Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Review: The Boneless Mercies

The Boneless Mercies
Author: April Genevieve Tucholke
Published On: 10/02/18
Page Count: 384pgs
Rating: 4.5/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill 
quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having 
been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. 

This is the first book I've read of April`s. I adored this one, It is fierce and raw,
the type of book that keeps the reader flipping pages.

Each character had depth the journey itself was impressive not just the battle
itself. There is room for more stories but as of now I am content with this one.

As a note this is supposed be a gender Beowulf story. Beowulf was a required
reading novel in school that I did actually enjoy reading. This novel however was 10x
better that it. I would love to see The Boneless Mercies and Beowulf taught side by
side. Show the potential of what classic novels could look like in the future.

TTFN,

Ashley

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Review: The Dark Decent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

The Dark Decent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Author: Kiersten White
Published On: 9/25/18
Page Count: 304
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are 
covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown 
into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, 
solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.

Happy 200th Anniversary Frankenstein

This is told from Elizabeth Lavenza`s point of view. A recount of Victor
Frankenstein` descent into madness.

First off Frankenstein and Dracula are my two favorite classics. White has
a way with the creepy books. I knew going I'd enjoy it just based on her writing style.

This did miss the mark for a bit. I had this feeling that I had read parts of it
before but cannot figure out from where. There were just some events that occured
that I was like “Oh behind that door this happens..” I think that is way I opted for a half
star rating that a full 4 stars.

I enjoyed Justine, Mary and Henry`s parts they played in Elizabeth`s story. She is
fierce and plotting when it comes to tracking down Victor. We all know the tale of
Frankenstein and the creation of his monster but what we don't get to know is the
younger Victor. Elizabeth is brought to be friends with Victor since he has a harder
time relating to others his age.  He is fierce and passionate in a creepy way and
Elizabeth is able to control Victor by using a calming voice and slow movements.

TTFN,

Ashley

Friday, September 21, 2018

Review: Muse of Nightmares

Muse of Nightmares
Author: Laini Taylor
Published On: 10/2/18
Page Count: 528
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. 
One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves 
as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep.


SO MANY SPOILERS AHEAD SO PREPARE FOR GUSHING

Two stories intertwined into one absolutely stunning novel. We get to see some
more of Lazlo and Sarai`s relationship grow even with her accident from book one.
The fact her sister was able to catch her soul/spirit was great but now that she can
control Sarai she has begun to waver on total madness.

Muse doesn`t have as many crazy fight scenes or “Action” as Strange. I do think this
one is my favorite out of the two though. This is a duology so growing too attached to
characters is not recommended. I did not follow that advice. Finishing the book was
bittersweet. It is one I will be rereading for sure.

If you loved book one I can promise you book two will deliver a story that fills you
with raw emotion. Weep will forever share a place in my heart. Prior to going to book
expo this last May I started on a tattoo that blended a few of my favorite novels. I
knew I wanted to get something that reminded me not just of Muse but of all of
Laini`s books. I opted to get a Lunar Moth.  

TTFN,

Ashley

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Review: Beyond a Darkened Shore

Beyond a Darkened Shore
Author: Jessica Leake
Published On: 4/10/18
Page Count: 435
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
The ancient land of Éirinn is mired in war. Ciara, Princess of Mide, has 
never known a time when Éirinn’s kingdoms were not battling for power, or 
Northmen were not plundering their shores. 

Once I was able to sit down I really got into this one. I love how the story
combines the Old Gods in with the new ones. I was truly invested in the characters.
There was proper horse riding references which made me smile. There were also
flashbacks and an incredible fight scene within the first three chapters.

Ciara and Leif are thrust together even though they are warriors meant to kill one
another. Their forced friendship is a trope in itself, enemies to lovers… or at least
companions. Their relationship isnt forced which is nice and not overwhelming.
The book flows well and I look forward to Jessica`s next novel. I did read the Into
the White Wood which releases in 2019 might make reference to a few of the
characters in this novel . I do hope to get more of Ciara and Leif kicking ass in
later stories.

Overall a pretty decent story with Norse mythology intertwined. Once you get into
the story the pages fly by.

TTFN,

Ashley

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Review: Part of Your World

Part of Your World
Author: Liz Braswell
Published On: 9/4/18
Page Count: 480pgs
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? Five years after the (twisted) events 
of the film, Ariel is now the queen of Atlantica, and Ursula is running Eric's kingdom 
on land. But when the sea witch threatens Atlantica once more, Ariel finds herself 
returning to a world (and a prince) she thought she'd left behind forever.

Quick fun read. I enjoy these types of twisted tales that Liz Braswell writes. This is
set five years after Ariel's My little Mermaid story that we know.

Ariel is now the Queen of Atlantica while Ursula disguised as Princess Vanessa
rules Eric`s kingdom. Eric spends his hours writing plays and seems out of place and
foggy. When Ariel is told King Triton is alive she knows she must break her rule of
resurfacing and go find him.

We get to see characters from the original Disney tale. This part made it really
fun since this was one of my favorite Disney stories. I will say this is straight from
Disney and not from the original dark tale of mermaids.

Seeing Ariel as a mature merwoman really meant a lot because she was a favorite
growing up. She is faced with choices she must handle alone and her reposnses
aren`t always correct.

TTFN,

Ashley

Friday, September 14, 2018

Review: Contagion

Contagion
Author: Erin Bowman
Published On:7/24/18
Page Count: 432pgs
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
It got in us

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton 
crew is 
dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

Most are dead.

But when the crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with 
rotten food, 
discarded weapons…and dead bodies.

Don't set foot here again.


A Stunning sci-fi novel that feels like ALien meets the Illuminae Files. I loved it
and could hardly put it down. Finishing it in under 8hrs. The sequel for this is going
to have a lot to live up to with both action and characters.

The tension or suspense was not a huge driving factor Which I found to be odd
just because I would have liked to have that hold your breathe jump scare aspect.
Although a bit of a rocky start once the attacks and dying began it just couldn`t stop.

Thea is a high school intern for a renowned scientist. She is asked to step up to
the plate to handle situation after situation that she should never have been placed in
to begin with. NOva is a pilot in a similar position as Thea. She is looking to earn a spot
flying even though she has her own problems.

You do get a POV from a survivor of the original crew everyone else was sent
to rescue. I won`t talk about him since the first warning all readers receive was
“Don't Trust the kid.” So with that I urge you to go grab a copy and see what you
think of this survivor and group of misfits just trying to get off this planet alive
and untouched.

TTFN,
Ashley

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Review: The Shadow Queen

Title: The Shadow Queen
Author: C.J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray Harper Collins
Pages: 387
Synopsis (from GoodReads):
Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the
wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father.
To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in
common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the
most dangerous
sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.



Rating: 5/5
Snow White retold with Dragons? Yes! I loved this book, I could not put it down.
The twist C.J. put on a traditional story is wonderful. The poisoned apples, a daughter
that cares more about her father and brother than she does herself, and learning what
she can do with her magic. Lorelai flees with her brother leaving their father behind
because he told them to run. They hide in secret from the woman responsible for
the death of their father, and trying to take back what belongs to them.


Lorelai and Leo, with the help of Kol, a Draconi from Eldr; work together to
keep Lorelai hidden from the false queen of Ravenspire, and to keep the spell
Irina put on Kol from killing Lorelai, and take back the crown that is rightfully hers.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Review: Escaping from Houdini

Title: Escaping from Houdini
Author:Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books
Pages:416
Synopsis:(from GoodReads)
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.

5/5 Stars.  

Oh my goodness, this was one of my most wanted reads for 2018 and it did
not disappoint. Audrey Rose and Thomas are probably one of my favorite fictional couples
out there. I devoured this book! (like I did with Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince
Dracula) I’m very fond of Audrey Rose as she is determined to make a name for herself in a
career that is looked down upon for a woman in her day in age. Cresswell keeps going back
and forth on my favorite character’s list. I also enjoyed that we’ve gotten to see more of
Cousin Liza in book 2 and 3. I DO NOT LIKE MEPHISTOPHELES. I know his character played
well into this storyline, but he got between Thomas and Audrey. Now Houdini on the other
hand, I found quite the perfect character for the role he played. The ending has
currently left me devastated in the status of #Cressworth. So I will definitely have to
compare my ARC to finished copy. I also love the historical events that Kerri has been
able to turn into page-turning reads.
I look forward to what tale happens in New York City during the fourth installment of
the Stalking Jack  the Ripper series! I’m also incredibly grateful to have gotten to meet Kerri
at BEA this year.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Review: Sea Witch

Sea Witch
Author: Sarah Henning
Published On: 7/31/18
Page Count: 368pgs
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)
Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, 
a true love’s kiss. 
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, 
and one already dead.

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her 
small fishing town. 
A freak. A curse. A witch. 


Mermaids and Sirens seem to be the theme this year. I did enjoy this twist on a
known story. I would say this is the prequel of Little Mermaid that I didn't know
I needed.

Some parts of the story seemed a bit slow while others were rushed. I would
rate higher is the speed/pacing was more even or had a build up and drop.  
I do enjoy a good villain story and Sea Witch does delivery with that.

Evie and NIk`s relationship is interesting because the reader is able to see the
obvious  while the characters themselves are blind. Ikir was a character I didn't
care for and though he did add a bit to the drama side of things he wasn't as
fleshed out as I'd hoped.

The focus of friendship and revenge is the primary storyline while mermaids and
magic are intertwined. Evie`s best friend drowned when they were younger and
now this mysterious girl arrives looking just like the deceased Anna. Annette is
an od girl and it doesn't take long for Evie and Her grandmother to realize what
she truly is. With old friendships rekindling and new ones forming how many
secrets can Evie keep.