New and Upcoming Books

If you haven't noticed already, on the side of my blog are 2 wicked cool countdown timers for The Heir and End Of Days, which can only mean one thing: BOOK RELEASES!!!

There are lots of super exciting books that are coming out in the next couple of months/within this year, so I thought I might share a quick look of what they are. 

1. A Court Of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: 5 May 2015 by Bloomsbury Children's

My take on the book: I think this book is going to be really good, and I love all of Sarah J. Maas' books, and if you haven't read them you have to go read them right away. Her Throne of Glass series is so good; it's definitely on my "can't live without" bookshelf. 

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

2. Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

Book 4 of The Sweet Trilogy

Release Date: September 8th 2015 by Harper Collins/Harper Teen

My take on the book: I quite enjoyed the Sweet Evil series, though it's not one of my favourites. The style of writing is not quite my cup of tea, but this book is in Kaidan's POV which I absolutely love. I love it when author's write in the male character's POV, it makes it so much more interesting and it's so sweet when you see the way they think about the girl *swoon*

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it. 

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve. 

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.

3. End Of Days by Susan Ee

Book 3 of Penryn and The End Of Days Series

Release Date: May 12th 2015 by Skyscape

Words cannot express how excited I am for this book. Angelfall was stunning. World After was mind blowing. I'm literally counting down the minutes and seconds until this book comes out. I would do terrible terrible things to get it right now, I'd kill for it. i think you can see where I'm going with this. But fear not, it's coming out soon. Till then, I'll have to satisfy myself by reading the first 2 books again and again and again. The romance in this book is spectacular; I just love the way it develops in the story. This is definitely, definitely a must read. 

End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.
After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

4. The Heir by Kiera Cass

Book 4 of The Selection Series

Release Date: May 5th 2015 by Harper Teen 

Despite my disappointment with the last book (read my review here), I'm actually really excited about this book. It's about Maxon and America's child, and how she has her own selection. 24 hot guys in the palace, one girl. Really can't wait for it to come out! 

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

And that's it for today! Let me know what books are coming out that you're excited about!

What I'm Reading Currently

I like to think of it as an early-christmas: the time when those books that you've been dying to read come out and other surprisingly amazing books come out too and surprise you so much so that you stay up until midnight to finish the book (*cough cough*The Red Queen *cough cough*)

So without further ado I present to you my favourite books of the month/months *waves arms proudly*

1. The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

This book was absolutely terrific and I loved every second of it. Normally I don't really enjoy this type of book with daughter-of-war-general falls in love with slave kind of thing but I found myself really loving it the moment I started on the first page.
This book has romance in it too (Kestrel and Arin oh my word) and it's the perfect touch to top it of all. The romance between Kestrel and Arin is not the usual type - you know, girl meets boy, then falls madly in love and runs away together. No, No, it's not like this at all.
Their romance blossoms slowly and creeps up very gently, and it was at the heart of the story.
One of my favourite things about this book is the main character Kestrel. She's not your us
(I'm going to do a review on this one soon so stay tuned)

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 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 new 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 or lose your heart. 

2. The Wicked Will Rise by Dorothy Paige
Book 2 of the Dorothy Must Die Series

All I have to say about this book is that it's a pretty big let down. I read the first book, Dorothy Must Die, and I absolutely loved it. It was unique, fresh and honestly I had never read anything like it. So when I read this book, I was disappointed beyond words. I was expecting an epic story, living up to the standards of the first book. Instead, I found the story to be dry, flat and quite honestly a little bit boring. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible, it's just that it's got such a big difference from the first book.
My advice: If you've read the first book and you haven't read the second book yet, don't. It'll just ruin your opinion of the first book.

On the plus side, the cover is very attractive, and definitely eye catching. I loved the style of the writing, it's just that the content wasn't so good.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

3. The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

I've already posted the review on this book so if you've read it you'll know how much I absolutely adore this book. If you're even human at all, you'll love this book. Promise. It's one of those books that no matter what you'll ended up loving. I won't say anymore since i've already talked about it in my latest post, but seriously, just read it.


The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

A perfect blurb for a perfect book huh? 

4. The Kiss Of Deception by Mary. E Pearson

Book 1 of the Remnant Chronicles

This book was another one that I was rather doubtful about but ended up really liking it right through to the end. I don't regret reading this book at all but it's not super great not like The Red Queen. It's good, but not fantastic.

Also, this book happens to have a love triangle, which I know many people hate but I happen to quite like them because it puts that little touch of romance that every book needs (romance book lover over here!)

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

5. Sea Of Stars by Amy. A Bartol

Book 2 of the Kricket Series

First things first, I have to say that this book was a huge disappointment.  What's with authors and second books recently? The first book of this series was absolutely stunning and I loved it so much (check the review out here), but the second book was just flat out boring. If I hadn't read the first book and picked this one up in the store, I wouldn't have spared it a second glance. I mean, come one! Don't ruin a perfectly good story! I loved the first book because it was full of romance and all these little quirky bits in the story that made you smile, but this book was missing that!  The story had a lot of potential to become something really epic but instead it turned out to be slightly boring and quite frankly dissapointing - I had to force myself to finish it. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS AMY BARTOL? I really wanted to love this book, I really did.  Amy Bartol is one of my favourite authors of all time- I love her style of writing, I just don't get why this book was so bad! It's turned out to be quite a let down.

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars. 

6.  The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken 

Book 1 of the Darkest Minds Series 

I don't know what to say about this book, I really don't. I kind of love the story plot because I think it's really original and seriously interesting but I think the characters are a little flat.  Particularly the romantic relationship between the main character Ruby and the other character called Liam. I think this part of the book is kind of neglected; the author should have spent more time developing their relationship. Otherwise, I think the book is not bad overall and would be definitely worth your time. It's not one of those thriller-grip-the-edge-of-your-seat books, it's one of those apocalyptic books which kind of reminds me of Angelfall just without the Angels. 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

And that's it for my books of the month post! Hope you enjoyed it- let me know what books you read this month!

Review: The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard


Book 1 of The Red Queen Series
(Book 2 expected to come out 2016)


Let me just start of by saying that this book was by far one of the best books I've ever read in my whole life. When I first started I was a bit skeptical but as I got deeper into the book I fell in love with it more and more.

First things first: Look at the cover! Isn't it just beautiful? I hate it when really good books have horrible covers and terrible blurbs- it just doesn't do this book any justice. But The Red Queen's cover is just really really appealing to the eye and the blurb describes the book perfectly:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Now onto the book itself:
AHHH I'M STILL REELING FROM THAT PLOT TWIST

I was Team Maven the whole way until the plot twist and my reaction was pretty much


and then


which was then followed by


I CAN'T BELIEVE MAVEN BETRAYED THEM! WHY GOD WHY
But all things said, this book was absolutely amazing. I was glued from the cover page right up to the very last sentence, and I was totally mind blown at the end. SO GOOD THOUGH SO GOOD. 
At the beginning I was a bit doubtful cause of all the hype this book got and let's face it: the books that are the most hyped often let you down really badly. But this book was fantastic and I loved every second of it.

MAVEN MAVEN MAVEN. Words cannot express how much I'm in love with him. 

He's like your favourite YA male characters rolled into one. *swoons* I shamelessly admit that I'm still Team Maven even if he did betray Mare. 
BUT NEEDLESS TO SAY I STILL SUPPORT CAL. ARGH THE STRUGGLE. 
CAL OR MAVEN?

So of course, by the time I finished reading the book at around 12 something ish at night (thanks alot Victoria Aveyard) I searched for the second book only to find that it's only coming out in 2016 by Harper Teen. 1 more year? 1 more freaking year? Are you kidding me? I don't think I can wait that long. 

Sigh, the struggles of a reader.     

Review: Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol

Under Different Stars
by Amy. A Bartol


Book 1 of The Kricket Series
(Book 2 coming out very soon! See below)



Okay, I have to start of by saying that this, by far, is one of my favourite books ever. I've read Amy A. Bartol's The Premonition Series, which I absolutely loved, and when Under Different Stars came out, I was a bit doubtful, but I bought it anyway since I love Amy Bartol's work.

This book turned out to be such a pleasure to read, and it's the type of book that has you gripped from the front to back, and once you've finished you just have to immediately go online to search for the sequel.

Under Different Stars is about this girl named Kricket Hollowell, who is an orphan and is quickly turning 18th. She always felt like she didn't belong, and she doesn't look like she's from Earth either, with purple eyes and being so tall. Meet Trey Allaris, the man sent to take Kricket bath to Ethar, their home planet. And finally Kyon, the man determined to marry her because of her exceptional gifts and how she is so valuable to his clan. As you read this story, you read how Kricket slowly begins to fall in love with Trey, and vice versa, as much as they don't want to. You will be charmed by the little bits and pieces of the story that fit together so well, and trust me when I say that anyone who likes to read YA books will most probably love this book, because i know I did.

I love this book to bits and it ranks in my top 10 favourite books. Amy Bartol is such a great author and I love anything she writes- she's my favourite author, along with Jennifer Armentrout and Susan Ee.
And, after a year of waiting, the second book of the Kricket Series, Sea of Stars, is coming out soon, on the 31st of March! I literally can't wait! (laughs giddily while staring at Calendar)

I really recommend you to read this book, you'll love it, I promise.

Quotes from Under Different Stars:
“She's in your head, Trey."
"My head, my heart, my blood," Trey responds immediately.”

“I told him that when we first met... I felt like a butterfly trapped in a net. But... I told him that the more time I spent with him, the more I began to realize how much he means to me I told him that since it seems to be my destiny to dodge raindrops... I was grateful to be dodging them with him. So, I promised him that it would always be his name on my mind when I start my rotation... and when I go to bed each evening... and every quiet moment in between. It will be his name... savored on my lips... stretched across my heart... worshipped by my body... and branded in my mind... until death do us part... and forever after that.”



Link to Sea of Stars and Amy Bartol's Goodreads profile, because she's just the best. And here's the link for Under Different Stars, if you want to read more about it. 
 

I'm Back!

Hey guys, so I'm finally back!

I'm sorry for not being around for so long, I've just been swamped with work and all that. But, I've managed to squeeze in a couple books during the holidays, so expect some book reviews coming up! I recently bought a number of books too (thank god for New Year book sales) like the Hundred Year Old Man who Climbed Out of the window and disappeared.

  I normally don't read that type of book as I'm more into fantasy, romance, paranormal kind of thing but the book looked quite good so I thought I'd give it a try. I also bought some books online (from Book Depository, which by the way, is one of the best online bookstores in the world. I'll leave the link for it below) , like Rebel Belle (which i absolutely hated- expect a review on this one coming up soon), and the last book in the Mara Dyer Trilogy!

Anyway, just wanted to give you guys a heads up on whats coming, and to let you guys know that you an expect a lot of book reviews coming!

xoxoxoxo

BTW the link for book despository: http://www.bookdepository.com/
It's such a good bookstore, it's got literally all the books you'll ever need, and though it might take a while to get to you depending on where you live, the books are so much cheaper than in the stores and theres free shipping no matter where!

Review: Opposition by Jennifer Armentrout

Opposition
by: Jennifer Armentrout

Book 5 of Lux Series


This was the 5th and final book of the Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout  released just recently- the Lux series is one of my most favourite books so naturally I bought it the moment it came out!

 This book follows what happens after the last book ( Origin) in the Lux series where Daemon and Katy escape from the DOD in Las Vegas and go to Idaho where at night the Luxen come from the sky and Daemon Dee and Dawson leave Katy. I think its safe to say that everyone was literally counting down the seconds till Opposition came out- the series is just amazing and Daemon and Katy are super sweet  awwww.

I have to admit though this book was a bit of a let down - I had been expecting a bit more. Nonetheless I still loved it but I felt like it didn't live up to the previous books in the series. And it's also so sad the series has ended goodbye Daemon and Katy ;(

  Like I said before this book was great though not as good as the rest of the books in the series but the thing I like the most about the series is really Daemon and Katy. Despite the slight let down I really think you should try the series if you haven't already - I really enjoyed it and it leaves you smiling afterwards.


Quotes from Opposition:
  " I always had this plan for the off chance I was around for the end of the world. I’d climb up on my roof top, turn up the radio, blast R.E.M.’s It’s The End of The World, and watch it all go down from my lofty perch.

Except real life rarely turned out that cool.

And it was really happening—it was the end of the world as we knew it, and I sure as hell didn’t feel fine.

Everything had changed and we had been the catalyst for it all."