BOOK TAG| Game of Thrones Tag

I don't really get tagged, nor do I tend to tag people. I just find these really fun to do. If you fancy doing it, I tag you! Just leave a comment with your link and I'll take a look.

I can't guarantee that this is spoiler free. This post is dark and full of spoilers. Sorry, not sorry. 

Let's get going. 

1) How did you discover the series/books?

I've always seen the books around, going into Waterstones and other book chains and seeing the covers, and freaking out at the sheer size of them. And then the TV show happened, I saw a few episode when season 2 (?) was airing. It wasn't until Christmas 2014 that I really became obsessed. I recorded and binged series 1-4 in less than two days, and then begun  reading the first book in the series. Now, I'm all caught up, on both sides.

2) Who is your all-time favorite character?

JAIME FOOKIN' LANNISTER!

No matter my mood, it always comes back to Jaime. I just find him so fascinating to read, watch and discuss. I feel like I should give Sansa some more love, but Jaime still wins out. 

3) Who is your favorite side character?

Ooosh.. this one is trickier. Is Bronn a side character? I'm one for comic relief when needed, and Bronn brings that and doesn't pull it to ridiculous extremes. 

4) If you could magically resurrect a character by sacrificing another character, who would you sacrifice and who would you bring back?

I wouldn't so much resurrect another character by sacrificing another character, but if I COULD bring one character back to life it would be Catelyn Stark. For the role she goes on to play in the books. 

5) You're a person of the Night's Watch, who would you break your oath of chastity for? 

Oof? Tempted to be cheeky and say Podrick Payne- I want to know what he did to those whores. 

6) Dragon or Direwolf? Which would you rather have by your side?

Dragon. I have a collection of statue dragons that go on my bookshelf, because I love that much. Dragons.

7) Which character would you most like to portray on television?

Brienne of Tarth is my go to answer. 

8) What is your favorite moment of the books/series?

Oh shit, there are so many! 
TV show wise? Maybe when Nikolaj Coster-Waldau delivered Jaime's speech in baths during series 3. Stole the whole series for me. That's when I knew Jaime Lannister was my favourite character. Now I think about it same book wise too.

9) Who do you think deserves to sit on the Iron Throne by the end of the series?

I don't think there will be an Iron Throne at the end of this. 

10) What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming book/season?

In the books, I am looking forward to seeing how the Lady Stoneheart storyline progresses with Jaime and Brienne. Also, the "Targaryen" that Tyrion encounters at the end of AFoC/beginning of ADWD.  How GRRM handles the white walker threat in comparison to the TV show.
Tv show, Jaime finally away from that poison of his life, Cersei Lannister.

If you watch the show and/or read the books and haven't yet done this tag- I tag you!

WRAP UP| Apr-May '17

I've had quite a good reading quarter, even with deadlines around every corner (promise, this is the last time I'll mention it).

I am in a current state of writing reviews for most of the books I've read over the last three months. 

April

The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3)
Samantha Shannon
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I made the mistake of reading this the day before leaving Uni. I was emotionally wrecked. So good! 

I spoke to Samantha Shannon about this, and she said why I might not have liked it as much as I LOVED The Mime Order. If her theory is true, then I am going to be OBSESSED with book 4.

Strange the Dreamer (Muse of Nightmares #1)

Laini Taylor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

Find on Goodreads

This might just be a new favourite of mine. Everything that I wanted this to be it became. And more.

If you love myths, fairy tales, lost tales, heart-wrenching stories and lyrical writing- get to this one, and quick!

Nobody Told Me: Poetry and Parenthood
Hollie McNish
⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Required reading for University.

This one took me by surprise. Why were we being made to read a book about parenthood and children?

Torchwood Tales (Audible Exclusives #1-7)

Various Authors

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- The Sin Eaters

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- In the Shadows 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- Hidden

⭐⭐⭐

- Department X

⭐⭐

- Everyone Says Hello

⭐⭐⭐

- Ghost Train

⭐⭐⭐⭐

- Army of One

⭐⭐⭐

Torchwood: World Without End
John Barrowman, Carole Barrowman
⭐

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This was written by the man who knows the characters, arguably, the best. Captain Jack Harkness. So, why did this suck?

This needed to be longer, a graphic novel rather than a bind up of a few issues. This one will definitely have a review coming up soon- my most disappointing read of the year so far.

May

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
Sarah J. Maas
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Find on Goodreads


Well, this conclusion has been rather polarizing. A lot of people loving it and others that just hated it. I was- meh?

The first half was fantastic, and then it went to shit. Again, another one where I'm in the middle of editing a review for this. But, I'm indifferent to it. It wasn't going to live up to ACOMAF, was it?

Champion

Marie Lu

⭐⭐

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Its been about a over a year since I started Legend, just under a year since I read prodigy, so why did I think it a good idea to read the final book in the trilogy? Who knows?

I was lost for most of this story, to be honest. That was a given. The only thing that gave this book the rating I did was the fact that it was a unique ending to a dystopia. One that I haven't read before in YA.

A Dance with Dragons 2: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5.2)
George R.R. Martin
⭐⭐⭐

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I've had this on my "Currently Reading" tab on Goodreads for probably 18 months, and I was just sick of seeing it on there. I read it. Pushed myself to read it as fast as I could. It was like Hell- all my least favourite POVs. 

Where was Dany? Arya? Sansa? Cersei? I needed my woman!

Stardust

Neil Gaiman

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I listened to the audiobook for this one. Read by Neil Gaiman.

I think it would have been interesting if the movie kept the intended audience for the film as much as the book. The good ol' tradition that fairy tales are for children only.

I really did like this one. 

Books I Have Taken To Uni With Me!

As you are all aware I moved to Bangor, Wales on the 18th September in the attempt of my actually studying and pushing myself in the art of writing. And here I am, practically friendless and making it worse by how hard I am finding it to socialise. 

I am so socially awkward that Dan Howell looks like the most sociable man in Britain.

But, in the hopes of pretending that I am not alone, I thought I would share in the glory that is my minuscule bookshelf.

The first two on the list are both of the same series:

A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows (A Darker

Shade of Magic #1&2)

V.E.Schwab

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I bought these during my "Summer Holiday"- my copy of ADSOM is actually signed by Vee.

I asked her if she would write a little message in order to stop me procrastinating about everything. Which really is what I am doing by writing this post- procrastinating about making friends.

The Bone Clocks 
David Mitchell

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Currently, I am on page 262 out of 613 pages and I started this a long long while back. I thought it would be best if I brought it with me so I can finish it.
That hasn't worked so far.

But, at least it has made my shelf look nicer. Seriously.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Sarah J. Maas

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Another one that I had started before I left but never finished because, I had so many other books to finish before I left otherwise I would have had to bring another 4 books.

Real not good.

No spoilers either please.

Caraval (Untitled #1)

Stephanie Garber

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I received an advanced readers copy of Caraval back in June,  and still haven't been able to pick it up and read it.

Of course, it had to come.

Out: 31st Jan, 2017

Frostblood

Elly Blake

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Another ones of those amazing ARC's that I have been sent by Hodder & Stoughton to review. I have no clue really about what his book is about but hopefully I'll get to find out soon and share all my new knowledge with you guise.

Sabriel
Garth Nix

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Mum bought me this for my 18th birthday after writing her a small list of books that were at the top of my radar in terms of what I wanted to read next.
So at least I got a small piece of mum with me.


Sort of.

The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton

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I bought this with me the last time I was in Wales on a writers retreat back in February. I only ended up reading 50 or so pages due to staying up way past our bedtimes in order to talk and get to know everybody.

Let's hope it doesn't sit on my shelf until I go back to London in July of 2017, aye?

Angelfall (Penryn and the End of Day #1)
Susan Ee

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I got a copy of this after winning a giveaway some point in the summer last year and like many others was never got to. Although, a couple months later my friend ended up buying me the whole trilogy for cheap in the The Works.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

Laini Taylor

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I read this some point last year and never did finish this trilogy despite what I thought of Laini's beautiful writing. I did try and start the third and final instalment this summer and just didn't understand where the story was at. So time for a reread.

This is all in prayers that I get this trilogy read and reviewed before Laini's new book is released next year in March. EEEEEK! I'm so excited.

Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1)

Phillip Pullman

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This is another one that has been on my TBR in like forever; if it weren't for Georgina (*wink wink* Yeah, you!!) I probably would have left it on there for a little bit longer.

Also, let's all thank Ma seeing as she's the one who made the official purchase.

A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5.5)

George R.R Martin

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I had such determination to read ADWD but, GRRM has just left me in a waiting mood. Seriously, just write the god damn books. I don't like the thought of finishing this one and never getting the next. At least now it's suspended as there will always be one to read.

Fine. Fine. I'll read it okay?

The Sin Eater's Daughter (The Sin Eater's Daughter #1)
Melinda Salisbury

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Tried reading this one earlier this year and couldn't quite get into it. It was Karen over at ASimpleCupofTea that has made me want to give this another go.

Samantha Shannon seems to be a fan of the books as well so maybe?

The Lie Tree

Frances Hardinge

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Don't know a great deal about this one except that it won the Costa book awards for 2015...

So, there you go. All the book that I have taken with me. I will say that already since writing this post that I have gone and purchased four more books. FML, I am just book trash. Whoops.

TBR| June 2016

I have this thing where I tend to start a book, put it down and then pick up another one. As you could imagine that leaves a lot of books that are stuck with a bookmark in the middle of it and my diminishing collection. It just meant that books I had on preorder and anticipation became priority and they never got picked back up again.

By that quick introduction it should be pretty clear that I'm going to try finishing some books that I started a while ago and just never finished- even though, they were REALLY GOOD! 

Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2)

Gena Showalter

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On Page 229 of 480

I read the first book way back in the summer of last year and enjoyed it for the most part (my review here). Started this one and the romance just began to take over the plot of what was happening to Ali. 

Typical second-book-love-triangle-YA!

WOW! That was a type-ful.

A Dance with Dragons 2: After the Feast (A Song of Ice and Fire #5)

George R.R, Martin

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On Page 113 of 493

I started this some point around Christmas and put it back down after a hundred pages or so. Thought I would hold it off til later this year in case the news of Wind of Winter's release date was shed to light. As of June 7th, no new news has come about that confirms he has finished writing the god-damn-book. I may as well just finish the series as it stands then.

I tend to get through these books pretty easily as long as I have a good day to myself to read. Since I'm close to graduating 6th form college-- I think I'll have plenty of that.

I have others that have been put on my currently-reading list on Goodreads that need to be finished up but I think these are priority, in terms of how long ago I started these. There are two more that I started last month but have yet to finish due to revising for my final exams.

Uprooted
Naomi Novik

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On Page 109 of 448

I picked this up around the time that I got sent my ARC of Nevernight by HarperVoyagerUK so I ended up putting this one day in order to speed through the other book.

Also, it did take me a little while to get into it. Not much happens until I decided to put it down.

Nevernight (The Nevernight Chronicles #1)

Jay Kristoff

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On Page 387 of 643 

In fact, this is a book that I am just continuing on from the end of may. I am savouring every moment of this new book- definitely a new favourite read.

I want to really organize a read-a-long around about the release of Nevernight- let me know if you would be interested. Before I started planning. I don't want to seem like the only person taking part in my own read-a-long!

          

As well as this I think I may be able to fit in some more reads in the last week or two of this month. I mean as of June 18th I no longer have to attend any more lessons til I'm at Bangor this September.

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files 0_1)

Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

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I am in the mood for a real quick sci-fi book as of right now and reading Jay Kristoff's novel Nevernight, I have just fell in love with his writing. 

So I think this will hit that spot.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)

Leigh Bardugo

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This is one of the challenges and series that I wanted to complete for this summer- get on and reading the Grisha Trilogy. I really want to go on and read Six of Crows but, something tells me that I ought to read these first.

See-- at least I've made the first step by putting these on my tbr for this month. In theory I should be able to read one a month.

Let me know what you plan on reading this month,

Tag| The Big Book Tag

As a fantasy reader, it is better known that our books are often them  tomes that we leave unread because of the time commitments. I know that's how it is with my TBR anyway.

The idea of this tag is to name five of the biggest books that you have read and two books that is on your current TBR pile because they are just too big and intimidating. I will be listing these in accending order-- so let's begin!

**DISCLAIMER: I am not the creator of this tag but, I will list the creator at the bottom of this post along with a link to their booktube channel.**

1. Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)
Sarah J. Maas

Page count: 645 pages

To be honest, if Maas wanted to write a 2000 page novel I would probably still read it. This was definitely a jump in terms of Maas' average of 400 pages.

2. Warbreaker 

Brandon Sanderson

Page Count: 652 pages

My first ever Sanderson novel!!

And one I appreciate all the same. Honestly, if you haven't picked up one of his books yet-- where have you been for the last decade?

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1)
Cassandra Clare

Page count: 668 pages

Two years I waited for this monster-- not a big as I thought it was with the initial teasing of 800 pages long. Just like Maas, if Cassie wrote a novel that was neverending I would life out my life reading quite merrily.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix (Harry Potter #5)
J.K. Rowling

Page count: 766 pages

Many a fond memory reading these books. But I just want to focus on that cover, these are new edition released in both paperback and hardback over here in the UK some point during 2014/15?

A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3)
George R.R. Martin

Page count: 1177 pages

Because the UK split this book in two I am cheating a little bit. But either way, this has got to be the largest novel that I have read to date.







And now onto the two books that I have YET to read and are also a bit on the chunkier side:

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Susanna Clarke

Page count: 1,006

I picked this up after watching the first episode over christmas one year. 
It's been like a year since that. Oops.

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Marissa Meyer

Page count: 823 pages

WOW! Meyer took quite a leap in terms of page count didn't she. One of the many reasons why I am so scared to pick it up- not just because it's the last book of the series.

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favourite "Supernatural" Characters

This week is "Halloween freebie" so in great style I choose to convey some awesome and hot fiction "supernatural" characters that I've read over recent years.

1.

Magnus Bane (The Bane Chronicles)
Cassandra Clare

Magnus... Magnus... my bffl... I truely believe he'd be my best friend, if the word "fictional" didn't hold us back. I mean, who wouldn't want a warlock who gave "great" fashion advice and get you a cup of coffee with the click of his fingers?

2.

Manon Blackbeak (Throne of Glass #3)

Manon is cruel, manipulative and calculative; yet, she still has a honorable heart and that's why I love her.

3.
Dracula (Bram Stoker's Dracula)

I STILL haven't read the full novel by Bram Stoker. But, no "supernatural" character list isn't complete without where the ideology of Vampirism started to mold into today's modern literature.

4.

 Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

By the Couldren! Am I blushing?

No! Never, it just got unbelievably hot in here.

5.
Ridley Duchannes (Dangerous Creatures #1)

Ridley- the bad ass Dark Caster. She's was just so fun to read about. A bad influence on any person, just make sure you don't jump off a cliff.

Okay, so the next couple aren't your typical "vampire, werewolf" supernatural character, however I disagree and think they count. After all, they are all beyond human.

6.

Lightsong (Warbreaker)

At this point, I haven't finished Warbreaker. What I do know about Lightsong is limited, but I love how Sanderson uses him to break the convention he has created. Creating this lighter humerous character to move away from the stronger, more serious plot parts.

7. Warden (The Bone Season #1)

Samantha Shannon does mention his actual name- but I forgot and I'm lazy.

This is the part where we have to consecutive cuties. Warden isn't strictly your typical "supernatural" hottie. Even so, there is something quite brooding about Warden.

8.

 Dimitri Belikov (Vampire Academy #1)

The second hottie... sorry, I meant cutie.

Who wouldn't put Dimitri Belikov on this list. He counts- born of Moroi and human blood. Plus, muscles, russian accent, caring and adorable. Yup, he qualifies. I checked.

9.
Karou (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)

The blue haired girl who learned the power of teeth. All the way through reading Karou's story I could feel the power of Karou and the will to keep going to reach the dream of lovers.

10.

Melisandre (A Game of Thrones #2)

"For the night is dark and full of terrors."

She's not "supernatural" in the sense we mean but I wanted to include her in this, because of the things that surrounds her. The shadow of Stannis in partake in Renly etc... They're elements of magic that centres on her it's just not explict "she has magic" but the things she can do add to that.

REVIEW: A Feast for Crows ( A Song of Ice and Fire #4)

A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire #4)

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

DISCLAIMER: This is a sequel book and review could contain mild spoilers of which I had no intensions to be.



My thoughts:

I haven't reviewed the first books in the series but here's a quick run down of my previous ratings:

- A Game of Thrones: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- A Clash of Kings: ⭐⭐⭐
- A Storm of Swords: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I went into this not expecting much. Other people's reviews leaving me skeptical as a decline was sure heading this way. Being "boring" and a "poorly written" follow up.

And I disagree. Quite a lot, actually.

Book 2&3 are more battle orientated, history heavy and dangerous in a vicious Valar Morghulis kind of way.

AFfC isn't quite like that. It's a far more slower pace, mulling over and covering the political intrigue as we watch them evaluate the line of battles and war; as all those left are repositioning the pawns on the chess battlefield. Which is why I can understand why people would't like this. But I loved all the political play.

The cast of POV characters are more focal on those left on Westeros. Allowing the exploration of new plotlines from the Iron Islands and Dorne, as well as letting us into the overly paranoid mind of Cersei Lannister. Or should I say overly drunk mind- let's say she's almost as fond of Arbor Gold than Jaime.

Oh Jaime! Oh Brienne, our Maiden of Tarth! How I ship you two, beats me? Considering all the underlying thoughts of one another in the opposite POV. Jaime even defending Brienne at one point!?! The only thing i'll guiltily allow myself to is this singular OTP.

All I will say is this felt like we've reached the eye of the storm- and Winter is Coming. Fast.