Crown of Oblivion by Julie Eshbaugh

Book Summary:

Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line. Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.

But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion. To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.

From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.

My Review:

To enter the race you must loose your memories, and follow the clues. The person who win gets citizenship for the whole family.

Astrid has no desire to enter the race. She has a comfortable life being the princess friend. Trying her best to keep the princess in line. Then on the day of the Racers of Oblivion festival things take a change for Astrid. She looses her father and her younger brother is taken away. Now with nothing holding her back, she enters the race to save her family.

The summary does give most of the story away. I like the idea that it set in kinda modern times. They have cars, trains and even motorcycles to steal along the way during the race. Of course you can’t really trust anyone. Astrid discover she has magic and suddenly the royal guards are hunting her down. What happen to her before she enter the race?

I like how the book is kinda like an hunger games feeling to it. Sadly it’s only a standalone fantasy read. I wish there was more to read at the end. The characters where fun to read about and can connect with how they are feeling. This book was well written and I did enjoy the action pack story.

Looking for a standalone fantasy read, than check out Crown of Oblivion.

Happy Reading!!!

Past, Perfect, Life by Elizabeth Eulberg

Book Summary:

Small-town Wisconsin high school senior Allison Smith loves her life the way it is-spending quality time with her widowed father and her tight-knit circle of friends, including best friend Marian and maybe-more-than-friends Neil. Sure she is stressed out about college applications . . . who wouldn’t be? In a few short months, everything’s going to change, big time.

But when Ally files her applications, they send up a red flag . . . because she’s not Allison Smith. And Ally’s-make that Amanda’s-ordinary life is suddenly blown apart. Was everything before a lie? Who will she be after? And what will she do as now comes crashing down around her?

My Review:

Past, Prefect, Life was such a good read. I liked the heartfelt storyline and was very connected with some of the characters in the book. A prefect story about family and finding yourself.

Ally has this prefect life with her father. They do everything together and live in a nice town so everyone is like family to her. When she starts filling out college applications, her life gets turn upside.

Her father gets arrested for kidnapping. Ally find out she has this new life with a new family. She is so torn to leave the life her father have given her. She is force to leave everything behind and get to know her new family, but what she longs for her old life back. How will Ally handle these new challenges in her life?

This book is about finding one self and where they belong. Ally’s father made a mistake, but it doesn’t mean he is this bad guy. He raised Ally best he can, they had food and roof over their heads. This book is heartfelt read and trying to understand how this all happen. Hopefully for Ally sake she can find closure at the end. If you looking for a new read, you might like this book.

Happy Reading!!!

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Book Summary:

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she’ll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia’s task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor’s reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

My Review:

Spin the Dawn was a great retelling of Mulan. It was action pack and magical adventure. This book just sucks you right in.

In a kingdom where the best tailors in the world are man. A girl dreams of becoming one of them. As it is forbidden for girls to tailor for the king.

When Maia’s father who is sick and her crumpled brother, are called in by the king to serve as a tailor. Maia does the the unthinkable and disguised herself as her brother. She is risking her life and her family’s. A gruesome competition is lays ahead for her, will she able to keep her secret?

This book was so well written, and the cover is so beautiful. Spin the dawn is a series and leaves you wanting more at the end. You will be up all night reading this book. If your in for a good magical verison of Mulan, then your in for a treat.

Happy Reading!!!

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L Armentrout

Book Summary:

Eighteen-year-old Trinity Marrow may be going blind, but she can see and communicate with ghosts and spirits. Her unique gift is part of a secret so dangerous that she’s been in hiding for years in an isolated compound fiercely guarded by Wardens—gargoyle shape-shifters who protect humankind from demons. If the demons discover the truth about Trinity, they’ll devour her, flesh and bone, to enhance their own powers.

When Wardens from another clan arrive with disturbing reports that something out there is killing both demons and Wardens, Trinity’s safe world implodes. Not the least because one of the outsiders is the most annoying and fascinating person she’s ever met. Zayne has secrets of his own that will upend her world yet again—but working together becomes imperative once demons breach the compound and Trinity’s secret comes to light. To save her family and maybe the world, she’ll have to put her trust in Zayne. But all bets are off as a supernatural war is unleashed…

My Review:

Storm and Fury was such a awesome spin off to The Dark Elements series. You don’t have to read the dark elements to enjoy this book. If your interested in reading The dark elements series, the series starts with White Hot Kis, Cold Stone Touch and Every Last Breathe. I reviewed books 1 & 2 of the books on here.

Storm and Fury set in the dark elements world with some new characters and fun cameos from the book. Which I did love so much. Even I connected with the new characters in the books.

Trinity acts all human, but deep down she is something different. Only a few people in the warden home knows her secret. She may be going blind, but she can kick any demon or warden butt. Once Zayne visit the clan, her life gets turn upside. Something is killing demon s and wadens a like. Will Trinity be any use and can help Zayne out?

This book is a face pace read. I had trouble putting it until it was finish. I love the world building to it. It was fun watching Trinity and Zayne interact with each other also. This book has everything from magical creatures just about. Looking for something new to read, then this book might be for you.

Happy Reading!!!

New York City Fun

This weekend I had fun in New York City. On Saturday saw the Sailor Moon Live show. Which was very super fun and excited to see.

Then on Sunday was huge signing event fun. Met some new authors and brought some awesome new books.

Fun Swag from two authors.

My mini book haul. Love getting arcs from friends that day also. Excited for the new reads.

My sign reads and new books I discover.

Happy Reading!!

{Arc Review} Killing November by Adriana Mather

Book Summary:

It’s a school completely off the grid, hidden by dense forest and surrounded by traps. There’s no electricity, no internet, and an eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from Knife-Throwing and Poisons to the Art of Deception and Historical Analysis. And all of the students are children of the world’s most elite strategists—training to become assassins, counselors, spies, and master impersonators. Into this world walks November Adley, who quickly discovers that friends are few in a school where personal revelations are discouraged and competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits into the school’s bizarre strategy games before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.

My Review:

What happens you wake up in a strange boarding school for assassins?

For November, she has no clue what her father was thinking on sending her here. The school is divided into families, kids are train to be killers. The question is, how does November fit into all this. No idea she had been kept hidden for years from family secret. After a student is killed, she must find answers to her pass before it’s to late.

Killing November was such a fast pace read. I did love everything about it and enjoy half the characters in it. I did finish this book in one sitting. Looking forward to book two. If you love boarding school books and assassins, then this book prefect for you. It comes out March 26th.

Happy Reading!!

The Cursed Sea by Lauren Destefano

Book Summary:

Wilhemina Heidle, the exiled princess of Northern Arrod, the girl thought dead by her family and friends, must return home. The only way to save Loom, the cursed prince of the Southern Isles, is to revisit the castle and discover the origins of her own curse.

But home is very different from how she left it—Wil’s unstable elder brother is now king, leading a war against the Southern Isles. And the rest of her family must reckon with the truth of what happened to lead to Wil’s exile. With time running out, Wil must navigate the dangerous secrets within her family if she’s going to find the truth and save the boy she loves.

When she’s finally able to reach Pahn, nothing goes as planned, and suddenly Wil and her allies are fighting for their lives, again and again, as the Southern King is out to punish his children for all they’ve done. Traveling across cursed seas and treacherous kingdoms, Wil, Loom—and his ruthless sister Espel—have to work to make peace with their own struggles if they hope to secure the future of their kingdoms.

But when their plans lead them right back to evil marveler Pahn, and to Baren—who is more dangerous than ever—can Wil and her friends outsmart their enemies, this time, for good?

My Review:

The Cursed Sea is another good read. I enjoyed this book better than The Glass Spare. If you have yet read The Glass Spare than you don’t need to read this review. I thought the book was more action packed than the first one. The characters grow stronger since the last book also.

The book starts with Wilhelmina finally returning home. After some training and learning to master her powers better. She ready to confront her father and get answers about her curse. Things at home is not as it seems. Dangers lurks in every corner, and she is force to work with unlikely ally. Will she be able to save her kingdom?

The story is more fast pace, with more body counts and a lot darker. If you enjoyed The Glass Spare than you in for a treat in book two. If your new to this world, then pick up The Glass Spare and start it.

Happy Reading!

{Arc Review} Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller

Book Summary:

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.

My Review:

Warrior of the Wild was such an epic read. I loved every minute of it. I was drawn to the cover and the summary. I did love the characters also in the book.

Radmira, is the only female warrior. Somewhat an outcast with the boys because she can beat them up. She works so hard to be head chief and hardly not close to anyone. During her test she was sabotaged. Now throw into the wilds, she must learn to survive and kill a god. Will she be able to make it back home and reclaim what’s hers?

This book is action pack and a very quick read. Yes it’s a stand alone, so no worries on cliffhangers. Looking for a new viking read, then your in for a treat. This book came out this week.

Happy Reading!!!!

{Arc Review} A Danger to Herself and Others by Alyssa Sheinmel

Book Summary:

Only when she’s locked away does the truth begin to escape…

Four walls. One window. No way to escape. Hannah knows there’s been a mistake. She didn’t need to be institutionalized. What happened to her roommate at her summer program was an accident. As soon as the doctors and judge figure out that she isn’t a danger to herself or others, she can go home to start her senior year. In the meantime, she is going to use her persuasive skills to get the staff on her side.

Then Lucy arrives. Lucy has her own baggage. And she may be the only person who can get Hannah to confront the dangerous games and secrets that landed her in confinement in the first place.

My Review:

A Danger to Herself and Others was such an insightful read. I enjoyed the story and the characters in it. I was so engrossed in the story, that I was shock with some of the twists in the book. This is my third book I read from the author. I loved her other reads, R.I.P Eliza Heart and Faceless. She is known to have some good twists in her books.

Hannah in the book, we first see her lock up in a mental hospital. She is accuse of being involved of her roommate accident. Laying low in a mental hospital, can question a person’s insanity. What’s the truth with Hannah’s roommate mystery fall?

This book leaves you guessing what’s real or not, as you guys dig deep inside Hannah mind. Is she really crazy or it just an misunderstanding? I already want to pick up this book and reread it all over again. It is a real page turner. Looking for another good new read. Then you in for a treat. The book came out yesterday.

Happy Reading!!

{Arc Review} A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Book Summary:

In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

Fall in love, break the curse.

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

My Review:

A Dark So Lonely Curse was such a perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling. I love how how the story is set in modern times. Also the cover blew me away. Enjoy how the the two main characters interact with each other.

I thought Harper was kick ass in her own way in the book. She did not let her disabilities, stop her from helping a girl in trouble. Which would she end yup stuck into an crazy magical world. Can she use her wits and charm to get back home?

Prince Rhen in the book was such an jerk. He was so desperate breaking the curse, he end up kidnapping girls from other words. When Harper accidentally comes along, he is in over his head. Will Harper be the one to tame the beast?

This book was such an quick read. I would read this over and over. Also what I love in this book, the prince is not really a beast form all the time. He just a jerk prince that is cursed. What kind curse he has, well you must read for self. The book comes out January 31st.

Happy Reading!!!!!