House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed. 

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last- the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge-and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods. 

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were not accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who-or what-are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family-before it claims her next. 

Review

This book was awesome!

It was so much different from everything else I've read. 

At first, I was like, wait a minute, is this just a mystery? Then there is a fantasy twist. It was super unique.

The only thing I am not sure I liked was the ending. I am sure that many people do not agree with me and thought the ending was perfect, but for some reason, endings like that have been pissing me off lately. I will say that there was nothing wrong with the ending. I just thought it should have gone a different way.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Erin A. Craig!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley, for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Broken Veil (Harbinger #5) by Jeff Wheeler

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler's epic Harbinger series comes to a breathtaking conclusion as two women are swept into a battle that could easily destroy two worlds. 

Rescued from a world of poverty, Cettie Pratt has avoided a bleak destiny - until now. Deceived and manipulated, she has been groomed for the ultimate betrayal: to destroy her best friend and stop peace from uniting two war-torn worlds. Her path leads her to a mysterious underworld where appearances can be deceiving. 

Sera Fitxempress knows the value she has to her enemies. As heir to the empire, she must keep her foes at bay and prevent them from unleashing a being of unspeakable evil upon the world, while fighting a brutal war. But her enemies are more cunning than Sera expects, and the key to their plans is none other than her best friend. 

Neither woman knows what to believe. Neither one knows if she can trust the other. Both Cettie and Sera have made decisions that have irrevocably changed them. But the decision they have yet to make will determine the fate of their world...

Review

Let me first apologize! Sorry I have not been posting often. I have also not been reading nearly as much as I normally do, which has been terrible.

I work full-time, and I am also doing my internship for my master's degree right now. So, right now, I am usually either at work, at my internship, or sleeping. I haven't had time for much else. I am counting down the days until I am able to read more again, though!

Now on to the book...

If you have not read the first 4 books in the Harbinger series, check out my reviews for them first here:

Click each book cover to read my review for that book.

 
     

This was a great ending to the Harbinger series!

The first book had me hooked immediately, and Jeff Wheeler kept his hooks in me for all 4 books after that!

I was wondering how the author was going to try to wrap things up, considering how much happened in the third book. I was so happy with how he did it, although I kind of wish a couple of parts included a little more substance. I won't give away any spoilers, though.

However, overall, I am happy with how the series ended. The third book threw lots of twists and turns into the story, and this book ironed many of them out. This book wrapped everything up nicely.

I don't think there will be another book unless it follow a completely different plotline. However, I really hope the author decides to keep going with the characters from these books. I got attached to these characters and am not ready to let them go just yet.

Now that I have finished this series, I need to go back and read the Kingfountain and Legends of Muirwood books! Even if I can't read more about the same characters, at least I can read more stories set in the same world!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!

The Transhuman Project by Erin Rhew Blog Tour and $25 Amazon Giveaway

The Transhuman Project
Erin Rhew
Publication date: January 15th 2019
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

When a video of Molly Richards is taken out of context and goes viral, she’s thrust into the upper echelons of social media stardom and becomes an overnight success in a country where Life Channel ratings reign supreme. As Kadar’s fastest rising celebrity, her life becomes a media circus, a show put on for the shallow national audience salivating for the next new thing.
But in a world where image is king, danger and death hide among the shadows. In the nearby country of Pacifica, the brutal Caezar turns his citizens into robotic weapons who infiltrate Kadar as sleeper transhumans. They walk among the populace, unaware they are pawns in the madman’s personal arsenal.
Only Molly, her friends, and an elite group of Kadarian fighters known as the Cyber Knights fully understand the transhuman threat, and only they can break the Caezar’s terrorist grip on both Pacifica and Kadar. Battling Fire Bots and humanoid agents, they seek to put a stop to the Caezar’s tyranny by unraveling the secrets buried between layers of deception.And they have to do it all while smiling and waving for the cameras.
As Molly and her friends peer behind the glitz and glamour, they discover something more frightening and more sinister than anything they’ve encountered yet…the truth.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / Smashwords

Author Bio:
Erin Rhew is an editor, the operations manager for a small press, and a YA fantasy and sci-fi author. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."
A Southern girl by blood and birth, Erin spent years in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest before returning to her roots in the land of hushpuppies, sweet tea, and pig pickin’. She’s married to fellow author, the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) Deek Rhew, and spends her time writing side-by-side with him under the watchful eye of their patient-as-a-saint writing assistant, a tabby cat named Trinity. Erin and Deek enjoy taking long walks, drinking coffee, lifting, boxing, eating pizza, staying up late into the night talking, and adventuring together.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Review

If you are looking for a quick, easy read, this is a good one!

I read this in between working on lots of homework and starting my internship, which is taking up most of my "spare time," since I also work full time. I was still able to get through this book in just a few days, though.

It is fun and fast-paced, and I loved the similarities it draws to today's society, with the Kadarans obsessed with their Life Channels and constantly streaming every second of their lives and watching every second of other people's lives. Thinking about just how similar Kadar's culture is to ours and how quickly our culture could become just like Kadar's is kind of scary.

But I digress...

This book was well written. The author did a great job with character development and world-building. I loved Molly! (And sometimes I also wanted to kick her).

I did get a little irritated with the love story in this book, though. However, I'm not a big fan of most romantic plots in stories.

This is the first book I've ever read by Erin Rhew, but I don't plan for it to be my last!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers to be a part of this blog tour, which was organized by Xpresso Book Tours.

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Otherword & Otherearth (Last Reality #1 & #2) by Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller

         

Otherworld (Last Reality #1)

The company says Otherworld is amazing - like nothing you've ever seen before. They say that it's addictive - that you'll want to stay forever. They promise Otherworld will make all your dreams come true. 

Simon thought Otherworld was a game. Turns out he knew nothing. Otherworld is the next phase of reality. It's everything you've ever wanted.

And it's about to change humanity forever.

Welcome to the Otherworld. No one could ever have seen it coming.

Otherearth (Last Reality #2)

Return to the series BuzzFeed compared to Ready Player One in the second book in a new fast-paced trilogy from New York Times bestselling authors Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller that's perfect for fans of HBO's Westworld.

Simon saved his best friend, Kat, from the clutches of the Company and their high-tech VR gamilng experience, Otherworld. But it was at a steep price. Now he, Kat, and their friend Busara are on the run. They know too much. About the Company's dark secrets.

About the real-life consequences of playing Otherworld. And about Kat's stepfather's involvement in everything. The group is headed to New Mexico to find Simon's old roomate, who is a tech genius and possibly the only person who can help them reveal the truth about the Company before it's too late and the line between what's real and what's fantasy is erased... forever.

Imagine a future in which you can leave reality behind and give in to your greatest desires. That future is now. And the future is terrifying. 

Review(s)

I am writing my reviews of Otherworld and Otherearth together, mostly because I rushed through them both super fast and didn't take any time in between to jot any notes down for a review like I normally do. I will make sure I do not give away any spoilers for Otherworld, for those of you that have not read book #1 yet. 

MIND BLOWN!!!

I must say, I was pretty intrigued when I learned that Jason Segel wrote thsi book. When the first book was released, I put it on my TBR but never read it. I saw him on The View (don't judge me, I just happened to land on that channel while it was on and stopped because he was talking, and he is funny) and found out that he wrote these books and the second had just been released. I 💓💓💓 Forgetting Sarah Marshall! I knew he wrote that, and everything else I've seen him in has been hilarious. I already wanted to read these books after reading about them when Otherworld was released, so this was the push I needed to bump them to the top of my TBR list and read them.

There are definitely some funny parts, and the book is very well-written and the world building is excellent. The authors were able to build an amazing realistic AI world within a world and bring both to life. 

The first book was really good. I sped through it and finished it within a couple of days. The second book was just as good, but the ending BLEW MY MIND! I totally did not see it coming.

I am so upset now! In the Kindle version, the page after you finish the book says Other____ coming Fall 2019" Seriously? It's like they're rubbing it in that we will have to wait a whole year to see what happens next.

So, I just recently started listening to audiobooks on my commute to work. Usually, I just want to keep reading (something that you shouldn't do while driving), so I get the audiobook of the book I am reading from the library so that I can SAFELY keep reading while I drive. 

I was expecting the audiobook to be super funny and entertaining because Jason Segal narrated it. He did a good job, and it wasn't boring, monotonous, or not entertaining, but it just wasn't' what I was expecting when I started it. He does well voicing some of the characters, but I was expecting a lot more theatrics and funny-making (yeah, that's totally a word). That was just my expectation though, not something that the audiobook is advertised as or anything. It is no way was a bad audiobook, and I will totally listen to book #3 on audiobook. I just wanted to mention this in case anyone else has the same expectation I had.

Definitely, do not let this deter you from listening to it, but just don't go into it expecting him to do voice work as if it were a cartoon or something. It is an audiobook, and we are adults (kind of). lol

I loved these books! I am happy that I waited until the 2nd book was released to read the first so that I didn't have to wait to read it, but I am upset that I have to wait to see what happens next! I'm not sure when book # 3 will be out. It isn't listed on GoodReads yet, so I assume it will not be anytime this year. 😥

Mirage (Mirage #1) by Somaiya Daud

In a star system dominated by the brutal Vathek empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation she dreams of writing poetry like the old-world poems she adores; she dreams of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day, she too will have adventues, and travel beyond her isolated moon. 

But when adventure comes to Amani, it is not what she expects: she is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she is nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek Princess Maram. The princess is so hated by her conquered people that she requires a body double, someone to appear in public as Maram, ready to die in her place.

As Amani is forced into her new role, she can't help but enjoy the palace's beauty - and her time with the princess' fiance, Idris. But the glitter of the royal court belies a world of violence and fear. If Amani ever wishes to see her family again, she must play the princess to perfection... because one wrong move could lead to her death. 

Review

I went in this book not quite knowing what to expect and was pleasantly surprised! I loved it!

I listened to most of this book as an Audiobook, and I highly recommend it. This is one of those books where I know I would have pronounced the names and places much different if I read them first. I really enjoyed hearing the book read with the pronunciation the author intended for the characters and places.

I have only recently started listening to audiobooks. This was only the 3rd or 4th one I've listened to, and I enjoyed it very much. I especially love that I can read while driving now, something you should never do without an audiobook.

This book is really well written! The author did an excellent job at world building and character development, and the plot was very unique.

Although this book is set on a different planet, much of the book was inspired by Moroccan culture. This was awesome! I love when YA fantasy books incorporate different cultures, even if they are set on other planets!

The only thing that irked me just a little about this book was how easily Amani seems to settle into her new life and doesn't seem to be taking her situation as seriously as she should be. She is supposed to be in danger throughout the whole book, and it seems like she forgets that quite a bit. This could be a combination of her personality and how young she is, but I still expected her at several points during the book to stop and consider how much danger she is in.

I still really enjoyed reading this book, though! I definitely recommend it!

The ending left me asking a whole bunch of questions, so I will definitely check out book #2 when it comes out!

Book # 2, Court of Lions, is listed on GoodReads. It says it will be released sometime this year but doesn't say when. 

The Darkest Star (Origin #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

When seventeen-year-old Evie Dasher is caught up in a raid at a notorious club known as one of the few places where humans and the surviving Luxed can mingle freely, she meets Luc, an unnaturally beautiful guy she initally assmes is a Luxen.. but he is in fact something much  more powerful. Her growing attraction for Luc will lead her deeper and deeper into a world she'd only heard about, a world where everything she thought she knew will be turned on its head...

#1 New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout returns to the universe of the Lux in this brand new series, featuring beloved characters both new and old. 

Review

I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I first started it. BUT WOAH! This book was AH-MAY-ZING! I got sucked in really quickly and zoomed right through it!

The character development in this book was awesome! Luc reminded me of Rhysand from ACOTAR, who is my all-time-favorite book bf, so of course, I liked him almost immediately.
I also liked that even though this book is about 👽, there are also many comparisons to today's society. People are arguing over and protesting 👽rights sounds all too familiar. Also, the comparisons to mixed relationships being dangerous. Even though things have come a long way for biracial relationships, we still have so far to go.

I absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ed this book! I was so mad when I got to the last page then looked on GoodReads and found out that I don't even know how long I will have to wait to see what happens next.

One thing that will make the wait a little better... This book is the first in a new series, based on the world from the author's Lux series. I started reading it immediately after finishing this book.

While you do not have to read the Lux series to understand or ♥ this book, I do recommend it. I am finding that reading this book before reading the Lux series gives some spoilers away.

However, I think the author did an awesome job world building in this book and in the Lux series. She did so in a way so that readers that started with this book could perfectly understand the world, while not being redundant for those that had already read Lux.

Again, if you have not read the Lux series yet and think you might want to at some point, I do recommend reading it first. However, if you don't ever plan to read it, dive on in to this series!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Broken Worlds (Jagged Scars #5) by Jo Schneider

Wendy has watched too many of her friends and family fall prey to the Primate. Thousands have died at his hands, simply because he deemed them unworthy of life. With her newfound allies, who possess more information on the Primate's vicious plans for domination, Wendy urges her weakened people to strike.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Wendy leads a group into the heart of the Primate's city. When they find technology that could wipe out what is left of the world to make room for the Primate's believers, they each must decide what they are willing to sacrifice to keep their friends safe. Even if that sacrifice means losing each other. 

Review

First of all, I would like to thank Jo Schneider for sending me a copy of this book!

If you have not read the rest of the Jagged Scars series, I recommend reading my review of the first book, Fractured Memories. I will try not to include too many spoilers from the rest of the series in this review, though.

I waited so long to read this book! I am really glad that I read Spoiled Gambit  (book #4.5) before reading this book. It was a great refresher on what happened in Crippled Hope (book #4), and I loved that it gave Cal a chance to continue his story.

However, you do not need to read the Spoiled Gambit novella to understand what happens in this book. I recommend it, though, as it will give you quite a bit of insight into what happens when Cal and Dennis go on a mission at the end of Crippled Hope. 

This is the last book in the Jagged Scars series. I have been dying to know how it ends!

This book, just like all the others in this series, didn't disappoint! This book was just as good as the rest of the series.

**SPOILER ALERT** 

At 92%, I started getting a little worried about the ending.  I get showing how much Dennis has changed, but I didn't like the way the ending was done.

I loved everything about this book and this series, until I got to the end. I feel like it could have been written better. I think the author tried to wrap things up a little too neatly at the end. Jo Schneider is excellent at writing cliffhangers, as she demonstrated in the rest of the series. I think I would have been upset if the series ended with too much of a cliffhanger, I just feel like it was wrapped up too quickly at the end.

Although I was a little disappointed with the way this book ended, I still loved it!

I'm really sad that the series is over, though! I wish I could see what happen next!

I definitely plan to check out more of Jo Schneider's work!

Spoiled Gambit (Jagged Scars #4.5) by Jo Schneider

Cal screwed up. He trusted the wrong guy. Wendy almost died and Shelter fell. In an attempt to assuage his own guilt, Cal joined a dangerous mission to lead the Primate's people away from the survivors. 

While laying a false trail for the Primate's Skinnies, Cal discovers some old friends, but he also finds an enemy even more dangerous than the Primate. Now the group must decide if their objective has changed. Cal will do anything to prove to the others, and maybe himself, that he is not a traitor. But will it be enough to keep his friends safe?

Review

Before I say anything at all about this book, I just have to say - I did not expect Cal to be as attractive as he is depicted on the cover of this book. I was picturing someone way nerdier, but he is a total hottie on the cover.

If you haven't read the other books in the series, read my review of the first book, Fractured Memories.

This novella was a great way to get back into the series. It gave me a bit of a refresher on what happened in book # 4, Crippled Hope, since it had been a while since I read it. This short is just as good as the rest of the series, though. 

I really like Cal! I Am so happy that he was given a whole novella to try to make up for his mistakes. I don't want to give anything away, but I hope that what happens in this novella helps give Cal a second chance in the next book. 

This was a great intro to the last book in the series! I am super excited to read Broken World, now! I am just sad that the series is coming to an end. 

Thank you, Jo Schneider, for sending me a copy of this book! 

Threadwalkers by Joanna Volavka

After her father's death in a plane crash, Miranda Woodard's life begins to unravel. On her sixteenth birthday, Miranda receives a mysterious gift: a small wooden box containing a needle and a spool of gossamer golden thread, left behind by her father, which begins a chain of events that soon leave her life in chaos. Her pet cat is replaced with another, her teachers don't have her on their roll call at school, even her closest friends forgot who she is. When her mother vanishes into thin air, Miranda becomes desperate for answers. She follows clues to meet a man known only as the Tailor. With his help, she must find a way to fix her life before it's too late.

Review

First of all, I would like to thank the author, Joanna Volavka, for sending me a copy of this book!

This book started off a little bit slow, but it is definitely worth it to keep reading. Once the pace started picking up, I was completely sucked in.

I really like the way Miranda was written. Although the author wrote a realistic account of how a 16-year-old might react to such complex and scary situations, she didn't turn her into a whiner like some YA authors tend to do with teenagers in tough positions.

If you like, sci-fi, you'll love this book. If you don't like sci-fi, you should still totally read this book!

I loved this book! I hope the author writes more about Miranda's adventures! I really want to see what happens next!

About the Author

Joanna currently lives in southern California with her husband, two cats, and extensive book collection. She is on staff with the International Geek Girls Pen Pals Club and spends her time writing or traveling as often as possible. She loves national parks, wildlife conservation, geeky conventions, and weird roadside attractions. She knows that Han shot first. Joanna still hasn't decided what she wants to be when she grows up, though she suspects it will probably be herself.

Website: joannavolavka.com
Twitter: @joannavolavka
IG: @joannavolavka
FB: facebook.com/joannavolavkaauthor

Mirror Gate (Harbinger #2) by Jeff Wheeler

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler continues his wondrous Harbinger series in which two young women unite as two worlds approach the brink of war...

Though relations between Princess Seraphin Fitzempress and her father have been strained, Sera's royal position has remained unchallenged. Filled with self-doubt, she struggles to grasp the Mysteries- her greatest trial yet.

An education in the enigmatic magic is a necessary one, should Sera plan to rise in her station and invoke her powers during war. But the emperor's death now leaves both Sera and her ambitios father eligible for the throne- a contest the prince regent intends to win. Even if it means an alliance with a rival empire.

Sera's hope lies in Cettie, a waif raised in the world below, whose life has intertwined with sera's in the most unexpected ways. The Mysteries come easily ot Cettie, and her studies have begun to yield new insight into her growing powers. But those same powers put Cettie in the path of those who would destroy her. 

Now as the threat of war ignites and an insidious sickness spreads throughout the kingdom, Sera and Cettie will need to gather their courage and fight for each other's lives... and for the future of their endangered world.

Review

This book picks up several years after the first book in the series, Storm Glass, left off. 

WARNING: SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK AHEAD. If you have not read Storm Glass, it's review instead by clicking here: Review of Storm Glass

When the book begins, Cettie and Sera have been at Muirwood Abbey for the past 4 years, learning the Mysteries. 

I would love for Jeff Wheeler to write a novella telling more about what happened in the 4 years between Storm Glass and Mirror Gate. 

As we learned in Storm Glass, Cettie has an affinity for the Mysteries, and they come to her easily. Sera, on the other hand, sucks at it, and not mastering the Mysteries may put her destiny at risk.

One thing that frustrated me in this book is how everyone kept explaining that all Cettie's problems would be solved once she learns the Mysteries, even though some of those problems were life threatening, and no one ever recommended taking the test early or anything... Not even a couple of weeks earlier than planned... Smh

I read a retweet that said sometimes I want to hug Jeff Wheeler, and other times, I want to throw him off the edge of a sky manor. I had the same feelings several times while reading this series! I've been on a roller coaster of emotion throughout both books!

😘

😄

😲

😮

OMG! That is all I have to say after reading this book! I don't want to give away any spoilers about this book or it's ending, so please just go read it! 

This book was just as good, if not better than the first book! I am glad we finally learned a little more about the Mysteries, though! I was getting tired of everyone talking about them and not explaining anything. 

The only thing I'm not happy about is having to wait to see what happens next! I looked on Jeff Wheeler's website, and it looks like book #3, Iron Garden, will be released in November, which is waaaaay too long.  

This book was AH-MAY-ZING! Again, Jeff Wheeler blew my mind! I can't wait to read the next book in the series! If I can't find an ARC soon, I plan to read the Kingsfountain and the Legends of Muirwood series so that I understand more about Cettie's world. 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Storm Glass (Harbinger #1) by Jeff Wheeler

Theirs is a world of opposites. The priviledged live in sky manors held aloft by a secretive magic known only as the Mysteries. Below, the earthbound poor are forced into factory work to maintain the engine of commerce. Only the wealthy can afford to learn the Mysteries, and they use their knowledget to further lock their hold on society.

Cettie Pratt is a waif doomed to the world below, until an admiral attempts to adopt her. But in her new home in the clouds, not everyone treats her as one of the family.

Sera Firempress is a princess born into power. She yearns to meet the orphan girl she has heard so much about, but her father deems the girl unworthy of his daughter's curiosity.

Neither girl feels that she belongs. Each seeks to break free of imposed rules. Now, as Cettie dreams of living above and Sera is drawn to the world below, they will follow in the paths of their own choosing. 

But both girls will be needed for the coming storm that threatens to overturn both their worlds.

Review

First, let me tell you something that I think is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Even though this book was just released on June 19th, the sequel, Mirror Gate, is going to be released on August 28th! How awesome is that? One of the things I hate most about reading a good series is having to wait a year or more for the next book to be released. Thank you so much, Jeff Wheeler, for taking your readers into consideration and not making us wait on the edge our seats for who knows how long to see what happens next!

Something else that is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING: THIS BOOK!

I wasn't aware that the author of this series also wrote the Legends of Muirwood series. I actually won one of the Muirwood books in a giveaway on GoodReads, and I just never got around to reading them. I will now! This book is based on some aspects of the world in the Muirwood series, just very far into the future.

To understand this series, you don't need to read the other series first. However, now that I've become so interested in Cettie and her world, I definitely want to read the Muirwood series. The author's other series, Kingfountain, also looks really good! 

Something that irked me a bit was that Cettie was so quick to leave the kids and Joses in the Fells. She was so concerned with their welfare but asked to leave She knew Joses was likely in jail and their guardian is a drunk who doesn't feed them, you would think that she would be more concerned about making sure that would be alright. This was just a little detail that made me scratch my head. It didn't detract from the story, though. 

The author did an excellent job at world building and character development! I really like Cettie and Sera, and of course, Fitzroy! Sera's dad really pissed me off, though! He is a total assbutt! (Sorry, I've been watching way too much Supernatural.)  

This book had so many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down, and I loved the ending! I am so happy that I have the sequel so that I can start reading it right now!

the author stated that this series will have 5 books. Since the first 2 are the only ones listed on GoodReads,  it might be a while before I get to see what happens next, so it's a great time to catch up on some of his other work. 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe. 

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nnothingmore than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. 

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him-and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as a betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Review

HOLY CRAP!!! I absolutely LOVED this book!!!

I have heard lots of good things about this book and have wanted to read it for a while. It totally exceeded my expectations! 

This was the first book I've read by Holly Black, but I definitely intend to read more.

I sped through this book! I couldn't put it down. I probably would have stayed up and finished it all in one night if I didn't have to get up and adult the next day. 😢 Adulting sucks!

The ending was EPIC, and totally not at all what I was expecting to happen!

The only thing that I'm upset about is how long I have to wait to read the sequel! Does anyone know where I can get an ARC of The Wicked King?

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. 

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated -- scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

Review

Let me start out by saying, I was a little worried after reading some of the reviews of this book. Sarah J. Maas is my FAVORITE author, and this is one of my all-time favorite series, so when I read some of the less-than-stellar reviews of this book, I was scared to ruin my love of the series with a book that is not up to SJM's high standards.

I should never have worried! However, it is best to go into this book with the mindset that this is a NOVELLA, it is not a full-length novel. You cannot expect this to be like the first 3 books in the series. Unlike the action-packed first 3 books, this is more of a transition into the 4th book. The war is over, and Feysand and the inner circle are settling into life in Velaris. 

I was missing Rhys and the gang! I am just glad SJM released something so that we don't have to wait so long to see what happens next! This was was a perfect little teaser of what's to come in the next book. It's super short, and I read it really quickly. It's just what you need to get your ACOTAR fix in since book #4 will not be released until next year, and Kingdom of Ash, the 7th book in the Throne of Glass series, will not be released until October. 

Plus, there is a sneak peak for book #4 in the back of this book, and that one ends with a cliffhanger! ☺

Here's some of my favorite fan art for the ACOTAR series! Please note: None of this artwork is mine. Click on the pics to go to the artist's site. 

The first few are from JoPainter. I ♥ ♥ ♥ her artwork. Here's a link to her website: http://jopainter.co.uk/ 

You can also go here to purchase her artwork: JoPainter on Etsy  

These 2 come from The Art of Jana Etsy store:

I found this one on Instagram: @taratjah

I couldn't find who did these, but I really like them!

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Shade (The Shade #1) by Marilyn Peake

Finalist in the 2015 National Indie Excellence Book Awards, Young Adult Fiction category. 

 Thanks to her offbeat mother, Shade's full name is Galactic Shade Griffin. Having a name like that while being the new girl in school is pretty much catnip for bullies. The summer before Shade's junior year of high school, her mother breaks up with yet another boyfriend and moves them once again to a new town.

This time, they move into a dilapidated old house where Shade has an entire attic bedroom to herself-at least until she discovers it's haunted by the ghost of a teenaged boy named Brando Yates. When Shade's best friend goes missing, her life becomes even more complicated. With the help of Brandon who's struggling with his own issues in the world beyond, Shade faces the question of whether or not she has what it takes to become a true hero.

Although this novel deals with a number of serious issues - drug and alcohol abuse, cutting, and disturbing world events - it's primarily a novel about a teenaged girl finding out who she really is and that she's capable of so much more than she ever thought possible. 

Shade is a Young Adult Paranormal Mystery novel. 

Review

I've been getting Marilyn Peake's emails for a while but had never read any of her books, so when I got an email about joining her ARC team, I jumped on the opportunity to check out some of her work.

This book is about Galactic Shade Griffin, aka Shade, a teenager with a drug and alcohol addicted mother who has just broken up with yet another boyfriend and moved her and her daughter yet again. This time, her mother moves them into a haunted house. When girls start going missing from Shade's school, the ghosts help solve the case.  

The amount of mature, potentially triggering topics in what I assumed was a light-hearted YA fantasy book was really surprising. Pretty quickly into the book, Shade starts cutting herself. She then sees a ghost, and the knife is flung from her hand and her arms are healed. The ghost tells her that she should do art instead of cutting herself. 

In some ways, I would think this book should be considered Middle Grade, because of the writing and the maturity of some of the characters. However, there were many topics that were completely inappropriate for MG books, like human trafficking and abortion.

I'm not sure what else to say about this book. It was kind of over the place, I am interested in checking out some of the author's other work, though. Next, I am going to try The Other, which is supposed to be a sci-fi book that features aliens. The reviews on GoodReads are much more positive than they are for this book, so I'm hopeful. I'll let you know what I think! 

I received a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. 

Unraveled (Perfected #3) by Kate Jarvik Birch Blog Tour & Giveaway

Ella isn't anyone's pet anymore, but she's certainly not free. 

After exposing the dark secrets about NuPet's breeding program, forcing them to repeal the law that allowed genetically modified girls to be kept as pets, she thought girls like her would finally be free. She never dreamed that it would backfire. NuPet may have convinced the public of their intentions to assimilate pets back into society, but Ella knows it's a lie. 

They aren't planning mass rehabilitation... they're planning a mass extermination.

Now, with the help of a small group of rebels, Ella and Penn, the boy she'd give up her life for, set out to bring down NuPet for good. But when her group gets implicated in a string of bombings, no one is safe. If she can't untangle the web of blackmail and lies that extends far beyond NuPet's reach, she won't just lose her chance at freedom, she'll lose everyone she loves.

Buy links: https://entangledpublishing.com/unraveled.html

About Kate Jarvik Birch: 

Kate Jarvik Birch is a visual artist, author, playwright, daydreamer, and professional procrastinator. As a child, she wanted to grow up to be either a unicorn or mermaid. Luckily, being a writer turned out to be just as magical. Her essays and short stories have been published in literary journals including Indiana Review and Saint Ann's Review. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and three kids. 

Author Links:

Author Website: katejarvikbirch.com

Author Twitter: @katejarvikbirch

Author Facebook. www.facebook.com/KateJarvikBirchBooks/

Author Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KateJarvikBirch

Author Instagram: instagram.com/kebirch

Review:

First of all, if you have not read Perfected or Tarnished yet, go out and get them right now! You'll want to read them before you start this book, and you will definitely want to start this book. 😸

I have been waiting to read this book for a long time, and it definitely did not disappoint!

This book was AWESOME! Kate Jarvik Birch definitely knows how to suck you in and keep you on the edge of your seat!

I liked this book just as much, if not more than the first 2 books in the series!

I am hoping to hear more from Ella and Penn, but I think this might be the last book in the series. If so, I can't wait to see what Kate Jarvik Birch comes up with next!

I received a copy of this book in order to participate in the blog tour.

                                

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Gauntlet Fall (The Gauntlet Book 1) by Maddy Edwards

Gauntlet Fall

by Maddy Edwards

(The Gauntlet #1)

Publication Date: June 12th 2017

Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Blurb:

Samantha Berry lives in a world devastated by war. A fragile peace has allowed hopes for rebuilding to blossom, but they rest on the shoulders of those who run the Gauntlet, the lethal trail to the stronghold of the man whose strange creatures started the war many years ago. The stronghold lies deep in Torrent's Valley, protected by deadly weapons that defeat every attempt to penetrate it, and it holds information crucial to the survival of Samantha's world.

Samantha wants to go to Harknell School, where Gauntlet Runners are trained. The only trouble is, she's the wrong gender. Determined not to let a little thing like that stand in her way, she disguises herself, calls herself "Sam," and risks everything to learn the skills she needs. 

Fraught with unimagined dangers, Harknell shows Sam a whole new world and forces her to keep a cool head as she fights to maintain her place and become a Runner. Along the way, she'll make lifelong friends, watch loyalties crumble, and learn what it is to love. 

In this scorching world that no one saw coming... until it arrived. 

Review:

I like that at the beginning they don't specify the gender of the main character. I thought the main character was a boy at the beginning. I didn't like that almost immediately after her gender was revealed, it is emphasized how much weaker females are than males. However, the author proves that point incorrect throughout the rest of the book. 

Sam(antha) is stuck in Salt Landing with her cousin's family who treat her like crap. Her mother left her with her cousin when she went to look for her brother, after he left for Harknell Hall to try to run the Gauntlet. Six years later, Sam goes herself, to try to train to run the Gauntlet and find her brother, even though only males are allowed at Harknell Hall. 

I was impressed by this book! It sucked me in immediately, and I would have finished it in one night, if I didn't have to make myself go to bed at a (somewhat) decent hour so that I could go to work early the next day. Adulting sucks!

I will say that I figured out one of the twists at the end, but all of the other twists and turns thorughout the book, and especially the ending, I could have NEVER guessed any of that was going to happen! 

The author did an excellent job at world building and character development. Her character development was also very well timed, leaving some characters' mysteries a secret until the most powerful moment to reveal them. 

I absolutely ♥ed Sam! She was fearless and was hardly ever afraid of being found out as a girl, except in obvious situations. I think it would have taken away from the story if she was constantly worrying about it. 

This book was awesome! I'm just super upset that I don't have the next book in the series to keep reading! I can't wait to see what happens next!

I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. 

Shattered Dreams (Jagged Scars #3) by Jo Schneider

Wendy has wrestled the monster in her head into a corner where she hopes to keep it at bay. Thanks to her and the other fighters, Shelter is safe, but the victory didn't come without loss. During the Writing on the Wall - a tribute to the dead - Mike announces his plan to go after Pelton and his people. Wendy is the first to volunteer. 

But Jeff has other ideas. He asks Wendy and a few other trusted fighters to join him on a team that will go in before the main force and wreak havoc in the complex. The price? Wendy has to lie to the rest of her friends and pretend to date Jeff to cover for the time they spend together. Which would be okay if Wendy didn't actually have feelings for Jeff. But the worst part, the part Wendy isn't sure she can live with, is that Pelton might get away, and she will never avenge her family.

Excerpt from Shattered Dreams

When Wendy got to the computer lab, she keyed in the code and turned the handle.

Wendy pushed the door open. 

She'd expected it to be deserted, but Hound and Cal were huddled around a set of three computers, their heads together and their finders typing like mad.

Jeff was in the far corner.

"Doesn't anyone sleep around here?" Wendy muttered.

"I figure we can sleep when we're dead," Hound said with a grin.

Wendy shook her head and moved to the computer that had the typing tutorials on it. She'd been through them all a few times, but she still wasn't quite fast enough to do most of the drills Mike put them through. It had taken her a while to accept it, but this skill might be as important as fighting at some point. Hopefully the need to use such skills would never fall on her, but if it did, she wanted to be prepared. 

The screen came to life, and Wendy clicked on the icon for the tutorial. The familiar picture of the keyboard came up, and she positioned her hands on the real keyboard. 

Man. Tan. Fan. Pan.

Wendy kept up with the pace of the tutorial. The words got longer and more complicated. She got lost in it for a while, then the faint hiss of a chair moving told Wendy that Jeff had stood. A few footsteps and she knew he was coming toward her. 

The letters started to pop up on the screen. Wendy tried to relax and let her muscle memory do the work. 

Jeff's footsteps got closer. He pulled out the chair next to her and sat. 

"You don't have to watch me," Wendy said. "I think I've mastered loading the tutorial." She silently rejoiced as her fingers kept going, even when she was talking. They slowed down, but didn't start typing what she was saying, which had happened more than once.

"I finished my stuff. Thought I would say hi."

"Hi."

The "i" slipped into the word rock. Wendy made a face.

Jeff continued to watch, which made Wendy a little nervous. After a few minutes, she glanced over.

"What's on your mind?"

Jeff scooted his chair toward her, and leaned in until his lips were just inches from her ear.

"I've been thinking. I might need to use you as an excuse to keep Matt off my back."

"Okay." Lock. Tock. Sock.

He leaned closer, and whispered. "I mean, I think I need to tell him we're, uh, seeing one another."

Wendy furrowed her brow as "clock" came up. "What do you mean?"

"Like boyfriend and girlfriend."

Wendy's fingers froze. Her mind froze. Her neck froze, and she could have sworn it cracked as she turned to meet his gaze. "What?" she whispered.

Review

I absolutely loved Fractured Memories and Severed Ties, so when I got the opportunity to join the author's review team and read the rest of the series, I jumped at the chance to read more!

I had high expectations for this book, after reading the first two books in the series, and this book definitely didn't disappoint!

I can't say enough good things about this series! I love everything about it!

I even like the romantic aspect, which, if you've read pretty much any of my other reviews, says A LOT. The author didn't slap a cookie cutter love triangle in the middle of this story, and she didn't turn the main character into an idiot over a stupid crush.

I ♥ Wendy! She is a total badass! I can't decide if I like her or Jeff more, but I know that I ♥ ♥ ♥ them together!!!

The ending of this book was perfect. It set things up perfectly for the next book in the series, without leaving me too upset that I didn't have the next book yet to immediately keep reading.

I definitely recommend this series! If you haven't read the first two books yet, I encourage you to check them out! I promise, you won't be disappointed!

I received a copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

              

Fate of the Stars Blog Tour and iPad Mini Giveaway

Fate of the Stars
Arwen Paris
Publication date: September 1st 2017
Genres: Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

When the fate of the world rests upon you…
Allison Delaney wants to spend her senior year healing from the loss of her father, to leave the shadows of his death and her junior year break-down behind. A Labor Day beach party seems like a good place to start…but there’s more danger lurking than anyone could imagine. Death is coming to Earth if the pods of infectious creatures aren’t stopped. But only one human can help…
To live or die is no longer a choice.
Eenoki is a protector of life but must have a sentient host to fight the invasion. A teenage girl would not be the best choice, but out of desperation Eenoki invades Allison’s mind and body, granting her unnatural abilities and strengths – and helping her escape certain death when the first wave of pods land.
As destruction rains down on Earth’s population, Allison realizes to save everyone, she must make the ultimate choice: Reject her human side and bond with Eenoki to become the Earth’s Priestess – or be killed along with the rest of humanity.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Author Bio:
Arwen Paris is the author of young adult fiction. Her debut YA Sci-fi Urban Fantasy novel FATE OF THE STARS releases September 1, 2017. The actions packed pages of her novels are filled with characters that are forced to face fears they never expected. When she's not writing, you can see posts of her (too many) vacations that keep her sane. Arwen lives in Washington, has a big crazy family & after the day job, she writes Fiction For the Fearless - #F3Fanatic

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Review

I zoomed through this book in one night! I'm usually not into books about aliens, but this isn't like Star Trek or anything like that. Yes, there were aliens, but they were not the main focus of the story.

The story focuses more on Allison, who is a teenager who must learn as she goes, after stepping into a gigantic role that initially seems impossible.

This book was AWESOME!!! The author did an excellent job of world building and explaining about the aliens, their different culture, and their motivations.

I am definitely looking forward to reading more by Arwen Paris! I hope a sequel is in the works!

I received a copy of this book for free, in exchange for an honest review.

GIVEAWAY!
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Vanguard (Razorland #4) by Ann Aguirre

The Razorland saga continues. Since the war ended, Tegan has dreamed of an epic journey, so when she has the opportunity to sign on as ship's doctor, she can't wait. It's past time to chart her course. Millie Faraday, the kindest girl in the free territories, also yearns to outrun her reputation, and warrior-poet James Morrow would follow Tegan to the ends of the earth.

Their company seems set, but fate brings one more to their number, Tegan will battle incredible odds while aiding Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, who has ventured forth to save his people. Szarok is strange and beautiful, like a flower that blooms only in the dark. She shouldn't allow him close, as such a relationship is both alien and forbidden. But through stormy seas and strange lands, she will become stronger than she ever knew. 

Review

I read the first 3 Razorland books a couple of years ago and absolutely loved them! So, I was super excited to see that the author wrote another book in the series! As soon as I learned another book would be released, I searched NetGalley to try to get an ARC and lucked out! I had my doubts, since it was scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks. 

This book starts out 10 months after The War of the River, and it incorporates all the major-ish payers that have now become legends throughout the territories. 

I ♥ ♥ ♥ the characters in this book and how it shifts from different POVs! I especially liked reading from Szarok's POV. 

I had almost forgot how much I loved the Razorland series, and I definitely had no idea that I would get the chance to read about what happened in the aftermath of Horde from someone else's POV. I am SO glad I got to read this book!

This book was AWESOME! Since I ♥ed the other Razorland books so much, I definitely has SUPER HIGH expectations for this book, and it exceeded them! I was hooked immediately and couldn't wait to see what happened next, throughout the whole book! 

This book was so great! It was like nothing I've ever read, and there was absolutely nothing that I did not love about it!

As always, the author kept up the great writing and world building that was in the other three Razorland book. 

When I finished The Great Library series, I was so upset that I would have to wait to read the rest of the books int he series. 

I want to say more about this book, but I cant say more about the things that I ♥ed withouth giving away some big spoilers... So, I'll just stick with saying that I ♥ed EVERYTHING about this book! 

If you haven't read the Razorland series, I definitely encourage you to start! The first three books are absolutely amazing, and this book was no exception!

I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.