Review from the Archive: The Witch of Painted Sorrows by MJ Rose

This review has been reposted in lieu of the upcoming release of the sequel, The Secret Language of Stones (Daughters of La Lune 2) by MJ Rose. I read this book July 7th, 2015. I thought it was funny to go back and read my review since now I am reading the sequel… lol :D My goodreads status updates are funny too … 

Apparently I read this in 2 days! Much faster than I am currently reading the sequel, oops. :| Have any of you read this one? Do you like MJ Rose? 

I know I don’t read as much adult historical fiction as I would like, but I love LOVE when adult (or YA) historical fiction adds fantasy elements (I mean c’mon! that shit is gold :star) lol. 

Diamond’s Review Repost

 July 2015

The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars :star :star :star

Review originally posted on my blog here —> Dee’s Reads

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Witch of Painted Sorrows was on my kindle for awhile after I got the eARC. I figured it would be on there for awhile, because although I wanted to read it I knew I wouldn't pick it up until I was in an 100% historical fiction mode. Fortunately, that came quickly and I needed a book to read that would satisfy my historical / romantic / fantasy mood.

Why this book goes onto my “guilty pleasure” shelf

So when I was in high school (about ten years ago) >.< my friend and I were listening to some pop music on the radio and looked at each other and laughed because we both really loved whatever songs was playing. My guy friend said—hey I like ____*whatever artist was playing*__ her songs are my guilty pleasure! Right then and there an important saying was born. Ever since then I refer to things that I love/like that way, even though for one reason or another society/other people may think them less than worthy of my enjoyment.

Do I care what society/other people think? 

No

…. YET… 

it’s not something that I would go shouting from the rooftops. I LIKE _____ ! Usually that is just because usually I don’t like ___ , and because it doesn’t fit into that “usual” aspect of my taste I call it a guilty pleasure.

Regarding The Witch of Painted Sorrows, this is a book I would call a BIT of a guilty pleasure. I am not guilty about liking it.
I am just a little embarrassed (with myself).

You may be puzzled by this, so let me explain a bit further.

There were parts of this book that had me rolling my eyes repeatedly, groaning and just wanting to smdh so hard i’d hit my desk. While it was one of those books that you shake your head at and grumble at so many little annoying things, yet you realize you did just spend hours reading past your bedtime.

The main thing that really kind of just…made the book feel less than genuine was the language and references. It felt like a modern woman/character telling the story. It didn’t feel like she was of the age the book was written. Most of this was due to the language. Things like “__ was the biggest artist of the day” was said over and over and I couldn’t help but think that that wasn’t the sort of thing you would say. It’s hard to pinpoint because a lot of it was just in little phrases or words, but it was everywhere in the novel. That sense of not being fully of the past, but instead of the present. That is definitely fine but it didn’t have that quality of a great piece of historical fiction where you completely slip into the past and don’t remember anything else.

You know what though? That’s okay.
 I still was up late at night reading this book in a period of time where I haven’t been doing that anymore. I have been saddened by book slump after book slump and I realize now that any book can get me out of it. Even the most unexpected one! I know that going for what you’re craving helps.. so

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is a juicy historical novel with bits of fantasy and romance, a woman with a “secret” is running from her terrifying husband all admist the lovely backdrop of Belle Epoche Paris.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon | OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Title: The Bone Season
Author: Samantha Shannon
Pages: 480 pages
Published: May 6th, 2014
Source: Scratch and Dent from Bookoutlet.com
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people's minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing. 

It is raining the day her life changes for ever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford - a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die. 

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine and also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut. 

Get it now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes &amp; Noble

The Bone Season discovers a world with people and their own system of government that has never been explored before in YA, well at least not to my knowledge. The whole concept of this book is very illustrative and original and it mostly appalls me that someone could come up with a brand new idea with such complexity and bring about it so well. 

If you didn't understand the short synopsis (like me), then I'd be happy to restate it in a few words. Clairvoyants or people that are somehow connected with the aether and have these otherworldly powers, are mostly looked down upon in society as freaks of nature and devils because they are stronger and more dangerous than the average human being. There are mime lords in this society who, I guess you could say, are the good guys and offer these clairvoyants refuge and a job that pays well to live off on. Our main character Paige is a clairvoyant and among the most powerful types- she's a cipher. She's been hired under Jaxon Hall to recruit other people with abilities and do his bidding. That all changes when, on a mission, she gets captured by this part of society that enslaves the clairvoyants and uses their powers for their advantages. From then on, Paige's whole life changes and she realizes that there's more to the world she doesn't know much about. 

I want to mention how beautiful and eloquent the writing is. It's very light on the wording and there aren't any info dumps, which is usually expected in a novel of this length and complexity. The story flows easily from page to page and there is sort of an ethereal feeling when read inside your head. I just think the whole idea of the aether and the connection between the corporeal world and the world beyond is so interesting and something I'd like to read more of. The book turns from present to past as we see flashbacks from the main character's life that teach us more about the present. 

Samantha Shannon's characters are golden! They have a slight tang of sarcastic and that snarky attitude which puts them up on my list of favorite characters of all time. They are all very unique and you can tell instantly when a character is speaking. 

Now before I read the book, I'd been hearing so much about it already. Some people are hesitant because the synopsis makes no sense or the book seems very intimidating in size. Those 480 pages are totally worth it as this book transports you into a world that may very well be what our future looks like if people start developing clairvoyant powers. It's an easy read that allows you to fly past the pages of an action-packed fantasy read and will definitely have you questioning the book at every chapter. 

The only qualm I really had was that I wished the author would have taken more time to explain the world and the backstory in the beginning. Like, say, hold our hand through the history books and learn more about how the characters got where they were. Other than that, this book has earned it's place among the top three books I've loved this year. Congrats! 

Will you be reading The Bone Season? 

The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

Title: The Prophecy of Shadows
Author: Michelle Madow
Pages: 207 pages
Published: January 26th, 2016
Source: ARC from Michelle Madow herself :D
Genre: Mythology, Fantasy,
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love! 

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret cover of witches. Even more surprisingly... she's apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers- and, to her dismay, by Blake- the school's notorious bad-boy. 

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle's wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance. 

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect- it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it's up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town... and possibly the world. 

Preorder now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes &amp; Noble 

** I received an early copy of this book from the author. This has not affected my review of this book** 

If you're looking for a book with the ease and narration style of Jennifer L.Armentrout's books, you should give Elementals a try. I always feel a little guilty when I compare two authors who clearly write about very different things. However, everyone knows Jennifer L.Armentrout as such an easy author to read, who is also fun, quirky, and amusing. Michelle Madow's writing strikes me as almost same thing, or very similar.

This has been my first Michelle Madow book, and just as some of you will be jumping into this one, I had no idea what to expect when I picked up the book at first. Now I knew before reading this book that Michelle did do some research in writing this book. I half expected this novel to be full of info dumps and weird, awkward transitioning because of that, but no that was not the case. You see, Michelle has a way of tying facts around fiction. And in doing so, she creates an enjoyable story that's easy for any reader to manage but can teach a thing or two about Greek mythology. If and when you do read this book, it'll be hard to believe that Michelle Madow is not a historian or mythology-expert. 

The plot is very well set up for a first installment. You know what I mean? Don't you just hate those first installments that leave you on the biggest cliffhanger? Or what about those that don't even say enough to get you excited for the next book? There is a teenage-fitting flare to this book that caught my eye at different points in the point, like first days of school, boy crushes, and teachers who are just too chill. 

The plot and characters were both very intriguing and made me sit down and really read this book. One part that I couldn't get over, however, was the romance. You know, I've got to give it to Michelle for writing about the type of romance that is featured. We have the guy that is eye candy and the new girl that walks in and starts drooling. But oh no, he already has a girlfriend. It's pretty tough to write about this type of romantic situation without sounding super cliche. And it just didn't work out for me, I guess. The whole thing felt too insta-love and that is one of my greatest pet peeves in any book. I'm pretty harsh when it comes to romance so no one should be taking this seriously but definitely romance dubs this book under the YA category. It wasn't mature enough to almost make it on the NA side. 

I've also noticed that Michelle Madow doesn't have any specific writing style. There is no distinguishable signature in her writing that is different from many other YA authors. By signature I mean like the ethereal effect that Maggie Stiefvater's writing leaves or the heart-pounding, goosebump-inducing effect that Sarah J. Maas' style has. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Because there wasn't such a complex writing style, it made the book all the more enjoyable and easy to read. Readers could spend less time focusing on examining what the author is saying and more time on the crazy action scenes that occur. 

Elementals ultimately surprised me in the end. Oh, how I love a good surprise. I'd call it: A book for readers and non-readers alike. This book is one you could fly through in a day and there's extremely difficult world-building or foreign terms you have to understand. It's quite a simple read that is both fun and entertaining for all ages. I'm actually looking forward to the second book after the first leaves you on a teeny-tiny cliffhanger. Well, at least I've curious to know what's gonna happen next.

My [Sample] of The Forbidden Wish (I wish I had the whole book)

The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

Source: eARC via Netgalley
Date of Publication: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars :star :star :star :star :star


*I received a sample of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

NOTE: This is just a review of the first part of the book, not the whole book ;)

Okay, wow. First of all, you guys know I avoid samplers like the plague. Ever since, well, the last one I actually read was for The Young Elites and wow that fucked me up. Seriously. It was so good and then it just cut off and I Felt like, I HAVE TO HAVE THIS NOW. It was bad. I swore I’d never do it again. Then, I see this gorgeous cover on Netgalley and I see its just a sampler so I swear I’ll wait at least until its published so I can secure a copy before I read it. Did I do that? NO, of course not xP

After all, I am obsessed with genie / djinn / jinni books. Of all kinds. Set in the Middle East, concerning mythology of my ancestors? Yes, please! I mean, my reviews of Exquisite Captive and The other one…The Fire Wish tell you more if you are interested in a middle eastern person’s perspective on the writing of our mythology in YA ;)

Anyway, to the story! The story started off pretty “meh.” I say “meh” not because it was bad just because it was very ordinary YA trope book we have the scene set and the heroine blah blah. A boy approaches… blah blah.. she’s locked in a cave for a thousand years blah blah… she keeps referencing someone named “habibi” (means my love, in Arabic). By the end of the sampler, we kinda of know who that is, but we don’t know what went down between them.

Of course there’s a princess. A rebellion. A theif (think: Aladdin but immature af). And the jinni who may or may not have kind of backstabbed her best friend in the past? It’s unclear but I definitely want to see how this story plays out.

[Yeah, if anyone has a copy of this they want to trade for please let me know! You can tweet me @DiamondCronen]

So, there you have it. So far it’s a fun book that sunk its hooks into me and now I’m biting my fingernails waiting for February 23rd…  ^_^

Graphic Novel Review: Lumberjanes (Vol. 2) Friendship to the Max = Max awesome!

Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson

Source: Paperback (gifted)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars :star :star :star :star :star
Date of Publication: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Boom! Box


Excellent! I liked this volume just as much as Volume 1 xP ! And believe me, sequels to amazing first volumes (or books) can have a hard time living up to the potential of their older sibling. (sibling, wut?)

I do think if you haven't read the first one, you should go and read that before diving into this one. 

This volume starts without any sort of preamble, and if you are unfamiliar with the characters I don't think you'll "get" or appreciate the story much at all. :| Which, we wouldn’t want to happen! I think it’s definitely the type of graphic novel that you need to read

There was definitely a MAJOR TWIST in this volume that I was not expecting at all! :o I liked it, though. It careened the book from contemporary genre with bits of fantasy into more like an equal mix of contemporary and fantasy together :rainbow yay :rainbow

I can't wait to continue with this series and see where it will lead! I liked how each character got a little spotlight and we got to see more of them. The illustrations were just divine, and the dialogue was so funny and quirky and just amazing.

I definitely recommend this series to others!! Start with Volume 1, and you'll be hooked. Oh and be sure to let me know if you do read this series
;)

View all my reviews

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski | Book Review

Title: The Winner's Curse

Author: Marie Rutkoski 

Pages: 355 pages 

Published: March 4th, 2014

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Source: Won at a giveaway (signed)

Rating: 

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general's daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin's eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him-with unexpected consequences. It's not too long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined world, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head of lose your heart. 

Grab it here! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes &amp; Noble 

Generals, destinies, and political intrigue? Hell to the yes! Everyone- and I mean everyone- has been talking about The Winner's Curse and it's everlasting glory in the book world. The synopsis has set me in the right direction, and I'm really interested in seeing where the romance between a royal and a slave goes. Buckle your seat belts because I have way too much to say about this book!

I'm the kind of person who likes to read the acknowledgements at the back of the book. Marie Rutkoski said that she was inspired to write a story around the concept of the "winner's curse" mentioned by her economist friend, Vasiliki. "Winner's curse" is quite simply translated into how the winner of an auction has also lost because he/she has won by paying more than all other bidders, but the aftermath and value of the item in the future is unknown. The way Marie was able to weave that concept into her story and book really astonished me. Instead of auctioning with an item. Marie decided to use people. 

In a world where Valorians, or the wealthiest of the people that live under the emperor, live safe inside the empire's walls and living luxiorious lives, there are a group of slaves called the Herrani who wish to overthrow the emperor and take away the lives of Valorians who they find are greedy and useless. Kestrel, the daughter of the finest general, is expected to enlist in the army with her father or be married off to someone she doesn't love, and either way she loses. In the markets one day when she strolls around the slave auction, everything changes with just one glance from the slave who's eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. The slave, Arin, is bought at the market for a heavy price and it all starts out with just a few Bite and Sting games, but something else blossoms underneath. Forbidden romance and political conflict for power ensue. 

Kestrel is one of the strongest built characters to hit the shelves. She's intelligent with battle strategies and wise when it comes to making a plan. She knows when and when not to reveal too much about herself. She's loyal to her duties as a Valorian, and she is in disapproval of betrayal. Overall, we see Kestrel's character progress and become more vulnerable throughout the book. I think vulnerability is one of the most beautiful things a person can shed light on. I know Kestrel is supposed to represent the girl on the front cover of the book, but that's not exactly what I think of when I first imagine her. Instead, I think of her as a girl in armed combat suits, fighting for her life. 

Arin is our slave, and just like Kestrel, he has a real knack for coming up with battle strategies on the spot and he's great debater/politician. He's the slave with mysterious eyes that hold both trouble and wonder, something Kestrel is excited to discover. Arin is such a sweetheart and what every girl looks for in her book boyfriend or OTP match. He understands the best in Kestrel and sacrifices just about all he can to protect her. Flattery never get's you anywhere, but sweetness... well, I don't know about that. Along with his admirable traits, he's also somewhat of a bad boy! I like the perfect balance of sweet and charismatic with rebellious and spontaneous. 

It's true that, like many authors (Sarah J. Maas, Cassandra Clare), Marie Rutkoski creates characters that you begin to grow a sticky spot for over time. I'm a sucker for greatly portrayed male characters but even though Arin may just be fictional, he just renders me speechless sometime. 

A slave and the daughter of a royal general. I really don't think YA romance can get any more entertaining. With the almost-forbidden romance kind of thing going on, it contributed to the conflict of the story and caused much trouble. I mean surely this must seem intriguing to you! The story is built around romance and the more and more I think of it, the more I realize that love (in this book) has started wars and blood to be spilled. 

The romance learns towards that cat-and-mouse-kind-of-thing. It's very persuading and sucks you into see how the romance will end- in love or in flames. I'm always up for a intriguing cat-and-mouse game. It just made the romance in the story more compelling, and not in the annoying kind of way. The slow and gradual build-up of romance was truly amazing- even thought you'd never expect a royal and a Valorian to be together! 

READ THE WINNER'S CURSE. Don't be like me and wait till the last minute, haha. Okay guys, thanks for staying for this review. I'm off to read the second book ASAP. JK I'm already done reading it!! 

Have you read the Winner's Curse? FANGIRL WITH ME!

Release Day Celebration! Ten Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray (+Giveaway!)

I’m very proud to announce and celebrate the release of the highly anticipated sequel in the Firebird series by Claudia Gray, Ten Thousand Skies Above You!

If you haven’t already read the first book YOU ARE IN LUCK, because starting today I am providing a giveaway (sponsored by HarperTeen, shipped by yours truly) of the first book, A Thousand Pieces of You which is newly released in paperback! Scroll down to the rafflecopter to enter.

I’m reading this baby right now and I am just so enthralled. I can’t wait until more of the story unfolds and I can share my thoughts with you guys! ^_^ Have any of you read this? Have you guys read the first book? I know it’s a popular series, but I just want to know how many of you have actually tried the first book out!

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

Date of Publication: November 3rd, 2015

Publisher:  Harper Teen 

Goodreads

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above Youfeatures Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Pages: 418 pages
Published: September 27th, 2011
Source: Paperback copy
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. 

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war. 

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbook with monsters that may or may not be real, she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages- not all of them human- and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. 

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself? 

Get it here!

Goodreads | Amazon 

What the hell? What the hell did I just read? Is it wrong to be confused at the moment?

I dove into the book Daughter of Smoke and Bone not knowing what I was getting myself into (I tend not to read the synopsis just to get a better feel of the book).

The beginning was quite cryptic. There was talk of the main character, Karou and her ex-boyfriend Kaz, Brimstone, sketchbooks, and someone named Zuzana. I put the book down after reading the beginning... and then picked it up again realizing that I had nothing else to read. I'm so freaking glad I chose to continue reading... Boy, was I in for some excitement.

The story follows Karou, a daring teenager with blue hair actually growing out of her head that color. She was acquainted with her close family/friends composed of Brimstone, Issa, Twiga and, not to mention, her best friend Zuzana. A war was brewing between the seraphim and chimaera that Karou had no idea of. It was not until Karou met a gorgeous plot twist did she begin to realize the true state of her ability and the reality of this war.To Karou, meeting up with Izil to collect a monthly supply of teeth seemed like any other ordinary errand. Wrong. Little did she know that an angel had followed her around Marrakesh. By doing the devil's deed, Karou had condemned herself to a world of utter destruction and hate. The beautiful angel Akiva wished to attack Karou, but was unable to after seeing her face to face. To Akiva, Karou reminds him of the women that he fell in love a long time ago. Turns out that woman is not that far away after all. And the love story begins there...

[ Warning: Spoilers beyond this point are revealed ]

At first I didn't understand the Brimstone's whole teeth collecting hobby. It wasn't until later that the author revealed the reason behind his mysterious collecting. Brimstone was also known as a resurrectionist. He used the teeth to conjure and to create new bodies out of the warrior's bodies that had been slain in battle and war. The hamsas that Karou had on the palms of her hands were actually marks. They marked the bodies of those who had been conjured by Brimstone. And, of course, we can't have a good book without a major plot twist. Madrigal eventually ended up being resurrected as Karou! I think that's why Akiva fell in love with Karou so easily. He was falling in love with the same girl! OMG I KNOW I KNOW! MAJOR MAJOR PLOT TWIST RIGHT THERE.

I didn't expect this book to be that good. I mean, it was super super awesome! Do I plan on reading the second and third book in the series? YES YES YES! I just ordered the next two books so you can expect a series review in about another week or two. The excitement of this series has me hyped up right now.

And now... a message from the Ipad:

Character Analysis:

Karou- Blue hair, blue hair? I envy you. I have wanted blue hair ever since I was little, ok? OMG. This frustrates me. She was definitely a mysterious character. Throughout the book, Karou was always looking to find the truth about herself. 

Akiva- He was quite an enigmatic character. The author didn't mention his background, or anything about his history. I was basically left in the dark the entire time. But... that mysterious part made him all the more sexy. I think Akiva is the new swoon of the month <3 nbsp="" p=""> Akiva was a very romantic character because he was always striving to keep Karou safe. 

Brimstone- I imagined him as a giant toad, or some type of reptilian monstrosity. Yikes! He was a close friend/guardian to Karou. After the portals were closed, she was intent on finding him. "Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind."

Have you had a chance to read this book yet? 

Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic

Author: V.E. Schwab 

Pages: 400 pages 

Published: February 24th, 2015 

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Kell is one of the last Travelers- rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit. 

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London- but no one speaks of that now. 

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they'll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. 

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive- trickier than they hoped. 

Buy it Now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes &amp; Noble 

THIS BOOK GUYS.... THIS BOOK...

This book, well any V.E. Schwab book in general, has been on my TBR list. And I've got to say that I haven't read such a good book in a long time. I'm doing something different for this review, which is just basically stating all the things I liked and disliked about this book. I was inspired by Missie from A Flurry of Ponderings to start this new thing with my reviews.

A Darker Shade of Magic is not just an ordinary, light fantasy read. In fact, it's not even 'light' to be honest. It was more of a heavy and dark read, and if you know me I haven't read a good dark fantasy read in like forever. Now if you're a reader who hasn't read a V.E. Schwab book yet and you're still very hesitant, I hope I have the ability to change your mind!

Likes

- The magic system ~ Antari are travelers that can travel through the parallel Londons. I thought the term itself was very intriguing. There was also the concept of the stone and how it worked, almost like the Antari's powers but had a much greater hold on the user. 

- Characters ~ Kell and Lila, my ultimate OTP as of now. One thing Victoria really excels at is making her characters relatable and vulnerable because trust me, both and Kell and Lila get tossed around in the book. She adds snarky and stubborn personalities that are both lovable and aggravating at times.

- Action Scenes ~ I can see why people call Victoria the Queen of Fantasy. Every time the characters would get into a fight or a battle of magic, I could literally feel their pain and winced when they were wounded. My eyeballs were glued to the book, like I was in a trance! She makes magic and spells not seem so cliche or the usual 'bibbity bobbity boo'. There were actually spells in another language (I think) or some voodoo language I'm not familiar with. 

- World-building (setting) ~ As you know there are 4 Londons (universes) mentioned in the book. There is Grey London (a world in which magic is forgotten) , Red London (a wealthy world with magic), White London (a dying city with desperate monarchs and defiant magic) , and Black London (a world entirely closed off because of the magic corruption that happened there). All of the different parallel universes she creates has their own personalities, or as Kayla Rayne says (from Kayla Rayne on Youtube), as if they were their own person.
- Writing ~ I think to say 'writing' is way too general of a word. What I mean is how she writes and her writing style. How Victoria likes to play with words and use such intricate vocabulary. She has this flow in her words that author can't seem to hack into their books and gahhh... It's just so fricking beautiful! 

Dislikes

- Not a book for everyone ~ I definitely think EVERYONE will enjoy this book but if you're not into fast-paced books with fantasy aspects, this may not be your forte. And I know it's not up to me to tell you what to read, so I encourage you all to read this book! 

My Final Verdict:

No matter what kind of reader you are, what size, shape, or genre you prefer, you should and you must pick up this book. Read more of V.E. Schwab's writing because I know 100% for sure I am!

My friend Kayla Rayne wanted to dedicated a tag to how much she loved this book! If you have a Youtube or a blog, go ahead and watch the video and see for yourself if you would like to do the tag. It's definitely something to look forward to and I know it would make her so happy :D 

Shortie Review:The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Title: The Glass Arrow 

Author: Kristen Simmons

Pages: 336 pages 

Published: February 10th, 2015 by Tor Teen 

Genre: Dystopian YA (I consider this dystopian)

Rating: 3.5/5

The Handmaid's Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder. 

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year-old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya's luck runs out and she's caught by a group of businessmen on hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning. 

Buy it now! 

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository Affiliate 

It's that time again when I'm in one of my many horrible, nasty reading slumps, and I just can't seem to get out of it no matter what book I try and read. Well let me just say ladies and gents, that The Glass Arrow is my life saver and book-slump picker-upper. I am in shock by how awesome this book is. There seems to be really two sides of the story for this book- those who have absolutely loved it and those who didn't enjoy it. Sit down and grab a cup of coffee because it's going to take a while to get all of my feels out for this book! 

Now this book was very reminiscent of the book The Walled City by Ryan Graudin in ways that the dystopian societies of both books were similar. In both societies, women are "hunted", for a lack of a better term and auctioned off to potential buyers who either want to impregnate them or keep them for pleasure. I get so emotional when I read books with these types of story because sometimes I wonder what would happen if I was in their shoes, however the writing and characters continue to bring me joy time and time again. Our main character Aya really is a fighter and just like the MC in The Walled City, she was desperate to do just about anything to escape. And I liked, for the most part, that she teamed up with the most inconspicuous of characters. Be prepared to find a lot of running and fighting in this book because it was all action and fun! Never a dull moment and I had no excuse to put the book down.

Silly YA romances? After finishing this book I didn't feel like the author focused on the romance between characters, and that's not necessarily a bad thing! She excelled in creating at least some romantic tension between characters Aya and Kiran. Ohh boy Kiran was mysterious and intriguing. Kristen Simmons is full of surprises and after every chapter, she left me clutching onto my reading chair, scared and worried about the character's well-beings. 

Throughout the beginning and the middle of the book I was so confused as to why this book was called "The Glass Arrow". It wasn't mentioned till, maybe, I was like about 300 pages in the book and then the light bulb appeared over my head as to why. A very peculiar title at first glance if you ask me, but as I continued I'm glad it made more and more sense.

Muirwood: The Lost Abbey

(Kindle Serial) by Jeff Wheeler 
Source: eARC via Netgalley
Publisher: Jet City Comics
My Rating: 2 of 5 stars :star :star
Date of Publication:  Aug 26th 2015
Goodreads

This graphic novel is a Kindle Serial published in five issues for one price. This serial currently contains one issue out of five total issues, with future issues delivered every month at no additional cost until the collected series is complete.

Told in graphic novel form, Muirwood: The Lost Abbey introduces an all-new chapter in Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood universe.

Maia, the daughter of the king of Comoros, has been banished, her rank and station taken away. Although magic is forbidden of women in her world, Maia secretly learned...and now her desperate father has sent her on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom. Protected by a hired killer, Maia voyages to another realm—the cursed shores of Dahomey, where an ancient Blight has destroyed all the inhabitants. Maia believes she can restore the deadly lands by using her magic medallion, but if she’s discovered wielding her clandestine power, she will most certainly be hunted down and killed.

My Review

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I need to preface by stating that this is NOT a graphic novel. It’s a “kindle serial” in the form of a comic issue. Perhaps it is a bit longer than a single issue, but not much. I feel like it’s confusing and I kind of was let down by the fact that it ended so shortly and felt abrupt. I get that and even expect that with comic issues (even electronic ones usually have the page number when you get it). So, hopefully that won’t be a problem for anyone who is thinking to read this.

You know the old adage, "Never judge a book by its cover.” ?? Blah blah blah… well, don’t. In this case, especially don’t.
Now I don’t know your thoughts on this cover, only my own. I liked it. I thought it looked very professional and like it was from IDW or even Dark Horse. Then I found out it was independent and was even more excited because, wow! Thing is, the graphics inside don’t look like they were done by the same artist. (I should probably check this, and I will when I am less pissed and feeling less like this thing played me). I know that this happens sometimes with graphic novels and I don’t mind that in and of itself, except for when the cover is clearly superior to the graphics inside.

It feels like I’ve been cheated. I feel like I was lured inside with a gorgeous cover and promises of an epic fantasy with haunted or lost abbey(s), a strong female heroine with magical powers and ghosts or dragons or something too.

Do we get any of that? Not really.
There is (what appears could be) a strong female heroine. Honestly, she is more like a heroine who may develop her strength (I’m being generous & optimistic.

The abbey isn’t haunted or cursed, or anything remotely interesting. The heroine is overshadowed by her enormous douche of a father who is also, surprise surprise, a king. *eye roll*

The story was kind of “meh” — a phenomenon that happens often enough for me to have an entire shelf on Goodreads dedicated to it. By the time (I mean, the exact time) I felt like “okay, this could be good I guess…even though it’s weird” it ENDED. I don’t know if hat’s a good thing in this case because of the other things I’ve mentioned that have made me a bit suiky. I don’t like that I was misled, even if it is “unintentional.” Also, get the caliber of graph8ics that are on the cover to match the pages please. That would be a step in the right direction.

Will I continue with this kindle serial? I don’t think so. There is potential here, or at least, in my mind there is. I do love that it is an independent/indie what seems to have people noticing the series. I think it needs to get a lot better. I think that there’s not much else to say except that it was “weird” (not good or bad weird, just weird). For the reasons I* mentioned plus the characters.

The characters were weird as hell. If one character is weird and you can’t figure them out, okay it’s a good thing. It’s a plot device, or whatever — I don’t know. In this case, we have a weird heroine, an asshole father who is very weird (both domineering possessive and manipulative of his daughter). She seems to hate him and yet does exactly what he asks because a  

...(wait for it)…

...mercenary hired by her father is there to “protect her” Oh, and he’s the weirdest of them all.
Of courseshe listens to what he says. Even though she doesn’t know him at all, and he is following her. And oh I love how it ends with her saying : something along the lines of .. I don’t know if I feel safer that he will be on the journey there or not. WTF?! THEN WHY ARE YOU GOING BITCH. OH IS IT BECAUSE your mercenary weiredo told you to go because your dad would “force” you to go otherwise? Or put you in a dungeon? And you believe that easily? If so, you snuck out! What is stopping you from running away? smh. SO confusing. Even worse, I don’t buy it. I don’t buy it one bit.
In a word, I feel frustrated by this teaser of an issue labelled “kindle serial” VOL. 1. A volume implies length, does it not? In my experience it does. So if you are considering reading it know this: expect a weird introduction to a story with potential to be great. If you have the next issue available right away, go for it. If you don’t and you don’t like covers that contradict graphics inside then leave this alone. (I also suggest opening the book on Amazon if you can so you can peek at the graphics prior to reading.)

Buddy Read: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Title: Snow Like Ashes

Author: Sara Raasch

Pages: 416 pages

Published: October 14th, 2014

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Hardcover, From Target xD 

Rating:   :D :D :D :D

A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making. 

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. 

Orphaned as an infant during Winter's defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refuge, raised by the Winterian's general, Sir. Training to be a warrior-- and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather-- she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. 

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter's magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she's scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she's always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn't go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics-- and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. 

Buy it now!

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes &amp; Noble 

I read this alongside my awesome booktuber friend Bridget. She will probably do a video review for this book or talk about it in her wrap up, so you should subscribe to her and be on the lookout for recent videos. Subscribe here ------&gt; CLICK ME!  In a short and simple summary, I extremely loved this book. I was ecstatic when Bridget suggested that we should read an epic fantasy book that has been on our TBR since forever. 

I had so much love for the author and her world-building. It was a masterpiece! A world split into different seasons? Utter and brilliant genius work right there. The story follows Meira when she's sixteen-years-old and takes place after the fall of her kingdom, Winter. You see, these seasons all have a conduit that contains their magic and grants them the few things they need to make their kingdom successful. For example, the Winterians used their conduit to make their mines plentiful and wealthy in resources. These seasons compete with one another for more magic and powerful in general. However, Spring comes out on top when they attack Winter and take their conduit. Winter is left helpless with no magic and no more Queen, just the young heir to take her place. With only 8 refugees that have survived the fall of Winter, this is an amazing story that takes you on the journey of Meira's life, finding her place in this war and helping her people from becoming extinct. 

The magic system is refutable and there is a lot of time that is meant for explaining why things happen. There are a lot of terms important to the world of Snow Like Ashes, but that's the price that comes with like every fantasy book on the shelves these days. So just keep that in mind before picking a book like this up. If you're not used to extreme world building and fantastical terms made up by the author, then maybe this book isn't the best for you. But hey, it's great to try fantasy.

The plot is built up so much but it leaves off at such a satisfying point. It's not like there is a major cliffhanger and the author just leaves you wanting for more. I found it well met to my expectations but I know there's more to the story, you know what I mean? I hope that makes sense.

Bridget and I talked about this but we both said that Meira is such a strong heroine. In the beginning, as one of the last female survivors of Winter's fall, Sir doesn't allow Meira to fight at all and keeps her form her true potential. She really fights for her chance to prove everyone wrong and ends up doing something that hasn't been done in a long time. Read the book to find out what I mean. 

Overall this book was strong in the fantasical element of world-building and creating characters that didn't just stand around in the story. Also I would say, for those of you who like to guess plots, that this book has quite the predictable plot or at least according to Bridget. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Bridget the bookteller who was guessing these plots spot-on back and forth! It was so amazing, and I had a blast of the time reading and guessing with her! Though, I did come up with some ridiculous and silly plots.

And don't forget to read Ice Like Fire (Book #2) when it comes out on October 13th! 

Check out Bridget's detailed and enthusiastic review!

Book Review: Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong (Sea of Shadows #2)

Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Sea of Shadows #2
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars :star :star :star :star 1/2
Source: Paperback copy (own)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of Publication: April 1st, 2015
424 Pages // Goodreads

Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least, they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now, the emperor has sent them on a mission to rescue the children of Edgewood—accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of imperial warriors. But the journey proves more perilous than they could have imagined. With treachery and unrest mounting in the empire, Moria and Ashyn will have to draw on all their influence and power to overcome deadly enemies—not all of them human—and even avert an all-out war.

My Review

Although I read Sea of Shadows last year, it wasn’t one of my favorite fantasies. I felt like the story was great and it had a ton of potential (the world was amazing) but I mainly felt the best part was the ending/last part of the book. It definitely was a cliffhanger and the last portion of the book really got great and had me really sad it ended. So, when Empire of Night was released I decided to buy a copy (I mean, look at that cover!) because I had a good feeling about it. Plus, I was in the mood for a young woman to kick some ass. 

Moria and Ashyn are sisters and Keeper and Seeker, revered positions they are born into and also, I may say, positions that completely fit their personalities. Ashyn is more shy, feminine, and socially graceful…she communes with the spirits. Moria, who also hears the spirits is the warrior who battles them and knows her way around a sword. She’s not so much a romantic, although I’m happy to say she does find love (in all the right places, ahem..) in young bastard prince Tyrus. *sighs* I really love Tyrus. We get a lot more of him in this book. We also see a lot more of Moria. This book (and the last) have chapters split up into both Moria and Ashyn narrators.

So this is what all the fuss is about. This is what the bards sang about. What Ashyn swooned about. And it wasn’t nearly as silly or pointless as she thought.

If you are a high fantasy lover like me, you probably feel as I do about how important balance can be.  I really felt like this sequel had balance of romance, adventure, mystery, twists, and friendship/character development that is so important to have in a high fantasy novel. Whereas the last book had more of a world-building / character developing plot with so much back and forth I got a headache :|| this one was way different! I felt that, although Moria did have more emphasis than her sister Ashyn did, I didn’t mind at all. It gave the novel more balance and I really did enjoy seeing Tyrus and Moria fall for each other. They’re so cute! :L I’ve officially shipped  Tyrus + Moria. :k

Overall I would recommend this series to lovers of high fantasy an badass female characters who have to have their weapons near by… ;) 

If you have read Sea of Shadows and liked it (even just a little) you NEED to read this book! It’s excellent and way better than the first book. It’s a series I am excited about and I’m definitely waiting impatiently for the next book! :O

Waiting on Wednesday #16

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme created at Breaking the Spine that introduces books that you're excited to read or for their publication. This week at Dee's Reads I've decided to feature one of the books that I'm absolutely excited for. The ants and my pants just can't control themselves for this book. 

This week's Waiting on Wednesday is featuring...

Map of Fates (Book 2 in The Conspiracy of Us series) by Maggie Hall 

Title: Map of Fates (#2 of The Conspiracy of Us)

Author: Maggie Hall 

Pages: Unknown 

Published: March 8th, 2016

Genre: YA Fantasy, Historical Fiction (iffy) 

"A Da Vinci Code-style thriller for teens? Yes please." -- TeenVogue.com 

Two weeks. 

That's how long it took for Avery West's ordinary life to change forever: In two weeks, she discovered she was heiress to a powerful secret society known as the Circle, learned her mother was taken hostage by the Circle's enemies, and fell for a boy she's not allowed to love, just as she found out another was her unwelcome destiny. 

Now. Avery crosses oceans in private jets to hunt for clues that will uncover the truth about the Circle, setting her mom and herself free before it's too late! By her side are both the boys: Jack- steady, loyal, and determined to help her even at the expense of his own duty- and Stellan, whose connection to Avery grows stronger by the day despite her best intentions, making her question what she believes at every turn. 

But at the end of a desperate hunt from the islands of Greece to the red carpet  at Cannes comes a discovery that not only changes everything, but could bring the whole world to its knees. And now Avery is forced to face the truth: in the world of the Circle, no one is what they seem. 

More info here: Goodreads

Get the first book in this riveting series, here! 

Diamond’s WoW pick

Witches of East End 
..continues!? 

Title: Triple Moon: Summer on East End 
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Published: November 10, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Amazon // Goodreads 

From the New York Times bestselling author of Blue Bloods and Witches of East End.             After they cause a terrible accident at their old high school, twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are sent to live with their “Aunt” Ingrid Beauchamp in North Hampton, on Long Island’s mist-shrouded East End. Unable to control their powers, their father begs Ingrid to tame them over the summer, before the White Council exiles the girls to Limbo. Trouble continues to bubble and boil when the girls meet the younger Gardiner boys, who are just as handsome and sexy as their older kin. But all is not as it seems. As Ingrid helps the girls learn to control their magical impulses, Mardi and Molly have just this summer to figure out how to grow up, how to love, and how to be a family.

Why I’m waiting for this: I heard about this when I was perusing Facebook…and I seriously freaked out! Thank god I follow the show/author! YAY for social media = me knowing things!! :P
..and I just freak out over the “younger Gardiner boys” ???? Yes, please!!!!! :L :L :L :L I can only imagine how they are going to be! Ah is it November yet?!?!

"What does the future hold for Ingrid and Freya? Find out in #WitchesOfEastEnd author Melissa de la Cruz’s new book! In...Posted by Witches of East End on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 ”