So I missed the Bout of Books 13.0... because I'm bad with dates! Okay... so I'm going to participate in the other glorious read-a-thons over the next week+ weekend!
So first is #crushyourtbr running from Friday 15th May till Sunday 17th May 2015 and I have decided to take two books that I am currently reading and another book from my TBR. Now I would have taken on more but I am completing my last assignment and I do need to dedicate a bit of time for that this weekend! However, its due in early next week so my RYBSAT TBR is more challenging!
Firstly I plan on completing 'Deep Blue' by Jennifer Donnelly, I am currently on page 221 from 336, so I am hoping to complete this today. 'Deep Blue' is a mermaid novel, which I think is amazing; however I am currently struggling because the vocabulary is extremely difficult, in ways I don't think that really needs it. So I have just over 100 pages to read and that should really get done today... assignment and work or not!
Secondly, I plan on finishing 'The Invisible Library' by Genevieve Cogman, I am currently on page 236 of 329; so come on this will either get complete on the Friday or the Saturday morning. Now this is a very unique novel, mainly because its about librarians that travel between alternative dimensions to collect books; although I have some problems with this book, I am really enjoying it!
Finally, I plan on starting and hopefully completing The Selection by Kiera Cass, at 327 pages its not huge but definitely a decent amount!
So, my total page count for #crushyourtbr is 535 pages, however if I get these complete; I do plan on starting the books for RYBSAT tbr.
My RYBSAT tbr:
I have five books I wish to complete within the week.
Firstly is a duology 'Shadowmancer' and 'Wormwood' by G.P. Taylor; I know nothing about these books... but they look amazing! With 'Shadowmance' containing 299 pages and 'Wormwood' being 312 pages, these should be quite quick reads!
Now, I have attempted to start Enclave already this month but I fell into other books, so I plan on completing all 259 pages of this steampunk novel.
I have totally missed the bandwagon for this series, but I need to get on it! The next book I plan on completing is 'Falling Kingdoms' by Morgan Rhodes. At 408 pages, this is the second largest book I plan on taking on for this read-a-thon.
Finally, the last book I want to complete for this read-a-thon is Talon by Julie Kagowa; this dragon book sounds amazing and at 445 pages, its the largest I wish to complete this week.
Now, I also want to 'start' The Hobbit by Tolkein, this will be on my kindle and will only be for when im reading outside of the house. Which wont be very often so I don't believe that I will complete this book.
So in total, I plan on completing 1723 pages; with the addition of however many I complete of The Hobbit.
So... the main question is... what are you reading for these read-a-thons?!?!?
Friday 15 May 2015
Monday 11 May 2015
Upcoming releases for May to August 2015
So I have been looking at some of the releases coming up over the next few months and have decided on my top new releases... for me... now there are plenty of amazing books being released but I didn't want this to be a mile long... and I wanted to choose the books I really wanted to read!
So lets get into the list:
May
Title: End of Days (Penryn and The End of Days #3)
Author: Susan Ee
Publication Date: 12th May 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.
When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?
Although the first two of this epic trilogy are on my TBR pile for June, I plan on marathoning the entire trilogy.
June
Title: The Witch Hunters
Author: Virginia Boecker
Publication Date: 2nd June 2015
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young People
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.
Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.
Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.
Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.
But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.
Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.
Now, who doesn't love a good witch book? This feels like a breath of fresh air in this growing area of YA, and I really hope, as a debut, it doesn't disappoint!
July
Title: The Invasion of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #2)
Author: Erica Johansen
Publication Date: 16th July
Publisher: Harper Collins
With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
When I read the first instalment of this series I wanted more... in fact I begged for more because it was amazing! Unique, intriguing and down-right fast paced! If you want to get into fantasy but don't want to tackle a book the size of 'Game of Thrones', then this is the series for you!
August
Title: Mechanica
Author: Betsy Cornwell
Publication Date: 4th August 2015
Publishers: Clarion Books
Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home.
But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.
Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.
I am on a fairytale hype at the moment, and although this sounds awfully similar to cinder... I am hoping for a brand new take on it!
So lets get into the list:
May
Title: End of Days (Penryn and The End of Days #3)Author: Susan Ee
Publication Date: 12th May 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.
When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?
Although the first two of this epic trilogy are on my TBR pile for June, I plan on marathoning the entire trilogy.
June
Title: The Witch HuntersAuthor: Virginia Boecker
Publication Date: 2nd June 2015
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young People
The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.
Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.
Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.
Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.
But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.
Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.
Now, who doesn't love a good witch book? This feels like a breath of fresh air in this growing area of YA, and I really hope, as a debut, it doesn't disappoint!
July
Title: The Invasion of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #2)Author: Erica Johansen
Publication Date: 16th July
Publisher: Harper Collins
With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighboring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling —and that of Kelsea’s own soul—may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
When I read the first instalment of this series I wanted more... in fact I begged for more because it was amazing! Unique, intriguing and down-right fast paced! If you want to get into fantasy but don't want to tackle a book the size of 'Game of Thrones', then this is the series for you!
August
Title: MechanicaAuthor: Betsy Cornwell
Publication Date: 4th August 2015
Publishers: Clarion Books
Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home.
But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.
Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince . . . but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.
I am on a fairytale hype at the moment, and although this sounds awfully similar to cinder... I am hoping for a brand new take on it!
Friday 8 May 2015
REVIEW: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini... what a way to start a series!
Trial by Fire
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Worldwalker Series Book 1
Jospephine Angelini
Star rating: 4 stars!
One Word review... spectacular!
This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem—one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian . . . Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.
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Now I don't quite now how to group this book... is it fantasy? is it paranormal? Dystopian maybe? Maybe its just the perfect mix of all of them... with a bit of teenage romance confusion thrown in there for good measure! Actually, although this book does contain some romance, it isn't the forefront plot which makes the story unique in YA at the moment.
This books starts a series wonderfully, there is a tonne of world building, character building and a fast pace plot hat keeps you turning the page because you just have to know what happened next! Although some things could have been done better (lets face it, there are not many 100% perfect books out there), there were some absolutely mind-blowing elements!
Okay, so first thing... witches that can travel between dimensions?!? Let me hit you with that again! WITCHES THAT CAN TRAVEL BETWEEN DIMENSIONS! Oh, sweet lordy lord, this threw me and bam I was hooked on this book!
Now the main character Lily has come from a world like ours, where there is no magic and no witches; but she gets world walked into another world... where science was replaced with the witches magic and scientists are hunted in the same way witches were hunted in Salem. Talking of Salem, in both worlds, the characters are taken to Salem... can there not be witches in places other than Salem? Working on the Salem theme, Josephine took the horror of burning during the witches trials into a source of power... absolutely beautiful.
Now there are some really predictable elements of the book, the rebellion and the betrayal, of course there are going to be those elements and of course Lily becomes the head of this rebellion! Now Lily has to fight someone and who better than herself; there is a Lily in this world, but this Lily has turned evil and deranged, going by Lillian; she is actively hunting and slaughtering scientists or anyone who isn't reliant on her magic!
Now there are two companion characters that definitely need a mention here, firstly Tristan... an obnoxious oaf in both worlds, who believes that if he doesn't verbally commit to someone, he can do what the hell he likes, and to be fair it was starting to really get to be when he was exactly the same in the second world... even if he a little more open. However as this is the start of a series, he has a lot of time to make this up and become awesome.
The second companion is definitely Rowan... now Rowan is dark and mysterious... and slightly dangerous enough to snap Lily's ankle and make her try and walk on it... yeah that kind of dangerous. The only thing that got to me about Rowan was how close he was to the evil Lillian but after causing this Lily so much pain (physical and emotional), but of course she fell in love with him. She had to and it was annoying because it would have been amazing without it!
Now there is an element of the magic system that I am craving, its called mind-speak, where the two connected people cannot lie or even deceive the other while in mind-speak... oh and siblings can do it without the use of magic! Awesome!
Lily went through some humungous changes during this book, from a weak young girl, where everything in the air wants to kill her, to the most powerful witch... and that's my problem right there! In the weeks that followed her joining the new world, this Lily managed to learn what the Lillian of that world had taken all of her life to complete and even more. Its just too quick! Way to quick! Why make her so powerful at the start of the series... surely she needs to get more powerful?!?
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On a side note, this book does contain LBGTQ characters, however for once this was not the focus of the scene, no-one could even tell that this character was gay until his boyfriend was introduced, and it got all of a lines attention before something terrible happened and no one even cared anymore... no making them special because they were homosexual... it was done beautifully.
Now if you love the sound of this book I also highly recommend the Half-Bad series!
May TBR
Okay,
So I am back and blogging properly and wanted to start with my epic TBR for this month; and okay its a bit insane for me. Since the end of my academic year is here, I have more time to read and I am so grateful, I haven't really had time over April to get much (or any) reading done! So I am playing severe catch-up with my yearly aim of reading 60 books... so to get back or near to my target for this year, I plan on completing 14 books this month, plus a few extra if possible! So lets have a brief look:
So let me know what your reading, I am aiming to get my TBR shelves down to less than 50 books by Christmas... so you guessed I am on a book buying ban! I don't really do haul blogs anymore but I have hauled over 100 really amazing books over the last few weeks and they are gonna last me a while.
Wish me luck,
Helen
So I am back and blogging properly and wanted to start with my epic TBR for this month; and okay its a bit insane for me. Since the end of my academic year is here, I have more time to read and I am so grateful, I haven't really had time over April to get much (or any) reading done! So I am playing severe catch-up with my yearly aim of reading 60 books... so to get back or near to my target for this year, I plan on completing 14 books this month, plus a few extra if possible! So lets have a brief look:
Stitching snow by R.C LewisBranded by Abi KenterTrial by Fire by Josephine Angelini- Enclave by Ann Aguirre
- Outpost by Ann Aguirre
- Horde by Ann Aguirre
- Falling kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
- The Winners Curse by Marie Rutkoski
- The Selection by Kiera Cass
- Talon by Julie Kagowa
- Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly
- The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
- Shadowmancer by J.P. Taylor
- Wormwood by J.P. Taylor
So let me know what your reading, I am aiming to get my TBR shelves down to less than 50 books by Christmas... so you guessed I am on a book buying ban! I don't really do haul blogs anymore but I have hauled over 100 really amazing books over the last few weeks and they are gonna last me a while.
Wish me luck,
Helen
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