Monday, September 9, 2013

Owl Post #19


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.
 
It's Owl Post time!

For Review:


From Simon & Schuster Australia.....

- Never Too Far by Abbi Glines
I'm a really big Abbi Glines fan--I really need to begin this series! I have book one, it's just a matter of getting around to it

- Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines
Yet another book by Abbi I need to read. Have heard brilliant things about it--hope I love too!

- Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
I actually like the sound of this one. Sounds like a fun and flirty romp.

- Up In Flames by Nicole Williams
Not sure about this one, but we'll see.

- All In by Raine Miller
I don't think this one is for me. Has anyone read this series?

- This Girl by Colleen Hoover
Hmmmm. I've heard very book things about this series. I'm yet to pick up a Colleen Hoover book, that may have to change soon!

......THANK YOU SO MUCH Anabel for the amazing package of goodness. You are far to generous!


I Bought:


- Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Origin. Nuff said! Totally my next read!

- Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
This has been on my TBR list for ages and today I found a brand new copy at a bargain shop at my local mall for $2. $2 guys! I had to have it at that price! Last copy too......


And that's me next! Were the Owls kind to you this week?!?!


Saturday, September 7, 2013

Book Shelf: Rory (The Ghosts of Palladino #1) by Ciye Cho

Far beyond heaven, earth and hell is a city known as Palladino, a place ruled by ghosts and filled with demons, magic, and all sorts of darkly beautiful things. A city where no one can ever escape.

Eighteen-year-old Rory is a cake decorator who makes stunning confections. But no amount of frosting or miracles can save her when a demon kidnaps her—and carries her to Palladino. Here, Rory ends up in a deadly charm school where young women are forced to become companions for the Ghost Lords. And for her to survive, Rory must become everything that she isn’t: graceful, elegant... and perfect.

But nothing is what it seems in Palladino. Not the magic. Not the ghosts. And definitely not Martin Marius, the bizarre Ghost Lord-slash-inventor who is drawn to Rory. For amid a thousand machines and a hundred cats, Martin holds a secret that could change everything. A secret that could either free Rory... or destroy her.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Rory is a vividly told story by Ciye Cho and is incredibly unique. I guarantee you—you haven’t read anything like this before!

In all honesty, I’m not completely sure how I feel about this novel. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s wonderfully written. Rory is an insanely unique tale and a real journey, and yet I find myself torn over how much I actually enjoyed this book…..

Author Ciye Cho introduces us to a world so very unlike our own in Rory. The world of Palladino is otherworldly and magical; abounding in colour and life and full of unexpected surprises like talking cats, strange mythical demons and ghosts that prove to be odder than expected. It’s kind of like falling down a rabbit hole with this book…..everything is so outrageous and outlandish; colourful and vibrant and extremely overwhelming.

Cho has done a good job creating a world as vivid as it is descriptive in Rory, as well as giving his own take on ghosts and spirits. I liked what he’s done here—it’s nice to stumble upon something unique, but I felt as though the craziness of the world detracted from the actual story at times.

Our heroine Aurora “Rory” is swept up on a journey she never expected to take when she’s kidnapped by a strange creature and whisked away to the land of Palladino to become a companion to one of the ghosts that call it home. For the most part I liked Rory, but I struggled to become invested in her plight throughout the book as so much of her story seemed pointless and unnecessary to me.

Now, I’m in no way trying to be mean, but the constant array of odd situations Rory was put in seemed unnecessary. It went from one extreme to the other and while the situations may have been interesting enough, I still found myself often bored as our protagonist didn’t seem to be making headway with her plan to get home. I feel like Cho should have skipped many parts and I would have loved the story more.

Rory does manage to find unexpected allies and friends in the form of Manny, a demon-type creature and Cookie a talking ghost cat which I found interesting. Her Ghost Lord Martin Marius was also an enigma; one I wanted to know more about but whom, in my mind, was often lost amongst the array of flair that was Palladino. His relationship with Rory begins and then evolves too strongly for my liking. I would have preferred to see Ciye Cho explore their connection and unexpected friendship more before taking the leap into a romance.

And yet for the issues I had with Rory and her story, I wouldn’t be against possibly picking up the second book at some point in time. Cho ends the story at a crucial moment for Rory, Martin and the land of Palladino and I find myself wondering just what could possibly happen next……

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by the author (Thank you Ciye!)
Format: Kindle ebook
Buy it:  Amazon | Smashwords |
My Recommendation: If you're a fan of fantasy and want something unique, then Rory is for you!
Cover: Stunning. The cover is just beautiful and once you've read the book you'll understand it's significance.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Maybe....

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Free Ebooks!

Hello lovelies,

Check out some of the fab FREE Kindle ebooks lurking around on Amazon right now ;)



I've downloaded quite a few of these :)
Which ones did you get?!?
 
 

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #46

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.....
 
Unbreakable (Legion #1) by Kami Garcia
Releases on: October 10th 2013
Add on Goodreads!

Kennedy Waters didn't believe in ghosts, until one tried to kill her.

When Kennedy finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn't know that evil forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into her house and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon - a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother's place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon - battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures novels.

Thoughts:
Where has this book been all my life?!? Goodness do I love the sound of this! And it comes out in a couple of months! *so happy* Oh and the cover? To. Die. For!

Doesn't Unbreakable sound fantastic?
Will you be adding it to your TBR list?

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Book Shelf: Briar Rose by Jana Oliver

A dark and sexy reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale from the author of THE DEMON TRAPPERS.

For Briar Rose, life is anything but a fairy tale. She's stuck in a small town in deepest Georgia with parents who won't let her out of their sight, a bunch of small-minded, gossiping neighbours and an evil ex who's spreading nasty rumours about what she may or may not have done in the back of his car. She's tired of it all, so when, on her sixteenth birthday, her parents tell her that she is cursed and will go to sleep for a hundred years when the clock strikes midnight, she's actually kind of glad to leave it all behind. She says her goodbyes, lies down, and closes her eyes . . . And then she wakes up.

Cold, alone and in the middle of the darkest, most twisted fairy tale she could ever have dreamed of. Now Briar must fight her way out of the story that has been created for her, but she can't do it alone. She never believed in handsome princes, but now she's met one her only chance is to put her life in his hands, or there will be no happy ever after and no waking up.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Briar Rose is a uniquely told fairytale retelling of Sleeping Beauty by Jana Oliver that transports you into a whimsical world of metal monsters, tyrant leaders and fighting heroes!

In all honesty, I’m a big Jana Oliver fan. Her Demon Trappers series sits as one of my favourites so it stands to reason that I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately Briar Rose is a bit of a mixed bucket for me. It didn’t quite meet my expectations and while I did enjoy it for the most part, unfortunately it wasn’t the intensely thrilling read I’ve come to expect from Oliver.

Briar Rose is a fairytale retelling through and through. It reads like a retelling and tells like a retelling, sweeping the reader into the mind of our “sleeping beauty” like never before. I have to point out, I didn’t dislike this book. As far as fairytale retelling’s go (which, I love by the way) it was decent; well written and well told, with a different take on the traditional tale and story I’ve previously seen. It was just missing that something; that wow factor that takes the book out of the okay-read sector and into the OMG pile. In all honesty Briar Rose is worth reading—if you’re a fairytale fan or a Jana Oliver fan that it’s definitely for you….if not…well, it may still be.

I liked the characters in this book, even if I was never overly blown away with them. Briar was alright as a heroine, but in saying that I never felt as though I was completely drawn into her plight in this far away land inside her mind. I wanted to be, but I just wasn’t.

Unfortunately for as likable as Joshua was, I found him bland for the most part. Together he and Briar were sweet, but came on waaay to fast, too soon for my liking. Their relationship just wasn't completely believable for me. I’m sorry, as much as I love Jana Oliver, and I do, I really do, I just couldn’t buy this; not a hundred percent.

To me, the best aspect of the characters was the dynamic they shared with each other. As individuals they weren’t overly much, but throw them together, especially Reena and Pat, and they were hilarious to behold.

Featuring a different take on Sleeping Beauty and with plenty of mysterious family feuds, hoodoo magic and devious intensions, Briar Rose is worth reading if you’re looking for an easy fairytale story but don’t want too much depth!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Pan Macmillan Australia (Thank you Laura!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: BookworldThe Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Fans of Jana Oliver and fairytale retellings will enjoy this.
Cover: I think the cover is really pretty!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a stand alone, but I'll read more by Jana Oliver without a doubt!



Monday, September 2, 2013

Owl Post #18


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.
 
Welcome to another Owl Post! It's been a quiet week for me; only one book, but what a book it is!


For Review:

  
From Harper Collins Australia.....
 
- All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
This book is one of those stories that you eagerly await and yet have no idea what you're in store for! Cannot wait to begin this!
 
.....Thank you guys!
 
 
And that's me, lol!
What did you receive this week?!?
 
 
 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Book Shelf: Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) by J.R. Ward

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young- just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Lover At Last is the 11th installment in J.R. Ward's darkly seductive Black Dagger Brotherhood series and is the book fans have been waiting for! After a long and tedious journey, Qhuinn and Blay's story is finally told as they face their feelings for each other once and for all!

This book....wow! Simply incredible! Considering the expectations sitting on her shoulders in the build up to the highly anticipated story of Qhuinn and Blay, Ward has done an incredible job with Lover at Last. Lover at Last is well told and emotionally driven. It's dark and harsh and sexy and thrilling....basically everything I love about the BDB books!

I feel liked I've been waiting for this book forever. After so many shared, and tension filled moments, as well as more will-they or won't-they situations than I care to mention, Qhuinn and Blay finally get their HEA and I don't think Ward could have written it better! Admittedly, this is the first time I've ventured into anything man on man, but after falling in love with these two over the course of the series, I've wanted nothing more than to see them work their issues out and be together. And in Lover at Last, they finally do.

Lover at Last is a really hard book to read. Detailing the lives of not only Qhuinn and Blay, but Layla and Xcor as well as Shadow Brother Trez and new characters Assail and Sola, J.R. Ward takes her readers on a whirlwind of emotions. With Blay and Qhuinn's history and Layla pregnancy, stakes are high for these characters and as they're put through an emotional wringer, as the reader, it's impossible not to be caught up in their stories. Blay and Qhuinn's tale is the focal point of Lover at Last, but it also begins the build up of Layla and Xcors relationship as well as Assail and Solas and Trez and Selena's in the future---promising a difficult and hard journey for these pairs, Layla and Xcor in particular!

Qhuinn and Blay...oh do I love these boys! Qhuinn ranks amongst my favourite BDB characters, right up these with Zsadist and Vichous. He's such a deliciously haunted individual; so very tortured and broken by his past. Qhuinn is a strong male, but he's also very afraid when it comes to facing his feelings, especially where Blay is concerned, and it's this fear that has led to many of their problems in the past.

Blay too is a great character--noble and honourable and kind; he and Qhuinn just go so well together. Throughout Lover at Last there are a lot of issues for them to face, but that journey is written with perfect pacing and sequence. They've been a part of each others lives for such a long time and they have such a strong connection. M/M has never been my thing, but Ward writes their relationship with such an alluring animal magnetism. It's powerful and fierce; two almost completely alpha males together. I thought the dynamics of their relationship was great, but I also thought it was sweet to see the roles reversed at times. Plus, the softer, gentler moments shared between the two lovers was so incredibly endearing and so, so sweet.

There's a lot happening in the BDB world right now, and I'm really excited to see what J.R. Ward has in store for her characters next. Layla's pregnancy proves to be exciting, especially considering how involved Qhuinn is (he and Layla have such a great friendship!) but the prospect of a romance between her and Xcor in the future is what has me most excited. He may not exactly be "good" but I'm totally digging Xcor! The yearning he and Layla feel and the fact they want what they can't have [each other] is appealing to the side of me that loves all things forbidden!

Featuring J.R. Wards trademark raw humor and wit, Lover at Last is a dark, harsh and incredibly riveting story from one of the queens of PNR and will have you eagerly awaiting the release of the next book for the chance to be once more back in this raw, addictive world!

Rating:
Source: I bought.
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: PNR fans will love this book!
Cover: It's okay, but nothing brilliant.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: YES!