Book Giveaway March 2017

Hello-Hello! I have great news for you guys. And you probably figured that out from the title of this post.

One of the wonderful bloggers I follow hosts a Book Giveaway for A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab (Goodreads link). And... And, I got green light to share the Giveaway on my blog.

The host is none other than Giulia China from Books Crumbles.

You can enter to win a free copy until March 31st, 2017. For more details and how to enter the giveaway, you can click the following link ---> Giveaway Rules

 

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Magic

 

If you are fan of V.E. Schwab and you did not get your greedy hands on a copy of the book, this is you chance!

Good Luck!

And Happy Reading!

The Alchemist of Loom Perustopia Book for February

Elise Kova

 

Hey-Hey-Hey! This is the book pick of the month for another book club.

Hint-Hint: Perustopia.

The February's book pick is...

 

The Alchemist of Loom

by Elise Kova

 

Her vengeance. His vision.
Ari lost everything she once loved when the Five Guilds’ resistance fell to the Dragon King. Now, she uses her unparalleled gift for clockwork machinery in tandem with notoriously unscrupulous morals to contribute to a thriving underground organ market. There isn’t a place on Loom that is secure from the engineer turned thief, and her magical talents are sold to the highest bidder as long as the job defies their Dragon oppressors.
Cvareh would do anything to see his sister usurp the Dragon King and sit on the throne. His family’s house has endured the shame of being the lowest rung in the Dragons’ society for far too long. The Alchemist Guild, down on Loom, may just hold the key to putting his kin in power, if Cvareh can get to them before the Dragon King’s assassins.
When Ari stumbles upon a wounded Cvareh, she sees an opportunity to slaughter an enemy and make a profit off his corpse. But the Dragon sees an opportunity to navigate Loom with the best person to get him where he wants to go.
He offers her the one thing Ari can’t refuse: A wish of her greatest desire, if she brings him to the Alchemists of Loom. The Alchemist of Loom

 

Is this book you cup of tea?

Then, don't hesitate and join the club if you are not already part of it!

This is the link is the club's Goodreads page --> Perustopia

Also, don't forget to check out the creators' YouTube channels:

Sasha from  abookutopia 

 Regan from PeruseProject

You can find the January book pick here --> Ever the Hunted

Siren's Fury by Mary Weber Book Review

This Post May Contain Spoilers

The Storm Siren Trilogy #2

Book Synopsis

I thrust my hand toward the sky as my voice begs the Elemental inside me to waken and rise. But it’s no use. The curse I’ve spent my entire life abhorring—the thing I trained so hard to control—no longer exists.
Nym risked her life to save Faelen, her homeland, from a losing war, only to discover that the shapeshifter Draewulf has stolen everything she holds dear. But when the repulsive monster robs Nym of her storm-summoning abilities as well, the beautiful Elemental realizes her war is only just beginning. Now powerless to control the elements that once emboldened her, Nym stows away on an airship traveling to the metallic kingdom of Bron. She must stop Draewulf. But the horrors he’s brought to life and the secrets of Bron are more than Nym bargained for. Then the disturbing Lord Myles tempts her with new powers that could destroy the monster, and Nym must decide whether she can compromise in the name of good even if it costs her very soul. As she navigates the stark industrial cityscape of Bron, Nym is faced with an impossible choice: change the future with one slice of a blade…or sacrifice the entire kingdom for the one thing her heart just can’t let go. Siren's Fury

My Opinion

3/5 stars.

Well, well, well... This book is on the slow side. It has that book two syndrome. It hurts to say it but it's the truth. It took more or less than 10 chapters for the story to pick up. After that, oh boy... It was intense. (Sincerely, I listened the first couple of hours of the book in a couple of weeks.)

More background information is revealed. I loved that. Although, I wished it was more. Nym's new powers were interesting but not fully explained. Since the subject of Nym's power came up, I was confused at that scene towards the end when the magic was all over the place. It involved Myles, Nym and Draewulf. I am blaming the audiobook for that :)).

Some characters needed more development. I do not know how to say this without making a comparison. It was like going to a super expensive restaurant with delicious food. The problem is the portions are so small that you do not get enough. It is like a torturous tease for your taste buds and you crave for more. And the sad part is you do not have money to get more food. Sad, I know. So, I am blaming the length of the book or the length of the slow unnecessary-ish chapters.

The climax and the end were explosive. Overall, the book was ok and it made me want to finish the trilogy. Let's put it this way: The villain(s) is (are) worth it!

I am going to continue the series. The author has a great talent in creating complex characters - not fully good or evil, rather a mixture of both.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

You can also check out my review on book one, Storm Siren.

Genre: YA, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild
Violence: moderate to heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild



Sun Dragon's Song #2 by Joyce Chng, Kim Miranda; Comic Review

 

Publication Date: 01 March 2017

 

Book synopsis - May contain spoilers

Yo Hi's life's dream has finally come true: He's been accepted into the Dragon Riding Academy. While his life will never be the same, unfortunately, some things may never change. Sun Dragon's Song 2

My opinion

5/5 stars.
The second issue was beautiful. It was better than the first one. We learn more about the dragons and the academy. The art is gorgeous. I loved the color scheme. The storyline is captivating.
I recommend this if you love a quick read with and interesting story about war, dragons, magic, and will power.

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Coming Soon

Also, feel free to check out my review on the first issue Sun Dragon's Song 1

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none

Sun Dragon's Song #1 by Joyce Chng, Kim Miranda

 

Book synopsis

More than anything, young Ho Yi wishes to become a Sun Dragon Rider, the courageous human guardians of the magnificent beasts that roam the sky and keep watch over the land. But confined to crutches, bullies giving him a hard time, and his parents being away at war, Yo Hi is up against almost impossible odds! Can he still keep hope alive, while suffering in his tiny village, to become the valiant hero only he feels he's destined to become? Sun Dragon's Song

 

My opinion

4/5 stars.

This is a cute quick read. The art is great and cute. The storyline is interesting and it deals with powerful themes like hard work, never give up, bulling, and being invisible or singled out in the society because of a defect. Oh! I forgot about the war and warrior parents themes.

I will recommend this if you are a fan of dragons and fantasy.

 

This is my sole opinion. ^_^

 

Genre: Children Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Sequential Art
Language: none to mild
Sexual content: none
Violence: moderate
Drugs/Alcohol: none

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

Kingdom on Fire #1

 

 

Book synopsis

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves? A Shadow Bright and Burning
 

My Opinion

3.5/5 starts.

Overall, I liked the book. The author basically chose tropes seen in other big fandoms, put them into a big cauldron, added her own magic to them, mixed them and... Poof! A Shadow Bright and Burning was born.

The writing is good.

The story on the short side. It needed more development aka more pages, more words.

We are not given a lot of explanation about the magic system or enough of world building.

I liked the main character Henrietta. She had strong personality, very powerful, naïve sometime... ok a lot of times.

Weird on the romance thou. There was a love square-ish. I like more mysterious guys than flirtatious guys. I love when the suppose love interests hate each other in the beginning and then fall slowly in love, not become friends but who knows. At the end, the love square becomes a love triangle. Spoiler - So, the flirt guy and the childhood love come to be the main focus of the romance while the mysterious guy... let's just say that he is still mysterious. - Spoiler end.  We do not have a lot of details about him.

I need to know more about the origins of the magic and the Ancients (the hideous magical creatures from another world).

And, we also need to know more about witches, sorcerers, and magicians (ok more about witches and magicians). The sorcerers were so self-centered and ignorant about other types of magic and magical creatures. Just because they were privileged, it does not automatically make them better than others.

Let's see what the second instalment brings to the story in September 2017.
The series has potential. I liked it. If you like historical fiction mixed with fantasy and magic, then, this is your cup of tea.

This is my sole opinion ^_^.

 

Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild to moderate
Violence: moderate to heavy-ish (more in some sections)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild to moderate (drunk characters)

 

Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Book synopsis

“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”
In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth — meaning, she shouldn’t even exist. Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed. Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons. But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for? Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win. Storm Siren

 

My opinion

3/5 stars.

This book is another type of "the chosen one sees its talent as a curse" story. The story has great elements of magic, interesting world, and good characters. It has a lot of religious/spirituality elements. Nym wants to use the "kill them with kindness" approach for everything which becomes unrealistic after a certain point. I understand it. I know her gift is dangerous and she has a lot of blood on her hands. But... She is naïve. A war is a war. There are casualties. In my opinion, Nym needs more backbone. You are a badass girl with a badass gift. Live up to it!
The magic system in this world was amazing. Although, we do not get a lot of foundation for it. Why are abilities and magical powers different in different geographical regions? I was listening to the audiobook and I got a little confused when some "magic origin" info was discussed.
Romance... Hmmm. It was ok. I kind of got annoying listening to Nym telling me how gorgeous Eogan is. I mean really. I get it. Girrrl! I know he is drop-dead-gorgeous. ^_^ Move on. Ha-ha-ha!
Eogan as a character was good. I liked him. Although, I was not able to see the sparks or the "umf" (What up New Girl reference? ^_^' ) It was choppy. Apparently there is a love triangle, I was not able to see it. For me, Nym looked attracted only to one guy.
The side characters were great along with the villains.
The battle scenes towards the end were epic. The end was great. What a twist!!!
This story had a lot of potential. It needed to be longer and have everything sorted out better.
I liked the beginning of this new trilogy. I am going to continue it.
if this series sounds promising for you, go for it!

This is my sole opinion.

Genre: YA, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild
Violence: heavy (war, death, slavery)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes #1

Book synopsis

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own. Snow Like Ashes

My opinion

3.5/5 starts

Great book. It has some Falling Kingdoms' vibe to it. And to be sincere, I did not quite feel the romance in this book. Yeah right. She is attracted to Mather because he was the only male at the camp at her age. He is the "heir" to Winter's throne. I get it. It's forbidden so of course she would have feelings for him. I understand the situation; although I did not get too many details to feel connected and care about the romance. When Theron was introduced, I was like "whatever" again. He was better because I was able to see layers of Theron by the end of the book. I think that by himself, Theron, is great character. I felt sorry for Mather because he was turned more into a background character. And from what I learned about him, he had so much more potential.
Meira was a badass. I loved her. We connect 85% of the time. Her voice as a narrator was great. The vivid details which she used to tell the story made everything come to life in my mind.
Also, I kind of guessed the major twist of the book. It was quite obvious. ;)

        

Original review: Snow Like Ashes - Goodreads review

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Magic,  Romance
Language: mild to none
Sexual content: none to mild
Violence: moderate to heavy
Drugs/Alcohol: mild to none

Perustopia Book Club

Perustopia Book of the Month for January 

I am a member of the Perustopia book founded by the Sasha -  abookutopia - and Regan - PeruseProject. They are excellent book-YouToube-ers. You should check them out.

January's book of the month is Ever the Hunted by Erin Summerill. I will leave a book description below. If you are interested, you should join.

 

 

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.
However, it’s not so simple.
The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.