Wednesday, January 30, 2019

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

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

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

Sunday, January 27, 2019

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

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

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

Friday, January 18, 2019

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

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

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

Sunday, January 13, 2019

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