Book Review: Perfekt Order (Aere Saga #1)

About the Book:
Title: Perfekt Order (Aere Saga #1)
Author: S.T. Bende
Publication Date: Dec. 8, 2015
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 473 
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis:

All's fair when you're in love with War.

For seventeen-year-old Mia Ahlström, a world ruled by order is the only world she allows. A lifetime of chore charts, to-do lists and study schedules have helped earn her a spot at Redwood State University’s engineering program. And while her five year plan includes finding her very own happily-evah-aftah, years at an all-girls boarding school left her feeling woefully unprepared for keg parties and co-ed extracurricular activities.

So nothing surprises her more than catching the eye of Tyr Fredriksen at her first college party. The imposing Swede is arrogantly charming, stubbornly overprotective, and runs hot-and-cold in ways that defy reason . . . until Mia learns that she’s fallen for the Norse God of War; an immortal battle deity hiding on Midgard (Earth) to protect a valuable Asgardian treasure from a feral enemy. With a price on his head, Tyr brings more than a little excitement to Mia’s rigidly controlled life. Choosing Tyr may be the biggest distraction—or the greatest adventure—she’s ever had.

Review:

S.T. Bende never ceases to amaze me with her wonderful way of mixing Norse mythology into an exciting adventure of a story! I have been a huge fan of S.T. Bende since reading the Elsker Saga (if you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it!!), and while this has a similar feel, it's a whole new story with unique and amazing characters that will easily find a way into your heart the instant you meet them. Ms. Bende's writing pulls you in immediately, and every scene is richly described so you feel like every scene is playing out in front of you. I never wanted this book to end because I love being in the world S.T. Bende has created so much!! While taking place in the same "world" as the Elsker Saga, this is a standalone series. You don't have to read the Elsker Saga to understand anything...but seriously, why wouldn't you want to read those awesome books??

The best part of this book is the amazing cast of characters that Ms. Bende has written. I fell in love with Mia immediately. She's spunky, sassy, and independent. Mia is so strong, and handles anything that life throws at her with a comfort that would leave others freaking out. Granted, she's a bit neurotic with all her order and OCD-ness, but that was one of her many traits that made her so relatable to me. Tyr, aka the God of War, is too hot to handle! He starts off as basically an jerk (albeit a very hot and dreamy one), but you know what's coming...you see a different side later on after he finally lets Mia in. Tyr is the ultimate protector, I mean come on...he's the God of War...but he just wants to keep everyone he loves safe. Throughout the story, I truly felt like I understood the weight he carries on his shoulders, and I just wanted to give him a hug. Together Mia and Tyr are an amazing couple. They balance each other out, and give each other strength during the rough and crazy times. Their chemistry is off the charts, and they definitely have some steamy scenes!

The supporting characters are just as amazing. Brynn had me cracking up with her crazy, upbeat personality, and Henrick was just as perfect too. Each book in this series will be about a different character, and I can't wait for their story!!

Definitely check this series (and the Elsker Saga!) right away!! S.T. Bende has crafted another amazing story with an awesome cast of characters. She incorporates Norse mythology into the story in an effortless way, and you can tell how much research and time she puts into writing her novels. I can't wait to read the next book, Perfekt Control!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #41

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

Genius: The Game : Leopoldo Gout
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016

Synopsis: 

Trust no one. Every camera is an eye. Every microphone an ear. Find me and we can stop him together.

The Game: Get ready for Zero Hour as 200 geniuses from around the world go head to head in a competition hand-devised by India's youngest CEO and visionary.

The Players:
Rex- One of the best programmers/hackers in the world, this 16-year-old Mexican-American is determined to find his missing brother.
Tunde-This14-year-old self-taught engineering genius has drawn the attention of a ruthless military warlord by single-handedly bringing electricity and internet to his small Nigerian village.
Painted Wolf-One of China's most respected activist bloggers, this mysterious 16-year-old is being pulled into the spotlight by her father's new deal with a corrupt Chinese official.

The Stakes: Are higher than you can imagine. Like life and death. Welcome to the revolution. And get ready to run.

This sounds extremely fun. I love books with competitions in them, especially when death is involved. I think this gif sums up my feelings pretty well:

Cassie's Waiting On: 

The Inquisition (Summoner #2) by Taran Matharu
Publication Date: May 10, 2016

Synopsis:

On trial for a crime he did not commit, Fletcher must face the Inquisition who will decide his future - the process is gruelling, lead by those who will do anything to see him suffer and haunted by ghosts from the past with clues to Fletcher's tragic origins.

But Fletcher has little time to dwell on these new revelations when the king announces a deadly challenge to the graduating students at Vocans. One that involves entering Orc territory to complete a risky mission. With loyal demons by their sides, commoners and nobles, dwarves and elves must overcome barriers of class and race and work together to triumph. The reward: a fortune in gold, the safety of an empire and PEACE.

With the entire empire watching, Fletcher has much to prove, but there are those out to get him and it soon becomes clear that there's a traitor in their midst, trying to thwart the mission and create unrest within the Empire. With everything stacked against him, Fletcher must use everything in his power to fight his way to victory.

The first in the Summoner series was an amazing book that truly took me by surprise, as I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did.  So I am definitely super excited for this sequel.  Taran Matharu is a very gifted author, and I have no clue what will happen in this novel.  I can't wait to join Fletcher on another adventure!

P.S.  We're trying something new this week!  An author contacted us asking you to share his podcast with all of you.  By listening to the podcast you can find out how to win some ebooks from a bunch of different indie authors.  Here's the link to the latest podcast: Podcast

Let us know if you like this or not! If you like it, we'll keep posting the link, but if not, that's completely fine too :) Sound off in the comments!

Book Review: Never Never (Parts 1-3)

About the Book:
Title: Never Never (Parts 1-3)
Author: Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher
Publication Date: Jan. 19, 2016 (date of Part 3 release)
Publisher: Createspace 
Pages: Part 1- 159; Part 2- 158; Part 3- 95 
Rating: 4/5 stars (average of the 3 parts)

Synopsis:

Part 1

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen.

Complete strangers since this morning.

He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.

Part 2

Silas races against time as more truths unravel, while others twist tighter together. And now, the stakes are higher as Silas’ control slips and others begin to point fingers. Charlie is in trouble and he must be the one to bridge the chasm between their past and their present. Because somewhere between I love yous and Never Nevers and Never Agains, a truth they can't imagine, beckons to be found. 

Part 3

Together, Silas Nash and Charlize Wynwood must look deeper into the past to find out who they were and who they want to be. With time ticking down, the couple are in a race to find the answers they need before they lose everything. Can they regain what they once had? And will it restore who they once were?

Review:

So this review is going to be kind of different in that I wanted to show all of you awesome followers my thoughts on each individual novella.  I was originally going to combine this into one review for all of the books, but then I thought that this way you could see the evolution of my thoughts over the course of the series. So let's begin!!

Part 1

It is best to go into this book completely blind, not knowing what to expect. Trust me on this. Because of that, I'm not going to go into any plot details or too into the characters. However, what I will say is that I was utterly captivated after the first page, and I couldn't put it down. I read till the very end, and now desperately want the next book in this series. 

Originally this was only going to be one book, however the ever delightful and talented Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher decided to expand it into a series. Let's just say you'll be extremely happy with that decision. This wonderfully unique novel is a mix of mystery, romance, intrigue, the list goes on. I honestly had no idea what to expect when reading each page, and that made the excitement of reading this book all the better. Now you're going to say, I heard there was some sort of paranormal element to this story...Well, there is, but not in the way you would expect. I will tell you this, nothing is actually confirmed in this novel in regards to what is going on, however I think you will have your suspicions, just like me. I have an inkling about what could possibly happened, but knowing Colleen and Tarryn, it's going to be the last thing you suspect.

The one thing that I greatly enjoyed about this novel was how as you read, you find out things about the characters. You feel like you are part of their search to remember, and while this doesn't usually work in many books, with these 2 talented authors, it is done exceptionally. This is truly a unique and creative novel that is not to be missed. It is suspenseful, thrilling, and will leave you longing for the next part in the series. Your head will be filled with so many theories by the end that you won't know up from down...and you'll love every single minute of it. This is a definite must read for fans of either author, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Part 2

My mind is blown! Collen Hoover never fails write an amazing story. This second part in the Never Never series is something you don't want to miss out on. I honestly think I enjoyed this one even more than the first part. You are on the edge of your seat, and we are getting closer and closer to the truth. I definitely didn't see that ending coming and I need the next installment in this series now! I can't wait to see what happens in part 3!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Part 3

I'm actually kind of at a loss for words with this because I was expecting so much more from this ending. The first 2 parts were thrilling for me, and both authors combined their writing styles effortlessly to produce an exciting, mysterious story. However, I don't know what happened with this novella, but I was left very disappointed in the conclusion. This novella wasn't written poorly by any means, and it was still very good, but the story that was set up in the previous 2 novellas just didn't match up with the story that was written here. Both authors know how to drop major bombshells in their books, so I was expecting the same with this novella too. Unfortunately, the "reveal" wasn't anything that shocking (at least to me), and I was so let down by it. 

On top of that I wasn't all that happy with the epilogue either. At first, I was a bit confused, but then I re-read it and understood it fine. The problem I had was that it didn't answer 2 big questions I still had by the end: 1) Is this a curse? 2) And if it is, who cursed them? There were some other parts of the story in the previous parts that weren't touched upon either, so I don't know if these things fell through the cracks or if they just were ultimately considered not important. 

The story wasn't all bad. In fact, it was great. I loved Silas in this part more so than the other two, and the scenes where he was making Charlie "fall in love with him" were so adorable. I was smiling so much during that entire part because those scenes showed how much those two belong together.

While it kills me to give a book by Colleen Hoover less than 4 stars, I feel like I have to because this just did not live up to my expectations. It is still worth the read, but I didn't like the direction the story went as I expected so much more. 

Rating: 3/5 stars

Average Rating:

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

ARC Review: Down with the Shine

About the Book:

Title: Down with the Shine
Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Pub. Date: April 26th, 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen 
Pages: 355 
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

There's a reason they say "be careful what you wish for." Just ask the girl who wished to be thinner and ended up smaller than Thumbelina, or the boy who asked for "balls of steel" and got them-literally. And never wish for your party to go on forever. Not unless you want your guests to be struck down by debilitating pain if they try to leave.


These are things Lennie only learns when it's too late-after she brings some of her uncles' moonshine to a party and toasts to dozens of wishes, including a big wish of her own: to bring back her best friend, Dylan, who was abducted and murdered six months ago.

Lennie didn't mean to cause so much chaos. She always thought her uncles' moonshine toast was just a tradition. And when they talked about carrying on their "important family legacy," she thought they meant good old-fashioned bootlegging.

As it turns out, they meant granting wishes. And Lennie has just granted more in one night than her uncles would grant in a year.

Now she has to find a way to undo the damage. But once granted, a wish can't be unmade...

Review: 

If you all remember, I featured Down with the Shine in November for the HarperTeen Winter 2016 Blog Tour. So that means you all have it on your radar and already added it to your TBR list, RIGHT?! If you weren't convinced then, hopefully this review will convince you all now that this book is a must-read. I know a lot of my followers enjoy fantasy and I think that Down with the Shine just might be the book you are looking for. 

We start with a fun chase finding out just how crazy Lennie's father is. He is a wanted criminal all over the U.S., but Lennie hasn't seen him since he left her in the Chuck E. Cheese ball pit when she was little. This was all followed by a pleasant scene finding out that Lennie's best friend, Dylan, was brutally murdered. And Lennie has a suspicion it has something to do with her father. After this we get to the real meat of the story - which is the PARTY, where Lennie unknowingly grants wishes and we get to see the repercussions unfold. 

Lennie is a great female protagonist. She has lived her life under the cloud of her father, and because of that people think she is just as dangerous as him. Lennie tries to be strong, but she has a vulnerability to her. That was something I really liked about the book. She's so different from your typical YA protagonist and it really makes this book unique. There is a love interest in here, with no love triangle! I thought the relationship was perfect - just the right amount of romance mixed with a touch of angst. Her Uncles are another major part of this story. They were so fun to learn about, they have a pretty rough exterior but you can tell they're softies on the inside ;). 

I'm starting to think that fun fantasy novels are just about my favorite thing. The Sookie Steakhouse Series was fun, Denton Little's Deathdate was fun, and Down with the Shine is fun. And I loved them all! Quinn crafts a perfect ending to this stand-alone, which is a huge victory in itself. You clearly need to get this one pre-ordered ASAP - if not for the fantastic writing and intense plot, then clearly for that mesmerizing cover. If this book taught me anything... it has to be this gif right here:

- Jocelyn

Book Review: The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1)

About the Book:
Title: The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1)
Author: Sarah Fine
Pub. Date: Jan. 5, 2016 
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 432
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Magic, Romance
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Elli was only a child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic in service of her people. The only life Elli has known has been in the temple, surrounded by luxury, tutored by magic-wielding priests, preparing for the day when the queen perishes—and the ice and fire find a new home in Elli, who is prophesied to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between her love for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must choose the right side before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

Review:

Sarah Fine has created another fantastic novel that will grab you instantly and leave you in high anticipation of the next book in the series! I have loved every book Sarah Fine has written so far, and she still hasn't let me down. Her writing is magnificent, and she always amazes me with her creativeness. The world and magic she has crafted in this novel is certainly no exception, and I am extremely interested to see where she takes this series. I've seen that there is supposedly only one more book in this series, but I definitely wouldn't mind more as there is the potential for a lot of exploration with this world. 

I can't even begin to express how intriguing the world-building is in this novel. I was blown away by its uniqueness and it is definitely unlike anything I have ever read. Honestly, this is the perfect example of how an author should do fantasy world-building. Nothing was confusing, and even though you don't know everything at the beginning of the novel, the reader is given bits throughout the story so that it's never overwhelming. Sarah Fine reveals just enough so that you aren't confused, but still leaves you with some questions unanswered to keep you invested in reading. The idea behind the Valtia and Saadela was incredibly different, and it truly drives the story along. This, along with the fire and ice magic, made this book stand out for me. I am very eager to learn more about these aspects of the world, and explore a bit more with this world. 

The other aspect that drives this book are the constant secrets, betrayals, and twists that are introduced periodically throughout the story. Just when you think you have things figured out...BAM! There's a twist or an unraveling of secrets that totally changes the course of the book. This made the book even more exciting in my opinion.

Both the MC (Elli) and the the secondary characters are all amazingly developed, and you truly feel like you know every character by the end of the story. Sarah Fine has always written amazing characters, and she does it again with this novel. Elli was the perfect lead character as she has a fierce determination that is to be admired, and she has an endless love for those she cares about. Her heart is big, and her love knows no bounds. Elli will go to great lengths to ensure that she helps whenever and however possible. I will admit, at first, I wasn't too sure about her character. I didn't really know what to make of her, but she quickly grew on me during the book. Oskar (the love interest) was amazing on his own. He is very secretive and has his own struggles. I really enjoyed the scenes where he opened up to Elli, and the chemistry between them can't be denied. 

The romance in this novel is perfect as well, as the love between Elli and Oskar builds slowly but burns brightly. Sarah Fine balanced the romance with the action and fantasy elements perfectly, and I can't wait to see where their relationship goes. I can already tell it'll be a bit of a rocky road, but they definitely belong together!

The one complaint I do have about this book (and this is the only complaint I have) is the pacing. There were times where the story was very slow and dragged. But then there would be plenty of scenes that made up for these times by being action packed and full of excitement. Regardless of these scenes though, the other elements of the story keep you interested during these slow times in the book.

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel for fans of Sarah Fine or if you're looking for a completely new and unique fantasy novel. Sarah Fine has written a dark, intriguing, and extremely enjoyable tale that will leave you longing for the next in the series. Even though there was no cliffhanger, I am super excited to check out the next book to see what will happen next for Elli, Oskar, and all the other characters in the novel!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Waiting on Wednesday #40

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1): Victoria Schwab 
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016

Synopsis: 

The city of Verity has been overrun with monsters, born from the worst of human evil. In North Verity, the Corsai and the Malchai run free. Under the rule of Callum Harker, the monsters kill any human who has not paid for protection. In the South, Henry Flynn hunts the monsters who cross the border into his territory, aided by the most dangerous and darkest monsters of them all—the Sunai, dark creatures who use music to steal their victim’s souls.

As one of only three Sunai in existence, August Flynn has always wanted to play a bigger role in the war between the north and the south. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate Harker, daughter of the leader of North Verity, August jumps on it.

When Kate discovers August’s secret, the pair find themselves running for their lives and battling monsters from both sides of the wall. As the city dissolves into chaos, it’s up to them to foster a peace between monsters and humans.

I have heard nothing but amazing things about V.E. Schwab. I'm so excited to read her new series, I like the whole "music to steal victim's souls" kind of thing. It reminds me of the tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

Warrior Witch (The Malediction Trilogy #3) by Danielle Jensen
Publication Date: May 3, 2016

Synopsis:

Sometimes, one must become the unimaginable

The witch is dead, the curse is broken, and the trolls are free of their mountain prison. Cécile and Tristan have accomplished all it was foretold they would, but their greatest challenge remains: defeating the evil they have unleashed. Because the trolls are not the only creatures now free to walk the world.

Enclosed within the safety of Trianon’s walls, Cécile and Tristan scramble for a way to protect the people of the Isle and liberate the trolls from their tyrant king. But Cécile and Tristan both have debts, and they will be forced to pay them at a cost far greater than they had ever imagined.

While I'm so sad that this is the end of this amazing trilogy, I can't wait to get my hands on this finale!  Danielle Jensen has blown me away with the previous two novels in this series, and I can't wait to see the direction she takes this story.  The entire series is wonderfully unique and like something I have never read previously.  If you haven't checked the series out yet, add them to your TBR pile as soon as possible! You don't want to miss out :)

Book Review: Curio (Curio #1)

About the Book:
Title: Curio (Curio #1) 
Author: Evangeline Denmark
Pub. Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 432
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Young Adult, Magic
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis:

Grey Haward has always detested the Chemists, the magicians-come-scientists who rule her small western town. But she has always followed the rules, taking the potion the Chemists ration out that helps the town’s people survive. A potion that Grey suspects she—like her grandfather and father—may not actually need.

By working at her grandfather’s repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed—or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists’ enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.

But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family’s secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows—her grandfather’s shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit’s life and also end the Chemists’ dark rule forever.

Review:

A wondrous mix of fantasy, dystopian, and steampunk with inventive twists and turns, Curio is a great new novel by Evangeline Denmark! I am a huge fan of steampunk, so naturally this novel caught my eye. However, this being said, I am also extremely picky about my steampunk. Some authors don't do it justice and fail epically, while other authors offer mind-blowing worlds that capture the exact essence of steampunk. I am happy to say that this novel is a perfect steampunk novel that everyone can enjoy. Every scene has a little hint of steampunk in it, but it's never overwhelming. One of the reasons this works so well is how Evangeline Denmark incorporated elements of other genres into the story as well. There's fantasy when we get to the Curio world, there's dystopian when we are in both worlds, and then there's a bit of romance. Everything is perfectly balanced, and it makes this book even more enjoyable.

The writing was absolutely wonderful and Evangeline Denmark crafted a fantastical adventure that sweeps you away from the first page. There are so many secrets waiting to be uncovered, and I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting for these secrets to be unveiled. And when these secrets are revealed, well let's just say, you will be pleasantly surprised. This book isn't that predictable, which is extremely refreshing, and you will find yourself guessing every thing. There are many twists and turns you won't see coming, and the world that Evangeline Denmark has developed is so intriguing. My only complaint was that I wished for a little more description of the fantasy elements. I don't know if this will be explained in future novels, but I didn't like just accepting that these elements existed with no explanation. I wanted to know more! However, I am extremely excited to learn more about the Defenders and the Chemists in future books. It's such a unique and creative aspect of this novel, and I can't wait to see where Evangeline Denmark takes the series in this regard.

Grey is an amazing female lead, and easily one of my favorite steampunk ladies. Grey is so real and relatable, even though she's quite different than everyone around her. She has insecurities and is very uncertain of herself and her future. But, I loved how once Grey was transported to another world, she immediately took charge, and was able to fend for herself. She let the restrictions that had imprisoned her during her upbringing fall away, and was able to think on her feet and find her true inner strength. Grey's growth and development over the course of this novel is perfect and extremely well written. Ultimately though she learns what it truly means to be a Defender, and the entire ending is truly magnificent in both character development and storytelling. 

I highly recommend checking this novel out if you are a fan of steampunk novels or are looking to get into the genre. This would serve as a good introduction to the steampunk world without being too overwhelming. Plus, with the other genres mixed in, this novel has a little bit of something for everyone! Every character is unique and different from anything I have read previously, and I am excited to see what happens next in the Curio series! 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie

Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

About The Book:

  Title: A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

  Author: V. E. Schwab 
  Pub. Date: February 24th, 2015
  Publisher: Tor Books  
  Pages: 398

  Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Magic 

  Rate: 5/5 stars

Synopsis :

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit. 

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

Review:

I can't believe it took me until NOW to read this book! This book was pure ... magic *hehehe*.  I now understand the obsession with this series ... and I hope after you all read this review, I can persuade you to try it too!!

Eddie Redmayne as
Kell Maresh 

"I'm not going to die," she said. "Not till I've seen it."

"Seen what?"

Her smile widened. "Everything."

Kell is only one of two people who can travel between the three remaining Londons - he doesn't know why the magic chooses specific people to be born into but there's only two remaining Antari. They can be visibly seen by having one regular colored eye and one black eye. In Kell's case, he has an adorable blue eye. Can we all just take a moment to appreciate him? He's not only cute and sassy but he has a fierce loyalty to his brother, Prince Rhy. Lila on the other hand is just as awesome, she just happens to be a little kleptomaniac with a bad attitude. Personally, I feel like they balance each other perfectly. I think her cross-dressing is perfect. The other main characters are Rhy, Holland, and The Danes. I say main characters because while the main focus isn't literally on them, they are written in so much vivid detail, and even though some of them are bad, I can't help but love them anyway.

Jenna Coleman as
Lila Bard

We all love magic right? It is one of the most interesting topics a book can tackle. But lets be honest, it is seldomly done right. The first books in a series often lose us because the way an author tries to convey their world of magic doesn't connect and it comes across as messy and confusing. So when I picked this book up I thought - "I not only have to figure out ONE world of magic, I have to figure out THREE!" *gulp*. Could I have been more wrong? In the case of ADSOM, there was never a single time where it felt like Ms. Schwab was teaching you this world of magic. It was SO well written you felt like you already knew this magic in your bones and it was just being reawakened by reading it.

"I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself." 

"I apologize for shooting you in the leg. I was myself entirely." 

There really is nothing bad to say about ADSOM. I'm not even kidding... There was never a moment that this book was dragging. If you're thinking "but I don't really like fantasy all that much". Well do you like books? Because I'm convinced this going to be somewhat of a classic. This is definitely going to be a book I recommend to everyone! I already ordered the second book in the series, A Gathering of Shadows. I can't wait to see what's next for Kell and Lila. Note * I'm going through the stages of shipping

- Jocelyn

Cover Reveal: Withering Rose (Once Upon a Curse #2)

Waiting on Wednesday #39

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Jocelyn's Waiting On: 

The Beauty of Darkness (The Remnant Chronicles, #3): Mary E. Pearson
Publication Date: May 10th, 2016

Synopsis: 

Lia and Rafe have escaped Venda and the path before them is winding and dangerous - what will happen now? This third and final book in The Remnant Chronicles is not to be missed.

I'm not even sure if this is the current publication date anymore. I talked to a publicist and she had told me the publication date was pushed back a bit. Regardless, I'm extremely excited for this book. I have no idea how Mary E. Pearson is going to finish up Lia's story, but I trust her. *Team Kaden*. I think my ship is sinking, though. *sobs in a corner*. 

Cassie's Waiting On: 

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: May 3, 2016

Synopsis:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.

I think everyone knows how excited I am for this novel considering A Court of Thorns and Roses was my #1 favorite book of 2015!  I can't wait to see where Sarah J. Maas takes this story.  Her writing has come so far, and every book she writes is better than the last.  This is bound to be an automatic favorite of 2016, and is one of my most anticipated reads on my TBR list!

ARC Review: A Drop of Night

About the Book:

Title: A Drop of Night

Author: Stefan Bachmann

Pub. Date: March 15, 2016

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 464
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Rating: 2/5 stars

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk has finally caught the break she’s been looking for—she's been selected out of hundreds of other candidates to fly to France and help with the excavation of a vast, underground palace buried a hundred feet below the suburbs of Paris. Built in the 1780's to hide an aristocratic family and a mad duke during the French Revolution, the palace has lain hidden and forgotten ever since. Anouk, along with several other gifted teenagers, will be the first to set foot in it in over two centuries.

Or so she thought.

But nothing is as it seems, and the teens soon find themselves embroiled in a game far more sinister, and dangerous, than they could possibly have imagined. An evil spanning centuries is waiting for them in the depths. . .

A genre-bending thriller from Stefan Bachmann for fans of The Maze Runner and Joss Whedon’s The Cabin in the Woods.

You cannot escape the palace.

You cannot guess its secrets.

Review:

This is a difficult book for me to review because I had to change my thinking after a bit because it was nowhere near what I had originally expected. After I changed my way of thinking (to give the book a fair shot), I still didn't know how I really felt about the novel once I was finished. On one hand, it was weird (not in a good way), filled with holes, and almost read like a first draft. On the other hand, it wasn't terrible, and the action was kind of exciting. Ultimately though, this book couldn't drum up enough excitement for me once I had finished reading, and that is why I am giving it 2 stars.

“A man is standing in the corner. Bleeding. Watching us.” 

Initially from the synopsis, I had thought this was going to be a thriller/contemporary adventure story...an Indiana Jones with a twist type thing. But that is definitely not what I got. Instead, this turned out to be a horror/fantasy novel. I don't hold this against the book itself, but this jarred me at first because I went in expecting one thing and got another. I wish the synopsis of this novel would have been a bit more clear in what could be expected because I either wouldn't have read it, or at least proceeded with caution while reading. However, I can also understand why the synopsis wasn't super clear because then it would virtually give away the twist of the story. This being said, I still think the synopsis could have been done in a way that prevented the twist from being revealed, and been more clear about the true genre of this novel. So this is why I said that I needed to change my way of thinking once I got to the "twist" part of this book. Even though this wasn't what I originally expected, I wanted to still give the book the opportunity to be great! The beginning was actually pretty promising, so I had high hopes by the "twist" part.

"I don't believe in the whole "people are basically good deep down notion. 

I think deep down is where people are the worst."

I do want to make it clear that I actually really enjoyed the creative plot created by Mr. Bachmann. I thought it was very unique and I could tell that he spent a lot of time crafting a rich history and backstory. But the problem ended up being that the majority of this amazing history was lost while reading. Although the story alternates between the past and the present, the past perspective wasn't that interesting since the majority of the time nothing happened (except at the beginning), and the present perspective almost served no purpose except to show the characters running around trying to get out of the underground palace. Throughout the book, I felt that the same scene played out again and again, just in a different room. The ending was almost anti-climactic as well, and it didn't seem that well thought out. I did understand the reasons behind why the characters were there, but there almost didn't seem to be a point in the end. The end left me with more questions: Why did the results of the end happen with these characters and not previous people who were taken to the underground palace? What would have happened if the plan would have actually worked?

The characters were also something that bothered me while reading this novel as I never connected to any of them. There wasn't a lot of information given about the other characters besides Anouk, and even after reading I still don't feel like I know Anouk that well besides the couple of things (albeit tragic things) she told the other characters later on in the story. There was a bit of background sharing between the characters, but it wasn't enough for me. I did enjoy how their friendship grew over the course of the story, but I also didn't think it was very believable. I mean it was kind of a given that they had to bond/join together to get out of the situation they were in.

Overall, this novel just wasn't for me. I do think it will appeal to a variety of readers because the plot, while a bit confusing at times, is actually very interesting. I can honestly say I have never read anything like this before. Perhaps if I knew going in how this story would turn out, I would have felt differently in the end. However, with a little more time and editing, I do think this novel could be something great. After I was finished reading, I realized that this would make a pretty awesome movie...it's just not so great as a book.

                                                 

Happy reading :)

~Cassie