Book Shelf: Before the Devil Breaks You (The Diviners #3) by Libba Bray

After battling a sleeping sickness, The Diviners are up against a group of new and malevolent foes--ghosts! Out in Randall's and Ward's Islands sits two mental hospitals full of lost souls from people long forgotten. Ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the Man in the Stovetop Hat also known as the King of Crows.

With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over New York City, the Diviners must band together and brave the asylums to bring down the King of Crows.

More info on Goodreads......

Review:

Before the Devil Breaks You in the third novel in Libba Bray’s tantalising Diviners series and is another deeply beguiling story of powerful abilities, intricately woven secrets and impressive story developments.

After defeating the ghosts that were causing many people to succumb to sleeping sickness, the Diviners are fast at work learning to harness their powers and investigating the mysterious man who has been appearing in their dreams and visions, known as the King of Crows. As a rash of ghost sightings occur, the Diviners must band together to discover what is effecting the spirits in their area but with forces conspiring against them, the Diviners are about to discover that there’s even more danger coming their way than they ever anticipated.

Libba Bray is back with another intricately woven instalment in her Diviners series, bringing to life a vividly magical and dangerous 1920’s America complete with shining stars, political intrigue and dangerous organisations hell bent on taking out our beloved. Full of personality and flair, the setting within this series is lush and animated, the novel unfolding in third person and sweeping us from character to character to allow for a very well told, well explored variation of the story.

Diviners Evie, Sam, Henry, Lin, Memphis, Theta and Isaiah, along with their friends Mabel and Jericho continue to be wonderful characters to follow. Bray continues to weave their lives and friendships together, strengthening their various bonds and connections. There are a few different romances woven together, both amongst the group and with other characters who have been introduced throughout the series. Personally I’m a romantic at heart and love seeing it in this series (although I’m not a fan of love triangles) but what I adore most about the Diviners is actually the friendships we see and the sweet, endearing moments of comradery and connection between the characters—it’s a beautiful kind of love to witness.

Before the Devil Breaks You is an emotional and eventful novel with not all our beloved characters coming through unscathed. There are losses and heartbreak with some of those we love irrevocably altered by the events of this instalment. There will be twists you won't see coming and revelations that finally tie things together.

Libba Bray evidently puts a lot of thought and effort into the various developments and with everything beginning to come together, I for one cannot wait until the fourth and final novel is released to see what kind of thrilling ending Bray has for us—I’m sure it’ll be explosive!

Rating:  
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Format: Paperback
Australian RRP: $24.99
Release Date: September 27th 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Another brilliant and addictive read; I cannot wait until I can get my hands on the next one!

 

Free Ebooks

Hello booklovers and happy Saturday! I have a great bunch of Amazon freebies to share with you today. Check them out!

Did you manage to get something new? 

I certainly did!

Book Shelf: Allegiance of Honor (Psy-Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh

A staggering transformation has put the Psy, humans, and changelings at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: old enemies, new allies, wary loners. 

But a century of distrust and suspicion can't be so easily forgotten, and it threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman's cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: a child who is both Psy and changeling. 

To find the lost and protect the vulnerable and to save Trinity no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Allegiance of Honor is the fifteenth novel in the Psy-Changeling series and brings all our beloved characters together again in what is the beginning of a new story arc in the series and the start of many more possibilities.

After a bloody and dangerous battle between the remaining Psy council and those who dare to stand against them, Silence has fallen and in it's place is The Trinity Accord. Psy, Changing and Human have all come together in unity. It marks a new era of unity between the various groups that are determined to bring a about a new future for their people. However there are those who still oppose the fragile new connection and as radical groups rise up to tear it apart, those who are part of The Trinity Accord will have to be smarter than ever to ensure the ones they love are protected.

I have to admit it's amazing to see after fifteen novels how far the series has come. From Lucas and Sascha who were the very first to bridge the gap between races, Nalini Singh has continued to build her world and interwoven DarkRiver, ShadowDancer, Psy, Forgotten, Arrow, Human and all the various smaller groups and individuals so beautifully.

Psy-Changeling is without a doubt one of my favorite PNR series and I adore witnessing all the powerful bonds of family and friendship that give it life with every installment. Unlike all the previous installments, Allegiance of Honor doesn't focus around a new pairing, but rather allows us to revisit many of the previous beloved characters while highlighting how closely bonded they have become over the course of the series.

With Mercy and Riley about to have their pubcubs any day, the leopards and wolves are closer than ever as they prepare for the moment their two packs join like never before. The BlackSea pack proves an intriguing group as these water changelings play a larger role in the storyline than they previously have while Human Alliance leader Bowen Knight features in a few chapters too--setting up the beginning of his soon to come story.

Singh writes some beautiful, heartfelt moments between various pack mates and associates that will keep her readers very happy while also leaving them very excited the journey on with the next chapter in this thrilling series.

Rating: 
Source: I purchased from The Book Depository
Publisher: Berkley Books
Format: Paperback
Release Date: December 26th 2016
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: I loved being able to revisit the previous characters I have loved and followed in the past; now I'm ready for brand new pairings and romances!

Waiting on Wednesday #209

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 Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen 

Releases: February 27th 2018

Add on Goodreads!

Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn back into her father's palace politics. He's the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well -- and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what -- and who -- it is they're fighting for.

Thoughts:

The Traitor's Game reminds makes me think of a blend of Truthwitch, Ruined and The Winner's Curse which is not necessarily a bad thing seeing as I absolutely love all three series! YA fantasy is without a doubt one of my fave genres so I'm always on the lookout for great additions to the genre. I definitely love the sound of The Traitor's Game and will be keeping my eye out for it. 

Do you like the sound of the Traitor's Game?

What are you waiting on this week? I'd love to hear! 

Book Shelf: The Rogue Queen (The Hundredth Queen #3) by Emily R. King

Despite the odds, Kalinda has survived it all: Marriage to a tyrant. Tournaments to the death. The forbidden power to rule fire. The icy touch of a demon.

That same demon now disguises itself as Rajah Tarek, Kalinda’s late husband and a man who has never stopped haunting her. Upon taking control of the palace and the army, the demon brands Kalinda and her companions as traitors to the empire. They flee across the sea, seeking haven in the Southern Isles.

In Lestari, Kalinda’s powers are not condemned, as they are in her land. Now free to use them to protect those she loves, Kalinda soon realizes that the demon has tainted her with a cold poison, rendering her fire uncontrollable. But the lack of control may be just what she needs to send the demon back to the darkest depths of the Void.

To take back the empire, Kalinda will ally with those she distrusts—and risk losing those most loyal to her—to defeat the demon and bring peace to a divided nation.

More info on Goodreads.... 


Review: 

The Rogue Queen is the third instalment in The Hundredth Queen series by Emily R. King and continues on where the previous novel left off with another thrilling adventure that will have readers eagerly reading until the final page.

After the disastrous events of the previous novel, a demon wears the face of Rajah Tarek and has taken control of the army and the Empire in his bid to bring darkness to the world. The Tarachand people follow him believing their rajah has risen from the dead, but Kalinda and those closest to her know the truth despite being branded traitors to the empire. Fleeing across the seas and desert, they desperately search for a way for Prince Ashwin to reclaim the throne and his birthright, but with the demon growing stronger with every passing day and Kalinda’s tie to him growing more concerning, Kali will need to brave her toughest fight yet if she wishes to save her people.

The Hundredth Queen is a genuinely enjoyable series to read. Each instalment has been solidly written and perfectly paced with both the characters and the storyline developing well over time. The Rogue Queen marks the third novel and is as good as its predecessors. Full of excitement, danger and thrilling action, The Rogue Queen had plenty of adventure, romance and moments of friendship to keep me entertained.

I honestly care about Kali and all the other characters in the series. Deven, Natesa, Yatin, Ashwin, Brac—they’ve all won me over throughout the course of the series so far and I feel they bring a great balance to the tale. While the story is full of magic and action, it’s also driven by the friendships, romances and comraderies that give it life. So far I’ve enjoyed seeing all the characters interact during all three books and predict this won’t change in the next novel.

The Rogue Queen is a very action packed story with plenty of moments to entrance its reader. Lives are on the line in this instalment and not everyone will make it out alive with Emily R. King bringing some surprises to the story. There’s definitely some emotion with unexpected losses but also beautiful moments of triumph.

Featuring a killer ending (pun totally included!) I’m very much looking forward to the next novel whenever it releases and will be keeping my eyes out to read it as soon as possible!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher via Netgalley (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Skyscape
Format: Kindle book via Netgalley
Release Date: February 13th 2018
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon  Barnes & Noble
Final Thoughts: I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait until Emily R. King releases the next installment!

Owl Post #199

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.  

Hello book lovers and welcome to another Owl Post! I only have one book to share with you this week, but it's a goodie. 

  I Bought:

 - The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli  I'm dying to read this book--it just sounds so fabulous--and this hardback copy of bought myself is just stunning. Definitely one of my favourite covers I've seen for a while! 
And that's my one beauty this week! What did the owls bring you?

Book Shelf: Stargazing For Beginners by Jenny McLachlan

Science geek Meg is left to look after her little sister for ten days after her free-spirited mum leaves suddenly to follow up yet another of her Big Important Causes. But while Meg may understand how the universe was formed, baby Elsa is a complete mystery to her.

And Mum’s disappearance has come at the worst time: Meg is desperate to win a competition to get the chance to visit NASA headquarters, but to do this she has to beat close rival Ed. Can Meg pull off this double life of caring for Elsa and following her own dreams? She’ll need a miracle of cosmic proportions.....

More info on Goodreads.....


Review: 

Stargazing For Beginners is a sweet and adorable novel from Jenny McLachlan about friendship, family and discovering who you are.

Fifteen year old Megara Clark is a science geek who knows more about stars and physics than she ever thinks she could about her free spirited mother and her little sister. Then Meg’s mother takes off on a spur of the moment trip overseas and Meg is left to look after her baby sister Elsa until her mum returns. Desperate to win a competition that sees one lucky participant sent to NASA headquarters, stage shy Meg must manage to keep Elsa fed and clothed while also trying to beat her biggest competition, high school all-rounder and follow intellect Ed King. Elsa is a mystery, her hapless Grandfather is more hindrance than help and now one of her teachers wants her do join a social club with a group of socially inept individuals. Meg is in over her head, but as she slowly begins to find her rhythm, will Meg discover happiness can be found not just in space but on planet Earth too?

Stargazing For Beginners isn’t my first novel by Jenny McLachlan, having read her Ladybirds series in the past, but I definitely feel this was potentially her best book yet. Fun and sweet but with a real message Stargazing For Beginners features a rambunctious cast of characters and an endearing storyline that tells a sweet story of family and the bond between two sisters that develops when all they have is each other.

The protagonist in this story is very likable and sweet character. At the end of the day, Meg is a fifteen year old girl so her voice within the novel can come across as young at times, but she’s also very capable and highly intelligent. Her awkwardness and dorky nature endear her to the reader as Meg stumbles throughout life and slowly gains her bearings; making friends and self-discoveries along the way.

Jenny McLachlan has created another fun and very endearing novel with Stargazing For Beginners. Meg and her sister Elsa develop a really adorable relationship and I liked that McLachlan includes the perfect moments of friendship and romance into the story.

I’m excited about the prospect of Annie featuring in a companion novel and will definitely be keeping an eye out for that novel as soon as it’s released!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by publisher (Thank you guys!)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: Paperback ARC
Australian RRP: $14.99
Release Date: May 1st 2017
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: This is another light and sweet read from Jenny McLachlan and I can't wait to read the companion novel featuring Annie!