Where Have I Been?

Hello! 

*looks at date of my last post* 

Well... This is awkward. 

QUARTERLY TBR| Jan- Mar '17

If you couldn't tell, last year I failed miserably at any form of TBR that I made. I know. I know. I suck. So, I thought this year would be different. I know quite a few people have switched to using TBR's based on the season, however, I find that messy when Winter crosses over into the new year. So I'm going to break down the year into each quarter.

I wanted to stick at TBR's because I just find it a nice way to give you an idea of what sort of reading mood I'm in as well as what reviews are to be expected.

Anyway, enough beating around the bush, let's talk books.

January:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4)
J.K. Rowling

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I don't know what it is that made me do it but, New Years Day I got the audiobook up on Audible and started to reread. I began rereading these last year and only got up to Chamber of Secrets.

I wanted the minimal contact we get with Bill Weasley. And I got that. And then went on a Domhnall Gleeson {plays Bill Weasley in Deathly Hallows) rampage and rewatched all my favourite Gleeson films. Help me. Merlin's Beard!

And yes, by the time this post goes up I would have already finished this one.

Pantomime (Micah Grey #1)

Laura Lam

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I got sent this for review from UKTor. That was in November. If you couldn't tell there will be a theme of books that I've let myself get behind on because, I have decided to focus on a degree and binging tv shows.

This book has been compared to The Night Circus but, with what I understand as LGBTQ+ representation. I am intrigued and cannot wait to review this one for you.

A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1)

V.E. Schwab

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You know that book you've had on your shelf for ages and have every intention of reading but, you just won't. Not because you aren't excited for it but because you know just how much you will love it.

Every book I have read by V in the past I have loved. I love the themes she explores, the characters she writes and I also am a bit in love with her. (Her tweets are the most relatable 140 characters ever!!) 

All I know is:  Kell is a traveller. One of the last who can jump through parallel Londons. Red, White and Grey. Black London is non-existent?  

That is all I need to know and all I want to know. This is the month I take the plunge back into another of V's worlds. It's been too long.

February:

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)

V,E, Schwab

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Yup, may as well binge the entire series. This is the continuation to book one. And with the final book in the series coming out towards the end of the month I may as well not stop there. 

I don't know anything about this one due to trying to keep spoilers down to a minimum.

I will be trying to write a non-spoiler review either way.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)

J.K. Rowling

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Seeing as it is the 10th Anniversary of the publiction of Deathly Hallows I am going to try and read a book a month. I will probably stop here and read HBP and DH in June and July unless I get that weird desperate desire like I did at the start of the year.

If I remember correctly this was my third favourite book and movie, so it would just be interesting to see how it compares as my views have changed since I last reread this.

Champion (Legend #3)

Marie Lu

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I have been saying on this blog I have wanted to finish this trilogy for the longest of times. Since last summer?

I'm not at the point where if I don't read this soon I may need to reread the first two book in order to understand the plot of this one. I'm not at the point, yet.

I won't rehash what this trilogy is about. It's an older series that surfaced back in 2012 and the great renaissance of dystopian YA.

I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS SERIES. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!

March:

A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3)

V.E. Schwab

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Alas, here we have it. The final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. 

This ones doesn't come out until the end of Feb so, it won't get read until the start of March I don't think. 

Again, don't want to know anything on what happens because spoilers for the other books. Just know how excited I am and how my heart is going to break. It always shatters after I finish a book by V.

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)

Laini Taylor

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As you will see March will be the month where I am scrambling to squeeze in all the exciting new releases that I we have coming out.

Strange the Dreamer is one of my most anticipated books that is being released in this first half of the year. Honestly, Laini Taylor is one of my favourite writers for beautiful prose.

I still have no idea what this book is about but, I don't care. I am being sold just by the fact the Laini's name is printed on the cover. I am terrible.

The Song Rising (The Bone Season #3)

Samantha Shannon

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It's been two years since I finished reading  The Bone Season and it's sequel. So good that I binged them over the space of a week. And, yes, I regret every moment.

Why?

Because, I've been cruelly clinging onto the ending of book two ever since. The fact that I remember the ending so vibrantly this far along and a hundred books read in between really says a lot. 

I just hope I'm not left disappointed. Really. That would be soul crushing.

And there you will have it. My TBR for the next three months. Kept to a reasonable amount and not too overly ambitious. However, I am hoping to try squeeze in some more reading, as I am really trying this year to stop relying on TV and movies. Just need to keep pushing to get those few extra pages read.

REVIEW| Replica

Replica (Replica #1) 
Lauren Oliver

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals since she was born. 'A sickly child', her lonely life to date has revolved around her home, school and one best friend, Alice. But when she discovers her father's connection to the top secret Haven research facility, currently hitting the headlines and under siege by religious fanatics, Gemma decides to leave the sanctuary she's always known to find the institute and determine what is going on there and why her father's name seems inextricably linked to it.

Amidst the frenzy outside the institute's walls, Lyra - or number 24 as she is known as at Haven - and a fellow experimental subject known only as 72, manage to escape. Encountering a world they never knew existed outside the walls of their secluded upbringing , they meet Gemma and, as they try to understand Haven's purpose together, they uncover some earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls forever...

Review:

At first glance, Replica comes off as a book that is perhaps about two girls from two different sides of the metaphorical school "court". Although, their lives differ they are too "replica's" of the situations they face throughout their lives. Even if, this wasn't your initial thoughts, I know that these were certainly mine. Since then, I've read the synopsis and by default the entire thing.

Actually the cover artist has done a great job of getting the feel for the content of the book across to a potential reader. On one side is Lyra, in a bold, solid pretty pink and purple butterfly; the better at suggesting a character that is confident in their identity. Something we acknowledge early on in Lyra's chapters; she knows who she is, what she is-- a replica, a clone. On the other side is Gemma, in a mellow underconfident orange with a teal butterfly. Gemma has always known she was different which Oliver really gets across in her unsureness of who she thinks she is. 


I've never really got on with Oliver's work just because her content has never been anything that takes my interest. And then she wrote Replica. Lauren Oliver has something I would call:  an "old-fashioned" story teller narrative. It's paired down enough not to be overcomplicated and divide our attension from the point she is trying to get across but, still holds enough detail to paint a picture and for us as readers to gain enough data about who our protagonists and side-characters are.  This simplistic writing style worked really well, with the story that Oliver was telling. It made it all the more raw and heartbreaking and left my heart shattered. 

Releases: 8th Oct, 2016

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| AMAZON UK | AMAZON US | BOOK DEPO |

REVIEW| Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
Leigh Bardugo

⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Review:

My edition is the one that was published right back in 2012, when Idigo and Leigh changed the title for "The Gathering Dark" into what we know as "Shadow and Bone". And honestly my most favourite edition based on the soft matte grey cover. Now, I sort of regret it because it doesn't match up with the rest of the trilogy. But, that's me just being shallow.

I felt that this book lacked plot originality and was very formulaic. When something was brought up in the plot, I ended up guessing exactly what was going to happen at the end goal of the plot vice. And I just ended up loosing some enjoyment from that, it wasn't exciting to read because I knew what was going to happen. There was still an element of these books being like a guilty pleasure read and this was because of Leigh's characters. I knew I shouldn't have fallen in love with The Darkling but come on! Who hasn't? He was just such an intriguing character to read about. That dark and brooding past that just oooooooooozes power? I know that Alina will grow into a strong and prominent protagonist for this trilogy. If there is one thing Leigh can right is characters that leap of the page and have me interested in their story, even though the story itself was average and typical YA.


I'd recommend for those who are interested in reading fantasy YA and don't want to throw themselves into the deep end with something like Throne of Glass or Lord of the Rings. Leigh Bardugo's writing is easily accessible to readers who maybe aren't used to the poetic prose that often comes with the genre, mixing in mild Russian fairy tale in writing suited to a larger contemporary audience.

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REVIEW| Uprooted

Uprooted
Naomi Novik

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows - everyone knows - that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn't, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her. But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose. 

REVIEW:

I'm sorry but since when have both the US and the UK publishing houses decided that they are going to make fantastically gorgeous covers? Whereas, the US gets the same cover as it did in it's Hardcover format, the UK (PanMacmillan/TOR UK) decided that they wanted to go for a little redesign. Guys, the last cover was B-E-A-U-Tiful but this one I feel works a little better as a first impression when exposing the reader to the plot and writing of the novel. This one takes on a more contemporary design for a story that feels old as time. The progression lines are put across page reminds me of the popular Eastern European of papercutting, simple and elegant with the addition of the gold foil that screams of that old tomeness.

Plot-wise, overall this book was fast paced but wasn't that set pace that felt overly rushed. In fact, in some places, it actually felt really slow even though a lot was happening within the plot. Often I found myself trying to guess what direction that Naomi was taking the plot, I often found that it was taken into a completely different turn and left me flat palming my face, going "HOW DID I NOT GET THAT!" 

If I wasn't truthful I would say that I fell in love with Agnieszka right away but that would be false press. It took a while for me to understand Neiska. And when I did that was when I was more intrigued by what was going on in the plot, the relationship between the "Dragon" and herself. I mean I was mentally involved in that relationship and not gonna lie but I'd happily snog the Dragon. 

One thing that I have admired is Novik's ability to slip and swerve into various prose and  just as effective as the last. A novel that not only breaks the fold of the softened fairy tales, chosen to be told to children today, yet also presents a story deep with roots of family and friendship loyalty that I think everyone could take away with them, old and young. Although, there is a little racy seen that may not be as suitable for that younger reader-- you can wait kids!

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REVIEW| Illuminae

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files 0_1)
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis: 

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Review:

You know--this must be the first orange cover that I own. Literally. I don't even think I own a yellow book. They just never appeal to me, cover and content wise. Books that usually have the bright yellow and orange covers tend to be in the contempory of the YA section at Waterstones. But, after reading Nevernight something told me that I should give this one ago. So I bought it, the only copy left in my local Waterstones.

However, my lack of love for the colour of orange doesn't compare nor come into how much I love this cover. It's simple but effective, summerizing the content of Illuminae. Three simple layers. Articles from the "hacked" documents build the foundation, layered ontop is the bold orange space theme and then the scratched and block of white and black to paste on the authors and the name of the book. I think this is just a great example of a budget book cover done right, with still the same level of thought gone into it as one that requires three different artist for a decent outcome.

*applauds*

Now. The book.

You know when you read a book written by two different authors and you can just tell who wrote what. My biggest fear going into a co-authored novel. Not at any point did I question what was what even when voice changed into these unknown voices documenting surveillance footage. I think the choice of format worked in favour of not having to mask writing style for 600 pages of prose.

I think the hacked documents helped to speed the plot onwards because although there was descriptions they were stripped back to the minimum and so well ingrained so that they didn't become clumsy and awkward to read, slowing down the action.

My biggest difficulty when reading was drawing emotional connections to the characters that we are introduced to. My reading of Kady was under a sympathetic nature-- I felt sorry for her and the loss that she battles as the novel progresses. But at the time progressed she became real, she became someone that I admired. She kept me on my toes-- well, edge of my reading chair-- out of unpredicabilty of her actions. For once, I was left guessing. 

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READ-A-THON| #TBRTakedown 4.0

Shannon over at LeaningLights on both Youtube and Twitter is yet again hosting another fun round of #TBRTakedown. Saying that we have a lot of fun challenges to help guide our reading during this intense reading week-- 20th-26th June.

The challenges: 

1. A book that's been on your TBR shelf over a year!
2. An unread sequel sitting on your TBR shelf!
3. A first book in a series on your TBR shelf!
4. An "out of your comfort zone" book on your TBR shelf
5. A book from your most recent haul.

I plan to read three books on my TBR for 4.0:

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
Leigh Bardugo

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This book will complete challenges 1 and 3. I bought this book way back for my 17th birthday and now I have just turned 18.. oops?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)

J.K. Rowling

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I just recently bought myself the hardback in this edition as a treat for my birthday-- it's about time that I get myself some more Harry Potter books on my shelf. (This complete challenge number 5 and 2.)

The Unexpected Everything

Morgan Matson

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I'm not a big "YA Contemporary" reader at ALL. In fact I tend to find them tedious and repetitive-- that being said I thought I would give Morgan Matson a try because everyone seems to love her books and it is summer. 

By default I guess you can guess what number challenge this would complete.

I'll give you a clue:

It's number 4 ;)

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.

Unread Books: 2016 Edition.

This post is really a chance to pull away the film over my eyes and look at how much of a reading fail I truely am.

I currently have an under-bed storage box full of around 30-40 books. All of which I bought throughout 2015 and didn't get around to reading. And to be frankly honest, I'm not talking about Christmas 2015. These were mostly bought in the first half of the year.

By the Angel!

I thought I'd compile five of books and their series that I am most anticipating to get to. And here is the top desperate five:

The Raven Boys
Maggie Stiefvater

Cinder

Marissa Meyer

Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard

The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton

Shadow and Bone

Leigh Bardugo

As you can see... I've missed out on some- what I've heard- awesome books. All of which I'm still excited to get to.

So please authors.

Stop releasing books until I've caught up.

I kid. I kid.

I would love to have some buddy reads this year, so if you see a book you would really like to share the experience reading than please just contact me (see the side bars).

For those who want to see the full list:

New Books, New Resolutions

I don't believe in New Year Resolutions. I never stick to them and end up forgetting about them about a month after I've written them. But this year I'm determind not to mess up.

Compiling THREE book and blog related resolutions I thought I'd make them public in order to push myself into sticking with these:

1. Dedicated time:-

I've noticed that I'm not dedicating enough time to actually writing and blogging. Considering this is what I have the most fun doing its astonishing!

This year I pledge to spend a minimum of TWO HOURS a week to this blog.

2. Read One, Finish One:-

I ended 2015 like the ultimate book-whore I am. Start one, get half-way through, never finish it then start another. It leaves a lot to be desired. Especially when they're all amazing books!

I am to have a ONE book at a time policy. The only time this is to be acceptable for TWO is when I have been given a book to read for English Literature.

3. Say no to ARC's:-

Another awful habit- requesting ARC's and not getting round to finishing them. Or even starting them for that matter. Which makes me feel like I'm taking advantage of this amazing network. But I don't mean too.

This one is taking on part A and B.

3a. No more requesting ARC's via Netgalley until I'm at a stage where I have given feedback on ALL books that still hold my interest. I did request them for a reason, right?

3b. TWO ARC's a month. This isn't a big deal; reading e-books tend to take up less of my time- with no real pain of a comfy position to hold your arms at.

DISCUSSION: Something Strange & Deadly [PART 1]

 
 

Something Strange & Deadly (Something Strange & Deadly #1)

Susan Dennard
Synopsis:

Philadelphia 1876. The Dead are rising. A zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor Fitt. Whoever controls the Dead Army has her brother. She avoids her mother's choice of husband for the lab of Spirit Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel. The situation threatens her reputation, and the lives of everyone in the city.


Q. How do you think you would react to the Dead walking around your city?

A. I think in all honesty, I'd be a total loser and go screaming and running. Unlike Eleanor, who so far seems to be holding up over in Philadelphia.  I live in quite a big city- London- so I would like to see how we would all react. But I think David Cameron wouldn't consider it a crisis and carry on and agreeing with cutting all our tax credits. However, I could think of some really cool places to hide and keep safe but I don't think where I live currently would be a massive help, the road I live on? Graveyard next door. RUN!!

Q. How do you feel about Eleanor as a character?

A. What I like about Eleanor is her strong sense of loyalty to her brother to find out what has happened to her. Also, the fact that she is realising that she doesn't have to wish to be a badass woman who kicks books (we all know I'm talking about Jie here) but she can if she wants. She is in power of what she is doing, by defying her mother and going to the exhibition in order to find her brother, but still trying to protect her.


Q. What was your favourite part of the first half of the book and why?

A. Definitely the scenes between Daniel and Eleanor. *Wink Wink* You know the ones I mean. I can't wait to see a little more of Mr. Sheridan- oh no! I think I've got another bookish crush! *Sigh*

Q.What are some of your favourite quotes so far?

A. "'To be honest, I don't take orders well.'
'Then I'll be sure not to give you any.'"

"'Next time, though, I suggest you use less obscure insults. They might hit the mark better.'"

"Iron spires and colorful flags rose up along the Schuylkill for ten blocks, making the Exhibition look just like a fairy tale."

"Joseph Boyer seemed about as honest as men came- a true gentleman if I'd ever seen one."