Sunday, December 31, 2017

2017 Reviews


What I Wanted to Read in 2017

So this year, I tried only to schedule the least amount of books that I could, not mentioning books that I had mentioned previously, most of the time, because that would be less work. Yeah. But this is a regular year with 52 weeks, so that's nice and happy for my brain! So here's what I wanted to read in 2017:

Week 52:
Endless by Kieran Scott, Odd & True by Cat Winters, Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins, Talon by Julie Kagawa, Undead by Kirsty McKay, Unfed by Kirsty McKay

Week 51:
Blades of Magic by Terah Edun, Blades of Illusion by Terah Edun, Shadow Girl by Liana Liu, The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson

Week 50:
Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari, Breaking Point by Allison Brennan, Monsterland by Michael Okon,  A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham

Week 49:
The Black Tide by Keri Arthur, Can't Get Enough by Gena Showalter, Finding Felicity by Stacey Kade, Shattered Mirror by Iris Johansen, Whispering Springs by Amanda Stevens

Week 48:
The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson, Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson, The Brightest Embers by Jeaniene Frost, Perfect Victim by Kelley Armstrong, Sex and the Single Vampire by Katie MacAlister

Week 47:
Blade of Darkness by Dianne Duvall, Spartan Heart by Jennifer Estep, Third Strike by Kate Kessler

Week 46:
Dangerous by Shannon Hale, The Divinity of Anila by Cloud S. Riser, Ghost Ship by James Rollins, The Demon Crown by James Rollins, Good and Gone by Megan Frazer Blakemore, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, Moonlight Sins by Jennifer L. Armentrout, More of Me by Kathryn Evans, Rituals by Kelley Armstrong, The Siren by Kiera Cass

Week 45:
A Kiss of Blood by Pamela Palmer, Of Blood and Passion by Pamela Palmer, Cast in Shadows by Michelle Sagara, Diaries of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista, Claws and Order by Amanda Arista, Nine Lives of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista, The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks, How to Tame a Vampire (Without Really Trying) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, Eight Days on Planet Earth by Cat Jordan, Here We Are Now by Jasmine Warga, Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza, Now is Everything by Amy Giles, Twice Bitten by Lynsay Sands, Vampires Gone Wild Anthology

Week 44:
An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands, To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands, The Highlander Takes a Bride by Lynsay Sands, Falling for the Highlander by Lynsay Sands, Surrender to the Highlander by Lynsay Sands, Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues by Diana Rowland, Immortal Bound by T.G. Ayer, Mind Game by Iris Johansen, The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Week 43:
Between the Blade and the Heart by Amanda Hocking, A Conspiracy of Stars by Olivia A. Cole, Everless by Sara Holland, The Final Six by Alexandra Monir, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston, Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre, Love is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson, The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross, Tess of the Road by Tess Hartman, A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

Week 42:
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon, Lord John and the Haunted Soldier by Diana Gabaldon, The Custom of the Army by Diana Gabaldon, The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon, A Plague of Zombies by Diana Gabaldon, Fate of Flames by Sarah Raughley, Siege of Shadows by Sarah Raughley, House of Furies by Madeleine Roux, Vampire Fight Club by Larissa Ione

Week 41:
Dark Breaks the Dawn by Sara B. Larson, Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson, If I Fix You by Abigail Johnson, Leopard's Blood by Christine Feehan, Love is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson, Mind Game by Iris Johansen, Monster by Michael Grant, More of Me by Kathryn Evans, A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet, Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Week 40:
The Art of Starving by Sam J. Miller, Leopard's Blood by Christine Feehan, Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison, Lover Mine by J.R. Ward, Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward, Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward, Mind Game by Iris Johansen, Monster by Michael Grant, This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis, Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

Week 39:
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews, White Hot by Ilona Andrews, Wildfire by Ilona Andrews, Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst, Freefall by Joshua David Bellin, The Hanging Girl by Eileen Cook, Jackaby by William Hitter, This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada

Week 38:
The Demon Crown by James Rollins, Forever Princess by Meg Cabot, Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot, Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews, Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews, Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews, Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews, Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews, Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews, Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

Week 37:
Brave New Girl by Rachel Vincent, Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray, Joined by Mara Gan, The Problem With Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, Warcross by Marie Lu

Week 36:
Apex by Mercedes Lackey, A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas, Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett, Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Secrets in Death by J.D. Robb, Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas

Week 35:
Born of Illusion by Teri Brown, Born of Corruption by Teri Brown, Born of Deception by Teri Brown, Dark Rites by Heather Graham, Wicked Deeds by Heather Graham, Dress Codes in Small Towns by Courtney C. Stevens, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller, Masked by J.D. Wright, A Very Peri Reed Thanksgiving by Kim Harrison, Waylaid by Kim Harrison, The Operator by Kim Harrison

Week 34:
Among the Red Stars by Gwen C. Katz, The Art of Feeling by Laura Tims, The Becoming of Noah Shaw by Michelle Hodkin, Body Parts by Jessica Kapp, A Deeper Darkness by J.T. Ellison, Edge of Black by J.T. Ellison, When Shadows Fall by J.T. Ellison, What Lies Behind by J.T. Ellison, Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill, Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill, The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter, The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos, Our Broken Pieces by Sarah White, Ringer by Lauren Oliver, Three Sides of a Heart Anthology, Uncanny by David Mcinnis Gill

Week 33:
Bad Girl Gone by Temple Mathews, A Deeper Darkness by J.T. Ellison, Edge of Black by J.T. Ellison, When Shadows Fall by J.T. Ellison, What Lies Behind by J.T. Ellison, Vicarious by Paula Stokes, Ferocious by Paula Stokes, How to Disappear by Sharon Huss Roat, Rituals by Kelley Armstrong, Storm Gathering by Rebecca Zanetti, Wicked Like a Wildfire by Lana Popovic

Week 32:
Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton, Beauty by Laurell K. Hamilton, Kiss the Dead by Laurell K. Hamilton, Dancing by Laurell K. Hamilton, Shutdown by Laurell K. Hamilton, Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton, Jason by Laurell K. Hamilton, Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton, Wounded by Laurell K. Hamilton, Crimson Death by Laurell K. Hamilton, Blackwood by Michelle Krys, Hexed by Michelle Krys, Charmed by Michelle Krys, Blight by Alexandra Duncan, If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Mind Game by Iris Johansen, Secondborn by Amy Bartol, The Secret of Us by Jessi Kerby, These Things I've Done by Rebecca Phillips

Week 31:
Blight by Alexandra Duncan, Micah by Laurell K. Hamilton, Danse Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton, The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton, Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton, Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton, Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton, Bullet by Laurell K. Hamilton, The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks, How to Seduce a Vampire (Without Really Trying) by Kerrelyn Sparks, Crouching Tiger Forbidden Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, Dragonsworn by Sherrilyn Kenyon, The Secret of Us by Jessi Kerby, These Things I've Done by Rebecca Phillips

Week 30:
Blood Magic by T.J. Ayer, Demon Kin by T.J. Ayer, Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton, Incubus Dreams by Laurell K. Hamilton, Hello Again by Brenda Novak, Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks, Sexiest Vampire Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks, Wanted: Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks, Wild About You by Kerrelyn Sparks, Strike by Deborah Wilde, Sworn to Quell by Terah Edun, Two Nights by Kathy Riechs

Week 29:
Blood Magic by T.J. Ayer, Demon Kin by T.J. Ayer, Forbidden Nights With a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, The Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks, Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks, The Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister, Into the Night by Cynthia Eden, Once Bitten by Kalayna Price, Twice Dead by Kalayna Price, Strike by Deborah Wilde, Sworn to Quell by Terah Edun

Week 28:
Deceptions by Kelley Armstrong, The Orange Cat and Other Cainsville Tales by Kelley Armstrong, Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong, Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop, Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop, Forbidden Nights With a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, Flight by Alyssa Ivy Rose, Focus by Alyssa Ivy Rose, Found by Alyssa Ivy Rose, First & Forever by Alyssa Ivy Rose, Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton

Week 27:
The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton, Bloody Bones by Laurell K. Hamilton, The Killing Dance by Laurell K. Hamilton, Night Lost by Lynn Viehl, Evermore by Lynn Viehl, Insurrection by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Week 26:
Pocket Apocalypse by Seanan McGuire, Chaos Choreography by Seanan McGuire, Sleepover by Seanan McGuire, Magic for Nothing by Seanan McGuire

Week 25:
Nothing Planned! (AKA Last week, since I didn't read any of it!)

Week 24:
Diving Eden by Joelle Charbonneau, Paw and Order by Diane Kelly, Upholding the Paw by Diane Kelly, Laying Down the Paw by Diane Kelly, Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward, Father Mine by J.R. Ward, Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward, Lover Mine by J.R. Ward, Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward, Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward, Two Nights by Kathy Reichs

Week 23:
The Hunt by Megan Sheperd, My Summer Job by Margaret Cioffi, Reset by Michael Pierce, Royal Replica by Michael Pierce

Week 22:
Nothing Planned!

Week 21:
Dare You by Jennifer Brown

Week 20:
The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand, Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows, Before the Dawn by Cynthia Eden, Deacon Locke Went to Prom by Brian Katcher, Discovering You by Brenda Novak, Freefall by Joshua David Bellin, The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano, Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison, This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis

Week 19:
Lord of Shadows by Shania Tyler

Week 18:
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas, Matchmaker Abduction by Donna McDonald

Week 17:
Nothing Planned!

Week 16:
Fragile Chaos by Amber R. Duell

Week 15:
Snared by Jennifer Estep

Week 14:
Mask of Shadows by Lindsey Miller

Week 13:
Nothing Planned!

Week 12:
Nothing Planned!

Week 11:
Birthright by Jessica Ruddick, A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge, Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger, Lost Rider by Harper Sloan, Undeclared by Julianna Keyes, The Unlikeable Demon Hunter by Deborah Wilde

Week 10:
After the Dark by Cynthia Eden, The Dastardly Miss Lizzie by Viola Darr, Finding Our Forever by Brenda Novak, No One But You by Brenda Novak, A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham

Week 9:
Nothing Planned!

Week 8:
Confessions of the Very First Zombie Slayer (That I Know Of) by F.J.R. Titchenell, Making Bad Choices by Rita Stradling

Week 7:
Bound to Shadows by Keri Arthur, Deadly Fate by Heather Graham, The Education of Margot Sanchez by Lilliam Rivera, Fireworks by Katie Cotugno, Lucky Girl by Amanda Maciel, Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

Week 6:
All Hollows Eve by Heather Graham, Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham, Blacklist by Alyson Noel, Deadly Desire by Keri Arthur, The End of Our Story by Meg Haston, The Freemason's Daughter by Shelley Sackier, Gem & Dixie by Sara Zarr, Just a Girl by Carrie Mesrobian, Literally by Lucy Keating, Looking for Group by Rory Harrison, Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Week 4:
All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks, Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur, The Forgotten by Heather Graham, One Blood Ruby by Melissa Marr, Ones and Zeroes by Dan Wells, Silver Stars by Michael Grant

Week 3:
The Beast Is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale, The Body Market by Donna Freitas, Dead Little Mean Girl by Eva Darrows, The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins, Hunted by Meagan Spooner, The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig

Week 2:
Nothing Planned

Week 1:
Nothing Planned!

Wrote that Review Update #177, December 31st

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!
If you want to participate, set a certain amount of reviews to write, and once you make that goal, you can get a reward!

My reviews to reward is writing all of the reviews of the week, and I motivated myself to write my review for Undead and Unfed, Wild Card, Endless, Everless, Here We Are Now, The Hate U Give, Girl Mans Up, The Queen's Rising, Sweet Temptation, so I have 9 of 9 reviews written!

And as always, I want to review this week's reviews!

What about you guys? Happy reading!

How Well I Stuck to It #180, December 31st

So I decided that I should have accountability on sticking to what should be in a week, so I'm doing How Well I Stuck to It every Sunday, because my schedule should be fixed in by now!

Week 1:
Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows, Deacon Locke Goes to Prom by Brian Katcher, Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider, Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson, Meet Me Here by Bryan Bliss, A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham, Radio Silence by Alice Oseman, Talon by Julie Kagawa, This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis

Tour Books: NA.

Review Books: NA.

NetGalley: 1. Check.

Edelweiss: 7. Check.

Meme Books: NA.

Rereads: NA.

New Books: 1. Check.

So this is a pretty fantastic week, lots of Edelweiss books, and ones that I've meant to read earlier. So yeah, happy with it!

Week 52:
Endless by Kieran Scott, Odd & True by Cat Winters, Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins, Talon by Julie Kagawa, Undead by Kirsty McKay, Unfed by Kirsty McKay

vs.

Undead by Kirsty McKay, Unfed by Kirsty McKay, Wild Card by Rachel Vincent, Endless by Kieran Scott, Everless by Sara Holland, Here We Are Now by Jasmine Warga, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Girl Mans Up by M-E Girard, The Queen's Rising by Rebecca Ross, Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

I read almost all of the books that I wanted to read! Yeah, I'm happy with that, plus I read a whole bunch more, so yeah, that's pretty great! Happy with this! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Week 52 Review: Sweet Temptation

From Goodreads:
This swoonworthy, romantic companion novel to Wendy Higgins's New York Times bestselling Sweet Evil series is told from irresistible bad-boy Kaidan's point of view. Readers will love getting inside Kaidan's head, especially fans of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, the Selection series by Kiera Cass, and Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire.

When bad-boy drummer Kaidan Rowe encounters good girl Anna Whitt, the girl chosen to vanquish the demons from earth, he can't stop thinking about her. The Nephilim son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan tries to help Anna embrace a life of sin, but she gradually helps him see that he's meant to do more with his life. Their relationship is as tortured as it is passionate, for Nephilim are forbidden to fall in love. But as hard as they may try to obey, Kai can't seem to stay away from Anna, nor Anna from Kai.

Full of chemistry and high-stakes drama, this companion book is darker, hotter, and completely satisfying.

My Review:
Yeah! It was so great to read this book, which is Kaidan's POV during the events of the first 3 books! And yeah, there were scenes where Anna wasn't there, so that was a big bonus! Plus, spending more time in this world. Yeah!

You have to feel bad for Kai, he's grown up in this pretty horrible world, of girls being trafficked and with him supposed to educate them. Of having a demon for a dad. Sure, if you didn't know about it, from the outside, it would be a pretty sweet life. But those elements were there, too.

Knowing what was going to happen, that didn't make the surprises and everything less. There was still the whole, what did Kai think while these things were going on! He does have a different frame of reference and knew more about this world. So yeah, that was great!

One thing I noticed, was the big fight scene at the end was slightly different then from Sweet Reckoning, just missing a few snippets of conversation, or maybe Kai wasn't paying attention? It was strange, but yeah, it could be because my copy of Sweet Reckoning was an ARC!

Loved this book, and I can't wait to read more by Wendy Higgins!

Author: Wendy Higgins
Series: The Sweet Series #4
Read: December 29th, 2017
Source: Bought
Reason Why: Love this series, and it's a End of series 2017 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 8th 2015
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: The Queen's Rising

From Goodreads:
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna's greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

My Review:
Oh, wow, this book was absolutely fantastic! I loved reading it, I was hooked completely, and I read this book in as few sittings as I possibly could! I just had to read more! The whole book was just so original, and I loved all the twists and turns!

This whole world was just wonderful! From the Passions, and how that system all worked, to the politics, to the relationships between the characters, everything detailed at just the first amount for a first book, and I just was so enthralled by it all!

Brienna was an interesting character. She didn't know who her father was, her mother died, and she's been bouncing between the passions, not clicking with one of them, and not getting the full 7 years of training. Which sucks. But the girls around her were really great, and I hope we see more of them in future books!

I loved how and why Brienna was pulled into the politics, with her patron, and how she faced the challenges ahead of her! There were some pretty fascinating reveals, and those just took me by surprise!

The ending was just so perfect, and I can't wait for more, becauses I have no idea where the next two books will go and I want to know!

Author: Rebecca Ross
Series: The Queen's Rising #1
Read: December 29th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Expected Publication: February 6th 2018
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: Girl Mans Up

From Goodreads:
All Pen wants is to be the kind of girl she's always been. So why does everyone have a problem with it? They think the way she looks and acts means she's trying to be a boy—that she should quit trying to be something she's not. If she dresses like a girl, and does what her folks want, it will show respect. If she takes orders and does what her friend Colby wants, it will show her loyalty. But respect and loyalty, Pen discovers, are empty words. Old-world parents, disintegrating friendships, and strong feelings for other girls drive Pen to see the truth--that in order to be who she truly wants to be, she'll have to man up.

My Review:
Oh, this book was a really great read! Pen was different-not only was she a kinda butch character, that people thought that she wanted to be a boy, but she was also Portuguese, and yeah, her family wasn't very accepting. It led to a lot of conflict!

I really enjoyed watching Pen's journey! She had her difficulties with her parents (her brother was awesome, though Pen kinda messed up a bit) and then there was her friend Colby. He was an ass, but he was her ass. Until he went too far. Not cool dude!

The whole thing about respect and her parents, that got drilled into her head. And it's like, age does not automatically mean you're a person to be respected. And a lot of her family were pretty awful to Pen, besides being pretty sexist. Glad that I don't have to deal with it!

The ending, it was pretty quiet, but it didn't need to be loud. She'd made her decisions, and started on her own path, and it was like, you go, girl! You do you! I was glad for the choices she made, the friends she kept, and that she'd moved in with her brother! That was great!

Yeah, this book was awesome, and I really enjoyed reading it!

Author: M.E. Girard
Read: December 27th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a DAC Book, SAC 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 6th 2016
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: The Hate U Give

From Goodreads:
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Angie Thomas's searing debut about an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances addresses issues of racism and police violence with intelligence, heart, and unflinching honesty. Soon to be a major motion picture from Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions.

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. 

My Review:
This book was just absolutely amazing! The main story line was her friend and his murder at the hands of a cop, but there were other things going on. Like her half brother's family and how that dad was treating them. And the raising tensions because of the reactions to Khalil. Yeah. So much!

To start off, I have two thoughts. One, I know why this book was so well received and had such hype. Because yeah, it is that good. Two, I don't know why it took me so long to read it! I mean, it sounded really good, but sometimes I'm afraid of those books, you know?

The reality of this book is that yeah, there are incidents where things go utterly wrong, and in the aftermath, justice doesn't happen, and lives are torn apart and really, I can't find the words. I don't have the means of written articulation needed to talk about this. Besides, who cares what a white girl with privilege and no real insights into the situation has to say? Besides that more people should talk and work on this?

That her friend was killed because he was black, and leaned in to talk to her and the cop violently overreacted, that was horrible. And that they didn't convict him, didn't punish him, yeah, that was hard to read!

I think the best funny moment was near the end, with the family at the new house, and the prayer, how the mom interrupted and added thanks for her mom and building the basement into a suite for the grandmother to stay sometimes, and the dad was "No, Lord" "Yes, Lord" that back and forth was hilarious, and a good moment to have among the serious nature of the Black Lives Matter movement.

This book was so great and incredible-and more, it's important!

Author: Angie Thomas
Read: December 27th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book and a SAC 2017 Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: February 28th 2017
/5 Hearts
/5 Books
/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: Here We Are Now

From Goodreads:
A book about love, loss, and the power of music, perfect for fans of Nick Hornby and Fangirl. 

Taliah Sahar Abdallat lives and breathes music. Songs have always helped Tal ease the pain of never having known her father. Her mother, born in Jordan and very secretive about her past, won't say a word about who her dad really was. But when Tal finds a shoebox full of old letters from Julian Oliver—yes, the indie rock star Julian Oliver—she begins to piece the story together.

She writes to Julian, but after three years of radio silence, she's given up hope. Then one day, completely out of the blue, Julian shows up at her doorstep, and Tal doesn' know whether to be furious or to throw herself into his arms. Before she can decide, he asks her to go on a trip with him to meet her long-estranged family and to say good-bye to his father, her grandfather, who is dying.

Getting to know your father after sixteen years of estrangement doesn't happen in one car ride. But as Tal spends more time with Julian and his family, she begins to untangle her parents' secret past, and discovers a part of herself she never recognized before.

By the acclaimed author of My Heart and Other Black Holes, this is an intergenerational story of family and legacy and the way love informs both of those things. It's about secrets and the debt of silence. It's about the power of songs. And most of all, it's about learning how to say hello. And good-bye.

My Review:
This book was so fantastic! I loved reading Tal's story, inter-spaced with the story of her parents when they were just a little bit older than her. It was such a captivating story, and I loved that back and forth!

I think a lot of girls dream of having a famous dad. The reality, I'm sure, is harder then dreams, but the dream is pretty powerful. And while Tal has the reality, well, her dad has never acknowledged her before. Until he shows out of the blue because his dad is dying. Awkward!

I loved watching Tal and her dad and his family interact, of finding those connections, because they are family. And that they knew her mom, that was just interesting, but we got to see it play out, which was just so great!

There were hard moments, because yeah, her grandfather that she just met is dying. And her mom didn't want her to know who he was, but Tal found out anyways. But that ending was pretty great, o family and togetherness and was just so sweet to read! 

Yeah, this book was just incredible and I loved reading it!

Author: Jasmine Warga
Read: December 27th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Enjoyed her other book and this one sounded good, and it's a SAC 2017 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book!
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: November 7th 2017
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: Everless

From Goodreads:
In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one's own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.

No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings' palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.

But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she's caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she'd never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself. 

My Review:
Oh, wow, I absolutely loved this book! I devoured it and it was just amazing! From that beautiful cover, to the world of taking blood  and turning it into time coin things, to the amazing characters and writing, this book just had it all! So incredible to read!

There were a lot of moments where I just clenched my fists at the unfairness! I mean, in our history, we had a similar power structure, and kinda still do. But to use blood to get time and time as coin...yeah, that just adds another layer of horribleness to the whole system!

I loved the mysteries in this book! Of Jules and what her dad kept secret from her, why he wanted to get into the vault at Everless. And of the daughter of the Queen, who wanted to find her family, her history. And then there was what was going on with the elder Gerling brother and what he did to his brother, Jule's friend.

That ending was just full of twists and turns and discoveries! I absolutely loved it! That was very clever of the one lady, because she was right, nobody really looks at servants! And yeah, this ending was kinda cliffhanger-y, because Jules has to run, but she'll come back! And I can't wait! So excited for more!

This book was just so incredible, and I can't wait for the sequel!

Author: Sara Holland
Series: Everless #1
Read: December 27th, 2017
Source: Edelweiss
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a DAC Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Harper Teen
Expected Publication: January 2nd 2018
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: Endless

From Goodreads:
An unthinkable betrayal threatens everyone Rory loves in the third installment of our dark, thrilling Shadowlands series from New York Times best-selling author Kate Brian.

Rory Miller didn't just fall in love with Tristan Parrish. She fell in love with the idea of forever. He was the one who told her the truth about her existence in Juniper Landing: that her mortal life is over, and she will now spend eternity on the island, helping others in limbo move on.

But like Juniper Landing, a bright island with dark secrets, Tristan is too good to be true. The mysterious, heartbreakingly beautiful boy Rory thought she knew is responsible for unthinkable evil-sending good souls to the Shadowlands in order to get himself a second chance at life on Earth. He has already claimed Rory's friend Aaron and her own father, but when Tristan sends her sister, Darcy, to the Shadowlands, too, Rory decides to take matters into her own hands. She will do anything to save her family, even if it means going to hell and back. 

My Review:
Finally! I finally read this amazing, wonderful book! I loved the first two books, and I don't know why it took me so long to read this one! Maybe because I didn't want it to end, but yeah, it did, and it was a pretty glorious ending!

Now that they know that Tristan was the bad guy, well the pieces all came together. But the situation is deteriorating, with all the souls that ended up in the Shadowlands, the bad coins, and then the ferry crashes. Not good!

Then with a build up of souls on Juniper Landing, hijinks were bound to happen. And with that, they still have to find Tristan, so that there was a lot going on! And with the POV of the bad guy, well, we knew there was more then met the eye going on!

I really loved that ending! That Rory would be that selfless, that was very inspiring! And that it did its job and souls went where they were supposed to, that was so great! And that she had the choice of peace or going back, yeah. Loved that she went back to Tristan and the others!

This book was just absolutely fantastic, and I loved reading it!

Author: Kate Brian
Series: Shadowlands #3
Read: December 26th, 2017
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Loved the first two books, and it's a End of Series 2017 Book, RR Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Published: July 22nd 2014
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Review: Wild Card

From Goodreads:
Kaci Dillon is a man-eater.

She's grown up on the fringes of shifter society, hearing the whispers. One desperate act as a starving, terrified child has made her the first tabby in history with no romantic prospects. But whatever. Eighteen is too young to get married anyway. Still, when she stumbles upon an opportunity to get away for a few days, who could blame her for seizing it?

Justus Alexander is screwed.

Confined to the South-Central territory, awaiting trial for crimes he committed as a traumatized, newly infected stray, Justus has discovered that the tribunal already intends to vote for the death penalty. He has no choice but to run. Too young to touch the trust fund that could finance his escape, he's betting on a big win at the poker tables—until Kaci, his secret crush, catches him sneaking out and demands that he take her with him to Las Vegas

After a wild night she can't remember, Kaci wakes up with a ring on her finger, next to a young billionaire who can't access his fortune until he turns twenty-five—or ties the knot. If she can keep her hands off her hot, charismatic new groom, she can have their unconsummated marriage annulled. But can she really abandon Justus to his death sentence, just to undo her own mistake?

My Review:
Yeah, another book in this series! I'm really enjoying this spin off series, and all these new characters and developments in the world! That this book stars Kaci, the first who had both parents who were descended from shifters and became one herself, and then Justus who got dragged into this world and doesn't have much hope given his actions in the previous book which have a good explanation!

Unlike the previous books, there's not so much explicit romance. There is romance, but it's more behind closed doors. Which works for this book, because yeah, they are on the younger side, compared to the other stars of the previous books!

A lot of moments in this book, really had my blood pressure up! Like, how could they be treated like that? It was just so awful and unfair and I just wanted to rage against all the wrongs that were committed against them! But that just shows a well written book! And one that was so great to read!

There was a lot of politics in this book! Like, deals to keep Justus alive. And yeah, there was a lot of plotting! That they were being used to exact revenge on the one leader, yeah, that was pretty awful! But they turned the tables on him, so that was really great!

I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait for more!

Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Wildcats #3
Read: December 25th, 2017
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book!
Published: December 25th, 2017
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Week 52 Reviews: Undead, Unfed


From Goodreads:
Out of sight, out of their minds: It's a school-trip splatter fest and completely not cool when the other kids in her class go all braindead on new girl Bobby.

The day of the ski trip, when the bus comes to a stop at a roadside restaurant, everyone gets off and heads in for lunch. Everyone, that is, except Bobby, the new girl, who stays behind with rebel-without-a-clue Smitty.

Then hours pass. Snow piles up. Sun goes down. Bobby and Smitty start to flirt. Start to stress. Till finally they see the other kids stumbling back.

But they've changed. And not in a good way. Straight up, they're zombies. So the wheels on the bus better go round and round freakin' fast, because that's the only thing keeping Bobby and Smitty from becoming their classmates' next meal. It's kill or be killed in these hunger games, heads are gonna roll, and homework is most definitely gonna be late.

From Goodreads:
Fresh meat! From a hospital of horrors to a runaway zombie train, it's an all-new onslaught of the slavering undead in the sequel to Kirsty McKay's killer debut!

Just when you think you're out...it's the morning after the night of the return of the living dead. Or something like that. After running/bus-driving/snowboarding for her life alongside rebel Smitty, geeky Pete, and popular Alice, Bobby thought she'd found the antidote to the Carrot Man Veggie Juice that had turned the rest of their classmates into zombies. When Smitty (mmm...nom, nom) got chomped, Bobby pumped a syringe full of it into him herself.

But now Bobby's a prisoner in some hospital of horrors, with no clue how she got there. And Smitty is missing. What if he isn't cured after all? Bobby knows she's got to find him, even if it means facing Scotland's hungry hordes -- plus Alice's buckets of snark -- again. And this time, zombies aren't the only evil stressing her out. The brain-dead are bad enough, but how can Bobby stop the big pharma business behind the epidemic? Especially when her own mom works for the company?

My Review:
I loved reading these books! I loved Undead the first time I read it, it was just so epic, and to have a sequel, yeah, I just had to read them both together! Bobby and Smitty are awesome, and I loved reading their adventures!

I had forgotten a lot about Undead, but I remembered the bus and Carrot Man. While these books are horror what with the zombies and the collapse of civilization, there was a lot of humour, in the situation, and in the snarking, especially with Bobby, Smitty, and Alice!

It was weird, in a way, to read Unfed. Undead took place in a pretty small area and in not a lot of time. And Unfed was in a different place. So yeah, that was weird! That doesn't mean it wasn't an awesome book, it was. It was just so strange!

It was interesting to watch them deal with a bit of civilization and then to deal with more zombies. Because of course the bad guys are trying to make the zombies into a money maker! There was a lot of antics and twists and surprises, and I loved how it all turned out! That was slightly unexpected, but it was a great ending!

Loved reading these books, they were just so fantastic!

Author: Kirsty McKay
Series: Undead #1, 2
First Read: June 5th, 2013
Read: December 24th, 24th, 2017
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Rereading! And they're Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Books, and Unfed is a End of Series 2017 Book!
Publisher: Chicken House
Published: September 1st 2012, August 27th 2013

Undead:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars









Unfed:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Friday, December 29, 2017

Last Letter, First Letter Reading Challenge Update 69

So I read my next LLFL Book! And only like, a week from the last one! So yeah, that was great!

So I read Endless!

Yep. Happy reading!

Here's the link to this year's post with my journey.

What it is:

You pick a book, read it. Then you look at the last letter of the title, for example, "The Adventures of Tom Saywer." Then you take that last letter, and search you TBR piles for a book starting with the last letter, so continuing the example, someone could read "Rotters" next, and then a title that starts with "s."

Rules:
1. Have fun!
2. Read!
3. The last letter of the book you read must be the first letter of the next book you read.
4. Words like "the," "a," "and," and those such don't count as the first letter.
5. If a letter becomes overused, like d, e, l, w, ext, and you run out of books that you really want to read for this challenge, cycle in letters that don't often get used like a, b, i, k, p, ext, and note what you cycle in, where!

Follow Friday #320, December 29th

Follow Friday is a blog hop that expands your blog following by a joint effort between bloggers. Follow Friday is hosted by 2 hosts, Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs! For more rules and how to participate, visit one of the hosts. Now for this week's question:

The Post Prompt: I only have one more post left, yeah! After this, I mean. Yeah! What about you guys? Happy reading!


GFC

email

bloglovin

Any or all. I'm not too picky, there's options!

The Reward Challenge Update #328, December 29th

The Reward Challenge is almost the complete opposite to a book buying ban as you'll end up buying lots of new books throughout the challenge but only after you've completed a certain amount of reading. It was hosted by Good Golly Miss Holly, so thanks to her for starting it!

OK, so I read Undead which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book, Unfed which counts 3 times as a End of Series 2017 Book and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book, Wild Card which counts twice as a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book, Endless which counts 5 times as a End of Series 2017 Book, RR Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book, Everless which counts 5 times as a DAC Book, Edelweiss Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book, Here We Are Now which counts 4 times as a Edelweiss Book,  SAC 2017 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book, The Hate U Give which counts 4 times as a DAC Book, Edelweiss Book and SAC 2017 Book, Girl Mans Up which counts 5 times as a DAC Book, Edelweiss Book, SAC 2017 Book and a WoW Book, The Queen's Rising which counts 5 times as a DAC Book, Edelweiss Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book, Sweet Temptation which counts 4 times as a End of series 2017 Book, Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2017 Book and a WoW Book.

So I have 39 counts which translates to $19.50 this week! I'll use it to buy books!

First Lines Friday #346, December 29th

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. We encourage all of our fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

-Grab your current read(s)
-Share the first line(s)
-Include the title and author so that other FLF participants can add the book to their TBR Lists!

"'Sit down, son.' Young Kaidan did as his father asked, obediently sitting in the oversized leather chair beside him in the sitting room of their London home. Kai's stomach buzzed with nervousness. He rarely had his father's full attention, so he felt heavy and exposed under his intense stare." -Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

Knowing what this series has to offer, I know this is not good at all! But it's a very good beginning to this book! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Random Reads #318, December 28th

Random Reads is a monthly meme (that I'm going to do weekly) hosted by I'm Loving Books to read some books that have been on our TBR piles for a long time. Using Random.org, I got 5019 which turned out to be The Isle by Jordan Frankel! It's been on my TBR pile since October 23rd, 2014, and I added it because I loved the first book so much! Happy reading! 

Third Sentence Thursday #333, December 28th

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Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which likes to watch fireworks especially while eating a cookie!
1) Take the book you are currently reading and open it to a random page. Share the third full sentence on that page. (If there isn't a third one – like at the end of a chapter or a blank page – you can share the third sentence of the book or just choose another random page.) Feel free to share more than one sentence, if you feel the need to do so.
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence at Words I Write Crazy (This Blog)
4) Visit one or two of the other blogs to check out their third sentences!

"I'll let you know if it succeeds." -Odd & True by Cat Winters, page 117.

Without context, this could be a good thing, or a bad thing, the succeeding, not the telling about it. I know, but won't tell!

What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!

Will the Time Come #343, December 28th

Every Thursday I am going to list a book which I really want to read/keep meaning to get to. These are mostly books which have been on my shelf for awhile now but don't have to be, maybe you got it two weeks ago and really want to read it! Thanks to Jodie from Books for Company for this meme!
Want to Join?
-Pick a book you have been meaning to read
-Do a post telling us about the book    
-Link the post up in the linky  
-Visit the other blogs


For fans of Lauren Oliver and E. Lockhart, here is a dreamy love story set in the dark halls of contemporary high school, from New York Times bestselling author Brenna Yovanoff.

Waverly Camdenmar spends her nights running until she can’t even think. Then the sun comes up, life goes on, and Waverly goes back to her perfectly hateful best friend, her perfectly dull classes, and the tiny, nagging suspicion that there’s more to life than student council and GPAs.

Marshall Holt is a loser. He drinks on school nights and gets stoned in the park. He is at risk of not graduating, he does not care, he is no one. He is not even close to being in Waverly’s world.

But then one night Waverly falls asleep and dreams herself into Marshall’s bedroom—and when the sun comes up, nothing in her life can ever be the same. In Waverly’s dreams, the rules have changed. But in her days, she’ll have to decide if it’s worth losing everything for a boy who barely exists.

Why the time hasn't come yet...
I don't know, but I just really want to read it! What about you guys? Happy reading!