Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Top 10 Ships of 2018

I was supposed to actually post this back in December, but I just didn't finish Queen of Air and Darkness in time to post this and I wanted to include a specific couple on this list. They didn't actually make it because they haven't gotten together yet, but I do have a relationship from QoAaD on this list.

10. Fallon and Ben

These two are so sweet. Colleen Hoover has such a beautiful way of writing love stories. I've loved every pairing she has ever put together. The way these two supported each other throughout the years and stayed committed to meeting every year was so heartwarming. That's the type of relationship I want to have.

9. Elide and Lorcan

These two were the ones that really stood out to me while I was reading Kingdom of Ash. Sarah J. Maas seems to have a thing about coupling off her characters and they can be pretty hit or miss. Elide and Lorcan are definitely a hit. Their relationship is spicy if I do say so myself.

8. Ever and Four

There was something so addicting about these two. They couldn't stay away from each other and yet neither of them had complete control. They were constantly bouncing off each other

7. Greer, Ash, and Embry

How unexpected these three are. I don't think I've ever actually had a favorite threeway ship on one of my lists and yet, it is not the only one this year. I so very enjoyed reading about these three and their journeys to get together.

6. Serenity and King Lazuli

King Lazuli is a bit of a lunatic on his own, but Serenity really evened things out. She was never complacent with his plans, she didn't sit by watching him do horrible things. She fought against it and the two ended up being really good together. Definitely not at first, but by the end.

5. Quinn and Blay

Pretty much every other book I read in that series lead up to them. That was what I was waiting for. I just wanted to see these two have their happy ending. And happy ending they had.

4. Cristina, Mark, and Kieran

The biggest surprise of the year. Originally I wanted to wait and finish this book because I thought I would be putting Kit and Ty on this list, but they didn't happen yet and these three actually did. I was expecting someone to end up heartbroken, but I totally lucked out here. I don't think I've ever seen a YA novel with a threesome before, but I really liked it. What's even stranger is that I have two sets of threesomes on this list and before today I hadn't even had one.

3. Easton and Harley

These two finally worked it out and it made me so happy. Their book made me so incredibly happy I couldn't contain myself.

2. Luc and Evie

Hilarious couple that is surprisingly tender at the same time. While most of Armentrout's couples usually take a few books to really warm up to each other, it didn't take these two long because they already had a past.

1. Ox and Joe

These two were just too much for my itty bitty little heart. They made my heart grow two sizes too big. I loved them.

What were some of your favorite ships of 2018 year?

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Jessie's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

Monday, 21 January 2019

Only a Breath Apart Book Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), order your copy of ONLY A BREATH APART now!

About ONLY A BREATH APART:

They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

“Gritty and real, Only a Breath Apart is a story of hope conjured from pain, strength drawn from innocence, and love earned from self-respect. Beautiful, poignant, and fierce.” ―Kristen Simmons, critically acclaimed author of the Article 5 series

Add it to your Goodreads today!

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Katie McGarry’s ONLY A BREATH APART – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

January 21^st

@booksniffer7 – Review

Bickering Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Book Ballistic – Excerpt

Book Hoarder Mom – Review

Brittany and Elizabeth’s Book Boutique – Review & Excerpt

Celindareyesblog – Excerpt

Cinta Garcia de la Rosa – Excerpt

Crystal's Book World – Excerpt

Do You Dog-ear? – Review & Excerpt

Little Shop of Readers – Excerpt

Novel Addiction – Excerpt

Resch Reads & Reviews – Review

Sister Sister Book Blog – Excerpt

This Jabberwocky Eats Books – Excerpt

Writing My Own Fairy Tale – Review

January 22^nd

A Book Lovers Playlist – Excerpt

Beware Of The Reader – Excerpt

Beyourselfbebhaltair – Review & Excerpt

Booknerd1107 – Review

CeliaMoontown – Review & Excerpt

Crazy Chaotic Book Babes – Review & Excerpt

Echoing Books – Excerpt

GataLeitora – Excerpt

Its a mun thing – Excerpt

Mean Girls Luv Books – Excerpt

Mythical Books – Excerpt

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Excerpt:

~JESSE~

“So you’re the decision maker now?”

He waits too many beats before speaking or maybe not enough. “I took on this role because, believe it or not, I care. I won’t pretend to understand the pain you’ve gone through, and I won’t pretend to understand your connection to this land. I’ve watched you grow up. I know, for you, this farm is like a Band-Aid on cuts that won’t stop bleeding.”

If that was meant to make me feel better, it didn’t. “You’ll never vote for me. You’re biased.”

“I’m not biased.”

For days I’ve been a stick under pressure, being bent too far. Finally, I snap. “I know you told Gran not to take me in after Mom died and to put me in foster care. You told her I was too broken and couldn’t be fixed. I know because I heard you. Tell me now you’re not biased.”

Guilt flashes over his face, and he tries to hide it as he flips through the folder in his hands. “If it helps, that’s why your grandmother set up the tribunal and chose two other people to help make the decision. Majority vote will win, and she believed you’ll rise to the challenge.”

I’m not sure if I respect him or hate him for not denying what we both know is true regarding the foster care. I’m also not sure how I feel that he doesn’t apologize either.

“She chose people who will give you a fair shake,” he continues. “This isn’t a death sentence. It’s a wakeup call. It’s August, and you have until May to prove you’re responsible. You have time. Take it. Prove me wrong.”

A growing sense of purpose takes root within me, and I do my best to funnel my anger and grief into it. “Who, besides you, is on the tribunal?”

If I tell you then I run the risk of you putting on a show for those people. This is your chance to change for the better. Take advantage of it.” Marshall leaves the paperwork on the antique table, shoves his folder back in his leather bag, and stands. “If it’s any consolation, I want you to succeed, but I want you to truly succeed. I won’t vote for you to keep the land unless you show me you understand what it means to run a farm of this magnitude.”

It’s no consolation. That’s him attempting to ease his guilt for when he votes against me.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Jesse. If you need to talk or if you’d like to stop by for a meal, you’re welcome at my house. And if you get tired of being here alone, you can live with us. We have plenty of room.”

I don’t believe any of that, but I nod because doing so will get him out of my home faster. Marshall stares at me for a few more seconds, as if contemplating saying more, but he doesn’t. Instead he walks out, shutting the door behind him.

His engine purrs to life and rocks crack under his moving tires. Then there’s silence. Maddening silence. I drop into Gran’s recliner, lower my head into my hands and close my eyes. I’ve lost Gran, and now I could lose my land. The only thing left that I love. The only thing in my life that brings me peace. “Why, Gran?”

I strain to listen in the silence, and my gut twists that there’s no response. “I miss you.”

Still no response and my head begins to throb. My cell in my back pocket vibrates. I dig it out, expecting to see a text from one of my friends, but I pop my neck to the right at the sight of Glory’s name. You need to stop by tomorrow night.

Me: No

Glory: I know of your grandmother’s plan

Me: So do I

Glory: But I know who the people are who will be deciding your future.

Me—stone cold frozen.

Glory: Stop by tomorrow at nine. I should be wrapping up my last session then.

Me: I won’t be there.

Glory: Yes, you will.

Wednesday, 2 January 2019

Queen of Air and Darkness Review

Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices, #3)

Queen of Air and Darkness
by Cassandra Clare

Release Date: December 4th, 2018

Synopsis:

What if damnation is the price of true love?

Innocent blood has been spilled on the steps of the Council Hall, the sacred stronghold of the Shadowhunters. In the wake of the tragic death of Livia Blackthorn, the Clave teeters on the brink of civil war. One fragment of the Blackthorn family flees to Los Angeles, seeking to discover the source of the blight that is destroying the race of warlocks.

Meanwhile, Julian and Emma take desperate measures to put their forbidden love aside and undertake a perilous mission to Faerie to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead. What they find in the Courts is a secret that may tear the Shadow World asunder and open a dark path into a future they could never have imagined. Caught in a race against time, Emma and Julian must save the world of Shadowhunters before the deadly power of the parabatai curse destroys them and everyone they love.

Spoilers

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. It earned every single one of the stars that I gave it. All I wanted to do was finish this before the end of the year because I knew it would be on my top 10 list of the best books of 2018. I had a space all picked out for it and everything so I had to make it work. And I did with an hour and fifteen minutes to spare before midnight. Pat on the back for me.

Something Cassandra Clare has always been amazing at is character development. The case that stood out to me the most was Alec. Look at Alec in City of Bones and then look at Alec in QoAaD and they are two completely different people, but the story leading to that second point makes so much sense.

You know what, all my thirteen-year-old self ever wanted was a Malec wedding and finally after five years I got one. You see, dreams do come true.

I miss Will. I know that isn’t what I should have gotten from this book, but it is. I would be much happier about Jem and Tessa if the whole Will thing wasn’t hanging over my head. It just makes me sad that Will is dead and Jem is no longer immortal so he’s going to die soon and then Tessa will be alone once again. Just her and Magnus hanging out for all of eternity after their loved ones are all gone.

Cristina, Mark, and Kieran was the most unexpected part of this story. I feel like I should have seen it coming, we knew that Mark and Kieran were bi, we knew that they had a thing for each other and that they also seemed interested in Cristina. I just never expected a YA novel to have a threesome in it. It seems pretty NA if you ask me, but there weren’t any explicit scenes so I guess it still counts. The three of them work so well together, it was unexpected.

I actually cried during this book, not a ton, but you can imagine from where the last book ended off things were pretty emotional. I shed my first tears over Tavvy’s reaction to Livvy’s death. I legit could not handle it. I’m pretty sure I cried later on in the story but I don’t actually remember what it was over.

My favorite part of this book is that part, when Kit forgets to fucking, bring a sword with him to the shadow market and instead pulls out a fork. He is 100% a Herondale.

I really love Aline in this book. She wasn’t taking anyone's shit. Every time she thought people were walking all over Helen she would step in and tell everyone to respect her wife or listen to her wife. Seriously, Aline throwing a lamp to get people to pay attention to her wife has the same sort of energy as John Malaney saying “That’s my wife!” and punching someone. It was really great. If you didn’t like Aline before I think you will now. She and Helen were just the most supportive couple it was so cute.

It was so interesting to see the alternate future if Sebastian had won. I honestly didn’t know that I needed that until I got it. I’m also really digging evil Jace. I don’t think we will be getting that story anytime soon, I know the Red Scrolls of Magic is coming out soon, but I don’t think that’s what that story is going to center on so we might have to wait till The Wicked Powers series before we can find out more.

This is probably unlikely to ever happen but I just want another book about Clary and Jace. I miss them too and I just want another book of their adventures and such. I should probably just reread TMI again because I need some of them in my life. And I feel like I forgot how fucking funny Jace is. He’s so funny I can’t handle it. He had me cracking up every time he spoke. I need someone to compile a list of funny things he’s said/done so every time I’m in a crappy mood I can just look at the list.

I’m thoroughly impressed by the allegorical reference to the current political situation our world is facing. I know a lot of authors shy away from writing so opposing to a political group out of fear of alienation audiences, but Cassandra Clare didn’t and I appreciate that. It’s really nice to know where she stands in all of this and that she is willing to use her author voice to convey a message to her audience. Good job Cassandra Clare.

Tuesday, 1 January 2019

Top 10 Best and Worst Books of 2018

This post will be accompanied by a giveaway which will be linked right here. It's my favorite time of the year where I get to talk about all my most and least favorite books.

I rant little in this one so be warned there may be SPOILERS.

Top 10 Worst

10. Fire -The Ninth Circle

This book was so dense I couldn't even get halfway through before I had to call it quits. It was like this book was trying to be Supernatural but couldn't quite do it. I actually shudder to think of reading, what is it, nine? more books in this series.

9. The Hundredth Queen

This was just too instalovey. You know, before I started reviewing books I couldn't even fathom DNFing a book, and now I do it all the time. I don't have time to read books that I'm not enjoying and it sucks that this happened to be one of them. I had hopes for this one.

8. Stephan

This was just one of those books that were a complete waste of time. It's not that I totally hated it, I just feel like I could have used the time I took to read this to write a book review or something like that, cause god knows I haven't written one of those in a while.

7. Othello

I'm pissed because Desdemona and Othello, who seemed to be doing pretty well for a Shakespeare play got such a shitty ending. A lot of the time I hate Shakespeare plays and characters and this is just another in a long line of plays that I hated. Desdemona and Emilia deserved better.

6. Look Back In Anger

First of all, who wishes for their wife to have a miscarriage so she can "feel the pain that you've felt", your shitty childhood and losing a child are two completely different things. Second, who the fuck sleeps with their best friends abusive husband that they begged them to leave, apparently Helena. Third of all, who the hell gets back together with their shitty husband that wishes for you to have a miscarriage? You know what, I might even post a whole rant about this play because I'm sure I can make a word count.

5. Kim

*cough cough* cultural appropriation *cough cough*. So I guess this is technically in the sphere of books that could be considered classics. Basically, this book was all about some white guy living in India during the British occupation of India, trying to claim that he was "Anglo-Indian" and just being a complete dick to everyone and spying for the government.

4. Wild Poppy

This book was just a mish-mash of "why does this exist?". To be completely honest it could just not exist and no one's lives would be any different. The plot was just all over the place and it ended in a cliffhanger and there is no next book as of yet, but it's been two years and there has been no news about another book. Why?

3. 1984

I had to read this twice this year. Both for class, and both times I didn't like it. The thing about this book is that I didn't like the content. It's actually a really important book and I understand why. George Orwell is actually an amazing writer and I understand that we weren't actually supposed to enjoy the book. He totally succeeded in that way. Still hated it though.

2. Love Between Enemies

I read this at the beginning of the year so I don't actually remember the characters names, but I'm pretty sure the female lead's name was Zoey. Zoey has such rich people problems. She wants to "earn it" on her own, but what she doesn't realize is that she is taking away opportunities from people that actually need them and then getting pissed off at them for needing them. She was just a horrible person that I couldn't relate to in any way. I was pretty pissed that the female lead forgave her as easily as he did.

1. Thorn

I couldn't give number one to any of the other books I read this year, this one was just too horrible. I can put aside the fact that there were a lot of grammatical errors as I don't think English was the author's native language and I realize it was probably self-published and it can be rough out there in the publishing world. My problem came with the actual content. Every other sentence was like a teenage girl from 2013 who loved Tumblr threw up on some paper. There was also the fact that there were some serious misogynistic parts to this book that I just couldn't stand. I also know that I actually gave this two stars in my review, but since then I've realized the error of my ways and would more likely give it half a star.

Top 10 Best

First off, I wanted to give an honorable mention to the Black Dagger Brotherhood + Legacy Series’. There are just so many of them and I really loved all the books in the two series' that I just couldn't pick one to put on the list.

10. The Bone Season

This book was a surprise that came out of nowhere. Obviously, a lot of people have been talking about this for a while, but it didn't really sound like anything I would want to read all that bad. However, I won a copy of the second book in a giveaway so I found the first book super cheap at my local bookstore and decided to give it a read. I couldn't put it down. It was so well crafted by the author she knows how to keep her readers engaged.

9. The Peer and the Puppet

B. B. Reid never fails me. When I need an edgy NA romance, she always has my back. This is one of those books that I've reread several times throughout the year. I was on vacation in New York for my cousin's wedding when I read this one and I should have been spending time with my family, but instead, I was reading this gem. Also, I should have been reading It because I told myself I would finally read it this year and I just didn't.

8. The Cruel Prince

I was blessed with an ARC of the second one which I am currently reading, so this story is a bit fresh with me. Cardan is such a little asshole, but he's a fairy so that makes sense. Fairies are the best and the worst. Holly Black knows how to write a good fairy novel.

7. It Ends With Us

I'm giving you no information about this one because I think you should just read it with as little information as possible. Just know that if you don't like heavy subjects and crying, this one is not for you. Now being someone who cries all the time and hates herself, this book was perfect for me.

6. Queen of All That Dies Series

This series also came out of nowhere. I had been reading some of the authors other works and while I liked them, this is the one that really drew me in. We have such a badass heroine and a hero that is so morally ambiguous that you can't help but root for them.

5. Cracked Kingdom

I love Erin Watt, but I hadn't loved one of their books as much as Paper Princess until this one. This book just had everything I loved about that first book in the series. Fallen Heir was just so-so for me, I was afraid to pick this one up because I didn't want one of my favorite series' to be a repeat of that one. We lucked out here though, this one was a real gem. It showed lots of character development.

4. The Darkest Star

So nostalgic. We got a perfect mix of old and new. Well, I mean not perfect, I do wish we had gotten to see more of our favorite Luxen, but I can only assume that we'll get that in later installments of the series. Also Luc <3.

3. Kingdom of Ash

I almost cried when finishing this book. Maybe I did, I don't actually remember. I couldn't have asked for a better finale to such an epic series. I kind of want to go back and reread the series again, because I've actually only read this series once. I know, shocking.

2. Queen of Air and Darkness

This one just barely made the list. I almost didn't finish it in time, it took three days of dedicating all my free time to reading to finish it in time for new years. I felt so much nostalgia when reading this book. If you were wondering if you should read this series, let me give you an answer. Yes, yes you should. It's leagues ahead of her two past Shadowhunter series'.

1. Wolfsong

Although I read this book at the very beginning of the year, I pretty much knew from the get-go that this would be my favorite book of the year. The moment I finished I started from the beginning again. Wolfsong was my 2018 Hideaway. In 2017 I reread Hideaway ten billion times and this year I did that with Wolfsong and I have zero regrets.

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2018 Favorites Giveaway

So I thought I would do something a little different this time around because I do realize that only one of the books of my favorites is actually a stand alone. I know a lot of the books I have in my favorites aren't the first in the series and some of them are the beginning of series' where books are already out. So I decided that the winners of the giveaway can choose either my favorites or another book in the series whether it be the first book in the series as they haven't gotten to the one on my favorites, or if they would prefer to have the sequel.

The choices:

Rules:

The giveaway is international as long as The Book Depository ships to you
You have to be following my blog
You have to be 18 or have parental permission
There will be two winners, each getting one book of their choice
The giveaway will run from January 1st, 2019 until the end of February 28th, 2019

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Pages

Pages

Tuesday, 22 January 2019

Top 10 Ships of 2018

Monday, 21 January 2019

Only a Breath Apart Book Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

“A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love” (Wendy Higgins), ONLY A BREATH APART is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry. “Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful” (Tammara Webber), order your copy of ONLY A BREATH APART now!

About ONLY A BREATH APART:

They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.

The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best friend, the girl he froze out his freshman year.

A fortuneteller tells Scarlett she's psychic, but what is real is Scarlett’s father’s controlling attitude and the dark secrets at home. She may be able to escape, but only if she can rely on the one boy who broke her heart.

Each midnight meeting pushes Jesse and Scarlett to confront their secrets and their feelings, but as love blooms, the curse rears its ugly head…

Amazon | Kobo | Google Play

B-A-M | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books

Add it to your Goodreads today!

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Wednesday, 2 January 2019

Queen of Air and Darkness Review

Tuesday, 1 January 2019

Top 10 Best and Worst Books of 2018

2018 Favorites Giveaway