*SPOILERS* Book Review: Crooked Kingdom

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

***SPOILERS***
Can I just. Can I just take a breath? I'm not ready for this to end. This was ... too much.

Book Review: Six of Crows

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my third time reading this book, but somehow I've never written a review for it before. I must right this wrong immediately!

Book Review: The Gilded Wolves

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"You know you've read a good book when you turn to the last page and feel a little as if you've lost a friend" - Paul Sweeney

So people spent the better part of six weeks prior to this book's release telling me how much I was going to like it because it was SO much like Six of Crows.

So I got it. And then I didn't start it. When people tell me a book is going to be amazing, I usually end up hating it. Then people were saying it was like Ace of Shades which was okay, but not really comparable to Six of Crows. So I avoided it some more.

First Five Chapters - Four Dead Queens

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nooooo ... you can't leave me hanging like this. I'm so glad my copy will be at my house in a few short days.

Okay, so here are my initial thoughts on Four Dead Queens, but just on the first five chapters because, that's all I've gotten to read so far (I'm dying here ... the end of five chapters came WAY too fast).

There are two main points of view in this story - that of Keralie and that of the four queens (so really there are five POVs, but that is splitting hairs). Keralie's story already has me so pulled in that I was holding my breath at the end of chapter five.

I'm getting some serious Kaz/Inej vibes from Keralie and Mackiel. They are like a younger version, the version that hasn't quite had as many adventures just yet to have them totally trusting each other. But I feel like they will get there.

I'm not into the story of the queens at all so far. But I've only had two chapters with them, so it's probably too soon to say that I don't care for their part of the storyline.

Alright, so if you liked Six of Crows, or if you like that quick paced fantasy book (okay, that's everyone, can I just say everyone will like this? No, okay fine), then you're going to love this. It's so hard to write a review when I've only had a little sneak at the story, but so far I'm totally sold. I know I'm going to love it, I just don't know where this story is going!

Is it Tuesday yet?

Preview of Four Dead Queens generously provided by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. They didn't ask me to gush, I just did #sorrynotsorry


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Book Review: Kingdom of Ash

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Five stars. All the stars. Let's borrow stars from other reviews ... they didn't deserve them. Am I gushing? Well, it is appropriate.

This book, the completion to this story, was beyond extraordinary. With the exception of Harry Potter, I really never stick with long series. But this, this was another story entirely.

Because I want to avoid spoilers in my reviews, let's sing the praises of Sarah J Maas instead.

Book Review: The Artful Parent 2nd Edition

Artful Parent - Simple Ways to Fill Your Family's Life with Art and Creativity by Jean Van't Hul
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Because I adore Jean Van’t Hul and I was silently hoping the second version of The Artful Parent would contain thousands of ideas of awesome projects to do with kids. But, then I remind myself that isn’t the POINT of the book. Although there are dozens of amazing books full of ideas to do with kids, this one TEACHES parents and other adults about the why and the how.

I own the first iteration of The Artful Parent and it has served me well in two ways. First, I’ve used the information she provides as a resource when teaching parents the importance of creating art, being creative, and the general “why” art is important when you have kids. The second way I’ve used this book is as a resource of art projects to do with kids both in storytimes and in art classes I’ve been fortunate enough to teach the past several years.

Book Review: King of Scars

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. WOW.

First, I regret not re-reading all the previous books first. So, if you haven't read it yet, take a minute and reread at least the last book in both series first. I spent too much time not quite understanding what was happening at the beginning.

Okay, now for the book. Nikolai was always my favorite character in the Shadow and Bone series. I'm serious, go back and look at those reviews. I'll wait. Okay, believe me now? Let's continue.

Book Review: Echo North

Echo North by Joanna Ruth Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm still in the magical glow that is the aftermath of this book ... however I think the five stars is well deserved here.

In this book Meyer weaves an intricate retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, a Norwegian fairytale with similar roots of Beauty and the Beast. Know how much I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling (did I read four or five last year?) I thought this was going to be right up my alley.

The beginning FEELS like Beauty and the Beast, but a little darker with Echo having not the charmed childhood Belle has. The story itself dives into the dark woods and in immersed in dark magic.

Book Review: A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves? ...

Book Review: The Immortal Heights by Sherry Thomas

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…

Graphic Novel Review: The Sleeper and the Spindle

There is nothing quite like a beautifully done fairy tail retelling. Not that we would expect anything less from Mr. Gaiman.

In any graphic novel, which is the category I'm choosing to lump this book in with, we have four areas to review: World Building, Character Development, Plot, and Art.

Book Review: Truthwitch

Why did I pick it up: I read it for my bookclub this month, but it was already on my TBR

Summary:  Safi and Iseult are Threadsisters, two Threadwitches who are the closest of friends (think Parabati) and will protect each other at all costs. Safi is a Truthwitch, a rare Threadwitch who knows the truth when anyone speaks - a valuable girl who is suddenly and quite surprisingly betrothed to an old man. A complicated escape plan hatches, the girls are separated and don't know who they can trust. The future is looking rather grim when a Bloodwitch named Aeduan is close on their tails and Admiral Merrik either saves or captures the girls ... it is a fight for survival. 

Book Review: Firstlife

Why Did I Pick It Up: This book was already on my TBR shelf ... but, I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. These opinions are all my own. 

Summary: Tenley is in her Firstlife and has been sent to an prison by her parents in the hopes that she can be forced into signing with their side, Myriad instead of the more docile Troika. Signing with Myriad means that her parents will maintain their wealth and fame. Enter two boys, Archer who wants her to sign with Troika and Killian who is convinced he will be able to sign Ten with his bad-boy charm, violent outbursts, and devilish good looks. The two sides want Ten so much, they are willing to go to war ... maybe even kill her to avoid the other side winning. 

My favorite quote from my notes: "Killian reminds me of Lucifer."

Book Review: The Night Circus

My first review on this book is here, but this one is more detailed. 

Summary: “The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” A densely detailed narrative that uses your five senses to make the story come alive in your hands while you read. A competition between two illusionists, set in a magical circus. Secrets, twins, a cast of characters who all might not be what they seem. The Night Circus will captivate you from the moment you pick it up, fill your dreams, and leave you breathless and waiting for more. 

If you can't get enough of The Night Circus, check out my Pinterest board of images that remind me of this story :)

Book Review: Reckless

Summary: Jacob Reckless' father disappeared when Jacob was a young boy. But he did not run away from his family, as Jacob discovers, there is a different world that can be accessed through a mirror in his father's office. Jacob begins to live two lives, one within the mirror and one in his own world. However, when his brother steps through the glass and is cursed, it is up to Jacob, his friend Fox, and a cast of creatures to save him and bring him back.

Why did I pick it up: It was available as an eBook ... I'm not always picky, but I'm so glad this was a suggested title in my Overdrive account! To date (okay it's only January 18th, but I've read 8 books already) this is the best book I've read this year.

City of Bones

Cassandra Clare's first book, City of Bones, creates the world of the Nephilium, or the Shadowhunters, who protect the "regular people" from magical entities getting out of control. 

Enter Clary, a girl who hasn't had the most glamourous life, but it has seemed ordinary enough (I'm sure her mother would be proud to know that). However, she is tied into an epic battle of magical entities that she cannot possibly understand and it changes her life - quickly! 

Enter Jace, a guy whose family life was a disaster, but has been taught to fight in true Shadowhunter form. He has a pretty sharp edge that keeps people away ... everyone but Clary.

It is an adventure, a love story, and a tour of parts of our world that could exist without us knowing. Ms. Clare sucks you in with this novel and doesn't let you know. The twist at the end nearly kills you so I suggest having the next book ready to go!

Check out the website here for more info and an excerpt from the book.

You'll want to run down to the library and get your name put on the list for this one now -- because it is going to be a movie!

Release date is August 23, 2013 ... which is a mere 488 days, 11717 hours, 703064 minutes or 42183890 seconds from the time of this post :)

Reading the Hunger Games ... Again

I started re-reading The Hunger Games today! It is amazing for quick a read it is once I've read it twice and seen the movie. Oh, so lovely to compare the movie to the book. I realize that the reason I didn't picture the rooms/town/Panum that way, was because the book doesn't really describe them and so I didn't  picture them any way. The focus here is on the event and the characters. Fantastic!

Have you re-read it yet?

Book Review: Cinder

What I'm Reading Now::

March 28th

So, Cinder is a modern/dystopian tale about a Cyborg girl (think Cinderella), a gifted mechanic who can almost fake being a "real girl". I'm only two chapters in - so this post will be updated soon with some more juicy tidbits :)

March 29th

The book got exciting enough that it was hard to put down last night. There is this illness that is uncontrolled, the Prince is throwing a ball ... and Cinder has already met him. I have to get back to reading.

March 30th

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a book I randomly picked up got good enough for me to stay up until 2:00 in the morning reading it. This is a book I would recommend to someone who likes a fairy tale or girly adventure story -  it was intriguing, had plot twists, characters I really liked, and was honestly exciting. The only drawback was that the ending leaves you hanging and trying to figure out when the next book comes out (not for a bit, I can't find a specific date). 

In the mean time, check out Merissa Meyer's blog, which is stocked full of writing tips, thoughts on the Cinder series, and books she is reading.