Can't-Wait Wednesday: BLESSED MONSTERS (Something Dark and Holy #3) by Emily A. Duncan

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights books to be released that readers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday.

My Can't-Wait Wednesday pick for this week is-

BLESSED MONSTERS (Something Dark and Holy #3)

by Emily A. Duncan
Release Date: April 6, 2021; Wednesday Books

From Goodreads:
The startling conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling Something Dark and Holy trilogy 

The girl, the monster, the prince, the queen. 

They broke the world. 

And some things can never be undone. 

In Emily A. Duncan’s Blessed Monsters, they must unite once more to fight the dark chaos they've unleashed—but is it already too late?

SOUL OF THE SWORD (Shadow of the Fox #2) by Julie Kagawa #CWW #WoW

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights books to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday.

My 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week is-

SOUL OF THE SWORD (Shadow of the Fox #2) 
by Julie Kagawa
Release Date: June 18, 2019; Inkyard Press

From Goodreads:

One thousand years ago, a wish was made to the Harbinger of Change and a sword of rage and lightning was forged. Kamigoroshi. The Godslayer. It had one task: to seal away the powerful demon Hakaimono. 

Now he has broken free. 

Kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko has one task: to take her piece of the ancient and powerful scroll to the Steel Feather temple in order to prevent the summoning of the Harbinger of Change, the great Kami Dragon who will grant one wish to whomever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. But she has a new enemy now. The demon Hakaimono, who for centuries was trapped in a cursed sword, has escaped and possessed the boy she thought would protect her, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan.

Hakaimono has done the unthinkable and joined forces with the Master of Demons in order to break the curse of the sword and set himself free. To overthrow the empire and cover the land in darkness, they need one thing: the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. As the paths of Yumeko and the possessed Tatsumi cross once again, the entire empire will be thrown into chaos.

KINGSBANE (Empirium #2) by Claire Legrand #WoW #CWW

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights books to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday.

My 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week is-

KINGSBANE (Empirium #2)
by Claire Legrand
Release Date: May 21, 2019; Sourcebooks Fire

From Goodreads:

Rielle Dardenne has been anointed Sun Queen, but her trials are far from over. The Gate keeping the angels at bay is falling. To repair it, Rielle must collect the seven hidden castings of the saints. Meanwhile, to help her prince and love Audric protect Celdaria, Rielle must spy on the angel Corien — but his promises of freedom and power may prove too tempting to resist. Centuries later, Eliana Ferracora grapples with her new reality: She is the Sun Queen, humanity’s long-awaited savior. But fear of corruption — fear of becoming another Rielle — keeps Eliana’s power dangerous and unpredictable. Hunted by all, racing against time to save her dying friend Navi, Eliana must decide how to wear a crown she never wanted — by embracing her mother’s power, or rejecting it forever.

AURORA RISING (The Aurora Cycle #1) by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman #CWW #WoW

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights books to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday.

My 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week is-

AURORA RISING (The Aurora Cycle #1) 
by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman
Release Date: May 7, 2019; Knopf Books for Young Readers

From Goodreads:

From the internationally bestselling authors of THE ILLUMINAE FILES comes an epic new science fiction adventure. 

The year is 2380, and the graduating cadets of Aurora Academy are being assigned their first missions. Star pupil Tyler Jones is ready to recruit the squad of his dreams, but his own boneheaded heroism sees him stuck with the dregs nobody else in the Academy would touch… 

A cocky diplomat with a black belt in sarcasm 

A sociopath scientist with a fondness for shooting her bunkmates 

A smart-ass techwiz with the galaxy’s biggest chip on his shoulder

An alien warrior with anger management issues 

A tomboy pilot who’s totally not into him, in case you were wondering 

And Ty’s squad isn’t even his biggest problem—that’d be Aurora Jie-Lin O’Malley, the girl he’s just rescued from interdimensional space. Trapped in cryo-sleep for two centuries, Auri is a girl out of time and out of her depth. But she could be the catalyst that starts a war millions of years in the making, and Tyler’s squad of losers, discipline-cases and misfits might just be the last hope for the entire galaxy. 

THE WICKED KING (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black #Review

THE WICKED KING (The Folk of the Air #2) 
by Holly Black

From Goodreads:
You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday: THE WICKED KING (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights book/s to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday.

My 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week is-

THE WICKED KING (The Folk of the Air #2)
by Holly Black
Amazon  |  Book Depository  |  B&N  |  Kobo  |  Google Play

From Goodreads:
You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

Add it on Goodreads

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

Amazon   

Book Depository 

B&N  

Kobo  

Google Play

What about you? What's your 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week?

Share your thoughts below! I'd love to hear from you =)

Blog Tour: WAR OF STORMS (The Ryogan Chronicles #3) by Erica Cameron ARC Review & Giveaway

WAR OF STORMS (The Ryogan Chronicles #3) 
by Erica Cameron 
Publication Date: November 5, 2018; Entangled Teen

About the book:
The immortal mages have risen, and they’re out for blood.

Khya arrived at the Ryogan coast too late to stop the invasion. Now, cities are falling before the unrelenting march of an enemy army, and Khya’s squad is desperately trying to stay ahead of them. Warning the Ryogans, though, means leaving her brother imprisoned even longer. Time is running out for everyone.

How can her squad of ten stand against an army of ten thousand?

Calling in help from every ally she’s made in Ryogo, Khya tries to build a plan that won’t require sacrificing her friends or her brother. It’s a tough balance to find, especially when the leadership role she thought she wanted sits heavy on her shoulders, and her relationship with Tessen is beginning to crack under the strain.

The immortal mages have risen, and they’re out for blood.

Khya arrived at the Ryogan coast too late to stop the invasion. Now, cities are falling before the unrelenting march of an enemy army, and Khya’s squad is desperately trying to stay ahead of them. Warning the Ryogans, though, means leaving her brother imprisoned even longer. Time is running out for everyone.

The end is coming, and there’s no way to know who’ll be left standing when it hits.

Add it on Goodreads

PURCHASE LINKS:
Amazon

Amazon Australia 

Amazon UK 

Amazon Canada

B&N 

iBooks 

Kobo

BOOK REVIEW:

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't believe it's done. I wanted this book longer. I NEEDED this book longer. No doubt, The Ryogan Chronicles trilogy has the most unique, extraordinary plot I've come across.

War of Storms is everything you could ask for in a series finale. I barely started the book and so much was already happening. From beginning to end, it was filled with heart-stopping, high stakes adventure and action. I read this in one sitting and my only regret is I didn't make it last longer. What the heck am I supposed to do now?!

I can't remember Khya being this badass but she really stepped into her role leading everyone against Varan. She was constantly questioning herself and doubting her abilities as a leader. Seeing her come to the realization that she's more than capable is one of the highlights of the book for me. Khya is definitely one of the strongest, fiercest and most badass heroine I've met.

I LOVE everything about this! The writing is highly addictive and every page is filled with so much intensity and excitement that kept me in the edge of my seat. Also, although it was a bit hard to keep track of all the characters, I felt like each one of them played crucial, significant roles. I have no idea how to pronounce most of their names much less spell them but I think it's safe to say that not one of them are forgettable. And for those who have been as invested as me with the romance? Asdfghjkl! You will not be disappointed. I swooned so hard, so much.

The only complaint I have and it's a minor one is that the big fight with Varan felt a bit too anticlimactic for me. The whole book was filled with so much fear and anticipation gearing towards that moment and when it finally happened it lasted barely even a page. But like I said it's a minor issue for me. So it had no real effect whatsoever in my love and enjoyment of the book.

The Ryogan Chronicles is without a doubt one of the BEST trilogies I've come across. I did not want this to end but I had the biggest smile on my face after turning the very last page. If the author decided to add ten more books to the series, I'd be the first one clamoring to read them.

I will definitely read this again. I cannot recommend this enough. Must-read!

SPOILER *** The romantic in me wanted to see Khya and Tessen be a sumai pair. I really, really, REALLY did. 

Find out how it all started...

Island of Exiles (The Ryogan Chronicles #1)

ARC Review  |  Add it on Goodreads  |   Amazon  |  Book Depository

Sea of Strangers (The Ryogan Chronicles #2)

ARC Review  |  Add it on Goodreads |  Amazon  |  Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Goodreads

Erica Cameron is the author of books for young adults including the Ryogan Chronicles, the Assassins duology, and The Dream War Saga. She also co-authored the Laguna Tides novels with Lani Woodland. An advocate for asexuality and emotional abuse awareness, Erica has also worked with teens at a residential rehabilitation facility in her hometown of Fort Lauderdale.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog tour organized by:

Chapter by Chapter

Review: AVERY (The Chronicles of Kaya #1) by Charlotte McConaghy

AVERY (The Chronicles of Kaya #1)
by Charlotte McConaghy
Date Published: 02.02.15
Amazon  |  The Book Depository

From Goodreads:
The people of Kaya die in pairs. When one lover dies, the other does too. So it has been for thousands of years – until Ava.

For although her bondmate, Avery, has been murdered and Ava’s soul has been torn in two, she is the only one who has ever been strong enough to cling to life. Vowing revenge upon the barbarian queen of Pirenti, Ava's plan is interrupted when she is instead captured by the deadly prince of her enemies.

Prince Ambrose has been brought up to kill and hate. But when he takes charge of a strangely captivating Kayan prisoner and is forced to survive with her on a dangerous island, he must reconsider all he holds true . . .

In a violent country like Pirenti, where emotion is scorned as a weakness, can he find the strength to fight for the person he loves . . . even when she’s his vengeful enemy?

Avery is a sweeping, romantic fantasy novel about loss and identity, and finding the courage to love against all odds.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Book Depository

BOOK REVIEW:
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

What. The. Heck. Just. Happened.

I don't know what to say. This book DESTROYED me. I am effin' IN LOVE with this beautiful, brutal, heart-wrenching, dark, amazingly written story. I did not accomplish anything today because I was so engrossed in Ambrose, Ava, Thorne and Roselyn. I have never felt this much sadness, affection and regret as I do for these four. I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked this up. I WAS NOT PREPARED.

An absolute must-read!

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday: GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE by Natasha Ngan

'Can't-Wait' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Tressa of Wishful Endings. It highlights books to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for. It is based on Jill, from Breaking the Spine's 'Waiting on' Wednesday. 

My 'Can't-Wait' Wednesday pick for this week is-

GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE
by Natasha Ngan
Date of Publication: 11.06.18
Amazon  |   The Book Depository

From Goodreads:
Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel.

But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.

In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.

Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.

TW: violence and sexual abuse.


What about you? Share your thoughts below; I would love to hear from you!

'Waiting on' Wednesday: THIS CRUEL DESIGN (This Mortal Coil #2) by Emily Suvada

'Waiting on' Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill, from Breaking the Spine. (I just found out she doesn't host it anymore but I hope it's okay that I'm still posting this.) It highlights books to be released that readers/bloggers are most excited for.

My WoW pick for this week is-


THIS CRUEL DESIGN (This Mortal Coil #2)
by Emily Suvada
Expected Date of Publication: 10.30.2018
Pre-order:  Amazon  |  Book Depository

From Goodreads:
Cat thought the Hydra epidemic was over, but when new cases pop up, Cat must team up with an enemy to fix the vaccine before the virus spirals out of control in this thrilling sequel to This Mortal Coil, which New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman says “redefines ‘unputdownable.’”

The nightmare of the outbreak is finally over, but Cat’s fight has only just begun.

Exhausted, wounded, and reeling from revelations that have shaken her to her core, Cat is at a breaking point. Camped in the woods with Cole and Leoben, she’s working day and night, desperate to find a way to stop Lachlan’s plan to reprogram humanity. But she’s failing—Cat can’t even control her newly regrown panel, and try as she might to ignore them, she keeps seeing glitching visions from her past everywhere she turns.

When news arrives that the Hydra virus might not be as dead as they’d thought, the group is pushed into an uneasy alliance with Cartaxus to hunt down Lachlan and fix the vaccine. Their search takes them to Entropia, a city of genehackers hidden deep in the desert that could also hold the answers about Cat’s past that she’s been searching for.

But when confronted with lies and betrayals, Cat is forced to question everything she knows and everyone she trusts. And while Lachlan is always two steps ahead, the biggest threat to Cat may be the secrets buried in her own mind.


What about you? Share your WoW pick below!
I would love to hear from you!

ARC Review: KILL THE QUEEN (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep

KILL THE QUEEN (Crown of Shards #1)
by Jennifer Estep
Date Published: 10.02.2018
Amazon   |   The Book Depository

From Goodreads:
Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance. 

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

The Book Depository

BOOK REVIEW:
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

My very first Jennifer Estep book and it did not disappoint!

I love the book's every bloody, gruesome page. Everleigh is an amazing heroine! I love how badass and ruthless she can be when needed but still be caring and selfless. Vasilia was one sick b*tch. Lucas was okay as a romantic interest. It was too insta-love for my taste. Good thing there was so much going on in the story that I wasn't all that bothered with the romance. My favorite character has to be Xenia. I have a feeling I'm going to be like that old grump when I grow old. Lol. It's a bit disappointing though because I wanted to see more of the gladiators and gladiatorship (I know that's not a word) and that wasn't the case.

All in all this was a very enjoyable high stakes read! I love how it doesn't hold back from being bloody. Looking forward to the sequel! (Now who do I have to sell my soul to to get my hands on it?)

I received an e-arc to read and review.