NetGalley

Monday Reads!

Hey!

So I’m trying to get back into blogging with my hectic schedule, so prepare for short & sweet posts!

Today, I’m discussing what’s on my reading list this week! I read I listen, and then there are books that my boyfriend and I read together in the evening. Each is a different list, so enjoy what’s on our #CurrentlyReading list!

Personally Reading:

Personally Listening:

What we’re both reading:

  • House of Furies by Madeleine Roux – Thanks to #WunderkindPR I got the whole series and we are PUMPED. This is exactly the type of book we love. The 1800s, Devil, Magic, and so so much more! We’re already like 6 chapters in, and we started LAST NIGHT!
  • The Steel Crow Saga by Paul Krueger (#ARC from Penguin/RandomHouse at Denver Pop Culture Con). We already knew of Paul, but after meeting him, and talking to him at DPCC, we HAD to start ASAP. He told us it’s like Pokemon & Full Metal Alchemist had a Leftist Child…. I mean, how can I not? It’s fantastic so far!

  • Vengeful (Villains Book 2) by V. E. Schwab – I love Victor. I love him. He is precious to me, and I don’t care that he kills people. Fight me. Such an amazing book, we’re about to finish it VERY soon.

     

What are you currently reading? How often do you read? I’m trying to dedicate at least a half hour to my own reading/listening daily, and then our evening reading is usually at least an hour!

See ya soon!

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Review: Fae by @cjabedi – I just love a great fairy story.. this is no exception!

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C.J Abedi

Young Adult – Fairy

Published by Diversion Books

Published July 29th, 2013

Check it out!

Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | Goodreads | B&N

 

Synopsis:

The battle between Light and Dark is about to begin.

Caroline Ellis’ sixteenth birthday sets into motion a series of events that have been fated for centuries. A descendant of Virginia Dare, the first child born in the lost colony of Roanoke, and unaware of her birthright as the heir to the throne of the Light Fae, it isn’t until Caroline begins a tumultuous relationship with Devilyn Reilly that the truth of her heritage is revealed.

Devilyn is the only Fae who is both of the Light and of the Dark, and struggles to maintain that precarious balance to avoid succumbing to the power of the Dark within him.  He is the only one who can save Caroline from those who would destroy her and destroy all hope for unity among the Fae. He promises Caroline that he will protect her at all costs, even when it means protecting her from himself.

Told from the alternating perspectives of Caroline and Devilyn, FAE draws on mysteries, myths and legends to create a world, and a romance, dangerously poised between Light and Dark.

Review:

Grade: A-

I love stories about fairies, fae and sprites. All of them. YA lit has had tons of them floating through, some notable ones like The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa and Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr to name a few. I have read those series and many others. I love the magic, the mysticism, the lore of the fair folk. There’s so much that you can do with them from cute to scary. Each tale has a bit more to it then the last, and all the authors do an amazing job weaving the fae legend in their own way.

C. J Abedi is no exception. I’ve read the reviews, I’ve seen people’s opinions, but honestly, no, this is not the “next twilight”, to say that would be to lessen the impact of this book. This book is an original. It’s not like any other book, so don’t come into reading this book thinking, “Oh man, this is totally going to be like Twilight,” because it’s not. It’s a wonderful fantasy story dealing with light & dark fae, destined rulers and a whole lot of other drama! It’s a perfect YA book. Just enough romance, drama, suspense to keep the plot moving and littered with wonderful fantasy build from lore. This book will appeal to the readers of the Iron Fey series and Wicked Lovely series for sure, so if you’ve read these books, loved them, and are dying because either the next one isn’t out, or they’ve ended. Pick this book up. You won’t be disappointed.

The characters are very realistic, dispite being Fae, but at times can be a tad bit shallow, but if you look into the fae and the ideals, the fair folk are vain. They are shallow, and a bit shelfish, it is their nature, so I wasn’t really put off by this, because you can’t expect characters to be perfect in book one. They need to grow, develop and have life thrown at them.  The characters do tend to focus on their relationship, or lack thereof quite a lot, and I think it was a bit of an overkill for book one, but it didn’t make me stop reading.

Another awesome addition was the hints of Norse mythology in this book. It wasn’t a prevalent theme, there’s no Thor or Loki, but I think with the fairy lore as well this made a very interesting dynamic for the whole book.

I am glad I requested this title from NetGalley and if the second on is/will be on there, I’ll request it as well, if not, I’ll probably check Amazon and the library. I love fairy stories, they have a special place in my heart and this one will be among them, yes, it wouldn’t be the best fairy book written, but it’s just starting out, it has so much potential for future books, and the author could create one of the best fairy stories. Time will only tell.

** I got this title on NetGalley with the promise of an honest review **

 

About The Author:

C. J. Abedi is made up of the sister writing team Colet and Jasmine Abed who wrote the upcoming series Fae.  They have always had a love of writing and began collaborating on many projects when they were very young.  Their passion for all things creative led them to the world of the entertainment industry where they have worked since completing their education.

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Review: Untraceable by S.R. Johannes – Survival Mystery with a twist!

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Untraceable

The Nature of Grace novels (Book 1)

S.R. Johannes

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Synopsis:

16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.

Add it on Goodreads!

Review: 

A 

This book was wonderful. In the vein of the popular YA titles of late, this book has action, adventure, mystery, a little romance and a whole wonderful package!

I was enticed for this book because of it’s cover, the interesting detail on the cover draw me in. I read the synopsis and said, this looks interesting. I didn’t expect it to draw me in like it did!

This girl’s search for her missing father is the focal point of the plot. Through it, we get to see increasingly more of Grace’s life and her story. At first you just think it’s a survival mystery. Maybe the father got lost. The survival tips are beginning of chapter are quite interesting, and useful and gives much insight into the characters.

The dialogue with Grace and the other characters she meets. She’s lively and spunky. She’s such a strong character in the novel, and it’s so wonderful to see a novel with a female protagonist who can fend for herself. She has learned all about the wilderness from her father, and puts it to good use. She’s strong willed and smart and it’s a wonderful example! This YA books deals with some wonderful issues we don’t often see, it’s unique. It challenges things.

Yes, occasionally some details seem a little unrealistic, but overall this is a well written, interesting survival novel with twists and turns, and a whole lot of mystery we don’t see coming.  I love this book; smart, interesting and expected. I plan to read book 2, as soon as I get my hands on it! 🙂

** I got this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

About the Author:

When Shelli was younger, she spent all her time outdoors, hiking, camping and living the Girl Scout Way. Somewhere along the way, she got away from nature and earned an MBA in Marketing, kicking off an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America.

Eventually, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, where she worked with Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick- Fil- A and the Boys & Girls Club of America.

In addition to juggling nap schedules and client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent speaker on marketing and book publicity at SCBWI conferences across the U.S, and runs a popular book marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com).

In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), and still dreams of sleeping in on the weekends. But most importantly, she is finally getting back to her roots by running her own Girl Scout Troop in Atlanta, helping girls get back to nature.

She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog (Charley), British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.

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