Saturday 31 December 2016

December Wrap up and January TBR

I had a really good reading month, I surpassed my Goodreads Reading Goal, and i can't wait for next year to come around. Lots of books to be devoured in the new year!

1. Consolation Prize by Linda Kage

I gave this book 4 stars. This is the last (I'm pretty sure) book in the Forbidden Men series. Do not let the name fool you, it is not cheesy! I absolutely loved this series. It was not cheesy.

2. A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani


I gave this book 4 stars. Not as good as the first, but still pretty good.

3. Wilder by Lena North

I gave this book 5 stars. I was absolutely obsessed with it and could not put it down. Read it!

4. Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes


I gave this book 5 stars. I didn't even think I would read this one this month. It was more of a spur of the moment thing. I just had this urge to read it so I picked it up and loved it.

5. The Radius of Us by Marie Marquardt


I gave this book 4 stars. I really loved this book and it raised important issues. A solid read, you guys should definitely read this one when it comes out.

6. Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

I gave this book 5 stars. It was a huge book, but the way it was written made it a really quick read. It was everything I didn't know I needed. I can't wait to read the next book.

7. The Bandit by B. B. Reid

I gave this book 3 stars. I was kind of disappointed by this book. I'm still going to continue on in the series, I just hope it's better than this one.

8. Mr President by Katy Evans

I gave this book 5 stars. Katy Evans never lets me down.

9. Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare and a whole bunch of others


I gave this book 5 stars. I didn't think I would love this book as much as I did. I was so caught up with my nostalgia that it took me forever to finish this book.

10. Firstlife by Gena Showalter

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book, but I did find lots of issues with it. I'll still be continuing on in the series though.

11. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

I gave this book 2.5 stars. I didn't really enjoy this book, but what saved it from one star was that I could see the message it was trying to convey. It did a very good job with that, I just didn't enjoy the ride.

On to my January TBR!!

1. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead


Because I am currently reading this.

2. The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
I've also started this one.

3. This is Where it Ends

4. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

5. Vicious by V. E. Schwab

6. The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons


That's it! Hopefully I will actually read the books on my TBR, cause I am kind of bad at that.
What books you are you guys planning to read this month?

Friday 30 December 2016

Firstlife Review

Firstlife (Everlife, #1)
Firstlife
by Gena Showalter

Release Date: February 23rd, 2016

Spoilers

Synopsis:


ONE CHOICE.
TWO REALMS.
NO SECOND CHANCE.

Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl…who has spent the past thirteen months locked inside the Prynne Asylum. The reason? Not her obsession with numbers, but her refusal to let her parents choose where she’ll live—after she dies.

There is an eternal truth most of the world has come to accept: Firstlife is merely a dress rehearsal, and real life begins after death.


In the Everlife, two realms are in power: Troika and Myriad, longtime enemies and deadly rivals. Both will do anything to recruit Ten, including sending their top Laborers to lure her to their side. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a wild tug-of-war between the two realms who will do anything to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust? And what if the realm she’s drawn to isn’t home to the boy she’s falling for? She just has to stay alive long enough to make a decision… 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 3.5 stars. It was incredibly unique. The concept was what drew me in, the characters and plot were what made me stay.



The main character definitely wasn't my favourite, I didn't hate her, but I didn't really care about her all that much. She just seemed perpetually angry, which I understand considering her circumstances.
She does have her moments where she is sad, but it's mostly just anger.



Another thing is, I didn't really feel a turning point when it came to Ten and Killian's relationship, just one moment they hate each other and the next they were madly in love and I couldn't tell exactly when Ten had decided she even liked him because she was so against it at first.



I loved Killian. Even though he is a fictional character, I have a thing for cool accents. Also, the tattoos and the snark. So basically he's my type, which is why I had no issue with Ten and Killian getting together.



At first I thought this book was going to have an awful love triangle, but as I got further into the book I realized that wasn't the case. There was a sort of triangle, as in the main character had to make a choice, not about her love life, but for her actual life. She had to decide how she wanted to live her second life, and I guess her first one.



It did really upset me that the main character really couldn't trust anyone. They all wanted something from her, wanted to exploit her or destroy her. I understand why she was perpetually angry and I really hope to see some character development in the next book.



I hated her father, he was just the absolute worst, he actually made her think that he cared for her and loved her, but then he turned around put her in that asylum. Her mother wasn't much better, but in the end she showed where her loyalties truly were. Which were with Ten. 



I didn't really like Archer all that much. Honestly, I felt too detached since he was such a prominent character in this book. I found myself annoyed whenever he showed up. He was all "holier than thou" when it came to Killian. Also, at the beginning of the book when I read the emails he wrote, I felt like he had a completely different voice than in the rest of the book.



I really liked the whole having to choose your fate thing. Light or dark. Which I guess is the ultimate question that everyone has. They have to be in balance or chaos will ensue. So the thought of having all the pressure put on you to decide who will come out on top is very daunting. Then there is the threat of choosing neither and instead ending up in Many Ends. Honestly, I thought that that one sounded the coolest. 



I loved that the main character had her number quirk. We would get random number facts whenever the protagonist could get them in. It was amusing. It also made the cover make sense. It took me a bit too long to realize this.



Quotes:

“If at first you don't succeed, kill your opponent.”

“Hate is like drinking a vial of poison and expecting it to harm the other person, You’re not hurting the guy, only yourself.” 

“I think I need to avoid the world today. There’s no way I can adult.”

“Without pressure, there would be no diamonds. Without tests and trials, you wouldn’t know your own strength—or weaknesses.” 

“But her general nastiness triggered my inner bitch. I didn’t even know I had an inner bitch!” 

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Top 5 Characters I would Invite to my New Years Party

This isn't going to be ranked, because honestly it would be a great time with any of these characters.

1. Magnus Bane



Life of every party, he has to be there, don't even try to fight me on this one.

2. Will and Jace Herondale



I can't choose just one of them, so both.
Remember that time Jace ran naked down the street only wearing antlers because he drank that Fairy drink.
Also, remember the time Will always pretended to be drunk because he mastered that early.

3. Celaena Sardothien



She would have the coolest party tricks. Also, a great personality.

4. Finnick Odair



Because my book husband has to be there. He's my plus one.

5. Cole St. Clair



He's good with people. It wouldn't be a party without him there.

Who would you guys want at your New Years Party?

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy Review

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy
by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman

Release Date: November 15th, 2016

Spoilers

Synopsis:


Simon Lewis has been a human and a vampire, and now he is becoming a Shadowhunter. But the events of City of Heavenly Fire left him stripped of his memories, and Simon isn’t sure who he is anymore. He knows he was friends with Clary, and that he convinced the total goddess Isabelle Lightwood to go out with him…but he doesn’t know how. And when Clary and Isabelle look at him, expecting him to be a man he doesn’t remember…Simon can’t take it.

So when the Shadowhunter Academy reopens, Simon throws himself into this new world of demon-hunting, determined to find himself again. His new self. Whomever this new Simon might be.

But the Academy is a Shadowhunter institution, which means it has some problems. Like the fact that non-Shadowhunter students have to live in the basement. And that differences—like being a former vampire—are greatly looked down upon. At least Simon is trained in weaponry—even if it’s only from hours of playing D&D.


Join Simon on his journey to become a Shadowhunter, and learn about the Academy’s illustrious history along the way, through guest lecturers such as Jace Herondale, Tessa Gray, and Magnus Bane. These ten short stories give an epilogue to the Mortal Instruments series and provide glimpses of what’s in store in the Dark Artifices.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 5 stars. I absolutely adored everything about this book. It gave me everything I didn't know that I needed. Showed me so much stuff i didn't know I was missing. I'm completely addicted to this book.



This book got me so excited for the Last Hour. At first I wasn't all that excited for that series, but after reading about James Herondale for about a chapter, I have fallen in love. I can't wait to see what kind of mischief him and Matthew will get into as parabatai. 



Another thing that I loved was the bit of insight we got on Robert Lightwood's past. It finally makes sense to me why he was so horrible to Alec when he first found out that he was gay. It just made me so sad the way that Robert treated Michael when he found out. Michael was just such a sweet guy and I didn't want that for him. Honestly, this book just made me hate Robert Lightwood more. 



Up until the part where he met Alec's child. You could tell her had a lot of regret about the way he had treated people, he even wanted them to name the child Michael. That showed me that he did care.



The scene where all of the Lightwoods were in Magnus and Alec's apartment and were discussing the baby was probably my favourite part of the book, that means it was really good because there were several standout parts of that book.



Is it just me or has Jace gotten even funnier? Honestly, I really love him, he just cares about everyone so much and he loves messing with them. He's also incredibly vain, but in the best way possible, if that makes any sense. 



The part that made me saddest was the end of the chapter with Helen. It talked about what really happened with Andrew Blackthorn and his fae lady love. It made me so sad. Andrew died thinking that she didn't love him and that she had enchanted him to love her. I did not cry during this book, but the closest I came was during this part.



I became more appreciative of Sizzy in this book. During the Mortal Instruments series, they were sort of my least shipped ship, I didn't really care if they were together, but now, I honestly think I would cry if they ever broke up. This book was the perfect epilogue to the Mortal Instruments and would have been the perfect introduction to The Dark Artifices and The Last Hour series's. Sadly, I did read Lady Midnight before this, but I do think it would be better to read this book before Lady Midnight.



I was also close to crying when George died. It just happened so fast I didn't really have time to react strongly. Honestly, though, I really loved his character and I would have loved to see more of him, although there was that hint that he was a ghost, I really hope that comes into play at least a little bit, in the Dark Artifices.



Also, I have to briefly mention that I love Jon and Marisol together. Perfect match, I love it. Okay, I just had to mention that.



Quotes:

"That's not true, Alec," said Robert. "That is not true! I was very involved with all of you when you were young. I'm excellent with babies."..."As I recall," Maryse said, "You bounced them.""Babies love that," Robert claimed. "Babies love bouncing.""Bouncing will make babies spit up.""Bouncing will make babies spit up with joy," said Robert.


"If you could manage it," Tessa said, nodding to the sleeping figure of Lucie Herondale in her little basket by the fire, "perhaps you won't give Lucie a broadsword until she's actually able to stand? Or is that asking too much?""It seems a reasonable request," Will said, with an extravagant bow. "Anything for you, my pearl beyond price. Even withholding weaponry from my only daughter."

“You know, this porridge isn't at all bad," Simon said, digging in. George nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full.Beatriz looked sad for them, and possibly sad that boys were so stupid in general. "This isn't porridge," she told them. "These are scrambled eggs.""Oh, no," George whispered faintly, his mouth still full, his voice terribly sad. "Oh no.”

“He hated to admit it, but this was one of the things about demon amnesia that bothered him the most. What kind of seventeen-year-old guy doesn’t know whether or not he’s a virgin?” 



Tuesday 27 December 2016

Top 10 Ships of 2016

If you don't know what a ship is, it's just two characters you want to be in a relationship.

Also, be aware that this is pretty much just a list of spoilers, so be careful.

10. Josie and Seth




“I had to prove that what he believed wasn't true. Prove that he was the total of everything he had done and not the dark things he was ashamed of, and I would do so because I loved him and accepted him for who he was, for all his faults. That was what love meant. Love fostered courage.” 


“There’s something I need to know, okay?”
I lifted my chin, grinning slight. “Yes, you’re a sexy beast.”
“I know that already,” he said dryly. “But that’s not what I’m asking.”


“I brushed my lips against her cheek and then again lower, on her neck, over the faded tag the daimon had given her outside St. Louis. Then I spoke the three truest words I'd ever spoken and the three words I didn't deserve to utter, to give air, but I said them.

I love you.” 


9. Levi and Tamara




“Her body was his body. His body was hers. He saw himself through her eyes—older, bigger, beautiful to her in that strange way girls found men beautiful, and knowing things she wanted to know. She envied him his freedom, that he was a man and could do anything he wanted to anyone he wanted, while she had to marry him to escape the prison of her life and the prison of the world’s expectations.”


“He’d learned a long time ago that when the woman in his life was behaving strangely, his best bet was to take his clothes off.” 




8. Gideon and Gwen





“He took a hairpin out of my untidy hair (by now my complicated arrangement of ringlets must have looked as if a couple of birds had been nesting there); he took a strand of it and wound it around his finger. With his other hand he began stroking my face, and then he bent down and kissed me again, this time very cautiously. I closed my eyes - and the same thing happened as before: my brain suffered that delicious break in transmission.” 


"We should collect our things," Gideon finally said. And you should do something urgent with your hair; It seems as if some idiot had started to stir in them with both hands and then I would have thrown you on a sofa ... Whoever is waiting for us will know that two and two are four ... Oh, by God, do not look at me like that.
-How?
"As if you could not move."
"I can not," I said seriously. I'm a pudding. You have transformed me into a pudding. "



"I'd rather kiss you all the time instead of despising you," he said after a moment. “But somehow you do not make it easy either.”

7. Day and June





“What a joke! Poor little rich girl's fallen in love with the Republic's most famous criminal.” 


“I don't know if anyone's ever told you this", he begins. He doesn't blush, and his eyes don't dart away. Instead I find myself staring into a pair of oceans - one perfect, the other blemished by that tiny ripple. "You're very attractive."
I've been complimented on my appearance before. But never in his tone of voice. Of all the things he's said, I don't know why this catches me off guard. But it startles me so much that without thinking I blurt out, "I could say the same about you." I pause. "In case you didn't know."
A slow grin spreads across his face. "Oh, trust me. I know.” 


“June has never looked more beautiful than she does now, unadorned and honest, vulnerable yet invincible.” 




6. Ten and Caroline





“I was supposed to go with you, wherever you went. We’re a team. You told me once that I had to have a place. Well, I finally figured out where it is. It’s with you.” 



“How can I help you through this? What can I do to ease your pain, because I swear to God, I’ll do anything.”
Absolutely anything.
She set her hand on her heart and looked up at me, her eyes filled with so much emotion, I swear, some of it overflowed, spilling into me. “Just love me,” she whispered.
“I do,” I promised.” 


“So, how’s Tenoline these days?” He arched a curious brow my way. “Or do you guys go by Caroten? I wasn’t sure exactly how you were shipping it.” 
I snorted and rolled my eyes. “It’s Oreline, motherfucker.” 


“I hugged her tighter to me. “You’re seriously breaking all my rules. You know that, right?”

Her smile just grew. “I’m beginning to get a clue.” 

5. Emma and Julian




“We are bound together, Emma, bound together—I breathe when you breathe, I bleed when you bleed, I’m yours and you’re mine, you’ve always been mine, and I have always, always belonged to you!” 


“I love you, Julian Blackthorn. I love you more than starlight.” 


“She soared above the ground, and he kept her tethered to the earth. Without him she would be lost among the clouds.” 


“How long have you been drawing me?”
He sighted. A moment later his hand came to rest in her hair. His fingers twined in the strands. “My whole life.” 



“Why all these paintings of you? Because I'm an artist, Emma. These pictures are my heart. And if my heart was a canvas, every square inch of it would be painted over with you.” 

4. Rowan and Aelin




“Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her ear, "I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.” 



“I missed you,” he said quietly, his gaze darting between her mouth and eyes. “When I was in Wendlyn. I lied when I said I didn’t. From the moment you left, I missed you so much I went out of my mind. I was glad for the excuse to track Lorcan here, just to see you again. And tonight, when he had that knife at your throat …” The warmth of his callused finger bloomed through her as he traced a pathover the cut on her neck. “I kept thinking about how you might never know that I missed you with only an ocean between us. But if it was death separating us … I would find you. I don’t care how many rules it would break. Even if I had to get all three keys myself and open a gate, I would find you again. Always.” 



“It was a long story, and sometimes she grew quiet and cried - and during those times he leaned over to wipe away her tears.” 


“Aelin took a step forward. 
One step, as if in a daze.
She loosed a shuddering breath, and a small, whimpering noise came out of her - a sob. 
And then she was sprinting down the alley, flying as though the winds themselves pushed at her heels.
She flung herself on the male, crashing into him hard enough that anyone else might have gone rocking back into the stone wall. 
But the male grabbed her to him, his massive arms wrapping around her tightly and lifting her up. Nesryn made to approach, but Aedion stopped her with a hand on her arm.
Aelin was laughing as she cried, and the male was just holding her, his hooded head buried in her neck. As if he were breathing her in.
"Who is that?" Nesryn asked.
Aedion smiled. "Rowan.”



3. Lake and Kieran





“Tell me, what are your intentions with my granddaughter. She’s never had a boyfriend, you know.”
“Yes, ma’am. I am aware.”
“And did you have anything to do with that?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a half grin. “I might have.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s mine.” 



“I’m a hopeless fuck who is obsessed with a girl he still wants to hurt.” 



“I hated her with everything I had because it was the only emotion I had to give. I realized, even then, I was giving her everything.
She was the bane of my existence, and at the very same, the reason I cared to exist.” 



“You were born among monsters,” she lifted my face when I hid in her shoulder, “but you were not meant to walk with them.” 




“How would I ever be able to fix my broken love when he was still afraid of the dark?” 


2. Ronan and Adam





“Adam finally sat down on one of the pews. Laying his cheek against the smooth back of it, he looked at Ronan. Strangely enough, Ronan belonged here, too, just as he had at the Barns. This noisy, lush religion had created him just as much as his father's world of dreams; it seemed impossible for all of Ronan to exist in one person. Adam was beginning to realize that he hadn't known Ronan at all. Or rather, he had known part of him and assumed it was all of him.
The scent of Cabeswater, all trees after rain, drifted past Adam, and he realized that while he'd been looking at Ronan, Ronan had been looking at him.” 



“Making Ronan Lynch smile felt as charged as making a bargain with Cabeswater. These were not forces to play with.” 


“Adam lived in an apartment located above the office of St. Agnes Catholic Church, a fortuitous combination that focused most of the objects of Ronan's worship into one downtown block.” 


“The choice was death or hurting Adam, which wasn’t much of a choice at all.” 



When he opened his eyes, he saw that Ronan was looking at him, as he had been looking at him for months. Adam looked back, as he had been looking back for months.”

1. Feyre and Rhysand




“I fell in love with you, smartass, because you were one of us—because you weren’t afraid of me, and you decided to end your spectacular victory by throwing that piece of bone at Amarantha like a javelin. I felt Cassian’s spirit beside me in that moment, and could have sworn I heard him say, ‘If you don’t marry her, you stupid prick, I will.” 



“If you were going to die, I was going to die with you. I couldn’t stop thinking it over and over as you screamed, as I tried to kill her: you were my mate, my mate, my mate.” 


“And I wondered if love was too weak a word for what he felt, what he’d done for me. For what I felt for him.” 


“So I’m your huntress and thief?” His hands slid down to cup the backs of my knees as he said with a roguish grin, “You are my salvation, Feyre.” 


“Say it,” I gritted out.

“The High Lord of the Night Court is your mate.”


Bonus: Pen Alcott and Queen Kelsea




Well I hope you all had fun with that.
Who were some of the characters you guys shipped this year?