Review: The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication: February 14th 2017 by Balzer + Bray

Series: Ravenspire #2

Length: 432 pages

Format: Hardcover

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

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Review: Release by Patrick Ness

Release by Patrick Ness

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publication: September 19th 2017 by HarperTeen

Series: N/A

Length: 279 pages

Format: Hardcover

Adam Thorn doesn’t know it yet, but today will change his life.

Between his religious family, a deeply unpleasant ultimatum from his boss, and his own unrequited love for his sort-of ex, Enzo, it seems as though Adam’s life is falling apart.  At least he has two people to keep him sane: his new boyfriend (he does love Linus, doesn’t he?) and his best friend, Angela.

But all day long, old memories and new heartaches come crashing together, throwing Adam’s life into chaos. The bindings of his world are coming untied one by one; yet in spite of everything he has to let go, he may also find freedom in the release.

Book Boys and Valentine’s Day!

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s Jesse here. It’s that time of year again where everywhere you go there are gigantic hearts, chocolate, cinnamon hearts, stuffed animals with cheesy sayings, and all those happy in-love couples. BLEH

I’m kidding about the last part… maybe. No for real, if you have been lucky enough for to find that special someone you can see spending your future with, then I am happy for you. As for me, well… let’s just say I’m bad at love.

But there is a solution for people like me. And it’s none other than the dreamy, book boys from our favorite stories. That’s right folks, you heard me. I have a slew of fictional boyfriends that I only know about. But I thought it would be fun to spill the beans today, just in time for Valentine’s. And who knows, maybe I’m not the only one?

Hyped Up Books of 2018

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s Jesse here. Today I wanted to add to all the hype, because why not? We all know what hyped up books are, but for those who don’t, let me explain.

A hyped up book or overhyped book is a book that is receiving so much pre-release buzz from publishers, press, bloggers, and readers in general. Books that everyone is so excited for that they can’t stop talking about them.

I thought it would be fun to compile a little list of the books that I think are getting the most hype this year. Now I know hype could be a good or bad thing. It not only pumps readers up to read the book, but it also scares them.

What if the book isn’t as good as the hype around it? I don’t want to be let down. What if I end up with an unpopular opinion?

Those are all valid reasons, but you’ll never know until you read the book! So let’s see some of the books receiving major buzz and hype!

Review: What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publication: July 11th, 2017 by Delacorte Press

Series: N/A

Length: 297 pages

Format: Hardcover

Sometimes a new perspective is all that is needed to make sense of the world.

KIT: I don’t know why I decide not to sit with Annie and Violet at lunch. It feels like no one here gets what I’m going through. How could they? I don’t even understand.

DAVID: In the 622 days I’ve attended Mapleview High, Kit Lowell is the first person to sit at my lunch table. I mean, I’ve never once sat with someone until now. “So your dad is dead,” I say to Kit, because this is a fact I’ve recently learned about her. 

When an unlikely friendship is sparked between relatively popular Kit Lowell and socially isolated David Drucker, everyone is surprised, most of all Kit and David. Kit appreciates David’s blunt honesty—in fact, she finds it bizarrely refreshing. David welcomes Kit’s attention and her inquisitive nature. When she asks for his help figuring out the how and why of her dad’s tragic car accident, David is all in. But neither of them can predict what they’ll find. Can their friendship survive the truth?

Review: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publication: May 16th, 2017 by G.P. Putnam’s Son Books

Series: Flame in the Mist #1

Length: 493 pages

Format: Hardcover

The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Mariko has always known she’d been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.

So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a man she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko’s convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who’ve been hired to kill Mariko before she reaches the palace.

The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down those responsible for the target on her back. Once she’s within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she’s appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love—a love that will force her to question everything she’s ever known about her family, her purpose, and her deepest desires.

Review: Boy Robot by Simon Curtis

Boy Robot by Simon Curtis

Genre: YA Sci-Fi, LGBT

Publication: November 15th 2016 by Simon Pulse

Series: Boy Robot #1

Length: 432 pages

Format: Hardcover

Seventeen-year-old Isaak discovers the truth about his origin and the underground forces that must come together to fight against a secret government organization formed to eradicate those like him in this high-octane science fiction debut.

There once was a boy who was made, not created.

In a single night, Isaak’s life changed forever.

His adoptive parents were killed, a mysterious girl saved him from a team of soldiers, and he learned of his own dark and destructive origin.

An origin he doesn’t want to believe, but one he cannot deny.

Isaak is a Robot: a government-made synthetic human, produced as a weapon and now hunted, marked for termination.

He and the Robots can only find asylum with the Underground—a secret network of Robots and humans working together to ensure a coexistent future.

To be protected by the Underground, Isaak will have to make it there first. But with a deadly military force tasked to find him at any cost, his odds are less than favorable.

Now Isaak must decide whether to hold on to his humanity and face possible death…or to embrace his true nature in order to survive, at the risk of becoming the weapon he was made to be.

Dear Santa, a Bookish Christmas List

Hey, Bookworms!

It’s December and you know what that means: CHRISTMAS!! Cue music *It’s the most wonderful time of the year* 🎶🎶🎶

I thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of books you guys should ask Santa for this year. I’ve picked 7 of my favorites from this year that I think all you guys would enjoy as well! Some of them are sequels, so if you haven’t read the first book, I suggest asking Santa for that one first!

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a really good boy this year. Now I don’t ask for much, but I would really appreciate it if you would put all these books under my tree this year. (There will be more cookies for you as incentive). Thanks, you’re the best!

Signed your greatest pal,

Jesse

Tips to Survive the Winter Cold

Hey, Bookworms!

Winter is fast approaching, unless you live in a city/country where it is warm all year round. Unfortunately, I do not have that luxury as I live up in the cool country of Canada. But fear not my fellow Winterians, I have the perfect tips to survive the winter cold this season. Of course they all revolve around all things bookish people love, because duh, wouldn’t make sense if it didn’t!

So let’s jump right in!

Books to Splurge On During Black Friday

Hey Bookworms!

It’s everyone’s favorite shopping day (at least in North America)! BLACK FRIDAY WOOO!!

So you know what that means? It’s the one day a year where it’s okay to spend excessively on books because you will be getting such an amazing deal! At least that’s what I plan to do anyway.

I thought it would be a fun idea to give you some books suggestions that I think would be great additions to your shelves this Black Friday. So let’s begin!