July Wrap Up and August TBR

July was the month of a lot of rereads, but I did get a fair amount of reading done, I'm pretty proud of what I accomplished. Also, if you're wondering why I always have so many 5 star books, it's just because I usually don't read a book unless I think that I'm going to like it. I will not purposely read a book that I think that I will hate, that's just no way to live.

1.  The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

I gave this book 5 stars. This is the second book in the Winner's Curse Trilogy. It was well thought out and exciting. I don't really know which genre to put this in. It's sort of like a historical fantasy, yet neither of those. It's hard to explain.

2. The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

I gave this book 5 stars. It was a very well written and satisfying Finale.


3. The Power by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I gave this book 5 stars. It was steamy and exciting and I also really love mythology of any kind. So the was a huge bonus.

4.  Legend by Marie Lu

I gave this book 5 stars, or maybe 4.5. I loved this book, it took me by surprise. The only issue is they don't act their ages.

5. Bound by Honor by Cora Reilly

I gave this book 4 stars. It was sexy and dangerous and I really liked it.

6. Bound by Hatred by Cora Reilly

I gave this book 4 stars. I still can't decide which book in the series was better. It's pretty close

7. Bound by Temptation by Cora Reilly

I gave this book 3 stars. It was okay, but it definitely wasn't as good as the others in the series.

8. The Last Star by Rick Yancey 

I gave this book 3.5 stars. It was better than the second book, but it was nowhere near as good as the first book. The ending of this book was just sad and unsatisfying.

9. Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers

I gave this book 4 stars. I had a good time reading it. It was fun, but at times, serious.

10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I gave this book 5 stars. I cried. That's really all you need to know.

11. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

I gave this book 5 stars. I fell in love with the characters and their stories and it was a perfect introduction to the series.


Okay onto my August TBR. So exciting!

1. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Yes, I'm finally reading another book by her, it's been so long. It's like I'm going to see an old friend that I haven't heard from in a a long time.

2. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

It's a pretty short book and the movie's coming out soon, I figured I should just read it and see how i like the writing.

3. The Cursed Child by J. K. Rowling

You didn't actually think that I was going to not read this the second that I could did you? This may just be my most anticipated book of the year.

4. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Okay this one should be doable since I've already started it. So it should be done no problem.

5. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

I swear I'm going to finally read it this month. I will.

6. Fire From Heaven by Mary Renault

I really want to read this one. It's most likely going to get read.


Well, that's it. Thanks for reading.

Falling Kingdoms Book Talk

Falling Kingdoms

by Morgan Rhodes

Release Date: December 11th, 2012

Spoilers

Synopsis:

In the three kingdoms of Mytica, magic has long been forgotten. And while hard-won peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest now simmers below the surface.

As the rulers of each kingdom grapple for power, the lives of their subjects are brutally transformed... and four key players, royals and rebels alike, find their fates forever intertwined. Cleo, Jonas, Lucia, and Magnus are caught in a dizzying world of treacherous betrayals, shocking murders, secret alliances, and even unforeseen love.

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

It's the eve of war.... Choose your side.

Princess: Raised in pampered luxury, Cleo must now embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of magic long thought extinct.

Rebel: Jonas, enraged at injustice, lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished. To his shock, he finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.

Sorceress: Lucia, adopted at birth into the royal family, discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.

Heir: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, firstborn son Magnus begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword....

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. It was fast paced and intriguing and I could not get enough of it. 

I started this book right after I finished the Book Thief, and that definitely impacted my mood towards this book. I was sad over what had happened in the book I read earlier, and angry, which at first made me hate an abundance of characters. Seriously, I was in a very hateful mood. I even made a list: 

• Sabina, (Sorceress) for obvious reasons. (She's Evil)
• Both kings, because one was being a misogynist while the other was just evil
• Aron, (Some random lord's son) for even existing
• and Emilia (Cleo's older sister) for suggesting that, the reaction people had to what Aron did, was just blown out of proportion, what he did was terrible.

At one point in the book I was even annoyed by Cleo, because she was just taking everything, her father told her she was going to marry Aron, even though she hates Aron, and she was just like, "Yes, Father." Also, I was annoyed that she wouldn't stand up against Aron just because of her secret. I didn't care what her secret was, it was not worth some man's life. Now, even her secret annoyed me. She got drunk and screwed Aron. She's a fricken princess, shouldn't she have guards to protect her from someone who might want to exploit her like that? Cleo has in fact grown on me, I'm excited to read the next book, the character development for Cleo is going to be amazing. 

Let's talk about Magnus. He had a crush on his sister? What? I mean, I figured out early on that his sister was the baby from the prologue, so she wasn't really his sister by blood, but still. They were raised like siblings. She only thought of him as a sibling. Oh my gods, when he kissed her. I had to close the book. I had to ready myself because I so badly wanted to read on, but I wasn't ready for the second hand embarrassment I was going to get. Let's just say this did not end well. Magnus is just sort of the King of bad choices. 

When I found out about Emelia and her father's guard. I was a little, meh, about it at first, but as she explained more, it just got really cute. I loved it. It was the perfect set up for Theon and Cleo.

I love Theon so much, right from the beginning, he was more than just protective of Cleo, it wasn't just about his job, he wanted her safe because he loved her and I loved him. I was so mad at Magnus. Theon swooped in and saved Cleo after she took off to find a magic seed to save her dying sister, and he takes out her kidnappers. Then when Magnus comes to try and Cleo with him to his king father who wants to use her for leverage. Theon takes out Magnus's guards and then when he checks to make sure Cleo is all right, Magnus stabs Theon in the back. Theon is dead. I cried so hard over this. I actually had already spoiled his death for myself because I read something online. It didn't help at all. I think it even made things worse.

Something I enjoyed in this book, was seeing one of the big four from the eyes of another. When describing Magnus, he sees himself with a mask on, he is very good at hiding his emotions, his sister also knows that he is hiding his emotions well, she can tell. When Cleo meets him for the first time, she describes him as malicious looking and cruel, cold even. It was very different than how he was earlier portrayed.

I've noticed that there are many attempts to kidnap Cleo, there were several attempts only in the first book, I can just imagine the rest of the series. Cleo is very good at playing the damsel in distress. 

Now, I wasn't as much of a fan of Jonas. The other characters all seemed a bit more interesting than him. He just has a very bad temper and a vendetta. I mean the others had a little more going for them, Magnus is a prince who is in love with his sister and trying to prove himself to his father. Cleo is a spoiled brat who has a very sick sibling who she loves, along with the fact that she is also engaged to some guy she hates and is in love with someone else. And then Lucia is a sorceress who is insanely powerful and everyone wants to use her for her powers. I mean, in the next book Jonas will probably be getting more interesting considering it's hinted that there will be an uprising. Well actually it's just the most logical next step.

I really can't say that I was surprised by the Cheif's death. It was coming sooner or later. I mean, he was a total phoney and the King really didn't even need him, or want him for that matter.

The final battle was the worst, Cleo lost everyone that she loved. Her sister finally died frothier disease before she could get the magic seeds, her father was murdered, Theon was already dead. She is now officially the Queen, but has to go into hiding from the King, but she get's caught anyway. Things are going to go down. The Author did an amazing job setting up everything for the rest of the series. 

Quotes:

“Even paradise could become a prison if one had enough time to take notice of the walls.”  

“Then his heart, now broken into a thousand pieces, slowly began to turn to ice.”  

“Hate is such a strong emotion. Much more powerful than indifference. But those who burn with hate can also love just as intensely. Can't they? When you hate--or love--do you do so with all your heart? So much that it feels as if you might die from it?”  

“I have stories. But stories are not facts.''I like stories. Love them, actually. Most of the time they're better than facts.” 

The Book Thief Book Talk

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

Release Date: March 14th, 2006

Spoilers

Synopsis:

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. It was beautiful and sad and it made me cry and I loved it so, so much. It’s a wonderful display of the power of words.

It took me a while to get through this one because I only wanted to read it when it had my full attention, when nothing was around to distract me from it. It spoke to that place inside me that loves a good story, that loves meaning. 

I was so looking forward to Leisel and Rudy falling in love, but then he had to go and die. The part when she had to say goodbye to him was the worst part. She kissed his cold dead lips and regretted not doing it before and I really felt for her. This was the girl that lost everyone that ever mattered to her. It was never straightforward about her parents, but I’m sure they died, then her brother died on the train. Now her best friend and her foster parents are gone too? It’s just too cruel. When she reunited with Max I was so happy. He was the one thing that she still had. Sure she had the mayor and Ilsa, but that wasn’t until after, she still lost everyone else she cared for. 

Her love for books, sort of reminds me of when I first discovered I loved to read, I was a pretty lonely kid and books became a friend. Something I could go to to ease my mind. She was just so determined to learn. She wanted to read. It didn't matter to her that she didn't know where to start, or that her father wasn't the best reader himself. She wanted to learn. 

This book gave me a new insight on the second world war. Usually stories are told from the point of view of the Allies, but this was from the point of view of a german girl. Someone who had to hide who she was, or die. Her family was risking everything just to save a single life. Not much, but it was a life. I found that beautiful. 

I liked the point of view it was told from. The fact that I was even interested in this book to begin with was because I learned that it was form the point of view of Death. I new absolutely nothing else about the book other than it was told from the point of death, and had something to do with stealing books. 

This book is a must read, if you haven't already read it. 

I need to go and watch the movie, I hope it's as enjoyable as the book.

Quotes:

“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.” 

“It kills me sometimes, how people die.” 

“He does something to me, that boy. Every time. It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry.”  

“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.” 

Music Book Tag

I know I haven't posted much lately, but I swear I have several reviews that I am going to get done before the end of the month, I'm just having a bit of a dry spell, so I figured I would do a tag just to clear out the airways. Sound good?

Okay I don't know if this is already a thing, because I didn't really look, but I haven't seen it anywhere  so I think that it's safe to assume that it doesn't already exist.

So the music book tag, really simple, you just choose 5 songs, and then match 5 books with those songs and then explain why you matched them together. Or maybe you could choose 5 books and then match songs with them. Either way works.

1. The Fighter by In This Moment

I paired this song with Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. They are both hard core, they are both about fighting and rising up from the ground and fighting your way to the top. The first time I heard the Fighter all I could think was "Wow, this could be Aelin's soundtrack to life."

2. Someone Like You by Adele

I just remember the first time reading shiver, and this song getting so huge around that time, and it was stuck in my head while I was reading Shiver, so I would just sort of connected the song and book together because of that.

3. The A Team by Ed Sheeran

I was visiting family in New York at the time of this whole thing, I stayed up all night listening to this song and reading Blood Promise. It had captured my attention and when my mother finally made me go to sleep, I woke up 5 hours later just to finish the book while listening to this song the whole time.

4. Summer Paradise by Simple Plan

I was reading Death by Bikini at the time, and that book took place on an exclusive island. And what else screams summer like a private island? Plus, it had this really cute romance in it, everytime I hear Summer Paradise my mind just goes back that little island.

5. Turning Tables by Adele

Yes, a second Adele song on the list, it could have been worse, I could have added my third but I decided that two was enough for this one. This one happened just after the Blood Promise thing, or pretty close, I had finished the series by then and started the Delirium series. Now I never actually finished this series, but I do remember the first book pretty well. I actually have no explanation as to why I connected these two in my mind, other than the fact that I was listening to this song while reading gate book. They really don't even remind me of each other, alas, I cannot separate them in my mind.


If you listen to music while you read. I tag you. Go for it, munchkins.

Waiting On Wednesday

Hideaway 
by Penelope Douglas

I love any and all of Penelope Douglas's books. I read Corrupt and loved that. I'm so excited because this is Kai's book and I love Kai, plus the synopsis for the book is amazing. If you're interested you can check that out here.

Top 5 Unlikable Characters

5. Adam from Shatter Me

I was team Warner from the beginning, I loved him even when he was evil, so that meant I basically hated everything Adam stood for. He was treating Juliette like she was fine china until she wouldn't do as he said and then he would get mad and be so mean to her. And then later on, he knew that Warner was his brother and he didn't say anything to him, he didn't even tell Warner about the little brother that they had. Adam is a selfish jerk that I wouldn't date in a million years.

4. Bella Swan from Twilight

Okay do I really need to go over this one? Bella Swan was a Mary Sue. Literally nothing was wrong with her other than being a little bit clumsy, and I don't really think that one counts because Edwards always saves her. So it really isn't even a flaw. Plus all she cares about is her boyfriend. She treats her dad like shit because he "Doesn't understand." 

3. Zoey Redbird from the House of Night Series

I started this series when I was pretty young so Zoey at one point, was my favourite character ever. I loved her, she seemed so great, but as I got older I started to realize how annoying and bitchy she was. At one point in the book she had like 2 different boyfriends. It was insane. And then even with her two boyfriends she wasn't satisfied and then went and cheated on both of them. Am I supposed to support that? She was the worst.

2. Kelsey from the Tiger's Curse

You're supposed to have a certain bond with the main character when you read a book. You just want the best for them and you want them to be happy and brave. I had no such feelings for Kelsey, she was just such a bitch. Ren told her that he loved her and she was like "No, you don't know how you feel." and then left him. She didn't even stick around. And then there was just a whole bunch of other bullshit that she did that pissed me off. Let's just say that my favourite part in the series was when she had her leg ripped off by the shark.

1. Shay from Nightshade

Okay, so usually you're not supposed to hate the guy that the protagonist of the story ends up with, but I wanted to slice this guys neck, pull out his trachea and then feed it to him. He was just so condescending at times and I thought he was really manipulative. Another reason I hated him, is probably because there was a love triangle and I liked the other guy more and he didn't end up with Calla so double the hate on Shay. I wish he had died.

Top 10 Book Covers

This is kind of late, but where I live it is still Tuesday, so it counts.

10. I'll Give You the Sun

The cover is just so bright and inviting, it gives off some good vibes. I love the feeling of the dust jacket. It has the gritty feeling of parchment. I love it.

9. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Although, the picture on the cover is very nice, the beauty of this cover lies underneath the dust jacket. The book reminds me of an old library book, something that you would probably find in a historians archives. When I was reading this I just took the dust jacket off so that I could see underneath at all times.

8. My Heart and Other Black Holes 

The cover is simple and cute and I love it. And then when you take off the dust jacket, the book is black, but has a whole mess of white lines all over it with a heart in the centre. It's beautiful. The dust jacket also reminds me of parchment.

7. Tone Deaf

I love the sound waves that were added onto the cover between the two words. I also love the colour scheme. Cooler colour tones and some obscure people. That's the kind of concert I would like to go to.

6. The Problem with Forever

I love colourful things. The colours just blended together so well it definitely caught my eye. I also love the fact that each word was in a different font. 

5. Doctor Sleep

It's dark and mysterious, and even though the woman's face is on the front, it doesn't give away too much. Plus, I'm a sucker for literally anything red.

4. The Bourbon Thief

I first discovered this one on Goodreads, what drew me to it in the first place was the cover, I didn't even really know what it was about, I just added it to my To Read shelf. It has a beautiful green as the background and then this flash of red. Then there is also the words in between the title in a lovely cursive. whoever designed this cover deserves an award.

3. Copper Gauntlet

Like I said, I have a weakness for the colour red. It just has all these different shades of orange and red and gold. It is just so pleasing to the eye. Also, the spin, it's all fancy and it matches the first book. Has that beautiful Book Two, on it. 

2. Harry Potter Illustrated Edition

I don't think I really have to go over this one since it was made to be pleasing to the eye. 

1. The Queen of the Tearing

Sadly, this is not the edition I own since I got my edition as a gift, but I have admired this book from a distance, and will probably go out and by the one that I want. Anyway, this copy has this beautiful gold outlining on the cover and the spine, and everywhere. Also, the spine guys, the spine, this book looks like it should be in a castle library for the reading pleasures of an actual Queen. Also, it comes with a ribbon. A ribbon!