The Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman

The first installment of an adventure featuring stolen books, secret agents and forbidden societies - think Doctor Who with librarian spies!

Irene must be at the top of her game or she'll be off the case - permanently...

 Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, which harvests fiction from different realities. And along with her enigmatic assistant Kai, she's posted to an alternative London. Their mission - to retrieve a dangerous book. But when they arrive, it's already been stolen. London's underground factions seem prepared to fight to the very death to find her book.

Adding to the jeopardy, this world is chaos-infested - the laws of nature bent to allow supernatural creature and unpredictable magic. Irene's new assistant is also hiding secrets of his own. 

Soon, she's up to her eyebrows in a heady mix of danger, clues and secret societies. Yet failure is not an option - the nature of reality itself is at stake. 

Review

I have wanted to read The Masked City so bad, since it was first released, but I never came across a copy and there were a lot of people ahead of me, on hold to download a copy from the library. So, it would have taken forever.

Then, I came across The Burning Page on NetGalley. I read the description and was interested, not even realizing that it was the third (and I until just not, what I thought was the final, but keep reading) book in the same series as The Masked City.

I wasn't even aware of this fact until I was approved to receive a review copy of the book, and thus began my wonderful journey through this magnificent series.

Background from Book One, The Invisible Library:

The first book explains all about the secret library that exists across worlds in an alternative reality. The Librarians' purpose is to "obtain" (and sometimes steal) rare books from various worlds in order to preserve them, which helps them maintain order. The first book is the first of such adventures for Irene, a junior Librarian, and her new assistant, Kai.

Throughout the story, all kinds of obstacles prevent them from retrieving the book in a world filled with chaos and magic. They make friends and enemies along the way, and the ending is the perfect set up for the second book, The Masked City.

No spoilers, but oh boy was a happy that I waited to read The Masked City.

The Masked City was worth the wait, but I am soooo glad that I didn't have to wait to read if after finishing The Invisible Library. I would have cried.

Instead of crying and wishing that I had a time machine to travel to the point in the future where I could pick up a copy, I was able to start reading the second book immediately after finishing the first.

While I like the cover that is listed on the main GoodReads site for The Burning Page, I have to show you the cover that was presented on the NetGalley site and was used for some editions of the book.

So, I received my copy of The Burning Page and realized that I absolutely had to get copies of the first two books so that I could review it. I know, torture, right?! 

The Burning Page starts out with an Inter-Library notice of the status of several alternate worlds, letting the Librarians know which worlds are safe, and which are prohibited from travel. Some are at war, some are experiencing power struggles between the fae (who crave chaos) and the dragons (who strive for order), and some have been looking a little too closely into the Library's dealings, making them not safe for travel, as Librarians must never reveal the existence of the Library or their relationship to it. 

Apparently some worlds have cloned dinosaurs. I particularly like this quote in one of the notices:

In fact, we wish to remind all Librarians that they are here to collect books, not dinosaurs. Those Librarians who have problems distinguishing between the two should take a refresher course in Library basics.

Again, I am so glad that I did not have to wait read this book! I would have cried if I had to wait to see how the story ends...

At the time I wrote the above statement, I thought that The Burning Page was the last book in the series. However, just now, as I was pulling the covers for this post, I saw that another book has been added, and I cannot contain by excitement! Here is the cover that is posted for The Lost Plot, scheduled to be released this December.

The description was finally added for The Lost Plot yet on GoodReads!

The fourth title in Genevieve Cogman's witty and wonderful The Invisible Library series, The Lost Plot is an action-packed literary adventure. 

In a 1930s-esque Chigago, Prohibition is in force, fedoras, flapper dresses and tommy gus are in fashion, and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon vs. dragon contest. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can't extricate him, there could be serious political repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war. 

Irene and Kai find themselves trapped in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gansters, blackmail and fiendish security systems. And if this doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene's job. And, incidentally, for her life...

So, thank you, NetGalley for alleviating my sorrow at having to wait to read The Burning Page. I will be anxiously waiting for the chance to read The Lost Plot!

               

Gambit by C.L. Denault

In Earth's battle-ridden future, humans have evolved. Those with extraordinary skills ride to power and fame. Those without live in poverty.

Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-advanced military officer shows up in her village and questions her identity, long-buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption, and genetic tampering threaten every aspect of her existence as she's thrust, unwilling, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she's never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with a hidden agenda of his own.

Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?

Review

I got this book a long time ago and forgot that I had it. I'm trying to catch up on my reading, because I requested a bunch of books to read over the next few months. So, I'm trying to get through the ones I already have, which is taking some time, since I'm also taking classes again, now. 

I'm sad that I waited so long to read this book! It was AH-MAY-ZING! It reminded me a little of Six of Crows, which is one of my favorite books,

Will is an awesome character!  I absolutely loved her! I ♥ the tiger references! More below (**contains spoilers**).

Despite how much I absolutely ♥ ♥ ♥ this book, I was really sad after I finished it. Somehow I had slipped over this book on my NetGalley shelf, due to the new-ish format, where all of the books you have requested are not all in the same place and are spread out in several different spots. 

By the time I realized that this book had been moved to a different section, I could't download it. Thank god it was available to download through the library, because knowing my cheap self, I probably wouldn't have bought it, which would have been a HUGE mistake! I'm so glad that I didn't just delete it from my shelf since I couldn't download it from NetGalley anymore! 

However, I am sooo sad that the next books in the series haven't been released yet! When I saw how long Gambit had been on my shelf and looked at the release days, I was so excited, because I thought that I might get to keep reading after I finished it, but there is no release date listed on the second book in the series yet. ☹️

However, I did email the author to see if she would be willing to send me an ARC of the next book, and she was super nice and responded the next day. She said that she is not sure when it will be released yet, but she will put me on a list to be sent an ARC! 

**BEWARE: SPOILERS BELOW**

If you plan to read the book and don't want to know any more, I suggest stopping here.

While I do see the appeal, and I do understand it, I was super disappointed with the way Willow submits to Reece. I know she is only 16, but still... However, I am willing to admit that by the end of the book, my mind was starting to change about him too, but I still have my reservations. 

Side note: I ♥ ♥ ♥ Tem and hope that we will see more of him in the coming books. 

I am super excited to see what happens next and learn more about Joshua and how Kane fits into everything. 

I will be (not so) patiently waiting for the next book!

I kind of received a copy of this book from NetGalley, but not really. 

Numbers Ignite (Numbers Game #2) by Rebecca Rode

Treena and Vance think they've escaped the numbers game forever. They're wrong.

After Treena's disastrous attempt to unite the nation, she has the deaths of hundreds haunting her dreams. Now, with hatred and accusations following her past the border, she's determined to leave that horrible day behind and find a peaceful, uneventful life with Vance and the settlers. But when she starts seeing mysterious figures hiding in the abandoned cities at night and uncovers a strange desert population, she realizes there's a danger much greater than NORA to worry about - and she just abandoned her people to their fate. 

Vance is a prisoner. Being rejected by the girl he loves and put on trial for betraying his clan are bad enough, but now he's been framed for a crime he never committed. Their less-than-perfect refuge has become the political game of a madman, and Vance is the only one who can stop it - if he can keep from being executed first. 

Treena and Vance are still very much in the game, and this time, it will take everything they have to save those they love. 

About the Author:

Rebecca Rode is the international bestselling author of the Numbers Game trilogy and Love Right, a sweet romance. Her published works also include the inspirational book for mothers, How to Have Peace when You're Falling to Pieces, and various freelance articles in the Desert News, Provo Daily Herald, KSL.com, Family Share, and Schooled Magazine. She loves cheesy martial arts movies, chocolate-banana shakes, and good, old-fashioned romance. Rebecca lives with her husband and four children. 

Social Media Links for the Author:

http://www.facebook.com/authorrebeccarode

https://twitter.com/rebeccarode

Review:

Holy crap! This book was awesome! 

This book has so many surprises and twists and turns! I loved it!

I ♥ Vance and Treena! In case you also read my review of Red Winter and were wondering... No, my stance on cookie cutter romance plot lines being thrown into what would otherwise be awesome YA books has not changed one bit. The author just did a really good job with the love story in these books. It did not take away from the character development or from the focus on the other things going on in the book. It added an important aspect that I do not think the book would have been as good without.

The author did an excellent job of world building in Numbers Game, and in this book, she introduces readers to totally different aspects of that world, outside of NORA.

I loved following Treena's epic journey and first time outside of NORA. However, I was a bit disappointed by the ending. Mostly because it didn't keep going, but also, I feel like it just cut off and didn't have any kind of closure or provide a good transition into the next book.

The only thing that redeems this and relieves my frustration with the ending is that the final book in the series has already been released, and I do not have to wait to see what happens next.

Also, I want to thank Rebecca Rode for providing Chan's Story (Numbers Game #1.5) for free, for signing up for her newsletter. It was nice to read a story from a different character's POV about part of what was happening during the first book. I also saw that the author wrote Ruby's Story (Numbers Game #2.5), which I bet is AWESOME! I can't wait to read it! I ♥ Ruby!

I just got done reading Chan's Story, and plan to read Ruby's Story next. Then, I have a few more books that I previously made commitments to read, but after that, I HAVE to read Numbers Raging to find out what happens next! I'll post my review soon!

I received this book from the author, through the Review Chain, in exchange for an honest review.

$10 Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY!

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Red Winter Trilogy by Annette Marie

      

I am doing this review a little differently than all of my other reviews, since I am doing one review for the trilogy, instead of three separate reviews. I am posting the review first, with a synopsis of each book below, so you don't have to read through all of them before getting to the review, in case you don't want any spoilers. I will also try to make my review as spoiler-free as possible.

I requested to read this trilogy a while ago, and frankly, I didn't realize that I was getting the whole trilogy, instead of just the first book. That was an awesome surprise, because after I finished the first book, I immediately wanted to keep reading the rest of the series!

I initially planned to do a separate post for each book, but as soon as I started reading the first book, I couldn't stop until I got to the end of the story (and even then, I was sad that I couldn't keep reading), and even though I knew that it was a trilogy when I started reading, I was super disappointed that there is not a fourth (and 5th) book that continues the story after Immortal Fire.

While it took me a few chapters to get into the first book, once the action starts, it doesn't stop! The first few chapters were needed for world building, as there are many different aspects to learn before getting into the main part of the story.

The author did an excellent job of this! She did a great job of world-building and explaining all the intricacies involved with Emi's commitment and connection to Amaterasu.

I seriously got soooo sucked into these books! I absolutely loved EVERYTHING about them!!!!

I fell in love with the characters, their world, and absolutely EVERY aspect of the book! I am super impressed by Annette Marie! She not only did an excellent job of building this amazing world, filled with gods and goddesses, and their "counterparts," yokai, but she also wove all of this into traditional Japanese culture.

I loved Emi! I love the transition she goes through in the book. In the beginning, she is so sheltered and timid of any and all life experiences that are normal for most girls her age, but by the end, her perception of the world has changed and she is going extraordinary things that most girls her age couldn't dream of.

After saying that, I have to say: I ♥ ♥ ♥ Shiro!!! I loved his personality and how mischievous he is! I love how his relationship with Emi starts and how it evolves throughout the books!

I know that I am SUPER critical of most books and their romantic aspects. I even fell in love with the romance in these books... The author wrote it so well!

I really cannot say enough good things about this series, and I definitely can't say anything bad!

I will say that I am super sad to be leaving Emi and her magical world behind. I'm sad that it's a trilogy, and I won't get to see what happens after Immortal Fire ended. However, I still CAN'T EVEN get over how the story ended! I think it was the perfect ending to an amazing trilogy!

I encourage anyone who likes YA fantasy to read this trilogy! Even if you (like me), are tired of typical romantic aspect included in many YA fantasy books, that tend to take the focus away from the story and the characters, I guarantee that the romance in the book is an exception.

I received these books through Xpresso Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review.

In a few short months, Emi's mortal life will end when she becomes the human host of an immortal goddess. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body and soul to unite with the goddess - and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.

Shiro is a spirit of earth and an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move, and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants him to not. 

On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope... and hope is all she has left. 

Red Winter includes 10 full-page illustrations by award-winning artist Brittany Jackson.

Emi has dedicated her life to becoming the perfect vessel for the goddess Amaterasu, but the insidious betrayal of another deity has changed everything. Now, Amaterasu has charged Emi with an urgent mission: to find and free the earthly gods before mankind is brought to its knees beneath divine tyranny.

At her side is Shiro, the mysterious fox spirit. When she first saved his life, she could never have imagined that behind his cunning and confidence, he was lost - his power bound by a devastating curse and his memories obscured. His veiled history is somehow tied to the missing gods, but he can't remember how or why. 

As their search leads them into the murky depths of the spirit realm, the shadows of Shiro's past begin to emerge. With each brief awakening of his true self, she loses a little more of him. The fate of the heavens and earth rest in her mortal hangs, and she must find the missing gods before time runs out for her world -- and for Shiro.

Dark Tempest includes 10 full-page illustrations by award-willing artist Brittany Jackson. 

Once, Emi believed the heavenly gods were righteous and wise, while the earthly yokai spirits were bloodthirsty and evil. But with a traitorous deity poised to destroy her world, and the yokai standing as humanity's only defense, the lies of her upbringing have toppled to reveal a far more terrifying reality. 

Despite the looming threat, Emi can't escape her greatest distraction: Shiro, the fox yokai who has so deftly claimed her heart for his own. Soon - too soon - she will have to break the curse that minds his magic and memories. And once the ancient power inside him awakens, the yokai she loves will be changed forever. 

As the earthly gods gather to wage war against the heavens, Emi and Shiro must gamble everything to turn the tide against their immortal, all-powerful foes. Together, the will find a way to save the world - even if it means losing each other. 

Marked in Ink: A Tattoo Coloring Book by Megan Massacre

I love this coloring book! It is high-quality, and the pages are thick, card-stock paper, one-sided so that you have the option to remove the pages and display your artwork, without having another picture on the back, going to waste and not being seen.

There are a wide variety of different styles and designs, and this book is suitable for anyone that likes to color. The designs include skulls, flowers, animals, dream catchers, and all kinds of other designs. If you like tattoos, or even if you just like coloring, I guarantee that you will like this coloring book!

Here's a design from the book that I colored:

This is the first page in the book. Isn't it cute?

Her is a picture of the book's creator, tattoo artist, Megan Massacre:

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

Severed Ties (Jagged Scars, #2) by Jo Schneider

Wendy is no stranger to death - she killed her first Skinny before she was ten - but the slaughter of her own family is personal. Pelton's betrayal to the Den planted a wicked seed in Wendy's heart that is slowly growing into a ravenous monster bent on revenge. Its rage is bleeding into her dreams, her nightmares, and her waking hours, staining everything, including her sanity.

When the monster almost overpowers her, Wendy decides she should leave Shelter. But before her friends will let her go, a plague sweeps through the complex. Doc doesn't have the meds they need to cure it, but the map Wendy wrestled from Pelton could lead them to a place that does. Now, Wendy must hold her mind together long enough to keep everyone she knows from dying. Again.

I absolutely loved Fractured Memories! So, when I got to the end and discovered that by signing up for the author's newsletter, I could read the next book in the series for free, I jumped on it and immediately signed up and downloaded Severed Ties. 

I loved this book just as much as the first one! It continued to develop the dystopian world and story, with just as many twists and turns as the first book.

Again, this book left off at a great point to start the next chapter of Wendy's journey but didn't leave me checking to make sure that the book was actually over. This book also refrains form trying to shove romance where it doesn't belong. Wendy is working through some MAJOR trauma. To try to shove her into her first romantic relationship ever, while she is still struggling with so many other things would just be wrong. Again, I am thankful that the author did not ruin her book by placing the cookie cutter YA love triangle in the middle of it.

She doesn't let a crush on a boy dominate her thoughts and make everything else irrelevant. She doesn't change everything and become an idiot just because she has a crush on a guy. Throughout the book, Wendy remains a complete badass who will do anything to save others.

This was an AWESOME follow up to Fractured Memories! I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

Please note: While I desperately want to download book #3 right now and continue reading (I immediately pulled it up on Amazon, as soon as I finished reading), I have another trilogy to read and review in the next two weeks that I committed  to first. :( So, I will be waiting (somewhat patiently) to continue reading and see what happens next!

I received a copy of Fractured Memories for free through The Review Chain in exchange for an honest review.

      

Fractured Memories (Jagged Scars #1) by Jo Schneider & $20 Amazon GIVEAWAY

Sixteen year old Wendy never knew the world before the Starvation. She's learned to put her trust in her knives, and her confidence in her fighting ability. When the Skinnies attach her compound, she's the lone survivor. 

Injured and near death, Wendy is rescued and nursed back to health by mysterious strangers. Her saviors offer her a place among them, but trust has never been one of Wendy's strengths, and suspicion soon leads to evidence that these people might be the group who killed her family.

The decision to get her revenge, and take the settlement down from the inside out is easy. Keeping her distance from those she must befriend in order to make it happen proved to be much more difficult.  

About the Author:

Jo Schneider grew up in Utah and Colorado, and finds mountains helpful in telling which direction she is going. One of Jo's goals is to travel to all seven continents - five down and two to go.

Another goal was to become a Jedi Knight, but when that didn't work out, Jo started studying Shaolin Kempo. She now has a black belt, to go with her shoes, and she keeps going back for more, because hitting things is fun. An intervention may be in order.

Being a geek at heart, Jo has always been drawn to science fiction and fantasy. She writes both and hopes to introduce readers to worlds that wow them and characters that they can cheer for. Post Apocalyptic survivor stories are one of her favorites, as illustrated by her five book JAGGED SCARS series.

Jo lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her adorkable husband, Jon, who is very useful for science and computer information as well as getting items off of top shelves.

Author Links:

Website: http://joannschneider.com/dir/
Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/JoannSchneiderAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jschneider.writer/

Review:

I went straight from reading Poisoned Iris to reading this book. I literally jotted down a few notes for my review after finishing it and picked up this book. So, I had to read a few chapters to transition from Irisya's world to Wendy's.

Fun tidbit: When the author describes the marketplace, it reminded me of the same kind of common area described in Divergent. 

This book was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I really can't pick out one thing that I didn't like about it. It was very well written and original and had a great story.

I LOVED Wendy! She is super-strong and super-smart, and even when she tries not to let emotions and human connections influence her actions, she shows her humanity. 

I was SO EXCITED when I got to the end of this book and there was a note, saying that if I signed up for the author's newsletter, I could download the next book in the series for free! Needless to say, I immediately downloaded and started reading Severed Ties. However, at that point, it was already almost 3am (yes, I stayed up that late to finish this book), and even though I did not have to work the next day, I had tons of homework to do and needed to get some sleep. I do admit trying pretty hard to talk myself out of going to bed so that I could continue reading (duh!).

This was my thought that night (and almost every other night, before I go to bed), even though I know it will always turn into "just one more chapter," after that! 

 

I must also point out that this book does not have much of a romantic aspect, which is refreshing, and I don't think the author could have successfully thrown in either the clichè love triangle or created the super intense crush/romantic interest with an existing character, without taking away from Wendy's story and character. Thank you, Jo Schneider!

I think the author did a great job with Wendy's character! She is strong and independent and is a badass that can do just about anything, yet is constantly underestimated.

I can't (and won't) wait to see what happens next with Wendy and her new friends!

Right now, I am about 3/4 way through the next book in the Jagged Scars series, Severed Ties, so stay tuned for my review next week! Expect reviews of the next books in the series soon!

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

Giveaway:

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Poisoned Iris (The Red Era, #1) by Cindy Mezni

Athens was once the cradle of civilization. Now, it's slowly but surely becoming the tomb of humanity. 

The Red Plague, a violent virus which had run rampant decades ago, left its imprint on the planet and the flesh of men. All that remains of the modern world is an endless wasteland of ruins - Erebos- and two cities- Elysion, the obscure island of the Non-Infecteds about which no one knows a thing, and, Tartaros, the crumbling town of the Infecteds, where despair, hatred, violence and poverty are the operative words. 

And at the heart of this universe lived Irisya, a sixteen-year-old Non-Infected girl, staying recluse in her home to be safe and relying on her brother, Memphis, for everything. 

But then, one day, he disappears without a trace.

Irisya has no choice. To save him, to survive, she will have to brave all the dangers of the outside world. 

Author Links:

Cindy Mezni, author of The Last Hope series, Poisoned Iris trilogy and Nëphyr trilogy

Website - Facebook - Twitter - GoodReads - Wattpad

Review:

I got into this book really quickly. From the first page, the author sucks you into Irisya's dystopian world, and with each chapter, she builds a more complete picture of the chaos and terror that ensued after a plagued engulfed what was modern-day Greece. The Non-Infected fled Athens, gong across the sea to the island of Erobos, leaving the Infected to rule the island. Any Non-Infecteds left in Tartaros are in danger of all kinds, from being killed or sold, or taken from their homes and families to Erebos, of which they know nothing about. 

So, for years, Irisya has stayed inside the apartment she shares with her brother, Memphis, who impersonates an Infected daily, to be able to go out and provide for him and his sister (through means that he does not usually share with Irisya, but at times, she is able to guess).

Irisya's world is turned upside down when her brother disappears one day and does not return home. When she goes outside the apartment to look for him, she is spotted and identified as a Non-Infected almost immediately and must flee the area and the home that she has not left since she was a child, ad word of a Non-Infected in the area spreads rapidly, and Infecteds begin to hunt for her. 

Outside, in a word she had only heard horror stories about, with little knowledge of how to survive, Irisya begins her search for her brother, luckily running into help along the way. 

This book was AWESOME! Throughout the whole book, there are twists and surprises, and Irisya is put into all kinds of crazy situations in her journey to find her brother. 

I will note that the book was a bit long, but I don't think it was too long. I loved the amount of detail the author put into explaining why things are the way they are in the book. 

If you read any of my other book reviews, this may come as a surprise, but I even liked the way the romantic aspects were done in this book. My pet peeve is taking what would otherwise be a perfectly good book and throwing in the clichè love triangle and taking the focus away from the story, or creating a super strong female main character, who turns into a complete idiot over some stupid crush. In this book, the author was excellent at tying the love story in without taking anything away from the story or Irisya's character. 

I've also got to say that the author did an amazing job with the ending! Although I'm super anxious and excited to read the next book and see what happens next, it didn't leave off at a super crazy cliff hanger where you have to check and make sure it is actually the end of the book, and it's not missing the last chapter or something (yes, I've done this, more than I care to mention). The ending definitely left me with plenty of questions, but it essentially close up a big chapter of Irisya's story, leaving questions about how the next chapter will go. 

I ♥ ♥ ♥-ed this book! It took me a little longer than usual to read, but only because the book was a bit longer than I expected. However, that definitely wasn't a bad thing! I was happy to spend that time with Irisya and "her people." (Side note: I loved that she started saying this toward the end of the book.)

I will be waiting (not so patiently) for the next book in The Red Era series to be released so that I can find out what happens next with Irisya and "her people!"

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