Queen of Books

Saturday, 4 February 2017

Wanted by Betsy Schow [Spelled #2] eArc review

I received an eArc from NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you to them. This is a spoiler free review for the second book but there will be mild spoilers for book one.

Wanted

Written by Betsy Schow

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: February 7, 2017

Pages: 320

Source: eArc from NetGalley

Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

In the sequel to Spelled, can Robin Hood's daughter, Rexi, stop the Wicked Witch from finding Excalibur?

Fairy-Tale Survival Rule No. 52:
No matter how difficult the obstacles or all-powerful the evil villain, one can rest assured that the hero of the story never dies. The sidekicks though...they should be worried.
Rexi Hood is proud to be an outlaw. After all, she's the daughter of the infamous Robin Hood. But sidekick? Accomplice? Sorry, that wasn't in her story description. Yeah, she and Princess Dorthea of Emerald have been inseparable since they teamed up to fight the wickedest witch. But if Rexi doesn't figure out how to break the curse that binds them, forget being overshadowed by the spirited princess, Rexi's going to become a Forgotten, wiped from the pages of Story and reduced to a puddle of ink.
Not happening. No way in Spell.
Rexi's plan? Steal the sword Excalibur and use its magic to write her own tale. But Gwenevere has opened a new Academy of Villains in Camelot and danger lurks behind every plot twist. And you know how it goes in Story: keep your friends close and your enemies closer...

Review:

I read the first book sometime last year and it was amazing and so different. I usually read books with a female protagonist who galavants across the land searching for someone or something, usually with a male dictating stuff. But this is different.

COVER

I really like the cover and how there is a shoe on the front which is another perfect allusion to the Wizard of Oz.

WORLD-BUILDING

This world still confuses me even though I read the first book as well as the second. I did wish that they had had a little bit more background when I jumped into this one because it had been awhile since I had read the first one but I still managed to figure it out.

The reason

Then there are the characters.

REXI

Rexi was the sidekick in the first book, meant to be there for sarcastic commentary and help battle once in while but generally forgotten. The hero of the story is supposed to be Dorthea but in this one she isn't. Rexi is a lot different from Dorthea. She has different morals and a different personality. She's a lot more sarcastic and snarky and doesn't always seem to have her priorities in check. In this one we get to see her take center stage and it was wonderful. I love her commentary and the fact that she is the real badass of the story.

FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

Family and friendship is a main point in this book. Dorthea and Rexi are magically linked so if Rexi dies, she can be brought back but they can also feel each other's feelings and thoughts which is a bit of a nusiance as Rexi has to question if things are her own or Dorthea's. They both watch each others backs and Rexi begins to really think of Kato and Dorthea as friends and almost family.

PLOT

I admit that the plot confused me a bit because it jumped about but I got the main gist of it and I was pleased with it. I loved seeing everyone work together even when impending doom was held over them.

But I was NOT PLEASED with that cliffhanger!!! Please let there be another book!!

ROMANCE

There unfortunately seemed to be a kind of love triangle in this book that was very confusing. It was also a little bit unnecessary. I didn't know who to ship Rexi with. Kato or Mordred and I couldn't figure out who she had chemistry with. This would have been fine without any romance or with a new love interest that had potential.

WRITING

The writing is simple but I love all the funny little references to Pop culture and the sarcastic commentary which just made my day while I was reading this. [And helped me get through that emotional ending]

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you liked the first book then be sure to pick this one up but be aware that it might not meet your expectations. It does follow Rexi who is a different character than Dorthea but she was my favorite out of the two. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading anything by this author in the future.

Quotes from the Book:

None

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

Sunday, 29 January 2017

Weekly Update: 1/16 - 1/29 TWO WEEK UPDATE

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've been kind of a mess with blogging for the past two weeks and I sincerely apologize. I hope to be back to normal [or at least two-three posts a week normal] by next week.

Despite that, I have had a good past two weeks. Grades were due on friday for school so that stress was lifted off my shoulders and I had a good three-day weekend. I also got to go see the Swan Lake Ballet done by the American Ballet theater which was beautiful. I have never seen this ballet done so it was new for me, though I knew all the music.

Now, let's get into recapping.

New Books

Purchased:

Library:

Received for Review:

Friday, 27 January 2017

September - November Book Haul '16

This is insane. I have not done a haul since my birthday haul which is ridiculous and I have gained so many books since then because I have a very obvious problem.

This haul does not include the many things I got for Christmas. This is just all the books that I have accumulated since my birthday but before December. It's a lot but not as many as I thought which might mean I am getting better at not binge buying. [Plus, I have bought one book in January which I am very proud of myself for doing because normally I would have bought eight by now. And there have been some releases that I am dying to get my hands on but I won't buy them for awhile]

Anyways, let's jump right into this haul.

BOOKS

1. Wendy Darling Stars by Colleen Oakes

This is a Peter Pan retelling which I live for so I bought this one. I have heard some good things about this book and I have decided to check it out. I believe that it is also a little more NA rather than YA which I am excited about.

2. Never Ever by Sara Saedi

This is another Peter Pan retelling and I have read many reviews on this one and have decided to try it for myself, although I haven't picked it up yet which is annoying. I am excited to though so that will be fun to try.

3. Three Dark Crowns by Kendra Blake

I have heard controversial things about this book but I did end up purchasing it because do you see how gorgeous that cover is? I kid. I really want to read it because it sounds so different and new.

4. Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

I own the first book and now I have the second. Plus, I always buy his books because why would I not? They always excel at making me amused. Well except for those cliffhangers. :(

5. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

I finally read Six of Crows and I had to purchase the second book. Plus, the cover is so beautiful. I really need to start this book because I want to find out what is going on with Kaz and his crew.

6. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

I honestly don't even know why I bought this when I am so behind on this series. I even preordered it for some reason. But it has really thin pages which is cool and I plan to catch up with this series this year.

7. Red Rising by Pierce Brown

I have heard so many good things about this book and I got it at a book sale for pretty cheap so I purchased it. And it is an Adult Fantasy so I'm excited.

8. Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

I also got this at the same book sale and I was missing the second book so now I have it. But I am a little sad that it is the paperback when all the others in the series are hardbacks. :(

9. City of Ashes by Cassandra Claire

I do not like the old covers of this series so I am so happy that I found this for like a dollar at a sale. And it is in such good condition so I purchased it and am getting rid of the old cover one. I really want to get the whole series in the new covers.

10. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

I have not read any of this series but I purchased this one because it was a dollar and I had to. I'm kind of upset with myself for purchasing it but I will get to this series as soon as I am able to.

11. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I have heard mixed things about this book but I bought it because I was going to read it before the movie came out. Unfortunately they changed the rating from PG-13 to R on the movie so I was unable to see it with my friend which sucks. I still plan on reading this though.

12. The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

I really enjoyed this book so I bought it at a book sale. It doesn't currently have a good spot on my bookshelf as it is kind of full but I will fit it in. I will probably reread this one as well.

13. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

I bought this at the book sale as well because it was pretty cheap and it is also in hardcover which I am not too thrilled with but I made it work on my shelf. And I have a special home for Sarah J. Maas' books. Well, until I buy all the ACOTAR books [I only have the second].

14. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

This was available at the same sale in the mass market paperback form. I am not thrilled with having them in this form but they fit easily on my shelf which I am happy about. I really want to read these as well.

15. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

Same goes for this one. It was also available in the mass market paperback form so I bought it.

16. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Same goes for this one. It was also available in the mass market paperback form so I bought it.

17. Maximum Ride School's Out Forever by James Patterson

I read the first of these books a couple months ago and ended up really enjoying it so I purchased this one in mass market paperback form. I hope to get to it soon.

POP VINYL DOLLS

1. Emma Swan from Once Upon a Time POP Funko

Pop Funko figures are honestly the cutest thing ever. I love them so much and am happy that they are branching out to so many tv shows and movies. I bought her from Barnes and Noble because she was on special and I couldn't resist. I love the show and the character.

That is it for this haul and blogpost. What have you purchased recently?

Saturday, 21 January 2017

Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston Book Review

This is a spoiler free review.

Ahsoka

Written by E.K. Johnston

Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction/Star Wars

Publisher: Disney LucasFilm Press

Release Date: October 11, 2016

Pages: 400

Source: Library

Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Recommended Age: 14 and up!

Summary:

Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. Finally, her story will begin to be told. Following her experiences with the Jedi and the devastation of Order 66, Ahsoka is unsure she can be part of a larger whole ever again. But her desire to fight the evils of the Empire and protect those who need it will lead her right to Bail Organa, and the Rebel Alliance….

Review:

E.K. Johnston is a brilliant writer. I have only read A Thousand Nights by her but I already really enjoy her writing style. Yes, this is a completely different type of book that she is writing but I can still see some of her other writing style. I love the Star Wars movies and am a big fan of the universe and a friend recommended this book to me so naturally I checked it out from my local library.

COVER

This is a good cover for a Star Wars book. It is simple and the main character is very clearly seen on the front so if you don’t know what she looks like, then you have a perfect representation on the front to gaze at.

WORLD-BUILDING

I needed the world-building. Despite being an avid Star Wars fan, I do not know everything and I sure didn’t know Ahsoka was. Giving me a little bit of background on the whole story was greatly appreciated. I also liked how they gave me some info about the planets and their place and importance in the overall story which was a blessing. I enjoyed learning about what the galaxy was like at the current moment that this book took place.

Then there are the characters.

AHSOKA

This book is honestly filled with female empowerment. Ahsoka is the main character who used to be a Jedi and was in fact Anakin’s padawan until recently. She revoked her Jedi membership and has been living on a planet with a family until she escapes on the day that Imperial troops take over. She has to move from place to place because of the ultimate threat of the Imperial troops who have occupied many a planet and moon. She is strong in so many ways. Both physically and emotionally. She has to convince herself to do some things that she doesn’t want to do because she is worried what others will think or do. But in the end she pulls through. I really liked how strong she was and what a good example of strength in females she was showing.

KAEDEN

Kaeden was someone that Ashoka developed a strong attachment to. I really liked Kaeden. Oh and diversity because I believe that she was in fact gay. [Not positive but still] I really enjoyed her character because although she wasn’t familiar with a lot that was going on around her and on her planet, she still put up a fight and did what she thought was right even if it wasn’t. She was another strong female character without all the badass skills of Ahsoka. She didn’t give in to pressure and didn’t give up hope. I loved her.

FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

Family is something that is constantly questioned by this book. Ahsoka questions if she needs a family or if she should have one. But nevertheless, she often gains a family who are definitely not by blood. I was really happy that this book decided to explore her special relationship with all the people she met and showed that even a Jedi could consider having a family. [As most of you know, love is frowned upon for Jedis]

PLOT

The plot was interesting, partly because I'm a Star Wars fan but I was so happy to get more information into the world that I so love. We got to see new planets and new areas of the galaxy, as well as new people. I loved getting to see everything from a new point of view and the plot was very interesting, with twists and turns that you may never see coming.

ROMANCE

There was no romance in this book and yet there was the possibility of romance which I was really disappointed that E.K. Johnston didn't take. Now, it would not have been the normal romance that you and I all know of. It would have been between Kaeden and Ashoka and ugh, I wanted it so bad. But sadly, no go. :(

It was still a good book without romance and it was a refreshing breather to not have any in a book.

WRITING

The writing was good. As usual, I really enjoy E.K. Johnston's writing because it has a certain, almost lyrical way about it and this was no different.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This book is something that I would pick up, only if you have previous knowledge of the Star Wars universe. Going into this one with no knowledge would not be a good idea. That being said, it was an amazing book. I loved the characters, the storyline, and the world. It was amazing and everyone who has the chance should try this book out.

Quotes from the Book:

None

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Crowns

Monday, 16 January 2017

Weekly Update: 1/2 - 1/16 Two Week Update!!

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.

This week was fairly productive. I mean, school-wise. I am still trying to get on top of my schoolwork and balance it with my blogging, which so far is a work in progress. If I ever have a day where I have no school-work, I make sure to do some blogging or planning at least. But most days, I am struggling to keep up with schoolwork so that is why I am usually only posting during the weekends.

I do have three, three day weekends this month which is fun. I am almost done with my first one which wasn't that productive in terms of writing but I did watch some tv. [Sherlock was lit but also terrifying. This show is so freaking scary. I can't even tell you. I really hope they make a season 5]

Now, let's get into recapping cause I have two weeks to recap :)

New Books

Purchased:

Library: