Showing posts with label morgan rhodes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morgan rhodes. Show all posts

24 Aug 2018

#EventRecap: Tracy Banghart and Elly Blake at Indigo Yorkdale + #Giveaway

24 August 5 Comments
On Saturday, August 18, I headed to the big city (Toronto, although technically this Indigo is in North York) to join YA authors Tracy Banghart and Elly Blake as they discuss and sign their latest books. The event was moderated by YA author Morgan Rhodes, so of course I also brought the latest (and last) in her series as well! I'll be giving you an inside look at what was discussed at the event and giving away a SIGNED copy of the Indigo Staff Pick of the Month, GRACE AND FURY by Tracy Banghart, so be sure to read all the way through!

 See my tweet by tweet live tweeting by checking out the hashtag #FuryandBlood on Twitter!

 I got to Yorkdale early so I could do some shopping and it was well worth it! If you've never been to Yorkdale, you should check it out one day. Then I went over to the !ndigo to grab my seat and talk shop with some readers!
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26 Feb 2018

#Review: IMMORTAL REIGN by Morgan Rhodes

26 February 1 Comments

IMMORTAL REIGN

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #6
Source: Purchased from Chapters
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
Rating: 4/5 stars

 Summary:
As two lethal elemental gods set out to destroy Mytica, sworn enemies must become allies in the final fight to save the kingdoms.

 Jonas continues to willfully defy his destiny, but the consequences of plotting his own course are drastic. As the fight for Mytica rages on, he must decide just how much more he's willing to sacrifice.

 Lucia knows there's something special about her daughter and she'll do anything to protect her, even if that means facing Kyan alone.

 Amara is called back home to Kraeshia. Grandma Cortas has her own plans for Mytica's future. She promises Amara power, revenge, and dominance if she agrees to be part of her scheme.

 Magnus and Cleo's love will be put to the ultimate test. Dark magic is causing widespread destruction throughout the kingdom. Enemies across the sea are advancing. And unrest is stirring throughout the land. Is their love strong enough to withstand the outside forces tearing them apart?
Purchase:
See my review of:

This is the last book in the series so there may be spoilers for the other books! You have been warned...

I can't believe the series is actually over. And honestly, series finale books are so hard: everyone wants something different and someone will always be disappointed. I wasn't disappointed, per se but I did not enjoy some elements of this one. Overall I was really happy with how this series played out and the final arc of this one. Plus the ending left it open for a(nother) spin-off down the line so everything is coming up golden for me.
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30 Jan 2017

#Review: CRYSTAL STORM by Morgan Rhodes

30 January 0 Comments

CRYSTAL STORM

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #5
Source: Purchased from Chapters
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 13, 2016
Rating: 4/5 stars

 Summary:
The ruthless Empress Amara of Kraeshia has taken the Mytican throne, and now uncertainty looms over the three kingdoms. Since Lucia unleashed the fire Kindred, wreaking havoc throughout the land, Myticans have been looking for someone—anyone—they can trust. They believe in Amara, not knowing her grand promises are built on lies.

 In Paelsia, Magnus and Cleo reluctantly follow King Gaius to the home of his exiled mother, Selia. Selia is a powerful witch and claims she can help unlock the magic of the Kindred—if the visitors agree to her terms. When Jonas arrives from Kraeshia, he is shocked to find that his rebel army now includes his sworn enemies. Along with Nic, Felix, and the mysteriously resurrected Ashur, the contentious group agrees to cast aside old grudges—for now—and united against their common enemy: Amara.

 Meanwhile, bearing the child of a Watcher and feared by all, Princess Lucia travels across Mytica to find her family. But time is running out. The impending storm signals the dark prophecy Timotheus warned her about. Her fate is written, and it includes none other than the rebel Jonas. When their paths collied, Jonas and Lucia must decide between blindly following their destiny or fighting for their own free will.

 The battle for power culminates at the Paelsian palace, where Amara resides. Rain pours. Blood spills. And soon all will discover that the darkest magic comes at an even darker price.
Purchase:
WARNING! This fifth book in a series so there will be spoilers for at least the first four books. To see my reviews of those, click HERE.
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23 Sept 2016

We Can(ada) Read: Jesse from Books at Dawn discussing Morgan Rhodes!

23 September 0 Comments
We Can(ada) Read is by Canadians for EVERYONE to learn more about some amazing Canadian authors! We have 16 Canadian bloggers highlighting 16 Canadian authors plus you can hear about what it's like to live in Canada and write CanLit from 8 Canadian authors, most of which are 2016 debuts! For a full schedule of events during We Can(ada) Read, please click HERE!



My name is Jesse Nicholas and I live in Toronto, Ontario. I am an aspiring writer and I'm currently working on my first story. Along with writing, I enjoy music (mostly KPOP), travel, trashy TV, and I'm an avid reader of anything in the Young Adult genre. I am currently posting reviews on the YA novels I read on my blog, and spend hours upon hours coming up with ideas for a future stories.

Connect with the Blogger:
Morgan Rhodes is a fantastic representation of Canadian YA literature for a couple reasons. She is one of the very few Canadian authors who have an EPIC fantasy series, Falling Kingdoms. Sure that may not be the most amazing reason, but there are so few Canadian authors with a YA fantasy series as expansive as hers. 

 The second reason is she is putting Toronto and Canadian culture on the map for her spin-off series, A Book of Spirits and Thieves which is set in modern day Toronto. It's very seldom that we Canadian's get to read a book and know exactly where the story takes place, from the streets to the landmarks. I know I am not the only one who can relate to that.

 As an added bonus Morgan Rhodes agreed to a Q&A with me. In it you can find out more about her two fantasy series, what it means to be Canadian to her, and what's coming next for her! Check it out:

Jesse: In 5 words describe the Falling Kingdoms series.


 Morgan Rhodes: Royals. Rebels. Love. Death. Magic.
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8 Aug 2016

Aesthetic Addict: Fantasy Novels! #BBCP

08 August 2 Comments
Nori at ReadWriteLove28 is hosting another round of BBCP! Team Teal decided to create aesthetic posts for different genres, each of us using different books over the next six months! For August (this month!), we are doing FANTASY NOVELS! In July (last month), we did CONTEMPORARY NOVELS!

My choice for today is 

FALLING KINGDOMS by Morgan Rhodes! 


Below you will see my aesthetic graphic + I review the book. Keep scrolling to see everyone else on Team Teal and click over to their blogs to see their aesthetic posts! Then check back in September for our next round.

FALLING KINGDOMS

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #1
Source: Owned (Won a Signed Copy; Purchased a copy from Kobo)
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 11, 2012
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realise that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27015393-wild-swans?ac=1&from_search=true
Purchase:

Team Teal Members


This is ASoIaF for YA and I loved it so much. It had so much intrigue and was clearly well thought out. I was loving every second of it...ish. I liked the pacing, I thought that enough time had passed between point of views that it made sense while still ensuring that the reader knew what was happening. I liked that time passage was done by switching povs because it didn't feel like it was dragging then.

I liked that this didn't feel like a "First Book" where characters get introduced -- and that's it. Things happened, events occurred. The characters started off one way and grew and changed into someone new throughout this book. It didn't take them too long to do so, but it also felt natural. This book is very heavily character driven (which I love) but it still had really good world building and plot development too. I also really loved that there was such high stakes! You get this huge cast of characters in the beginning and I was overwhelmed, but tbh people die. So you can cross those names off all the time.
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3 Jul 2016

Event Recap: #IndigoTeenBash with E.K. Johnston, Morgan Rhodes, & Teresa Toten

03 July 17 Comments
On Thursday, June 30th, I went to an event in Toronto to see E.K. Johnston, Morgan Rhodes, and Teresa Toten! I met up with some of the awesome GTA bloggers and there was trivia and general fun and on top of that, I got the rest of my Morgan Rhodes books signed! I had a lot of fun and want to tell you all about it! 

I got an extra signed book, but you can win that over on my review of A BOOK OF SPIRITS AND THIEVES and THE DARKEST MAGIC which goes live on Books Are My Fandom on July 23rd! 

Pre-Game

I had some Starbucks and chatted with the GTA bloggers about life, books, and everything in between while we waited for the event to start. There was a guy playing piano so mostly we were trying to guess what pop songs he was playing. Before the event started, we had taken up basically one whole section of the event's chairs. We all agreed that we want one of the #ReadTheNorth shirts.

The Event

The event was a free for all, and anyone was allowed to ask anything of the authors. Most people tried to ask questions that all three could answer, but some were specific for the authors. Below I give you a little taste of what was discussed and what you can expect from the author's work.
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24 Mar 2016

REVIEW: GATHERING DARKNESS by Morgan Rhodes

24 March 0 Comments

GATHERING DARKNESS

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #3
Source: Digital Copy Purchased from Kobo
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 9, 2014
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

 Summary:
In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

 Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

 THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

 THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

 THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.
The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.
Purchase:
The story gets even more intricate with each book. There are layers upon layers to this story and people and past events that are influencing and affecting the current story that the main characters aren't even aware of. I love how much detail and complexity Rhodes weaves into this story and I am always left in awe when I read this series because there is such good world building, relationship building, and threats that it makes it such a GOOD read. This is honestly such a good example of amazing fantasy in YA and I wish more people had read this series.
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31 Dec 2015

REVIEW: REBEL SPRING (Falling Kingdoms #2) by Morgan Rhodes

31 December 46 Comments

REBEL SPRING

Author: Morgan Rhodes
Series: Falling Kingdoms #2
Source: Purchased from Chapters
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 3, 2013
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

 Summary:
The road to power... is paved with blood and magic.

 Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.

 Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.

 Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.

 Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

 After a bloody siege, Auranos has been defeated, its young queen orphaned and dethroned. The three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now unwillingly united as one country called Mytica. But the allure of ancient, dangerous magic beckons still, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the whole world over...

 At the heart of the fray are four brave young people grappling for that magic and the power it promises. For Cleo, the magic would enable her to reclaim her royal seat. In Jonas's hands, it frees his nation, and in Lucia's, it fulfills the ancient prophecy of her destiny. And if the magic were Magnus's, he would finally prove his worth in the eyes of his cruel and scheming father, King Gaius, who rules Mytica with a punishing hand.

 When Gaius begins to build a road into the Forbidden Mountains to physically link all of Mytica, he sparks a long-smoking fire in the hearts of the people that will forever change the face of this land. For Gaius's road is paved with blood, and its construction will have cosmic consequences.
Purchase:
Amazon | Chapters | TBD
This is one of the best young adult high fantasy series I've ever read. I love that there is so much tension and build up and that we get to see everything that is happening while the characters are unaware. It makes the tension for us so high that we are reading on the edge of our seat. Once you start this one you can't put it back down and once you finish you immediately need to read the next book. This is one of those series that not a lot of people talk about but those who do, are so in love with it that they won't shut up about it once you get them started.
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20 Sept 2015

Week in Review (3)

20 September 0 Comments

Hey guys, I thought I'd start this weekly recap so that you can see all of my posts from the previous week in one spot. That way you can stay on top of things (and I can figure out what is what for the previous week and what is upcoming). You can see my previous Week in Review to catch up as well!
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Reviews:
We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach

Memes:
Middle Grade Mondays: Strange Country Day by Charles Curtis
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Want For My Birthday
Waiting on Wednesday: Consider by Kristy Acevedo
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