2017 End of Year Book Survey

Jan1

2017 was a pretty crap year – for the country as a whole, and for me in personal ways. A few great things happened for me personally, but it was mostly just a crap year full of stress, heartbreak and change, so I’m really glad it’s over. I’m still trying to stay hopeful than 2018 will be better, but I’ve been saying that for years now, so….

Anyway, my reading slump that started in 2016 hasn’t ended yet, so this was a terrible reading year for me – my worst since I started blogging in 2013. I’m a bit scared to fill this out because of that – and I honestly almost just skipped doing this altogether – but we’ll see how it goes! Maybe posting this will help me get back into the blogging spirit? One can only hope!

This survey is hosted by the lovely Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner. All questions and images belong to her! Thanks, Jamie!!

So, here we go!

Please note: I’m not going to count Harry Potter in the “best book you read” questions because of course HP is the best, that goes without saying. I’ll only count it in questions about number of books read, re-read counts, etc.

Number Of Books You Read: 32 … Which is sad and pathetic :( (I mean this for me and my personal goals. If this was your goal and you’re excited, I mean no offense! It’s just disappointing to me to fail my Goodreads challenge two years in a row…)
Number of Re-Reads: 8
Genre You Read The Most From: My usual science fiction/fantasy, thriller, retellings, etc.

1. Best Book You Read In 2017? There were 4 I truly loved, and since I didn’t read many I truly loved in 2017 because of my reading slump, I’ll list all 4 (in no particular order):

How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather
Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather
Freya (Freya #1) by Matthew Laurence
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t? There were four:

The Crown’s Fate by Evelyn Skye. Biggest disappointment of 2017, since I LOVED LOVED LOVED The Crown’s Game. You can read my review to find out why I didn’t enjoy it :(

Caraval by Stephanie Garber. I don’t know if it was my reading slump or me, but I wanted to love it and didn’t.

Blood of Wonderland by Colleen Oakes. Queen of Hearts was one of my absolute favorite books of 2016, and this book was so weighed down by Second Book Syndrome that it was just a huge letdown. Still torn on whether I’ll be reading the third book or not…

One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake. Three Dark Crowns got me out of a reading slump, and I actually re-read it before reading One Dark Throne. I was so excited and then.. wow. Another one that had Second Book Syndrome, which was REALLY disappointing since this was supposed to be the conclusion to the duology and now it’s going to be a four book saga. I can get it being a trilogy, but I don’t feel it needs to be four books and I’m still uncertain if I’ll continue with the series or not.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? Okay, I know I said I wasn’t going to include Harry Potter books in these kinds of questions… But I have to answer this one with Prisoner of Azkaban because honestly, the last re-read I did (from Dec 2016-Jan 2017) made me realize that PoA is actually my favorite HP book, which shocked the crap out of me because I always thought it was my least favorite (and had felt that way for 18 years, so it came as quite a shock). And this most recent re-read I did (like a week ago) confirmed for me that it is, indeed, my favorite book in the series. My mind is still blown by this revelation.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)? I always push Leigh Bardugo books and Sarah J. Maas books a lot, so of course those. Also, How to Hang a Witch and Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather because they were epic beyond words.

5. Best series you started in 2017? Best Sequel of 2017? Best Series Ender of 2017? For best series started, I’m going to have to go with Freya by Matthew Laurence – loved so much! Best sequel of 2017 would have to be Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco. And best series ender… I can’t answer that, because I didn’t read many series enders in 2017 – and the ones I read weren’t so great :(

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2017? Adriana Mather, definitely. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone? I didn’t really read out of my comfort zone this year because I was in such a bad reading slump, I was trying to read what WAS in my comfort zone, hoping those books would break me out of my reading slump. Sadly, this didn’t work. So maybe I DO need to read out of my comfort zone some more in 2018…

8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year? Another for How to Hang a Witch and Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather. Definitely some of my favorite books of 2017.

9. Book You Read In 2017 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year? I don’t really see myself doing any re-reads, unless it’s Harry Potter.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2017?

 
11. Most memorable character of 2017? Freya. She was hilarious and spunky.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2017? The Hummingbird Heart by A.G. Howard. Anita is a master storyteller. She creates these incredible worlds and her writing just sucks you in.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017? The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2017 to finally read? I read mostly new releases, so I don’t have any backlist to answer this question with :(

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2017? I don’t think I have one.. :(

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2017? Longest was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, shortest was Katana at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee

17. Book That Shocked You The Most I… have no idea. I guess One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake because I’m shocked the series is getting 2 more books and I’m sad that ODT had Second Book Syndrome as a result.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!) Audrey Rose and Thomas from Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco!!!

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year Mina and Lynet in Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2017 From An Author You’ve Read Previously Definitely The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

21. Best Book You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure: Again, I was in such a reading slump, I really just read within my comfort zone and based on my TBR and review pile, so… :(

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2017? I don’t think I have one..

23. Best 2017 debut you read? Another one for Freya by Matthew Laurence

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year? I know I said I wasn’t going to use Harry Potter for these but.. I’m gonna have to go with Harry Potter #sorrynotsorry

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read? Harry Potter, of course.

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2017? None.. :\

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year? Another one for Another for How to Hang a Witch and Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather. These really were incredible and everyone needs to read them!

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul? …. Don’t have one :( Stupid reading slump…

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2017? I mean… I guess Harry Potter: The Cursed Child. But only because it’s a screenplay and I don’t usually read those. Also, it sucked. So I guess that also made it unique because I LOVE everything HP.. except for this atrocity.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)? See above. And I 100% didn’t like it, for the record.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2017? I was very disconnected from the blogging community this year because I had a lot going on in my personal life, so I didn’t discover any new blogs, sadly.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2017? Don’t have a favorite :(

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog? Television Tuesday: Breaking Up (Or Not) With a Television Show

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? Didn’t participate in any :(

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017? In addition to my reading slump, I was also in a blogging slump so I don’t think I had any… :(

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year? My reading and blogging slump. They’ve haunted me since February 2016 and it’s been a struggle to get through the little bit of reading and blogging I HAVE managed to get done.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)? 2017 Debut Authors Bash: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love? On Meredith’s Mind #7: Happy 20th Birthday, Harry Potter!!!!!!!

9. Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)? Spearcraft Book Box Subscription

10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year? Nope. I failed so hard on my Goodreads challenge, it’s not even funny. Second year in a row I haven’t reached my goal, too. For 2018, I’m lowering my goal substantially because it’s very disappointing to not reach it two years in a row.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018? HAHAHAHA…. With a reading slump that’s going on for almost two years now? Too many to list..

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2018 (non-debut)? Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #3) by Kerri Maniscalco

3. 2018 Debut You Are Most Anticipating? Sea Witch by Sarah Henning. Those of you who follow me on social media know just how badly I’m anticipating this one!

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018? My Plain Jane (The Lady Janies, #2) by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018? I REALLY MORE THAN ANYTHING want to get out of this blogging and reading slump. I’m so frustrated by them, I just want to cry. I miss reading and I have SO many blog discussion post ideas and blog features I want to share with you guys..

6. A 2018 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone (if applicable): Haven’t read any :(

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So there you have it! Hope you guys enjoyed the survey, despite how sad and pathetic my answers were *sobs.* Don’t forget to head over to the Perpetual Page Turner to see the linky list of all the other blogs who participated. And of course, feel free to leave a comment with a link to your best of 2017 survey so I can check it out, or just answer a few of the questions in the comments!

Happy New Year, and may 2018 be better than 2017!!

Review: One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake

Dec6

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: One Dark Throne by Kendare BlakeOne Dark Throne by Kendare Blake
Series: Three Dark Crowns #2
Published by HarperTeen on September 19, 2017
Pages: 464
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

The battle for the crown has begun, but which of the three sisters will prevail?

With the unforgettable events of the Quickening behind them and the Ascension Year underway, all bets are off. Katharine, once the weak and feeble sister, is stronger than ever before. Arsinoe, after discovering the truth about her powers, must figure out how to make her secret talent work in her favor without anyone finding out. And Mirabella, the elemental sister once thought to be the certain Queen Crowned, faces attacks like never before—ones that put those around her in danger she can’t seem to prevent.

Fennbirn’s deadliest queens must confront the one thing standing in their way of the crown: each other.

Three Dark Crowns (book one in this series) was one of my favorite books in 2016. It was dark and delicious, and helped get me (temporarily) get out of a reading slump. While I still enjoyed One Dark Throne (as evidenced by the 4-star rating), it wasn’t as epic as Three Dark Crowns, and I was just a bit disappointed with how certain things ended.

First of all, apparently this is now a 4-book series? When originally it was a duology? I mean… I LOVED book one, but this doesn’t need to be a 4-book series. One Dark Throne was way too long and started to feel dragged out around page 300. After 300 pages, I was restless and bored, and just wanted to see how the story would end. But lo and behold, at the end of 464 pages, I still didn’t know how the story ended because it’s NOT ENDING YET. I have to get through two more books for that. Maybe I can chalk this up to “Second Book Syndrome,” since it’s now technically the second book. I’m still excited for book three, and can’t wait to see what happens next; however, I really wish this could be wrapped up in book three – I really don’t think it needs two more whole books to wrap up…

…Yet, at the same time? All I’ve thought about for the last week is being back in this world. I keep thinking “Gee, I want to go home and read Three Dark Crowns/One Dark Throne” – and then I realize I can’t because I finished them. So… Clearly I’m obsessed with these books and this world.

In Three Dark Crowns, Katharine was my favorite of the sisters. In One Dark Throne, Katharine was wicked and a little bit scary. I was very intrigued by what happened to her, and I was dying to see what would come of it. I’m a little surprised by the way her story ended, though, and I’m upset there wasn’t more resolution (due to the 4-book series thing). As intrigued as I was, though, Katharine wasn’t my favorite in this book…

…Mirabella was! I found her chapters the most compelling, and I found the elemental power most intriguing of the three. I really loved her character development and the way her story ended, and I can’t wait to see what happens next for her.

And, as was the case with the first book, Arsinoe was my least favorite. I’m intrigued by the revelation from book one, and it was interesting to see how that played out in this book. But I just wasn’t interested in her as a character at all. The only good thing about her chapters was Jules and Camden. Jules is still my absolute favorite character, and I really really REALLY want her to get her own book!

Despite the book lagging around page 300, the ending was epic and incredible and suspenseful and things happened that I didn’t see coming. Again, I’m still VERY excited for book three, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. If I’m right about this book having “second book syndrome,” then I have a feeling book three will be a wild ride!

I definitely still recommend this book to those who loved the first book, and those who are Kendare Blake fans. It wasn’t as epic as Three Dark Crowns, but it was still a fun read.

four-stars

2017 Debut Authors Bash: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning (Interview + Giveaway)

Dec5

 
Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the 2017 Debut Authors Bash! I’m BEYOND excited to be hosting Sarah Henning, author of Sea Witch (July 31st 2018, Katherine Tegen Books). This book is my #1 most anticipated read of 2018, and has been for awhile. In fact, Facebook Memories even reminded me that I first put Sea Witch on my TBR on November 16, 2015 – back when it was still called Heartless. The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite Disney movie, and I’m a HUGE fan of retellings. So the fact that we’re FINALLY getting a Sea Witch origin story?? I’m just like

So anyway… I’m REALLY excited to share with you an interview with Sarah! First, here’s the awesome cover and synopsis:

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.

Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo

The Book Depository | IndieBound

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And now for the interview! Enjoy!

Describe your book in ten words or less. Go!
The sea witch’s shot at telling her tale.

What inspired you to write the Sea Witch’s origin story? How much did you pull from Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” and how much (if any) was inspired by the Disney movie (or other sources)?
We all love a good villain, don’t we? But here’s the thing: In Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale, the sea witch isn’t a villain. She isn’t Ursula. She’s more of a neutral character—someone who really just wants to warn the little mermaid of all she’s giving up for a boy she’s never really met. Her family, her friends, her life under the sea. I wanted to explore how exactly Andersen’s sea witch came to be.

Please note: this next question was asked in September. Obviously we now have the cover and synopsis!)
Sea Witch was originally slated for Fall 2017 (and was originally titled Heartless), and will now be coming out in July of 2018. What has this meant for your writing/editing schedule? Do you know when we’ll get to see the cover and official synopsis? Can we have ANY hints??? *Makes giant puppy dog eyes*
Oh, it’s meant a lot of my own giant puppy dog eyes at the stupid calendar. We sold Sea Witch on proposal in 2015 and therefore a little padding was added into our schedule. Then other projects on my editor’s docket shifted, which meant shifting me around because all of these things are planned years and years in advance. As a writer, I literally have no control other than to turn my book in on time. In the end, the decision was that if we had to bump me back, we’d do it to the summer because mermaids are summery, even if they’re grim (insert devil-face emoji).

My official teaser for Sea Witch:

Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

After the Sea Witch, who’s your favorite villain? Would you want to write their origin story?
Oh, man. Well, honestly, I sort of want to know what the heck made the Big Bad Wolf so grumpy in the Three Little Pigs. I’m not looking to write a wolf but I do think he was more than hungry.

Have you read any retellings lately that you’ve loved? Any with mermaids/sirens/etc?
I haven’t read any retellings with mermaids and sirens, mostly because I’ve intentionally stayed away from them while working on Sea Witch. That said, I absolutely love Renée Ahdieh’s retelling of 1001 Nights (The Wrath & The Dawn and The Rose & The Dagger) and there’s a 2018 book I’m looking forward to reading called The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen that is inspired by an ancient Persian poem that became an opera called Turnadot.

Craziest thing you’ve had to Google for a work in progress?
Hmmm, well, I’ve looked up enough ways to kill people that I’m probably flagged by the NSA. It’s for art, PROMISE!

Biggest writing quirk?
I actually do the majority of my first drafts in the Notes app on my phone at the gym. I have small children and it’s the easiest way to take care of myself and get time to myself. I just get on an elliptical or exercise bike, read what I wrote the day before and go! I have several writer friends who’ve tried it and failed (they think I’m nuts) but it’s really worked for me. So much so that I feel weird writing fresh words on my laptop.

What are three must-have items when you sit down to write?
At the gym: Water bottle, towel and phone.

At my laptop: La Croix (Pamplemousse FTW!), notebook (I have one per WIP) and either chocolate pretzels or green juice, depending on how hard the scene is torturing me.

Most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
I’m extremely good at plowing through and getting stuff done, but when I’m fatigued on a story and my brain is telling me to read or to play around with another project, I’m learning to listen. Usually, this means I’ve neglected my creative well and need to fill it up again. I find that if I listen to myself when I need to spend time away, that when I come back to my project, I’m more creative and at peace with what I write.

I know Sea Witch is still 8 months away from publication, but I have to ask… Are you working on anything new?!?
I DO have a couple of things in the pipeline. I can’t really talk about them but two are historical—one is a historical fantasy in the vein of Sea Witch, and the other revolves around a real historical event. I also have a fun contemporary that I’m playing with as well. I hope to be able to share all of them with you soon!

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And now for the giveaway! One lucky winner will receive sea witch-y swag! US only. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Sarah Henning is an author with HarperCollins’ Katherine Tegen imprint. In addition, she has worked for The Palm Beach Post, The Kansas City Star and The Associated Press, among others. When she’s not hunkered down over her computer, she’s probably running ultramarathons, chasing her two adorable rugrats or pestering her husband to give beets a chance. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @shhenning and/or contact Rachel Ekstrom of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency to know all about her writing.

Website | Twitter

Blog Tour: Renegades by Marissa Meyer (Top Ten Villains)

Nov5

 
 
Hey everyone! I’m so so so so SO excited to be on the blog tour for Renegades by Marissa Meyer! As most of you know by now, I’m a HUGE Marissa Meyer fan, so the second I heard about Renegades, I added it to my TBR. And as soon as the blog tour invite entered my inbox, I POUNCED on it!

Today, I’m going to be sharing with you my Top Ten Villains. But before we get started, here’s more about the book:

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone…except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Goodreads | Amazon

The Book Depository | Kobo |IndieBound

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And now for my post! This is a mix of villains from books and movies. Some of them, I hate to love and others I love to hate. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

10. Nikolai from The Crown’s Game. This was a tough one because he’s not technically a bad guy but… His behavior in The Crown’s Fate left much to be desired. I know WHY he did the things he did, but… To me, he was the bad guy and he didn’t redeem himself enough for me to forgive him by the end of the book.

9. Poison Ivy. I was never a huge comic fan, but I actually really love Poison Ivy. Most of what I know about her, I learned from Batman & Robin. But for whatever reason, I was just always fascinated by her.

8. Harley Quinn. Again, I was never a huge comic fan, and all I know about Harley Quinn is what I saw in the trailor for Suicide Squad, and what I’ve read about her so far in the Super Heroes at Super Hero High series, where she’s still more or less a “good guy.” But like with Poison Ivy, there’s just something fascinating about her. I want to know more about her. I want to know how and why she became a villain – especially since she’s so awesome and good in the Super Heroes at Super Hero High books… I just can’t imagine how she went from that to evil!

7. Tamlin from A Court of Thorns and Roses. You guys… I know a LOT of you may disagree, but I’m confident a strong number will agree. He wasn’t bad in ACOTAR, and I’d even go so far as to say he wasn’t necessarily a bad guy in A Court of Mist and Fury. He was just… stubborn and set in his ways. He held Feyre back. He was so possessive of her, so sure she belonged to him, that he refused to believe she was better off without him. He never treated Feyre like an equal. He never even treated her like a person; rather, he treated her like a possession. And yet in his mind, he was justified. He didn’t see himself as a bad guy, and that’s what made him so scary.

6. The Darkling from Shadow and Bone. He’s the bad guy you can’t help but swoon over, the one you hope ends up on the side of good, who realizes the error of his ways. He’s a master manipulator and it’s hard to tell when he’s being deceitful in order to get his way and when he’s being sincere – something that makes it easy to fall into his trap, to believe his lies and doubt his truths. It makes him very, very scary.

5. Paul from the Mediator series. Oh, Paul… *Rolls eyes.* He let the fact that he was a Mediator go to his head. He saw himself as powerful, as someone who could do no wrong. But he was really just a lonely little boy, craving attention. He kind of redeemed himself at the end of book six, and I ALMOST forgave him for his behavior and for what he tried to do to Jesse. But then Meg Cabot had to go and bring him back in Remembrance, and she had to make him digress, and now I hate him all over again.

4. The Gobling King – more so from the movie Labyrinth, but also a little bit from Wintersong. The Goblin King is the kind of villain that you crave. You hate what he does and how he does it, you hate how he justifies what he does, yet you can’t help but desire him. You can’t help but want to know more about him. And let’s be honest, David Bowie in that role was…

3. Ursula. This one’s an easy one. The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite Disney movie, and who doesn’t hate Ursula for nearly stealing the prince away from our innocent little Ariel? She’s just 100% pure evil – and sometimes, the best villains are just that: pure evil. Also, we’re getting her origin story in 2018, thanks to Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch and I AM SO PUMPED! She’s one of my favorite villains, and I can’t wait to read more about her!

2. Levana from the Lunar Chronicles. The scary thing with Levana is, she actually thinks she’s being a kind, fair ruler, loved by her people. Her mind is so twisted, her sense of right and wrong so warped, she doesn’t even realize she’s doing bad things. And that makes her even more dangerous. It also makes her an epic villain – my favorite kind of villain, honestly. I still wanted to smack her a LOT for how evil and twisted she was. But I also kind of felt bad for her. It was a REALLY strange juxtaposition of feelings.

1. Dolores Umbridge. I mean.. Do I even need to say anything about this one? Let’s break this down: there are a few different types of villains out there – there’s the 100% pure evil villain, like Ursula. And there’s the villain who feels 100% that what they’re doing is right, like Levana. And then there’s Dolores Umbridge. I mean.. *Drops mic.*

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And there you have it! Now tell me: who are your top villains? Which villains do you love to hate and hate to love? Or just plain hate? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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About the Author:
 
 
 
Marissa Meyer is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Heartless and The Lunar Chronicles. She lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and twin daughters. She’s a fan of most things geeky (Sailor Moon, Firefly, any occasion that requires a costume), and has been in love with fairy tales since she was a child. She may or may not be a cyborg.
 
 
 

Website

Guest Review: Ally by Anna Banks

Nov5

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Guest Review: Ally by Anna BanksAlly by Anna Banks
Series: Nemesis #2
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 3, 2017
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use their own trusted resources to find common ground.

But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will they learn whom to trust—including each other—in time to save their kingdoms, their relationship and even their lives?

A message from Meredith: Hey everyone! Today, I have Lissa here with a guest review for Ally by Anna Banks!

You can find Lissa on Twitter!

Without further adieu, here’s Lissa’s review! Enjoy!

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Ally picks up right where we left off in Nemesis (and thank goodness, because I was dying to know what happened next!) As we left our hero and heroine together but not, the story focuses on both their continued relationship struggles and the external political and societal issues. Sepora’s parents come into play in a big way and Sethos’ role increases as well.

There were plenty of swoonworthy and a few sob worthy moments and I was completely invested throughout the whole book. (I read it in nearly one sitting. If only I didn’t need sleep!) There were several twists and turns to keep you on your toes as well.

I will say that I almost want to take a star or half a star off for the new cover. I hate it. If Nemesis had a similar cover when it first came out, I may have skipped it (or waited a really long time to read it) because this cover is boring and unattractive. Luckily, I was already heavily invested in this world and a fan of the author’s writing, so the cover became irrelevant.

But the ending was completely satisfying with a heartwarming epilogue. Highly recommended for fantasy fans, and lovers of great characters. I look forward to seeing what Anna Banks will write next.

five-stars

Guest Review: Nemesis by Anna Banks

Nov4

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Guest Review: Nemesis by Anna BanksNemesis by Anna Banks
Series: Nemesis #1
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 4, 2016
Pages: 359
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king’s servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But Mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift may be able to save Tarik’s kingdom. But should she risk exposing herself and her growing feelings for her nemesis?

A message from Meredith: Hey everyone! Today, I have Lissa here with a guest review for Nemesis by Anna Banks!

You can find Lissa on Twitter!

Without further adieu, here’s Lissa’s review! Enjoy!

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As a long-standing fantasy fan and an extremely character driven reader Nemesis hit all the right buttons with me for a fabulous read.

First up we have a well-developed fantasy world with an interesting blend of magic and science. There is some basis in an Egyptian landscape/society, but it is largely cosmetic. There is extensive world building that makes it the author’s own.

Then you have the characters. Sepora is spunky, and opinionated, and caring and courageous and I adore her. Tarik is at once bemused by and attracted to her spirit and secrets. In addition to his rapport with Sepora, Tarik has his own trials and growth as a character. The supporting characters are well developed and add to the plot and development of the main characters without being blunt cardboard stereotypes.

Plus I am a sucker for animal sidekicks. And both MCs have their furry or not so furry friends.
The stakes in this series are legitimate and unambiguous, with real consequences and moral dilemmas handled realistically by all parties, without being overtly preachy.

Perfect for fantasy fans and lovers of independent minded characters and witty banter. I eagerly await the next book.

five-stars

Review: Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Nov3

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa BashardoustGirls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
Published by Flatiron Books on September 5, 2017
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Frozen meets The Bloody Chamber in this feminist fantasy reimagining of the Snow White fairytale

At sixteen, Mina's mother is dead, her magician father is vicious, and her silent heart has never beat with love for anyone—has never beat at all, in fact, but she’d always thought that fact normal. She never guessed that her father cut out her heart and replaced it with one of glass. When she moves to Whitespring Castle and sees its king for the first time, Mina forms a plan: win the king’s heart with her beauty, become queen, and finally know love. The only catch is that she’ll have to become a stepmother.

Fifteen-year-old Lynet looks just like her late mother, and one day she discovers why: a magician created her out of snow in the dead queen’s image, at her father’s order. But despite being the dead queen made flesh, Lynet would rather be like her fierce and regal stepmother, Mina. She gets her wish when her father makes Lynet queen of the southern territories, displacing Mina. Now Mina is starting to look at Lynet with something like hatred, and Lynet must decide what to do—and who to be—to win back the only mother she’s ever known…or else defeat her once and for all.

Entwining the stories of both Lynet and Mina in the past and present, Girls Made of Snow and Glass traces the relationship of two young women doomed to be rivals from the start. Only one can win all, while the other must lose everything—unless both can find a way to reshape themselves and their story.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass was SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!! I loved everything about it – the plot, the characters, and the writing. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017, and it definitely did NOT disappoint!

I absolutely loved Mina. I know we’re supposed to dislike her, as the Evil Queen, but you guys know I LOVE a good villain/villain origin story, so I was completely fascinated by Mina’s story. She was so strong and fierce! I hated how her father and the people of the north treated her, though. At times, you could see the scared, vulnerable little girl hiding beneath the crown. She wanted nothing more than to be loved, yet she couldn’t see the love that was right in front of her.

Lynet was an interesting character, but I found some of her scenes a little more boring compared to Mina’s. About 60% into the story, it really started to slow down and I got to a point where I only wanted Mina’s POV. But things definitely picked up as the book went on, and Lynet came to be a strong character with plenty of fight in her. I LOVED how her story ended!

I loved the relationship between Mina and Lynet – I know that’s weird to say, when we all know how the original Snow White fairy tale ended. But this book allowed us to see a different side to both girl and queen. It was a refreshing take, and always had me on the edge of my seat – always wondering how the author was going to get from where the characters were in this story to where they were in the original fairy tale. It didn’t seem possible, but the author pulled it off in an intriguing, masterful way!

I really liked Nadia, despite not fully trusting her. There was just something about her that made me feel suspicious – and then the revelation about her confirmed my suspicions. Yet I still liked her. I really liked the relationship between her and Lynet. It was a slow burn, but it was worth it – the way things ended, it was SO satisfying. And I loved the way Nadia’s story ended in general.

Nicholas was a complete and total ass. He didn’t truly love his daughter, he was just mourning the loss of his wife and trying desperately to recreate her via his daughter. I also hated the way he treated Mina. It’s one thing to mourn the loss of someone, it’s another to forget about the living – or treat them terribly – because of that loss. Gregory, also, was a disgusting ass – but that was less of a surprise, so the gross things he did were only mildly shocking.

The only character I don’t have a lot to say about is Felix. I was intrigued by him in the beginning, and then he lost my interest. He lacked a personality and despite understanding why, I just reached a point where I didn’t care for him or his story anymore.

I loved the way many things in this story mirrored (see what I did there?) the original fairy tale, but I also loved the creative liberty the author took – I was never a huge fan of the story of Snow White, but this book made me SO happy!

Overall, if you couldn’t tell from my super rambly review (seriously, sorry if this review is rambly and wordy and weird – I loved this book so much, I couldn’t really articulate how I felt about it), I absolutely adored this book!!! I can count on one hand how many books I TRULY loved this year, and this is one of them! I HIGHLY recommend it to those who love fairy tale retellings! I can’t wait to see what Melissa Bashardoust does next!

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Favorite Quotes/moments:

“Lynet always saw Mina as a flame, something fierce and fearless and regal” (US Hardcover, page 74). This perfectly describes Mina.

“Cold as snow, sharp as glass.” (US Hardcover, page 205)

four-half-stars

Spotlight Post: Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne is out in one week!

Oct31

Hey everyone! In just one week, Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne (November 7, 2017 – Disney-Hyperion) will be released to the masses! It looks incredible and I can’t wait to read it! If you haven’t heard about it yet, check out more details below!

A healer who cannot be healed . . .

When Zivah falls prey to the deadly rose plague, she knows it’s only a matter of time before she fully succumbs. Now she’s destined to live her last days in isolation, cut off from her people and unable to practice her art—until a threat to her village creates a need that only she can fill.

A soldier shattered by war . . .

Broken by torture at the hands of the Amparan Empire, Dineas thirsts for revenge against his captors. Now escaped and reunited with his tribe, he’ll do anything to free them from Amparan rule—even if it means undertaking a plan that risks not only his life but his very self.

Thrust together on a high-stakes mission to spy on the capital, the two couldn’t be more different: Zivah, deeply committed to her vow of healing, and Dineas, yearning for vengeance. But as they grow closer, they must find common ground to protect those they love. And amidst the constant fear of discovery, the two grapple with a mutual attraction that could break both of their carefully guarded hearts.

This smart, sweeping fantasy with a political edge and a slow-burning romance will capture fans of The Lumatere Chronicles and An Ember in the Ashes.

Goodreads | Amazon

The Book Depository | Kobo | IndieBound

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About the Author:
 
New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne wrote her first novel while she was a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she conducted research on the neuroscience of reading acquisition in children. Upon graduation, she switched to writing full time, which also involves getting into people’s heads but without the help of a three tesla MRI scanner.

Website | Twitter

Facebook | Instagram | Wattpad

Spotlight Post: Surviving Book Conventions

Oct30

 
Hey everyone! I have something fun for you today! As a book blogger and publicist, I’ve been to a handful of book conventions, including BEA and ALA Midwinter. So when Vegas.com contacted me, asking if I’d share my tips for surviving conventions, I jumped on the idea!

Love N. Vegas is an annual book convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to their website, it’s a “prominent book signing convention, bringing influential authors together in one location.” The 2017 convention took place this past weekend (Oct. 27th-29th). If you missed it, check out my tips below and then head over to Love N. Vegas’s website to find out more about the 2018 convention! And definitely check out deals for traveling to Vegas if you decide to attend another convention or expo in the big city!

Please note: This is a sponsored/non-paid post. Love N. Vegas simply provided the post idea and I took it from there. With that being said, let’s get started!!

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1. Dress professionally (or at least appropriately), but wear comfortable shoes. You never know who you might meet at conventions, or who you could potentially network with – you want people to remember you for the RIGHT reasons, just in case your paths cross again! However, convention center floors are typically made of concrete and SUPER uncomfortable, and you’re going to be on your feet for hours. So if you don’t wear something comfy on your feet, you’ll DEFINITELY regret it.

2. Bring an external battery charger. Convention centers typically don’t have a large number of outlets for personal use, if any at all. And public charging stations are often packed – and can sometimes be dangerous. Not to mention, it seems that most convention centers are black holes that suck out all your phone’s battery within an hour or less. Plus, if you use your phone to take pictures or share things on social media, your battery will drain even faster. Since your phone is your lifeline for meeting up with friends and tracking any last-minute signing time/location changes, you’ll be in trouble if it dies on you.

3. Bring snacks!!! Convention center food is – often but not always – yucky and over-priced. Plus, you’ll be spending a LOT of time waiting in signing lines, and you might have to rush from one signing to another, with no time for food in between. Bring granola bars, dried fruit, trail mix, candy bars – whatever will be yummy and satisfying. Personally, I like granola bars that have peanut butter and lots of protein because they’re filling. Also, while water is your absolute best option, some drinks like Gatorade and Vitamin Water do have electrolytes, which also help keep you from becoming dehydrated.

4. Remember that authors are people, too. They’re going to be signing hundreds of books for hundreds of people, sometimes for hours at a time. Don’t get upset if an author looks/sounds tired or isn’t up for chatting or taking pictures. Be kind and respectful to them and thank them for their time. They’ll remember that kindness and appreciate it! (Personal story: At BEA one year, an author had an hour signing that ended up lasting four hours! At some point, she begged our forgiveness and ran for a bathroom break. She came back and finished signing. No one gave her a hard time).

5. Don’t be an ARC/book/swag hog. I know it’s tempting to grab every single free item you can get your hands on, just because you can. But ARCs/books are often in short supply, as is swag. What if you grab something you’re only mildly interested in and, because of that, someone who was dying for it can’t get a copy? Better yet, what if YOU desperately want something and every copy is gone by the time you try to get it because every person who was mildly interested in it just grabbed it? Also, equally (if not more) important: Don’t grab multiple copies of the same book, or multiple pieces of the same piece of swag! Same logic – it deprives others who might desperately want it.

6. Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet (see also: avoid foul language and inappropriate jokes). Remember, conventions are busy/crazy/hectic. Everyone is running around, going from signing to signing and panel to panel. Workers are trying to keep chaos to a minimum. Sometimes, adrenaline can run high and tempers can be easily triggered. But everyone wants the same thing – to enjoy the convention and have fun!

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So there you have it! My advice to you on how to survive a convention! Now go forth and become convention pros! Also, if you’ve attended any conventions, let me know in the comments, and share any advice you have for convention newbies!

Spotlight Post: Dream Reading Nook

Oct25

Hey everyone! Today, I have something a little bit different to share with you. I was recently given a post idea that I just had to say yes to – a discussion of my dream reading nook! First off, if you haven’t heard of Arhaus, they were founded in 1986 with “a passion to provide unique, high quality, well designed home furnishings.”

After checking out their site, I fell in love with a few pieces, which fueled my desire to write this post! All the pieces pictured below can be found on their website.

Please note: This is a sponsored/non-paid post. Arhaus simply provided the post idea and I took it from there. With that being said, let’s get started!!

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When I picture my dream reading nook, I think about having one whole room as a library. I picture one wall with two oversize windows, so there’s plenty of natural light. Between those two windows, I see

If this doesn’t give you Belle’s Library feels, you aren’t a true Disney Book Nerd. This bookcase is absolutely stunning! It has this old english library feel to it, and I can see my bookish decor fitting perfectly on the end units.

On the wall opposite the windows, I would place this gorgeous, comfy looking  
The Arhaus website description of this piece includes the following: “Luxurious yet extremely durable Belgian linen envelopes our exclusive, spring-supported, down-blend cushions, creating deep, “sink-into” seating.” I used to be able to read in bed, but in the last few years, the most comfortable place for me to read is on the couch. So this “sink-into” couch with an extra long end piece for reclining is EXACTLY what I need. I can picture myself curling into this couch with fluffy blankets, bookish pillows, and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, rainy day, and doing nothing but read for hours on end. Arhaus has a HUGE selection of bookshelf being a perfect fit:

The color is sleek and elegant. and would display my absolute favorite, most precious books.

One of the empty walls would house all my bookish posters, bookmarks, postcards, prints, etc. Then, the final wall would be home to this stunning

This shelf is gorgeous and would fit in well with the other pieces. I love the cabinets, which would be great to keep blankets and pillows when not in use.

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And there you have it – my dream reading nook! What’s YOUR dream reading nook?
What pieces would you want? Where would you place them? Share in the comments below!