Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #46

Weekly Wrap Up...

I have been off poorly most of the week, with an ear infection and a serious struggle with my balance. Thought I'd finish 3 books at least bit with my balance going it wasn't easy to concentrate on reading. However I have still managed to read my usual 2 books. Some seriously strong Fantasy books. I really enjoyed both. The first one was Ever The Hunted and the second one The Invasion Of The Tearling. After that I was very much in need of a contemporary, which I am about half way in now and am loving it. I think I nee to read some more contemporary and I really fancy some more new adult. 

With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighbouring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling – and that of Kelsea’s own soul – may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
In this dazzling sequel to her bestselling debut The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen brings back favourite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery and a fierce young heroine.

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force. 

Stacking the Shelves...

Most of this week has been rather quiet by my post box. All the way till Sunday nothing then I get a little surprise from Maximumpopboooks!! I didn't even realise I won this, The Diabolical is a book I had my eyes on for some time and I almost picked it up the night before while shopping. I just love a surprise and a good competition! 

On my kindle this week I have added Blurring The Lines, which is just what I need in between all the fantasy that I read :) 

 

 

Review: The Last Dance by Kierney Scott

American-born prima ballerina Georgina Fairley made a mistake that could destroy her. Now, saving her career means selling her soul to the Russian government. A spy who uses her body to lure men and secure their secrets, Georgina is tasked with seducing Roman Zakharov, the most dangerous oligarch in Russia.

Roman Zakharov a man with a past as ugly as his disfigured face. An assassination attempt left him horribly burned, but the scars go deeper than the frightening exterior. Jaded and cruel, he lets Georgina into his world but only to punish her and teach the pretty dancer that no one crosses Roman Zakharov. He will show her what it means to be used. And he will teach her to beg.

And in the end, they may teach each other to love... 

I will keep short and sweet, you may have noticed that this isn't my usual genre and you wont see many reviews of this kind on my blog. But damn I was in the mood for a sexy read, we all need them once in a while. So this book came along and I flew through it in no time. It was just what I needed.

Georgina is an American ballerina who is being really successful in Russia. But she has two secrets, for one she is in a lot of pain with her knee and she has a secret job for the Russian government. To find out secrets she will lure men into bed along other things. Her next target is the heavily scared and dangerous Roman. Expecting an ugly man, Georgina is very surprised to find herself drawn to him instantly. What she also doesn't expect is for Roman to figure her out. Now Roman starts to play his own games...

This was a fun and sexy read. It had the right amount of everything. While I enjoy a sexy book I don't quite enjoy it if its filled with lots and lots of mindless sex. This one got it right.

I will tell you the reason why I don't read these books more often... I can tell you the ending as soon as I start it. This one managed to keep me guessing, maybe not about the very end but about everything in between.

All in all this has filled a hole and entertained me through out.

WWW Wednesday (9th November)

 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...

With each passing day, Kelsea Glynn is growing into her new responsibilities as Queen of the Tearling. By stopping the shipments of slaves to the neighbouring kingdom of Mortmesne, she crossed the Red Queen, a brutal ruler whose power derives from dark magic, who is sending her fearsome army into the Tearling to take what is hers. And nothing can stop the invasion.
But as the Mort army draws ever closer, Kelsea develops a mysterious connection to a time before the Crossing, and she finds herself relying on a strange and possibly dangerous ally: a woman named Lily, fighting for her life in a world where being female can feel like a crime. The fate of the Tearling – and that of Kelsea’s own soul – may rest with Lily and her story, but Kelsea may not have enough time to find out.
In this dazzling sequel to her bestselling debut The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen brings back favourite characters, including the Mace and the Red Queen, and introduces unforgettable new players, adding exciting layers to her multidimensional tale of magic, mystery and a fierce young heroine.

I have recently finished...

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force. 

I plan on reading next...

In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has transformed from a gawky teenager into a powerful monarch.

As she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, the headstrong, visionary leader has also transformed her realm. In her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies - including the evil Red Queen, her fiercest rival, who has set her armies against the Tear.

To protect her people from a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable - she surrendered herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy, and named the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign from her prison in Mortmesne.

Now the endgame begins and the fate of Queen Kelsea - and the Tearling itself - will finally be revealed . . .

Review: Paper Butterfies by Lisa Heatherfield

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one – and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net.

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom . . . But at what price?

OMG!! What did I just read? This book has broken me over and over and over again. I don't even think I can put any of this into words. This book is the biggest emotional rollercoaster I have ever read.

The things June has to endure, not only at school but in her own home with her stepmother and stepsister have been so heart breaking to read. I wasn't sure I could make it through this book. It was tearing me apart. June is amazing, what a strong and incredible young lady. But its when she meets Blister that her life changes for the better. But only while she is with Blister, because things just get worse everywhere else.

I could have never imagined where this story goes. Never in my wildest dreams did I see any of it coming. There was even a point at which I thought I am better off not finishing it, because I wasn't sure I could take it. And it did totally break me in pieces. What have you done to me??

I can't finish this without once again mentioning Blister. He is perfect! I love him.

Emotional, heart breaking and unmissable. One of the most incredible books I have read this year.

Weekly Wrap Up and Stacking the Shelves #45

Weekly Wrap Up...

So for the first time ever I have been reading 2 books at the same time. Wasn't such a good idea because I almost didn't finish any this week. I have been reading Six Of Crows but really fancied something sexy and easy going for the evenings when I was to tired to use my brain for reading ha ha. So I stared The Last Dance and that is he only book I have managed to finish. 

 

Stacking the Shelves...

Well my Shelves are having a really good time lately. Some amazing books once again ;) 

First of all massive thank you to Abrams and Chronicle for my amazing books. Been waiting for these for some time. Very much looking forward to reading Iron Cast and The Movie Version.

Next up thank you so much to Stephenie at Ebury Publishing for the best sprayed pages ever!!! Final Girls sound super exciting. 

This week I also had a huge surprise from Georgia at Curious Fox, who has kindly send me Waking in Time. I didn't want to unwrap it!! It looked so beautiful, but the book sounds even better. Thank you.

I've also had two beautiful competition prizes arrive. First one from Ela at Ela's Bookcorner and another one from Jamie-Lee at Quiekbooks. Feeling very lucky! Thank you. 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

 

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

Oh wow where do I begin. I am a little late to the party, I have had this book on my shelf for some time and lately I have been binge reading her Grisha Trilogi. And I must admit I am really glad that I have held back and waited until I finished the other books. Amazing authors always raise their bar with every book and this is what happens here once again, I like to grow with the author and their world. But enough of that, because this has been one of my absolute favourite books ever. I really liked the Grisha trilogy but I freaking loved this.

When I first started to read this book I struggled a little to keep up as their was so many different names, but this didn't last long and as soon as I got into the story I couldn't put the book down. It was physically painful to leave this book behind. 

I love the characters, not just one of them, ALL of them. All for very different reasons, but I love them equally. Well, I might have a little bit of a crush on Kaz... why can't we stay away from the troubled boys?? I like my book boyfriends to be just like him! Everyone is so interesting and intriguing and I love how we get to know them all slowly as the story progresses. 

The world building is world class! There is so much detail to everything I feel like I have been there and seen it all with my own eye. I am already saddened that this is a two book series only. I don't think I will ever get enough of it. 

Can we talk about how clever Bardugo is?? These heists, wow! How does she come up with this sceaming? What a brilliant mind. I will literally read everything this lady will write in the future. 

I am totally and utterly in love with this book! 

Incredible, captivating and impossible to put down. 

WWW Wednesday (2nd November)

 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...

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

American-born prima ballerina Georgina Fairley made a mistake that could destroy her. Now, saving her career means selling her soul to the Russian government. A spy who uses her body to lure men and secure their secrets, Georgina is tasked with seducing Roman Zakharov, the most dangerous oligarch in Russia.

Roman Zakharov a man with a past as ugly as his disfigured face. An assassination attempt left him horribly burned, but the scars go deeper than the frightening exterior. Jaded and cruel, he lets Georgina into his world but only to punish her and teach the pretty dancer that no one crosses Roman Zakharov. He will show her what it means to be used. And he will teach her to beg.

And in the end, they may teach each other to love... 

I have recently finished...

June's life at home with her stepmother and stepsister is a dark one – and a secret one. She is trapped like a butterfly in a net.

But then June meets Blister, a boy in the woods. In him she recognises the tiniest glimmer of hope that perhaps she can find a way to fly far, far away from her home and be free. Because every creature in this world deserves their freedom . . . But at what price?

Paper Butterflies is an unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Jandy Nelson, Sarah Crossan and Louise O'Neill.

I plan on reading next...

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.