Waiting on Wednesday Wk 42

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by the fabulous Jill over at Breaking the Spine!:)

What I'm waiting on this week:

*So summery!*

Plot blurb:

Silas Hart has seriously shaken up Westlin Beck's small-town life. Brand new to town, Silas is different than the guys in Green Lake. He's curious, poetic, philosophical, maddening-- and really, really cute. But Silas has a sister-- and she has a secret. And West has a boyfriend. And life in Green Lake is about to change forever.

Truest is a stunning, addictive debut. Romantic, fun, tender, and satisfying, it asks as many questions as it answers.

Releases: September 1st, 2015

Sounds like a cute book! :) So what are you guys waiting on this week?

The Color of Happiness

Author: K.P. Gazelle
Release Date:  March 1st, 2015

Publisher:  Radiant Books

Genre(s): YA Contemporary 
Pages:  157

*Stand alone*

~Spoiler Free~

Summary (Goodreads);
Faith Lane is the girl who has everything. At least, that’s what everyone thinks when they see her rocking a killer dress while laughing with her best friend, Tiffany. But Faith’s life is far from flawless. Her peers torment her relentlessly, and her parents expect her to be the epitome of perfection. Criticized and pressured at school and home, Faith retreats into silent acceptance and finds an escape in her passion of dancing. Then she meets Alex – quirky, forever with a pass, and concealing a mysterious secret of his own. And through his encouragement, Faith starts believing in her gift for dance and gains courage to stand up for herself. But will she be able to keep her footing when the events of one night consume her with the need to jump off the rocky cliffs near her coastal home? And what has pushed her to the edge of reason? 

Review:
*~Thank you so much to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of this book! :) ~*

Ehhhh. Not my cup of tea.  I just didn't click with this book, and towards the end, I found myself skimming. It was really boring, and I think it mostly had to do with the writing. It was polished, but perhaps too polished?  The writing was very matter of fact and wasn't very expressive; it was pretty straightforward.  I also felt like I was being overloaded with details- and usually this isn't a bad thing, but here, I thought it was a bit too much because there was a lot of telling and not enough showing.  

Also, there wasn't a point to this book (which again I thought had to with the writing).  I guess these types of books (where it's not driven by a solid plot, but by the lives of the characters) are what I would call "heart-driven," but that word would be a bit of an overstatement. This book was well-meaning, but I thought it lacked heart.    

In general, this book is pretty forgettable- and that statement extends to the characters as well. I hate to end this review without mentioning at least one good thing, but this book was just one of those books I didn't really care for all that much.

Thanks for reading! :)

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

10,000 Pageviews!!

Hello everyone! :)

I've reached 10,000 pageviews.

*tries to stay calm*
...
...
...

*fails*

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating 400 followers, and now 10,000 pageviews???!? OOOMMGG!!!!!! :D

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I couldn't have reached this milestone without you guys, and I am so grateful to each and everyone who reads this blog. :)

*hugs*

;)

(PS. Look out for the upcoming giveaway this week! I know I said I was going to do this in Feb. but I've decided to add a few more books to the list. ;) )

Warmest wishes,

Kyendwarrior :)

Snow Like Ashes

Author: Sara Raasch
Release Date:  October 14th, 2014

Publisher:  Balzar +Bray

Genre(s): YA Fantasy
Pages:  416

*Book one of a series*

~UNCOVERED SPOILERS; READ AT OWN RISK!~

*THIS COVER (beautiful as it was ;) ) MADE SO MUCH MORE SENSE WHEN I LOOKED UP WHAT HER WEAPON WAS. *

Summary (Goodreads);
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own


Review:
Snap, crackle, and pop- this is a GOOD book.  I mean, it has speedy pacing (which could be good and bad I guess?), (mostly) well written characters, and chemistry.  SWEET SNOW- the chemistry is strong with this one- until the ending that is.  But I'll get to that later.

The best thing about this book is its writing.  Smooth, beautiful, and powerful- this author knows how to write (granted, every author should, but...this thought would be best left unfinished for today ;) ). Every few pages I would get shivers and goosebumps- it was THAT good. I honestly can't get over how pretty the writing is.

Now, with Meira I'm conflicted.  On one hand, I love Meira.  Strong, complex character-wise, and trying to find her place in the world- I clicked with her instantly.   It's not so much her situation was anything similar to mine (I don't where I would start with the dissimilarities LOL), but it's just her feelings of wanting to feel like she has a place in this world, that she has a purpose in life, oddly resonates with me as I prepare for college and to go out into the "real" world.  It helps tremendously that this author's writing is SO powerful. On the other hand, I REALLY  hated the Chosen One complex in this book.    I totally knew she was the One.  I suspected it from the beginning, but I just didn't know how it was going to all work out (I kinda expected Mather and Meira to be related- which EW).   For once, I wanted a heroine who isn't the ONE (I mean the Chosen One trope does work sometimes, but other times....), but I guess if wishes were fishes, we'd all cast nets.  BUT UGGGGGGGGGH.  I totally called it.  And those flashbacks make it super obvious.  Also, by the end, I could feel the author losing her steam, and everything was a little rushed.   The plot, the character growth, everything- so it seemed like Meira had a bit of a (bad) personality shift at the end.

This love triangle. ASDDSFJLKDSF. *Excuse me, while I bang my head against this wall.* WHY BOOK!?!? WHY!?! YOU. DON'T. NEED.  ONE.  OMG . Way to ruin a perfectly good relationship- and it was nearly perfect.  The chemistry between Mather and Meira is SO GOOD. It's honestly one of the best written relationships I've come across in a looong time.  MY GOODNESS.  The attraction is undeniable, but their friendship is stronger,  and ARGH.  There's angst, but it's balanced out by the little moments. AND THEN THERON WALTZES IN (quite literally actually) AND RUINS IT.  He's not super underdeveloped as a character (sorta kinda), but he doesn't have the same chemistry with Meira as she did with Mather.  Their relationship is really rushed and totally un-needed.  UGH.  This was just bad. Bad. Bad. Bad.  UGH UGH UGH UGH

Finally, the plot.  It was a good plot- well, hmm, okay. I found myself totally immersed in it (the world-building JUST KILLED IT); however, at the same time, it was very... heavy? A LOT happens in this one book, and the pace moves at breath-taking speed.  I didn't think this was a bad thing until the end where everything was a bit rushed and lots of things were left unclear (for the purpose of the second book of course ;) ).

Overall, a nice story (excluding that love triangle and the Chosen One thingamajig), maybe a bit rushed at the end, but I would definitely recommend.  Ready for that second book yo. ;)

Thanks for reading! :)

Rating: 3 out of 5

Waiting on Wednesday Wk 41

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by the fabulous Jill over at Breaking the Spine!:)
(A bit late this time sorry!)

What I'm waiting on this week:

Plot blurb:

Samantha Donaldson’s family has always done its duty for the British Crown. In the midst of World War I, seventeen-year-old Sam follows in their footsteps, serving her country from the homefront as a Girl Guide and messenger for the intelligence organization MI5. After her father disappears on a diplomatic mission, she continues their studies of languages, high-level mathematics, and complex puzzles and codes, hoping to make him proud.

When Sam is asked to join the famed women’s spy group La Dame Blanche she’s torn—this could be the adventure she’s dreamed of, but how can she abandon her mother, who has already lost a husband to the war? But when her handlers reveal shocking news, Sam realizes there’s no way she can refuse the exciting and dangerous opportunity.

Her acceptance leads her straight into the heart of enemy territory on a mission to extract the most valuable British spy embedded in Germany, known to the members of LDB only as Velvet. Deep undercover within the court of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Samantha must navigate the labyrinthine palace and its many glamorous—and secretive—residents to complete her assignment. To make matters worse she finds herself forming a forbidden attraction to the enemy-a dangerously handsome German guard. In a place where personal politics are treacherously entangled in wartime policy, can Samantha discover the truth and find Velvet before it’s too late…for them both?

From author Teri Brown comes the thrilling story of one girl’s journey into a deadly world of spycraft and betrayal—with unforgettable consequences.

KYAAAAAA! It's been so long since I've read a book set in World War I. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

Releases October 20th, 2015.

What are you waiting on this week? 

:)

Cover Reveal: Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro

Welcome to the cover reveal for Guardians of Terath: Seeking Sorrow by Zen DiPietro! This is a modern fantasy with sci-fi and romantic elements. It is being published by Soul Mate Publishing on March 25 and will be available for preorder on March 14th.

*I don't usually read Adult, but this one sounds pretty good! And it's clean! :)*

About the Book:

An earth-like world of high-tech humans faces the reality that their world is not as safe as they thought it was. Five people are thrown together to quietly get to the bottom of an unfathomable mana event that must stay quiet. If the population of Terath becomes aware of the truth, it will spark a civil war. That war would pit the majority of the population against the powerful minority with the ability to harness and manipulate mana. The resulting cataclysm would decimate the population and tear apart the foundation of society.

The five people chosen for this must reconsider everything they thought they knew about mana, even as they learn to trust one another’s abilities. They must embrace everything they never wanted in order to prevent the devastation of their world. One of them will be forever changed. Love will be denied, badassery will be unleashed, and Terath will never be the same. 

Even success comes at a price.

Goodreads

About the Author:

Zen DiPietro is a lifelong bookworm, a fantasy/sci-fi writer, a dancer, and a mom of two. Also red-haired, left-handed, and a vegetarian geek. Absolutely terrible at conforming. Particular loves include badass heroines, Star Trek, British accents, baba ganoush, and the smell of Band-Aids. Writing reviews, author interviews, and fun stuff at www.womenofbadassery.com. Very active on Facebook, Twitter (@ZenDiPietro), and Pinterest. You can also find her on Goodreads.

Giveaway:
$15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Women of Badassery mousepad (US)

Ends 3/5

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

Waiting on Wednesday Wk 40

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by the fabulous Jill over at Breaking the Spine!:)
(A bit late this time sorry!)

What I'm waiting on this week:

Plot Blurb:

For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find.

Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees.

Beautifully written, and richly imaginative, The Weight of Feathers is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice. 

OOOOO! Sounds like a Romeo and Juliet tale. ;) AWESOME. 

Releases: September 15th, 2015

So what are you waiting on this week? :D