Hi friends! Since I like knocking off several reviews at once, I've decided to create Mini-Review Collection, where I'll usually post 3 quick reviews of books I recently read!
In this first collection, I'll be reviewing ARCs of Night of Cake & Puppets, Speak Easy, Speak Love, and The Last Namsara!
In this first collection, I'll be reviewing ARCs of Night of Cake & Puppets, Speak Easy, Speak Love, and The Last Namsara!
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Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor, art by Jim Di BartoloDaughter of Smoke & Bone, book 2.5
Published September 12, 2017 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ARC provided by publisher (oh my gosh?!)
In this stand-alone companion to the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone series comes the story of Mik and Zuzana's fantastical first date—as a gorgeously illustrated gift edition with bonus content included.
Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to make the first move, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him.
New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Originally published as an ebook, this new print edition will include breathtaking black and white illustrations, plus bonus content in a gorgeous package perfect for new and current fans of the series.
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Be still my beating heart. Even after so long after reading this one, it still never loses its charm. Night of Cake & Puppets is—and always will be—one of the cutest stories I have—and will—ever read.
It's just? So freaking cute. I have no idea how, but it just is. Reading from Mik's point of view and from Zuzana's, both of which are so incredibly different, was so refreshing. Seeing as Zu's was a bit wicked and determined, where Mik's was a bit curious and excited, both were perfect and both were just SO, SO CUTE.
Also! The art? What a fantastic addition. Bartolo's art was phenomenal and seeing the finished ones with the story just added more to the experience. They were strange, which totally matched Zu's personality. I really loved his style!
Also, this had a bit of Karou and oh my god, I loved that Taylor still showed their friendship in this novella.
So! All of that being said, I definitely recommend reading this! It's a quick read and so much fun, full of light and fluffy feelings with amazing art. Definitely go pick it up!
It's just? So freaking cute. I have no idea how, but it just is. Reading from Mik's point of view and from Zuzana's, both of which are so incredibly different, was so refreshing. Seeing as Zu's was a bit wicked and determined, where Mik's was a bit curious and excited, both were perfect and both were just SO, SO CUTE.
Also! The art? What a fantastic addition. Bartolo's art was phenomenal and seeing the finished ones with the story just added more to the experience. They were strange, which totally matched Zu's personality. I really loved his style!
Also, this had a bit of Karou and oh my god, I loved that Taylor still showed their friendship in this novella.
So! All of that being said, I definitely recommend reading this! It's a quick read and so much fun, full of light and fluffy feelings with amazing art. Definitely go pick it up!
Buy links!
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Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle GeorgeStandalone Novel
Published September 19, 2017 by Greenwillow Books
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Add it on GoodReads!
Published September 19, 2017 by Greenwillow Books
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Add it on GoodReads!
Six teenagers’ lives intertwine during one thrilling summer full of romantic misunderstandings and dangerous deals in this sparkling retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
After she gets kicked out of boarding school, seventeen-year-old Beatrice goes to her uncle’s estate on Long Island. But Hey Nonny Nonny is more than just a rundown old mansion. Beatrice’s cousin, Hero, runs a struggling speakeasy out of the basement—one that might not survive the summer.
Along with Prince, a poor young man determined to prove his worth; his brother, John, a dark and dangerous agent of the local mob; Benedick, a handsome trust-fund kid trying to become a writer; and Maggie, a beautiful and talented singer; Beatrice and Hero throw all their efforts into planning a massive party to save the speakeasy. Despite all their worries, the summer is beautiful, love is in the air, and Beatrice and Benedick are caught up in a romantic battle of wits that their friends might be quietly orchestrating in the background.
Hilariously clever and utterly charming, McKelle George’s debut novel is full of intrigue and 1920s charm. For fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Anna Godbersen.
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THIS BOOK. Oh my gosh, this was just so charming. I was already drawn to it because have you seen that cover?! I want a poster of it on my wall. I want to look at it FOREVER because it is just so pretty, bless the artist. Everything about it—the author's name in that font, the typography, THE HAIR THINGS, the shadowy wisps, the 1920's feel—IS PURE PERFECTION.
Now, about the book itself! It is beautiful. Full of finding yourself, romance, SO MUCH BANTER, and faaaaamily. I loved it. Honestly, it was just such a book.
I will admit, the plot is a bit slow, but that's because there's a few other arcs in the book. There are several POVs—primarily Beatrice and Benedick, with some Maggie—and they each have their own issues they need to battle through. I thought George seamlessly did this and it totally added to the book. It made each character, not just the three who got their own chapters, come alive.
Speaking of, the characters definitely made this book! I adored each and every one of them! Hero, the flirt, and, personally, an Inspiration (tm), was beautiful and dedicated and just plain amazing. I loved her style, her ability to put herself out there, just everything. Then there was Beatrice, my fierce, feminist darling! She was never afraid to voice her opinions and to stand up for herself. She said whatever she wanted, consequences be damned. Benedick was a smart, sassy writer and I liked how George wrote him! He was so sweet, funny at times, and adorably awkward with his feelings! Prince and John weren't were a pair of brothers that were so different, it's surprising they were related at all! I wished we'd seen more of John, but they were both complicated and admirable in their own way. And finally, Maggie, my loooooove. Her POV was probably my favourite. There's just so much about her I love, I could go on for ages.
Okay, okay wrapping up here, but before I go: ALL THE SHIPS. THEY ARE SO GOOD. ALL OF THEM. Oh my GOSH, they were so cute, so perfect, SO WELL DEVELOPED. I loved them. All of them. Particularly Bea and Ben, because you see most of them, BUT YEAH. They're all!! So!! Goood!!
And to end this not-so-mini-review (lmao sorry), READ THIS BOOK. It is so charming, so funny, and so, so good!
Now, about the book itself! It is beautiful. Full of finding yourself, romance, SO MUCH BANTER, and faaaaamily. I loved it. Honestly, it was just such a book.
I will admit, the plot is a bit slow, but that's because there's a few other arcs in the book. There are several POVs—primarily Beatrice and Benedick, with some Maggie—and they each have their own issues they need to battle through. I thought George seamlessly did this and it totally added to the book. It made each character, not just the three who got their own chapters, come alive.
Speaking of, the characters definitely made this book! I adored each and every one of them! Hero, the flirt, and, personally, an Inspiration (tm), was beautiful and dedicated and just plain amazing. I loved her style, her ability to put herself out there, just everything. Then there was Beatrice, my fierce, feminist darling! She was never afraid to voice her opinions and to stand up for herself. She said whatever she wanted, consequences be damned. Benedick was a smart, sassy writer and I liked how George wrote him! He was so sweet, funny at times, and adorably awkward with his feelings! Prince and John weren't were a pair of brothers that were so different, it's surprising they were related at all! I wished we'd seen more of John, but they were both complicated and admirable in their own way. And finally, Maggie, my loooooove. Her POV was probably my favourite. There's just so much about her I love, I could go on for ages.
Okay, okay wrapping up here, but before I go: ALL THE SHIPS. THEY ARE SO GOOD. ALL OF THEM. Oh my GOSH, they were so cute, so perfect, SO WELL DEVELOPED. I loved them. All of them. Particularly Bea and Ben, because you see most of them, BUT YEAH. They're all!! So!! Goood!!
And to end this not-so-mini-review (lmao sorry), READ THIS BOOK. It is so charming, so funny, and so, so good!
Buy links!
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Iksari, book 1
Publishes October 3, 2017 by HarperTeen
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
e-ARC provided by Edelweiss
In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be dark—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up hearing in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.
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So. This book. Wow, I am blown away. Ciccarelli really has beautiful writing. And the romance? So, so good. Sort of slow burn, but full of the best interactions. I am 100% trash for it already.
The dragons are some of the best part of this book, which might seem a bit weird, considering the main character is a dragon hunter. But fret not, I don't think many will anticipate the direction this book goes in, which makes it such a great fantasy novel.
Speaking of the main character, Asha was something else. Fierce and brave, she didn't back down from a challenge or a dragon. I loved her from the first chapter and her change throughout the book was beautifully and believably done, and it just made her all the more amazing in my eyes.
The romance was both a subtle yet glaringly there sort of thing, if that makes sense? Whatever, I just know I loved it. Ciccarelli did a wonderful job with it and the interactions between Asha and her love interest were so cute, I was always just hoping for more!
The world this is set in seems so intricate and well written. I was keen on the whole old story aspect of the book and how it played with dragons. I really can't wait for book 2 and explore more of it!
Overall: add this to your TBR list. It's so worth it.
The dragons are some of the best part of this book, which might seem a bit weird, considering the main character is a dragon hunter. But fret not, I don't think many will anticipate the direction this book goes in, which makes it such a great fantasy novel.
Speaking of the main character, Asha was something else. Fierce and brave, she didn't back down from a challenge or a dragon. I loved her from the first chapter and her change throughout the book was beautifully and believably done, and it just made her all the more amazing in my eyes.
The romance was both a subtle yet glaringly there sort of thing, if that makes sense? Whatever, I just know I loved it. Ciccarelli did a wonderful job with it and the interactions between Asha and her love interest were so cute, I was always just hoping for more!
The world this is set in seems so intricate and well written. I was keen on the whole old story aspect of the book and how it played with dragons. I really can't wait for book 2 and explore more of it!
Overall: add this to your TBR list. It's so worth it.
Buy links!
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly feature hosted by Tynga's Reviews
which showcases recent additions to our shelves.
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So, from September 17th to September 24th, I got...
Last Sunday, I went to my first Brooklyn book festival! I attended an amazing panel about fantasy and I got to meet Holly Black! It wasn't what I expected but it was still so much fun. I even got a book I'd been coveting for a long time! And yesterday, it was the second annual B-Fest! It was a bit disappointing compared to last year's, but I totally knocked out any competition in the YA trivia, hah. Anyway! Here's what I got:
From the festivals!
♩ an ARC of A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck
♩ an ARC of Otherworld by Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller
And, one of my most anticipated reads...
♩ an ARC of Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh
In the mail
♩ Balefire Omnibus by Cate Tiernan
My friend bought this one for me! I'd borrowed the first book from my library's e-book collection and I was waiting for the others to be bought, but then this came in the mail!
From Edelweiss
Are you guys reading anything good this week? I'm planning on starting Reign either tonight or on my way to school Monday!
{ about the book }
Kingdom on Fire, book 1
Published September 20, 2016 by Random House BFYR
e-ARC provided by Netgalley
I am Henrietta Howel.
The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.
Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.
But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?
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{ my review }
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Well this was disappointing in several ways. I’d had some people tell me that this book was amazing and I’ve been meaning to read it for the longest while, but just kept putting it off.
Admittedly, every time—prior to this time—I did manage to read a small, small portion of it. I always got to chapter 3 and stopped and it was because of the writing. It wasn’t bad… but it wasn’t good, either.
I know it’s a debut and all but the writing bugged me throughout the whole book. It just wasn’t engaging enough, and it seemed awkward and clunky most times. It was embarrassing, if I’m honest.
Going off this, it made most of the characters bad. I’ll get to the main character in a moment but right now: side characters. There were quite a lot of them and they all just… They all faded into the background to me. No one stood out or felt authentic. They were all two dimensional and so dull.
Now, for main character, Henrietta. I wanted to, especially with the whole I’m-not-the-chosen-one thing going on, but she was just so boring, so annoying, and had a habit of running away from situations that went awry. It happened several times and I was unimpressed every single time.
I wanted to sympathise with her, or at the very least, like her, but it was just hard. I couldn’t make sense of some of the decisions she made and it just made the book a whole lot more embarrassing.
The second time I wanted to start this, I was worried about a potential love shape. The synopsis sure as hell didn’t help, with the mention of three guys and all. Fortunately, it’s not a quadrilateral love shape. Unfortunately, there’s definitely one of triangular sorts. Magnus was a flirt and okay and all, but honestly, he made such a jerk move! And I never liked Rook, Henrietta’s childhood best friend, who’s, frankly, hardly in the damn book other than to cause some kinda monster problem. There was another guy, Blackwood or something? In any case, he ends up being a friend to Henrietta so I guess I’ll take silver linings.
Overall, this was a huge disappointment. I’ll probably read the second book but I won’t be in any rush for it. 2 stars.
Jessica Cluess is a writer, a graduate of Northwestern University, and an unapologetic nerd. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she served coffee to the rich and famous while working on her first novel. When she’s not writing books, she’s an instructor at Writopia Lab, helping kids and teens tell their own stories.
Admittedly, every time—prior to this time—I did manage to read a small, small portion of it. I always got to chapter 3 and stopped and it was because of the writing. It wasn’t bad… but it wasn’t good, either.
I know it’s a debut and all but the writing bugged me throughout the whole book. It just wasn’t engaging enough, and it seemed awkward and clunky most times. It was embarrassing, if I’m honest.
Going off this, it made most of the characters bad. I’ll get to the main character in a moment but right now: side characters. There were quite a lot of them and they all just… They all faded into the background to me. No one stood out or felt authentic. They were all two dimensional and so dull.
Now, for main character, Henrietta. I wanted to, especially with the whole I’m-not-the-chosen-one thing going on, but she was just so boring, so annoying, and had a habit of running away from situations that went awry. It happened several times and I was unimpressed every single time.
I wanted to sympathise with her, or at the very least, like her, but it was just hard. I couldn’t make sense of some of the decisions she made and it just made the book a whole lot more embarrassing.
The second time I wanted to start this, I was worried about a potential love shape. The synopsis sure as hell didn’t help, with the mention of three guys and all. Fortunately, it’s not a quadrilateral love shape. Unfortunately, there’s definitely one of triangular sorts. Magnus was a flirt and okay and all, but honestly, he made such a jerk move! And I never liked Rook, Henrietta’s childhood best friend, who’s, frankly, hardly in the damn book other than to cause some kinda monster problem. There was another guy, Blackwood or something? In any case, he ends up being a friend to Henrietta so I guess I’ll take silver linings.
Overall, this was a huge disappointment. I’ll probably read the second book but I won’t be in any rush for it. 2 stars.
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{ buy the book }
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{ about the author }
Swoon Thursday is a weekly feature hosted by #YABound
in which we share something that made us swoon in the
book we're currently reading or recently finished.
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This week I'm featuring Never Apart by Romily Bernard!
"Again," I whispered, pulling his mouth to mine. [His] fingers dragged over my cheeks. touching me like he was learning me, like he was desperate.
I understood. I felt it, too.
He crushed me against the wall, and I let him. His hips pressed into my stomach and his hands cradled my face and somehow it still wasn't enough. I pushed against him, fingers digging into his shoulders because my legs were gone.
"Grace..." My name sounded painful in his mouth, and I knew I must be a horrible person because it made me smile. I could get used to that. He made me powerful.
hardcover, pg 241
This was a pleasant surprise! I liked this book, and this swoon was well worth the wait!
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by
Jill at Breaking the Spine, which spotlights a
book we're hotly anticipating.
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Publishes January 23, 2018 by Razorbill
Odessa is one of Karthia's master necromancers, catering to the kingdom's ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it's Odessa's job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised--the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin.
A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa's necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead--and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer's magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?
{ other books }
{ pre-order links }
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indie Bound
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Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
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Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
Yooooooo. Bisexual necromancer!! I am SO READY FOR THIS BOOK and I love this cover SO much. And! As of yesterday, beautiful character art has been revealed! Look! Aren't they amazing?
Hi guys! Today, I'm excited to share the cover for the third book in A Wicked Saga: Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout, coming out December 11, 2017! There's also some other great things in store so be sure to check it out!
Are you guys ready?
Without further ado, I present you the cover for Brave!
{ about the book }
Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Wicked Saga, book 3
Ivy Morgan hasn't been feeling like herself lately. Not like anyone can blame her. After all, being held captive by a psychotic fae prince hell-bent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld is bound to leave some mental scars.
It’s more than that, though. Something dark and insidious is spreading throughout Ivy, more powerful than she could ever imagine... and it’s coming between her and the man she’s fallen deeply in love with, elite Order member Ren Owens.
Ren would do anything to keep Ivy safe. Anything. But when he makes a life altering choice for her, the fallout of his act has far reaching consequences that threaten to tear their lives apart. If Ivy is going to have any hope of surviving this, she must put aside the hurt and betrayal she feels, and work with not only those she loves, but with an enemy she would rather kill than ever trust. War is coming, and it soon becomes clear that what Ivy and Ren thought they knew about the Order, themselves, and even their enemies, has been nothing but a cluster of dangerous, deadly lies. Ivy knows she must be more than just brave to save those she loves--and, ultimately, to save herself.
Because behind ever evil fae Prince, there’s a Queen…
Ren would do anything to keep Ivy safe. Anything. But when he makes a life altering choice for her, the fallout of his act has far reaching consequences that threaten to tear their lives apart. If Ivy is going to have any hope of surviving this, she must put aside the hurt and betrayal she feels, and work with not only those she loves, but with an enemy she would rather kill than ever trust. War is coming, and it soon becomes clear that what Ivy and Ren thought they knew about the Order, themselves, and even their enemies, has been nothing but a cluster of dangerous, deadly lies. Ivy knows she must be more than just brave to save those she loves--and, ultimately, to save herself.
Because behind ever evil fae Prince, there’s a Queen…
{ buy the book }
BONUS!
To celebrate the upcoming release of Brave (book 3 in the Wicked Saga), Jennifer is offering an exclusive virtual signing! Through this virtual signing, you'll be able to order SIGNED & PERSONALIZED copies of Wicked, Torn, and Brave!
- virtual signing opens 9/21/17 at 11AM ET
- virtual signing ends 11/17/17
- open internationally
Pre-Order:
more pre-order links to come!
BONUS!
- virtual signing opens 9/21/17 at 11AM ET
- virtual signing ends 11/17/17
- open internationally
Pre-Order:
more pre-order links to come!
{ about the author }
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.• PRIZE: SURPRISE SIGNED PRIZE PACK (containing multiple signed books & swag)
• OPEN INTERNATIONAL
• ENDS 10/2/17
