners must serve them for ten years. But behind the gates of England's grandest estate lies a power that could break the world.

A girl thirsts for love and knowledge.

Abi is a servant to England's most powerful family, but her spirit is free. So when she falls for one of the noble-born sons, Abi faces a terrible choice. Uncovering the family's secrets might win her liberty, but will her heart pay the price?

A boy dreams of revolution.

Abi's brother, Luke, is enslaved in a brutal factory town. Far from his family and cruelly oppressed, he makes friends whose ideals could cost him everything. Now Luke has discovered there may be a power even greater than magic: revolution.

And an aristocrat will remake the world with his dark gifts.

He is a shadow in the glittering world of the Equals, with mysterious powers no one else understands. But will he liberate—or destroy?

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

I had heard that this was such a great, fantastic, unique, enter-adjective-here book so when I was offered a trade for it, I jumped all over it. But when I started reading it, I started and stopped A LOT and found it really hard to get into. And then I was just neutral about it overall. I didn't love or hate this one and found that it probably would have been better with a few adjustments.

20 Feb 2017

Subscription Box #Review: J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 20 February 2 Comments

I love Harry Potter. I have a Harry Potter tattoo and so much Harry Potter merchandise that my room is practically the Ravenclaw Tower. So when LootCrate announced their specific Harry Potter themed bimonthly subscription box, I hit subscribe so fast I broke a nail (no seriously). I have already reviewed the FIRST BOX which you can view by clicking here, but I decided I would review every single one that I get so you can see what is inside and decide if you want to subscribe to it as well. This will spoil the contents of the box, so if you are getting this box, don't scroll any further! But if you are just curious, keep scrolling.

Just so everyone knows, I live in Canada, so the prices and such that I am going to talk about are in Canadian Dollars and shipping times are international from the US to Canada as well.

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World

Where To Buy?

LootCrate Website

How Often Does It Come?

Every Two Months

I do wish it was more frequent but I feel like I do not need a monthly box of Harry Potter things. That would be Too Much. My mom would kick me out.

Price?

Each Crate: $66.95
Three Crates Over Six Months: $196.83
Six Crates Over A Year: $385.63

I subscribed for the whole year, which dropped the price per crate by about $3. Not a huge savings but I knew I wanted to get all of them so it did not matter to me about the cost per crate. However, if you are cost saving or budgeting, this might not be the box for you. It is almost $20 a crate more than the regular LootCrate and you get the LootCrate every month. The trade off is this is ALL Harry Potter things instead of a medley of fandoms.

Shipping Time?

They say usually about 10-20 days for international boxes once they ship them out. They ship on the 15th of the month that you get the box, so you should have it by the end of the month provided your post office is doing it's thing properly.

This box was delayed and they sent it via UPS which got it to me VERY quickly. I was notified it was shipping to me AFTER I had received it.

Ordering Process?

The really cool thing about this crate is that when you order, it asks you not only your shirt size, which can be Men's or Women's and goes to 3XL, but also asks you your Hogwarts house. While this box did not have anything specific for Houses, I assume that in the future there will be something house themed and you can get your house instead of just the popular ones (aka Gryffindor and Slytherin). For a Ravenclaw, that was really fantastic for me and I'm sure Hufflepuffs will agree as well.

15 Feb 2017

Event Recap: Welcome, Welcome to the #CARAVAL Book Tour!

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 15 February 8 Comments

On February 13, 2017, I headed over to Schuler Books in Lansing, Michigan to join in on the magic of CARAVAL! I am going to give you an overview of the event plus more information about the book AND a chance to win a signed copy, so make sure you keep scrolling!

First, I was really happy to leave early and get to spend some time with the Michigan peeps that I talk to a lot and really go to the events to see. As well, Stephanie and Elly got to the place early so we got to chat with them for a bit ahead of the event which was really nice as well.

When the event started, Elly introduced Stephanie and asked her questions about her bio which allowed us to learn that Stephanie has a very supportive and loving family and also took students to Amsterdam which was an interesting experience.

14 Feb 2017

#Discussion: 5 Books with Asexual Characters + #INTERVIEW with Kathryn Ormsbee

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 14 February 4 Comments

Today I'm talking about five books with asexual representation that I think you should read. There's a reason this is done on Valentine's Day, corporate America's "EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP AND HAVING BABIES." In fact, IKEA even gives you a discount on baby cribs if you have a baby within 9 months of Valentine's Day. So I think it is important to highlight the asexual spectrum on this day that celebrates basically everyone else. Some of these books are already out and some are forthcoming, but all have been vetted by those who identify as asexual.

Keep scrolling to learn about these books and see an interview with Kathryn Ormsbee, whose book TASH HEARTS TOLSTOY has an asexual main character!

RADIO SILENCE

Author: Alice Oseman

Series: N/A

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Summary:

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside.

But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for the first time she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken.

Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’ dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past…
She has to confess why Carys disappeared…

Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets.

It’s only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it’s only by being your true self that you can find happiness.

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

SEVEN WAYS WE LIE

Author: Riley Redgate

Series: N/A

Publisher: Amulet Books

Publication Date: March 8, 2016

Summary:

Seven students. Seven (deadly) sins. One secret.

Paloma High School is ordinary by anyone’s standards. It’s got the same cliques, the same prejudices, the same suspect cafeteria food. And like every high school, every student has something to hide—from Kat, the thespian who conceals her trust issues onstage, to Valentine, the neurotic genius who’s planted the seed of a school scandal.

When that scandal bubbles over, and rumors of a teacher-student affair surface, everyone starts hunting for someone to blame. For the seven unlikely allies at the heart of it all, the collision of their seven ordinary-seeming lives results in extraordinary change.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

13 Feb 2017

#52Wks52Bks Week Seven Recommendations!

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 13 February 0 Comments

You may or may not know, but this year I am hosting a 2017 reading challenge! Every week for the whole year there are different themes and the idea is to read a book that fits the theme within that week! It will help you keep on track for your Goodreads Challenge as you will be at least thinking about a book for a whole week even if you don't quite get to it.

But don't worry, if you don't finish a book or skip a week or start late, that's okay! This is just to make you think more about the types of books you are reading and to broaden your horizons.

If you didn't see the original post with all the challenges, click HERE.

If you are participating (or want to without checking, that's cool too), you can keep track of your reads with my Handy Dandy Charts.

This week's theme is...

Book With a Trans* Main Character

Here are some books that you can check out to read for this week's challenge!

10 Feb 2017

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays (6): Guest Post from Emily @ Emily Reads Everything

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 10 February 1 Comments

The first month of Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays was so much fun and I can't wait to continue on with the rest of this year! For this month I have some great stuff lined up and can't wait to share it with you!

Breakdown for the month...

February's Theme: Epic Fantasy

February 3: 5 Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

February 10: Guest Post from Emily @ Emily Reads Everything

February 17: Review of HALF A KING by Joe Abercrombie

February 24: Interview with Steven Erikson

Camorr is a city that is somewhat like Venice, if the canals of Venice were filled with sharks. Camor is run by the Duke Nicovante and the leader of the Underworld, Capa Barsavi. Together they have worked out an agreement that no one will steal from the nobility. This agreement is called the Secret Peace. If it became common knowledge to the peasant and merchant class that the nobility are immune to crime, there would be a revolt. Locke Lamora and his gang were raised, trained, and brought together to subvert this simple rule.

8 Feb 2017

#Review: AGENT OF CHAOS by Kami Garcia // The X-Files: Origins #1

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 08 February 0 Comments

AGENT OF CHAOS

Author: Kami Garcia
Series: The X-Files: Origins #1
Source: Purchased from TBD
Publisher: Imprint
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary:
How did Fox Mulder become a believer? How did Dana Scully become a skeptic? The X-Files Origins has the answers.

The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos explores the teen years of Fox Mulder, the beloved character depicted in the cult-favorite TV show The X-Files. His story is set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news.

The book will follow Mulder as he experiences life-changing events that set him on the path to becoming an FBI agent.

Don’t miss The X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, by Jonathan Maberry, about 15-year-old Dana Scully.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

It's no big secret that I am a huge fan of aliens and you know what started that obsession? The X-Files. So when I heard there was going to be a prequel story about both Fox Mulder and Dana Scully with Kami Garcia and Jonathan Maberry, I was really excited! I will have my review of DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, Scully's novel, up on here next week, but for now, here are my thoughts on AGENT OF CHAOS!

6 Feb 2017

ARC #Review: ROMEO & WHAT'S HER NAME by Shani Petroff

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 06 February 2 Comments

ROMEO & WHAT'S HER NAME

Author: Shani Petroff
Series: N/A
Source: ARC via Raincoast Books
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:
Understudies never get to perform

. . . which is why being Juliet's understudy in the school's yearly "Evening with Shakespeare" is the perfect role for Emily. She can earn some much-needed extra credit while pursuing her main goal of spending time with Wes, aka Romeo, aka the hottest, nicest guy in school (in her completely unbiased opinion). And she meant to learn her lines, really, it's just:
a) Shakespeare is HARD,
b) Amanda, aka the "real" Juliet, makes her run errands instead of lines, and
c) there's no point because Amanda would never miss the chance to be the star of the show.

Then, Amanda ends up in the hospital and Emily, as the (completely unprepared!) understudy, has to star opposite the guy of her dreams. Oops?

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I was sent an ARC of this book and decided to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion of the novel.

There were some really cute things about this one, but there were other meh moments that I wasn't a huge fan of. I liked Emily, but her voice was kind of young for a junior in high school.

5 Feb 2017

#52wks52bks: Week Six Recommendations + #Interview with Patty Blount!

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 05 February 1 Comments

But don't worry, if you don't finish a book or skip a week or start late, that's okay! This is just to make you think more about the types of books you are reading and to broaden your horizons.

If you didn't see the original post with all the challenges, click HERE.

If you are participating (or want to without checking, that's cool too), you can keep track of your reads with my Handy Dandy Charts.

This week's theme is...

Book With "Some" In the Title

Here are some books that you can check out to read for this week's challenge!

I'll be reading...

SOME BOYS

Author: Patty Blount

Series: N/A

Source: Purchased from Kobo

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Publication Date: August 5th, 2014

Summary:

Some boys go too far. Some boys will break your heart. But one boy can make you whole.

When Grace meets Ian she's afraid. Afraid he'll reject her like the rest of the school, like her own family. After she accuses the town golden boy of rape, everyone turns against Grace. They call her a slut and a liar. But...Ian doesn't. He's funny and kind with secrets of his own.

But how do you trust the best friend of the boy who raped you? How do you believe in love?

A gut-wrenching, powerful love story told from alternating points of view by the acclaimed author of Send.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

I also have the wonderful Patty Blount here for an interview so you can learn more about the book I am reading this week!

Describe SOME BOYS in 10 words or less.

Patty Blount: Grace won't back off. No matter what people say.

How long does it take you to write first drafts?

Patty Blount: The first draft literally took seven weeks to write. But there were several months of thinking, playing around with ideas, and research that also went into that first draft. I first got the idea in February and finished writing the first draft in October.

3 Feb 2017

Science Fiction and Fantasy Fridays (5): 5 Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of #SFFFridays

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 03 February 9 Comments

Breakdown for the month...

February's Theme: Epic Fantasy

February 3: 5 Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

February 10: Guest Post from Emily @ Emily Reads Everything

February 17: Review of HALF A KING by Joe Abercrombie

February 24: Interview with Steven Erikson

10 Best Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

THE AXE AND THE THRONE

Author: M.D. Ireman

Series: Bounds of Redemption #1

Publisher: JayHenge

Publication Date: October 15, 2014

Summary:

It is a fool's errand and Tallos knows it, but against his own better judgment and the pleading of his wife, Tallos has committed himself to a voyage north. His lifelong friend's eldest sons are said to have been taken by Northmen, a raiding people ill-reputed for their savagery. The boys are already dead, Tallos knows, and in that dark place of grim reasoning he wishes only to find their corpses quickly so he can fulfill his promise and return to his wife. Instead, he finds something far worse.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

THE EMPEROR'S BLADES

Author: Brian Staveley

Series: Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne #1

Publisher: Tor Books

Publication Date: January 14, 2014

Summary:

Book one in an epic fantasy of intrigue and empire, for fans of George R. R. Martin and Douglas Hulick.

The circle is closing. The stakes are high. And old truths will live again . . .

The Emperor has been murdered, leaving the Annurian Empire in turmoil. Now his progeny must bury their grief and prepare to unmask a conspiracy.

His son Valyn, training for the empire’s deadliest fighting force, hears the news an ocean away. He expected a challenge, but after several ‘accidents’ and a dying soldier’s warning, he realizes his life is also in danger. Yet before Valyn can take action, he must survive the mercenaries’ brutal final initiation.

Meanwhile, the Emperor’s daughter, Minister Adare, hunts her father’s murderer in the capital itself. Court politics can be fatal, but she needs justice. And Kaden, heir to an empire, studies in a remote monastery. Here, the Blank God’s disciples teach their harsh ways – which Kaden must master to unlock their ancient powers. When an imperial delegation arrives, he’s learnt enough to perceive evil intent. But will this keep him alive, as long-hidden powers make their move?

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

1 Feb 2017

Book/TV Show #Blitz: THE 100 by Kass Morgan + #Giveaway!

Jamie @ Books and Ladders 01 February 0 Comments

I am so excited that THE 100 returns to TV tonight! And to help celebrate the show's return Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Rockstar Book Tours are giving away 5 Boxed Sets of the Complete series! So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

THE 100 Box Set (Books 1-4)

Author: Kass Morgan

Pub. Date: January 3, 2016

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 1360

Formats: Paperback

Find it: Amazon, Goodreads

All four thrilling novels in The 100 series, now available in a paperback boxed set!

Ever since nuclear war destroyed our planet, humanity has been living on city-like spaceships hovering above the toxic surface. As far as anyone knows, no one has stepped foot on Earth in centuries--that is, until one hundred juvenile delinquents are sentenced to return and recolonize the hostile land. The future of the human race rests in their hands, but nothing can prepare the 100 for what they find on this strange and savage planet.

Read the series that inspired the hit TV show. The 100, Day 21, Homecoming, and Rebellion are gathered together for the first time in this striking box set, perfect for fans and series newcomers alike.

22 Feb 2017

GILDED CAGE

20 Feb 2017

J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World

Where To Buy?

How Often Does It Come?

Price?

Shipping Time?

Ordering Process?

15 Feb 2017

14 Feb 2017

RADIO SILENCE

SEVEN WAYS WE LIE

13 Feb 2017

This week's theme is...

Book With a Trans* Main Character

10 Feb 2017

Breakdown for the month...

8 Feb 2017

AGENT OF CHAOS

6 Feb 2017

ROMEO & WHAT'S HER NAME

5 Feb 2017

This week's theme is...

Book With "Some" In the Title

I'll be reading...

SOME BOYS

Describe SOME BOYS in 10 words or less.

How long does it take you to write first drafts?

3 Feb 2017

Breakdown for the month...

10 Best Epic Fantasy Books You've Probably Never Heard Of

THE AXE AND THE THRONE

THE EMPEROR'S BLADES

1 Feb 2017

THE 100 Box Set (Books 1-4)

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