Currently reading
Lumberjanes Vol. 1
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (Mr. Lemoncello's Library #1)
Resonance (Dissonance)
The Turn of the Screw and The Aspern Papers
Veiled Rose
I love this series. It's officially one of my favorite fantasy series. Yeah, bold statement to make, but it's true. Rarely have I read an author that consistenky makes me feel one way about a character - after knowing them for an entire novel - and then a few books later we see the story of the enemy, or dragon, and my feelings completely change. It's amazing. I loved the fact that I saw glimpses of Una and the Dragonwitch, both characters from her other novels. This is cool too because you can read them out of order, as I have. I will definitely continue on with this series! I highly recommend it for all fantasy lovers!
Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Return of the Padawan
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.I was excited when I saw this on Netgalley because I remember seeing the first book and wanting to read it. I hadn't read the first one, but I didn't think it would matter (and it didn't).
The story is about a Jedi in training, Roan, as he goes through the difficulties of middle school Jedi Academy. He deals with bullies, fake friends, strict teachers and teachers who aren't partial to him. It's drawn like a cartoon, and feels a but like a cartoon/graphic novel. Actually, it reminded me a lot of the [b:Diary of a Wimpy Kid|389627|Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, #1)|Jeff Kinney|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388183826s/389627.jpg|2617009] books. It has humor, and a good simple story. I felt like it would be better suited to kids in middle school, versus some of the middle grade books I read that have dual layers which adults can identify with. But don't get me wrong, it's a very cute book. The storyline does pick up where the first book left off, as this is another year for Roan at Jedi Academy. And the next book will see him next year at the Academy training under a Jedi.
I'd recommend it for girls and/or boys who are in middle school or early high school, Star Wars fans, and anyone who likes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books! Oh, and who can resist a cartoon Yoda making jokes?! ;)
The Lovely and the Lost
It feels so good to give a well-deserved 5 stars to this exceptional sequel. Page Morgan has proven herself, once again, in this action laced follow up. There isn't much to say, except, if you haven't read this series yet -- GO READ IT. Now. It's my favorite series, and gothic young adult is my new favorite genre. It has just enough action, emotion, love, lust, hot guys, demons, and villains to keep you intrigued and flustered at the same time. My only critique is: that ending? Seriously? Why don't you just kill me! I'll be dying by the time the next book comes out! Ah, the suspense. (I tell you, Morgan has the makings of the next Kagawa with her endings!)
Between Two Thorns
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.Between Two Thorns was a very strange book. It had a lot of elements in it: Alternate history with Victorian England and modern day, Fae and Fae world, Murder mystery, abusive and controlling families, arranged marriages, duels, all wrapped up with a big steampunk bow on top.
At the center of the story we have a highly annoying Cathy, short for Catherine. She's a member of one of the most powerful families in the Nether. Basically, she's a strong willed woman who thinks for herself, exactly the opposite of what women in those times were supposed to be like (society hadn't really advanced in the Netger as far as women's rights). She ran away to Mundanus (real world) in Bath and alluded her parents for a year. The problem is she is found and forced to comeback and marry a man named Will, oh and goes back to getting beaten by her father.
All these things normally elicit a sympathetic response from me, but they really didn't. Or, not as much as they should've. Will was a really nice guy. He was trying to help her and she just was a bratty bitch to him. I found hat extremely off putting. She wanted to be treated as an equal, but didn't give anyone nice behavior to even want to be friendly. At least not with Will.
At the center of it we have an elaborate murder mystery and corruption to the highest station. I wasn't really concerned with all that. In fact, I skimmed a lot of those parts because Cathy and Will's narrations were way more interesting. I'm really disappointed in how the book ended because it seemed like it just chopped off the story at a random point. Oh. And I still don't like Amelia and her brother. I'm not sure if I will continue on with this series. I think many of the problems were that this novel was trying to do a lot of things at once, and that is hard to accomplish without confusing and overwhelming the reader (which is how I felt for the first half).
If you like alternate histories and murder mysteries with fantasy mixed in, you may like this book. Bear in mind, it's pretty confusing at times and the main character will grate your nerves. Still though, it was creative , I'll give it that.
 - Neil Gaiman)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
I really really enjoyed this novel. I can't recommend it enough. And the answer to the question you may be asking is: Yes, the hype is justified.
A World Without Princes
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.I was a little scared to pick this up. I mean, it's a sequel, and I have a big fear of sequels. Usually, if I really love the first book in the series I am either disappointed by the sequel; even if I enjoy the sequel it usually isn't as good as the first book. So that's my fear of sequels, which is why it took me so long to pick this one up. But once I faced my fear and read it, well...I'm glad I did. Not that it was better than the first book (it wasn't) but it wasn't awful either.
A World Without Princes starts soon after the first book ended. We find Sophie and Agatha back in their village. Only, Agatha really isn't as happy as she thought she'd be. At Sophie's fathers wedding, Agatha inadvertently wishes for a different ending to her story. This brings them back to the once called School for Good & Evil, now known as The school for Girls. You see, Agatha and Sophie proved that girls don't need princes at all. Girls can work with witches to get their own happy ending! Sounds great, huh? Thing is, it's not so great. The plan for the girls is to make the boys (now housed on Evil / Nevers side) slaves. So the trials will determine if the schools go back to their original form or if boys become slaves for the Girls.
This novel had many of the same elements as the first. The plot centered a lot on friendships, and the misunderstandings that so often occur, but that can cause a lot of harm. Sophie is still her Evil self, but she tries to be good. I got a little annoyed by how much Agatha had to do for Sophie, and even at the end I didn't feel like Sophoe understood what she did wrong. It just started to annoy me that Sophie could do all these things to Agatha, but Agatha couldn't do half of those things, even when doing those things are what made Agatha happy.
I was very surprised by the ending. I definitely feel that still we haven't seen the girls "happily ever after" and we have yet to see it. It was good to get to know Tedros better, and I hope we have more of him in the next book. Overall. I liked the story (although not quite as much as the first) and will continue with the story in the next book.
A Study in Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes)
This was excellent. My first Sherlock Holmes story, and I'm completely impressed. It helps that whenever Sherlock speaks, I see and hear Benedict Cumberbatch in my minds eye. I think I'll read more stories in the future. I'm not usually one who reads a lot of mysteries, but it liked this.
 - Arthur Conan Doyle, Gris Grimly)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This was a really cute, hilarious, enjoyable read. I can see why it's so popular.
The Iron Traitor
I knew it was going to end this way, I KNEW IT.. Yet I still am shocked! How. Could. You. Kierran. How?
There's a lot more I want to say and rant about this book! but I'm not sure I have the energy. In short, I felt that the bulk of the book didn't show a true friendship between the boys - even a familial relationship. It wasn't fleshed out enough. Maybe if it had been, I'd be feeling even shittier, but I think because it wasn't fleshed out - it rang false. Only towards the end when Ethan was less willing to do all these crazy this for Kierran, then it felt genuine. The resentment Ethan had for Kierran needed to be voiced earlier. He kept covering up for him, why? Why are you, Ethan, embarrassed for something your nephew did? I just felt he was being loyal to be loyal. kierran didn't even ask or expect a lot of those things. My first red flag was how little Kierran even thanked Ethan for taking care of Annwyl and finding her. Instead, he critisized him for driving her there in his truck. Asshole. He loyalty and trust that Ethan entrusts to Kierran was ...unearned.
obviously the amulet somehow will save Ethan. Maybe he'll have to become part fey to stay alive? I'm not sure. I just know that I hate Kierran. Why, when you have two understanding parents do you not even GO to them for help? It doesn't make sense to me, it's be one thing if they were strict or just aloof. But nOOO. Smdh. Fucking Kierran.
The Magic Mistake
I am always a little concerned when I pick up the sequel without reading the first book. In the case of The Magic Mistake - I needn't have worried! It's perfect on it's own. I loved the cute plot, and how light it was. It was definitely a fun read! The story is about a girl (Lacey) who is chosen to be a fairy god other in training. In order to pass the test, she needs to help her best friends mom find her one true love and get married -- all in 6 days! It seems impossible, but she has help with Katarina, a fairy godmother who helps her and a magic wand! Unfortunately, magic hijinks occur and lead Lacey and her friends on a really wild ride.
If you want a light, fun, cute read, I suggest you pick up this book! It's perfect for tween girls.
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Vampire Academy
Really good. I read it in one day. Excellent story and I'll definitely be continuing with this series.
House of Secrets
2.5 starsI disliked how disjointed this book felt in the first half. Things started to get better once Will was introduced to the story. I'm not sure if I would read the sequel or not. It's definitely far from the best middle grade books I ever read, but it wasn't all bad either.
Sea of Shadows
I found this book confusing. The last 25% was good, but that's not enough to redeem the rest of the book. Switching between the sisters, Moria and Ashyn, the chapters were hard to follow. The ending was awesome though, and I finally felt like I was reading a good fantasy novel. I just wish the pacing was better, and that we got to the good parts faster. I felt most of the beginning was pointless. a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion*
