Bound by Kate Sparkes

Welcome to Darmid, where magic is a sin, fairy tales are contraband, and the people live in fear of the Sorcerers on the other side of the mountains.

Rowan Greenwood has everything she’s supposed to want from life—a good family, a bright future, and a proposal from a handsome and wealthy magic hunter. She knows she should be content with what she has. If only she could banish the idea that there’s more to life than marriage and children, or let go of the fascination with magic she’s been forced to suppress since childhood. – Goodreads

First off: I judged this gorgeous book by it’s gorgeous cover. Look at that! With a cover like that, it has to be great, right?

Wrong. You would think I’d have learned that the outside doesn’t always match the inside after high school. This book wasn’t bad…but it wasn’t great, either. Kind of like generic brand “Oreos”. It tastes similar but doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Basically Rowan saves an eagle (which is really her country’s most fearsome enemy, Aren, the brother of the king of a neighboring country). He can shapeshift. She accidentally heals him, and he realizes she has power. Badabing-badaboom, his brother, Severn, shows up and makes Aren help him kidnap her. Only, Aren can’t help but be captivated by her…so he smuggles her off of a ship and they run away.

I was so annoyed with these two. I desperately wished Ruby the dragon would have eaten them.

Rowan is your typical delusional, innocent, sweet girl—she isn’t accustomed to journeys or boys or magic. Remember, magic is illegal where she’s from.

Aren is a raging psychopath. He uses mind control to completely mess people up, kills ruthlessly, and doesn’t feel remorse about it.

So naturally, they fall in love.

I guess he isn’t technically holding her hostage, but it still felt an awful lot like Stockholm Syndrome to me.

The worldbuilding was great—it was broken up and sprinkled throughout the story. New places and magical folk were mixed in slowly, which kept things fresh and new and not dumped at once. It was also very complex. I appreciated this.

Overall, it wasn’t bad—in fact, I can see a lot of people really enjoying this book. It just wasn’t doing it for me. I rated it a 3/5 on Goodreads.

The Accident by Chris Pavone

The Accident by Chris Pavone is a book about a book. Publisher Isabel Reed receives an anonymous manuscript called The Accident that is full of secrets and sends everyone into a tizzy. There is a CIA agent that is determined to bury the story and the author himself is hiding in Zurich watching everything unfold. The entire plot occurs over ONE SINGLE DAY.

For me, this book was verrrrrrry slow (and you know when I use extra letters in something, I really mean it!). I didn’t get sucked in right away like I thought I would and that really disappointed me. The characters were very intriguing but I couldn’t connect with them, and with the CIA/spy/thriller plot I thought it’d be a 5 star review from me, but it just let me down. I didn’t realize how much killing there would be or how often it would happen, and even though it felt slow to read it was gogogogo the entire time. It felt very chaotic to me. I think that if I was older, around the same age as the characters (40s) then I would have liked it a lot more because this is the type of book I’m drawn to, but I just didn’t. I gave it 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads and I don’t really recommend it to anyone, except maybe my mother in law who is around the same age and might find it interesting.

Full disclosure: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.

Top Ten Tuesday on a Wednesday

TOP TEN FAVORITE BOOKS FROM THE PAST FIVE YEARS

1. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling | This was the first memoir I’d ever read, much less one by a comedian. Before the book, I barely knew who Mindy was (I read it in the middle of the first season of The Mindy Project). I laughed out loud. I never laugh out loud when I’m reading. I wish Mindy was my best friend (and I now religiously watch The Mindy Project).

2. Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen | This book was so creative—I’ve certainly never read a book about trolls, much less one where said trolls are hotties. This book was fabulous and I can’t wait for book two. Read my original review here.

3. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin | Not only did this get me hooked on other Giffin books, but Jennifer Weiner, too. I’d never read an adult fiction novel that I actually enjoyed, and this totally changed the game for me. Hated the movie, though.

4. Columbine by Dave Cullen | It had been a devastatingly long time since I’d read a real nonfiction book—as in college, guys. I recently read this and will not be going without nonfiction for so long ever again. This book was amazing.

5. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon | If you would have asked me a year ago if I liked historical fiction, I would have laughed and said no way. Outlander made me realize that I can enjoy historical fiction, and I’ve read several since then. Review here.

6. Made For You by Melissa Marr – DUH. I’m so in love with this book, you can read my review here.

7. Pointe by Brandy Colbert – this book was AMAZING. So well written. It still sticks in my mind. I really hope Colbert is working on another book! (I just checked and she is – but it won’t be out until 2017! Consider me heartbroken.)

8. The Program by Suzanne Young – I LOVED this book, and I still do. There is not another world like it that I’ve read about, and it covered a lot of really touchy topics (like teen suicide) very responsibly and well.

9. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – this book is VERY high up on my list of favorites, along with everything else she’s ever written. Flynn is a master of words, that is for sure!

10. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi – this is another book/series that takes place in a world that I could never have thought up myself. While I’ve been very open with my opinion of how everything ended in the third book, I still absolutely love this one and the sequel.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke & the Bookish. Check out more Top Ten features on their site.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

I’m on the fence with this one. The dreamer half of me is throwing her fist in the air, yelling, “Yeah! Hell yeah! Let’s make $40,000 a month and travel!”

The realist in me is like, “No. Stop. We don’t really want that and this is completely unrealistic.”

I am always looking to better myself as an employee, entrepreneur, and leader. I love reading books like #Ladyboss and Lean In. I love off of Forbes and Inc Top Ten lists. So, I was very excited to receive The 4-Hour Workweek from Blogging For Books. I read The 4-Hour Body and loved it, so I hoped this would be no exception. Eh. It kind of was.

Going into it, I knew I wasn’t reading it with the intention of chopping down 90% of my workload. I’m a freak. I kind of love to work. Plus, in my line of business (public relations in the law enforcement sector), half of these options don’t really apply to me or most government employees.

I started to lose interest when I realized how different Ferriss and I are. I work in a people business—thus, I like to work with people. My favorite Ferriss tip is the Fake A Phone Call tip, where you where a Bluetooth headseat and pretend to be on the phone every time a Chatty Cathy stops by. Hey, it’s all in the name of being productive, right? Yeah. No, thanks.

The rest of the book is also quite egocentric. The sole purpose of the book is to learn how to work remotely from somewhere in the world (aka, traveling). Really, I think the secret sauce to Ferriss’s success is to write several popular life hacker books.

Side note: the cover. The kitschy orange/red and childish font does not match the contents.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a book about productivity and how to be a more efficient worker…look elsewhere. If you want a book that provides self-centered and sometimes immoral advice to working from home and earning more money, this is your ticket. I rated it a 2.5/5.

I received The 4-Hour Workweek for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

For readers of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo’sShadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she’s ever known.

After scrolling through several pages of Goodreads reviews on The Girl at Midnight, I have to say: I’m not drawing the similarities between Shadow and Bone and this book. After thinking long and hard about it, roughly the only similar thing I can kind of see is the Fold and the inbetween—in this book, they use the inbetween to transport. It’s dark. That’s the similarity.

I loved this book. It took a few chapters to suck me in and get into the groove of it, but once it did, it was fast-paced and enjoyable. I won’t say that it was especially plot-twisty—in fact, it was very predictable.

The worldbuilding was absolutely fabulous. It’s set in modern times on Earth. The Avicen are an ancient race of people who have plumage for hair (often colored similarly to various birds, such as peacocks, magpies, and hawks). The Drakharen are another ancient race of people who descended from dragons—they have a light spattering of scales on their skin. These two races have been fighting for centuries.

The character building was great, too. I really like Echo as a main character—adopted by the Ala when she is seven-years-old (she had an abusive family), she lives among the Avicen as if they are her own people. Her rough childhood makes her human—paired with her resiliency, wit, and bravery, she’s a main character I can relate to and appreciate. My only gripe was her dialogue—perhaps it was because she was raised in a library, but the way she talked to other characters was nowhere near how a seventeen-year-old talks. I found it bothersome and distracting. I did appreciate the random, obscure words that she would say and explain the definition of.

The book is dark, bloody, and intense. I am very excited for the second book to come out—it was difficult to write this review without revealing any important details, so take my word for it: it’s excellent. I rated it a 4/5 on Goodreads—it lost a star for the predictability and Echo’s dialogue. I would definitely recommend it!

I was given a free ARC of The Girl at Midnight by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. The Girl at Midnight will be released on April 28th, 2015 by Delacorte Press.

Two Review: Fire Study by Maria Snyder

In honor of the upcoming release of Shadow Study, we’re both reviewing Fire Study!

Oh. My. Gosh. This book is exactly why I’m so obsessed with this series (and practically anything Maria V. Snyder writes to be honest). I was on the edge of my seat and SO anxious (in a good way) for the entire book. There was a lot going on in Yelena’s head and a lot of fear running rampant, and while there wasn’t much of Valek (swoon), it was still SO good. I love the sibling bond that Yelena and Leif are finally developing, it reminds me a lot of my brother and I.

For some reason, I just can’t seem to be drawn into other books like I am with these lately, and while it frustrates me, it also gets me really excited. I’ve been trying to stay away from the Study Series for a couple of reasons – one, so that our readers are not bored with my constant love and comparison of every book to these ones, and two, so that I can find something else that I love as much. But, it’s just not happening.

When I realized Shadow Study was coming out THIS WEEK I realized I needed to start/finish Fire Study so Lauren and I can read the new book together. That feeling that you get when you’re back in a world that you love so much, and reading something that you just ‘click’ with, is the best feeling ever, and that’s exactly how I feel when I read this series. I’m SO EXCITED for Shadow Study!

Anyway, I gave Fire Study 5/5 on Goodreads because it’s really, really good. I love the story development and the writing, and the way that it made me feel. It might actually be my favorite in the series.

Damn. I’m so glad I decided to re-read this…it’s been several years since I finished Fire Study (and, at the time, thought there would be no fourth book…I’m so excited!). I remembered a few major things but for the most part, some plot twists were a surprise.

My favorite character is still Kiki, the horse. She doesn’t have time for anyone’s sh*t, and will totally kick someone in the head if they mess with Lavender Lady. She is full of horse wisdom and her names for people crack me up. In fact, the way that the horses are treated in the Study series is one of my favorite things about Snyder’s writing—the horses aren’t just a transportation method for humans. Too often, the horses in fantasy novels and ridden extremely hard with little to no rest—something that would kill a real horse. The horses in Snyder’s books are cared for, rested, and groomed. It’s a little piece of reality that I appreciate (and a huge pet peeve of mine in other books).

Poison Study is my favorite book in the entire series. Fire Study is alright, but Poison Study is the one that got me hooked on Snyder. Perhaps it was because I read Fire Study without reading its predecessors, but it is very quest-y and drawn out.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2/24

TOP TEN FAVORITE HEROINES

1. Hermione Granger – the Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling. DUH. It’s HERMIONE. If there ever was a badass heroine in literature, it’s her.

2. Yelena – the Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know that I’m OBSESSED with the Study Series, so Yelena is a very obvious choice for me.

3. Blair Waldorf – Gossip Girl. Gossip Girl is hands down my favorite TV series (it’s surprisingly taken Sex and the City’s spot in my world) and Blair Waldorf is such a strong female character. While she’s manipulative and sometimes crazy, she’s still my absolute favorite. She is definitely the heroine of her own life.

4. Katniss Everdeen – the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. I recently watched Mockingjay Part 1 and while I didn’t think it was good as the others, it’s a strong reminder of how heroic Katniss is.

5. Annie Walker – Covert Affairs. I had to throw her in. My husband and I binge-watched Covert Affairs over the span of December and I am totally in (platonic) love with Annie Walker. When I was little, I wanted to be in the FBI when I grew up, and while Annie is in the CIA so it’s different, I love living vicariously through her.

6. Dr. Temperance Brennan – Bones and Temperance Brennan Series by Kathy Reichs. I love Temperance on TV and in the books—though I would say they’re completely different characters, personality-wise. However, both are resilient, kick-ass, and smart…I love that!

7. Agent Carter – Agent Carter. We’ve been watching our fill of the new short series, Agent Carter. I haven’t read the comics, but I’m definitely digging the TV version of her. In a male dominant profession (you know, being a spy and special agent), she’s constantly battling (and beating) gender stereotypes.

8. Alanna – Song of the Lioness Series by Tamora Pierce . When I first read The Song of the Lioness series, I was completely captivated by Alanna. A total badass lady, she passes as a boy to fulfill her dreams of becoming a knight.

9. Avry – Healer Series by Maria V. Snyder. After rereading Fire Study, I think I’ve realized that the Healer series is my favorite Snyder series…primarily because of Avry, who is selfless and strong.

10. Hermione – Harry Potter by JK Rowling. There is no way I could have possibly left Hermione off of this list. Being the poofy brown haired nerd-child back in the day, I could seriously relate to Hermione. She helped me learn to be proud of my book smarts. (I don’t even care that she’s on here twice!)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by the Broke & the Bookish. Check out more Top Ten features on their site.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time. – Goodreads

Before I jump into my super-short review, let me say: this was a sampler, not the full version. Just saying. I’m basing this “review” off of the few chapters I read. Thanks, NetGalley, for the free sample!

Growing up, Sarah Dessen was my jam. It has been years since I’ve picked up a Dessen novel, and to be honest, I was a little bit nervous. Why? Because sometimes nostalgic things are better left as memories (I’m looking at you, Brave Little Toaster).

I had no reason to be nervous—in fact, the only thing that bummed me out about this sampler was the fact that it was just that: a sample.

Sydney’s brother, Peyton, is the standout child of the family. Popular, attractive, charismatic…he’s got it all. Until he was busted for smoking dope, and later, other various criminal deeds. One night after drinking with buddies, he hits a boy on a bicycle with his car, which ultimately ends in a DUI and a jail sentence.

Sydney is “average” but “cute”. I wish this hadn’t been pointed out, but it’s stereotypical younger sibling comparing themselves to the illustrious older sibling, but I ignored it. She blends in. After Peyton’s conviction, she decides to transfer from her expensive private school to the beaten down public school. After her first day, she walks into the pizza parlor across the street (and a bunch of stuff happens over a discussion of root beer YumYums, which is copyright code for DumDums, I believe). That is where the synopsis stops and I got hooked, so that was a bummer.

Overall, it looks like it will be another great Dessen read. Saint Anything will be released on May 5th, 2015.

The Black Mage: First Year by Rachel E. Carter

Before the age of seventeen the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice –follow tradition, or pursue a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight or mage…

For 15-year-old Ryiah the choice has always been easy. Become a warrior and leave the boring confines of her lowborn life behind. Set to enroll in the School of Knighthood on the eve of her next birthday, plans suddenly shift when her twin brother discovers powers. Hoping that hers will soon follow, she enrolls with Alex at the Academy instead –the realm’s most notorious war school for those with magic.

Yet when she arrives Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Every “first-year” is given a trial year to prove their worth –and no amount of hard work and drive will guarantee them a spot. It seems like everyone is rooting for her to fail –and first and foremost among them Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived. – Goodreads

You know what the best feeling in the entire world is? Getting completely sucked into a literary world. That being said, it’s often followed by the most dismal feeling in the world: finishing said book and longing for another.

I’m going to admit a weakness as a reader (I’m a little bit ashamed to admit it, but I’m hoping someone does the same and therefore won’t judge me too harshly): I judge books by their covers. I mean that in a literal and metaphorical sense. For example, I looked at this book’s cover and immediately decided the title was too Harry Potter-esque* and the subhead too swirly. Paired with the $.99 pricetag (which, unbeknownst to me, was simply because of a sale)…and I wasn’t too sure. However, I read the summary, read a few reviews, and was intrigued. So I hit that one-click purchase button to beam it to my Kindle and was on my merry reading way.

The first chapter immediately launches the reader into an action packed scene with bandits, running, and kidnapping. While a little jarring, it did a great job at capturing my attention and explaining the setting—Ry and her twin brother, Alex, are on their way to a magical academy to become mages.

By chapter two, I was hooked. I finished the book as quickly as I could, and was seriously distraught when I found out on 2/16 that the second book wouldn’t be released until 2/17. Reader’s dilemma: do I start a new book or just wait? I had more anxiety over this than I’d care to admit.

I seriously love the shit out of fantasy. I can’t get enough. I grew up with JK Rowling, Tamora Pierce, Gail Carson Levine, and Ursula Le Guin. The librarians knew me by name and gave me ARCs when ARCs were seriously uncool. I love a strong, kickass heroine who values her success over a boyfriend. Ry did not disappoint.

I truly enjoyed the characters in this book—with the exception of Prince Darren, who is a royal douchebag. I think he’s supposed to grow on you, but I’m sorry…no. Ryiah is awesome. She’s confident, resilient and determined, but has those insecurities that all of us have. They were present, but never really held her back. By the end, I really felt like I knew Ry, but also her brother, her best friend, Ella, and several other students.

The worldbuilding was okay, but the magic was better. I appreciated that magic-wielders have limited energy reserves, which makes them more human and real. I also liked the complexity of casting, and that they actually have to hone their skills. Ry is more adept at casting when she’s inflicting pain on herself, which I found interesting.

I rated this a 4/5 because Darren seriously aggravated me (also I got really tired of the word ‘non-heir’) and because I wanted to know more about the world—I know there are highborns and lowborns, but I had no idea what the landscape was like, how big the kingdom was, who the rivals were, etc. I would have liked to know more. I highly recommend to those who enjoyed Throne of Glass, Protector of the Small, etc. I’m currently reading the second book sincerely hope the third will be out soon. I believe the $.99 deal is still going on until the end of February, so check it out on Amazon!

* I mentioned Harry Potter—I would like to say: the book was nothing like Harry Potter. Sure, they go to a magical school and some teachers are bigger asses than others, but other than that—nothing Harry Potter about it!