This ReadAThon runs from 25th to 31st of March and I am so keen! So the basics of this ReadAThon is to start at the bottom of the map & make your way up! So I will leave the map & the prompt meanings below. You can also check out all the details HERE!
So I will not be aiming for all the challenges but I will explain that as I go!
Fellowship
Read the Group Book
This is the first challenge I will not be completing as I have already read the group book which is A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab!
Cliff
Read a book with a nature word in the title
The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle
Rat
Read a book with brown on the cover
The Wicked + The Divine: Vol 5 by Gillen McKelvie & Wilson Cowles
Fate
Read a book set in the past
Beastly Bones by William Ritter
Bewilderment
Read a book with a plot twist
This is the other challenge I will not be doing as I found it super hard to figure out what books have a plot twist that I own. All the lists I found online where older books that I had either read or didn’t own and I was not going out to buy a book just for this challenge. So SKIP!
Adventure
Read the first book in a a series
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Birgid Kemmerer
Potion
Read a book while drinking a drink
The Wicked + The Divine: Vol 6 by Gillen McKelvie & Wilson Cowles
So that is everything on my TBR! I’m so keen for this ReadAThon as its been a while since I participated in a ReadAThon with prompts.
Let’s Chat!
HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.
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Title: Warrior of the Wild Author: Tricia Levenseller Genre: YA Fantasy Publication Date: February 26th, 2019 Pages: 336 (Hardcover) Publishers: Feiwel & Friends Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis
How do you kill a god?
As her father’s chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honour, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.
Writing
Let’s just get the negative out of the road straight up. I didn’t like how the romance was written. It was a very very typical YA romance and felt very forced. I didn’t mind the romance in the end, they were fine together. However everything leading up to that was just meh. I just didn’t care about it and the same thing could have been achieved better with friendship.
Now onto everything else. I loved it. The world building was really well done. Everything was so detailed and the creatures were super unique and interesting. The character development was also done well, you saw the characters progress and grow through their experiences.
Plot
The plot was very fast paced which made the book super quick to read. It was also fairly constant. I wouldn’t say it was always action packed, but there was nearly always something interesting going on. I don’t think there were very many dull moments honestly.
Characters
Rasmira was a really awesome main character. She was a badass and you soon learn how strong she is, but not just outwardly, inwardly as well. She faces a lot of inner turmoil which she battles with and learns from throughout the book. She is also a badass axe wielding warrior. So there is that too.
Soren was probably my least favourite of the 3 major characters. He just felt very typical to me. Attractive, funny, charming, etc. You know the drill.
Iric I really enjoyed. He didn’t just accept the easiest option and he actually questions things which made him feel more realistic than Soren. I also liked his sense of humour and how stubborn he was. It made for a fun clash between Rasmira and Iric as they are both as stubborn as each other.
Overall
I really enjoyed most aspects of this book. Obviously I didn’t like the romance and didn’t love Soren as a character that much but besides that it was a really solid read.
I also want to mention that this is a standalone fantasy, which is rare to find. I love a good standalone so this was awesome. It was well rounded and everything fit in nicely in the end. I wasn’t really left with any questions that I felt needed to be answered, which is a good thing after a standalone!
You can purchase a copy for yourself at any of the links below.
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
Title: The Vanishing Stair Author:Maureen Johnston Series Name:Truly Devious Genre: YA Mystery Publication Date: January 22nd, 2019 Pages: 369 (Hardcover) Publishers: Katherine Tegen Books Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis
All Stevie Bell wanted was to find the key to the Ellingham mystery, but instead she found her classmate dead. And while she solved that murder, the crimes of the past are still waiting in the dark. Just as Stevie feels she’s on the cusp of putting it together, her parents pull her out of Ellingham academy.
For her own safety they say. She must move past this obsession with crime. Now that Stevie’s away from the school of topiaries and secret tunnels, and her strange and endearing friends, she begins to feel disconnected from the rest of the world. At least she won’t have to see David anymore. David, who she kissed. David, who lied to her about his identity—son of despised politician Edward King. Then King himself arrives at her house to offer a deal: He will bring Stevie back to Ellingham immediately. In return, she must play nice with David. King is in the midst of a campaign and can’t afford his son stirring up trouble. If Stevie’s at school, David will stay put.
The tantalizing riddles behind the Ellingham murders are still waiting to be unraveled, and Stevie knows she’s so close. But the path to the truth has more twists and turns than she can imagine—and moving forward involves hurting someone she cares for. In New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s second novel of the Truly Devious series, nothing is free, and someone will pay for the truth with their life.
Writing
These books just get better and better! This series is extremely addictive. The Vanishing Stair is very fast paced and will keep you guessing the entire time. This is definitely one of those books that you will hate the author just a little bit at the end because while a lot of your questions from book 1 were answered in book 2, you will have 1000 more. Which can be a good thing, because its addicting and you are super keen, or bad because it makes you feel like slapping a bitch.
Plot
Lets just say the plot is insane. You have literally no idea what to expect next and you can guess all you want about who did what, but you will be wrong 99% of the time! I just love how unpredictable this plot is.
Characters
The Characters in this book will never be fully developed but that is just one of the aspects of this book. If you know too much about them it would be easier to figure out motives. So I’m not really mad about not connecting with any of the side characters.
As for Stevie, our main character, she is awesome. She is extremely intelligent and very realistic. She show weakness, she shows fear and that makes her super relatable in this book.
Overall
I LOVE this series. It has been added to my Top 5 favourite series of all time. It is addictive, action packed, mysterious and just fucking awesome. This is definitely a book I will always recommend.
You can purchase a copy for yourself at any of the links below.
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
Title: On the Come Up Author: Angie Thomas Genre: YA Contemporary Publication Date: February 5th, 2019 Pages: 431 (Hardcover) Publishers: Balzer + Bray Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis
Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.
On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.
Writing
Angie Thomas has this way of creating a world so vivid that you feel like you are literally sitting on the hood of a car listening to Bri rap. She incorporates so many touchy subjects in her books but handles them in way that is real & also respectful. Same with the diversity she brings into her stories. Even though she isn’t own voices for all of the diverse characters she writes, she handles those diversities in a super respectful & tactful way. She doesn’t pretend like she knows what it’s like, but incorporates them in a way that works. I absolutely adore her writing and she has become and auto-buy author for me. Seriously, she could write a guide to polishing furniture and I would read it.
Plot
The main issue that I usually have with contemporary books is that I get bored. 100% not the case with Angie Thomas. The plot is gripping and action packed but in a realistic way. She doesn’t just through crap at the main character simply to create interesting points. Everything just flows & makes complete sense to what is going on.
Characters
Now Bri actually isn’t my favourite person. She did frustrate me at times as she was very hot headed, stubborn & would jump into things without thinking of the consequences. But I appreciate that she was meant to be that way and I enjoyed her as a character, just not as a person.
Really there isn’t a character in the book I can fault as a character. Yes some are horrible people, but that is the point & they were written amazingly.
Overall
I friggen loved this book! Not quite there compared to THUG but still amazing. I would give THUG a 5 stars & OTCU a 4 3/4 stars if I could. They are both amazingly written, deal with important topics really well, have amazing characters & amazing diversity. I can’t fault this book at all.
You can purchase a copy for yourself at any of the links below.
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
In this third installment in the #1 bestselling Stalking Jack the Ripper series, a luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of scandal, madness, and horror when passengers are murdered one by one…with nowhere to run from the killer. .
Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.
But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?
Writing
I absolutely adore Kerri Maniscalco’s writing! It has a way of dragging you in and hooking you from the very beginning. I love how she slowly develops the mystery and is constantly throwing possible hints at you. It leaves you guessing and in the end you still have no damn idea who to believe until the big reveal.
I promise to stand by your side through whatever comes our way. You’ll end up being the hero, no doubt, but I’ll look good beside you. And that’s what truly counts.”
Thomas Cresswell (Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco)
Plot
The plot/mystery of this book really keeps you on the edge of your seat and I loved it! The mystery aspect is my favourite & it is so unpredictable! I did not however enjoy the side plot, if you can call it that, of the love triangle. I’m not a huge romance reader & I especially don’t like love triangles. So I wasn’t happy with that aspect and that is the reason this book didn’t get 5 stars.
Characters
I love Audrey-Rose but in this book with the love triangle I kinda wanted to slap her often. Don’t get me wrong, I do love her but I just didn’t love that aspect. Ignoring that I really like her. I love seeing how her mind works through mysteries & I love how realistically strong she is. By ‘realistically strong’ I mean that she is strong but you still see weakness at times & you see her struggling to be strong at times which makes it more realistic than some YA characters.
Of course I love Thomas, he is an awesome character & I also loved seeing Liza back in this book. I really enjoy her character, so I was really excited when she returned in this book.
I also enjoyed all the new characters we meet in this book. Everyone was super intriguing and I love that everyone has a back story and is well fleshed out.
Overall
I enjoyed every aspect of this book except the love triangle. I really love this series and can’t wait to see where it goes next! Kerri Mansicalco is an amazing mystery writer who can leave you completely confused in the best way possible!
*I was sent a finished paperback by Hachette Australia in return for an honest review!*
You can purchase a copy for yourself at any of the links below.
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
So if you didn’t know, I fell into a reading/blogging/bookstagramming (and basically everything else bookish related) slump at the end of last year. I am finally out of it, I think, but I’m now out of sync with everything. So I wanted to make a few goals for myself to try and get the ball rolling.
1. Blog Posts
So my first goal has 2 parts. The first is related to review posts & the other is related to other posts. So for the review posts, my goal is that when I finish a book I have to write the review within 4 days. That’s not much time, but when I leave it longer I end up forgetting things and the reviews aren’t as in depth as I would like. For all other posts, my goal is to post at least once a week and that doesn’t include reviews.
2. Instagram
So my goal for my Bookstagram account it to post every second day. My other goal for this was to choose one day a week that I will take photos on for the coming week. So I have chosen Tuesday for that. So every Tuesday I will set up and take 3 – 4 photos. Next is my goal for my personal account, which is to simply try and post once a week as I’m so inactive on that account. Next, my goal for my pets related account is to post twice a week!
3. Book Buying Ban
Yes, I am going on a book buying ban for at least 2 months!!! This will not be a complete ban as I will still need to buy the books that we choose for discussion in the Facebook group I run, The YA Book Nerds. I’m the one that writes the discussion questions, so I kinda need to read the books. But that will be the only books I buy! I am also cancelling all my subscriptions except Scribd. Which is fine as it’s the cheapest and you get the most for your money! I have already put in a few pre-orders, so I will still have some new books coming in to keep me occupied.
4. Youtube
So if you follow my channel you may have seen my update in regard to my internet situation. Well it hasn’t improved so I won’t be putting this goal into action just yet but once I have all my internet sorted I will. So my goals for Youtube are, for one, to start a new channel. Which I have done but yet to post on yet due to internet. My next goal is to have an actual posting schedule. My plan at the moment is to post a Sims 4 video on my new channel every Sunday, a bookish video on Dusk Angel Reads every Thursday & a random video on the new channel every Tuesday.
5. Update Blog
My last goal is that I want to update the look of my blog in the near feature. Just to change it up and give it a new look. This takes a fair bit of work though, so I have been putting it off.
Well I think that is all my goals for now! Hopefully I will be successful in these goals and I might do an update in a couple months!
HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.
PURCHASE ANY OF THE BOOKS MENTIONED FROM BOOK DEPOSITORY! WORLDWIDE FREE SHIPPING.
AUSSIE? WANT QUICK SHIPPING? AWESOME PRICES? WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE AFTERPAY? MAYBE TRY BOOKTOPIA OR EVEN ANGUS & ROBERTSON!
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
Title:Girls of Paper and Fire Author:Natasha Ngan Series Name: Girls of Paper and Fire Genre: YA Diverse Fantasy Publication Date: November 6th, 2018 Pages: 367 (Paperback) Publishers: Hodder & Stoughton (Hachette Australia) Rating:
Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It’s the highest honor they could hope for…and the most cruel.
But this year, there’s a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she’s made of fire.
In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it’s Lei they’re after–the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king’s interest.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king’s consort. But Lei isn’t content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable–she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she’s willing to go for justice and revenge.
Trigger Warnings: Rape, Detailed Violence & Murder of a pet
Another thing I want to note before getting into the review. ALOT of people are saying this is Natasha Ngan’s debut book. However it is not! She released a book called The Elites in 2013 & one called The Memory Keepers in 2014. So nope, not a debut.
The amount of detail in Natasha Ngan’s writing made the world extremely vivid! I could picture every little thing that was described. She also has a very flowy writing style which makes it easy to read and follow. You easily get lost in this world which was exactly what I needed as I was fighting a hell of a reading slump!
While I don’t usually like romance, I honestly didn’t completely hate the romance in this book. To some degree it did feel insta lovey but that had more to do with how the booked skipped weeks & months at a time than the fact that it actually was insta love. Besides that aspect I didn’t mind the romance. It felt natural and that is what made it feel normal and real compared to most YA romances.
While I didn’t hate it, the plot was a little slow for me at times. Every piece had a purpose but sometimes I was like ‘hurry up! I want some action’. This is also not a very action packed book, which accounted for why it felt slower. There is a stronger focus on the world & the characters than the plot.
This book ends on a massive cliff hanger with that epilogue! At the end you a left with a few questions that are obviously going to be answered in book 2 but then you read that epilogue and shit hits the fan!
I really enjoyed Lei as a main character. She wasn’t the typical badass female that you see in a lot of Fantasy novels. She grew & learned throughout the book and developed into an strong character.
The King was exactly what you would think he is, an arsehole. While I hated him as a person and would rather see him be thrown in a volcano, he was an enjoyable villain. He was very well developed and you could not help hate him completely but also appreciate his role as the villain.
I don’t want to talk about any of the other characters as there are a lot of mystery around most of them and you need to experience them yourself!
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It did not get 5 stars because of the slow pacing & also I’m still mad about that cliffhanger honestly! How dare you! There isn’t even a release date for book 2 & you are going to make me wait?!?!
I was provided with an eARC & ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I requested the physical book, didn’t think I was going to get it so requested it on NetGalley. I then received the physical book a couple days after release. So I had both! Thank you very much to Hachette Australiafor this opportunity.
You can purchase a copy for yourself at any of the links below.
SOME OF THE LINKS ON MY BLOG ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE PRICE OF PURCHASES, HOWEVER, I RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION TO HELP ME KEEP THIS BLOG ALIVE!
