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Wednesday, May 30, 2018

ASH PRINCESS by Laura Sebastian



Which cover do you like better? UK (on the left) vs. US (on the right):




















I kind of LOVE both of them! I'm not sure I can choose! Here's my review:

Opening line:
"The last person who called me by my true name was my mother with her dying breath."

This was a fast and addictive read. I didn't want to stop reading because I wanted justice for those who bore the slaves shackles and whips. I wanted the king to fall, the imprisoned princess to win and the prince to do something about all of it.
There is a lot of hurt, pain, lying, and grimness in this story.
I wanted to see a little bit more from Thora, or the Ash Princess. There was a lot explained away about magic and why this person was kept alive or why this one was killed. Basically, the king is evil.
I wanted to see more from the prince. A lot more, dang it. Actually, I'd like to see more from all the main characters...

For the sensitive reader: fighting, whippings, talk of rape, sexual innuendos and unwanted touches, slavery, abuse (mental, physical, emotional), killings. wars.

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!



Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.


Wednesday, May 23, 2018

THE THIEF'S DAUGHTER by Jeff Wheeler Kingfountain #2

Owen Kiskaddon first came to the court of the formidable King Severn as a prisoner, winning favor with the stormy monarch by masquerading as a boy truly blessed by the Fountain. Nine years hence, the once-fearful Owen has grown into a confident young man, mentored in battle and politics by Duke Horwath and deeply in love with his childhood friend, the duke’s granddaughter. But the blissful future Owen and Elysabeth Mortimer anticipate seems doomed by the king’s machinations.

A pretender to Severn’s throne has vowed to seize the crown of Kingfountain. But Severn means to combat the threat by using Elysabeth as bait to snare the imposter—and forcing Owen, as a pawn in the dangerous charade, to choose between duty and devotion. With poisoners and spies circling ominously, and war looming on the horizon, Owen must make painful sacrifices to beat back the advancing shadows of death and disaster. Will Owen’s conflicted heart follow the king’s path or risk everything for his love?


Opening line:
"Owen Kiskaddon wasn't comfortable wearing a full suit of armor."

Since I enjoyed THE QUEEN'S POISONER so much I decided to try the second book as well. I really enjoyed! It's been nine years since the last book. Owen and Elysabeth have grown up and fallen in love. They are together or in touch a lot and the tension builds between them as Owen tries to be brave enough to kiss her.
But like the last book, there are things that the reader just know is going to happen. But just because we know doesn't mean we know who everything will be resolved. 
I'm ready to listen to the next book! 

5 STARS 


Saturday, May 19, 2018

SKY IN THE DEEP by Adrienne Young


Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield — her brother, fighting with the enemy — the brother she watched die five years ago.

Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.
Opening line:
""They're coming.""


I want to add so much more to that opening line because there is so much more!
The book opens with the Aska and the Riki fighting. Why? We don't really know except it's like two tribes battling it out in an age-old war. These clans are raised, both boys and girls, knowing they will train as warriors because they will fight the enemy.
Eelyn is the kick butt heroine of the story; she's strong, smart and loyal to her family and clan. But her character isn't in your face with how awesome she is. She fights because this is all she knows, because she is protecting her family and because this fight, or death, will bring honor.
But something goes wrong in this opening battle--Eelyn thinks she sees her dead brother fighting for the enemy. This starts the path of self-discovery she is at forced first to take, then she discovers many life lessons on her own.
The characters were well written and I cared for them and their families. I LOVED how much family was important in this book--both blood and chosen!
The world was easy to read and understand. Harsh climates, harsh living, trying to stay alive were part of the world building and done well.
The romance was Spot. On. I felt it was very realistic and I loved it. I loved when the dimples finally came out in a smile. SWEET
Overall, this was a great, un-put-downable read. There is a lot of fighting in this book (because that is what they know to do) but I didn't think it was graphic. No swearing. Some kissing. I feel comfortable recommending this book!

Thanks to netgalley and Wednesday Books for the early read!

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

The Plastic Magician by Charlie N Holmberg NEW RELEASE! Happy book birthday!

Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—the magical discipline of bespelling plastic. Polymaking is the newest form of magic, and in a field where there is so much left to learn, every Polymaker dreams of making the next big discovery.

Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries—in as short a time frame—as she can. Luckily for her, she’s studying under the world-renowned magician Marion Praff, who is just as dedicated as Alvie is.

Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

To thwart him, Alvie will need to think one step ahead. For in the high-stakes world of magical discovery, not everyone plays fair…

"While Alvie was rather excited to be receiving her diploma, she could not stop starring at M. Jefferson's mustache."

This is a perfect way to introduce the reader to a lovable and memorable main character. Alvie Brechenmacher is amazing with numbers and calculations, can magick plastic, and loves to wear pants (which isn't proper in her day). One of the cute things she said in the book when asked if she was all right: "My feet are a little sore, and I'm in a skirt, but other than that, I'm fine." She is also a bit of a klutz.
Alvie is lucky enough to become an apprentice to a well-known Polymaker named Marion Praff in London. She sets on an adventure where she meets new people, makes new friends (and a boyfriend!), and comes out with an exceptional invention that can change the world of medicine.

A fun read that any reader will enjoy!

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

WORTH THE RISK (Pine Valley #1) by Heather Moore

USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore welcomes you to Pine Valley:

WORTH THE RISK is Alicia and Jeff's Story

When Alicia moves back to Pine Valley to help her mom through a serious addiction, the last person she wants to see is her teenage crush, Jeff Finch, who destroyed their friendship in one single disastrous night. But Alicia is determined to not let anything about Jeff affect her, especially since she hasn’t seen him in ten years. All she knows is that he’s living a successful and charmed life, and she is more than happy to keep anything between them in the past. But when he shows up with a date at the restaurant where she works, Alicia realizes she’s still not over her feelings, and Jeff is definitely looking at her in a way he never has before. 








Books in the Pine Valley series:

Worth the Risk
Where I Belong
Say You Love Me
Waiting for You


   
Opening line:
"Alicia Waters hid a grimace as she looked up to greet the next patrons walking into the Alpine Lodge."


I LOVE this new series by Heather B. Moore! And I LOVE the covers! I want to have ALL of them on my shelf so I can show them off. They are so pretty and totally match the stories!

This book is a great start to what I think will be a fantastic new series! 


5 STARS

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

LEGENDARY (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.


 Opening line:
"While some rooms on the estate had monsters hiding beneath the beds, Tella swore her mother's suite concealed enchantment."


I thouroughly enjoyed CARAVAL and waited anxiously for the next book to come out. LEGENDARY did not disappoint. It was full of intrigue, magic, daring escapades, fights, drool-worthy men, and new characters.

Tella is a stronger character in this book, meaning, she choose better and tried to do what was right. She learns where her missing mother is and how she can be rescued. Of course, there is a bargain struck, a price to pay and a game to win. And the cards don't always tell the truth.

This book isn't so much about the game or players (which Ms. Garber set up brilliantly in her last book) but more about the mission Tella is on and all the obstacles she has to overcome. Scarlett is there too but they don't interact near as much as the last book but they do just enough to keep the story line going.

Dante is his miserable self but I came to love him and how he treated Tella. There is a bit of a love triangle but not annoyingly so. It's more because of the bargain Tella has struck. READ IT! I'm giving you anymore clues!

I too thought this was the last book but it better not be! There are enough loose ends that need to be knotted to fill another book.

Thanks to netgalley for the early review!!

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

BRIGHTLY BURNING by Alexa Doone HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Seventeen-year-old Stella Ainsley wants just one thing: to go somewhere—anywhere—else. Her home is a floundering spaceship that offers few prospects, having been orbiting an ice-encased Earth for two hundred years. When a private ship hires her as a governess, Stella jumps at the chance. The captain of the Rochester, nineteen-year-old Hugo Fairfax, is notorious throughout the fleet for being a moody recluse and a drunk. But with Stella he’s kind.

But the Rochester harbors secrets: Stella is certain someone is trying to kill Hugo, and the more she discovers, the more questions she has about his role in a conspiracy threatening the fleet.


  Opening line:
"The gravity stabilizers were failing again."

Jane Eyre among the stars. I loved the retelling. Obviously, it's going to be different than the original Jane Eyre. I liked some of the differences. There was an interesting twist toward the end.