Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Fairest by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles #3.5) (Jan. 2015)
222 pages
Genre: Young Adult/ Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Publisher:Feiwel & Friends
Source: The Library.
Purchase:Barnes & Noble|The Book Depository|Amazon

Goodreads Summary: In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

MY REVIEW

Fairest is a must read for all of those Lunar Chronicles fans out there. If anything you should read this book just to help ease the pain of having to wait until winter for Winter to come out since it isn't set to release until November. November! Sigh. I miss me some Thorne. Anyway...

Were you ever curious about Queen Levana? Seriously though, who isn't? I mean how can someone be that crazy? That mean? That straight up evil? Read Fairest and see for yourself who Levana really is.

I originally was expecting Meyer to use this book to try to get us fans to feel differently for Levana. Maybe even get us to dole out the sympathy card for her. My dear friends, that just doesn't happen. Even at times when you think just maybe you can understand where Levana is coming from, you really can't.

"There was an ache in her stomach, perhaps left over from the horrible dream. Or she supposed it could have been sadness, but that was doubtful." - pg. 7

Fairest shows us just how twisted, lonely, sad, and crazy Levana really is. I loved getting to know her when she was younger. I think she starts out at the age of 15 in Fairest. I just wanted to shake some sense into that girl, but I did really like getting this background on her. I liked getting to really know the evil Queen. This was a solid addition to the series.

Read Fairest and see how twisted Levana really is. See where she came from. It may not be as epic as the other books in this series, but you won't regret reading Fairest.

The Outlander Series 2015 Reading Challenge: March Review Link-Up (Book #2)

Link your reviews to the first book here and head over to discuss what you thought.

Do you want more information about the challenge? Do you want to sign-up? Read this post first.

What is the purpose of this post? To link-up your reviews of the second book in the Outlander series (Dragonfly in Amber) that you read for the challenge so that we can read them! Link to wherever you post reviews -- your blog, Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, etc., etc.

I will be posting a review link-up post on the first of every month for the next book in the Outlander series. I think this will be a good way for me to keep organized and motivated to read a book a month. In September there will also be a giveaway for everyone participating in the challenge! So keep a look out for that as well.

When you link up below please make sure to use the direct URL to your individual post/review, not the book's information page or your blog's homepage. You don't have to write a review to participate. You can just tell me in the comments below that you read the book.

Please also use this space as a place to discuss all things to do with the second book. Try to avoid big spoilers, but if you do want to talk about them just warn us first.Share how the challenge is going for you. Which book are you reading now? I want to know how you are enjoying the series. Some discussion prompts for Dragonfly in Amber will be posted on this page at the end of March.

Dragonfly in Amber Review Link-Up

The Bookish Report - Bookish News from Around the Web

Here are all of the top bookish stories, blog posts, pictures, and videos I found this past week. I put this post up every Sunday so come back again next week for more bookish awesomeness.Click away and enjoy your Sunday!

Fun Bookish News

23 Book Titles That Would Be Better With Llamas, because why not?

Read this hilarious advice about How to Be Married to a Writer.

Check out this new Dr. Seuss book!

You must look over these gorgeous Harper Collins Fall book covers and vote for your favorite.

Everyone should read this post by author Shannon Hale about her author visits to schools.

Swoon Reads has announced a YA author tour in May! I plan on going.

I want all of these bookmarks,and this photo about bookmarks is spot on.

Fellow Book Blogger Posts

Caught Read Handed - The Bloggers' Book Club
Parajunkee - Mastering The Book Review. Book Review Checklist. Infographic.
The Book Addicts Guide - Young Adult Meets Disney
Lit-Rate-Ture - Recommendation: Fall For These Quotes
Bookishly Boisterous - Children's Books I Need to Write
My Friends Are Fiction - Discussion: How do you decide which book to read from your TBR pile?
Caffeinated Book Reviewer - Take Control of Your TBR Pile

Photo of The Week

Video of The Week

ARC Review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski (March 3, 2015)
352 pages
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Source: I won a free ARC on twitter from @FierceReads! Thanks Macmillan! **This didn't affect my honest review.
Purchase:Barnes & Noble|Amazon|The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

MY REVIEW

This is one of those reviews that I wouldn't be able to write without using a crazy amount of GIFs to express my true feelings. I want to give The Winner's Crime the proper justice that it deserves. Pictures are worth a thousand words right? So I went that route. This isn't so much of a review as much as a list of my emotions dealing with the relationship between the two main characters while reading. My heart raced, my heart bleed, my heart stopped beating and began again. (Yes, I am being dramatic, just go with it.)

As always I was nervous to begin reading a sequel of a book I loved, but I took a deep breathe and cautiously began.

The novel started off strong, although somewhat gruesome with graphic details of a torture scene, but really I was just excited to read a book that once again stared the characters I love, Arin and Kestrel. Yet... the relationship between these two love birds was beyond frustrating. I wanted a little less pain and a little more hope.They drove me insane.

The tension between Arin and Kestrel was suffocating. Even though I did love their chemistry and the pair's tension kept me interested and on edge, I was really mostly just...

I still loved all of the plotting and strategy of Kestrel's doing.

But all I wanted. All I NEEDED. Was for Arin and Kestrel to be truthful to each other.

Every time I thought I was going to get some relief from my frustrations with these two while reading...

It never quite went how I wanted.

Then the novel began to wrap up and I still wasn't satisfied. I was starting to run out of pages. I could barley breathe, I couldn't read fast enough.

Then the ending happened!! I have to wait how long for the next book?!?

I had a Love/Hate relationship with The Winner's Crime, but It was still a wonderful read. Anything that made me this emotional/invested deserves at least a four star rating from me in my book.

Even though I was frustrated throughout most of the book, I can say with certainty that the writing was superb. Well done Rutkoski.

I know I mostly just talked about Arin and Kestrel's relationship in this review, but it was the main thing going on in The Winner's Crime. I of course was also interested in the strategic game of who will rule all, but it was so in the background that I don't have much to say on that topic except that I liked the intrigue and that I look forward to see what is going to happen next.

Library Loot #30

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

** I think perhaps I didn't need to get any more books from the library this week (I still have several from the last time I got books from the library at the beginning of the month), but I did anyway. No regrets.

MY LIBRARY LOOT

1. I know what I will be reading as soon as I finish my current book!

2. It came! It is finally here!

3. I'm hoping I like the sequel more than the first book.

4. I hope this is as good as the synopsis makes it sound.

5. & 6. I read the first book in this series and it was so much fun that I had to get the other books.

7. I'm going to finally try out a Colleen Hoover book. I promised a friend I would give it a whirl.

Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

The Burning Sky (#1) by Sherry Thomas (2013)

464 pages

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Source: My blogger bestie got me this one for Christmas!!

Purchase:Barnes and Noble|The Book Depository|Amazon

Goodreads Summary: It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission—and her life.

The Burning Sky—the first book in the Elemental Trilogy—is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.

MY REVIEW

The Burning Sky BLEW ME AWAY. It started off strong and ended strong. I am going to have to say that if you are a fan of books with magic in it and you haven't read this, then you really really should do that as soon as possible. I am now going to fangirl all over this book. Sorry, not sorry, but this book is so freaking awesome.

My favorite thing about this whole novel is the MAGIC. From the elemental magic to the every day spells, this novel is full of wonderful magic that just makes me wish harder than ever that I was magical. I wanted to live in this world oh so badly while reading it. I don't even want to tell you about all the awesome magical things you are going to discover when you read this because I know you will be reading this (if you haven't already), and therefore I don't want to take away from your reading experience. Aka: Read this book.

My second favorite aspect of the novel would have to be the characters. They are hands down some of the best characters I have ever encountered. Titus and Iolanthe are wise in their own ways and admit when they don't know something. I think they make a fabulous pair. It is almost comical how formal/proper they both are with each other at first, but that does change a little throughout the story at a natural pace, especially considering all they go through together. They are just so complex and you can't help but care for them. I felt EVERYTHING when it came to these characters.

My third favorite thing about The Burning Sky would have to be that there are no info dumps. Instead the author incorporates end notes into the book. I loved them. So every time the author wanted to elaborate on a spell, or a little piece of history, etc. she would use an end note. Brilliant. Unique. I loved it.

Did I dislike anything about The Burning Sky? I honestly don't think that I did. Not a single thing comes to mind. I am sure it wasn't perfect, no book is, but for whatever reason I simply just enjoyed this book to the max. I was never bored and completely immersed in the world.

Well, I feel like I have gushed enough over this book for now. I think it is time for me to start wrapping up this love fest of a review. Just in case you are still wondering (although I'm sure you are not), I would have to say, with 100%certainty, that I recommend The Burning Sky to everyone. Before I even finished this book I ordered the second one from the store. No joke. I NEED MORE. I can't wait to read it.

I Feel Like Gabbing Today

**I have no idea how often I will post this feature or when exactly I'm going to post it. This is a work in progress. I do however know that I want to share with you the very random thoughts that pop into my head. Many are bookish thoughts and many are not. I feel like I don't have enough discussion type posts on the blog so I am giving this a whirl. Today I will feature a list of my randomness.

1. I just finished writing a three star review and it was painful. Very painful. I have the WORST time trying to think of things to say about a book that I just liked but didn't love or hate. Please tell me I am not the only person with this problem.

2. Right now I am three books ahead of my goodreads reading challenge and I am flying high! It feels so good. I am on a reading frenzy. I couldn't be happier.

3. So far this year I am keeping up with my reviews. I really hope I stay on top of things at least for another few months.

4. As my friend's wedding grows nearer I become busier and busier. My calendar for the month of March and April is filling up fast.

5. My husband and I just celebrated the fact that it has been 8 years since we first started dating! That is a long time folks, but I guess time flies when you are having fun. :)

6. I am trying so hard to have more of a presence on Twitter and I think I am doing pretty good so far, but I still want to be better.

7. I am trying so hard to be healthier this year, but trying to find motivation to work out when it is freezing here is hard work. I just want to snuggle under a blanket and read. Heck, even getting ready to go into work when the weather is bad is a challenge. I have noticed that I am a whole lot more active when it is nicer out, especially since I love going on long walks with my husband when the weather is nice. I am counting down the days until spring begins!

8. I LOVE my part-time job at the library, but I wonder if one day I will ever actually get a full-time grown-up job. For right now I am going to continue to love it and be thankful for my job and use the free time I have to write more. My real goal: to be published by the time I am 30.

9. I am trying to figure out a new monthly feature for my blog about book covers, but I have yet to really pin down exactly what I want to do with this idea. All I know is I love book covers. I love talking about them. I love fangirling over them. I love reading posts about them. Therefore, I have no idea why I don't do some kind of cover post on my blog every month.