Blog Tour ARC Review+Giveaway: "Crystal Crowned" (Air Awakens #5) by Elise Kova

I couldn't be happier for this release! From 2015 till now this series was a must read on my list and it's bittersweet to see it go! But don't miss this amazing tour, as also the chance to win!

Crystal Crowned by Elise Kova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Long live Solaris.

One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn? 

 BUY FROM

REVIEW

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Do you know the feeling you have when you finish a great series and after closing the book you look around in a small state of shock? That's what I felt when I finished Crsytal Crowned. This series may have been the fastest one I've ever seen published.

And not because Elise Kova is a sweet person who never disappoints her readers, but because the story itself was so flawlessly written, I had no problem following the characters in a fast forward motion.

Our story contninues from Water's Wrath with Vhalla, Aldrik and company trying to flee a mad new Emperor as also struggling to find a way to save Solaris Empire. I could rave about some scenes and some heart-breaking occurences but that would spoil you. I will mostly stay to the characters development and the relevations of some others. Vhalla and Aldrik proved to be a strong pair after all the trouble and death they've been through, not to mention that they support each other even in their darkest moments.

A pair that almost(?) was formed in the final book was Jax and Elecia. I really don't know what actually happened between those two but I wouldn't mind an after-novella featuring those two. There is action, magic and the world-building Elise should be proud of creating. From the snowy mountains to the dry plains, this wolrd was my company for a year and I am sad to see it go.

But defenitely this book deserves much more attention and it's ideal for fans of Susan Dennard's "Truthwitch" and Sarah J. Maas's "Throne of Glass" series! ;)

Author Information

Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she s not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the upcoming Loom Saga (Keymaster, 2017).

Follow Elise Kova on Goodreads
Follow Elise Kova on Amazon
My Website: http://www.EliseKova.com

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Review: "My Lady Jane" by Jodi Meadows, Cynthia Hand and Brodi Ashton (also known as: Lady Janies!)

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

 Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…

Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…

Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.

The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?


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AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

 REVIEW

This book has been one of the most anticipated ones in my TBR list for 2016. Having read the books of two from the featured authors (Jodi Meadows and Brodi Ashton), I knew I had to add this one too! "My Lady Jane" takes place in 16th century close to the time where Elizabeth the First reigned. Many of us know about this queen; her wars, her innovative desicions (most of us have seen the movie too).

But before Elizabeth and her half sister Mary who ruled before her, there was a nine day reign of Lady Jane Grey. Sadly, as all the kingships go, she was beheaded in a very bad way, both her and her husband.

Now, on this historical base our authors come and create a marvellous story full of humor, paranormal shapeshifting, and romance. In this alternative England, there are the Edians who can change into animals and the opposing group who hate them. Needless to say that the story follows Edward, the King of England who because of his illness, decides to leave the throne to Lady Jane, his cousin, who also must marry Gifford the son of the King's councilor.

But G has a problem; he likes to spend his days as a horse and his nights as human. At the same time Lady Jane is the TOTAL definition of a book worm, who actually can't tkae her eyes from a book. Add in all this mess conspiracies, humor and adventure and you have a plot that will sarisfy even the most demanding readers.

Facts about the book that made me personally enjoy it:

There are mentions to ferrets. I am sure this was Jodi's idea since she has a love for the cute little ones. And every scene she has written is hilarious and sweet.

                             

There is also a mention to "Princess Bride" with our all time favorite quote

 and a tiny bit of mention to Disney's "Tangled".

Also, it was quite fun the way the authors created fictional titles for all the books Jane read. And the Queen read a lot.


Also, the best part that had me laugh (and make the bus passengers look at me) was how Jane's mother explained the first wedding night.

So, all hail to the "VERY SPECIAL HUG"!

And finally it hasn't missed my attention that this is the third book I see with alternative history, or alternative historical events (the others were "The Crown's Game" and "And I Darken"). Which is good because these books can make the reader more interested in the actual historical events, before reading them.

If you love "Princess Bride", Disney and ferrets then this book is one of the top for 2016! ;)


 Also the authors are celebrating the nine day of reign of Lady Jane and have organised a series of fun stuff, giveaways and discussions! Make sure to check their site!


 

About the authors:

Brodi Ashton

Brodi Ashton is the author of the EVERNEATH trilogy. and the forthcoming DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY with Balzer and Bray. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Utah and a master's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics. 

Brodi has an active following on her blog, which can be found at www.brodiashton.blogspot.com. She lives in Utah with her family. Follow her on Twitter at @brodiashton.

---

Cynthia Hand

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of the UNEARTHLY trilogy. After receiving graduate degrees in creative writing from Boise State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she went on to  teach fiction and young adult literature at Pepperdine University. She and her family now reside in Idaho. Her most recent contemporary YA, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, was just released in February 2015. Find her at www.cynthiahandbooks.com or @CynthiaHand on Twitter.

---

Jodi Meadows

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy and the  ORPHAN QUEEN Duology (HarperCollins/ Katherine Tegen). Visit her at www.jodimeadows.com

*A Kippy is a cat.

ARC Review: "The Fray Theory: Resonance" (The Fray Theory, #1) by Nelou Keramati

The Fray Theory: Resonance by Nelou Keramati
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

 Neve Knightly lives in an ordinary world. Where déjà vu is nothing more than a mind-trick. Where premonitions are dismissed as mere coincidence. Where no one thinks twice about the glitches in their reality.

Neve Knightly is living a lie.

But when her nightmare of a tragedy comes true the very next day, she can no longer seek solace in self-deception. The glossy enamel has been shattered, and she has caught a glimpse of what slithers just beneath the surface.

She now has the opportunity to decipher the enigma that’s been haunting her since childhood. But her quest soon becomes deeply entangled with the last two people she could have ever imagined: the love of her life, Dylan, who mysteriously vanished three years ago, and his estranged best friend, Romer, who seems to be guarding a secret of his own.

Romance, rancor, and redemption plummet as priorities, as their lives become riddled with peculiar happenings lying just outside the realm of science. And in search for salvation, they emerge at the brink of unveiling the best-kept secret in human history.


Add it on GoodReads

 

REVIEW

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I was quite intrigued when I first read the summary of this book. It may have crossed my mind that the story had to do with locked secrets, abused heroines maybe, but luckily I was WAY out of my theories.

And I was glad for that!

The Fray Theory follows a young woman Neve, who is an aspring college student. Having lost her boyfriend Dylan for three years, she still needs to find a way to move on. But when Dylan re-appears and sudden events begin to unravel tying Neve, Dylan and Romer (Dylan's friend) together with a cast of another characters, things will get complicated.

The story grabbed me from the prologue when a car accident happens and a woman with red eyes screams into the night (more or less, since I don't want to spoil). But what I loved most in this book was Neve's diary. She holds her deepest thoughts and feelings in there as she tries to cope with Dylan's disappearance. Despite that, she still manages to be strong and face all the difficulties.

I think she deserves Dylan more than Romer; though there wasn't any indication (from my part) that there is a love triangle, I don't want this to change.

The plot is simple, yet there is strengh in the depth of the character development and the descriptions. A good book that I would actually enjoy as a Netflix series too!

I also got a good INCEPTION feeling too!

About the author:

Nelou Keramati was born in Shiraz, the city of poets, scholars, wine, and literature. At the age of twelve her family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, which she has since proudly called her home.

Following six years of studies in Cognitive Neuroscience, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Four years later, upon obtaining her Masters of Architecture, she switched gears once more to pursue acting, art, and writing.

Website

http://www.neloukeramati.com

Twitter

NelouKeramati

Feature & Follow #18

THE FUTURE & FOLLOW IS HOSTED BY TWO HOSTS, PARAJUNKEE OF PARAJUNKEE'S VIEW AND ALISON OF ALISON CAN READ. EACH HOST WILL HAVE THEIR OWN FEATURE BLOG AND THIS WAY IT’LL ALLOW US TO SHOW OFF MORE NEW BLOGS.

HOW DOES THE #FF WORK?

The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.

If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followersYou create your own post using the post prompt. You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt. Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment. If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation. The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features)
It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard.
As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.


Specific RULES
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.

Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.

If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”


THE POST PROMPT: 

Color Favorites: Show us beautiful book covers in your fave color!

MY ANSWER:

My favorite color is blue, mostly, as also all of its shades. Below are some examples from books I've read (affiliate links included).

         A Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor

              A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Throns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas

                                      Shiver (Shiver Trilogy #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

                                   The Return (Titan #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

FOLLOW ME IN ANY WAY TO YOUR LEFT

 

                                                                                                                                                   

ARC Review: "Under Rose-Tainted Skies" by Louise Gornall

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

 Norah has agoraphobia and OCD. When groceries are left on the porch, she can’t step out to get them. Struggling to snag the bags with a stick, she meets Luke. He’s sweet and funny, and he just caught her fishing for groceries. Because of course he did.  

     

Norah can’t leave the house, but can she let someone in? As their friendship grows deeper, Norah realizes Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can lie on the front lawn and look up at the stars. One who isn’t so screwed up. 

     

Readers themselves will fall in love with Norah in this poignant, humorous, and deeply engaging portrait of a teen struggling to find the strength to face her demons.

 

 

 

 

 

PRE ORDER

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY (affiliate link)

 

 

 

REVIEW

I received an eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Although this beauty will not be released until 2017, I really wanted to write this review. The story follows Norah, who has OCD and agoraphobia; it means that she fears everything in the world. When accidentally, because of the groceries, she meets Luke, the cute boy next door, Norah will slowly try to understand better both her life and her growing feelings for Luke.

Mental illness is always a delicate subject in YA. Some believe that it is shown way too raw, others tend to disregard the fact that there are people in the planet who try to live everyday struggling at the same time. Norah is a character like that; living in the house not even daring to get outside, she has her mother and her doctor as her only people she can talk to. She is home-schooled and she is constantly trying to battle with her mind.

When Luke comes into the picture, Norah is flooded with images and possible scenes which through her POV were funny, but brutally honest (her research on kissing had me laugh hard). Also, Luke is not Norah's white knight, he too struggles with his family. His mother is a flight attendant and his father tends to have wanderlust. He is honest and funny and understanding.

The story is short but is filled with lessons about mental illness and how a teen is both struggling with her own body and her every day life. While the ending is not the kind that solves everything in the blink of an eye, Norah becomes a character who hopes for a better future and Luke is her supporter both with his love and understanding.

It was a great read and it's reccomended both for its sweet cover and the inspiring story. ;)

About the author:

My name is Louise, and I write YA books. Sometimes contemp, sometimes horror, sometimes thriller.

My debut YA contemp, Under Rose-Tainted Skies, will be published by HMH/Clarion (US), and Chicken House/Scholastic (UK) in the fall 2016/17.

Website

http://bookishblurb.com/

Cover Reveal: "Long Way Home" (Thunder Road #3) by Katie McGarry

   

Being released on January 31^st, 2017, the highly anticipated third book in Katie McGarry's Thunder Road Series has a cover that we can't wait to share with you! LONG WAY HOME is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance being published by Harlequin Teen! Pre-order your copy of the next book in this emotionally charged series, and don't miss Violet and Chevy's story!

   

Seventeen-year-old Violet has always been expected to sit back and let the boys do all the saving.

It’s the code her father, a member of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, raised her to live by. Yet when her dad is killed carrying out Terror business, Violet knows it’s up to her to do the saving. To protect herself, and her vulnerable younger brother, she needs to cut all ties with the club—including Chevy, the boy she’s known and loved her whole life.

But when a rival club comes after Violet, exposing old secrets and making new threats, she’s forced to question what she thought she knew about her father, the Reign of Terror, and what she thinks she wants. Which means re-evaluating everything: love, family, friends . . . and forgiveness.

Caught in the crosshairs between loyalty and freedom, Violet must decide whether old friends can be trusted—and if she’s strong enough to be the one person to save them all.

"An intoxicating and unforgettable story that kept me glued to the page."

—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Walk the Edge

 

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

 

LONG WAY HOME Pre-Order Links:

Amazon | Kobo | BAM | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | IndieBound

   

And Don’t Miss the First Two Titles in the Thunder Road Series!

NOWHERE BUT HERE

WALK THE EDGE

 


About the author:

Katie McGarry Bio: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT.

Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.    

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

 

                                      

ARC Review: "A Promise of Fire" (Kingmaker Chronicles #1) by Amanda Bouchet

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

KINGDOMS WILL RISE AND FALL FOR HER…

“Cat” Catalia Fisa lives disguised as a soothsayer in a traveling circus. She is perfectly content avoiding the danger and destiny the Gods—and her homicidal mother—have saddled her with. That is, until Griffin, an ambitious warlord from the magic-deprived south, fixes her with his steely gaze and upsets her illusion of safety forever.

BUT NOT IF SHE CAN HELP IT

Griffin knows Cat is the Kingmaker, the woman who divines the truth through lies. He wants her as a powerful weapon for his newly conquered realm—until he realizes he wants her for much more than her magic. Cat fights him at every turn, but Griffin’s fairness, loyalty, and smoldering advances make him increasingly hard to resist and leave her wondering if life really does have to be short, and lived alone.

PRE-ORDER

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

REVIEW

 
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I was actually compelled to read this one after reading Alyssa's review for this book. It's a story set into a mythical world of three realms where magic rules and the pantheon of the people is the Greek one. The Greek language is considered to be the holy language of the Gods and the Oracles can see if one is wrothy of his or her power.

In all this lives Cat. She is a strong willed, full of secrets woman, who lives into a traveling circus and has powers no one could ever think of. When Griffin, the warlord who has conquered Sinta, one of the three realms, appears demanding her cooperation, they will both sing up for an epic adventure full of mythical creatures, magic and swoony worth romance.

The worldbuilding was stunning. You can tell that Amanda did her research in the Greek mythology, and as someone who has studied it meticulously, I was thrilled to read page after page describing the Gods and the creatures like Cerberos and Sybaris. Greek names were also used in cities like Ios and Cat from her own POV, never misses a detail in explaining everything.

You can never get bored with the info dump, because the author makes a good work slowly unraveling the world she has built. As for Cat and Griffin, although their relationship began in a bad way and I found faults in their behavior many times (they could have escaped much drama if they were more truthful), their romance was slow and burning and became more open towards the end of the book.

The secondary characters like Kato, Flynn, Griffin's family too, show support and fill the pages with funny moments and also romances from the sides. Despite the fact that the ending was kind of forced, it left me wanting more and maybe some more light in Cat's past.

Not to mention that the best part of this book is Cat, as a strong female character. The woman knows how to fight, be a bad-hard-kicking-kind of a girl and her powers are also amazing. Her past has made her rough and hard to trust anyone but she warms up to Griffin and his people, learning what true family means.

This is one of the books I'll defenitely want to add in my bookshelf as a nice paperback and I'll make sure to keep an eye to the rest of the series. It's HIGHLY recommened from me and I hope you'll like it just as I did! ;)

About the author:

Amanda Bouchet grew up in New England where she spent much of her time tromping around in the woods and making up grand adventures in her head. It was inevitable that one day she would start writing them down. Drawing on her Greek heritage for the setting and on her love of all things daring and romantic for the rest, her debut trilogy, The Kingmaker Chronicles, took form. She writes what she loves to read: epic exploits, steamy romance, and characters that make you laugh and cry.

A French master’s graduate and former English teacher, Amanda lives in Paris, France. She met her husband while studying abroad, and the family now includes two bilingual children who will soon be correcting her French.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaBouche...

Website

http://www.amandabouchet.com/

Twitter

AuthorABouchet

Review: "The Crown's Game" (The Crown's Game, #1) by Evelyn Skye

The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Vika Andreyev can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

BUY ON 

AMAZON | BOOK DEPOSITORY

REVIEW

This is the second time a highly anticipated novel, with much promotion might I add, reaches my expectations (The first one was Truthwitch). "The Crown's Game" was indeed everything I liked in a historical YA, even if the History is altered and has the magic element; there was acurate descriptions, there were also references in historical events and not to mention how the Russia od thwe 19th century came to life through Evelyn's words!

Vika and Nikolai are brought together in order to fight in the Crown's Game, an ancient ritual which will give to the Tsar of the Russian Empire his most powerful enchanter. Both must outwit each other in a spectacle of magic and maybe kill each other if needed.

While I enjoyed every scene that was shown into the battles of magic there were two scenes that were absolute perfection. The puppet dancing in the plaza and Vika's dress in the Prince's birthday ball. The POV is written in third and we can see all the aspects of the characters envolved; Vika, Nikolai, the Tsar and Pasha the Prince even his sister.

There is a love triangle in this book but for me it fell into second place, not to mention that it was solved by the end of the book. Now that I think about it it was more about Pasha's feelings for Vika rather hers for him. The biggest weight in the book falls into the magic battle which turns violent in some points and other times is quite enchanting. In this aspect this plot was close to the "Night Circus", another book I enjoyed very much, and I would re-read again.

Also, the mention of the Greek revolution, the Ottomans and the historical event of the seige of Mesologgi from the Ottomans was a very clever part from Evelyn to put in her story.

Finally, the book ended in a damn cliffhanger. I really expect the author to explain this situation in the next book, because this can't be their ending! This book is highly recommended and I'll anxiously expect the sequel. ;)

About the author:

Evelyn Skye was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on "So You Think You Can Dance," and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win. 

When she isn't writing, Evelyn can be found chasing her daughter on the playground or sitting on the couch, immersed in a good book and eating way too many cookies. 

THE CROWN'S GAME is her first novel. Evelyn can be found online at www.evelynskye.com and on Twitter @EvelynSkyeYA.