That’s What They Said: The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend…if she can survive.

SOURCE:  ARCs from the publisher (We cannot thank you enough!)

That’s What They Said: The Rules for Breaking by Ashley Elston

 

The Rules for Breaking by Ashley Elston

Anna Boyd almost lost her life to get what she wanted most in the world: freedom.

But just when it seems that her family has finally escaped Witness Protection, the illusion that Anna could resume a normal life comes crashing down.

The deadly man Anna knows as Thomas is still on the loose, and now he’s using her as a pawn in a dangerous game with the drug cartel determined to silence her forever. When Thomas and a mysterious masked man capture not only Anna but also her fragile younger sister and her boyfriend, Anna decides it’s time to break all the rules-even if it means teaming up with the lesser of two evils.

Anna will do whatever it takes to protect the people she loves and win her life back once and for all. But her true enemies are hidden in plain sight. Before long, Anna will learn that putting her trust in anyone may be the last mistake she ever makes.

I Do Declare! – Bout of Books 10.0 Sign-Up & Goals

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 12th and runs through Sunday, May 18th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 10 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.

Yes, we are doing it again.  Though I’m going to tell you we know that chance of completing everything right now isn’t very high since we both have A LOT going on outside of the blog right now.  I think we are both trying to give ourselves more options and not pigeonhole ourselves into reading just 2-3 specific books and other actual goals for this bout.

First up:

I’ve been debating on what to read for this bout.  Obviously from the amount of books listed there isn’t anyway I’m going to finish everything but my goal is to read at least three (3) books and write/schedule the reviews.  Bonus points to myself if I can read four or more.  Without further delay here is my current bout list, though as always it is subject to change.

Older titles for review:

The Bone Season Samantha Shannon(finished copy for review)

The Grim Company by Luke Scull (finished copy for review)

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (egalley via Netgalley, physical ARC, borrowing audio from library) – I have an ARC but I want to try to listen to the audio on this one to maximize my reading time.

Newer titles for review:

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes (e-galley via Edelweiss)

Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott (e-galley via Netgalley & physical ARC)

Lady Thief by A.C. Gaughen (e-galley via Netgalley)

Plus One by Elizabeth Fama (e-galley via Netgalley & physical ARC)

Take Back the Skies by Lucy Saxon (physical ARC)

Just Because –

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin (own, physical copy) – Frankly I’m tired of looking at this brick on my shelf and I should have read it last year when I was participating in the read-along.  Also, the fact that the show is jumping all around and making things up I want to be ahead of the game. (Game, HAHA)  Chances of geting to this one during the bout are slim I admit that but I’m adding it all the same.

~*~

So, I am not going to list the books I want to read because I am very likely to change what it is I want to read, but I will be less specific:

1.  Read 2 review books

2.  Read 1 library book

3.  Begin To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han for the Goodreads Read-along (which begins on May 15th through June 7th)

4.  Participate in at least one twitter chat

5.  Participate in at least 2 challenges

6.  Write reviews for all books

I think this is a little ambitious and I’m fully expecting to fail with the amount of books, but go big or go home, amiright?

~*~

Well I think that is it for now, can’t wait to see what everyone else is reading and chat.  See you guys on the 12th!

That’s What They Said: The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel

For our very first post on our new feature That’s What They Said we are showcasing:

The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples.

After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she’ll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

#RothReread #Insurgent Discussion Post 2

In anticipation of Allegiant being released soon (October 22), we wanted to discuss the end of Insurgent and what it means for Tris & Tobias & the rest of the people in Veronica Roth’s dystopian Chicago world.  So when we left them, Tris & Tobias discovered that…  (BEWARE, SPOILERS AHEAD)

#RothReread #Insurgent Discussion Post 1

 

This week’s #RothReread Discussion: What would you choose?  Your beliefs or your family?  What if you disagree with your family like Four does?

#RothReread Divergent Redux Review

Okay, so I finished the reread of Divergent.  My original review can be read here. But I thought it would be interesting to do a mini review of something I originally read nearly two years ago.

It was almost like reading it for the first time; I remembered some big things that happened, but not when they happened or why they happened.

What struck me on this read:

#RothReread Discussion Post 2: What is in your Fear Landscape?

The Dauntless faction take turns trying to conquer their fears, so they are very aware of what those fears are, when most people like to put them out of their heads.  I’m more of a ignore the problem sort of girl, but I understand the concept.  Face your fears and they will not have such a hold on you.

What would be in my fear landscape?

#RothReread Divergent Discussion Post #1

So, we’ve started the #rothreread this week and I haven’t gotten very far, but I started yesterday and I’m completely immersed in it, again.  So for our first discussion post, Christina & I wanted to talk about which faction we would be in if we lived in that world. (Check out Christina’s post here.)

TBR Readathon Update #2