Review: Imprison the Sky by AC Gaughen

Title: Imprison the Sky

Author: A.C Gaughen

Published On:January 22, 2019

Page Count:416

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Stolen from her family as a child, Aspasia has clawed her way up the ranks of Cyrus's

black market empire to captain her own trading vessel--and she risks it all every time she

uses her powerful magic to free as many women, children, and Elementae from slavery as she can.

Oh boy. This was probably one of my fastest reads this past year. I really enjoy series that

have different settings throughout the books and A.C. has certainly done that with Imprison

the Sky, set in the water instead of the desert.  Aspasia, once again an amazing female character

trying to stop Cyrus, from using the powers of Elementae to better her own reputation. I loved

getting to have Kairos back, he is my all time favorite character so far. I like seeing the softer s

ides of characters, as well as them with the walls up so to speak. Looking forward to the next

adventure with these characters and the Elementae.

Happy Reading,

Michaela

Top Ten Tuesday: The Ten Most Recent Additions to My To-Read List

The Ten Most Recent Additions to My To-Read List

Invisible Ghosts by Robyn Schneider

Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir

~Michaela

Review: Grim Lovelies by Megan Shephard

Megan Shephard

Published On: 10/2/18

Page Count: 376

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties 

lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. 

But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. 

That is, 

until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is 

accused of the crime.

Set in a Paris that seems as chaotic as my life right now. A caste system called

the Haute is a hierarchy that seems pretty basic with Witches, Goblins and Beasties.

Beasties are treated as lowly creatures but come to find out they have some abilities

of their own. I loved that concept from the book. Although the whole bad group trying

to control the world with “kids” being able to defeat them seems a bit overdone I did

enjoy how the Beasties were different creatures and not all the same..ie a dog, wolf,

cat and owl.

Beasties are set up like the lore of selkies. They are attached to the fur of their

true form and if that is destroyed then they themselves will perish. It's about time the

Beasties took care of their own pelts and start making a change in a world where

they are not welcomed.

Overall this was a well-paced novel with twists and turns that were enjoyable.

I`m excited to read Midnight Beauties when it comes out fall of this year.

TTFN,

Ashley

Review: Spy with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

Title: The Spy with the Red Balloon

Author: Katherine Locke

Published On: October 2, 2018

Page Count:362

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Siblings Ilse and Wolf hide a deep secret in their blood: with it, they can work magic.

And the government just found out.Blackmailed into service during World War II,

Ilse lends her magic to America’s newest weapon, the atom bomb, while Wolf goes

behind enemy lines to sabotage Germany’s nuclear program.

I’m a sucker for Germany- Berlin set storylines. I loved The Girl with Red Balloon

and I loved The Spy with the Red Balloon. Katherine has once again caused me fall

into her blood-magic filled world. I really liked getting two different points of view, one

at the heart of the war and one back home.  Ilse is probably my favorite because of her

will to make her ideas known to others around her. I found Wolf very adorable, he’s

quiet yet decisive. I look forward to more in this world and Katherine’s writing.

Happy Reading,

Michaela

Review: The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

Title: The Kissing Booth

Author: Beth Reekles

Published On: December 13, 2012

Page Count: 448

Rating: 4 /5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

When Elle decides to run a kissing booth for the school's Spring Carnival,

she locks lips with Noah and her life is turned upside down. Her head says to

keep away,

but her heart wants to draw closer--this romance seems far from fairy tale and

headed for heartbreak.

But will Elle get her happily ever after?

I'd previously watched "The Kissing Booth" on Netflix, not knowing that it was based off of a book. I thought the movie was adorable, and then when I recently found out that there was a book, I managed to get my hands on it and give it a read. I will say that my favorite of the two was actually the book. I wasn't sure what I would think since I had already watched the movie, but there are little details in the book that I really enjoyed and wish had made it into the movie; such as some of Elle and Noah's relationship prior to the kissing booth. Both the book and the movie are good together and separately. Both are something I would read or watch again.

Till the next read,

Mackenzie

Top Ten Tuesday: New-to-Me Authors I Read In 2018

New-to-Me Authors I Read In 2018

Lifelike by Jay Kristoff

        

 The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton

  Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

          The Girl with The Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

    Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

~Mackenzie

Review: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Adrienne Young

Page Count: 352

Audio Length: 8hr 40min

Narrator: Khristine Hvam

Published On: 4/24/18

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen 

in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. 

Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the 

enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

Viking Norse culture and strong family bonds can be found throughout the entire

novel . Eelyn is fierce and loyal so when it comes to becoming a slave for another

tribe of people she is torn. Fiske is kind enough to her since he is now considered

her brother`s blood brother. Eelyn spends her days following tasks while watching

children run around. It's hard for her not to imagine these children becoming warriors,

the same warriors her people would fight after winter. The same warriors she would

be killing if it meant her survival.

If you enjoy shows like The 100 and Vikings this book is for you. For those that

like stand-alones with potential for companions then again this is perfect. There will

be a companion novel sometime in 2019 and let me tell you knowing more about

anything in this book would be a bonus. Sky in the Deep on its own is a fascinating

tale and I love how each person gets to grown in a natural setting not a forced one

chapter motive.

Since listening to the audiobook I have now bought a hardcover and thrown it

at both girls to read or listen to. Mackenzie being the super talented person gave

making a custom funko pop a shot. Eelyn was her first one and after 2 days of

painting she finished. If you head to our IG you can see a slideshow of her.

TTFN

Ashley

Review: Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Published On: December 4, 2018

Page Count: 304pgs

Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so

than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and

acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure

can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of

turning into a dragon.

Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother,

who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a

valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community.

With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to

complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But

then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and

dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.

I rather enjoyed this read, but I think it would be more suited for a slightly younger

audience than myself. It was a much faster read for me than I originally thought it

was and I noticed that I was taking the time to make sure I read at least a chapter or

two before I went to bed. I hadn’t been reading like that for a while and I remembered

how nice it is to read for a bit and then go to bed.

I really liked how we got to see Sky experience family life, without her mom, school

without her normal friend group or her boyfriend, and her finally being allowed to do

some more adult wyvern things, such as her dad teaching her about the security systems

of their home. All while she is planning to pull off her first heist, with or without the help of

her father and older brothers.

~Mackenzie

Review: Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake

Title: Two Dark Reigns

Author: Kendare Blake

Published On:September 4th 2018

Page Count:464

Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Queen Katharine has waited her entire life to wear the crown. But now that she finally has

it, the murmurs of dissent grow louder by the day. There’s also the alarming issue of

whether or not her sisters are actually dead—or if they’re waiting in the wings to usurp

the throne.

Oh my, I seriously love this series and am not ready for when it ends. We get to

see Katharine without her guard up which I love! Arsinoe is still getting into trouble

and Mirabella is as clever as ever, Billy follows them both pretty much everywhere to

keep them safe on the mainland.

Seeing Jules explore more of her abilities is one of my favorite parts, and of course,

Camden.

I enjoyed more time spent on the mainland life and more of the daily happenings

behind the mist. With this being Book #3, it gives us so much more to the journey

of the queens, Jules the devoted friend and Billy the mainland boy with eyes only

for Arsinoe, yet leaves a tremendous amount still to be to told. That being said I

cannot wait for Book 4, and what it will bring to the table.

Happy Reading,

Michaela

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2019

Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2019

Kenz: The Blood Spell by CJ Redwine

         A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

         Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

         Deviant by Jay Kristoff

         King of Fools by Amanda Foody

       

        

Ashley: King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

            The Devouring Grey by Christine Lynn Herman

            We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Fazial

            Circle of Shadows by Evelyn Skye

            Ransacker by Emmy Laybourne

            Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Michaela:

            The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton

            Finale by Stephanie Garber

Rayne and Dehlilah’s Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner

Ransacker by Emmy Laybourne

Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard

The Exhalted by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

Best Books of 2018

Mackenzie:

        Sky in The Deep by Adrienne Young

        Lifelike by Jay Kristoff

        The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

        Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

        Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

        

Ashley:

         The Traitor Prince by CJ Redwine

         Pacifica by Kerstin Simmons

         What if It’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli

         Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

         Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre

Michaela:

The Traitor Prince by CJ Redwine

Lost Crow Conspiracy by Rosalyn Eves

The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson

Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

What books did you read in 2018?