The Diviners Book Review

Book: The Diviners

Author: Libba Bray

Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Paranormal, Mystery

Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

“People think boundaries and borders build nations. Nonsense-words do. Beliefs, declarations, constitutions-words. Stories. Myths. Lies. Promises. History”

There are books that you know everything about due to the hype surrounding it and the plethora of spoilers going around social media.  This wasn’t the case for this books.  Sure, I’d seen it around bookstagram, I agreed that it was beautiful to look at, but I knew NOTHING about the plot before picking it up.  Going into this with my eyes closed worked out for the best this time.

The Diviners is a BIG book with and equally BIG story.  We start off with Evie O’Neill, who is always chasing trouble’s tail, being shipped off to New York to live with her uncle Will after a “prank” gone wrong.  It’s 1926 and New York is where the party is at.  Evie is beyond ecstatic for the change of scenery, a place where she can finally belong.  Uncle Will is master of all things occult, owning a creepy museum and teaching courses on  everything there is to know about the supernatural.  When bodies start popping up, desecrated and missing body parts, Will becomes the man of the hour and Evie is not far behind.  Together, they’ll try to uncover the mystery of The Pentacle Killer and hopefully, live to tell the tale.

Let’s get one thing clear, I LOVE NEW YORK. I love the city, I love the ambiance, I love the craziness of it.  It’s a place where everything seems possible, like every corner is harboring it’s own adventurous opportunity.  But it’s also scary and mysterious and broad.  This book captured that. Beautifully.  People underestimate the power of a good setting.  Giving life to the buildings, the streets, the very wind that surrounds your characters can give a whole new edge to your story.  A different time period? Madness. Genius.  A busy city, right in it’s prime; it’s not hard imagining all the crazy events that happen throughout the story.

This is one of the few books that I stayed for the atmosphere, instead of the plot.  Not that the plot was lacking; it’s just as fantastic.  But the wow factor was definitely the richness of city.  In addition to this, we have the dialogue which was fluid and fun s heck.  There’s so much slang from the ‘2os, giving it that classic movie quality you expect from the era.

The plot itself is like one of those Russian dolls.  It’s a plot within a plot, within a plot… Though there is a lot to take in, the author doesn’t try to rush the action.  Everything is at low simmer; the drama, the romance. Hopefully it’ll pick up a bit more in the sequel, Lair of Dreams because I sill have A LOT of questions.

One of the things I loved most about this book is the amount of characters presented.  Each one has a secret and a different life story but in odd ways, they’re all connected.  The chapters change point of view constantly to accommodate all of the protagonists, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat to see what will happen next.  This strategy runs the risk of getting annoying because sometimes you want to read a specific POV more than the other.  Even so, I enjoyed it a lot more in this book because I loved all of the characters.  Even the villain, who was scary beyond belief, had fantastic chapters.  The only con was that with the constant switching, the story kind of dragged on.  But I appreciated the slow place.

With Evie, the first think that came to mind was spunk.  This girl is as feisty as they come; she’s definitely the life of the party.  She’s vain, she’s petty, she’s a bit too adventurous and I loved it! There’s nothing I hate more than a bland character and Evie was so full of life, so real and girly that I couldn’t help but love her whirlwind personality.

Then we have uncle Will himself, all scholarly but at the same time mysterious and anxious (and handsome I’m not gonna lie), a total contrast to Evie.  His role as parental figure is lacking but he’s key to the plot. At his side we have Jericho, giant, silent and beautiful Jericho.  Now he was a surprise.  He doesn’t talk much during the book but when he does, he makes an impact.  He makes you laugh, swoon and maybe coo at his dorkiness.  He’s my personal favorite to be honest.

In addition to those three we have Sam a rake and a thief; Theta, superstar and runaway;   Memphis, a poet with street smarts; Mabel, a quiet girl with rebellion running through her veins.

I believe that in the next book these last 4 characters will develop more and take up the spotlight and I am oh so ready for it.  I honestly don’t know what more to expect, how this will go on…

But what I do know is that it’ll be epic.

 

Bookstagram: Recommendations

As part of my little Bookstagram series of posts I’m going to begin recommending my favorite bookstagrammers to you, and of course, listing the reasons why they’re my favorites.

So, here are some of my favorites!

---

Kricket from @amberinfandomland:

Posting gorgeous pictures is one thing.

Being naturally hilarious is another.

But posting gorgeous pictures being naturally hilarious takes things to a whole ‘nother level.

Apart from being an amazing friend, she has a God-given talent for making people laugh and for writing very sassy, very accurate synopses for books she’s read.

It’s the night of the ball and Aislynn couldn’t be more excited, tonight is the night she will meet her true love and they will live happily ever after… but not really because Aislynn has no control over her magic and everyone is like “get yo shit together gurl” and Aislynn is all “I’m tryin, but it would be easier if all the girls in hell hole of a school weren’t such bitches” but women are supposed to be obedient not sassy so her head mistress is like “you can’t be a princess no more so I’m sending you to fairy godmother school” and Aislynn is all “aww man! This sucks balls, I might as well become a nun!” and her head mistress is like “damn straight” but learning to be a fairy godmother doesn’t exactly go as planned because Aislynn is too strong willed for that shit and she has more important things to worry about anyways like why the fuck the wicked queen is kidnapping princesses and shit!

*resists urge to smile* Need I say more?

Leaving all notes of hilariousness aside, Kricket really has an eye for aesthetics, keeping her gorgeous dark and rich theme in check with every picture she posts.

---

Alex from @twirlingpages:

Look, I’m not the girliest girl out there, but I’m incredibly fond of all things bright, and cute, and well… Girly? Does that make sense? Regardless, Alexandra’s feed is one of my favorites because of this sole reason. Well… Apart from the fact that she’s one of the sweetest bookstagrammers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

Her feed is indeed very bright, and colorful, and I particularly love her sitting-cross-legged-in-bed-holding-books/reading. Not to mention she has a gorgeous, tumblr-like room which plays to her favor when the time for taking pictures comes.

Oh, and did I mention she’s also a stunning ballerina? Because yes, she is! I personally enjoy when bookstagrammers have much more going on to them than just reading (wether it be a talent for taking gorgeous photographs, drawing, making their own bookmarks, dancing, anything, really!), and even more so when they let their followers in on that other part of their lives that isn’t all about reading.

Yup. *nods in approval*

---

Adam from @booksss.0k:

There’s a very particular reason why I follow Adam. I mean, apart from the fact that I love his pictures, of course.

His words.

I find that Adam has a very unique, very different way of thinking, and of presenting his opinions and ideas to his followers.

I hope it doesn’t come across as weird, the fact that I knew where to find this specific comment, but I just wanted to give you guys a (more or less) concrete example of what I mean when I say that the main reason I follow Adam.

He talks about things… As they are. He doesn’t use them as an aesthetic because that’s just how it is. How he is. He posts what he feels should be posted, as he feels it should be posted, regardless of the feedback, and honestly, that’s how it should be for everyone.

If anything, Adam’s words, and how he translates who he is into his photography, even inspires me to not hold back when the time comes for posting a photo, or speaking my mind. It’s real nice.

---

Viktoria from @seelieknight:

Viktoria reminds me of everything faeries, nymphs, folklore, fairy tales and pretty much everything that has to do with crows and ravens, which is to say Six of Crows and The Raven Cycle.

I love it!

Her feed is so visually pleasing for someone who loves nature and cold, desaturated vibes. Her taste in books is so on point. Her music taste is the bomb-est ever, and her playlists are killer.

Two of my favorite playlists by her are her “shadowfire” playlist, inspired by Kaltain from the Throne of Glass books, and her “nocturne” playlist, inspired by Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, so I recommend you give those a play when you have the time.

---

Paulo from @bookswithtea:

Before going into any details about how much I love his pictures, I’ll tell you one of the weirdest things that have ever happened to me when reading.

I… Imagined Paulo as Dash, from Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, without ever having seen his face. Paulo’s, I mean. I have no idea how that came to be, it was completely unconscious and unexpected. It’s about the weirdest thing ever and I feel like I shouldn’t even be telling you about this, it was so bizarre. But I guess if I had to guess, I’d base this whole thing on that one picture on the bottom row (the one in the middle).

Dash is described as a somewhat “hipster” character who enjoys time alone, himself and a book, and I guess those are the vibes that one picture (and his whole feed, for that matter) give me. Hipster in the good way, not in the wannabe type of way.

Very Connor Franta, if I may.

I’m in love with his feed, to say the least.

---

Those are all the recommendations I have for you today!

I hope you enjoyed this post, and that what I had to say about these accounts inspired you to go give them a follow, and do keep in mind that these are only 5 of the 479283 (not that many, but you know) accounts that I’d like to recommend to you.

Keep an eye out, maybe you‘ll end up in my next “Bookstagram: Recommendations” post!

Happy reading!

Bookstagram: A Fraction of the Reader Community

As you all know, I’m a part of an incredibly vast, incredibly awesome community of readers. And more specifically, I belong to Bookstagram, a (big) fraction of the reader community that takes place in the social media platform of Instagram.

This online community focuses on the use of photography, although Bookstagram can often be used simply to connect and not to express, to grasp the attention of other readers, as well as non-readers, to create bonds through one thing we all have in common: books.

Some bookstagrammers aren’t as passionate about photography, and thus don’t put as much thought into the looks of what they post nearly as much as they put into what they write. Some bookstagrammers aren’t as passionate about the reading and the books as much as they are into the photography aspect of it, focusing more on finding the right aesthetic and look for their account. And then some bookstagrammers, more like myself, hold both photography and books high up in their passion-o-meter, and combine both of these passions into something far greater, choosing to exploit our artistic side while pouring every ounce of what we have to offer as amateur (or maybe not so amateur) writers, reviewers, thinkers, etc.

But either way, we’re all part of the same online community of readers, and each and every one of us has something to offer.

Bookstagram isn’t, by any means, the only incredible aspect to the community of readers all over the world as a whole. There’s also Booklr-ers (I guess?), who choose Tumblr as their preferred platform when the time comes to put up their content, and their words. Booktubers, who choose to use a video format to share what they have to say with the world. There’s those who prefer Twitter, and those who favor the use of Facebook. There’s those who use Goodreads, leaving all looks and aesthetics aside to focus on everything that has to do with thoughts, and opinions, and with the organization of their reading experience. There are bloggers, there are fandom and fanart accounts, and there are those who choose to simply read, and share their opinions in their “real life,” instead of online.

Like I said, we’re a vast community of readers, and Bookstagram is only a fraction of it.

But it also happens to be the place where it all started for me, and through which I’ve met some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to, where I’ve met a lot of my best friends, and where I choose to continue expressing my love for reading and photography.

Having said this, I’d like to share my experiences and everything I know about this loving community of readers with you. I’m not the most popular bookstagrammer out there, or the most qualified person to talk about this. By any means. But Bookstagram is more about sharing your passions and expressing yourself, than it is about the amount of followers you have. I’d even go as far as saying that if your heart is in the right place, it’s not about popularity at all.

So without further ado, welcome to the life of a bookstagrammer. And by boosktagrammer, I mean me.

Small(ish) Update

Hi guys, just wanted to do a small update, just to tell you what I’m currently reading, watching and doing for the next few days.

I’ve been reading The Diviners by Libba Bray for the last few days.  It’s a mother of a book, 578 pages long, with one of the most interesting settings I’ve read in my life.  I’ll definitely post a longer review once I’m done with it!  But for now, here are some pictures I took so you can admire the beauty that is this hardback:

Also, I’m editing my review for the Assassin’s Blade and thinking about maybe doing one for Crown of Midnight later on.  I have A LOT to say about that sequel, trust me.

Speaking of Throne of Glass, up next on my tbr, after The Dream thieves of curse, is Heir of Fire! Is my heart ready? Am I still gonna read it? Absolutely. Will I die a cruel emotional death? Probably.  Still, I’m super excited to finally meet Rowan and ugly cry over the love of my life, Chaol Westfall.

What am I watching? I don’t really watch series. Actors make me cringe, especially the ones in those extremely popular series, so I tend to stick to anime only.  Though I’ve been binge-watching Parenthood with my sister during the holidays and it’s strangely addicting.  Back to anime, I’m mostly watching slice of life; Tsuritama, Princes Jellyfish and Durarara!! are some.  I’m thinking of doing a review on each of them with cool gifs and everything! I just wanna dork out. Leave me be.

Last but not least, I’ve recently been spending a lot of time on my booklr account.  Booklr is just a fancy name for a tumblr account that focuses exclusively on things book related.  You can go follow me if you like at justabookeater for more book photography and rants.

That’s all for now love, see you soon!

 

 

The Raven Boys Book Review

 

Book: The Raven Boys

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

“Aglionby Academy was the number one reason Blue had developed her two rules: One, stay away from boys because they were trouble. And two, stay away from Aglionby boys, because they were bastards.”

I know a book is great when my chest starts to feel real tight every time I read a chapter or think about a certain character involved in the book.  I know it’s fantastic when I’m twenty pages in and I’m already swooning over the protagonists.  I know a book is perfect when the main character is real and I feel a connection to her/his/their story.

The Raven Boys is an amazing read that I just fell hard for.  It’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a book, no joke.

I didn’t take me long to be completely enraptured by Maggie’s writing; she’s one of the best I tell you.  I knew that already because I’d read Shiver not too long ago but this book… The Raven Boys is Maggie’s beautiful narrative style on steroids.  You can tell how much Maggie put into this gang.

The story revolves around a sixteen year old girl named Blue Sargent and the Aglionby boys: the elite of the small town that is Henrietta.  Blue has had a very peculiar upbringing, what with her family consisting of psychics and everything paranormal and has been told all her life that she’s destined to cause her true love’s death.

Nice.

The book is written in third person point of view but each chapter revolves around different characters; mainly Gansey, Blue and Adam.  This gives the story a well-rounded view without spoiling any of the events for the reader.

Blue is my main chick. I want to be her friend.  Though she isn’t as fierce as other main heroines (whom I also adore), there is this softness about her that makes me adore her even more. And not in the wilted flower type of way but the ultimate caring mother figure kind of way. If that makes sense.  She fits in with these boys and it’s solely because of who she is and how she sees the world.  She’s very perceptive and lovely and goes the extra mile to understand these boys.  She respects their personalities, even makes fun of them sometimes and best of all, she’s a friend.

One of the things I related to the most in this book was Blue’s day to day life.   Her house is one filled with women who are quirky a best, maniacal at worst.  It reminds me of my childhood  since my home was and is still dominated by women.  Maura, Blue’s mom, is such a refreshing parental figure without being unbelievable. Her character just brought out so many memories of my own mother, it was surreal.  I’m so glad that Maggie took the time to elaborate on this aspect of the Blue’s life since in YA, the norm is to keep parents as vague as possible and/or only exist as plot devices.

Aside from Maura, we have characters like Persephone and Calla, Maura’s two best friends, who also contribute to the story’s richness without stealing the limelight.  Maggie is a genius when it comes to secondary characters.  Persephone gives such a Luna Lovegood feel without being a replica and Calla is just straight out bad ass.  I love that I get to love them this much.

To love everybody this much, especially the boys.

I’m a sucker for guys in books, it’s a given.  The Aglionby boys are no exception.  Maggie’s way of building up these boys is why I couldn’t pick a favorite.  Instead of writing about the strictly physical aspects of each boy, she takes the time to give us small details that are exclusive to them.  You get to know their essence as a person.  I cannot for the life of me tell you the color of Adam’s eyes, but I can feel who he is.  It’s the oddest thing.

What’s so great about this is that there is no way of confusing the boys.  There is no mix-up on who is whom, there can’t be.  The way they talk, smile, love and hate is so different from the other.  And you will love them individually, with all their faults and quirks.  Unconditionally.  Believe me.

The atmosphere in this book is nothing less than alive.  Without it, nothing could have happened in the story, the setting and tone are exceptionally executed throughout all the scenes.  You will feel joy when you’re supposed to feel joy and you will freak the fuck out when you’re supposed to freak the fuck out.  The plot twists grab you by the throat and refuse to let go until you’ve finished the book.  AND EVEN THEN.  THE FUCKING CLIFFHANGER. MY GOD.  KILL ME.

The mystery and the suspense will remain alive even after the last word.

So if you’re still having doubts about finally picking up this series. Don’t.  I’m so ready to keep going with this story and loving every single word of it.  My heart might not be ready but since when do I ever listen to my heart? Especially when it comes to book?

 

New Year’s Eve Rant

There’s this ache in my chest and my best friend, or at least someone I thought was my best friend in the entire world, put it there.  Exactly two minutes after the ball dropped, he called me and told me he couldn’t be my friend anymore and that he was leaving my life for good.  No explanations given except that it was in his best interest; so he could feel better.  I’m still trying to figure out how to react.  I don’t want to see anyone, I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to go out.  Ive done my crying and all I have left is this huge ball of anger, resentment, disappointment and sadness rolling around my stomach.

He’s tried calling me several times but honestly, I can’t bring myself to answer.  How can you say something like that to me and then expect me to hear you out?  I have always been there for you, through so much shit and I have torn myself apart for you and you leave? Fuck you.

I don’t plan on answering his calls, ever.  This is what he wanted.  Even if he regretted it immediately and tried to patch things up it wouldn’t change how he made me feel.  Like I can be thrown away without a second thought. Fuck you.

2015 was an amazing year for me.  I know I’m amazing, I know I have a lot to offer and if he can’t see that then screw him. I have thicker skin now.  He lost me. HE LOST ME. Not the other way around.

Now I’m gonna it my ass down, write some wonderful reviews for you guys because this mess of emotions is fantastic writing fuel.  See you soon, loves.

 

Air Awakens by Elise Kova Review

Book: Air Awakens

Author: Elise Kova

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: ALL OF THE STARS

Goodreads Blurb

The world was alive around her, and each gust of air was like the whisper of a lover upon silk.

---

Let’s do this!

Air Awakens… Where to start…

This follows the life of Vhalla Yarl, a seventeen-year-old library apprentice who has been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers and all of those who belonged in it, and she’d been happy to oblige and keep to the quiet of her books. But when she unknowingly saves the life of Crown Prince Aldrik Solaris, which is to say, one of the most powerful sorcerers of all, her life takes a drastic turn, and she’s forced to decide to embrace her true nature and leave all that she’s ever known, or ignoring this newfound part of herself, as she discovers that she herself has a power of her own; the rare elemental magic of a Windwalker.

This book was great. So, so, so great.

---

The World and the Magic Within Its Pages:

I love the way this world and the magic in it has been built. How, while having its own unique complexity like most Fantasy books, it keeps a certain type of simplicity that allows readers to take it all in and grasp every concept quickly, creating a bond between the reader, the book and the author from a very early stage in the reading experience with this book, and thus allowing this bond to get stronger and stronger as the pages turn, as well as facilitating the establishment of a stronger connection to the characters.

The world in this book works in the way of a compass. It is divided by four regions, North, South, East and West, and each region means a specific affinity for every sorcerer. The people of the North tend to have an affinity with Earth, the people of the South tend have an affinity with Water, those of the West generally have an affinity with Fire, and finally, those of the East, like Vhalla, tend to have an affinity with Air.

That means that Waterruners are most likely to be Southerners, Firebearers are almost always Westerners, Northerners tend to be Groundbreakers and Easterners tend to be Windwalkers.

Learning about this world was a pleasant experience; I learned along with Vhalla and Aldrik was as much my teacher as he was Vhalla’s.

---

Vhalla Yarl:

Vhalla Yarl is a very human character.

Here’s why:

You see, when presented with the fact that she had this amazing, unique ability and the chance to learn more about it, to nurture it, and to train to become a skilled Windwalker, Vhalla… Refused. She refused and she hesitated again and again, and she wouldn’t accept not being given a choice. And this, I feel, is a very human characteristic.

We, humans, don’t like being used, don’t like being controlled, and we don’t like being told that we’re wrong. We don’t like to be faced with facts that are a complete contradiction to everything we’ve known, and thus it takes us time to grasp and accept these facts, or we just don’t accept them, no matter how much truth they may hold. In addition to this, it affects us greatly when we extend our trust towards towards someone that ultimately ends up abusing of it, and losing it.

It felt completely real, Vhalla’s reluctance to trust the Tower of Sorcerers because 1) she’d been taught to fear these people, and to stay as far from sorcery as possible, thus the possibility of anything good coming out of it seemed scarce, and 2) because she extended her trust to “her Phantom,” and he didn’t value it enough to keep it the first time around.

Ultimately, Vhalla was looking out for herself. She was smart, and strong, and brave, because throughout all of it, she thought of herself. She learned to embrace herself as a sorcerer and as someone who has the power to make a difference, and she made sure that this was her choice.

This, combined with her wittiness and her undying love for reading (which I obviously found incredibly relatable), was what made me feel so connected to her character, and what made her into one of my favorite literary characters.

---

Crown Prince Aldrik Solaris, an Outcast on the Spotlight:

*dreamy sigh*

How do I even form coherent thoughts about my dear, fiery,
temperamental prince?

Yeeeeah, about that…

Prince Aldrik is misunderstood, and I’m glad we got a main character who could see that, and understand that (even if it took her, and me, a while), regardless of the perceptions of him that next to everyone had embedded into her mind.

Aldrik is what you could call… An outcast on the spotlight.

It’s hard to be a sorcerer in a world in which these are outcasts, but it’s even harder to be a sorcerer when you’re constantly on the spotlight. And even harder, you might say, when you happen to be the Crown Prince.

It’s quite an odd combination.

It was little more than the corners of his mouth curling up, but it lit his eyes in a way that Vhalla had yet to see. It made her wonder if she had ever really seen him before. It made her wonder if anyone had ever really seen him before.

That, right there, is one of my favorite quotes from this book. Just like Vhalla, I admit I failed to understand Aldrik at the beginning of this book, to see him, and it was little details like these that allowed me to truly see him, and to grow fonder and fonder of him.

A little too fond, you might say. Hehee.

At first, I thought he was a complete asshole.

Then I understood why.

Then, I learned that he cares for those of his kind and those he loves, even if it’s in his own way. I learned that he’s passionate, and feels very deeply and very strongly. I learned that he’s simply a misfit under a microscope whose reputation has already been decided without reasoning, and is constantly reminded of this shallow, false perception that follows him around, wherever he goes, inevitably.

*sigh*

The rest is history.

Indeed.

---

Vhalla and Aldrik, the definition of OTP:

Look, I don’t have much to say about Vhalla and Aldrik’s relationship except, I SHIP IT.

It was pleasantly subtle and yet almost palpable, and I love that it was comprised of little significant moments, that slowly built their relationship.

---

Supporting Characters That Added a Little Something More to This Story:

 Roan and Sareem:

I think… That the presence of these two characters in Vhalla’s life made it clearer for me to see how lonely the life of a sorcerer could be. They were a nice asset to the story, presenting a stark contrast between Vhalla’s past as a library apprentice, and Vhalla’s future as a sorcerer.

Sareem was kinda giving me some Gale vibes though, trying to escape the friend-zone and all. I loved him as her best friend, and he truly was sweet towards Vhalla, if a tad bit cheesy, but I’m kind of glad their relationship ended the way it did. I couldn’t take him as a love interest, and even less after his reaction to Vhalla’s sorcery.

*clears throat*

Sorry?

Larel:

Larel holds a dear place in my heart. She was the constant that Vhalla needed in the midst of the mess that her life had become. She didn’t pressure Vhalla into making a decision, she simply presented her with facts, with the truth, and more importantly, she was there. Vhalla needed a friend and a guide, and Larel provided her with her friendship and guidance without asking for anything in return.

I genuinely feel that there is a lot more depth to her character than we get to see in this book, and I do hope I get to see more of her in the next books.

(Fritz)nangle:

Fritz is, and I’m quoting Elise on this one, “such a cinnamon roll. Too Precious. Too pure.”

Even though he didn’t appear in this book as often as I’d liked him to, he gave me so many Kenji vibes (I’m a sucker for Kenji), and I just… *struggles for words*

FRITZNANGLE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS, OKAY?

Prince Baldair:

Oh, Prince Baldair, why must you be so charming?

I admit I thought I would strongly dislike Baldair, since he’s such a flirt and all. I was wrong.

There’s something so disarmingly good-natured and easy-going about his character, and he’s so sweet too, how could anyone not like him?

It was as though the golden prince wore everything on his sleeves, and his cerulean eyes promised nothing but the truth.

Master Mohned:

Do you wanna know how I imagined Master Mohned?

Are you sure?

Well, you asked for it.

*cackles*

oOPS!

---

The Magic of Simplicity in Writing:

I talked a little about this on my last reading update, and I mentioned it earlier on this post, but I really, really enjoyed the simplicity in the way this book was written. I enjoyed it a lot. It allowed me to quickly fly through it, and it almost made me feel as if I was being presented with some sort of reality, instead of a fragment of fiction.

I’d most definitely recommend this book to any new reader, or non-reader (or avid reader), as the way this book is written allows readers to get a full grasp of this world fairly quickly, and thus keeping you at the edge of your seat.

Props to Elise Kova for being such a fabulous writer.

---

Overall Thoughts:

This. Book. Was. Phenomenal.

I loved every single part of it and, quite frankly, it’s going right up on my favorites shelf. The world was flawlessly put together, the characters were rich and believable, the romance was just right, the story was so simply, and yet intricately, carefully woven, and the ending was fantastic, giving way for this series to grow into something far, far greater.

I 100% recommend that EVERYONE give this book a try aaaaand that concludes this review.

I hope you enjoyed it, and that it made you want to pick this book up.

Happy reading!

Judging by Covers: Cover Changes

There are two types of cover changes. 

Cover changes for the good, and cover changes that are just annoying as hell.

And both of these are ONLY acceptable when you don’t eliminate the original covers from the faze of this earth.

Don’t understand what I mean?

Allow me to enlighten you.

---

A good example of this is the Across the Universe trilogy by Beth Revis. I’m sure you’ve seen these around somewhere on Instagram, or booktube, but in case you haven’t, here’s what the original covers look like:

Now, here’s what the newest version of these look like:

I’m positive you can see the difference in these and you can probably also see how the original covers were about 49284727 times more beautiful than the newer ones.

And if you’re wondering what the problem here is, well…

The third book. THE THIRD BOOK.

If you’re gonna change the covers mid-trilogy/series, fine. BUT DO NOT ELIMINATE THE ORIGINAL VERSION FROM THE FAZE OF THIS EARTH!

And the fact that an actual picture of what the original cover for this book looks like, even though it’s nowhere to be found, is all the more irritating.

Look at it. LOOK AT IT! I CAN’T SETTLE FOR THE UGLY COVERS OR A MISMATCHED SET OF BOOKS WHEN THIS PICTURE EXISTS!

It is the SOLE reason why I haven’t bought these books. I refuse to buy the ugly covers and I refuse to have a mismatched set of books.

---

ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS IS, Teardrop by Lauren Kate.

This is the original cover.

And THIS ABOMINATION is the new one.

Okay, okay. Fine. It’s not REALLY an abomination, but it pretty much sucks compared to the original one, which in my opinion is stunning.

Now, you can still find copies of this book with the original cover BUT WHAT YOU CAN’T FIND IS THE ORIGINAL COVER FOR IT’S SEQUEL, WATERFALL.

INSTEAD, FINDING THIS. EVERYWHERE I LOOK!

Why on earth would you go from such beautiful covers to such bland ones, I don’t know. IT IS COMPLETELY LOST ON ME.

I read the first book and I completely adored it. I remember anxiously waiting for a second book, uNTIL THE COVER CHANGE HAPPENED AND I WAS FORCED TO ORDER A BORING COVERED BOOK.

I never read the sequel. I own it, and tO THIS DAY, I still haven’t read it.

(and in case you didn’t realize, IT WAS ENTIRELY BECAUSE OF THE COVER CHANGE)

---

And how can we forget about the well-known Stephanie Perkins’ book cover change.

From these:

To these:

Now, this would’ve been a glorious cover change. The covers went from cheesy, and a 0/10, to cute and a 7/10. It would’ve been great…

IF I HADN’T BOUGHT THE FIRST TWO BOOKS BEFORE THE COVER CHANGE!

NOT ONLY DO I OWN THE UGLY COVERS, BUT MY BOOKS DON’T MATCH, AND THERE’S NO UGLY COVER OF THE LAST BOOK FOR ME TO BUY!

DO YOU FEEL MY PAIN?

---

Now, some recent cover changes that I’m totally on board with are:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

From these:

To these:

Harry Potter:

From these:

And these:

To these:

And these:

The Mortal Instruments:

From these:

To these:

And these:

The Infernal Devices:

From these:

To these:

And if you’re wondering why I’m okay with these when I’m complaining sO much about other cover changes its because, 1. they changed the covers AFTER these series had ended, and 2. the original covers still exist aND ARE STILL OBTAINABLE, SO YOU WON’T HAVE A MISMATCHED SET OF BOOKS!

You see, I’ve never really understood cover changes. After you publish a book, you can’t just say “oh, I don’t like these three chapters, let me just go back and change them.”

YOU CAN’T!

Publishing a book shows commitment to your work. You’re proud enough and pleased enough with your work to be able publish it and (for the most part) not regret what you wrote or the way you wrote it.

So if you can’t just go back and change up a story that has already been published, WHY CAN YOU GO BACK AND CHANGE A COVER THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN PUT OUT THERE?! AND EVEN MORE SO WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE BOOKS OUT IN THIS SERIES/TRILOGY WITH DIFFERENT COVERS THAT DON’T MATCH THE NEW ONES IN ANY WAY?!?!!?!!

*sigh*

I just hope that I don’t have to endure another significant cover change in which I can’t acquire a cover that matches the rest of my books because if I’m being quite honest, I do judge books by their covers.

It’s inevitable aND IF YOU CLAIM THAT YOU DON’T, YOU ARE LYING TO YOURSELF.

And just like I judge books by their covers, I judge books by their cover changes.

0 to a 100 cover changes, 100 to a 0 cover changes. Cover changes for the better, cover changes for the worse. Mid-series cover changes, after-series cover changes.

*judging*

---

I’m going to stop ranting right here because 1. it’s about 4am in the morning, and 2. if I keep going, I’ll just ramble non-stop about the same issue.

I hope you enjoy this post and relate to it aaaaaand yeah!

Goodnight, day, afternoon, or evening (depending on your time zone) and happy reading!

Reading Update: Air Awakens by Elise Kova

Let’s talk Air Awakens, shall we?

I’ve been juggling between reading Air Awakens on my phone, Six of Crows (because yes, I’m a little shit that didn’t finish it last month like I was supposed to) whenever I’m home and have the chance to grab my copy and read peacefully, and school work, so I haven’t read as much as I’d like to read of it, but what I HAVE read, I’ve liked.

I’ve mentioned this before, but the way this book is written is very simple and easy to read, and I like that because, apart from the fact that it’s a book that everyone can read (even a non-reader), it’s very easy to dive into and get a whole bunch of reading done in a decent amount of time.

At first, it kind of irked me a bit that Vhalla was so whiny and kept denying her powers instead of embracing them, but as I kept reading, I warmed up to her character. And when I really thought about it, if I were in Vhalla’s situation I would’ve whined and denied just as much as she does, and maybe even more. It just makes her more human, and real, I guess, because we all know that perfect, seemingly fearless characters that can take on anything without complaining or doubting themselves aren’t believable.

I really like how the magic is explained in this book, and how, just like with the writing, it’s very easy to understand.

Fire = West
Water = South
Earth = North
Air = East

Like I said, very easy to understand!

I loved the whole exchanging letters thing with “the Phantom,” hOWEVER, Aldrik is an asshole.

I’m almost POSITIVE that he’ll get better and he’ll end up being a member of my never ending list of fictional boyfriends but I just… HE’S SUCH AN ASS RIGHT NOW! *sobs*

I’ve only read about 8 chapters, and I can already feel myself getting attached to this story and the characters (Vhalla, Larel, the Minister, Fritz, nOT ALDRIK, THOUGH).

I can’t wait to keep reading, and hopefully Aldrik will… You know… Not be an asshole.

Remember to leave any questions you have for Elise down below in the comments and keep in mind that they can be about anything you’d like, just don’t get too personal!

In the mean time, I have 2 questions of my own!

My first question is: Is the world in Air Awakens based on our world or is it an entirely different world? I’m very curious as to what a map of this world would look like.

And my second question is: What Hogwarts house do you belong to? I personally haven’t read the Harry Potter books but I’ve always loved learning what house others belong to.

Farewell and happy reading!

Upcoming Releases: December

I’m back to tell you guys about this month’s upcoming releases!

As per usual, I’ve picked out a handful of books that I thought would interest you, or that I found interesting, and you know how the rest goes.

Here we go!

---

Book: Their Fractured Light (Starbound #3)

Author: Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Release date: December 1st, 2015

Goodreads description: A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.

Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.
When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.

---

Book: Not If I See You First

Author: Eric Lindstrom

Genre: YA Contemporary

Release date: December 1st, 2015

Goodreads description: The Rules:
Don’t deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public.

Don’t help me unless I ask. Otherwise you’re just getting in my way or bothering me.

Don’t be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I’m just like you only smarter.

Parker Grant doesn’t need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That’s why she created the Rules: Don’t treat her any differently just because she’s blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.

When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there’s only one way to react-shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that’s right, her eyes don’t work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn’t cried since her dad’s death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened–both with Scott, and her dad–the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.

---

Book: The Trouble with Destiny

Author: Lauren Morrill

Genre: YA Contemporary

Release date: December 8th, 2015

Goodreads description: It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey…
With her trusty baton and six insanely organized clipboards, drum major Liza Sanders is about to take Destiny by storm—the boat, that is. When Liza discovered that her beloved band was losing funding, she found Destiny, a luxury cruise ship complete with pools, midnight chocolate buffets, and a $25,000 spring break talent show prize.

Liza can’t imagine senior year without the band, and nothing will distract her from achieving victory. She’s therefore not interested when her old camp crush, Lenny, shows up on board, looking shockingly hipster-hot. And she’s especially not interested in Russ, the probably-as-dumb-as-he-is-cute prankster jock whose ex, Demi, happens be Liza’s ex–best friend and leader of the Athenas, a show choir that’s the band’s greatest competition.

But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. After the Destiny breaks down, all of Liza’s best-laid plans start to go awry. Liza likes to think of herself as an expert at almost everything, but when it comes to love, she’s about to find herself lost at sea.

---

Book: See How They Run (Embassy Row #2)

Author: Ally Carter

Genre: YA Contemporary/Spy Thriller

Release date: December 22nd, 2015

Goodreads description: Grace’s past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn’t stop it, Grace isn’t the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.

The twists get twistier and the turns get even more shocking in the second thrilling installment of Embassy Row.

---

Book: What’s Broken Between Us

Author: Alexis Brass

Genre: YA Contemporary

Release date: December 29th, 2015

Goodreads description: A year and a half ago, Amanda Tart’s brother got behind the wheel drunk and killed his best friend. Today, he’s coming home from prison.

Amanda’s been the one living with the fallout, made worse by her brother’s recent unapologetic TV interview. People think he’s a monster. Still, she loves him. It’s her dark secret, until she starts getting close to Henry again–whose sister is paralyzed from the accident.
A year and a half ago, her brother destroyed his life. Now Amanda has to decide if she’ll let his choice destroy hers.

---

Book: Gateway to Fourline (The Fourline Trilogy #1)

Author: Pam Brondos

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: December 1st, 2015

Goodreads description: Years before, a gateway opened between their world and ours. Sending one young woman through may be the key to survival for the kingdom of Fourline.

Strapped for cash, college student Natalie Barns agrees to take a job at a costume shop. Sure, Estos—her classmate who works in the shop—is a little odd, but Nat needs the money for her tuition.
Then she stumbles through the mysterious door behind the shop—and her entire universe transforms.

Discovering there’s far more to Estos than she ever imagined, Nat gets swept up in an adventure to save his homeland, an incredible world filled with decaying magic, deadly creatures, and a noble resistance of exiled warriors battling dark forces. As she struggles with her role in an epic conflict and wrestles with her growing affection for a young rebel, Soris, Nat quickly learns that nothing may go as planned…and her biggest challenge may be surviving long enough to make it home.

---

Book: Inherit the Stars (Inherit the Stars #1)

Author: Tessa Elwood

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Release date: December 8th, 2015

Goodreads description: Three royal houses ruling three interplanetary systems are on the brink of collapse, and they must either ally together or tear each other apart in order for their people to survive.

Asa is the youngest daughter of the house of Fane, which has been fighting a devastating food and energy crisis for far too long. She thinks she can save her family’s livelihood by posing as her oldest sister in an arranged marriage with Eagle, the heir to the throne of the house of Westlet. The appearance of her mother, a traitor who defected to the house of Galton, adds fuel to the fire, while Asa also tries to save her sister Wren’s life . . . possibly from the hands of their own father.

But as Asa and Eagle forge a genuine bond, will secrets from the past and the urgent needs of their people in the present keep them divided?

---

Book: Untamed (Splintered #3.5)

Author: A.G. Howard

Genre: YA Fantasy/Retelling

Release date: December 15th, 2015

Goodreads description: Alyssa Gardner went down the rabbit hole and took control of her destiny. She survived the battle for Wonderland and the battle for her heart. In this collection of three novellas, join Alyssa and her family as they look back at their memories of Wonderland.

In Six Impossible Things, Alyssa recalls the most precious moments of her life after Ensnared, and the role magic plays in preserving the happiness of those she loves. Alyssa’s mother reminisces about her own time in Wonderland and rescuing the man who would become her husband in The Boy in the Web. And Morpheus delves into Jeb’s memories of the events of Splintered in The Moth in the Mirror, available in print for the first time.

---

Book: Oblivion (Lux #1.5)

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Release date: December 1st, 2015

Goodreads description: I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.

And trouble’s the last thing I need, since I’m not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that humans can’t be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. ‘Cuz they are.

But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has, and I can’t stop myself from wanting her—or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I’m the strongest of our kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl…she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger enemy—the Arum, and I need to stay on my game.

Falling for Katy—a human—won’t just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that’s one thing I’ll never let happen…

---

Book: Thicker Than Water

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Release date: December 29th, 2015

Goodreads description: On his own.

Thomas Bellweather hasn’t been in town long. Just long enough for his newlywed mother to be murdered, and for his new stepdad’s cop colleagues to decide Thomas is the primary suspect.

Not that there’s any evidence. But before Thomas got to Garretts Mill there had just been one other murder in twenty years.

The only person who believes him is Charlotte Rooker, little sister to three cops and, with her soft hands and sweet curves, straight-up dangerous to Thomas. Her best friend was the other murder vic. And she’d like a couple answers.

Answers that could get them both killed, and reveal a truth Thomas would die to keep hidden…

---

Book: This Raging Light

Author: Estelle Laure

Genre: YA Contemporary

Release date: December 22nd, 2015

Goodreads description: Can the best thing happen at the worst time?

Her dad went crazy. Her mom left town. She has bills to pay and a little sister to look after. Now is not the time for level-headed seventeen-year-old Lucille to fall in love. But love—messy, inconvenient love—is what she’s about to experience when she falls for Digby Jones, her best friend’s brother. With blazing longing that builds to a fever pitch, Estelle Laure’s soulful debut will keep readers hooked and hoping until the very last page.

---

Book: Secret Sisters

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: December 8th, 2015

Goodreads description: Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters—until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother’s hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn’t be bothering them anymore…ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother’s mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts…and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack’s brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth…

---

Book: Wandering (Zodiac #2)

Author: Romina Russell

Genre: December 8th, 2015

Release date: YA Sci-Fi

Goodreads description: Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her title, Rho is ready to live life quietly, as an aid worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn.

But news has spread that the Marad–an unbalanced terrorist group determined to overturn harmony in the Galaxy–could strike any House at any moment.

Then, unwelcome nightmare that he is, Ochus appears to Rho, bearing a cryptic message that leaves her with no choice but to fight.

Now Rho must embark on a high-stakes journey through an all-new set of Houses, where she discovers that there’s much more to her Galaxy–and to herself–than she could have ever imagined.

 

---

Book: Nexis (Tricksters #1)

Author: A.L. Davroe

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Dystopia

Release date: December 1st, 2015

Goodreads description: In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

---

Book: Frozen Tides

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: December 15th, 2015

Goodreads description: Rebels, royals, and monsters wage war over the Mytican throne in the shocking fourth book of the Falling Kingdoms series, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.

CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.

MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.

JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.

KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

---

So, there you have it!

I hope this post was of some use to you and that maybe, just maybe, it drives you to pick up your next December read.

Happy reading!