Queen of Books

Sunday, 7 May 2017

Bookish News and Stuff #1

Hello guys! I've decided to introduce a new feature on my blog which will be posted every few weeks or so when I have a lot of book , movie and TV news. This mostly focuses on book cover reveals, new books, book to movie adaptations and book to tv show adaptations. There will occasionally be other news that I will share with you such as a new series or something to look out for that I enjoy.

Since today's news and stuff post contains a lot, let's get started.

BOOK NEWS

The first piece of book news is that Tahereh Mafi [author of the Shatter Me trilogy and Furthermore] just announced that she is going to be continuing the Shatter Me trilogy. This is so exciting even though I haven't finished the series, because fans have always wanted more. Check out the synopsis for the fourth book here

The second piece of book news is that we got a cover and a title for Leigh Bardugo's new book coming out in September. [IKR! Two books from Leigh Bardugo in one year! How does she do it?]. It is called The Language of Thorns and it is so beautiful. It is a collection of short stories and I will be picking this one up.

The third piece of book news is also regarding Leigh Bardugo. She has released the title of a new book of hers but there is no release date yet. I am guessing 2018. This time it is a Contemporary New Adult. I am excited!!

The fourth piece of book news is about a new imprint of Rick Riordan's. Disney-Hyperion is launching a new imprint called Rick Riordan Presents which is devoted to mythology-based books for middle grade readers. The first three titles and authors have been revealed. Roshani Chokshi [known for her book The Star-Touched Queen] is writing a book called Aru Shah and the End of Time. It is described as Percy Jackson meets Sailor Moon. Then we have Storm Runner by Jennifer Cervantes which includes Mayan gods [this should be interesting]. And last but not least we have Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee and is described as Korean Fox Spirits in space. I am excited to see what will be new from this imprint.

The fifth piece of book news is actually another thing from Rick Riordan. The cover was revealed for Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead and it is stunning.

The sixth, seventh and eighth pieces of book news are all cover reveals so I decided to group them together. The first cover reveal is for the sequel to The Thousandth Floor called The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee. It is gorgeous but I am a little bit confused as to why there are two towers on the cover. Oh well, guess I'll have to read it. The second cover reveal is for the last Falling Kingdoms book, Immortal Reign by Morgan Rhodes. And Magneo is on the cover. I hope my ship is safe. *crosses fingers*. The last cover reveal is for Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill. The cover is a really bright red and I like how there is a castle in the background.

The ninth piece of book news is a new book by Marie Lu called Kingdom of Back which will be published by Putnam Publishing. It is based on the childhood of Mozart and I am here for this! This is set to release in 2019.

The tenth piece of book news is the announcement that Mary E. Pearson is going to be writing a new book called Dance of Thieves which will be published by Henry Holt Publishing. It is going to be set in the universe of the Remnant Chronicles and I couldn't be more excited! It should be released in 2018!

The eleventh piece of book news is that Gwen Cole is writing a futuristic western. I am all for more YA westerns so I will be looking forward to this one which is set to release in 2018.

The twelfth piece of book news is that Claire Legrand is writing a new trilogy about two young women who are centuries apart and must fight a cosmic war that spans millennia. I loved Winterspell so I am all for new books from Claire Legrand. The first book is set to release in 2018.

The thirteenth piece of book news is that Colleen Oakes is set to release a new book called The Black Coats in 2019.

The fourteenth piece of book news is that Kiersten White [author of And I Darken] is going to be writing a spin-off series based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I know nothing about Buffy but I will probably read these. The first is set to release in 2018.

The fifteenth piece of book news is that Sarah J. Maas' Chaol book is called Tower of Dawn. A lot of people are worried about this because Sarah J. Maas has treated Chaol like trash throughout this season [HE DESERVES BETTER] but I will buy it and read it because bby Chaol.

The sixteenth piece of book news is that there is going to be a YA book based on Mean Girls. I'm not going to read this but I had to put this on here.

The seventeenth and last piece of book news is that there is going to be a new Star Wars anthology called Star Wars: From A Certain Point of View. This is releasing in October of this year [2017] and there are some great authors who are writing parts of this such as Renee Ahdieh.

MOVIE NEWS

The first piece of movie news is that there is going to be a movie based on the book, A Wrinkle in Time which will be released in 2018. I have not read the book yet but I shall soon.

The second piece of movie news is that Ophelia by Lisa Klein is set to be adapted into a movie. This book is a retelling of Hamlet about the character of Ophelia. I personally think this will be interesting.

The third piece of movie news is that A Darker Shade of Magic which will be produced by Gerard Butler. I have yet to read this book but I want to see this.

The fourth piece of movie news is that FOX has acquired the rights to Three Dark Crowns by Kendra Blake. I also have yet to read this but I think it's interesting that so many YA books are set to be adapted soon.

The fifth piece of movie news is that The Darkest Minds is going to be adapted into a movie. I started this book and never finished it because I couldn't get into it but since this is happening and they have already started filming, then I must read it.

The sixth piece of movie news is that Labyrinth Lost is set to be adapted into a movie and Paramount has the rights.

The seventh piece of movie news is some exciting Harry Potter news. Jude Law is set to play young Dumbledore in the second Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie. I am really excited for this.

The eighth piece of movie news is that the YA book Scythe is set to be adapted.

The ninth piece of movie news is that Rebel of the Sands is also set to be adapted. I need to read this book because I heard it is so good.

The last piece of movie news is that there was a new teaser trailer for the next Star Wars movie which is going to be called The Last Jedi. Who else is both excited and terrified?

TV NEWS

The first piece of television news is that Thirteen Reasons Why has officially gotten a second season. It has been in talks for another season for a couple of weeks which a lot of people had been a little iffy about.

The second piece of television news is that Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi has gotten a pilot from ABC which is very exciting.

The third piece of television news is that American Gods by Neil Gaiman is now a TV series which is staring Ricky Whittle [who happens to be in the 100]. I will not be watching this but I felt like it was important information.

The fourth piece of television news is super exciting. The Raven Boys is getting a television series. I have never read this series but I own one of the books and I am so excited.

The fifth piece of television news is that Marvel's Cloak and Dagger got a trailer on Netflix. It looks really interesting but I won't be watching it since I don't have Netflix.

The sixth and last piece of television news is that there is going to be a new show on Freeform [which I also don't have] and it is called Siren. It looks so creepy because it is a siren tv show.

And that's it for this first news and stuff post. I hope you enjoyed it and learned a little book/movie/tv news from it! See you soon!

Tuesday, 18 April 2017

Weekly Update: 4/10 - 4/16

I have just gotten off of spring break which is really sad as I am back at school and already bogged down with work, plus AP exams are right around the corner and those are not fun. I have been studying quite a bit but I still am not prepared.

Though I was on break for the past week, I didn’t get to post much as I prioritized other things and went out a lot for day trips with my family. I also finished season one of Pretty Little Liars and started season two and I love the show. Hanna is probably my favorite character because she has such sarcasm. I also started and almost finished [still have two episodes] the 100 [CW]. This is also such a good show. My favorite characters are Clarke Griffin, Bellamy Blake and Raven Reyes and I highly recommend the show.

I will probably be taking a short break from this blog until exams are over which will probably start next week.

Now, let's get into recapping.

New Books

Purchased:

Library:

Received for Review:

Saturday, 15 April 2017

Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin - Book Review

This is a spoiler free review.

Ronit & Jamil

Written by Pamela L. Laskin

Genre: Young Adult/Romance/Poetry

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: February 21, 2017

Pages: 192

Source: Library

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

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

Pamela L. Laskin’s beautiful and lyrical novel in verse delivers a fresh and captivating retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet that transports the star-crossed lovers to the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict.

Ronit, an Israeli girl, lives on one side of the fence. Jamil, a Palestinian boy, lives on the other side. Only miles apart but separated by generations of conflict—much more than just the concrete blockade between them. Their fathers, however, work in a distrusting but mutually beneficial business arrangement, a relationship that brings Ronit and Jamil together. And lightning strikes. The kind of lightning that transcends barrier fences, war, and hatred.

The teenage lovers fall desperately into the throes of forbidden love, one that would create an irreparable rift between their families if it were discovered. But a love this big can only be kept secret for so long. Ronit and Jamil must face the fateful choice to save their lives or their loves, as it may not be possible to save both.

Review:

I read this book really quickly and I am really disappointed with it which wasn't fair cause I was really looking forward to it. I mean, this is the kind of story that we've been waiting for but it didn't deliver what it promised. It promised a beautiful lyrical book which was a Romeo and Juliet retelling about love that would defy everything else. While it was lyrical and was a Romeo and Juliet retelling, it really didn't have what it promised.

COVER

The cover is gorgeous and really shows the separation that is between both sides. I also love how they didn't make them white so that POC appreciation on the cover is on point and I am all for that. I partially judged this book for its gorgeous cover.

WORLD-BUILDING

It gives us a little bit of background on the conflict in the Middle East but not really enough if you don't already know the issue and what is going on.

Then there are the characters.

RONIT and JAMIL

Ronit is an Israeli girl and Jamil is a Palestinian boy which means they aren't supposed to interact according to their families. They could have been intriguing characters if they were given a little bit more depth and thoughts other than of each other and what would happen if they were together [which for the record is basically all they think about]. Their thoughts and feelings are also very simplistic when they should have been more complex.

I do think that if they were characters in a full length novel, I would have been able to like them a bit more.

FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

They do mention family a little bit in this book, for instance what the family would do/think if they knew about Ronit and Jamil's relationship and how they do react once they figure out who exactly their child is talking to. But they don't really display family in a good light which is something that I was also not pleased with.

PLOT

The plot is rather generic and similar to the plot of the original story, Romeo and Juliet, in which they meet [or rather see each other across the room] and then they are automatically 'in love' [which is something I never quite understood]. The plot is simple, with both characters wanting to escape their prejudiced lives and go somewhere where they can be together and not be judged.

The plot could have given the Israeli/Palestinian issue a little bit more page-time in order for readers to clearly get the gist of it and understand where these characters are coming from. That was another complaint I had with it. I really wanted the issue to be showcased properly and while it was there, it wasn't well explained.

ROMANCE

The relationship of this book was very much the main focus which was a little awkward. There wasn't much depth to the romance at all which is sometimes okay if the rest of the plot has depth and is more important than the romance but in this story the romance is the main focus. It also seems like the romance isn't about actual love and is more infatuation.

WRITING

The lyrical writing was one of the things that I actually liked about the book. It was refreshing to see a Young Adult book written in poetry, which is something you don't see often.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I gave this a low rating because of the lack of depth it gives the characters and the overall plotline. It has such an interesting premise and it could have been a lot better than it was. I don't recommend it myself but try it because you may like it yourself. I like the poetry style and I enjoy that it is about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict but that is about it. I am sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this book.

Quotes from the Book:

None at this time.

My Rating: 2 out of 5 Crowns

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Book Tag #2: #The Writer's Tag

[I kinda stole these graphics from Paperfury. Here's the credit! :)]

I have been wanting to tell you guys a bit about me as a writer since I do write novels for fun. I don't talk about this certain passtime of mine very much because I have yet to finish a novel and most of them are half written with plotholes and half planned out characters. But, I have decided that I should share if I ever hope to be a published author.

I was not tagged for this tag but I found it on Cait's blog: Paperfury. Feel free to do this tag if you wish to. You can link back to the hashtag: #TheWriter'sTag on Twitter or Instagram.

1. WHAT GENRES, STYLES AND TOPICS DO YOU WRITE ABOUT?

Fun fact: I have never finished a novel but I am trying so very hard. I am mostly a fantasy author because I write what I'm good at, but I also like to dabble in some other generes:

Science Fiction/Dystopian: I haven't actually ever finished one of these but I have planned some
Historical Fiction: I am currently working on two at the moment. I'm excited to share snippets with y'all.
Contemporary: I have an entire novel planned out but it is more a new adult than a YA contemporary sadly and I've never actually made an effort to dip my pen in that ink [Expression. I actually type my novels]

STYLES:

I've tried both first person and third person and I'm still not sure which I like better.

TOPICS:

Fairytale retellings: these are my absolute favorites because they are my favorites to read.
Mentioning food in basically every novel, even if it isn't necessary.
Positive sibling relationships
PIRATES! [currently writing one that will be amazing]
Strong female characters who can be stronger than the male characters in the same book.
MAGIC!
Mermaids [dabbling in it]
Smol, precious characters. [Well...it depends on the point of view]

2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?

A long time! But really, I am not sure. I do remember having my sister dictate parts of stories to me and then we wrote them down, stapled them together and handed them out to our family members [often demanding payment. We made our own newspapers as well. Good times!]. So, I have probably been doing it since the age of eight. Crazy right?

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE?

I write because it makes me happy and I can do whatever I want. It's almost like I'm the Queen of my own kingdom, dictating all my subjects and getting to decide what happens. It's fun!

4. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO WRITE?

Whenever I am on break or on a weekend as there is physically no time during a normal school day. Homework takes enough time and apparently is more important then writing my novels [Who made up that theory?]

I also need time to take breaks to eat food, surf the internet, lie down and do absolutely nothing and start new TV shows.

So, breaks and the weekends are probably best.

5. PARTS OF WRITING VS PARTS YOU HATE?

LOVE:

When you first have an idea and you can't wait to write it.
Actually finishing something [though that hasn't happened yet]
Getting feedback [both positive and negative]
Actually getting your own freedom to write anything you want.
Making up my own characters that can be smol innocent beans or not.
Naming everything [from the worlds, to countries, to characters]

HATE:

How long it takes to write something.
Having self doubt.
Actually editing. [Why is this even a thing?]
WRITER'S BLOCK [This is huge and I fall victim to it all the time.]
Struggling to figure out how to fix something [aka plot holes]
Having people ask you about it all the time.

6. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK?

Overcoming writer's block is very difficult. Sometimes I have to leave my story for hours or days in order to let it sit and for me to actually get ideas. But, here are some tips that actually help:

If you have not outlined, then try to outline the next chapter or part of your story and it helps.
Make a fantastic Pinterest board or if you have one, add to it.
Go read or watch something related to your book and gain wisdom and ideas from it but don't plagiarize.

7. ARE YOU WORKING ON SOMETHING AT THE MOMENT?

Yes, I am actually. I am currently working on two fantabulous books. One of them is a pirate/siren story which is called Black Swan. This includes a female pirate captain, a rivalry with another captain, quests, mermaids, a lot of swashbuckling, high seas adventure and a romance.

The second one that I am writing for Campnanowrimo is called Camelot Anew. This is basically about a modern time girl who gets sent back with her brother to King Arthur's time and becomes a pawn in Morgana's game. It has swordfighting, adventure, a young King Arthur, a young Merlin, blood, magic, a little bit of a possible LGBT romance and more.

[If you click on the titles of both my stories, you can see my Pinterest boards PLUS these are my ideas, no stealing please!]

8. WRITING GOALS THIS YEAR?

I'd like to finish both Black Swan and Camelot Anew this year [#dreams]
I'd like to edit Camelot Anew.
I'd like to outline an idea of mine which basically includes space, a LGBT romance [cause I am all about diversity], and a whole lot of chaos.
Don't be nervous to try something new.

So, I opened up a bit about my writing life and I would love to hear if any of you are writers. Feel free to chat! Love you all!

Monday, 10 April 2017

Weekly Update: 3/6 - 4/9

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.

Getting into the habit of posting more often has been harder than I anticipated. I haven't even been able to post these weekly updates which is ridiculous so here is one for basically an entire month. Sorry in advance.

During this time I saw Beauty and the Beast [live action] and I was blown away. It was amazing and if you haven't see it, you don't know what you are missing out on.

I am currently on spring break so I will try my best to write posts in advance but I am also doing campnanowrimo which I am so excited about and will be doing a post detailing my novel and some stuff about me as a writer. Yay!

Now, let's get into recapping. [Because this is a lot]

New Books

Purchased: