March 2018 wrap-up

Hey guys! I have to say, March was incredibly eventful for me in terms of reading and school and traveling … but not in blogging. I’ve been terrible at updating this month, but I guarantee April will be better! Anyway, let’s get into this wrap-up.

Books I’ve read:

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini – 3 stars

Queen Of Shadows (Throne Of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas – 4 stars

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #4) by Richelle Mead – 3.5 stars

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon – 2 stars

Empire Of Storms (Throne Of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas – 3.75 stars

Tower Of Dawn (Throne Of Glass #6) by Sarah J. Maas – 4 stars

March posts

Anticipated releases: March 2018

In Other Lands by Sarah Reese Brennan (review by Aliza)

WWW Wednesday #11

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (review by Haven)

Burn, Rewrite, Reread Tag

WWW Wednesday #12

WWW Wednesday #13

In other news, did anyone see Love, Simon? I STILL haven’t seen it (and am very, very bitter about it) but everyone seems to be raving on and on about it! I’ll definitely reread the book going to see it and I’ll see it soon, I promise! Maybe I’ll even be nice and give y’all a movie review. 🙂

Thanks for viewing, guys! How did your March go? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

WWW Wednesday #13

WWW Wednesday is a weekly event where you share (1) What you’re currently reading, (2) What you recently finished reading, and (3) What you think you’ll read next. Originally hosted Taking On A World Of Words.

What’s up, guys? March is coming to an end and I still can’t believe how fast senior year is going! I’ve got a lot planned for the coming week in terms of reading, and I’m definitely excited.

What are you currently reading?

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park. A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan…

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words… And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

I’m JUST about to begin this novel, and it’s been a long time coming to say the least. I’ve heard much about this book, both good and bad, but I’m excited to read it nonetheless. Cath sounds like a really relatable character and while I’m fairly distant from Rainbow Rowell’s work (the only work I’ve read of hers is a short story from the contemporary anthology My True Love Gave To Me), there’s no doubt she’s a talented writer.

What have you recently finished reading?

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius as war looms on the horizon. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don’t.

With her heart sworn to the warrior-prince by her side, and her fealty pledged to the people she is determined to save, Aelin will delve into the depths of her power to protect those she loves. But as monsters emerge from the horrors of the past, and dark forces become poised to claim her world, the only chance for salvation will lie in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

In this breathtaking fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, Aelin will have to choose what—and who—to sacrifice if she’s to keep the world of Erilea from breaking apart.

Empire Of Storms wasn’t as engaging to me as Queen Of Shadows, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Like I said before, I really loved reading about Maeve’s cadre and their relationship with Rowan, Elide and Lorcan’s relationship, and Aedion’s character development from Aelin’s loyal little puppy to someone more than that. SJM’s writing has improved so much, especially when she writes drama and action. I mean, that ending?! SJM, how dare you?!

And…

In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent’s mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

This book was a triumph in a number of aspects — from Chaol’s wonderful character development and further insight into Nesryn and Yrene’s background, to the intricate world-building/culture of Antica and the action/intrigue. The romance was lovely as well and I especially loved how slowly and naturally it progressed. It’s going to literal hell waiting for TOG7.

What will you be reading next?

Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…

It’s been a long time since I’ve read any Kasie West, and since I’m in a contemporary mood (I’ve been reading so much fantasy lately, whew!), it seemed like a good idea to pick this one up. Let’s hope it satisfies my fluffy contemporary romance needs!

Thanks for viewing, guys! What are you guys currently reading and what do you plan on reading next? Leave me a comment below! 🙂

Anticipated releases: March 2018

February brought us really interesting fantasy releases, but March’s releases are totally taking this to the next level. Let’s get into it!

Release Date: March 6th, 2018

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavory hobby—it’s his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she’s more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good—But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind’s greatest enemy?

Yay, another fantasy! And this one has a gorgeous cover, a dangerous princess, and SIRENS. I’ve never read a book with sirens before, and I hella hyped for this one.

Release Date: March 6th, 2018

Tomi Adeyemi conjures a stunning world of dark magic and danger in her West African-inspired fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sabaa Tahir.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy.

Isn’t it cool that Black Panther, a movie set in a fictional African country that possesses science-fiction and fantasy elements, came out just a little while ago, and now we’re getting even more of West African magic? This book sounds incredible, and the rave reviews on Goodreads are only further encouraging me to get my hands on it quickly.

Release Date: March 20th, 2018

Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.

Leigh, who is half Asian and half white, travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. There, she is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her best friend and longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life.

Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love.

This is different! It features a mixed Asian-american heroine, some fantasy aspects, and a unique setting. I’m very interested in seeing how Pan combines all these elements to create a story.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What March releases are you most hyped for? Let me know in the comments below 🙂

 

WWW Wednesday #10

WWW Wednesday is a weekly event where you share (1) What you’re currently reading, (2) What you recently finished reading, and (3) What you think you’ll read next. Originally hosted Taking On A World Of Words.

Hey guys! It’s the end of February, and my reading schedule is finally (somewhat) back on track. Let’s get to it!

What are you currently reading?

The Tower of Babel is the greatest marvel in the world. Immense as a mountain, the ancient Tower holds unnumbered ringdoms, warring and peaceful, stacked one on the other like the layers of a cake. It is a world of geniuses and tyrants, of airships and steam engines, of unusual animals and mysterious machines.

Soon after arriving for his honeymoon at the Tower, the mild-mannered headmaster of a small village school, Thomas Senlin, gets separated from his wife, Marya, in the overwhelming swarm of tourists, residents, and miscreants.

Senlin is determined to find Marya, but to do so he’ll have to navigate madhouses, ballrooms, and burlesque theaters. He must survive betrayal, assassination, and the long guns of a flying fortress. But if he hopes to find his wife, he will have to do more than just endure.

This quiet man of letters must become a man of action.

Yes, I’m still reading this. Yes, I’m highly disappointed in myself. Yes, I WILL most definitely finish it in a few days. Kind of. Sort of. Maybe.

And …

Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life – which means getting into the right high school to get into the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.

Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.

I’ve heard a lot about this book over the years, but have never managed to check it out until now. It’s a pretty good time to pick it up, especially with the number of books tackling mental illness coming out recently.

What have you recently finished reading?

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he’s out there, somewhere.

This Vampire Academy was not nearly as entertaining as its predecessors, but still fairly easy to read. Not much happens in this book, but it does raise some interesting plot points and no matter how many bad decisions Rose makes, I still can’t help but love her the same. Next one is the grand finale! HYPEEEE

What will you be reading next?

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

It’s been a while since I’ve read Heir Of Fire but there’s no way I’m re-reading that thick-ass book. And about Queen Of Shadows, this shit better not disappoint. It’s not everyday I willingly read fantasies this large. Sheesh.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What are you guys currently reading and what do you plan on reading next? Leave me a comment below! 🙂

The Infernal Devices trilogy review (re-read) // THE NOSTALGIA

^THIS GIF. DESCRIBES ME PERFECTLY.

Have y’all ever re-read a series that was really special to you when you were younger and expected to hate it right off the bat? And then you start to not hate it and you’re strangely confused but also really happy because the NOSTALGIA? And even while you’re tastes and interests have changed over the years you still happen to really love it because you’re discovering things you didn’t notice the first time?! All while mentally dying of heartbreak?!

Yeah, it’s been a few days since I finished Clockwork Princess. I’m still recovering, so don’t blame me for rambling like a weirdo.

If you guys didn’t know already, I’ve been re-reading all of Cassie Clare’s books to be prepared for her Dark Artifices trilogy which I am yet to read. So far, I’ve gotten through The Mortal Instruments series up to City Of Fallen Angels and have just finished the prequel trilogy, including Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess. I don’t know what possessed me to do a series review, but considering the brief heartbreak I suffered through after reading the epilogue of Clockwork Princess (again) and the fact that I’ve never expressed my thoughts on this trilogy in the first place, I cannot just say nothing has changed since the first time I read it. Which was 4 years ago. Whew.

Taking all of this into account, I have to say I’ve become a stickler in some places and not one in others. The Infernal Devices’ world building is still incredible, I adored the little easter eggs placed here and there, and the interconnection between the Shadow World, Down World, The Clave, and the setting of England was written so effortlessly. The plot involving Tessa’s identity, Mortmain, and his clockwork creatures was so thick and layered, the way the mystery was revealed little by little throughout the trilogy was something of genius, in my opinion. Perhaps, if I wasn’t so attached to this world and its characters I wouldn’t find it so fascinating, but it’s true.

I remember quite liking Tessa before, claiming she was miles better than Clary (in a way though, she is), but at this point, I find Tessa to be as dull as dishwater. Her inner conflict concerning her identity and background was somewhat expressed in Clockwork Angel, but later on, her character just became lazy. In Clockwork Prince, she only seemed to serve as something for Will and Jem to angst over and most of time. I truly do not see the hype in her personality besides those few moments of wit (which everyone seems to surprised to hear), and couldn’t even sense her presence most of the time. I will admit however, some of her moments in Clockwork Princess really got to me, and I only wish who she was as a character was more focused on instead of how much she meant to Jem and Will.

I loved Jem much more the second time around, he wasn’t particularly someone I was invested in initially even if I greatly liked him, but this time he did strike a cord with me. Just as much as Will. Oh, Will. Could you believe I actually thought I was going to despise this precious boy the second time around?! I tried for the whole ass first book and then decided this mindset was simply too much for me, because even if my boy was a little too dramatic, little too angsty, little too up his love interest’s ass sometimes (ha, these are all Herondale trademarks), I still really, really like him. I’m no longer in love with the guy, but I’ll always love him in some way. But seriously, Will’s got enough character development to fill out this whole book by himself.

WWW Wednesday #8

WWW Wednesday is a weekly event where you share (1) What you’re currently reading, (2) What you recently finished reading, and (3) What you think you’ll read next. Originally hosted Taking On A World Of Words.

Hey guys! How’s your February going so far? So far, my reading plans are a little haphazard but hopefully I can get them back on track this week. Let’s get into it! 🙂

What are you currently reading?

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Yes, I have finally got to it! It’s going pretty well so far, but I’m finding the romantic angst a lot more annoying and draggy than I did originally. Opinions change, but I will admit that it’s still entertaining as hell.

And…

The Tower of Babel is the greatest marvel in the world. Immense as a mountain, the ancient Tower holds unnumbered ringdoms, warring and peaceful, stacked one on the other like the layers of a cake. It is a world of geniuses and tyrants, of airships and steam engines, of unusual animals and mysterious machines.

Soon after arriving for his honeymoon at the Tower, the mild-mannered headmaster of a small village school, Thomas Senlin, gets separated from his wife, Marya, in the overwhelming swarm of tourists, residents, and miscreants.

Senlin is determined to find Marya, but to do so he’ll have to navigate madhouses, ballrooms, and burlesque theaters. He must survive betrayal, assassination, and the long guns of a flying fortress. But if he hopes to find his wife, he will have to do more than just endure.

This quiet man of letters must become a man of action.

I’ve decided recently to venture into the adult genre, and while this book might be a bit of a random pick, it has glowing reviews and the premise sounds crazy amazing. So far, the writing is a tad bothersome because it’s so detailed and dense at times, but the vibe and atmosphere is conveyed really well. I’m interested to see where it goes.

What have you recently finished reading?

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She’s so desperate to reach the realm that she’s willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he’s been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe…

This book is still a FAVE. The plot, pacing, and writing are great, the Banshee crew has all my love, and Doran and Solara are #relationshipgoals. I cannot wait to read Starfall! Now if I can only find it …

What will you be reading next?

When Princess Cassia Rose fled her home world of Eturia to escape an arranged marriage, she had no idea her sudden departure would spark a war. Now after two years hiding as a ship hand, she is finally returning to her beloved home, but not in the way she imagined. Shackled by bounty hunters, she is violently dragged back to account for her crimes. Her only solace is that the Banshee crew managed to evade capture, including Kane Arric, her best friend…with occasional benefits.

Meanwhile, Kane and the rest of the crew of the Banshee plan a desperate rescue mission. But when they arrive on Eturia, Cassia isn’t exactly in need of heroics—she’s claimed her birthright as Eturia’s queen, but has inherited a war-torn planet simmering with rebellion. Cassia must make alliances, and Kane, the bastard son of a merchant, isn’t a choice that will earn her any friends. Kane knows he will never find someone to replace Cassia—and is certain she returns his feelings—but how can he throw away his own promising future waiting on a queen?

When the outer realm is threatened by the dangerous Zhang mafia, Cassia, Kane and the rest of the Banshee crew uncover a horrifying conspiracy that endangers the entire universe. In the face of unspeakable evil, Cassia must confront her own family’s complicated legacy on Eturia and decide once and for all who her real family is.

I have no idea whether I will find this one in my school library, so it’s not decided whether I will read it directly after Clockwork Prince and Senlin Ascends. However, I’m looking to get to it in the near future, it’s been too long! It doesn’t have the best ratings on Goodreads, but I’m hyped for it regardless.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What are you guys currently reading and what do you plan on reading next? Leave me a comment below! 🙂

 

WWW Wednesday #7

WWW Wednesday is a weekly event where you share (1) What you’re currently reading, (2) What you recently finished reading, and (3) What you think you’ll read next. Originally hosted Taking On A World Of Words.

What’s up, guys? February’s been going pretty well so far. I’ve quite enjoyed the books I’ve recently read, which is a nice change from the very redundant three star ratings I’ve been throwing out lately.

What are you currently reading?

Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She’s so desperate to reach the realm that she’s willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.

When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he’s been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe…

I was actually originally planning on getting to re-reading Clockwork Prince, but when I got to my school library today, all of Cassie Clare’s books had vanished. POOF, gone. I don’t know if the librarian was reorganizing or some shit, but she really ought to let us know because that experience scared me to death. Thankfully, a copy of Starflight was just lying around, so I did not remain book-less for the rest of the day (could you imagine what a nightmare that would be?). I’m not going to be returning it any time soon either, because I really enjoyed it the first time around and I’m loving re-reading it.

What have you recently finished reading?

In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

Four very different lives are about to become entangled.

This book and I got off to a rocky start and while I wrestled with my mixed feelings for the rest of the book, I ended up quite liking it by the end. Its unconventional setting and beautiful writing really saved it for me. Look out for a review coming soon!

And…

Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…

Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…

Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?

Oh my god, I haven’t loved a book like this in a while. It was sweet, lighthearted, and laugh-out-loud hilarious. Edward, Jane, and Gifford are such entertaining emcees and the storytelling is just amazing. Who knew three prominently fantasy writers would make such a great team? Stay tuned for my full review!

What will you be reading next?

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Y’all could have guessed, right? 🙂 I know I shouldn’t be jumping into another historical contemporary/fantasy so soon after reading My Lady Jane, but I remember being Clockwork Prince being my favorite of this whole trilogy (or was it Clockwork Princess? It’s difficult to decide with this series) and I’m looking to get to it ASAP.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What are you guys currently reading and what do you plan on reading next? Leave me a comment below! 🙂

 

Anticipated releases: February 2018

Is it just me, or has January passed by really fast? I feel like I wasn’t even aware that January was January because it went by that quick. Fortunately, there are a ton of upcoming books this month from familiar authors to keep me company and help me cope with whatever the hell was happening with January. Here are my most anticipated February releases!

Release Date: February 13th, 2018

Javan Najafai, crown prince of Akram, has spent the last ten years at an elite boarding school, far away from his kingdom. But his eagerly awaited return home is cut short when a mysterious imposter takes his place—and no one believes Javan is the true prince.

After barely escaping the imposter’s assassins, Javan is thrown into Maqbara, the kingdom’s most dangerous prison. The only way to gain an audience with the king — and reveal Javan’s identity — is to fight in Maqbara’s yearly tournament. But winning is much harder than acing competitions at school, and soon Javan finds himself beset not just by the terrifying creatures in the arena, but also a band of prisoners allied against him, and even the warden herself.

The only person who can help him is Sajda, who has been enslaved by Maqbara’s warden since she was a child, and whose guarded demeanor and powerful right hook keep the prisoners in check. Working with Sajda might be the only way Javan can escape alive — but she has dangerous secrets.

Together, Javan and Sajda have to outwit the vicious warden, outfight the deadly creatures, and outlast the murderous prisoners intent on killing Javan. If they fail, they’ll be trapped in Maqbara for good—and the secret Sajda’s been hiding will bury them both.

This upcoming release is actually the third installment of the Ravenspire series, but all of the books are essentially standalones, telling separate stories set in different kingdoms in the same world. I like this idea and I like the premise of this book, a fairy tale retelling based on an Arabian story? Count me the hell in.

Release Date: February 27th, 2018

Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won’t stop her from being drawn back into her father’s palace politics. He’s the right hand man of the cruel king, Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels knows this all too well — and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly travels home. The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient captive they expected. Simon, one of her kidnappers, will have his hands full as Kestra tries to foil their plot, by force, cunning, or any means necessary. As motives shift and secrets emerge, both will have to decide what — and who — it is they’re fighting for.

YA fantasies really do love their traitors, don’t they? 🙂 I’ve had some experience with Jennifer E. Nielson as I read her book The False Prince a long while back. I remember enjoying it and I have no doubt this one will be just as engaging. I love the cover and Kestra gives me Celaena Sardothien vibes, which may be a great thing or a giant mistake. I’m totally ready to find out though.

Release Date: February 27th, 2017

A timeless exploration of high-stakes romance, self-discovery, and the lengths we go to love and be loved. 

Sixteen-year-old Zarin Wadia is many things: a bright and vivacious student, an orphan, a risk taker. She’s also the kind of girl that parents warn their kids to stay away from: a troublemaker whose many romances are the subject of endless gossip at school.  You don’t want to get involved with a girl like that, they say. So how is it that eighteen-year-old Porus Dumasia has only ever had eyes for her? And how did Zarin and Porus end up dead in a car together, crashed on the side of a highway in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia? When the religious police arrive on the scene, everything everyone thought they knew about Zarin is questioned. And as her story is pieced together, told through multiple perspectives, it becomes clear that she was far more than just a girl like that.

This beautifully written debut novel from Tanaz Bhathena reveals a rich and wonderful new world to readers. It tackles complicated issues of race, identity, class, and religion, and paints a portrait of teenage ambition, angst, and alienation that feels both inventive and universal.

Can I get an amen for this premise?! There have been a huge number of novels coming out featuring Muslim protagonists and I hate that I haven’t gotten to any of them yet. It’s  incredibly important to talk about such issues especially considering the events taking place in the world right now, and I love that people are speaking up about it by sharing these stories. This book sounds mysterious and relatable at the same time and I can’t wait to dive into it.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What February releases are you most hyped for? Let me know in the comments below 🙂

January 2018 wrap-up

Guys, could you believe January is already over?! It feels like only yesterday I celebrated the New Year with my family … by staying up until 10 and sharing a tres leche cake while watching Netflix. But okay, let’s pretend it was a lot more exciting than that. Anyway, January was a pretty chill month reading-wise. I read 7 books in total, a great achievement when taking into account the crazy amount of homework I had. Graduation needs to come sooner!

Books I’ve read:

All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater – 4 stars

Heir Of Fire (Throne Of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas – 3.25 stars

How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr – 5 stars

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera – 2.5 stars

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lisa McBride – 3 stars

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare – 4.25 stars

A List Of Cages by Robin Roe – 3 stars

January posts

Anticipated releases: January 2018 (Haven)

Anticipated Releases: January 2018 (Aliza)

All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater (review)

Black Chuck by Regan McDonell (ARC review)

WWW Wednesday #3

Geekerella, by Ashley Poston (Review)

WWW Wednesday #4

They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera (review)

WWW Wednesday #5

WWW Wednesday #6

Other than reading, I have to say that I’ve recently uncovered a plethora of Hindi movies on Amazon Prime and I’m planning on spending the next few months binge-watching the shit out of them. So far, I’ve watched Kapoor & Sons, OK Jaanu, and Vivah. Do you guys have any good Hindi movies you’d like to recommend?

Thanks for viewing, guys! How did your January go? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

WWW Wednesday #6

WWW Wednesday is a weekly event where you share (1) What you’re currently reading, (2) What you recently finished reading, and (3) What you think you’ll read next. Originally hosted Taking On A World Of Words.

Hey guys! Being the last Wednesday of January, I have to say that it’s been a pretty consistent month. I’ve got a lot of recent releases planned for next month along with my usual re-reads, so I’m hyped! Let’s get into this WWW Wednesday.

What are you currently reading?

In Alaska, 1970, being a teenager here isn’t like being a teenager anywhere else. Ruth has a secret that she can’t hide forever. Dora wonders if she can ever truly escape where she comes from, even when good luck strikes. Alyce is trying to reconcile her desire to dance, with the life she’s always known on her family’s fishing boat. Hank and his brothers decide it’s safer to run away than to stay home—until one of them ends up in terrible danger.

Four very different lives are about to become entangled.

I’m JUST about to begin this book and I’m incredibly excited and nervous to do so. I’ve seen glowing reviews for it on Goodreads and the premise has a very Maggie Stiefvater vibe to it, so I’m hoping it’s right up my alley.

What have you recently finished reading?

When Adam Blake lands the best elective ever in his senior year, serving as an aide to the school psychologist, he thinks he’s got it made. Sure, it means a lot of sitting around, which isn’t easy for a guy with ADHD, but he can’t complain, since he gets to spend the period texting all his friends. Then the doctor asks him to track down the troubled freshman who keeps dodging her, and Adam discovers that the boy is Julian—the foster brother he hasn’t seen in five years.

Adam is ecstatic to be reunited. At first, Julian seems like the boy he once knew. He’s still kindhearted. He still writes stories and loves picture books meant for little kids. But as they spend more time together, Adam realizes that Julian is keeping secrets, like where he hides during the middle of the day, and what’s really going on inside his house. Adam is determined to help him, but his involvement could cost both boys their lives…

I HATE that I didn’t give this book a 4 or 5 star rating, because it seems as if every other reader on Goodreads is head over heels for this book. I didn’t wholly dislike this book, but I didn’t like it’s pacing, certain plot points, and even writing at certain times. My ‘meh’ attitude has nothing to do with it’s handling of mental illness though, which was done well in my opinion. Look out for my full review coming soon!

What will you be reading next?

Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…

Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…

Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?

Wow, I’m on a contemporary roll aren’t I? (is anyone surprised though?) This is another book that has amazing reviews on Goodreads, and I’m totally here for it! Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint.

Thanks for viewing, guys! What are you guys currently reading and what do you plan on reading next? Leave me a comment below! 🙂