Library Loot #49

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 went a little crazy at the library the other day. No regrets.

My Library Loot

1. 2. & 3. I found a lot of promising graphic novels on this trip!

  

4. I forgot this last book came out!

5. I think this is going to be a powerful and important book.

6. This book sounds like another serious read.

7. Is there a better time to read a book about the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials? 

8. I love reading all the of Swoon Reads books! I can't wait to start this one.

Review: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (May 2016)
517 pages
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: I bought it at BookCon and met the author!
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

+ Add to goodreads

My Review

I was looking for a perfect summer read and The Unexpected Everything delivered. Just look at that cover! It screams summer.

This book is for dog lovers, summer romance supporters, best friends, and anyone who appreciates a cute nerdy boy. The Unexpected Everything features all of these things and even more wonderfully perfect summer themes.

Andie has her summer all planned out. She has a prestigious summer internship all lined up and everything all planned out. Then her father becomes involved in a political scandal and all of her summer plans fall through. She is now scrambling to find a summer job, and her options are slim. Then she does something unexpected, and she has the summer of a lifetime. It was a whole lot of fun reading about her summer activities. Andie takes a job she never thought she would. She is forced to spend time with her once distant father. She falls for a nerdy (who I am sure will be your next book boyfriend) and wonderfully sweet guy. She goes on an unforgettable scavenger hunt, and other interesting adventures. There is a lot of cuteness, some laughs, drama, and learning what it means to live in the moment.

I loved The Unexpected Everything and highly recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect summer read. This one will give you the feels guaranteed, and probably a new book boyfriend to boot.

Get Graphic!

Here is a new mini review round-up of all the graphic novels I have read recently. Go head, get graphic!

Five Stars

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks (April 2016)

Goodreads

There wasn't a single thing I didn't like about this graphic novel. There is a rich setting, great character development, and a complex and interesting plot. I also loved the artwork. The way she did the action scenes was perfect. This is a great pick for all ages!

Gotham Academy: Welcome to Gotham Academy (vol. 1) by Becky Cloonan (June 2015)
Goodreads

I loved this one! A must read for fans of Batman. It has the most wonderful characters and a great mystery surrounding the Gotham Academy. The artwork is also spot on.  I can't wait to read volume 2!

Legend: The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu (April 2015)
Goodreads

I never did read this book series for one reason or another so when I saw that it is now a graphic novel I figured I would give it a whirl. (It takes a lot less time to read a graphic novel than a full novel.) It turns out that I liked it a lot! I really am not that surprised. It had an interesting plot and I liked the two main characters. I am ready for the next book!

Four Stars

Archie by Mark Waid (March 2016)

Goodreads

I never read the Archie comics, but I know a little about them. This cover is what truly grabbed my attention. I liked this one a lot. It was fun, and reminded me of high school.

Last Man: The Stranger (Vol. 1) by Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak (2013)

Goodreads

Last Man was a pretty entertaining read. The kid main character was adorable and sweet. His mom and partner in The Games were mysterious and interesting characters. I plan to read the next books in the series.

Lumberjanes Vol. 3: A Terrible Plan by Noelle Stevenson (April 2016)
Goodreads

I adore this series. The illustrations are fun and colorful. The stories are always full of adventure and friendship. I love these whacky kids and their whacky adventures. I can't wait for more. This one did have some romance and touched on some more serious topics, but in a good way. I think anyone of any age would enjoy this series.

Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks (October 2015)
Goodreads

Human Body Theater is a delightful way to tell kids and even adults about the human body. Although I knew a lot of the information in this book, it is always nice to have a refreasher. The skeleton who tells us how the body works is hilarious. This was a fun way to learn.

Three Stars

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan (April 2016)

Goodreads

I liked the art work, but I wasn't a huge fan of the plot. I wasn't expecting it to be quite so sci-fi. I think a lot of people will like this one even if it wasn't my favorite.

Everything Is Teeth by Evie Wyld (May 2016)
Goodreads

Graphic memoirs are becoming hugely popular and I am one of many that enjoys reading them. I liked this one, but I couldn't get into it as much as I was hoping I would. I do like hearing about shark facts and how this consumed the author's childhood for a bit. I feel like every kid goes through some sort of obsession. I did like the interesting illustrations. They were very unique. I think this one is good for fans of graphic memoirs.

Camp Midnight by Steven T. Seagle (April 2016)
Goodreads

I wasn't a big fan of the illustrations in this one. They were not really my style. I did like how snarky the main character was and the overall plot was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed Camp Midnight, but I thought it could have been better.

Review: The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

The Crown's Game (#1) by Evelyn Skye (May 2016)
399 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

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My Review

The Crown's Game was both magical and unoriginal. I enjoyed The Crown's Game, but it is not my new favorite young adult fantasy. 

I liked Vika. I liked Nikolai. I liked Pasha. But I wasn't a big fan of the love triangle or the insta-love. Everything to do with the romance in the book felt a little rushed, a little silly, and a little forced. It's a Romeo and Juliet type romance, which I usually like but this one just didn't work for me. On the other hand, I loved each character separately and my favorite part was Pasha and Nikolai's friendship, so having them fall for the same girl rubbed me the wrong way. I did love how interesting, strong, and curious these characters were. 

What made me give this book 3.5 stars? The magic. I love magic in my books. Some of the magic done by these two enchanters was breath taking and gave me the chills. It was by and far the best part of the book. Fans of anything magic should read this book simply for that reason alone.

The overall plot of the story seemed very basic YA Fantasy to me. (Maybe it's because I read a lot of YA Fantasy or my mood while I was reading.) There were a few surprises that were not all that surprising. I did like the setting, but a little more world building would have been nice too. 

This is a decent first book in a series. The ending left me wanting to see what happens next. In the end, I think it is worth a read. 

Waiting on Wednesday #18

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Because... This Snow White Retelling takes place in New York City, 1928

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

Release Date: September 13, 2016

Goodreads

Goodreads Summary: The scene: New York City, 1928. The dazzling lights cast shadows that grow ever darker as the glitzy prosperity of the Roaring Twenties screeches to a halt. Enter a cast of familiar characters: a young girl, Samantha White, returning after being sent away by her cruel stepmother, the Queen of the Follies, years earlier; her father, the King of Wall Street, who survives the stock market crash only to suffer a strange and sudden death; seven street urchins, brave protectors for a girl as pure as snow; and a mysterious stock ticker that holds the stepmother in its thrall, churning out ticker tape imprinted with the wicked words "Another . . . More Beautiful . . . KILL." In a moody, cinematic new telling of a beloved fairy tale, extraordinary graphic novelist Matt Phelan captures the essence of classic film noir on the page—and draws a striking distinction between good and evil.

Because... It's the last book in the series and I think it will be epic

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

Release Date: November 29 2016

Goodreads

Goodreads Summary: In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has transformed from a gawky teenager into a powerful monarch. As she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, the headstrong, visionary leader has also transformed her realm. In her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies—including the evil Red Queen, her fiercest rival, who has set her armies against the Tear.

To protect her people from a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable—she gave herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy—and named the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign, imprisoned in Mortmesne.

Now, as the suspenseful endgame begins, the fate of Queen Kelsea—and the Tearling itself—will finally be revealed.

What are you waiting on?

Book Prescriptions: Reading Suggestions Based On Your Favorite TV Shows

I haven't done one of these posts in FOREVER. I am hoping to bring it back in some way at least once a month. I work on booklists all the time at work so why not also share my ideas on the blog?

The Books I suggest aren't always necessarily the same genre/plot so much as they have the same feel... and are great reads of course!

This time around I have decided to focus on tv shows. Enjoy!

TV and YA Mash-Up

Short & Sweet Review: The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh

The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh (April 2016)
416 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: The Library
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: The darker the sky, the brighter the stars.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad is forced from the arms of her beloved husband, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once thought Khalid a monster—a merciless killer of wives, responsible for immeasurable heartache and pain—but as she unraveled his secrets, she found instead an extraordinary man and a love she could not deny. Still, a curse threatens to keep Shazi and Khalid apart forever.

Now she’s reunited with her family, who have found refuge in the desert, where a deadly force is gathering against Khalid—a force set on destroying his empire and commanded by Shazi’s spurned childhood sweetheart. Trapped between loyalties to those she loves, the only thing Shazi can do is act. Using the burgeoning magic within her as a guide, she strikes out on her own to end both this terrible curse and the brewing war once and for all. But to do it, she must evade enemies of her own to stay alive.

The saga that began with The Wrath and the Dawn takes its final turn as Shahrzad risks everything to find her way back to her one true love again.

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My Review

Was The Rose and the Dagger as good as The Wrath and the Dawn? Not quite.

Was The Rose and the Dagger still worth reading? Most definitely.

Is Shazi still as fierce and wonderful as ever? You bet.

Do you get to spend more time with Shazi's sister and meet new characters? Of course.

Will there be magic? There will be magic.

Will there be more moments between Shazi and Khalid? YES. These two melt my heart.

Should you read this book? Heck yes.

Library Loot #48

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 am loving my loot this week! I have the perfect mix of YA, Adult, and Graphic Novels.

My Library Loot

1. My new audiobook!

2. I have heard good things about this one, and it doesn't hurt that it just sounds and looks like the perfect summer read. 

3.  4. & 5. I never read Legend so I am giving the graphic novel a try. As for the other two, the covers just grabbed me.

6. My co-worker forced me to check this out. I don't think I will regret it.

7.  Another co-worker of mine insisted I give this book a try. 

8. This is my adult book of choice this week. It's about a dog. How could I resist? (Although I think it is going to be a very sad story.)

 What have you picked up from the library lately?