Book Shelf: Fall of Thrones and Thorns (Threats of Sky and Sea #3) by Jennifer Ellision

War hurtles in, a typhoon over the sea.

After Bree’s life was torn apart, Nereidium had represented a haven to her. A place that—if she could save it—was beyond the King’s reach.

And, at last, she’s arrived upon its shores. But things in Nereidium are not what they should be.

The land is plagued by a rash of mysterious earthquakes, the likes of which it’s never known. The governors are distracted by old traditions, while Bree and her friends grapple with changing identities and the sense that the longer they wait to take action… the greater the danger from Egria grows.

Bree is tired of living under the shadow of King Langdon’s power. And she’s tired of waiting for him to be the first to act.

In this final chapter of the Threats of Sky and Sea series, it all comes down to Nereidium or Egria. To Bree or the King. It’s kill… or be killed.

And not everyone will escape the battle unscathed.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Fall of Thrones and Thorns is the third and final novel in Jennifer Ellision’s Threats of Sky and Sea series and marks the end of the trilogy in sensational fashion with a fast paced, exciting and stellar romantic conclusion that will hold your attention until the very final page!

Picking up almost exactly where the previous book left off, Fall of Thrones and Thorns sees Bree’s true identity finally made known to those in her life as she accepts her rightful position as Nereidium’s Queen. As war looms closer than ever before, Bree, Caden, Aleta and those closest to them struggle with their new positions as they must decide whether to stand back and wait for King Langdon’s forces to find them or take the fight to him. But with unexpected problems arising, the choice may no longer in their hands and Bree must rally as many allies as possible before King Langdon destroys everything she holds dear.

Wow--what an exhilarating ending to a highly enjoyable fantasy series! Kicking off the last book, Fall of Thrones and Thorns manages to utterly ensnare from beginning to end and continue to maintain a fast paced and exciting plotline. There is once again a lot of action and magic to be found in this instalment as well as friendship, humor and romance.

All the characters have come such a long way in the lead up to the final confrontation between Bree and the King of Egrian. I’ve loved following Bree and Caden, and very much enjoyed seeing this novel unfold through Aleta’s eyes at times too. They've both been strong main characters to follow and I’ve enjoyed seeing them grow and develop very much.

Bree and Caden have been joined throughout the series by a great cast of characters who Jennifer Ellison seemed to have slowly paired up over the series; Aleta, Tregle, Liam, Meddie, Lalia, Elena…I’ll be sad to say goodbye to them, but I’ve enjoyed all the fun and substance they’ve brought to the series.

My only fault with this book was actually the final chapter. Jennifer Ellison concludes the series by tying up most loose ends and leaving the reader hopeful for her characters futures, but I really wanted a little bit more. After everything Bree and Caden have been through, I wanted to know that they had gotten their happily ever after; that they managed to overcome the fact that they are now the leaders of two different people and actually be together. I also wanted to see what happened to Liam and Meddie, Lalia and Elena, and even Clift. Maybe Ellison will indulge us one day and write a spin-off series or a novella that allows us to see how the characters have fared further down the line…..

Still, as far as the final book in a series, Fall of Thrones and Thorns doesn’t really disappoint. Jennifer Ellison keeps her readers on their toes and eagerly following her characters as they gear up for their final showdown against the King that eventually takes place in spectacular fashion. A great fantasy series that I definitely recommend.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: September 27th 2016
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords
Final Thoughts: This is a highly enjoyable fantasy series that I definitely recommend!

Book Shelf: Riot of Storm and Smoke (Threats of Sky and Sea #2) by Jennifer Ellision

War draws closer, like a tide to the shore.

Bree and her friends have escaped the clutches of the Egrian King, but their troubles are far from over. Still reeling from the secrets that drew new breath when her father took his last, Bree sets off for the safety of Nereidium-- the kingdom she's just learned is hers.

But with the King's ire at its peak and war a certainty, Nereidium is no longer safe. As Prince Caden rallies the Egrian people against his tyrant father, Bree, Princess Aleta, and Tregle race to the Nereid shore to warn them of the incoming danger—and to put the Nereid Princess on the throne.

The only trouble there: Bree can’t bring herself to reveal that the Princess is her.

It’s not a dilemma she can waste time pondering. With a new weapon in his arsenal, the King's strikes are sure to be bolder than ever before. And Bree may not be ready to wear a crown… but she won't let her kingdom down without a fight.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Riot of Storm and Smoke is the sequel in the Threats of Sky and Sea series by Jennifer Ellison and is a decent follow up to the first novel, continuing to develop an exciting fantasy series full of adventure, danger and romance.

Having fled the Egrian King, Bree and her friends remain on the run, attempting to secure safe passage to Nereidium and forced to rely on the kindness of others as they make their journey. Meanwhile, Prince Caden is trying to gather troops and support in order to stand against his father, but raising an army isn’t as easy as it seems and comes with its own bunch of problems. As old friends and new enemies gather together against a common enemy, war is on the horizon and with King Langdon possessing a dangerous and deadly weapon, Bree, Caden and those they trust must prepare to take things to the next level….

I’m be honest; heading into this sequel I was experiencing a serious case of amnesia where the first book was concerned and recalling what had happened in the first instalment wasn’t easy. That being said however, I quickly found myself becoming invested in Riot of Storm and Smoke as soon as I began reading.

Told through the varying perspectives of Bree and Caden, Riot of Storm and Smoke is a well written and forward moving novel. There’s a lot happening as Bree and her friends Aleta and Tregle race to reach Nereidium before King Langdon attacks and back home Caden attempts to gather support against his father.

I continue to find Bree and Caden to be worthy main characters and loved seeing them united rather than apart. I liked the new characters Jennifer Ellison introduces in this instalment. Clift, Meddie, Lilia, Liam, Elena….they all managed to do something for the storyline and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the Underground that has secretly functioned for years against the king.

There’s a lot of action and excitement in this book as well as some great dialogue and some sweeter moments--all racing towards an incredible cliff-hanger that ends with one power laden sentence! Exhilarating until the end, Riot of Storm and Smoke leaves me raring to dive straight into the third and final book next!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author and Xpresso Book Tours (Thank you ladies!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: August 18th 2015
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: This was a wonderful sequel with one hell of an ending. Ready to read the final book straight away!

Waiting on Wednesday #150

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Releases: May 16th 2017

Add on Goodreads!

 

There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies. The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets.

Caden is a Nice: The boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection. Dylan is a Bad: The brooding, dark-souled guy, and dangerously handsome. The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her. Will she choose a Nice or the Bad?

Both Caden and Dylan are living in the outside world for the first time. They are well-trained and at the top of their games. They have to be – whoever the girl doesn’t choose will die.

What the boys don’t expect are feelings that are outside of their training. Feelings that could kill them both.

 

Thoughts:

The idea of this book sounds really unique. I haven't read too many spy novels and I'm not 100% sure what the storyline of this novel will be, but with two different love interests that are the epitome of what we see in a typical love triangle--nice guy and bad boy--I'm SO game! The Love Interest is definitely something I'll be on the look out for in 2017!

 

What do you think of The Love Interest?
And what are you waiting on this week?

 

 

Book Shelf: Escape Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 2) by L.M. Fry

Valera longs to escape her sheltered life and overbearing mother. She just never imagines that her opportunity would arrive after being kidnapped.

Now she has a decision to make: face a world filled with danger and discover her own power, or return home where it's safe and live in a gilded cage.


More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Escape Aether is the second novel in The Trinity Key Trilogy by L.M. Fry and allows readers to explore the world of Aetherland even more as Fry continues to develop her exhilarating series. 

Picking up where the first novel left off, Escape Aether sees Valera Stein kidnapped by the recently discovered Aetherland-born Julia who is desperately seeking her part of the Trinity Key. Agreeing to help Julia find her missing piece allows Valera to do the one thing she’s always wanted; escape Aetherland Isle and see the world. Yet as Valera and Julia journey through both Aetherland and the human world, enemies change and dangers increase until both girls must decide to work together if they have any hope of finding Julia’s piece of the key.

Having enjoyed Into Aether, I found Escape Aether to be a fantastically written and wonderful follow up to its predecessor. Escape Aether explored different parts of Aetherland and allowed us to discover new areas of L.M. Fry’s dashing steampunk world, as well as get to know new characters. 

Unlike Into Aether which took place through Theo’s eyes alone, Escape Aether unfolds through the varying POV’s of Valeria, Theo and Julia, allowing readers to follow all three of Danu’s daughters and members of the Trinity throughout the book. The back and forth POV’s really do allow you to get to know all three girls and learn of their hopes, fears and motives as the story unfolds. Nothing and no one is completely black and white as we come to learn, especially Julia.  

I really enjoyed getting to know Valera and Julia in this book. I knew I was going to like Valera and she doesn’t disappoint—she’s just a happy, sweet person, plain and simple, although L.M Fry certainly takes her on an emotional journey with Escape Aether. While Julia on the other hand surprised me; she really was just misunderstood—someone who had grown up simply wanting her father’s love and someone who was willing to do anything is wanted in order to facilitate that. Julia isn’t really a bad person. She just needs someone to genuinely care for her and I think Theo and Valera can be those people if given the chance. 

Mixing all the characters from the first novel—Theo, Victor, Nessie, Vivi, Valera and more---with new and exciting additions—most notably Gideon as a love interest for Valera, Escape Aether is a fast paced and adventurous sequel that highly entertains and leaves me ready to read the next book in the series!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you LM!)
Publisher: Eleah Enterprises
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: March 31st 2016
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Another great read--you can bet I'll be diving straight into the next book.

Book Blitz: The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

I'm thrilled to be featuring the Book Blitz for The Gender Game by Bella Forrest on the blog today thanks to YaReads Blog Tours. I recently read and reviewed this book and absolutely LOVED it---one of my favourites so far this year!

_____________________________________

A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender.
Women rule the East. Men rule the West.

Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus.

Ever since the death of her mother, Violet's life has been shadowed by bad luck. Already a prisoner to her own nation, after two unfortunate incidents resulting in womanslaughter, now she has been sentenced to death.

But one decision could save her life.

One decision to enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit.

Everything about the patriarchy defies Violet's identity, but she must sacrifice many things if she wishes to survive the forbidden kingdom... including forbidden love.

In a world divided by gender, only the strongest survive...

Add on Goodreads or check out my 5 star review!

 

Purchase:

Amazon (Kindle | Amazon (Paperback)

What Early Readers are Saying:

“Bella takes this genre to a new level. Imagine the intrigue of Divergent, the suspense of The Maze Runner and the heart-pounding excitement of The Hunger Games. That is the magic Bella is working with her new novel The Gender Game.”

“The chemistry between the characters is INTENSE. Forbidden romance at its best!”

“You can never predict where Bella Forrest will take a story!”

“Intrigue, danger and mystery at every corner.”

“Once I started reading, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop. My heart raced along with Violet’s […]

The twists and turns so far in this book have left my mouth hanging agape.”

“Intrigue, espionage, and a strong, smart female at the center of it all. Had me sucked in from the get go.”

Best known for writing fantasy, Bella Forrest is a lover of romance and mystery-infused stories with twists you won’t see coming. She has sold over five million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Visit Bella:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

 

Having released on the 24th of September, I cannot recommend The Gender Game enough! The Gender Game is really fabulous and Bella guaranteed I'm dying for the next book in the series. Be sure to check it out yourself!

 

 

Book Shelf: The Witch's Kiss (The Witch's Kiss #1) by Katharine Corr & Elizabeth Corr

Sixteeen-year-old Meredith is fed-up with her feuding family and feeling invisible at school – not to mention the witch magic that shoots out of her fingernails when she’s stressed. Then sweet, sensitive Jack comes into her life and she falls for him hard. The only problem is that he is periodically possessed by a destructive centuries-old curse.

Meredith has lost her heart, but will she also lose her life? Or in true fairytale tradition, can true love’s kiss save the day?

More info on Goodreads.....



Review:

The Witch’s Kiss is the debut novel for sisters Katharine and Elizabeth Corr and is an intriguing twist on a classic fairy-tale.

Sixteen year old Meredith "Merry" Cooper is a witch…..technically. After a series of bad decisions, Merry has sworn off using her magic, but that doesn’t mean she can control the magic that shoots out of her fingers when she’s stressed or upset. When Merry begins having a series of dreams about a handsome young man named Jack, she soon learns that her family is connected to a centuries old curse placed upon Jack by a wizard out for revenge; a wizard that Merry is expected to defeat by using the very magic she’s sworn off using. But with lives on the line and the wizard growing more powerful every day, will Merry be able to save Jack and stop the wizard? Or is Jack fated to be doomed forever?

The Witch’s Kiss is one of those books that leaves me really conflicted. The concept is brilliant—loosely based around Sleeping Beauty, but where Sleeping Beauty is actually a prince not a princess who has been cursed by a wizard, not a witch that was wronged by the prince’s parents. Yet everything else about this novel seemed to fall flat….

I was hoping for a really fast paced story, but The Witch’s Kiss seemed to drag on for me. There was, what seemed to me, like a lot of unnecessary build up to a battle that is short lived and anticlimactic. Unfortunately, I found our main character Merry to be a little lacklustre. She got the job done as the heroine, but I failed to connect with her, as I did the rest of the characters.

Considering the curse put on Jack and the connection to the Sleeping Beauty fairy-tale that The Witch’s Kiss featured, I was anticipating this really heartfelt romance during this story, surely if some kind of true love is supposed to break the spell? Yet no. There is little to no romance between Merry and Jack that impacts on the story and the romance and connection between them seemed forced on the author’s part. I feel like Katharine and Elizabeth Corr had a brilliant idea, but the execution just isn’t there.

The back story surrounding The Witch’s Kiss was really interesting; lending a new twist on Sleeping Beauty. I personally would have loved to see more of Jack and his time—I actually quite liked this part of the book and thought his sweet character had potential.

Though it was a slow read that could have soared, but ultimately didn’t, The Witch’s Kiss wasn’t necessarily a bad book. It just didn’t do enough for me. Overall a good attempt—jury’s out on whether I’ll read the sequel. I may simply because the curiosity in me can’t be satisfied with anything but a true happily ever after…..

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $16.99
Release Date: June 30th 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: The storyline held promise, but fell flat. Keen to see if the authors turn it around in book too though.

Book Tour: Blood of the Prophet by Kat Ross

Welcome to the Book Tour for Blood of the Prophet by Kat Ross thanks to Xpresso Book Tours! Blood of the Prophet is the second book in The Fourth Element series and is as brilliant as it's predecessor!

I'm thrilled to showcase this amazing series and hope you enjoy the excerpt I have to share today. If you missed it, be sure to check out my 5 star review that went live yesterday too :)

________________________________

Visionary. Alchemist. Savior. Saint.

The Prophet Zarathustra has been called many things. Now he spends his time drawing pictures of weird-looking goats. That's what happens when you've been stuck in a prison cell for two hundred years. But the man who might be mad, and is definitely supposed to be dead, has suddenly become very valuable again…

It's only been a few weeks since Nazafareen escaped the King's dungeons with her daēva, Darius. She hoped never to set foot in the empire again, but the search for the Prophet has led them to the ancient city of Karnopolis. They have to find him before Alexander of Macydon burns Persepolae, and Darius's mother with it. But they're not the only ones looking.

The necromancer Balthazar has his own plans for the Prophet, and so does the sinister spymaster of the Numerators. As Nazafareen is drawn in to a dangerous game of cat and mouse, her newfound powers take a decidedly dark turn. Only the Prophet understands the secret of her gift, but the price of that knowledge may turn out to be more than Nazafareen is willing to pay…

Add on Goodreads or check out my review!

Purchase:
The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 

From Blood of the Prophet........

Night fell on the city.

Torches flickered in the windows of the magi's temple, although the Imperial Archives grew dark, its scribes having departed for home. Araxa tucked his hands into his sleeves and made his way down three circular flights to the level of the street. Most of the Numerators he passed in the corridors avoided his gaze. They were the record-keepers, the bureaucrats who made up the bulk of his order. But two or three gave him a deferential nod.

Like Araxa, their robes bore the sigil of an eye with a flame where the pupil should be. The Hands of the Father. The daēva-hunters. They strode down the middle of the torch-lit passages, knowing they would be given a wide berth by the others. No one, not even their own brother Numerators, wished to catch the attention of a Hand. Especially not now, with their new powers of arrest and dispensation of justice. 

Araxa's octagonal study was in the main building for practical reasons, but he conducted much of his business in another part of the Numerators' sprawling warren. Three wings of the Hall were devoted to administration of the empire and its vast resources, but the fourth belonged exclusively to the Hands. It had no windows, and the walls were particularly thick, muffling any sounds that might arise within. To the people of Karnopolis, it was known in hushed tones as the Grestako, which meant cave of the demons. Few who went inside were ever seen again.

Araxa barely noticed the smell, although it had made him lose his breakfast the first time he'd encountered it more than a decade before. Old blood, sweat, despair. It had sunk into the very stones of the place. At least it wasn't summer. The smell became much worse then.

Two Hands of the Father awaited him outside one of the cells. Unlike the stoop-shouldered clerks, both had muscular builds and the stolid faces of soldiers, which was more or less what they were. By tradition, the head of their order held no formal title, but most of the Hands respectfully called him Patar, an affectionate term meaning father.

"Magi from the Barbican, Patar Araxa," the first said with a scowl. "One's already soiled himself." He gave a coarse laugh. "So much for the Purified."

"Keep them waiting," Araxa said. His voice was high and soft and oddly affectless. It was a voice made for whispers in the dark. Those who survived his attentions tended to remember that voice more than anything else. "Let them stew. Separately, of course. By the time I question them, they'll be eager to please. Now, what of Magus Roham? Is he here?"

"Since this morning. He's been demanding to see the Hierarch. Says he's nothing to hide, but knows of a few others who might be involved."
Araxa gave a thin smile. "I'll start with him. Bring him to the Chamber of Truth."

The Hands nodded and strode off down the corridor, scarlet-hemmed robes billowing behind them. Araxa followed at a slower pace. He could hear faint moans drifting through the fist-sized iron screens set into the doors on either side. The cells were small and dark. A prisoner had once told him an hour inside felt like a week. Zarathustra had no idea how lucky he was to have been given over to the magi instead of the Numerators.

Well, that reprieve was about to end. 

 

Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She lives in Westchester with her kid and a few sleepy cats. Kat is also the author of the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day (Skyscape, 2014), about a world where the sea levels have risen sixty meters. She loves magic, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Preferably with mutants.

Visit Kat:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Shelf: Blood of the Prophet (The Fourth Element #2) by Kat Ross

Visionary. Alchemist. Savior. Saint.

The Prophet Zarathustra has been called many things. Now he spends his time drawing pictures of weird-looking goats. That's what happens when you've been stuck in a prison cell for two hundred years. But the man who might be mad, and is definitely supposed to be dead, has suddenly become very valuable again…

It's only been a few weeks since Nazafareen escaped the King's dungeons with her daēva, Darius. She hoped never to set foot in the empire again, but the search for the Prophet has led them to the ancient city of Karnopolis. They have to find him before Alexander of Macydon burns Persepolae, and Darius's mother with it. But they're not the only ones looking.

The necromancer Balthazar has his own plans for the Prophet, and so does the sinister spymaster of the Numerators. As Nazafareen is drawn in to a dangerous game of cat and mouse, her newfound powers take a decidedly dark turn. Only the Prophet understands the secret of her gift, but the price of that knowledge may turn out to be more than Nazafareen is willing to pay…

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Blood of the Prophet is the second novel in The Fourth Element series by Kat Ross and follows on where its predecessor left off; drawing readers into another wonderfully depicted tale of danger, magic and exhilarating romance!

Having escaped the King’s clutches, former Water Dog Nazafareen and her daeva Darius set out in search of the Prophet Zarathustra before Alexander of Macydon invades their land and burns the city of Persepolae to the ground. Joined by their friends Tijah and Myrri, Nazafareen and Darius journey across sea and desert to a small city believed to house the Prophets prison, hoping to discover his whereabouts. Hiding in plain sight, Nazarfareen and Darius bide their time before they can act, even as a dangerous enemy also seeks the prophet and Nazafareen battles the unexpected powers that seem to surface within her. With lives on the line and danger looming, will Nazafareen be able to protect those she loves or are she and Darius doomed to be torn apart forever?

Kat Ross is back with a very addictive sequel in the form of Blood of the Prophet! Blood of the Prophet sees readers join Nazafareen once again after the events of the first book, The Midnight Sea saw Nazafareen reassess her loyalties and decide upon following her instincts and her heart rather than her Kings instructions.

As she did with the first novel, Ross continues to depict an alluring desert world within this story. Religious sects, powerful individuals and demonic creatures abound in this instalment and I continue to love the overall feel of the series. Ross keeps the stakes high and the plot forward moving, weaving romance, danger and unexpected loss into the story with our heroes doing everything in their power to locate the Prophet before Alexanda invades Persepolae.

Nazafareen continues to be a strong lead to follow. She’s deeply in love with her daeva-- even though the two of them are still navigating their recently acknowledged feelings, trying to protect innocent people who will die if Alexandra invades, even if it’s the only way to stop their brutal king and also beginning to notice changes within herself as a result of the bond. In Blood of the Prophet Nazafareen begins to display abilities she never has before and Ross indicates big things in store for Nazafareen with the next book.

I continue to adore Nazafareen’s friends and the supporting cast in their series. Darius and Nazafareen have such a sweet and strong relationship and I love seeing them in all their glory together. A loss of someone close throws the characters, but I’m intrigued to see more of Tijah who I believe has a larger role in the third and final book.

Fast paced, exciting and endlessly well written, Blood of the Prophet ends a little too abruptly for my taste, but leaves me none-the-less dying to get my hands on the final novel Queen of Chaos as soon as it releases to see how Kat Ross concludes Nazafareen and Darius’s story!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Xpresso Book Tours and the author (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: September 12th 2016
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: I LOVE this series and can't wait for the third and final book!

Waiting on Wednesday #149

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

Blood Rose Rebellion by Rosalyn Eves

Releases on: March 28th 2017

Add on Goodreads!

 

The thrilling first book in a YA fantasy trilogy for fans of Red Queen. In a world where social prestige derives from a trifecta of blood, money, and magic, one girl has the ability to break the spell that holds the social order in place.

Sixteen-year-old Anna Arden is barred from society by a defect of blood. Though her family is part of the Luminate, powerful users of magic, she is Barren, unable to perform the simplest spells. Anna would do anything to belong. But her fate takes another course when, after inadvertently breaking her sister’s debutante spell—an important chance for a highborn young woman to show her prowess with magic—Anna finds herself exiled to her family’s once powerful but now crumbling native Hungary.

Her life might well be over.

In Hungary, Anna discovers that nothing is quite as it seems. Not the people around her, from her aloof cousin Noémi to the fierce and handsome Romani Gábor. Not the society she’s known all her life, for discontent with the Luminate is sweeping the land. And not her lack of magic. Isolated from the only world she cares about, Anna still can’t seem to stop herself from breaking spells.

As rebellion spreads across the region, Anna’s unique ability becomes the catalyst everyone is seeking. In the company of nobles, revolutionaries, and Romanies, Anna must choose: deny her unique power and cling to the life she’s always wanted, or embrace her ability and change that world forever.

 

Thoughts:

What can I say? I'm addicted to fantasy, especially YA fantasy. And Blood Rose Rebellion sounds sound oh so good. I'm really looking forward to reading this when it comes out in March next year.

 

What do you think of Blood Rose Rebellion?

Is it something you would like to read?

 

 

Book Shelf: Iron Cast by Destiny Soria

It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths—whose "afflicted" blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art—captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite.

When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Destiny Soria’s debut novel Iron Cast is a delightfully lush and captivating tale of magic and mayhem set in a vivid world of gangsters, dames and opulent parties where con-men and mobsters linger and no one is as they seem.

Iron Cast introduces readers to Boston in 1919 where Prohibition is about to come into effect and individuals with special abilities known as hemopaths work their magic in seedy underground clubs and behind the closed doors of popular establishments. Able to weave illustrious illusions and affect the emotions of their victims thanks to an affliction in their blood, hemopaths are hunted by government agency’s hoping to quell their abilities and study what makes them do what they’re able to do. For best friends Ada and Corinne, this world, and the Iron Cast club is home. Being hemopaths means living largely secretive lives, but at the Iron Cast Ada and Corinne are part of a family thanks to infamous gangster who Johnny Dervish took them in and made them a part of his inner circle. Yet when a job goes wrong, Ada and Corinne quickly realise that not everyone can be trusted and betrayal is just around the corner.

From the opening page of Iron Cast, I knew I was in for a really good read and Destiny Soria doesn’t disappoint. Reminding me of The Diviners by Libba Bray (which I love!) Iron Cast was a well fleshed out tale that seemed to come alive as we followed two strong and promising main characters. Boston came alive in Iron Cast and I loved the vibrancy Soria brought to the book—the setting, the characters, the plotline; all of it managed to keep me highly entertained and on my toes.

I was really impressed by the hemopathy Destiny Soria wove into Iron Cast. At their base hemopaths are individuals with magic-like abilities that give them the ability to weave illusions, affect emotions, change shape and a whole sleuth of other things. Weakened and affected by iron, hemopaths hide what they can do, lest they be discovered by those who would see them sent to asylums or experimented on.

Iron Cast unfolds through the back and forth POV’s of best friends and hemopaths, Ada and Corinne. Both girls couldn’t be more different, with Ada of coloured skin and Corinne from a powerful and wealthy family, but the bond they share really shines throughout the novel. Ada is a songsmith—able to affect emotions with the help of music and her violin, while Corinne is a wordsmith—able to make you see and believe anything she wants as she quotes poems and tells a powerful tale.

The strength of Ada and Corinne’s friendship was wonderful to read about and I have to commend Destiny Soria for writing two lavishly likable heroines. Corinne had pluck and flair, while Ada though kinder of the two managed to hold her own. In such a vibrant world, they complimented each other.

Fast paced and weaving strong friendship, romance and betrayal into the mix, Iron Cast was an entrancing read that seemed to have it all. Plenty of twists, discoveries and haunting betrayals kept me on my toes and with the ending leaving me wanting to know what happens to Ada and Corinne next, Destiny Soria has won a fan in me.

Reminiscent of Libba Bray’s The Diviners, Iron Cast is a wonderful way to kick start a promising new period series that I highly recommend to those looking to kick up their heels and get lost in a world of hemopathy and gangsters.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Amulet Books
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: October 11th 2017
Purchase: Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I was really impressed with this book and am very much looking forward to the sequel after the ending!

Owl Post #101

Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.

 

Hi guys and welcome to another Owl Post :)

  For Review: 

From Scholastic: - Last Descendants by Matthew J. Kirby I have to admit I've never read any of the Assassin's Creed books or played any of the games, but you never know, I may read this one day.   - Skyfire by Michael Adams I hadn't heard of this book before I received a copy, but I have to say it sounds really good! Hope it lives up to it's premise--I look forward to finding out!   - The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín The Call looks sooooo good. The description alone gives me shivers. Can't wait to read this one.   ....Thank you guys!
_________________________________   From Pan Macmillan: - Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini I really enjoyed the first two books in the Worldwalker series and I can't wait to see how Angelini concludes the trilogy!   .....Thank you Alex! _________________________   From Bloomsbury: - Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas I'm almost ashamed to say that I'm yet to read the book before this one, mainly because I'm scared ti see Celaena/Aelin end up with someone who isn't Chaol, but I think I'm gonna have to catch up soon because Empire of Storms just sounds too good.   .....Thank you Sonia!   I Bought:

- Lying Out Loud by Kody Keplinger I LOVED the DUFF and was so thrilled when I learnt there was a companion novel to it. Saw this one sale and had to get myself a copy.   And that's me! Some great reads this week. What did the owls bring YOU?  

 

Book Shelf: The Gender Game by Bella Forrest

A toxic river divides nineteen-year-old Violet Bates's world by gender.
Women rule the East. Men rule the West.

Welcome to the lands of Matrus and Patrus.

Ever since the death of her mother, Violet's life has been shadowed by bad luck. Already a prisoner to her own nation, after two unfortunate incidents resulting in womanslaughter, now she has been sentenced to death.

But one decision could save her life.

One decision to enter the kingdom of Patrus, where men rule and women submit.

Everything about the patriarchy defies Violet's identity, but she must sacrifice many things if she wishes to survive the forbidden kingdom... including forbidden love.

In a world divided by gender, only the strongest survive...

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

The Gender Game is Bella Forrest’s latest release and is an absolutely brilliant and addictive dystopian read that will lure readers with its intense, intriguing world, strong protagonist and promising romance!

Nineteen year old Violet Bates lives in a world where a toxic river divides two different gender based societies; Matrus and Patrus. In Violet’s home of Matrus any violence is frowned upon and men have little to no social standing, while in Patrus women are expected to submit completely to their husbands and are considered little more than property. Having been caught attempting to help someone she loves escape Matrus in the past, Violet is already a prisoner when she commits two different acts of womanslaughter, an act punishable by death. Faced with choosing between death and an unexpected proposition, Violet finds herself agreeing to a mission that will see her forced to journey into the heart of Patrus. Living in Patrus sees Violet forced to go against her very nature but as Violet makes sacrifices in order to see out her mission she begins to consider the possibility of finding the one thing she never expected to find in Patrus; love.

Wow! What a read! When I first began reading The Gender Game, I had planned to read only a few chapters to bide some time, but quickly found myself devouring the book—in one sitting! And I very rarely finish books in one sitting. I  loved The Gender Game; loved it. I adored the characters, the setting, the very feel of the novel---everything was just spot on!

Bella Forrest completely captured my attention with The Gender Game the moment I began reading. With descriptive writing, Forrest writes a really entertaining story in the vein of Divergent and The Hunger Games. I thought the world Bella Forrest created was so very clever and loved the part of it she allowed us to explore. I can only envision where she plans to take this series and what more she plans to do with it, especially considering the shocking ending of The Gender Game that readers most likely didn’t see coming.

The Gender Game followed a strong and personable main character. Violet has taken chances in the past for family and faced the consequences, but that doesn’t mean she’s shy about standing up for the underdogs, because as we quickly learn in the story, she’s not. Violet finds herself between a rock and a hard place when she agrees to go under cover in Patrus to get something back that was stolen from Matrus. This means Violet is forced to actually marry a double agent from Patrus and act the role of submissive wife in public—something that goes against her very nature. I genuinely liked Violet. She was a balanced individual who was easy to follow and had personality.

No story would be complete without a hint of romance and Bella Forrest gives us this in Viggo Croft. Ahhhh; Viggo, Viggo, Viggo. Viggo is a warden in Patrus and someone Violet and her husband set out to use as part of their mission. Viggo reminds me of Dimitri Belikov from The Vampire Academy series in the sense that he has shoulder length hair, wears a trench coat and is pretty damn bad-ass. Someone who has a past that makes him symphonize with and be intrigued by Violet, Viggo is a fierce fighter, but a quiet individual, whose relationship with Violet develops over time. Right now Forrest has only allowed the bare minimum to develop between Viggo and Violet, but I really enjoyed their chemistry and the connection they seemed to share.

Completely unassuming and with plenty of twists, turns and developments, The Gender Game is a wonderful read that races towards an explosive ending! I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a good dystopian tale and can’t wait for Bella Forrest to release the sequel The Gender Secret so I can once more follow Violet and get to know more about this imaginative world!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Independently published
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: September 24th 2016
Pre-order: Amazon
Final Thoughts: This book is simply BRILLIANT and words cannot say how excited I am for the next book. I NEED it--like stat!

Book Shelf: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #1) by Ransom Riggs

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a unique and entertaining debut novel by Ransom Riggs in the vein of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson that will appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous tales.

Sixteen year old Jacob Portman has listened to his grandfather’s vivid and imaginative tales for years; stories of terrible monsters and children with amazing abilities. Jacob has always thought them nothing more than that, stories, but when a tragic accident sees Jacob journey to Wales with his father in an effort to find some closure, Jacob is about to discover that those tales are more real than he ever imagined…..and Jacob has more in common with those peculiar individuals than he thought possible…..

After all the hype surrounding this novel and this series, I am glad to have finally gotten around to reading it. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children began slowly for me before picking up and becoming an enjoyable read. I don’t think the story ever blew me away but I did find it highly unique and adventurous. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children seemed to feature that feel good, adventurous rush that series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson have featured in the past.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children features a number of haunting yet beautiful pictures that I have to commend author Ransom Riggs for including. My understanding is that these creepy and freaky portraits are in fact authentic and were the inspiration of a lot of Riggs characters. This is really clever on his part and I loved that he was able to tie them into the story and have them appear in the actual book. It made for a really vivid reading experience.

The concept and time travel mythology introduced and then explored within this novel is really intriguing. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has a lot going for it with its peculiar cast of characters all with incredibly different abilities, interesting take on time travel and lush world, but if I’m being honest, I think I was expecting a really wow story.

I was a tad perplexed with the main character Jacob as well as his relationship with Emma. I couldn’t connect with Jacob to the full extent I wanted and found Emma’s fixation on Jacob to be strange considering her decades ago relationship with his grandfather. I think Jacob was just a substitute to the man she couldn’t have and as such the almost insta-love they seemed to experience was lost on me.

That being said, I did find Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children to be an interesting read and I’m really keen to see what Ransom Riggs does with the rest of the series. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children ends at a good moment to close one chapter in preparation for the next and I look forward to Riggs introducing and exploring more of his very peculiar fantasy world!

Rating:
Source: I purchased from The Book Depository
Publisher: Quirk
Format: Hardback
Release Date: June 7th 2011
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: A really unique novel, I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

Waiting on Wednesday #148

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....  

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

Releases on: January 3rd 2017
Add on Goodreads!

 

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

 

Thoughts:
I finally got around to reading the first book in this series, Passenger, last month and loved it so much that Wayfarer quickly jumped up to the top of my can't-wait-for books of 2017! The ending of Passenger was so nail biting and oh-my-god-no that I MUST have this soon. Need more Nicholas!

 

You've seen mine, now show me yours.....

What are YOU waiting on this week?

 

 

Book Shelf: The Boyfriend Bet (Boyfriend Chronicles #2) by Chris Cannon

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains multiple PDAs, after-school detentions, and gambling on the side. Warning: betting on a boyfriend is bad for your health.

Zoe Cain knows that Grant Evertide is way out of her league. So naturally, she kisses him. Out of spite. Not only is Grant her brother’s number-one nemesis, but he has zero interest in being tied down to one girl. She’s shocked—and secretly thrilled—when they start spending more time together.

Zoe’s brother claims Grant is trying to make her his “Ringer,” an oh-so-charming tradition where a popular guy dates a non-popular girl until he hooks up with her, then dumps her. Zoe threatens to neuter Grant with hedge clippers if he's lying but Grant swears he isn’t trying to trick her. Still, that doesn’t mean Grant is the commitment type—even if winning a bet is on the line.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Boyfriend Bet by Chris Cannon is a sharp and fun summer romance and a nice addition to the Boyfriend Chronicles that will appeal to those who love their contemporary YA romance.

There’s nothing drama loving Zoe Cain enjoys more in life than annoying her brother. Which is why she takes it upon herself on the first day of school to kiss his nemesis Grant Evertide. Zoe knows Grant is out of her league, but after that one kiss, Zoe can’t help wanting to do it again. Having just gotten out of a relationship with a crazy ex, the last thing Grant wants is a new girlfriend, even if Zoe is all kinds of fun. Grant is determined for he and Zoe to be strictly non-exclusive, but Zoe has other ideas….will Zoe be able to convince Grant to take a chance on her? Or will the two of them only end up hurting each other?

Unfolding through the back and forth POV’s of Zoe and Grant, The Boyfriend Bet was a strange book for me to read, mostly because I thought the characters were hopeless at times, yet the story was so entertaining and fun that I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience. I think the best way to read this book is to take it for what it is and not take it too seriously. So in saying that, Chris Cannon wrote a fun romance that explored all aspects of teenage drama; romance, rebellion, angst, anger…..all kinds of emotions were explored in this story and the main characters certainly took you on a journey.

Overall I easily followed the main characters, although at times I was a little over their antics. Perhaps that’s due to age. Zoe was a dramatic kind of person who enjoyed annoying her brother and keeping people on their toes. She was easy to follow and I enjoyed her vulnerability. Really she was just a normal teenager. Grant was one of those characters where I wondered at times if I actually liked him. Don’t get me wrong, he was entertaining and he made me smile, but he wasn’t always the nicest or most considerate of person. Or maybe that’s because he was such a spoilt, well off individual who was used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted.

I enjoyed Zoe and Grant a lot better when they were together. While I didn’t always appreciate Grant’s attitude towards Zoe, I do admit he’s a typical guy and I think Chris Cannon wrote him pretty well in this department. Grant has to decide if he truly wants Zoe enough to stop his flirty ways and I enjoyed seeing him work up to that decision. Grant and Zoe were cheeky together and I liked the banter exchanged between them.

The Boyfriend Bet was a pretty quick and easy summer read. I’m super in love with Zoe’s best friend Delia and Grant’s best friend Aiden and their little romance that was woven into The Boyfriend Bet. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Chris Cannon decides to give them a story in this series too!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Entangled: Crush
Format: Kindle ebook via Netgalley
Release Date: August 22nd 2016
Purchase: The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Kobo
Final Thoughts: A decent YA read--looking forward to another one in the future.