Week 39 Review: Feral Youth

From Goodreads:

At Zeppelin Bend, an outdoor education program designed to teach troubled youth the value of hard work, cooperation, and compassion, ten teens are left alone in the wild. The teens are a diverse group who come from all walks of life, and they were all sent to Zeppelin Bend as a last chance to get them to turn their lives around. They've just spent nearly two weeks learning to survive in the wilderness, and now their instructors have dropped them off eighteen miles from camp with no food, no water, and only their packs, and they'll have to struggle to overcome their vast differences if they hope to survive.

Inspired by The Canterbury Tales, Feral Youth features characters, each complex and damaged in their own ways, who are enticed to tell a story (or two) with the promise of a cash prize. The stories range from noir-inspired revenge tales to mythological stories of fierce heroines and angry gods. And while few of the stories are claimed to be based in truth, they ultimately reveal more about the teller than the truth ever could.

My Review:


Authors: Shaun David Hutchinson, E.C. Myers, Robin Talley, Tim Floreen, Stephanie Kuehn, Susanne Young, Marieke Nijkamp, Justina Ireland, Brandy Colbert, Alaya Dawn Johnson
Read: September 25th, 2025  
Source: Own 
Reason Why: Love these authors, and it's a SAC 2025 Book!  
Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Published: September 15th 2017

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 50 Review: Before I Let Go

From Goodreads:

From the author of the #1 New York Time's bestseller This Is Where It Ends comes another unforgettable story of loss, hope, betrayal, and the quest for truth

Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.

Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated-and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town's lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she's a stranger.

Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets-chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter...

My Review:


Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Read: December 10th, 2023  
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2023 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book!
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: January 2nd 2018

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 10

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium Lightfall at Old Favour Pass, and it was Before I Let Go which was for the prompt Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, and I'll be reading No Exit next! 

My Reading Journey:

Howl for the Gargoyle by Kathryn Moon

Prompt Fulfilled: The Old Tails Bookstore

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 1:38 PM

Pages Read: 291

Don't Hang Up by Benjamin Stevenson

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 2:51 PM

Pages Read: 101

The House on the Water by Margot Hunt

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 4:02 PM

Pages Read: 87

No Kindness Too Soon by Sylvain Neuvel

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 4:58 PM

Pages Read: 150

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

Prompt Fulfilled: Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 6:36 PM

Pages Read: 144

Drowned by Cyn Balog

Prompt Fulfilled: The Old Tails Bookstore

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 9:48 PM

Pages Read: 304

Random in Death by J.D. Robb

Prompt Fulfilled: Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 368

Cold Water Veins by Amy Lutavics

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 2:47 PM

Pages Read: 68

The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 3:21 PM

Pages Read: 50

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Prompt Fulfilled: Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 6:40 PM

Pages Read: 386

No Exit by Taylor Adams

Prompt Fulfilled: Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals

Started On: December 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 352

Prompts Left: Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Owlcat Craft Cafe, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Owlcat Craft Cafe, Occult Premonitions Bookstore      

Read: 10

Pages Read: 1949

Magical Readathon: Orilium Update 9

So I read my next book for Magical Readathon: Orilium Lightfall at Old Favour Pass, and it was The Werewolf's 15 Minutes which was for the prompt Owlcat Craft Cafe, and I'll be reading Before I Let Go next! 

My Reading Journey:

Howl for the Gargoyle by Kathryn Moon

Prompt Fulfilled: The Old Tails Bookstore

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 1:38 PM

Pages Read: 291

Don't Hang Up by Benjamin Stevenson

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 2:51 PM

Pages Read: 101

The House on the Water by Margot Hunt

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 4:02 PM

Pages Read: 87

No Kindness Too Soon by Sylvain Neuvel

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 4:58 PM

Pages Read: 150

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

Prompt Fulfilled: Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 6:36 PM

Pages Read: 144

Drowned by Cyn Balog

Prompt Fulfilled: The Old Tails Bookstore

Started On: December 9th

Finished On: December 9th, 9:48 PM

Pages Read: 304

Random in Death by J.D. Robb

Prompt Fulfilled: Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 368

Cold Water Veins by Amy Lutavics

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 2:47 PM

Pages Read: 68

The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry

Prompt Fulfilled: Owlcat Craft Cafe

Started On: December 10th

Finished On: December 10th, 3:21 PM

Pages Read: 50

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp

Prompt Fulfilled: Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals

Started On: December 10th

Currently On: Page 0 of 386

Prompts Left: Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, The Old Tails Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Wallice's Wonderful Winter Wanimals, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Owlcat Craft Cafe, Occult Premonitions Bookstore, Smith & Friends & Sons Arcane Goods and Such, Shank & Shawl Legitimate Retailer, Owlcat Craft Cafe, Occult Premonitions Bookstore      

Read: 9

Pages Read: 1563

Waiting on Wednesday #556, January 5th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

Highland Wolf by Lynsay Sands

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

New York Times Bestselling Author Lynsay Sands delivers another sexy historical romance set in the wilds of the Highlands

In all her daydreams about her wedding day, Lady Claray MacFarlane never once imagined being dragged to the altar by her greedy uncle and forced to marry a man she didn't know. But that's what happened, or would have, had a Highland warrior not snatched her up at the last minute and ridden off with her in his arms...

They call him the Wolf. The mercenary's courage and prowess in battle are known throughout the Highlands, and with his handsome face and black-as-sin hair, he was as intelligent and deadly as the wolf he was named for...

But the Wolf is also Claray's betrothed. Thought to have been killed as a child, he'd been in hiding all these years. Now, he's determined to earn enough coin to rebuild his home, reclaim his birthright, and honor his marriage contract to Claray. For he's fallen for the tender-hearted lass...and he will do anything to protect her and their future together.

Munro by Kresley Cole

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:
The next stand-alone installment in the electrifying Immortals After Dark series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole. Venture deeper into the Lore, fierce realm of the immortals. . . .

Savage Road by Christine Feehan

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan explores uncharted territory in the new Torpedo Ink Motorcycle Club novel.

When Savin “Savage” Pajari and Seychelle Dubois first met, their connection was instant, their attraction undeniable. Their relationship has been full throttle since day one. Even though months have passed, the passion and love between them has only increased.

Savage completely owns what he is: a sadist in the bedroom who can only get off on his partner’s pain. He believes he’s not a good man, but he loves Seychelle with a fierceness that shocks him. He wants all of her, but only if she gives herself freely with eyes wide open.

Seychelle never imagined the lure of mixing pain with pleasure, or how much she’d crave Savage’s darkness. She’s been shaken to her core, but Seychelle is committed to Savage and their life together—even though he’s keeping a piece of himself back. And to truly make their relationship work, he has to give her everything that he is, just as she is doing for him.

Savage knows that what he really needs could break his woman if she isn’t ready. She agreed to come into his world, and he’s not about to give her up. He has to find a way to let her see the monster inside without pushing her away. But the real Savage might be more than Seychelle can bear...and he knows he wouldn’t survive losing her. 

John Doe Cold Case by Amanda Stevens

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

A shocking discovery just turned a cold case red-hot.And for one detective, it strikes way too close to home...

The discovery of skeletal remains in a Florida cavern sends cold case detective Eve Jareau on a collision course with her past. Concealing the truth from her boss, police chief Nash Bowden, becomes impossible when the spark between them reignites. And now a killer hell-bent on keeping decades-old family secrets hidden forever is lying in wait…to bury Eve and Nash alive.

A Procedural Crime Story

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the A Procedural Crime Story series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

Titanic meets The Shining in S.A. Barnes’ Dead Silence, a SF horror novel in which a woman and her crew board a decades-lost luxury cruiser and find the wreckage of a nightmare that hasn't yet ended.

A GHOST SHIP.

A SALVAGE CREW.

UNSPEAKABLE HORRORS.

Claire Kovalik is days away from being unemployed—made obsolete—when her beacon repair crew picks up a strange distress signal. With nothing to lose and no desire to return to Earth, Claire and her team decide to investigate.

What they find at the other end of the signal is a shock: the Aurora, a famous luxury space-liner that vanished on its maiden tour of the solar system more than twenty years ago. A salvage claim like this could set Claire and her crew up for life. But a quick trip through the Aurora reveals something isn’t right.

Whispers in the dark. Flickers of movement. Words scrawled in blood. Claire must fight to hold onto her sanity and find out what really happened on the Aurora, before she and her crew meet the same ghastly fate. 

Loveboat Reunion by Abigail Hing Wen

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

This companion novel to Abigail Hing Wen’s New York Times bestselling debut, Loveboat, Taipei, follows two fan favorite characters—Sophie and Xavier—as they reconnect and write their own futures on a wild, unexpected Loveboat reunion.

Sophie Ha and Xavier Yeh have what some would call a tumultuous past.

It’s a classic tale of girl-meets-boy, boy-meets-other-girl, heart-gets-broken, revenge-is-plotted, everything-blows-up. Spectacularly.

At least they’re friends now. They’ve left the drama behind them back in Taipei—at their summer program, Loveboat—forever.

Now fall is here, and it’s time to focus on what really matters. Sophie is determined to be the best student Dartmouth’s ever had. Forget finding the right guy to make her dreams come true—Sophie is going to make her future happen for herself. Xavier, on the other hand, just wants to stay under his overbearing father’s radar, collect his trust fund when he turns eighteen, and concentrate on what makes him happy, for the first time ever.

But the world doesn’t seem to want Sophie and Xavier to succeed. Sophie’s computer science professor thinks her first major project is too feminine. Xavier’s father gives him an ultimatum: finish high school or be cut off from his inheritance.

Then Sophie and Xavier find themselves on a wild, nonstop Loveboat reunion, hatching a joint plan to take control of their futures. Can they succeed together . . . or are they destined to combust?

Expansive and romantic, glamorous and tender, Loveboat Reunion takes readers back to Taipei through the eyes of Sophie and Xavier, on an unforgettable journey of glittering revelry and self-discovery that’s perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Mary H. K. Choi. 

At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp

Expected Publication: January 25th, 2022
From Goodreads:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Is Where It Ends comes another heartbreaking, emotional and timely page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Hope Juvenile Treatment Center is ironically named. No one has hope for the delinquent teenagers who have been exiled there; the world barely acknowledges that they exist.

Then the guards at Hope start acting strange. And one day...they don't show up. But when the teens band together to make a break from the facility, they encounter soldiers outside the gates. There's a rapidly spreading infectious disease outside, and no one can leave their houses or travel without a permit. Which means that they're stuck at Hope. And this time, no one is watching out for them at all.

As supplies quickly dwindle and a deadly plague tears through their ranks, the group has to decide whom among them they can trust and figure out how they can survive in a world that has never wanted them in the first place. 

Yeah, there's some really excellent books coming out, all of these authors I love, and I can't wait for these books to be out! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #493, November 16th

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #492
Teaser Tuesday #500
WWW Wednesday #500
WOW #496
Will the Time Come #493
Third Sentence Thursday #483
Random Reads #469
First Lines Friday #496
Book Blogger Hop #162
The Reward Challenge Update #478
Wheel of TBR #25
How Well I Stuck to It #330
Wrote that Review Update #327

Week 46 Reviews:
Master of One

Harry's Day Off 

The Warrior

Backup

Last Call

Curses

Turn Coat

Journal

Love Hurts

Even Hand

Bigfoot on Campus

Changes

Goodbye

Side Jobs

Ghost Story

Bombshells 

Cold Days

Cold Case

Skin Game

Brief Cases

Job Placement

Jury Duty

Day One

Everything the Light Touches

Quiet in Her Bones

The Darkest Minds

Sister of Sword and Song

Even If We Break

They Both Die in the End

You Don't Know Me but I Know You

24 Hour Reading Challenge: 

1st November Sign Up

Update 1 

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Update 5 

Update 6 and Wrap Up

Next to be Published November: 

Update 11

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Update 15

Update 16

Update 17

Update 18

Clear Your S**t Readathon: 

Update 12

Update 13

Update 14

Taylor Swift Playlistathon:

Update 1

Update 2

Update 3

Update 4

Random:

Marieke Nijkamp Author Page

OK, so I got 43 posts in 7 days, I had a pretty great week, I've almost cleared through the Dresden Files this week, and I can't wait to catch up with what's been published. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Peace Talks, Battle Ground, and Christmas Eve.

HARRY DRESDEN IS BACK AND READY FOR ACTION, in the new entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files.

When the Supernatural nations of the world meet up to negotiate an end to ongoing hostilities, Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, joins the White Council's security team to make sure the talks stay civil. But can he succeed, when dark political manipulations threaten the very existence of Chicago--and all he holds dear?

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET SERIOUS FOR HARRY DRESDEN, CHICAGO'S ONLY PROFESSIONAL WIZARD, in the next entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files.

Harry has faced terrible odds before. He has a long history of fighting enemies above his weight class. The Red Court of vampires. The fallen angels of the Order of the Blackened Denarius. The Outsiders.

But this time it's different. A being more powerful and dangerous on an order of magnitude beyond what the world has seen in a millennium is coming. And she's bringing an army. The Last Titan has declared war on the city of Chicago, and has come to subjugate humanity, obliterating any who stand in her way.

Harry's mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. And the attempt will change Harry's life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever. 

Jim wrote a new short story, Christmas Eve, as a gift for his fans on December 24, 2018. It is posted to his website and Facebook page. The story is set after Peace Talks and depicts Harry's first Christmas Eve as a dad, as well as a few other familiar faces. As it was released before its predecessor, it does offer some hints as to the happenings of Peace Talks, but no major spoilers.

Marieke Nijkamp Author Page

The Story: I saw This Is Where It Ends on Goodreads, it sounded good, so when it was on NetGalley, I asked for it, got it, read it, loved it! And I've loved other stories I've since read, and I can't wait to read more! 

Website 

Stand Alone's: This Is Where It Ends and her site, my review, Before I Left Go and her site, my review, Even If We Break and her site, my review, When the Night Ends and her site.

Anthologies: Feral Youth and my review, The Radical Element and my review, His Hideous Heart and my review, 

Week 46 Review: Even If We Break

From Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp comes a shocking new thriller about a group of friends tied together by a game and the deadly weekend that tears them apart.

FIVE friends go to a cabin.
FOUR of them are hiding secrets.
THREE years of history bind them.
TWO are doomed from the start.
ONE person wants to end this.
NO ONE IS SAFE.

Are you ready to play?

My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was diverse and it was a thrilling mystery, and I enjoyed reading about most of these characters! The role playing that they did, that gave them this group of friends, I loved how they were tight knit, but have been drifting apart for a while. 

This book pretty diverse, except for race and maybe religion. Religion wasn't talked about, but it was an one off line that Ever wanted to add someone of a different race to the group because they were all white. But there was neuro-diverse rep, as well as LGBTIAA+ rep. The characters were caring and open and respectful, at least the ones I liked. But the way it was written, in the first chapter from each character, I didn't know that, except for Ever, because of their pronouns. It was just a part of them, that was mentioned in later chapters. 

I didn't like 2 of the characters. And I'm kinda glad, because they're the ones we had the fewest perspectives of. Which would kinda make me a bad person, expect that they weren't the best people, and besides that, they aren't real, this is a book after all. 

There were a few poor choices made, like going somewhere alone, or staying behind, but over all, they do a pretty good job using their brains. There was a lot going on, from fearing for their lives, as well as working out relationship issues, romantic and friendship. What with their strained bonds at the beginning of the book. 

I did guess who the bad guy was. I mean, there were only a few options, but I wasn't totally sure. We do get their perspective in the end, but still, the reasoning makes for a poor person in life, but an interesting on in fiction. But it made sense given what we knew about them and their previous actions, and I'm glad that it worked out the way that it did!

This was a really great mystery thriller, and I'm really glad that I read it! 

Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Read: November 13th, 2020
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really great, really enjoy her writing, and it's a SAC 2020 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: September 15th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Taylor Swift Playlistathon Update 1

So I read my first book for Taylor Swift Playlistathon, which was Even if We Break, which is for the songs ...Ready for It?, The Outside, Tied Together With a Smile, Haunted, Bad Blood, Me!, cardigan, and I'll be reading They Both Die at the End next! Yeah, first book read! Though opps, I didn't listen to any of the songs while reading this book! Going to do that now, with the songs for They Both Die at the End! 

My Reading Journey:

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Prompt Fulfilled: ...Ready for It?, The Outside, Tied Together With a Smile, Haunted, Bad Blood, Me!, cardigan 

Started On: November 13th

Finished On: November 13th, 5:49 PM

Pages Read: 336

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Prompt Fulfilled: Welcome to New York, A Place in This World, my tears ricochet

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 416

Books Left: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee, The Mall by Megan McCafferty, The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine, Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake, You Don't Know Me but I Know You by Rebecca Barrow, City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, Leopard's Rage by Christine Feehan, The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson, The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti, Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson, Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Alterbrando, The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth, What You Hide by Natalie D. Richards, The Lies They Tell by Gilliam French, Everything All At Once by Katrina Leno, The Missing Season by Gilliam French, Nocturna by Maya Motayne, Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison, The Perfectionists, Little Wrecks by Meredith Miller, Winter Glass by Lexa Hillyer, That Night by Amy Giles, Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason, You Say it First by Katie Cotugno, Day Zero by Kelly DeVos, Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson, Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds, Top Ten by Katie Cotugno, The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, The Princess Knight by G.A. Aiken, Capturing an Earl by A.S. Fenichel, Speak Easy, Speak Love by McKelle George, What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, We Were Never Here by Jennifer Gilmore, Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu, Changes in Latitudes by Jen Malone, Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson, The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison, Tempting the Best Man Jennifer L. Armentrout, The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, Vengeful by V.E. Schwab, The Wicked King by Holly Black, Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Antigoddess by Kendare Blake, A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, Wildcard by Marie Lu, Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout, King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo, Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Books Read: 1

Pages Read: 336

Clear Your S**t Readathon Update 13

So I've read my next book for the Clear Your S**t Readathon, and it was Even If We Break which is for the prompt Read a scary book, and I'll be reading The Blood Spell next! 

My Reading Journey:

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with a character you think you'll want to fight

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 368

Rafael by Laurel K. Hamilton

Prompt Fulfilled: Read your shortest book

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 2:01 PM

Pages Read: 288

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Prompt Fulfilled: Read the book that's been on your shelf the longest

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 6:15 PM

Pages Read: 304

The Suffering by Rin Chupeco

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book space

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 9:37 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner 

Prompt Fulfilled: Prettiest book cover

Started On: November 2nd

Finished On: November 2nd, 9:19 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Bone Maker by Sarah Rees Brennan 

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a Magical Book

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 496

White Night by Jim Butcher 

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with an animal in it

Started On: November 4th

Finished On: November 4th, 6:51 PM

Pages Read: 528

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book someone recommended for you or bought you

Started On: November 4th

Finished On: November 4th, 11:52 PM

Pages Read: 545

Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a pre-order, or, read a book that has a sequel coming out, or, read a library reservation

Started On: November 5th 

Finished On: November 5th, 9:43 PM

Pages Read: 407

Verify by Joelle Charbonneau

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book or a break

Started On: November 6th

Finished On: November 6th, 9:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with a shiny cover or a magical object in it

Started On: November 7th

Finished On: November 7th, 10:55 PM

Pages Read: 544

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book choice

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a scary book

Started On: November 13th

Finished On: November 13th, 5:49 PM

Pages Read: 336

The Blood Spell by C.J. Redwine 

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a fantasy book

Started On: November 14th

Currently On: Page 0 of 448

Prompts Left: Read a book about a group of people, heist, found family, or otherwise, Read a book that's been intimidating you, MINI BOSS SURPRISE BATTLE, Your most expensive book on your TBR, SIDEQUEST, Read a book that has the color blue or has water themes, Read a book you don't remember the prompt for, SECOND MINI BOSS SURPRISE BATTLE, Read a book with a map in it, Read your oldest book by publication date, FINAL BOSS BATTLE: STILL A SURPRISE

Books Read: 13

Pages Read: 5631

Next to be Published November Update 13

So I've read my next book for the Next to be Published November, and it was Even If We Break, and I'll be reading They Both Die in the End next! 

My Reading Journey:

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 368

Rafael by Laurel K. Hamilton

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 2:01 PM

Pages Read: 288

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 6:15 PM

Pages Read: 304

The Suffering by Rin Chupeco

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 9:37 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner 

Started On: November 2nd

Finished On: November 2nd, 9:19 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Bone Maker by Sarah Rees Brennan 

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 496

Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 10:14 PM

Pages Read: 352

Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins

Started On: November 5th

Finished On: November 5th, 9:43 PM

Pages Read: 407

Verify by Joelle Charbonneau

Started On: November 6th

Finished On: November 6th, 9:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett

Started On: November 7th

Finished On: November 7th, 10:55 PM

Pages Read: 544

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross 

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 448

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Started On: November 13th

Finished On: November 13th, 5:49 PM

Pages Read: 336

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 416

Books Read: 13

Goal: 30 Books

Pages Read: 4599

24 Hour Reading Challenge Update 4

So I read my next book for this 24 Hour Reading Challenge, and it was Even If We Break. I'll be reading They Both Die in the End next! Yeah, I had work, and then I had a nap after reading a bit. So I'm going to continue until I finish this next book, or when I go to sleep tonight. Yeah. But can I do it, read They Both Die in the End and You Don't Know Me but I Know You before the end of today? I don't know, but I'm going to try! 

Reading Journey:

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Started On: November 12th, 9:00 AM

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken 

Started On: November 12th, 1:52 PM

Finished On: November 12th, 6:47 PM 

Pages Read: 488

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross

Started On: November 12th, 7:30 PM

Finished On: November 12th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 448

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Started On: November 13th, 10:35 AM-1:10 PM, 3:30 PM

Finished On: November 13th, 5:49 PM

Pages Read: 336

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 416

Goal: 3-5 Books

Books Read: 4

Pages Read: 1624

First Lines Friday #496, November 13th

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!

"We're leaving the world behind. The narrow mountain road creeps higher, and with ever step, Flagstaff and our small suburb of Stardust disappear a little further into the distance. With every step we're more alone. It's just the five of us." -Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Well, that's not creepy and all! Must read more! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Next to be Published November Update 12

So I've read my next book for the Next to be Published November, and it was Sisters of the Sword and Song, and I'll be reading Even If We Break next! 

My Reading Journey:

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 368

Rafael by Laurel K. Hamilton

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 2:01 PM

Pages Read: 288

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 6:15 PM

Pages Read: 304

The Suffering by Rin Chupeco

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 9:37 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner 

Started On: November 2nd

Finished On: November 2nd, 9:19 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Bone Maker by Sarah Rees Brennan 

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 496

Crownchasers by Rebecca Coffindaffer

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 10:14 PM

Pages Read: 352

Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins

Started On: November 5th

Finished On: November 5th, 9:43 PM

Pages Read: 407

Verify by Joelle Charbonneau

Started On: November 6th

Finished On: November 6th, 9:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett

Started On: November 7th

Finished On: November 7th, 10:55 PM

Pages Read: 544

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross 

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 448

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Books Read: 12

Goal: 30 Books

Pages Read: 4263

24 Hour Reading Challenge Update 3

So I read my next book for this 24 Hour Reading Challenge, and it was Sisters of Sword and Song. I'll be reading Even If We Break next! 

Reading Journey:

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Started On: November 12th, 9:00 AM

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken 

Started On: November 12th, 1:52 PM

Finished On: November 12th, 6:47 PM 

Pages Read: 488

Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross

Started On: November 12th, 7:30 PM

Finished On: November 12th, 10:19 PM

Pages Read: 448

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Goal: 3-5 Books

Books Read: 3

Pages Read: 1288

Clear Your S**t Readathon Update 12

So I've read my next book for the Clear Your S**t Readathon, and it was Quiet in Her Bones which is for the prompt Free book choice, and I'll be reading Even If We Break next! 

My Reading Journey:

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with a character you think you'll want to fight

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 11:04 AM

Pages Read: 368

Rafael by Laurel K. Hamilton

Prompt Fulfilled: Read your shortest book

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 2:01 PM

Pages Read: 288

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Prompt Fulfilled: Read the book that's been on your shelf the longest

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 6:15 PM

Pages Read: 304

The Suffering by Rin Chupeco

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book space

Started On: November 1st

Finished On: November 1st, 9:37 PM

Pages Read: 320

The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner 

Prompt Fulfilled: Prettiest book cover

Started On: November 2nd

Finished On: November 2nd, 9:19 PM

Pages Read: 400

The Bone Maker by Sarah Rees Brennan 

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a Magical Book

Started On: November 3rd

Finished On: November 3rd, 2:03 PM

Pages Read: 496

White Night by Jim Butcher 

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with an animal in it

Started On: November 4th

Finished On: November 4th, 6:51 PM

Pages Read: 528

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book someone recommended for you or bought you

Started On: November 4th

Finished On: November 4th, 11:52 PM

Pages Read: 545

Stolen Time by Danielle Rollins

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a pre-order, or, read a book that has a sequel coming out, or, read a library reservation

Started On: November 5th 

Finished On: November 5th, 9:43 PM

Pages Read: 407

Verify by Joelle Charbonneau

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book or a break

Started On: November 6th

Finished On: November 6th, 9:03 PM

Pages Read: 336

Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani Bennett

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a book with a shiny cover or a magical object in it

Started On: November 7th

Finished On: November 7th, 10:55 PM

Pages Read: 544

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

Prompt Fulfilled: Free book choice

Started On: November 12th

Finished On: November 12th, 1:20 PM

Pages Read: 352

Even if We Break by Marieke Nijkamp

Prompt Fulfilled: Read a scary book

Started On: November 13th

Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Prompts Left: Read a book about a group of people, heist, found family, or otherwise, Read a book that's been intimidating you, MINI BOSS SURPRISE BATTLE, Read a fantasy book, Your most expensive book on your TBR, SIDEQUEST, Read a book that has the color blue or has water themes, Read a book you don't remember the prompt for, SECOND MINI BOSS SURPRISE BATTLE, Read a book with a map in it, Read your oldest book by publication date, FINAL BOSS BATTLE: STILL A SURPRISE

Books Read: 12

Pages Read: 5295

Waiting on Wednesday #483, August 12th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

#noescape by Gretchen McNeil
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
The #murder and mayhem continue in this prequel companion novel to the grisly, campy social media insanity that is #MurderTrending and #MurderFunding. Gretchen McNeil brings her signature wit and merciless kills to this gruesome yet hilarious, wildly topical young adult novel.

Twenty years before Dee Guerra and the Death Row Breakfast Club took down The Postman and Alcatraz 2.0, long before Becca survived The Juggernaut and Who Wants to Be a Painiac?, the murder games first began with the wildly popular "escape room" trend. Specifically, with Escape-Capades, Ltd.?

When seventeen-year-old Persey, along with five other teens, enters the latest escape room game, they're competing for a grand cash prize. But while most escape rooms are about teamwork and collaboration, this one is all about being cut-throat-literally. When contestants start being killed off, Persey must solve a series of bizarre and gruesome puzzles, riddles, and games to make it out alive. She uncovers secrets about each contestant along the way, learning they're all mysteriously related-and someone is out for vengeance.

Whether readers are new to the #MurderTrending sensation or hungrily back for more, this wickedly campy prequel companion novel delivers a read you won't want to escape. 

Chance of a Lifetime by Jude Deveraux and Tara Sheets
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
In one century she loved him madly, and in another she wants nothing to do with him

In 1844 Ireland, Liam O’Connor, a rogue and a thief, fell madly in love with a squire’s daughter and unwittingly altered the future. Shy and naive Cora McLeod thought Liam was the answer to her prayers. But the angels disagreed and they’ve been waiting for the right moment in time to step in.

Now Liam finds himself reunited with his beloved Cora in Providence Falls, North Carolina. The angels have given Liam a task. He must make sure Cora falls in love with another man—the one she was supposed to marry before Liam interfered. But this Cora is very different from the innocent girl who fell for Liam in the past. She’s a cop and has a confidence and independence he wasn’t expecting. She doesn’t remember Liam or their past lives, nor is she impressed with his attempts to guide her in any way.

Liam wants Cora for himself, but with his soul hanging in the balance, he must choose between a stolen moment in time or an eternity of damnation.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn’s YA contemporary fantasy Legendborn offers the dark allure of City of Bones with a modern-day twist on a classic legend and a lot of Southern Black Girl Magic.

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape—until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called “Legendborn” students that hunt the creatures down.

And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a “Merlin” and who attempts—and fails—to wipe Bree’s memory of everything she saw.

The mage’s failure unlocks Bree’s own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there’s more to her mother’s death than what’s on the police report, she’ll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn as one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society’s secrets—and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur’s knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she’ll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down—or join the fight. 

To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars is a brand new epic novel from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Paolini.

Exploring new worlds is all Kira Navarez ever dreamed of doing. But now she has found her nightmare.

On a distant planet ripe for a colony, she has discovered a relic previously unseen by human eyes.

It will transform her entirely and forever.

Humanity will face annihilation.

She is alone. We are not.

There is no going back.

Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp comes a shocking new thriller about a group of friends tied together by a game and the deadly weekend that tears them apart.

FIVE friends go to a cabin.
FOUR of them are hiding secrets.
THREE years of history bind them.
TWO are doomed from the start.
ONE person wants to end this.
NO ONE IS SAFE.

Are you ready to play?

For Better or Cursed by Kate Williams
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this funny, action-packed sequel about a coven of witchy babysitters who realize their calling to protect the innocent and save the world from an onslaught of evil.

Esme Pearl's life used to be all about bumming rides and babysitting. Sure, it wasn't glamorous, but it was predictable. All that changed when Cassandra Heaven came to town, and they discovered their complicated, and connected, legacy: Esme and Cassandra are Sitters, supernaturally-gifted teens armed with an ever-changing grimoire of Sitter witchcraft to help them protect the innocent and keep evil demons at bay. You know, the typical teenage stuff.

But just as Esme is starting to adjust to--and maybe even like--her new normal, life lobs another glitter bomb her way. The Synod--the Sitterhood's governing circle--has called a Summit, a once-in-a-generation gathering that promises training, education, and whole lot of ice-breakers.

Esme should be excited--a Summit might mean she can finally get the answers she desperately wants--but she can't shake a building sense of panic. Especially since Cassandra's not acting like herself; Esme's dad is MIA; Pig is out of dog food; Janis is scared to be alone; and there's a guy who seems too good to be true, again. Worst of all, it soon becomes clear, there's no one watching the kids. It's obvious the Summit is a haute mess, but will it be a deadly one, too? 

Horrid by Katrina Leno
Expected Publication: September 15th, 2020
From Goodreads:
From the author of You Must Not Miss comes a haunting contemporary horror novel that explores themes of mental illness, rage, and grief, twisted with spine-chilling elements of Stephen King and Agatha Christie.

Following her father's death, Jane North-Robinson and her mom move from sunny California to the dreary, dilapidated old house in Maine where her mother grew up. All they want is a fresh start, but behind North Manor's doors lurks a history that leaves them feeling more alone... and more tormented.

As the cold New England autumn arrives, and Jane settles in to her new home, she finds solace in old books and memories of her dad. She steadily begins making new friends, but also faces bullying from the resident "bad seed," struggling to tamp down her own worst nature in response. Jane's mom also seems to be spiraling with the return of her childhood home, but she won't reveal why. Then Jane discovers that the "storage room" her mom has kept locked isn't for storage at all - it's a little girl's bedroom, left untouched for years and not quite as empty of inhabitants as it appears....

Is it grief? Mental illness? Or something more... Horrid? 

These books! I'm so excited to read them! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Week 24 Review: His Hideous Heart

From Goodreads:
Thirteen of YA's most celebrated names reimagine Edgar Allan Poe's most surprising, unsettling, and popular tales for a new generation.

Edgar Allan Poe may be a hundred and fifty years beyond this world, but the themes of his beloved works have much in common with modern young adult fiction. Whether the stories are familiar to readers or discovered for the first time, readers will revel in Edgar Allan Poe's classic tales, and how they've been brought to life in 13 unique and unforgettable ways.

My Review:
Yeah, this book was a fantastic read! I loved all the different stories, there was a variety of genres, but they were all retellings of stories that were set roughly in the same genre. Basically horror. And YA is just so wide, it can encompass a variety of genres, it's a big reason why I love it so much!

One of my favourite stories in this was Rin Chupeco's, because of the way it was told, it was the narrator telling the story to a friend, basically. And it was such an interesting mystery, and that twist was pretty epic! Loved how it ended!

I really enjoyed the worlds of the Emily Lloyd-Jones's story, as well as Lamar Giles's and Fran Wilde, The first and the last were both futuristic, and I really enjoyed the details that were in them, and Lamar Giles was an interesting paranormal mystery, and was so interesting to read!

One thing is that this book also contained the original stories that this anthology were retelling. And the style of the writing, it just wasn't for me, so I didn't read them. As I loved the ideas and pop culture from the original stories, the writing style just wasn't for me.

This was a fantastic, creepy, wonderful anthology, and I enjoyed it a lot!

Authors: Kendare Blake, Rin Chupeco, Lamar Giles, Tessa Gratton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Stephanie Kuehn, Emily Lloyd-Jones, Hillary Monahan, Marieke Nijkamp, Caleb Roehrig, and Fran Wilde
Read:  June 6th, 2020
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: There's lots of great authors and it's a great concept for anthology, and it's a 2020 Retelling Book and a SAC 2020 Book!
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Published: September 10th 2019

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Week 24 Review: This Is Where It Ends

From Goodreads:
10:00 a.m.
The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.
The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03
The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05
Someone starts shooting.

Told from four perspectives over the span of 54 harrowing minutes, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

My Review:
Oh, this book was so fantastic! It does deal with a difficult issue-school shootings, but it focuses on these characters who are connected to the shooter, and those that are connected to them, like the shooter's sister, and her girlfriend, and her brother. I really liked the focus on the characters!

This book was very fast paced. Each chapter covered about 2 minutes, from the various character's POV's. So we saw a broad view of what was going on which worked out well! Plus the majority of the book took place in about an hours time. Not a lot of time for the amount of damage that occurred.

Each POV character was important in 2 different ways-how they were connected to the shooter, and where they were. Like the shooter's ex-girlfriend, who was outside at the time of the shooting, so we could see what was happening there.

We were told in bits and pieces what his life was like, and combined with what he was saying gave the reasons why he was going this. But others go through hard things, too and don't become school shooters, so there's no excuse. I wish we'd had less focus on his reasonings, though.

This book was really incredible, and I really enjoyed reading it!

Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Read: June 13th, 2018
Source: NetGalley
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2018 Book!
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: January 5th 2016

5/5 Hearts

4/5 Books

4/5 Stars