ARC Review: This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

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Book summary:

10:00 a.m.The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.
10:02 a.m.The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.
10:03The auditorium doors won't open.
10:05Someone starts shooting.
Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

         To all of us who always complain that there really is no diversity in YA books, well I present you This is Where it Ends! This book contains all diversity you may ask for (different races and sexual orientations) and with that deliver a really strong story, real and heartbreaking. Basically, everything I could ask from it.

         It starts with four narrators and four different POVs. At the beginning it's a bit hard to connect all the dots and understand what's the connecting between all of them as the story progresses you get to understand it. We're in a high school here, ironically called Opportunity. It's your typical high school but with some unexpected event on a first day of school. It starts as each year with assembly where the principal is giving them her speech, which all of them already know by heart. Only when it ends there is no way out. They are trapped and suddenly there are gunshots. Terror starts in and out of high school.

         While some might complain that four different narrators might be too much here it really works out. Mostly as you get to be inside and outside of the school and with that get a full picture. Not only that, this book is real. When I say real I mean shocking as you won't believe that it's happening. There is no happy moments and love conquers all here. It's really straightforward and heartbreaking.

         I'm not sure that many will find this book appealing as it might even be controversial. Still I believe it's something that we all need to read. It's a great wake up call and it makes you think of everything that's happening around you, which is its greatest strength.

Rating: 5 stars.

Until the next time,

*NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!

Cover Reveal: Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen

Hello everyone! As you have noticed we don't post that much these days. We apologize, but we're both really busy at the moment.

Anyhow, I couldn't pass this cover reveal. It's for The Malediction Trilogy, one of my favorite series! Sadly, all good things come to an end so we've reached the cover reveal for the last book in the series - Warrior Witch! 

Without further ado, here it is...

Book summary: (spoilers if you haven't read the previous books in this series!!)

Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable
The witch is dead, the curse is broken, and the trolls are free of their mountain prison. Cécile and Tristan have accomplished all it was foretold they would, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed. Because the trolls are not the only creatures now free to walk the world.
Enclosed within the safety of Trianon’s walls, Cécile and Tristan scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king. But Cécile and Tristan both have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.

It's pretty!! Right? I can say it's my favorite in the series. Here is what Danielle said about it 

"I'm very excited to share the cover of Warrior Witch with all you lovely readers! I've been exceptional lucky to have wonderful covers for all my books, but I think this one is my favorite. Not only is it beautiful, it perfectly captures the spirit of the novel. Thanks so much to the team at Angry Robot and designer Steve Stone for doing such an amazing job!"

Other books in series

Just to remind you of other books in this series, you should check them out (hint. hint) 

Buy the book at Amazon/ Barnes & Noble/ The Book Depository 

Book summary: 

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the mountain. When Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she realises that the trolls are relying on her to break the curse.
Cécile has only one thing on her mind: escape. But the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time…
But the more time she spends with the trolls, the more she understands their plight. There is a rebellion brewing. And she just might be the one the trolls were looking for... 

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Book summary: 

Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.
Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.
Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.
To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

Giveaway 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Hidden Huntress

by Danielle L. Jensen

Giveaway ends December 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Until the next time,

Cover Reveal: Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

Hello all! Today I have a special treat for you. This is a cover reveal for the Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers. Without further ado...

Pre-order at:

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Expected publication: May 3, 2016

Book summary:

For child prodigy Ali Collins, music was life. All that changes when a brain tumor lands her in a silent nightmare, controlled by her physically abusive father and the deafness she’ll never get used to. When Ali accidentally wins a backstage tour with the chart-topping band Tone Deaf, she reluctantly accepts the prize, only to be kicked out. Jace Beckett, the lead singer of the pop-punk band, refuses to even speak to Ali because she is deaf.Ali threatens to report Jace’s discrimination, but ends up agreeing to keep quiet in exchange for money. With a bit of cash, she can escape to New York and get away from her father. Then Jace notices her fresh bruises and changes the offer, claiming he’ll use his influence and connections to help Ali escape. But even when Jace reveals a baffling fluency in American Sign Language, she can’t bring herself to trust him.When Ali’s dad crosses a new line, she’s driven to accept Jace’s offer despite her fears. Soon she’s traveling cross-country, hidden away in Jace’s RV as the band finishes their nation-wide tour. As weeks pass, the members of Tone Deaf start to resemble a quirky little family. Then there's Jace. Ali can't figure out his mood swings, but she knows she’s falling for the passionate and secretive musician. Jace’s hardened attitude melts away more with every mile they travel, and Ali finds herself ever closer to understanding his attitude towards the deaf. But when tragedy strikes, Ali must decide between walking away from Tone Deaf, or sacrificing her freedom to save Jace and his band.

About the author

Olivia Rivers is a hybrid author of Young Adult fiction. Her works include the independently published “Tortured Elements” and “Duplicity” series, along with the traditionally published novel “Tone Deaf” (Skyhorse 2016.) As a certified geek, she enjoys experimenting with new publishing technologies, and her online serials have received over 1,000,000 hits on Wattpad.com. When Olivia isn’t working as a writer, she’s a typical teen attending college in Northern California. Olivia is represented by Laurie McLean of Fuse Literary, and nothing thrills her more than hearing from readers.

Author's  Twitter

Giveaway
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Until the next time,

ARC Review: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

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Book summary:

In a pursuit that has spanned continents, Iolanthe, Titus, and their friends have always managed to remain one step ahead of the forces of Atlantis. But now the Bane, the monstrous tyrant who bestrides the entire mage world, has issued his ultimatum: Titus must hand over Iolanthe, or watch as his entire realm is destroyed in a deadly rampage. Running out of time and options, Iolanthe and Titus must act decisively to deliver a final blow to the Bane, ending his reign of terror for good.
However, getting to the Bane means accomplishing the impossible—finding a way to infiltrate his crypt in the deepest recesses of the most ferociously guarded fortress in Atlantis. And everything is only made more difficult when new prophecies come to light, foretelling a doomed effort....
Iolanthe and Titus will put their love and their lives on the line. But will it be enough?
With The Immortal Heights, Sherry Thomas brings the acclaimed Elemental Trilogy to its breathtaking conclusion.

        It's usually the second book in series that I have issues with. Which, if you ask me, is logical. You usually have an idea and a way to start it and mostly how to end it, but the middle is tricky. Well I have no idea how but with this series is actually the opposite.

       What started like a really interesting story in The Burning Sky, exploded in The Perilous Sea, where I fell in love with everything. It's just the story progressed in a way I didn't expect it too and it surprised me so much. But, it's sad that The Immortal Heights didn't continue in that direction.

       Don't get me wrong here, this is not by all means a bad book. Quite opposite, as was it written a stand along I would for sure be writing a praise for it. However, the trick with series of any kind is that after the latest one you expect the next one to be more. This one wasn't that. It continued in a good manner, the story progressed nicely and the characters developed even more. It all went in a right direction towards nowhere. There wasn't that blow at the end that would leave me breathless, something that would make me hold this book and weep that there is no more. Something that would make me remember it till the end of days.  Even the romance between the two became dull, there weren't those sparks from the previous books.

      I might be asking for to much, but with such a world building and great characters it's what it needs. Still it will be remembered as a great story, one you should most definitely read.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Until the next time,

*NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!

ARC Review: A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

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Book summary:

Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.
And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.
Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.
Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

         We can all take a moment and ask ourselves: "Would you buy this book based only on the cover?" My answer is yes, I would for sure. That's I guess how this book ended on my approved NG list. Anyhow, some things this blurb doesn't tell you. First of that it carries the idea of One Thousand and One Nights. While not a retelling, still too much of it rings a bell if you are familiar with The Arabian Nights.

         So, here we are with our main characters, nameless girl and I will simply call her "she". So she is a girl who is a potential bride for Lo-Melkhiin. She is not the only one, as her sister (the prettier one) is also in danger of being taken away by Lo-Melkiin. Only our main character being a good sister goes through "the ugly duckling" phase and transforms into a beautiful swan. After making it into harem she starts fight for her life. She uses her knowledge of storytelling and all the stories she herd to distract Lo-Melkiin from killing her. It then starts to turn into much bigger story and more complex than it seemed at the start.

         That all aside, I must say that this book is really weird. Don't get me wrong. I had a decent share of weird reads and all but this one is just "I don't know what to think of it" weird. While yes it's nicely written and certainly fast read, still pretty much pointless. You don't have any idea about the main character as there really isn't any characterization here, nor there is any romance to be frank. There is a great idea and all but lacking a way of connecting with it.

       I like to refer to this kind of books as "lost in translation" books. It was interesting to read, but still didn't give me anything to connect with and there was lack of any sort of feelings, which disappointed me the most.

Rating: 2.5 stars. 

Until the next time,

*NOTE: Copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review. Thank you!

ARC Review: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

My rating: 4.5 stars

Book summary:

Kate Weston can piece together most of the bash at John Doone’s house: shots with Stacey Stallard, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early—the feeling that maybe he’s becoming more than just the guy she’s known since they were kids.

But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mills’s shoulder appears online the next morning, Kate suspects she doesn’t have all the details. When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate’s classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can’t be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds leads back to the same question: Where was Ben when a terrible crime was committed?

This story—inspired by real events—from debut novelist Aaron Hartzler takes an unflinching look at silence as a form of complicity. It’s a book about the high stakes of speaking up, and the razor thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one hundred and forty characters at a time.

      Every once in a while I stumble upon a book that reminds me of something my favorite collage professor told us, back then first year literature students, about the art of reading. About it being interactive process. It is not just you holding this seemingly harmless object in your hands, following words on paper and converting them into the pictures in your head. Books can be dangerous things. Break the rules. Bring down oppressive societies.  Make people think with their own head and stop being part of the zombiefied mass. Tell the truth. And if you read just so you can escape reality and live in the la-la land of fairy tales (which are again construct of various ideologies), you are burying your head in the sand. Literature shouldn't only make you feel content and happy. Literature has to be brutal. Honest. Cruel. Make you feel angry and horrified.It has to push the lines. Protest and rage. 

      Aaron Hartzler wrote a book like that. 

      The rape culture and slut-shaming. Social media sites. These are basically topics of What We Saw. Based on real events. Real. As in this happened somewhere to somebody. What We Saw made me feel angry. I am still angry. It made me obsess over things we do not take seriously - like our children walking around with smartphones and not knowing basic rules of what is polite, safe and sending them into the big (virtual) world thinking that they are going to know to make difference between right and wrong, and pick right, hopefully, every time. That is where parenting stops. That is where murky world of modern society takes hold. And everyone hides behind the screen of the pone or computer, not realizing what "empathy" means. Turning real people into pixels, hashtags and number of likes and shares.  

      I have to be honest and admit that I wasn't completely won over by this book when I first started reading it. I was annoyed with main character, with how shallow and mindless she is sometimes. I am so happy that I read this now. What We Saw is the book we should make our kids read - no matter if you are a parent or a teacher. Make them read it. And talk about it. Talk, talk, talk. That is the only way to make a difference.

*ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.*

ARC Review: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

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Book summary:

Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.
But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.
But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?
The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

          It's been a while since my girl Emma and I did a read-a-long so when we figured out that we both had this book, it was easily decided. While we both enjoyed some parts of this book, I'm quite sure that Emma loved it more than me. It wasn't a bad sequel there were just some things that bothered me here. But more about that in our little discussion (if you're new to our read-a-long, the idea is that we come up with questions and then both of us answer them, thus forming a review).

You can check out Emma's answers at Never Judge a Book by its Cover! 

The feelings you expressed after finishing this book? 
Honestly, mine were torn. While on the one hand, I really enjoyed how this world building developed and some secondary characters really surprised me, somehow I couldn't enjoy this book fully because of Violet. She is a cliche character and at that very predictable which made some part of this story predictable too.

What part of the world-building did you enjoy the most? 
For sure the whole idea about Auguries. It's such an interesting concept and while not new, it was a bit different here. As soon as we left The Jewel and got to the island I really liked how it expanded and the whole background of it.

Speaking of it, which Auguries would you want to be able to control? 
Third one for sure. The first two are about the appearance and while I don't say it is not important still the last one controls what truly matters.

Your thoughts on Violet's character? 
Here is where it gets tricky, as she is the main issue for me here. There is so much about here that was cliche and that bothered me a lot. It influenced the story as well and therefore I couldn't enjoy it fully. It's always hard when you cannot connect with the main character.

How did you feel about Violet and Ash? 
It started off on a wrong foot in the first one. I know that many complained about it being insta love which it was back then. I'm happy to say that it progressed nicely here. It's still not something that I could say it OTP, but maybe it will get there.

What's your favorite secondary character? 
RAVEN! No words needed!

Which one did you like more: The Jewel or The White Rose? 
Honestly, it's hard to decided. While you'll notice that I gave The Jewel 4 stars it doesn't mean that it was better. I like both, but wasn't blown away by either.

Rating: 3 stars.

Until the next time,

*NOTE: Copy of this book was provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

My rating: 5 stars

Book summary:

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

 Buddy read with lovely Emma from Never Judge A Book By Its Cover.

Storyline
  
      Nicola Yoon won me over with her debut novel Everything, Everything. Beautiful and fluid writing, intriguing story and likable characters are what makes this book so good. Young girl who spent her whole life locked inside of the same house, not being able to go out because of her illness. Empty house next door that one morning isn't empty anymore. Boy who wears all black and doesn't give up on the weird girl who stares at him from her bedroom window. Emails. Hawaii. And then everything unravels. 
      Everything, Everything does start a little bit naive, it reminds of the child's play in its emotional simplicity. But nothing is as it seems. Don't give up on it. Just read and you will see.

Dear Maddy

From: glass.amra@gmail.com
To: madeline.whittier@gmail.com
Subject: Hello

Dear Maddy!
I hope that it is okay that I sent you this email.  You seem like a really great girl and I wouldn't mind being your friend. After all, you are the fellow bookworm and us bookworms have to stick together. 
You and Olly - I approve. He's a great guy. Anyone who got through so many obstacles just to get a moment of your time, is worthy of your attention. 
I think you are brave, Maddy. You took the risk. You went after what you wanted. And you were still a little bit scared, but you didn't let something trivial like fear stop you from experiencing things. 
You deserve happiness, Maddy. I do hope that you found it wherever you are now.

xx

Maddy writes on the inside of the book Reward If Found. What would you put on yours?

      Oh, I loved that part of the story. I?ve been thinking about this ever since I finished reading Everything, Everything. Maybe something like this:

Enjoyable picnic at the Moon (or Moon-like surface if original is not yet available) and interesting conversation that will include debate about awesomeness of Star Trek and how it relates to our modern world technology, why chocolate is the best food ever, what is the best time to read and other equally interesting topics. (If you are my boyfriend, possibility of some serious make out session is not excluded.) 

Maddy got one chance to go outside with Olly and the place she chose was Hawaii to see the state fish with weird and long name. If we had one chance where would you want to go, who would you go with and why? 

     Do I really have to pick just one place? One one person? If I really have to make a choice, I'll go with my boyfriend to Tokyo. We are both fascinated with Japanese culture and lifestyle, how different everything is from where we live. 


In the end...

     Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is brilliant debut novel you should not miss. I won't lie to you and say that I didn't have some issues with it, but all of those things were something I was able to look over because rest of it was so, so good. Extra advice? Read it with a friend. Emma and I had great time chatting about it. Make sure to check out her review as well at Never Judge a Book by Its Cover. 


Happy reading,

The Misanthrope: Stone’s Story by S.M. Boyce

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Book summary:

Before Stone trained Kara Magari or taught the First Vagabond to master the Blood loyalty, he was nothing more than a slave boy named Terric.
Terric is a curious loner hellbent on reading his master’s forbidden books. When one heist goes wrong, Terric abandons his old life and runs for freedom—only to fall prey to a ruthless man named Niccoli.
Niccoli is an isen—a creature of magic from the hidden world of Ourea—and he awakens within Terric an unimaginable gift. But this gift comes with a catch. Suddenly in control of newfound power he is forbidden to freely use, Terric realizes too late he simply traded one master for another.
In Ourea, a world dominated by the gifted, few isen dare defy their masters. Until now.

         In case you missed it somehow I'm a huge fan of The Grimoire Saga, which is actually from where the characters of this, and those to come, short story is coming from. So after the original saga ended, Boyce said that she would write the short stories for the three, for me the most interesting side characters. I was thrilled.

        That's how we got to the Stone and his story. Now in this short story we see how everything started for him and what he actually was before we get to meet him as Kara's coach in a way. His story is quite interesting one as he started as someone not that important, but his desire to knowledge led him to the place he is when we first meet him. Not to spoil things for you, he goes through a lot in order to become somebody.

       Now the thing with me and Stone is that we never had some special connection. Yes he was always an interesting character, but never really someone I couldn't wait to see in the book. So for me it wasn't really a surprise that I couldn't quite connect with him in this book. I did enjoy the story and really interesting world building, though.

       But for everyone who has read or plan to read The Grimoire Saga, I recommend to read this story too. It's also a different view on Ourea (I won't say more).

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Until the next time,

Waiting on Wednesday (#147)

You know the story. This is a meme created by Breaking the Spine and every week we pick books we're waiting for. Here are our picks for this week.

Our pick

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.
Told in alternating points of view, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

Expected publication: February 9th, 2016

We'd love to see your picks so feel free to link them up.

Until the next time,