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.

Review: Fresh Ink

Title: Fresh Ink: An Anthology

Author: Lamar Giles (editor), Nicola Yoon, Malinda Yo, et al.

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers, August 14, 2018

Pages:208

Synopsis(from GoodReads):

Careful--you are holding fresh ink. And not hot-off-the-press, still-drying-in

-your-hands ink. Instead, you are holding twelve stories with endings that are still

being written--whose next chapters are up to you.

Because these stories are meant to be read. And shared.

Rating: 4 /5

I’m gonna be honest, I’ve never read or heard of the authors whose stories are in

this book other than Nicola Yoon and Melissa de la Cruz. That is something that I like

about anthologies; you get the chance to read something from authors you may not

know and the stories usually leave you wanting an entire book rather than a short story.

I gave Fresh Ink a lower rating only because a few of the stories were harder for

me to get through than others. Not because I didn’t like them it was just harder for me

to relate to something in the story.

My favorite story in Fresh Ink was actually from an author I’ve heard of but

have not read before. One Voice:  A Something In Between Story by Melissa de la

Cruz. It addresses how people will often judge and threaten someone over something

they have no control over like their race, or the color of their skin.

Another story that I enjoyed a lot was the opening act so to speak; Eraser Tattoo

by Jason Reynolds, it was very sweet and left me wanting to what was next for Shay

and Dante.

Each of these stories address some things that are not always seen in a positive

light in today’s society.

Review: Everless

Everless
Sara Holland
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published On: 1/2/18
Pages: 368
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Selling or Giving blood (time) as currency is an intriguing concept.

Jules the main character suffers as do the rest of the community surrounding Everless.

The Gerlings rule the area. Like the cover blurb states "Time is a Prison. She is The Key."

Time is worth your weight in gold literally. Every ounce of your blood can be drained to

pay rent, buy a pretty dress or just a loaf of bread.

Jules and her father narrowly escaped the hatred of the Gerlings back when

her father worked in Everless. Now she must return back there to afford to pay off

her fathers debts.
Everless has a bit of info-dumping the first few chapters but sometimes its hard

to spread information out that is needed to understand the world and plot.

Miscommunication plays a huge part in this book so as a reader it was a bit

frustrating that Jules did not stop and listen to her father.. or anyone for that matter.

Overall I enjoyed the plot and world of Everless and I will be picking up

the second book when it releases.

~Ashley

Review: Seafire

Title: Seafire

Author: Natalie C. Parker

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages:384

Synopsis:(from GoodReads)

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty

army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and

deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women

just like her, whose lives have been turned upside down by Aric and his men.

The crew has one misson: stay alive, and take down Aric's armed and armored fleet.

5 out of 5 stars

I picked up this book at BEA and couldn't wait to actually read it. I mean

pirate chicks who hold their own on the open waters, I was immediately intrigued.

I loved this book and am so glad I only have to wait about a year for book 2. It is

going to be so worth it. Now I was really drawn to the fact that the main characters

were an all female crew in this story. As my sisters and I are often that, the three of

us don’t always get along or agree but stand by each other when it comes to getting

things done.  I really liked the relationships between all the girls on the Mors Navis

and that eventually they used that pesky Bullet to assist their crew. I loved that the

girl’s ship appeared to be like your traditional pirate ship with some more modern

upgrades so the could pull off the feats they do in the book. I truly enjoyed Parker’s

writing style as it leaves you guessing what is going to happen next and not want to

stop reading.

Review: Invisible Ghosts

Title: Invisible Ghosts

Author: Robyn Schneider

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Pages: 320

Date(s) Read: 6/19-6/18

Synopsis: (from GoodReads)

Rose Asher believes in ghosts. She should, since she has one for a best friend:

Logan, her annoying, Netflix-addicted brother, who is forever stuck at fifteen.

But Rose is growing up, and when an old friend moves back to Laguna Canyon and appears in her drama class, things get complicated.

Jamie Aldridge is charming, confident, and a painful reminder of the life

Rose has been missing out on since her brother's death. She watches as Jamie

easily rejoins their former friends--a group of magnificently silly theater nerds--

while avoiding her so intensely that it must be deliberate.

Rating: 4/ 5

The first book I read of Robyn’s was Severed Heads, Broken Hearts, titled

The Beginning of Everything in the states. I read it a few years ago so, when we picked

up an ARC of Invisible Ghosts at BookExpo, I wasn’t to sure about it and then Ashley

realized who the author was, and I called dibs.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that I really didn’t want to put down. I

wanted to know what was going to happen next. A love story between two long time

friend’s who share a secret. Jamie Aldridge was one of Rose Asher’s best friends,

until he moved away. However he’s moved back; and Rose is being reminded of

things she has been missing out on since her brother’s death. Soon after she has to

choose between the boy who brought her back to her life before her brother’s death;

and her brother’s ghost who she isn’t ready to say goodbye too. Jamie and Rose can

see ghosts; and not only that, Jamie is allergic to them.

Invisible Ghosts was fairly fast paced and I was kept interested throughout

this story about two best friends, who help each other in different ways, and fall

in love.

Review: Honor Among Thieves

Author: Ann Aguire & Rachel Caine

Published On: 2/13/18

Publisher: Epic Reads

Pages: 465

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis (Found on Goodreads):

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that’s made her stronger 

than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead of moving with 

her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn’t 

much better than a prison cell.

I breezed through this one in about a week. Excited for Book Two which says

it releases next year. I`d say this is great for fans of Illuminae Files, Across

the Universe or even the TV series Farscape. I loved how the connection to

the Leviathans as well as the emotions are expressed.

Honours are an elite group that get to work inside and alongside of the Leviathans.

A group of giant well...Leviathans that saved the human race years ago. They

go out for a year and exchange information with eachother. If you're lucky you

get invited to go on a Journey. A trip that lasts a lifetime and you never return home.

Zara Cole is chosen to be one of the elite even though she is on the bad side of

New Detroit. She`s been and out of rehab and creates trouble in her path.

This is her chance to get airway from dangerous people as well as maybe find

herself and her passions.

Nadim is the Leviathan that Zara will live in. It is comfortable going by He so in

this review that is how I will refer to him. There is a creepy factor in living inside

someone or something. Zara has those same thoughts but the best part is Nadim

senses this and comforts Zara.

Throughout the story Zara continues a bit of her rebellion but the best moments

on when its just her, Nadim and the other Elite Bea onboard. The emotions they

share and the connection that grows between the two of them are incredible.

When they must fight unknown forces and escape it is that connection and

pure honesty between the three of them that helps them get away.

~TTFN

Ashley

Review: The Traitor`s Game

Jennifer A. Nielsen

Narrator: Jesse Villinsky and Michael Curran-Dorsano

Audio Length: 11hrs

Pages: 388

Publisher: Scholastic

Published On: 2/27/18

Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

Nothing is as it seems in the kingdom of Antora. Kestra Dallisor has spent 

three years in exile in the Lava Fields, but that won't stop her from being drawn 

back into her father's palace politics. He's the right hand man of the cruel king, 

Lord Endrick, which makes Kestra a valuable bargaining chip. A group of rebels 

knows this all too well - and they snatch Kestra from her carriage as she reluctantly 

travels home.The kidnappers want her to retrieve the lost Olden Blade, 

the only object that can destroy the immortal king, but Kestra is not the obedient 

captive they expected.

Plot:

Kestra is on her way home and is attacked by rebels. Her first instinct is to turn

back to save her friend and driver Darrow and her maid Celia. This was the start

of many mistakes. After being caught she is forced to make a deal with Tenger in

order to save her friends. All Tenger wants is a blade rumoured to be able to end

the reign of Lord Endrick. Endrick is a powerful man who controls the area.

Kestra`s father is Endrick`s right hand man. What no one in the rebellion seems

to understand is that Kestra`s father is the reason she was sent away. She and

him did not get along and he needed her gone to appease the Lord.

Characters:

Kestra Dallisor starts out very annoying and not a girl I`d want to spend

anytime with. As the book progresses her demeanor improves immensely.

She is less whining and more sure of what it is she needs to do with her live

and the situation she is placed in.

Simon is a rebel forced to watch over Kestra and make sure she upholds her

end of the bargain. Get the Olden Blade for Tenger the rebel leader so he

can end the reign of Lord Endrick.

Overall Thoughts:

This was a great audiobook and I discovered two new narrators that I enjoyed.

I did go out and buy a physical copy to add to my shelf so the girls could read

it as well. The pacing of the story is incredible and I love how Kestra grew as

a person and wasn`t focused on a love interest. I`ve been on a huge Kickass

Female Character binge. Any book where a badass girl wields weapons and

stands up for herself is right up my alley.

~TTFN

Ashley

Review: Legendary

Author: Stephanie Garber

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Published On: 5/29/18

Page Count: 416

Rating:4/5

We received an advanced copy off of Netgalley from the publisher. This does

not effect our opinion of this novel in any way.

Synopsis: (Found on Goodreads)

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna

has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous a

rranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free.

She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella

owes him no one has ever been able to deliver:

Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

Legendary isn`t a sequel per-say but it does happen directly after the events of Caraval.

The book is told in Tella`s point of view (Scarlet`s younger sister). She must finally pay

the debt she owes from Legendary. That debt is what Legend`s true name is.

This book takes you on a wild adventure through another game of Caraval.

I enjoyed Caraval but not as much as the rest of my family did. Collectively

they gave it 4.5/5 stars. I only gave it 3.5/5. When Legendary came up as a book

I could request I jumped on it knowing my family wanted to do another family read.

We had already pre-ordered our 5 copies to read in June. Since receiving this book

early I opted to read it out loud to them while on car rides.

Over the course of 5 weekends my entire family devoured this book. I enjoyed it so

much more than Caraval. Tella started out annoying (like most younger sisters are)

but learning about her past and everything she was fighting for made her grow so

much in my eyes.

The twists and turns kept me swiping through the pages. I want my own Deck of

Destiny but maybe one not quite as cursed as Tella and her moms. I highly

recommend this for fans f the first book as well as those who enjoyed the mystics of

Tarot reading and changing your own future.

~TTFN

Ashley