Monday 26 September 2016

Music Monday #31

I got this idea from the blog Trust in the Words. 









A Shot in the Dark by Within Temptation

One of my favorite bands. I love her voice and the lyrics to this song are beautiful. I love this song and it is one of my favorite artists to listen to now. Check them out!

What's in your headphones?

Happy reading everybody! <3

Weekly Update: 9/19 - 9/25

I have decided to start doing a weekly post called weekly recap where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

I was absent from school for three days this past week which was horrible. I am also back to my reading but not back to my blogging which I apologize for. I am going to be slowing down on my blogging or at least I will be until I can figure out a good strategy in order to do my homework faster. I plan on finishing stuff earlier than the night before a due date and we shall see how that works out.


New Books

Purchased:




Library: 






Received for Review: 

 






In Case You Missed It

Music Monday: Monster by Lady Gaga
Blog Tour: Fear the Drowning Deep


This Week I Read
  
  






Next Week I'm Reading







Upcoming Reviews






Upcoming Posts



Monday:  Music Monday featuring Shot in the Dark by Within Temptation

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday is Books on my Fall TBR

Wednesday: Top Five Wednesday is Getaway Books of your favorite genre

Thursday: NONE

Friday: Fall Book Bingo TBR '16 + Review

Saturday: September Wrap Up

Sunday: October TBR






Around the Blog Community



Tracy over at Cornerfolds did a review of Bright Smoke, Cold Fire

Saturday 24 September 2016

FEAR THE DROWNING DEEP BLOG TOUR [BOOK REVIEW]






Witch’s apprentice Bridey Corkill has hated the ocean ever since she watched her granddad dive in and drown with a smile on his face. So when a dead girl rolls in with the tide in the summer of 1913, sixteen-year-old Bridey suspects that whatever compelled her granddad to leap into the sea has made its return to the Isle of Man.

Soon, villagers are vanishing in the night, but no one shares Bridey’s suspicions about the sea. No one but the island’s witch, who isn’t as frightening as she first appears, and the handsome dark-haired lad Bridey rescues from a grim and watery fate. The cause of the deep gashes in Fynn’s stomach and his lost memories are, like the recent disappearances, a mystery well-guarded by the sea. In exchange for saving his life, Fynn teaches Bridey to master her fear of the water — stealing her heart in the process.

Now, Bridey must work with the Isle’s eccentric witch and the boy she isn’t sure she can trust — because if she can’t uncover the truth about the ancient evil in the water, everyone she loves will walk into the sea, never to return.



GOODREADS | AMAZON 

Fear the Drowning Deep caught my attention when I was looking at debut novels at the beginning of 2016 but I never actually requested an ARC or made a big deal out of it. Then I saw that it was having a blog tour and I got excited and I obviously signed up and I got in! I didn't have high expectations though, so I was pretty pleased with it, though the ending did do some damage. 

Fear the Drowning Deep had a very captivating atmosphere that was both mysterious and addicting. There were parts that were spooky, and parts that were cutesy and overall this was a great read. I read this in around two days once I actually sat down to read the eArc. The mythological aspect was amazing even if it was a little confusing. 

I really enjoyed the writing style as well as the descriptions which weren't too lengthy but really worked. The characters were really interesting and complex, at least in my opinion. I liked Bridey and felt that she was strong and independent. 

I thought the romance was sweet although many people didn't see it that way. It was kind of rushed which was really annoying as I prefer the slow burn though it is usually agonizing. 

I wouldn't mind giving this a reread in the future. 

I rated it 4 Crowns!













Monday 19 September 2016

Music Monday #30

I got this idea from the blog Trust in the Words. 









Monster by Lady Gaga

This is literally so catchy. I'm sorry, I can't help it. Trust me, if you give it a listen you will most likely agree with me.

What's in your headphones?

Happy reading everybody! <3

Sunday 18 September 2016

Weekly Wrap-Up: 9/12 - 9/18

I have decided to start doing a weekly post called weekly recap where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

School hasn't been that bad and I have had more time to read even if I haven't finished nearly as many books as I wish I have. I did however, get sick so I'm not feeling that great which explains no posts this weekend. 

New Books

Purchased:




Library: 

 




Received for Review: 






In Case You Missed It


This Week I Read
  
  




Next Week I'm Reading








Upcoming Reviews


 






Upcoming Posts



Monday:  Music Monday featuring Monster by Lady Gaga 

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday is Audio Freebie: I am doing Ten Lesser Known Artists/Bands I've been Loving

Wednesday: Top Five Wednesday is Characters I Wouldn't Want to Trade Places With

Thursday: TBD

Friday: Fall Book Bingo TBR '16 + The Summer Before Forever Book Review

Saturday: Fear the Drowning Deep Blog Tour

Sunday: TBD






Around the Blog Community


Wednesday 14 September 2016

LATE Music Monday #29

I got this idea from the blog Trust in the Words. 











Black Sea by Natasha Blume

One of my favorite authors on Wattpad put this song in their playlist and I listened to it and I really liked it. I loved it in fact. So, give it a listen.

What's in your headphones?

Happy reading everybody! <3

False Gods by Yolanda Ramos Review

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts. This is a spoiler free review!





False Gods
Written by Yolanda Ramos
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Publisher: Reach Publishers
Release Date: February 1, 2016
Pages: 324
Source: Author, Paperback
Places to Get this Book: Amazon

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

A monstrous evil stalks Cormac in his new role as the Seventh Sentinel. His prime objective is to find and secure supernatural weapons of mass destruction left behind after the Great Flood by the Watchers and their offspring, the Nephilim. 
Cormac and his paladins travel to Africa to safeguard his family, battling fiends of awesome proportions along the way and discovering entities that are the stuff of legends and beyond comprehension. The rogue sentinels will do anything to stop or distract Cormac from his sacred quest. The stakes are high on both sides. Life or Death? Hellfire or Heaven? 
Cormac must also come to terms with his own personal demons and find the strength of will to resist the temptations that lie in wait for him, while his private life takes a turn for the worse.
Review:

I was contacted by the author and she sent me this book in paperback form. It took me a little while to actually get into this book but once I did, I didn't regret it. It was a really interesting and intriguing book with a topic that I haven't read much about. Now, I'm wondering if this is supposed to be Christian YA because it felt like it. I approve of course. I really liked how it had a little bit of everything but I especially liked the strong friendship and family aspect. Just a reminder, if you can't get hold of the first book, it's okay to read this one first.

COVER

The cover is good and I think it accurately represents the book. I love how Conrad is on the cover and it sort of represents his whole role in the story.

WORLD-BUILDING

The world was a little hard to get used to, especially since I haven't read the first book but I got used to it eventually. I like how there are archangels and how they basically are supposed to guide the sentinels which is what Conrad is. I don't know all the historical background relating to this story but it is apparently very accurate so I'm happy.

Then there are the characters.

CONRAD

Conrad wasn't the perfect character but I prefer the characters in stories to at least be a little bit flawed, because no one is perfect. He had a lot of good qualities. He was loyal to his family and his friends and the archangels. He was pretty smart and could think his way out of things. He was also really kind. His flaws were basically, getting distracted and mad easily.


DARCY

She wasn't a main character until the end but I put her here because I really liked her. She was Conrad's sister who had a daughter who was just the cutest thing. Their scenes always made me smile. I was so unhappy by the end. There were some things that I would seriously change if I had the chance. Darcy was also flawed, as most people are. She took a long time to accept her brother and believe that he really cared about her. I also really liked how she was a ballet dancer and they had a couple scenes with her dancing or performing and I really liked them.

NOELLE

Noelle was another main character. She was one of Conrad's best friends and healed people. I really liked her character as a whole. She was kind, compassionate and smart. She was also a lot of fun and quite funny at times. I feel like she really brought out the best in people.


FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

This book shows the importance of friendship and family and how people need it. I like how Conrad had a good relationship with his sister and mom and niece by the end of the book. I really liked his scenes with his sister. They were all just too cute.

I also liked how Conrad was really close with the other sentinels and they were all practically family. His friends really had his back through thick and thin.

PLOT

I enjoyed the plot. It wasn't too hard to keep up with and had a lot of action. It was also balanced with some calm scenes and just friendly scenes after all the characters are all in their early twenties so they can't be all uptight and stern. I liked how she balanced all the scenes and had a good mix. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this one.

ROMANCE

There wasn't really too much romance which was kind of a relief.


WRITING

I liked the description and how it was written in third person. I also really just liked how she wrote all the important scenes: battles, deaths, family scenes. They were all done to perfection!

Final Thoughts:
Fantasy lovers, here is a new book that you should pick up if you haven't already. I guarantee that you will enjoy this book and if you don't, well that's your opinion. I thought that this had a good blend of everything and people should check this one out.


Quotes from the Book:

None!







My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

Sunday 11 September 2016

Weekly Wrap Up: 9/5 - 9/11

I have decided to start doing a weekly post called weekly recap where I update you on my life, reading and watching. Plus any posts I have done or will do.

I did horribly on reading and blogging this week. :( So, yeah. Barely any posts have gone up. I'm trying to get used to my homework load and trying to manage my time which isn't going so well so far.

School has been okay, still getting used to everything but blogging and reading should get better soon. Promise. 


New Books

Purchased:






Library: 




Received for Review: 








In Case You Missed It


This Week I Read

  
  





Next Week I'm Reading








Upcoming Reviews


 






Upcoming Posts



Monday:  Music Monday featuring Black Sea by Natasha Blume + Fall Book Bingo '16

Tuesday: NONE

Wednesday: Most Anticipated Releases of Second Half of 2016

Thursday: TBD

Friday: The Wrong Prince Blog Tour

Saturday: TBD

Sunday: Love Me Deadly by Alycia Linwood Book Review






Around the Blog Community


Monday 5 September 2016

The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson Review

This is a spoiler free review!




The Flip Side
Written by Shawn Johnson
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Pages: 309
Source: Library
Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository


Recommended Age: 12 and up!


Summary:

Charlie Ryland has a secret.

She may seem like your average high school sophomore—but she’s just really good at pretending.

Because outside of school Charlie spends all her waking hours training to become one of the best gymnasts in the world. And it’s not easy flying under the radar when you’re aiming for Olympic gold…especially when an irresistible guy comes along and threatens to throw your whole world off balance.
 


Review:

The gymnastics just finished and I was seriously kind of depressed because of it. This book helped lighten my spirits because not only is it about an Olympic sport but it is also by an Olympic athlete/gymnast. I remember when I watched her games all those years ago. I'm kind of upset that it got such poor ratings on Goodreads because it was a fantastic book and a fantastic read.

COVER

I think the cover fits the book pretty well. I like how the girl is standing on top of the bench and about to perform a gymnastics move. Even though this scene very obviously doesn't happen in the book, it is still a nice fit for the book.

WORLD-BUILDING

There really isn't. I mean we get the background of the main character and a few of the side characters but it isn't a fantasy book so there isn't world-building.

Then there are the characters.


CHARLIE

"I'm going to be your biggest cheerleader at the Olympic Games, no matter what."

Charlie was my favorite character. I feel like she was a good role model even though she does do a couple things that would make you think that she isn't one. Charlie is a gymnastics champion who wants to keep her whole gymnastics life a secret from her friends and the people at school. Charlie was a fun character who led a double life and the fact that she hated government really made me connect with her.

GWEN

Gwen is Charlie's best friend at gymnastics. I felt like Gwen was a good best friend. She did push Charlie to do her own personal best and also supported her even if some of the things that Charlie did, Gwen didn't approve of.


BOBBY

Bobby was one of those nice guys who are so hard to find in YA Literature. I really liked him as a love interest and as a character. He was kind and compassionate. He took things that happened really well and I liked that.




FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

The friendships in this book were very realistic and quite refreshing to read about.

PLOT

I really liked the plot. It wasn't a typical Contemporary that was focused on the romance. I really liked how it was focused on how Charlie really wanted to be in the Olympics and how that was her dream and she wouldn't let anything get in the way of it.

ROMANCE

The romance was your typical cutsey contemporary romance. It didn't take over the plot though and I found it to be extremly healthy. Bobby was actually the perfect gentleman and I really liked this romance.

WRITING

The writing was good for a contemporary and it kept me entertained.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this book. It helped my post Olympic hangover and it was cute for summer. I really liked how it ended nicely and it tied things up without leaving it on the edge. I highly recommend this book for a good getaway.



Quotes from the Book:

To be added...







My Rating: 5 out of 5 Crowns



picture credit goes to original taker
THIS BOOK IN THREE GIFS: