Review: Nightblind Ragnar Jonasson

Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village on the northernmost tip of Iceland, accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a local policeman, whose tumultuous past and uneasy relationships with the villagers continue to haunt him. The peace of this close-knit community is shattered by the murder of a policeman – shot at point-blank range in the dead of night in a deserted house. With a killer on the loose and the dark arctic winter closing in, it falls to Ari Thór to piece together a puzzle that involves tangled local politics, a compromised new mayor, and a psychiatric ward in Reykjavik, where someone is being held against their will. Then a mysterious young woman moves to the area, on the run from something she dare not reveal, and it becomes all too clear that tragic events from the past are weaving a sinister spell that may threaten them all.

I have only just finished Snowblind recently and I was a huge fan of the book. I couldn't wait to start Nightblind, unfortunately I have to be very honest here, I much preferred Snowblind. Don't get me wrong this book is still a fantastic read, but I feel like the first one was much more complex and mysterious.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed Nightblind. I loved being back in this beautiful place.  Some years have passed and Ari Thor is back with his girlfriend, who has now moved to live with him. Not only that but they now have a little son too. A lot has changed at his work place now too, his former boss has moved away, his former colleague is dead and Ari Thor has a new boss, with which he hasn't bonded yet at all.

Then the unthinkable happens, for the first time ever in Iceland a police officer gets shot, not any police man but his new boss. Ari Thor being the only officer left gets help from his former boss. Together they investigate the case. And  this is where the difference to the first book comes in, where there is everything was a mystery in Snowblinf, here we basically just follow their investigation. Taking away what was so unique before, not knowing what is going to happen in the first place. Maybe I just expected to much of the same?

However this book is still an absolute page turner. The place seems to have gotten even better, completely making me want to visit Iceland. There is lots of new intriguing characters. But what the author has once again achieved is that I have had no idea how this is going to end. Absolutely no clue.

It had me guessing all the way trough and the diary entries through out added some extra mystery, where at first it seems rather unrelated.

Thank you to Karen from Orenda Books for my copy of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

You can download Nightblind today and you can own the physical book from the 22nd January.

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves

Weekly Wrap Up

Like most weeks I have finished 2 books this week. The first one was Nightblind, I will be posting my Review tomorrow and the second one was Unfortunate Souls, the Review will follow sometime towards the end of the week.

Blurb: Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village on the northernmost tip of Iceland, accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a local policeman, whose tumultuous past and uneasy relationships with the villagers continue to haunt him. The peace of this close-knit community is shattered by the murder of a policeman – shot at point-blank range in the dead of night in a deserted house. With a killer on the loose and the dark arctic winter closing in, it falls to Ari Thór to piece together a puzzle that involves tangled local politics, a compromised new mayor, and a psychiatric ward in Reykjavik, where someone is being held against their will. Then a mysterious young woman moves to the area, on the run from something she dare not reveal, and it becomes all too clear that tragic events from the past are weaving a sinister spell that may threaten them all.

Blurb: My name is Ruby Carter. I was a normal teenage girl who only wanted what every other teenage girl wanted- love and acceptance. But when my parents revealed a painful secret I couldn’t accept, and my boyfriend broke up with me the night before my eighteenth birthday, I turned into something beyond average. Betrayed and broken, I tore off in my car, into the storm, and straight toward my death. I was sucked into a dark and terrifying world I never knew existed, changing my life forever. That’s when I met him…

My name is Guy Stone. I’ve been told I have no heart- a cold, ruthless killer. And I liked the perception others gave me for it allowed me to shut out my past and focus on hunting down every last Unfortunate Soul, seeking my revenge. But the night I found her lying amongst the flames of the battle, helpless and confused, I caved, finding myself drawn to her dark innocence, unable to follow the rules. And by that one decision, not only did my life change forever, but I found myself falling for the one thing I despised the most: A vampire. My enemy. An Unfortunate Soul.

Stacking the shelves



Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

Stacking the shelves this week was a busy job. By far my biggest one so far. I have been absolutely spoiled by publishers and Net Galley. Better get reading.

The books of Netgalley are...




I have won a beautiful book on Facebook too. All wrapped up in Christmas paper still, its lovely getting such a late present...

The post man also delivered some absolute beauties this week... Thank you to all the wonderful publishers and authors for my copies. Always a such a pleasure to receive book post. One was an absolute surprise too, which made it even more exciting...

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (extended extract review)

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Omg!! I need more! When I saw this extended extract on Net Galley I knew I had to try and I am so so glad I received this, but I am so so so sad it's not the whole book. But thank goodness it's not a long wait. 

Just the 15 chapters have been incredible, the world building is insane and more happened in every chapter then sometimes happens in the whole book. I literally couldn't put it down and probably hit my kindle screen about 5 times in the hope it will magically make more pages appear. 

I now totally understand why everyone is talking about this book. This is THE one for January, if not for this year, to look out for. It's going to be huuuuuge!

It's full of magic, friendship and adventure on every page. Already filled with twists and surprises. Wow, I can only imagine what else is to come. 

15 chapters in and I am already a huge fan. Scratch that I was a fan from page one. Rarely is it that easy to get into a book. Fantastic! 

Hurry up 14th of January so I can finish this amazing book!! 

WWW Wednesday (5th January)

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It’s open for anyone to join in and is a great way to share what you’ve been reading! All you have to do is answer three questions and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.

The three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

I am currently reading...

Blurb: My name is Ruby Carter. I was a normal teenage girl who only wanted what every other teenage girl wanted- love and acceptance. But when my parents revealed a painful secret I couldn’t accept, and my boyfriend broke up with me the night before my eighteenth birthday, I turned into something beyond average. Betrayed and broken, I tore off in my car, into the storm, and straight toward my death. I was sucked into a dark and terrifying world I never knew existed, changing my life forever. That’s when I met him…

My name is Guy Stone. I’ve been told I have no heart- a cold, ruthless killer. And I liked the perception others gave me for it allowed me to shut out my past and focus on hunting down every last Unfortunate Soul, seeking my revenge. But the night I found her lying amongst the flames of the battle, helpless and confused, I caved, finding myself drawn to her dark innocence, unable to follow the rules. And by that one decision, not only did my life change forever, but I found myself falling for the one thing I despised the most: A vampire. My enemy. An Unfortunate Soul.

I have recently finished... 

Blurb: In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

(extended extract)

Blurb: On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

Blurb: Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village on the northernmost tip of Iceland, accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a local policeman, whose tumultuous past and uneasy relationships with the villagers continue to haunt him. The peace of this close-knit community is shattered by the murder of a policeman – shot at point-blank range in the dead of night in a deserted house. With a killer on the loose and the dark arctic winter closing in, it falls to Ari Thór to piece together a puzzle that involves tangled local politics, a compromised new mayor, and a psychiatric ward in Reykjavik, where someone is being held against their will. Then a mysterious young woman moves to the area, on the run from something she dare not reveal, and it becomes all too clear that tragic events from the past are weaving a sinister spell that may threaten them all.

I plan on reading next...

Blurb: Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Blurb: Three thousand years ago a war took place that gave birth to legends - to Achilles, the greatest of the Greeks, and Hector, prince of Troy. It was a war that made - and destroyed - both men, a war that shook the very foundations of the world. But what if there was more to this epic conflict? What if there was another, hidden tale of the Trojan War that had yet to be told?

Now is that time - time for the women of Troy to tell their story.

Blurb: The new gritty, emotional bestseller from Amanda Prowse.
In the early years of their love affair, Romilly was happy. She had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol's most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her handsome, kind husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting - but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn't fix.
And then a new neighbour arrived and everything unravelled. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Romilly's family were once everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love...

Snowbilnd by Ragnar Jónasson

Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland, where no one locks their doors – accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik – with a past that he’s unable to leave behind. When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life. An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts, while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness – blinded by snow, and with a killer on the loose.

The plot is so complex, in such a delicious way that I can't really go back and tell you some about what is happening in this book. So I will stick to the very short basics. 

Ari Thor gets a job offer with the police in the very north of Iceland, he takes it without any hesitation and moves there leaving his girlfriend behind. Arriving in a small town where nothing ever happens, he will soon discover that this isn't so true after all. 

I was intrigued from the start, what was absolutely incredible is that this is completely different from anything I have ever read before. And I don't mean just because it's in this idyllic place I never dreamed of or because the people's names are unique. What really does it, is the fact that you aren't just left wondering who committed the crime, but also what the crime is, who was wronged and when it happens. There is little clues there to prepare your mind for something to come and other then that, it leaves you wondering. 

The author switches between the characters and we get backgrounds of many of them here and there. And at first I thought, do I really need to know this? But as the plot thickened, I realised that everyone is slowly being tight together in a way I could have never imagined, this had my lips forming a massive O many times. 

I could have never ever predicted what is to come in this book and how it is going to end. The story has earned my respect and wonder with every passing page. 

The plot is unique, mysterious, thrilling and shows the authors incredible talent. But it's not only the plot that impresses. The characters are so complex, all in their own way. You will go from hating to liking some and vice versa, you will suspect everyone and you will come to love some too. 

And last but not least I wanna visit this place. No matter if it's snowed in and completely torn away from any other place. It sounds beautiful and idyllic. I want to see it with my own eyes. 

As I moved towards the end of this book o couldn't turn the pages quick enough, I didn't want to go to sleep before I finished it and all this while I didn't really want it to end either, because I wanted to read much more. I think this book gets better as you get further into it. About a third in I would say the book is good, once it's finished the answer is it's incredible. I can't praise this enough. 

Personally I love Snowblind very much and I can't wait to start Nightblind. Already giddy to get back to the small town, where nothing ever happens. 

Thank you to Karen at Orenda Books for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves

Weekly Wrap up...

I have finished two books and one extended extract. Snowblind was a very thrilling read and my review will be up Monday :) 

Blurb: Siglufjörður: an idyllically quiet fishing village in Northern Iceland, where no one locks their doors – accessible only via a small mountain tunnel. Ari Thór Arason: a rookie policeman on his first posting, far from his girlfriend in Reykjavik – with a past that he’s unable to leave behind. When a young woman is found lying half-naked in the snow, bleeding and unconscious, and a highly esteemed, elderly writer falls to his death in the local theatre, Ari is dragged straight into the heart of a community where he can trust no one, and secrets and lies are a way of life. An avalanche and unremitting snowstorms close the mountain pass, and the 24-hour darkness threatens to push Ari over the edge, as curtains begin to twitch, and his investigation becomes increasingly complex, chilling and personal. Past plays tag with the present and the claustrophobic tension mounts, while Ari is thrust ever deeper into his own darkness – blinded by snow, and with a killer on the loose.

Bookishly Ever After was such a adorable book. I couldn't help but fall in love. It was almost like a mix of Anna and the French kiss and Fangirl. Beautiful! 

Blurb: In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

I have been lucky enough to receive an extended extract of Truthwitch. Wow!! I need the rest of the book and I need it now. This one will be huge! About to write my review later today. 

Blurb: On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.



Stacking the Shelves... 

Hosted by Tynga’s Reviews

I received 4 books this week. Two off Net Galley and the other two I have won in a competition on Twitter. 

Here are the two of Net Galley...

Blurb: Filled with magic, thrilling adventure, and sweet romance, Elementals is the first in a new series that fans of Percy Jackson and The Secret Circle will love!

When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

Blurb: Grief turned Jaycee into a daredevil, but can she dare to deal with her past?

On the anniversary of her dardevil brother's death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake's favorite hideout—the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of disfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother's exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind.

As a tribute to Jake, Jaycee vows to complete the dares, no matter how terrifying or dangerous. What she doesn't bargain on is her eccentric band of friends who challenge her to do the unthinkable: reveal the parts of herself that she buried with her brother.

And look at this beautiful package I received from Maximumpop. Beautiful. 

Let it snow Blurb: Sparkling white snowdrifts, beautiful presents wrapped in ribbons, and multicolored lights glittering in the night through the falling snow. A Christmas Eve snowstorm transforms one small town into a romantic haven, the kind you see only in movies. Well, kinda. After all, a cold and wet hike from a stranded train through the middle of nowhere would not normally end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger. And no one would think that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow would lead to love with an old friend. Or that the way back to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks. Thanks to three of today’s bestselling teen authors—John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle—the magic of the holidays shines on these hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and breathtaking kisses.

Hold me closer Blurb: Jazz hands at the ready! Tiny Cooper (“the world’s largest person who is also really, really gay”) stole readers’ hearts when he was introduced to the world in the New York Times bestselling book Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-authored by John Green and David Levithan. Now Tiny finally gets to tell his story—from his fabulous birth and childhood to his quest for true love and his infamous parade of ex-boyfriends—the way he always intended: as a musical! Filled with honesty, humor, and “big, lively, belty” musical numbers, the novel is told through the full script of the musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Bookishly Ever After by Isabel Bandeira

In a perfect world, sixteen-year-old Phoebe Martins’ life would be a book. Preferably a YA novel with magic and a hot paranormal love interest. Unfortunately, her life probably wouldn’t even qualify for a quiet contemporary. But when Phoebe finds out that Dev, the hottest guy in the clarinet section, might actually have a crush on her, she turns to her favorite books for advice. Phoebe overhauls her personality to become as awesome as her favorite heroines and win Dev’s heart. But if her plan fails, can she go back to her happy world of fictional boys after falling for the real thing?

This is like a mixture of Anna and the French Kiss and Fangirl. Absolutely adorable. It didn't need any huge sad life events, it's all about a book and knitting nerd falling in love for the first time. A girl who dreams of love like she reads about in her books. We all have our book boyfriends that we can not live without, those boys we wish were real, no matter if they are vampires, werewolves or any other mythical creature. But real boys are very different and will her books be able to help her when she has her first real crush? 

Pheobe has a crush on one of the boys at school that reminds her of one of her favourite book characters. But when her best friend points out to her that her friend Dev has feeling for her, things suddenly change. She has never considered Dev as anything other then a friend but suddenly her head is all over the place. Could her friend be right? 

This is not about your insane undying love at first sight, it's about falling for someone very slowly, in a natural and believable way. 

This has been such a sweet story, Isabel has captured first love in a perfect way. You can tell she remembers exactly what it feels like and what school and boys and crushes were like at that age. I couldn't help but fall in love alongside the characters. Thank you for letting me experience that kind of feeling again. 

But what's even more adorable is Phoebes dorkyness and her love for books. She is so much like all of us, even tho I am probably to old for all this now, it's actually spooky. As a girl who loves books, reading about a girl who also loves books, I can't help but love this book. 

Anyone who loves contemporary/YA is gonna love this, it's full of heart and friendship and dorkyness... Probably the most adorable story I have read in a very very long time. This is going to be huge. 

Let's not forget the cover, as a cover lover I have to mention this beautiful piece of art, it will look incredible on everyone's shelf. 

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 

The book will be released 12th January!