Book Porn Tuesday!

Hey guys! sorry for lack of posts this month it's still exam season and honestly I'm running out of inspiration on what to post on this blog. Anyway, this week's gorgeous over is...

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: Sometime in 2016

This is the final installment in The Winner's trilogy. It is centered around The General's daughter called Kestrel who one day on an outing decides to buy a slave called Arin. Yes, it's that kind of book. The series explores Kestrel's conflicting relationship with Arin and while I'd normally be against books depicting romantic relationships between a slaver and slave due to the power imbalance, for some strange reason, this one works. There are so many interesting themes interwoven in the story: Politics, Love and Justice to name but a few. Both preceding books end on a cliffhanger so while I do encourage you to read this series, I'd also recommend you save it for next year so you don' have to painfully wait for the finale.

Book Porn Tuesday!

This week's book is a book whose cover has recently been revealed:

Queen of Shadows! 

(Click the book for the Goodreads page)

Queen of Shadows by Sarah. J. Mass! The cover on the left is the Hardback edition and the cover on the right is the UK Paperback. This is my most anticipated release of this year, it is the 4th installment of the Throne of Glass series and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I won't divulge what Queen of Shadows is about - because spoilers. But Throne of Glass is basically, a YA high fantasy novel, about an Assassin called Caelena Saradothein who was captured and put in a work camp called Eindoheven.  This story take place a year after she has been enslaved; the prince of Adarlan comes to see her and offers her a bargain: Either rot in this work camp or compete in a tournament to become the King's champion. I considered this book to be 5* because it as my first Fantasy novel and it made me fall in love with the genre. To some, this book is enjoyable for the most part. This series on a whole is amazing and I strongly recommend that you start it NOW.

Book Porn Tuesday

I've decided to come up with a series on my channel. Basically every Tuesday I show you guys a book with a really pretty cover, and I explain how much I enjoyed it.

This week's book is:

Snow Like Ashes by Sarah Raasch!

Genre: Fantasy (tap/click the book to take you to it's Goodreads page)

'Snow Like Ashes' is a book that is centered around Four Kingdoms: Spring, Winter, Summer and Autumn. Sixteen years before this book began, Spring took over Winter and enslaved the entire population- except for eight. They have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter's magic and rebuild their Kingdom. The main character of this story is an orphan called Meira who is desperate to prove herself and play a role in the retaking of her kingdom. And her time has finally come, but it comes with a price.

Thoughts: 

I really enjoyed this book and I gave it a 5* on my goodreads page.  It started off slow as does any series (world building), then it slowly built up to 'woah! this is amazing' I'm still a bit confused over the terms and such, but I loved the world and the characters (especially Prince Theron). The book ended really well with no major cliff hanger so I'm in no hurry for the next one to come but I'm still really excited as to what will happen in Ice like Fire.

Thank you for reading this post. Next week's post will be The Reader's Problems Tag!

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge Book Talk

Plot:

This book is basically about a girl called Nyx who since birth has been betrothed to the Gentle Lord (the prince of demons) after her father made a bargain with him. Since she was nine she has been taught and trained to kill him upon her marriage to him. However, when they meet she begins to fall in love with him.

Non-Spoiler Review:

This book is a beauty and the beast retelling with a twist of  Greek mythology which I absolutely loved. I really enjoyed the story and the relationship between The Gentle Lord and Nyx, however I didn't really like any of the minor characters and there was no sub plots for them. I also didn't really like the climax of the novel as I felt it was a bit rushed. Nonetheless I still really enjoyed the book and I recommend you guys read it, especially if you like Greek mythology. 

Overall Rating: 4*

Talking Points (Spoilers):

• I first thought this was apart of a series so I was confused when the story seemed to have a proper ending  and not left on a cliffhanger. I quite liked that it was a stand-alone.
• I detested her family, that's what I disliked about this book- the minor characters. Although, I was intrigued by The Kindly Ones.
• Aunt Telomache was horrid. It must have been so awkward to have to listen to her bang on about the 'wifely duties' especially since she knew her father was having an  affair with her.
• Her father was the worst! He couldn't give a monkeys that he was throwing her daughter to probable death or even rape. All because of his stupid bargain. He constantly blames The Gentle Lord for the bargain, when it was his own fault for making a deal with a demon for God's sake
• Astaria was not a horrible person but I still disliked her, she was incredibly annoying and I understood why Nyx resented her. She was crying on her sister's wedding day as if it was her being sacrificed. And when Nyx returned home she was suddenly this blodd thirsty human who was despereate for Nyx to kill Ignifex. Then, she called her own sister a 'demon's whore'  because she fell in love with him.
• I also disliked Shade. And yes, I guessed that he was a part of Ignifex- whom I loved, but I found his character a lot more sinister than Ignifex himself. I think I disliked Shade mainly for the fact that he was getting in the way of Ignifex and Nyx being together. Then, when he shoved Nyx into the fire and Ignifex had to jail him while he bragged about how many of his wives he had killed. Suffice to say, I hated every character that wasn't Ignifex or Nyx.
• Nyx was a really interesting character, I really liked that she wasn't wholly good. She made smart decisions except when she listened to her sister and tried to kill Ignifex.
• Ignifex was my favourite character. I knew I was going to love him before I read the book, while reading I enjoyed his cocky demeanor and his vulnerable side when he was with Nyx. I loved how he always slept on her lap. My favourite quote from him was: "I hate him because he's a fool and a coward and he always tries to steal my wives."

Mainly I liked how the story wrapped up, but I was still confused as to what happened. All I can gather is that when Nyx tried to kill Inifex, it backfires and in the process Ignifex traps himself in the Pandora's box with all the Children of Typhoon.  Nyx forgot about him, life started over again, but she still had some flashbacks off her previous life. She somehow remembers Ignifex and rushes to save him from the Kindly Ones. I think her sacrifice for him was so kind they granted them freedom. 

I hope you enjoyed this discussion on Cruel Beauty and I'd love to hear you thoughts on the book. My next post will be on Tuesday. I'm starting a weekly series called: Book Porn Tuesday. This is where I show you all a book with a pretty cover and I discuss how I liked the book.

Februrary Book Haul!

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E Pearson Book Talk

Most Anticipated Releases of 2015!

Today I wanted to show you the books I'm most looking forward to. If want more information about what the book is about,  you can click the the link and it'll take you to the books' Goodreads page.

1. Beautiful Redemption( Maddox Brothers #2) by Jamie Mcguire releases on the 27th of January

If you've read Beautiful Disaster and/or Beautiful Oblivion series you'll have an idea about what this book is about. If I say anything it'll probably spoil stuff so I'll just say that this is the second book in a companion series called The Maddox Brothers .This one is about Thomas. It's a new adult romance so there will be mature scenes. So if you like bad boys/alpha males, you'll probably really enjoy this one. Recommended reading order:

Beautiful Disaster: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11505797-beautiful-disaster
Walking Disaster: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15745950-walking-disaster
Beautiful Oblivion: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18104607-beautiful-oblivion
Beautiful Redemption: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22717015-beautiful-redemption?ac=1

2. Red Queen (Red Queen Trilogy #1) by Victoria Aveyard and it releases on the 10th of February

This book was compared to The Selection series. In this book people are ranked in levels of importance depending on their blood type the higher you are the more powerful and magical you are, and supposedly has a Darkling ( from The Grisha trilogy) type character which really intrigues me because I loved his character.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17878931-red-queen

3. Confess by Colleen Hoover releases on the 10th of March

Another New Adult by one of my favourite authors. Like other Colleen Hoover books it's best to read it without knowing anything about it but here's the gist:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22667115-confess

4. Fall With Me ( Wait For you #4) by J. Lynn also known as Jennifer. L. Armentrout releases on the 31st of March

You can tell by this post that I really like New Adult, this is another one and it is a continuation of my favourite companion series. This one is about the bartender Roxy (who was wearing a supernatural T-shirt in Stay With Me so I love her already) Reading Order:

Wait For You: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17314430-wait-for-you
Be With Me: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17558817-be-with-me
Stay With Me: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19501672-stay-with-me?from_search=true
Fall With Me: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20980781-fall-with-me

5. When I'm Gone ( Rosemary Beach #11) by Abbi Glines  releases on the 7th of April

This is going to be a duology and it is about Mase who is Nan and Harlow's half-brother by Kiro Manning. I love the Rosemary Beach series, it is also a new adult (mature content). If you like alpha/possesive/bad boy -esque male characters you'll love this series

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22609598-when-i-m-gone?from_search=true

6. The Heir (The Selection #4) by Keira Cass releases on the 5th of May

I genuinely can't say anything otherwise it'll spoil literally everything, but it's a companion to The Selection series. Which was one of my favourite series in 2014,  so I'm really looking forward to this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22918050-the-heir

7. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen also releases on the 5th of May

Sarah Dessen is my all time favourite authors, her books are what got me back into reading last year and I'm so excited she has a new book coming out!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23009402-saint-anything

8. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah. J. Mass releases on the 5th of May

This book is described to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but with Fae added to it. I love the Throne of Glass series and I'm sure I'll love this one.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16096824-a-court-of-thorns-and-roses

9. The Fill in Boyfriend by Kasie West also releases on the 5th of May (is it like the ultimate release date for publishers or what?)

I'm not too sure what this one is about, but it sounds like a cutesy contemporary read so I'm looking forward to it. I've also read The Distance Between us by this author which I really enjoyed.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18660447-the-fill-in-boyfriend

10. P.S I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han releases on the 26th of May

The finale of this duology. I loved To All the Boys I've Loved Before and I'm really excited to find out how this wraps up.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15749186-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before?ac=1
P.S I Still Love You: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20698530-p-s-i-still-love-you

11. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler releases on the 2nd of June.

Again, I'm not too sure what this one is about but I loved Bittersweet by this author so I'm expecting this to be a really good summery contemporary read.

Bittersweet: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12478533-bittersweet
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22840182-the-summer-of-chasing-mermaids

12. The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles)  releases on the 7th of July 2015

I originally didn't put this in because I hadn't read The Kiss of Deception, but I finally have and I'm so excited to read this! The Kiss of Deception is basically about a girl who is betrothed to a prince for political reasons. On the day of her wedding she runs away with her best friend Pauline to start a new life. Unbeknownst to her, the prince she was supposed to wed and an assassin are looking for her. She meets them but is completely in the dark about their true identities and finds herself falling in love.

The Kiss of Deception: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16429619-the-kiss-of-deception?from_search=true
The Heart of Betrayal: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21569527-the-heart-of-betrayal

13. Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge releases on the 5th of May

I'm not too sure what this book is about except that it is a Red Riding Hood retelling. But the cover is really pretty!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21570318-crimson-bound?from_search=true

14. Nowhere But Here by Katie Mcgarry releases on the 4th of June

Katie Mcgarry is one of my favourite authors and while I'm sad this isn't a new book from the Pushing The Limits series it sounds really good. This book has a dual point view: Emily and Oz. They both have connections to the Reign of Terror (a biker chain gang who protect people). Oz is told to protect Emily from the rival gang and I'm assuming sparks fly.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23561166-nowhere-but-here

15. The Boy Most Likely To... ( My Life Next Door #2) by Huntley Fitzpatrick releases

I absolutely loved My Life Next Door and I've been looking forward to reading this since I heard it was going to be released. This book is a companion novel to the previous one. It is about Tim who was Samantha's (the main character's best friend's brother).

My Life Next Door: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12294652-my-life-next-door?from_search=true
The Boy Most Likely To: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18392495-the-boy-most-likely-to

16. The Last Star by Rick Yancey releases in August

This is the finale in The 5th Wave trilogy. It's a Sci - fi about an alien invasion. This series has gotten mixed reviews but I need to find out how this series ends!

The 5th Wave: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16101128-the-5th-wave?from_search=true

17. Queen of Shadows by Sarah .J. Mass releases in September

 It is a continuation of the Throne of Glass fantasy series which is about a kick ass assassin called Calaena Sardothein who has to fight for her freedom in the King's tournament- amazing!

Throne of Glass: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass?from_search=true

18. Six of Crows ( The Dregs #1) by Leigh Bardugo

I have no idea what this book is about but is set in the Grisha world which was the setting of my favourite series Shadow and Bone. It is also compared to A Game of Thrones.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23437156-six-of-crows

19. Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

The finale in the lunar chronicles. This series starts with a book called Cinder and is a retelling of Cinderella, except it's set in Beijing and Cinder is a cyborg. It's early interesting and I'm excited to see how this wraps up.

Cinder: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder?ac=1
Scarlet: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet
Cress: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206828-cress
Fairest: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22489107-fairest
Winter: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206900-winter

Thank you for reading this post and I hope you've enjoyed it. Next week's will be my review on White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L Armentrout!

My Re-read Jar (container)!

Last year was an amazing reading year for me , I read around 140 books!  I loved majority of them and I'm desperate to re-read them.

 On my instagram (Link at the bottom of my blog page) I've noticed a lot of people making TBR jars because of the high number of books they have yet to read. I don't have that problem because I only buy books I'm desperate to read and I don't allow myself to to buy more books until I've finished reading all my unread books. However, I really liked the idea of getting to pick something to read out of a jar every month and I didn't know which order to start re-reading my books in, so I figured this would be the best way.

I'm still planning on reading and buying new books but this just ensures that I am getting to re-read my favourite books again. All in all, there are 62 pieces of paper,every month I plan on picking out  five. Instead of writing books in a series individually I wrote the name of the series, so I could read them together. I didn't do that for companion series except for 'The Rosemary Beach' and 'The Seabreeze' by Abbi Glines because they are more intertwined than other companion series in my opinion.

 If I pick out a book that is apart of a series I don't own the rest of, those will be the books I buy that month. E.g. I've read 'The Darkest Minds' by Alexandra Bracken, but I haven't read 'Never Fade' or 'In The Afterlight'. Those are the books I'll buy so I can complete the series

I really think this is a great way to cut down on buying so many books, to complete my unfinished series and revisit all the great books I've read in the last year.

Feel free to do this aswell, you don't have to use the same 'rules' I have it's just so I can finish the jar within this year.

Thank you for reading his post and check out next week's where I reveal my most anticipated releases of 2015 and my reading goals!