June 25, 2019

TTT #97: Summer TBR

Hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl

Romance

   

1. The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
2. Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra
3. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Fantasy & Sci-Fi

  

4. The Beholder by Anna Bright
5. The Girl in Red by Christina Henry
6. The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg

Contemporary

 

7. On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
8. Wild and Crooked by Leah Thomas

Nonfiction & Survival

 

9. Furious Hours by Casey Cep
10. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig

Did any of my books make it on your Summer TBR Pile?

11 comments
June 22, 2019

Book Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (June 4, 2019)
Length: 456 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: I read an e-ARC and then bought a copy!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:
Synopsis: All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power. Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them. As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

My Review

Sorcery of Thorns in Three Words: Fierce. Magical. Captivating.

One thing I can say with 100% certainty about this novel, it is never dull. Non-stop action, a slow-burn enemy-to-more romance, secrets, sorcery, and living books, make for one heck of a roller coaster of a ride.

Sit back and get ready for me to throw as much praise as possible toward the awesomeness that is Sorcery of Thorns. Elisabeth is officially going on my list of top favorite main characters of all time. She loves books, is loyal to her friends, fights for what she believes in, admits when she is wrong, can kick-ass with a sword, and is an overall great person. I wanted to do nothing but cheer her on, and want her to be my friend.

What about her love interest? Nathaniel Thorn is the sexy damaged mysterious guy I love to read about. Elisabeth was raised to hate sorcerers. Nathaniel Thorn is most definitely a sorcerer. Their romance is a perfectly rendered version of a slow-burn hate-to-love romance trope. Although, I could have used a few more steamy kissing scenes. ;)

There are a handful of other very important and interesting characters that readers will be excited to meet as well. Nathaniel's Demon/Servant is complex and memorable while Elisabeth's best friend is charming and adorable. I met characters I hated and characters I loved, and I enjoyed meeting every single one.

Margaret Rogerson builds such a fantastic world that I had no trouble being transported from the real world into hers. She manages to bring to life such a variety magical grimoires (some talk, some bite, some create illusions, all can turn into monsters when provoked) all with unique personalities. She describes the libraries and the large mansions with spellbinding language. Whenever magic is used, I could easily envision what was being described. I wish I lived in this kingdom of magical libraries.

Last but not least, let's talk about plot. I couldn't have asked for a more fun fast-moving plot than what Sorcery of Thorns has to offer. There is never a dull moment as readers meet numerous magical books, monsters ready to devour/destroy anything in their paths, and an unknown person causing chaos and harm at each of the Great Libraries. Elisabeth and Nathaniel's journey is never boring, filled with numerous intense fighting scenes, and other surprises while they try to uncover the mystery of who is behind the various attacks at the Great Libraries.

The Bottom Line: I devoured Sorcery of Thorns and already want to read it again. Fans of the author's first book, An Enchantment of Ravens, will surely enjoy reading her new fantasy story as well. Don't miss this magical gem!


2 comments
June 17, 2019

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Risking It All by S.M. Koz


Risking It All by S.M. Koz
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: I received an e-ARC from the publisher through Xpresso Book Tours. Thank you!
My Rating:

Synopsis: A high-achieving teen who’s determined to become a fighter jet pilot is matched up with an accused criminal at an elite military boarding school in SM Koz’s YA novel, Risking It All. Paige knows exactly what she wants—to graduate from Wallingford Academy and become a pilot in the US Air Force. She’s inherited her father’s no-nonsense attitude and whip-smart intelligence, all of which have made her the perfect Wallingford cadet. Wallingford Academy is the last place in the world Logan wants to be. But after his girlfriend borrows his car and commits a crime, Logan takes the fall and ends up there with hopes of striking a decent plea bargain. For him, graduation can’t come soon enough. When Paige is asked to mentor Logan, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove her leadership skills—but she doesn’t account for the feelings that start to develop or the baggage from Logan’s past which could threaten both of their futures.

My Review

I haven't read a lot of military academy YA books, and not only did I learn a lot (the author notes in her acknowledgements that she talked to many military family members and friends), but I found it very interesting. Although I like routine, I would never have lasted with such early mornings.

I automatically loved Paige, the hard-working, honest, goal-driven, cadet who is on her way to joining the US Air Force. On the other hand, I automatically disliked Logan. Although loyal to his friends, he was lazy and extremely rude. When Paige is asked to mentor Logan things get interesting. Not only did I enjoy watching Paige and Logan's friendship grow, seeing them work through their own feelings and grow themselves made them seem very realistic. The novel is told in dual POVs from Logan and Paige, which I think enhanced the story.

Although the novel wasn't perfect, which is rare to begin with, Risking It All was an enjoyable read. My only complaint is that sometimes the transitions between scenes were nonexistent, and I would have to go back and reread a few lines to ease my confusion.

The Bottom Line: Risking It All is a cute read with an interesting setting and realistic characters.

The Author

SM Koz was born in Michigan, but moved to North Carolina for college and never left. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, photography, reading, spending time with foster kids who call her house home, and learning new things. When she’s not creating online training for pharmaceutical companies (her day job) or writing, Koz can be found at the local community college taking courses on various topics ranging from digital art to HTML to desktop publishing. SM Koz has written six novels. Although her stories differ by genre, ranging from contemporary realism to sci-fi to fanfiction, two things they all have in common are a young or new adult focus and romance. If you’d like to learn more about SM Koz, check her out on social media.

WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Giveaway


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3 comments
June 11, 2019

TTT #96: Unpopular Bookish Opinions


Books Everyone Seems to Love Except Me


After by Anna Todd
My Rating:
Goodreads: 3.74 average rating out of 73,958 ratings


The Paper Princess by Erin Watt
My Rating:
Goodreads: 4.03 average rating out of 66,882 ratings


Blood Bond by Helen Hardt
My Rating:
Goodreads: 3.91 average rating out of 1,943 ratings


Fallen by Lauren Kate
My Rating:
Goodreads: 3.37 average rating out of 448,498 ratings


A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
My Rating:
Goodreads: 3.84 average rating out of  49,112 ratings


The Selection by Kiera Cass
My Rating:
Goodreads: 4.14 average rating out of 723,188 ratings





What is a book you dislike that everyone loves?

9 comments
June 5, 2019

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesday is a bookish meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words

It consists on answering these three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What I'm Currently Reading

I am almost done listening to Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. It is a crazy story! I just started reading Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and even though I am only on page 86, I am loving it!


What I Recently Finished Reading

I just finished reading To Best the Boys by Mary Weber, and although it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I really enjoyed it. I also just read Verity by Colleen Hoover in one sitting. Reviews coming soon!


What I Plan to Read Next

I will be reading Risking It All by S.M. Koz for a blog tour, and I just bought a copy of The Beholder by Anna Bright. Both sound like they are going to be fun reads.



What are you currently reading?


6 comments
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