Book Review: Between the Blade and the Heart – Amanda Hocking

January 13, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 5 Comments

Series: Valkyrie #1
Release Date: January 2nd 2018
Publisher: Pan Macmillian
Pages: 319
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book to review.
Rating: 4.75 stars

Synopsis

As one of Odin’s Valkyries, Malin’s greatest responsibility is to slay immortals and return them to the underworld. The balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.

As Malin wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought, she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue-eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. Malin, along with her best friend and her ex-girlfriend, must decide where her loyalties lie…and whether helping Asher enact his revenge is worth the risk—to the world and to her heart.

Review

Amanda Hocking is an author that has been on my radar for a long time, I own a few of her books but I’ve never gotten around to reading them. I know so many people love the Trylle Trilogy so I was definitely looking forward to giving this a go. I loved this fast paced and exciting read and I am now definitely going to be catching up on all of Amanda’s books that I missed.

I always enjoy books with Norse mythology and Between the Blade and the Heart is chalk full of myths and legends. I loved the level of detail that Hocking put in, the story feels well plotted out and well researched. I also loved the dark, dank setting of a world full of demons and creatures. The world building is an odd mix, with run down buildings and dingy bars but also hovering bikes and other technology.

The book of course has plenty of action and fighting scenes, but there’s also a fair bit of romance too. I’m normally not that big a fan of romance heavy books but I felt the romance unfolded naturally and it wasn’t too in your face. I also really liked the characters. Our main protagonist Malin is a Valkyrie in training, learning her trade as well as school and dealing with a less than affectionate mother, she makes for a really fascinating character. She’s strong and brash and often tends to have her mind on things other than the end of the world. I thought she was a great flawed and likeable character. Joining her is a cast of secondary characters who were well fleshed out and definitely added an interesting mix to the story.

I really enjoyed this fun book and ended up reading it really quickly. If you like your books fast paced and full of action, you’re bound to enjoy Between the Blade and the Heart. Your only problem will be waiting for the release of book two!

December Book Haul!

January 11, 2019January 10, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 6 Comments

Today I thought I would post my December book haul! I’ve split this into two parts, this one being books that publishers kindly sent me and books that I bought and I’ll have another post later on with the books I got given for Christmas. I’m really proud of myself because I only bought two books in December, as I’m trying to lessen the amount of books I buy. That being said I did get quite a few from publishers, so lets dive in!

From Publishers

This Lie Will Kill You – Chelsea Pitcher
This young adult mystery/thriller has been likened to Riverdale and I’m so excited to pick it up.

One year ago, there was a party.
At the party, someone died.
Five teens each played a part and up until now, no one has told the truth.

But tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion in the hills, expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 grand prize. Of course…some things are too good to be true. They were each so desperate for the prize, they didn’t question the odd, rather exclusive invitation until it was too late.

The Year After You – Nina De Pass
This is a beautiful contemporary ya novel coming from Ink Road books in February. It sounds like it will be a really moving story and I’m really looking forward to reading it.

New Years’ Eve, San Francisco. The most promising party of the year ends in a tragic accident. Cara survives. Her best friend Georgina doesn’t.

Nine months later, Cara is struggling, consumed by guilt and grief. Her mum decides a Swiss boarding school will be the fresh start Cara needs. But Cara knows that swapping sunshine for snow won’t make a blind bit of difference. Georgina is gone, and nothing will bring her back.

Once and Future – Amy Rose Capetta & Cori McCarthy
A Merlin retelling in space? SOLD. I honestly squealed with excitement when this came through the door and it has gone straight to the top of my TBR pile. That cover is also stunning!

I’ve been chased my whole life. As an illegal immigrant in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I’ve always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur.

Now I’m done hiding.

My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.

When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind.

No pressure.

Stain – A. G. Howard
This is another release that I am honestly so desperate to read. A Gothic fairytale inspired by The Princess and the Pea? Who wouldn’t want to read that?

Once upon a nightmare, her fairy tale begins…

After Lyra—a princess incapable of speech or sound—is cast out of her kingdom of daylight by her wicked aunt, a witch saves her life, steals her memories, and raises her in an enchanted forest … disguised as a boy known only as Stain. Meanwhile, in Lyra’s rival kingdom, the prince of thorns and night is dying, and the only way for him to break his curse is to wed the princess of daylight, for she is his true equal. As Lyra rediscovers her identity, an impostor princess prepares to steal her betrothed prince and her crown. To win back her kingdom, save the prince, and make peace with the land of the night, Lyra must be loud enough to be heard without a voice, and strong enough to pass a series of tests—ultimately proving she’s everything a traditional princess is not.

Burn for Burn – Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivan
I recently read all of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before books and a few people have recommended this series to me so I was so pleased when this surprise piece of post arrived!

Postcard-perfect Jar Island is home to charming tourist shops, pristine beaches, amazing oceanfront homes—and three girls secretly plotting revenge.

KAT is sick and tired of being bullied by her former best friend.

LILLIA has always looked out for her little sister, so when she discovers that one of her guy friends has been secretly hooking up with her, she’s going to put a stop to it.

MARY is perpetually haunted by a traumatic event from years past, and the boy who’s responsible has yet to get what’s coming to him.

None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.

Slay On Tour – Kim Curran
The SLAY boys are back and this time they’re heading to Japan. I honestly can’t wait to find out what’s next in store for this demon fighting boyband!

SLAY are BACK…and this time they’re headed to Tokyo to track down another hell-raising demon. When they’re invited on tour with a super-cool band of holographic girls, SLAY find themselves whisked off around Japan – until strange things start happening on their tour train. Suddenly it seems it’s not just SLAY’s fans following their every move…

The Glass Woman – Caroline Lea
I absolutely adore historical fiction and this honestly sounds like the perfect book for me. This icy mystery is definitely going to be a great book to cuddle up with on a winter evening.

1686, ICELAND. AN ISOLATED, WINDSWEPT LAND HAUNTED BY WITCH TRIALS AND STEEPED IN THE ANCIENT SAGAS.
Betrothed unexpectedly to Jón Eiríksson, Rósa is sent to join her new husband in the remote village of Stykkishólmur. Here, the villagers are wary of outsiders.
But Rósa harbours her own suspicions. Her husband buried his first wife alone in the dead of night. He will not talk of it. Instead he gives her a small glass figurine. She does not know what it signifies.
The villagers mistrust them both. Dark threats are whispered. There is an evil here – Rósa can feel it. Is it her husband, the villagers – or the land itself?
Alone and far from home, Rósa sees the darkness coming. She fears she will be its next victim . . .

The Fork, the Witch & the Worm – Christopher Paolini
Eragon and the gang are back in this all new collection of short stories from the Inheritance cycle. I was on the blog tour for this so you can check out my thoughts here!

A wanderer and a cursed child. Spells and magic. And dragons, of course.

My Sister, the Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
I was sent this book through ReadersFirst and I ended up reading it in one sitting. Dark, gripping and fascinating, this is a brilliant read.

Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.”

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead. Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.
A kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where Korede works, is the bright spot in her life. She dreams of the day when he will realize they’re perfect for each other. But one day Ayoola shows up to the hospital uninvited and he takes notice. When he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and what she will do about it.

Books I Bought:

Obsidio – Jay Kristoff & Ami Kaufman
The third and final book in the Illuminae Files, I had to rush out and buy this as soon as I finished Gemina. I’m pretty sure it’s going to break my heart though.

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they’ll find seven months after the invasion?

Meanwhile, Kady’s cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza’s ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha’s past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken…

Evermore – Sara Holland
This is definitely one of my most anticipated releases. I loved Everless so I’m really excited to get back to this magical world and I hope it’s just as good as book one!

Jules Ember was raised hearing legends of the ancient magic of the wicked Alchemist and the good Sorceress. But she has just learned the truth: not only are the stories true, but she herself is the Alchemist, and Caro—a woman who single-handedly murdered the Queen and Jules’s first love, Roan, in cold blood—is the Sorceress.

The whole kingdom believes that Jules is responsible for the murders, and a hefty bounty has been placed on her head. And Caro is intent on destroying Jules, who stole her heart twelve lifetimes ago. Jules must delve into the stories that she now recognizes are accounts of her own past. For it is only by piecing together the mysteries of her lives that Jules will be able to save the person who has captured her own heart in this one.

So that’s my December book haul! If you’ve read any of these definitely let me know what you thought of them and also let me know which books you bought in December!

Waiting on Wednesday #10: Song of Sorrow – Melinda Salisbury

January 9, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Synopsis

Sorrow Ventaxis has won the election, and in the process lost everything…

Governing under the sinister control of Vespus Corrigan, and isolated from her friends, Sorrow must to find a way to free herself from his web and save her people. But Vespus has no plans to let her go, and he isn’t the only enemy Sorrow faces as the curse of her name threatens to destroy her and everything she’s fought for.

Thoughts

This week for waiting on Wednesday I wanted to talk about Song of Sorrow by Melinda Salisbury. This is the second instalment in the Sorrow series – the first being State of Sorrow which published in March of last year. I absolutely adore Melinda Salisbury’s writing style and her Sin Eater’s Daughter trilogy is one of my absolute favourites. Despite owning State of Sorrow and being desperate to read it I haven’t actually picked it up yet. It sounds amazing and with the next instalment coming out I’m eager to get started on what sounds like a gripping read full of political intrigue. The covers are also stunning and if it’s anything like The Sin Eater’s Daughter, I’m sure I’ll be absolutely hooked. Song of Sorrow is publishing March 7th 2019 from Scholastic Books.

Blog Tour: The Fork, the Witch & the Worm – Christopher Paolini

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

Series: Tales From Algaesia #1
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: 1st January 2019
Pages: 288
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review

Synopsis

A wanderer and a cursed child. Spells and magic. And dragons, of course.

Welcome back to the world of Alagaësia. It’s been a year since Eragon departed Alagaësia in search of the perfect home to train a new generation of Dragon Riders. Now he is struggling with an endless sea of tasks: constructing a vast dragonhold, wrangling with suppliers, guarding dragon eggs, and dealing with belligerent Urgals and haughty elves. Then a vision from the Eldunarí, unexpected visitors, and an exciting Urgal legend offer a much-needed distraction and a new perspective. This volume features three original stories set in Alagaësia, interspersed with scenes from Eragon’s own unfolding adventure. Included is an excerpt from the memoir of the unforgettable witch and fortune-teller Angela the herbalist . . . penned by Angela Paolini, the inspiration for the character, herself! Relish the incomparable imagination of Christopher Paolini in this thrilling new collection of stories based in the world of the Inheritance Cycle.

Review

The Inheritance Cycle is a series that is very close to my heart. I read it multiple times growing up and I have long been awaiting more books from Christopher Paolini. I was so surprised and excited to find out that we would be returning to Alagaesia with this beautiful collection of short stories. After reading just a few pages I felt immediately transported into this world that I loved so much as a child. I honestly never wanted to stop reading.

The book is divided up into three parts (the fork, the witch and the worm), with the second part of the book being a memoir of the witch Angela. This part was particularly intriguing because it was written by Angela Paolini who was the inspiration for that character in the original books.

I enjoyed all three parts of the book and it was wonderful to catch glimpses and hear more about characters that I already adored so much. Each story provides a really unique perspective – The Fork follows a child narrator, The Witch Angela’s own memoir and my personal favourite The Worm is a tale told from the perspective of an Urgal. These stories are really memorable and are a wonderful addition to this much loved series.

The stories are beautifully written and really transport you to this magical setting that fans of Eragon will know and love. Finding out what Eragon and Saphira have been up to since the Inheritance finished was also fascinating and if you’re a fan of the books then this is definitely not to be missed. The mix of old and new characters really brought the story back to life for me and I am honestly just dying for more from Christopher Paolini already.

December Wrap Up!

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 4 Comments

Today I thought I would post a little update about all the books that I read in December. December was a bit of a hectic month but I was also off over the Christmas period so I did manage to get quite a bit of reading done. In total I read 13 books, so let’s dive into what they were!

Gemina – Ami Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
First off I continued my love affair with the Illuminae series. I couldn’t wait to dive into the second instalment and if it’s possible I loved it even more than I loved Illuminae. This was a definite favourite. (5/5 stars.)

The Island – M. A. Bennett
I really enjoyed S.T.A.G.S by the same author and was really looking forward to reading this one. It was a bit unbelievable and I really struggled with the main character. Overall it was an interesting story but it didn’t live up to my expectations. (2.5/5 stars)

The Language of Thorns – Leigh Bardugo
I finally got around to reading The Language of Thorns and I really enjoyed these beautiful fairy tale stories. It was interesting to get another take on the Grishaverse and while these stories didn’t hook me in the same way as Bardugo’s other books, I still really liked them. (4/5 stars)

The Lost Sisters – Holly Black
I am just obsessed with all things related to The Cruel Prince so as soon as I heard about this little short novella I dived straight into it. Told from the perspective of Taryn, I loved every second and if anything it just made me more desperate to read The Wicked King (5/5 stars)

My Sister – Michelle Adams
This creepy psychological thriller was an intense, wild ride. The story follows a young woman who is estranged from her family. When her mother dies she returns home to uncover why she was sent to live with her aunt as a child. The story is multi-layered with lots of sinister twists I didn’t see coming, it was a brilliant read. (4/5 stars)

The Perks of Being A Wallflower – Stephen Chobsky
I remember reading this as a teenager and thought it would be interesting to revisit the book as an adult. I enjoyed reading the story, mainly for the feeling of nostalgia, but I didn’t love it as much as I did when I read it the first time. I think possibly my tastes have changed in a big way, but overall I found it a fairly average read. (3/5 stars)

Lifelik3 – Jay Kristoff
After reading Gemina I wanted to dive straight into Obsidio but I didn’t have a copy, so instead I picked up Lifelik3. This story is crazy fast paced with brilliant characters and an unforgettable story. I’m so excited to read the next book in the series, I’m only hoping I won’t have to wait too long for it to be released. (4.25/5 stars)

To Kill A Kingdom – Alexandra Christo
I was really excited to read this after all the buzz around it when it was released. I love retellings and this sounded like the dark and sinister Little Mermaid retelling we’ve all been waiting for. I thought this was easily going to be a five star read for me, and while I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I liked the characters and the story was fun and interesting I think it just didn’t live up to the expectations I had in my head. (4/5 stars)

Artemis – Andy Weir
This is one that has been sitting on my shelf for a while and since I’ve really been in the mood for space stories I decided to pick it up. This is my first Andy Weir book and I really liked it. My enjoyment was much more focused on the characters rather than the actual plot. I loved Jazz and her band of merry helpers, she was such a funny fascinating character that you can’t help but love her. (3.5/5 stars)

Wild Magic – Tamora Pierce
I think I’m one of the few people that didn’t read Tamora Pierce growing up. Wild Magic is my first book by her and I found it a little difficult to get into. The story was a little slow paced for me and I found the story left me wanting more. I am interested to continue the story and learn more about this large cast of characters that are so well known in fantasy fiction. (3/5 stars)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass – Lewis Carroll
I haven’t read a classic in quite a while and I thought it was time to revisit an old favourite. Alice’s Adventures are stories that I will never tire of. They’re fun, fascinating and so easy to dip in and out of. If you haven’t read Lewis Carroll’s books before, you should definitely give it a shot. (4/5 stars)

My Sister, the Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
This caught my eye honestly because of the title. It arrived from the publisher and I ended up reading it in one day. It was dark, at times funny and honestly just such a gripping story. I really loved the authors writing style and I flew through this short, original story. (4.25/5 stars)

The Winter of the Witch – Katherine Arden
The last book I read in 2018 was also probably my favourite book of the year. The conclusion to The Winternight Trilogy was everything I hoped it would be and more. It broke my heart and I am so sad to be saying goodbye to the characters from one of my all time favourite series. Everything about these books has captured my attention. The gorgeous writing and the stunning setting, the blend of magic and mystery as well as a memorable cast of characters. If you haven’t read The Bear and the Nightingale then now is the perfect time to pick it up as you can binge read all three (5/5 stars – all the stars!)

So those are the books I read in December! If you’ve read any of these definitely let me know what you thought and also let me know what the best books you read in December were!

Best Books of 2018!

January 1, 2019January 2, 2019 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 4 Comments

Happy New Year everyone! I hope whatever you’re up to today you’re having a wonderful start to the new year. I FINALLY managed to whittle down the books I read to a top 15 (honestly I really tried to make it 10 but it wasn’t possible), so I thought I would share my favourite books of 2018. All of these were five star reads for me and I would highly recommend them all. Because there’s quite a few I’m only going to have a sentence or two to sum up of why I loved them.

1. The Winter of the Witch – Katherine Arden
The epic conclusion to this gorgeous fantasy series absolutely broke me in the best way – Katherine Arden does not disappoint.

2. The Illuminae Files – Ami Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
The biggest surprise of 2018 – a crazy space adventure told in a completely unique way, I could not put this down.

3. Mirage – Somaiya Daud
Danger and doppelgangers abound in this new fantasy debut. A gripping adventure and I’m already dying for book two.

4. The Wicked Deep – Shea Earnshaw
By far the most atmospheric book I read this year. Witches with sinister intentions and twists you’ll never see coming.

5. The Sisters of the Winter Wood – Rena Rossner
A lush fairytale – esque story about two sisters and their shapeshifting abilities. One told in prose and one as a story, this tale is beautifully told.

6. Darksoul – Anna Stephens
Anna Stephens returns with this dark and brutal instalment in the Godblind trilogy. Addictive and full of action, I raced through this story.

7. City of Ghosts – V. E. Schwab
My first Victoria Schwab book was a definite favourite. Ghosts and adventure in the heart of Edinburgh, this middle grade is definitely a lot of fun.

8. Show Stealer – Hayley Barker
This blazing sequel to Show Stopper by Hayley Barker instantly made it onto my favourites list. The stakes were even higher and I loved the political intrigue featured in this book.

9. A Sky Painted Gold – Laura Wood
Definitely my favourite book of the summer – A Sky Painted Gold is a gorgeous historical fiction story with beautiful writing reminiscent of The Great Gatsby.

10. Ravencry – Ed McDonald
The Blackwing series continues with this second instalment that I absolutely adored. Galharrow will forever be one of my favourite characters.

11. Witchsign – Den Patrick
Den Patrick is back with an all new series full of magic, danger and dragons. I mean what more do you need?

12. The Smoke Thieves – Sally Green
A new epic fantasy series reminiscent of A Game of Thrones with lots of political intrigue and magic. It was a great start to the series and I’m eager for more.

13. Ace of Shades – Amandy Foody
Casino families, magic and crime all feature in this new series from Amanda Foody. This book features magnificent characters that you can’t help but love as well as a unputdownable plot.

14. Between the Blade and the Heart – Amanda Hocking
Kick-ass Valkyrie demon slayers? Yes please. This was my first Amanda Hocking book but it definitely will not be the last.

15. The Cruel Prince – Holly Black
Who doesn’t have The Cruel Prince on their favourites list? This gorgeous book features a dark and brutal world where two human girls are brought up amongst the fae.

So those were the best books I read in 2018! I’m so excited to see what 2019 brings. If you’ve read any of these definitely let me know what you thought of them and I’d love to know what your favourite books of the year were.

Book Review: To Kill A Kingdom – Alexandra Christo

December 30, 2018December 30, 2018 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Release Date: March 6th 2018
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Pages: 358
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I received a copy of this book through ReadersFirst

Synopsis

I have a heart for every year I’ve been alive.

There are seventeen hidden in the sand of my bedroom. Every so often, I claw through the shingle just to check they’re still there. Buried deep and bloody.

Princess Lira is siren royalty and revered across the sea until she is cursed into humanity by the ruthless Sea Queen. Now Lira must deliver the heart of the infamous siren killer or remain a human forever.

Prince Elian is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world and captain to a deadly crew of siren hunters. When he rescues a drowning woman from the ocean, she promises to help him destroy sirenkind for good. But he has no way of knowing whether he can trust her…

Review

To Kill a Kingdom is a book that really caught my eye and gained a lot of buzz on social media. The story follows two characters: a siren Princess named Lira who is killers princes so she can steal their hearts. The other is a the Heir to the throne of Midas, one of the most powerful kingdoms. Although he is next in line for the throne he much prefers being aboard his pirate ship, attempting to rid the world of sirens forever.

This was a really fun and enjoyable read. The story is told in alternating points of view between the two characters and I really liked seeing things from each characters perspective. To Kill a Kingdom is a dark and sinster retelling of The Little Mermaid, but it is so much more gripping and enticing than the Disney version. The plot draws you in early on and I was eager to know how the story was going to end. I really liked our two main characters though I would have loved the opportunity to get more from the cast of secondary characters. Elian’s sister, Madrid and Khalia. I really enjoyed the banter between the Elian and Lira, and it was interesting watching their relationship develop,

The writing was captivating and the story definitely had a few twists that I wasn’t expecting. The story could have done with more solid world building and I would have loved to learn more about the different kingdoms and to delve more deeply into the magic system. Overall it was a fun swashbuckling adventure and if you’re a fan of retellings, this definitely shouldn’t be missed.

Most Anticipated 2019 Releases!

December 27, 2018 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 7 Comments

With 2019 fast approaching I thought it would be fun to list some of the books I’m really excited to read in the coming year. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are spending time relaxing with lots of food and books! I’ve done Waiting on Wednesday posts about quite a few of these so I’ll just tell you a little bit about what they’re about. So without further adieu, let’s dive in!

1. The Wicked King – Holly Black
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.

2. Priory of the Orange Tree – Samantha Shannon
A world divided.
A queendom without an heir.
An ancient enemy awakens.

The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction—but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel.

Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.

3. Holy Sister – Mark Lawrence
They came against her as a child. Now they face the woman.

The ice is advancing, the Corridor narrowing, and the empire is under siege from the Scithrowl in the east and the Durns in the west. Everywhere, the emperor’s armies are in retreat.

Nona faces the final challenges that must be overcome if she is to become a full sister in the order of her choice. But it seems unlikely that Nona and her friends will have time to earn a nun’s habit before war is on their doorstep.

Even a warrior like Nona cannot hope to turn the tide of war.

The shiphearts offer strength that she might use to protect those she loves, but it’s a power that corrupts. A final battle is coming in which she will be torn between friends, unable to save them all. A battle in which her own demons will try to unmake her.

A battle in which hearts will be broken, lovers lost, thrones burned.

4. King of Scars – Leigh Bardugo
Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

5. Finale – Stephanie Garber
Welcome, welcome to Caraval…all games must come to an end.

It’s been two months since the last Caraval concluded, two months since the Fates have been freed from an enchanted deck of cards, two months since Tella has seen Legend, and two months since Legend claimed the empire’s throne as his own. Now, Legend is preparing for his official coronation and Tella is determined to stop it. She believes her own mother, who still remains in an enchanted sleep, is the rightful heir to the throne.

Meanwhile, Scarlett has started a game of her own. She’s challenged Julian and her former fiancé, Count Nicolas d’Arcy, to a competition where the winner will receive her hand in marriage. Finaly, Scarlett feels as if she is in complete control over her life and future. She is unaware that her mother’s past has put her in the greatest danger of all.

Caraval is over, but perhaps the greatest game of all has begun―with lives, empires, and hearts all at stake. There are no spectators this time: only those who will win…and those who will lose everything. . .

6. Wicked Saints – Emily A. Duncan
A girl who can speak to gods must save her people without destroying herself.

A prince in danger must decide who to trust.

A boy with a monstrous secret waits in the wings.

Together, they must assassinate the king and stop the war.

In a centuries-long war where beauty and brutality meet, their three paths entwine in a shadowy world of spilled blood and mysterious saints, where a forbidden romance threatens to tip the scales between dark and light. Wicked Saints is the thrilling start to Emily A. Duncan’s devastatingly Gothic Something Dark and Holy trilogy.

7. A Curse So Dark and Lonely – Brigid Kemmerer
Fall in love, break the curse.

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper Lacy. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

8. Aurora Rising – Jay Kristoff & Ami Kaufman
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.

They’re not the heroes we deserve. They’re just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

9. King of Fools – Amanda Foody
On the quest to find her missing mother, prim and proper Enne Salta became reluctant allies with Levi Glaisyer, the city’s most famous con man. Saving his life in the Shadow Game forced Enne to assume the identity of Seance, a mysterious underworld figure. Now, with the Chancellor of the Republic dead and bounties on both their heads, she and Levi must play a dangerous game of crime and politics…with the very fate of New Reynes at stake.

Thirsting for his freedom and the chance to build an empire, Levi enters an unlikely partnership with Vianca Augustine’s estranged son. Meanwhile, Enne remains trapped by the mafia donna’s binding oath, playing the roles of both darling lady and cunning street lord, unsure which side of herself reflects the truth.

As Enne and Levi walk a path of unimaginable wealth and opportunity, new relationships and deadly secrets could quickly lead them into ruin. And when unforeseen players enter the game, they must each make an impossible choice: To sacrifice everything they’ve earned in order to survive…

Or die as legends.

10. The Princess and the Fangirl – Ashley Poston
The Prince and the Pauper gets a modern makeover in this adorable, witty, and heartwarming young adult novel set in the Geekerella universe by national bestselling author Ashley Poston.

Imogen Lovelace is an ordinary fangirl on an impossible mission: save her favorite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield. The problem is, Jessica Stone—the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind. If this year’s ExcelsiCon isn’t her last, she’ll consider her career derailed.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible. That’s easier said than done when the girls step into each other’s shoes and discover new romantic possibilities, as well as the other side of intense fandom. As these “princesses” race to find the script-leaker, they must rescue themselves from their own expectations, and redefine what it means to live happily ever after.

So those are the books I’m most excited to read in 2019. What 2019 releases are you looking forward to?

November Book Haul!

December 24, 2018December 24, 2018 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

It’s time for another book haul! Today I’m talking about all the books I picked up in November!

From Publishers

1. Mad Love – Paul Dini and Pat Cadigan
This was sent to me from Titan Books and is a novelised version of Harley Quinn’s origin story. Harley Quinn is one of my favourite DC characters so I was so excited to read this. I flew through this and it definitely lived up to my expectations.

2. Shadow of the Fox – Julie Kagawa
This was my first time reading a book by Julie Kagawa and I really enjoyed it. Shadow of the Fox is a fun and fast paced fantasy novel that you’ll find difficult to put down. I’m definitely excited to read more from this author and if you’re interested in knowing my full thoughts on this book you can check out my stop on the blog tour here!

3. The Glass Town Wars – Celia Rees
I won a copy of this in a giveaway and the publisher sent it to me last month. This is a genre bending novel based on the early work of the Bronte sisters. It wasn’t my favourite Celia Rees book but it was an enjoyable read.

4. Skyward – Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is an author that is beloved by so many people that I was really excited to read my first book by him. Skyward is a YA science fiction novel about a young girl named Spensa who dreams of being a pilot. It was so action packed and kept me hooked from the very first page. If you want to know more you can check out my blog tour stop here!

5. The Last – Hannah Jameson
The Last is a new mystery/thriller publishing from Viking in January 2019. The tag line is ‘one hotel, twenty survivors.’ The story follows a group of people stuck in a hotel during a nuclear blast. It sounds like it’s going to be really dark and gripping and I can’t wait to pick it up.

6. Wolves of Winter – Tyrell Johnston
The Wolves of Winter is a dystopian/science fiction story following a woman trying to survive since society has collapsed following a nuclear war and widespread disease. I’m clearly in the mood for some dystopian type stories between Wolves of Winter and The Last so I’m hoping I enjoy them both.

7. Shadowscent – P. M. Freestone
I am SO EXCITED about this book. It came in a gorgeous package with some perfume and it is top of my list to read at the start of 2019. The description reads ‘When disaster strikes and the crown prince lies poisoned, long suppressed rivalries threaten to blow the empire apart. It’s up to a poor village girl with a talent for fragrances and the prince’s loyal bodyguard to find an antidote.’ This is publishing in February 2019 from Scholastic UK and it sounds amazing.

Books I Bought

8. The Poppy War – R. F. Kuang
I picked up a copy of this in my local bookshop because I’ve heard some amazing things. This is a dark and brutal adult fantasy and so many bloggers have rated this incredibly highly. I’m probably not going to get this in 2018 but I’m really looking forward to reading it.

9. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue – Mackenzi Lee
This honestly sounds so fun and enjoyable and it is next on my TBR to read. I picked this up partly because of the hype surrounding this series, but the synopsis definitely has me intrigued. It’s another one that I’ve heard amazing things about too.

10. Girls of Paper and Fire – Natasha Ngan
This was another one I picked up in my local bookshop and it sounds incredible. Another dark fantasy, this one features a female/female romance between two concubines for the King. This was on my list of books I wanted to read before the end of the year but I am fast running out of time to read it!

11. Gemina – Ami Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Who is surprised I bought this? No one. I read Illuminae recently and thought it was basically the best thing ever so the next day I had to click and collect Gemina. I’ve since read it and I honestly can’t decided if I love Kady and Ezra more or Hanna and Nik. I’ve also picked up Obsidio and I’m excited/terrified to find out how it’s going to end.

12. Fire and Blood – George R. R. Martin
I’m absolutely dying to read this but I haven’t picked it up yet because it’s so huge. I love GRRM and all things Westeros so I might start 2019 off by diving into this book which follows the history of the Targaryen line.

13. Wild Magic – Tamora Pierce
Tamora Pierce is an author that so many people associate with fantasy but I have never read any of her books. This arrived in a subscription box recently and it’s quite short so I’m hoping to pick it up quickly because I imagine I’ll fly through it.

14. Empress of All Seasons – Emiko Jean
This too arrived in my November Illumicrate and I’m really excited to read it. It’s one that I haven’t seen too many reviews about but I’m really looking forward to it. This edition has gorgeous sprayed editions too!

So that’s all the books I bought/received in November! If you’ve read any of these let me know what you thought and what books you picked up in November!

Waiting On Wednesday: Evermore – Sara Holland

December 19, 2018 by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

BOOK REVIEW (62)

Synopsis

Return to the intoxicating land of Sempera, where the rich live for centuries and the poor bleed time to pay for a loaf of bread. At the end of Everless, Jules Ember discovers the truth behind her ability to manipulate time – and her link to the ancient myth that defines the kingdom and its violent history. Can the Alchemist overcome the Sorceress once and for all?

Thoughts

Welcome to another Waiting on Wednesday! Today I’m excited to talk about Evermore by book cover (36) Sara Holland. Evermore is the second book in the Everless series. I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Everless at YALC in 2017 and honestly I just devoured this book. I’ve been waiting (not so) patiently ever since for the release of the next book in the series. It was even greater to meet Sara at YALC in 2018 and get a signed copy. The world building in book one was excellent and I thought the story had such a unique plot. It was fast paced and incredibly gripping so I have really high hopes for Evermore. Evermore is being published January 3rd 2019 by Orchard Books and you can bet this is going to be one of the first books I read in 2019.

The Bibliophile Chronicles

Tag: fantasy

Book Review: Between the Blade and the Heart – Amanda Hocking

Synopsis

Review

December Book Haul!

From Publishers

Books I Bought:

Waiting on Wednesday #10: Song of Sorrow – Melinda Salisbury

Synopsis

Thoughts

Blog Tour: The Fork, the Witch & the Worm – Christopher Paolini

Synopsis

Review

December Wrap Up!

Best Books of 2018!

Book Review: To Kill A Kingdom – Alexandra Christo

Synopsis

Review

Most Anticipated 2019 Releases!

November Book Haul!

From Publishers

Books I Bought

Waiting On Wednesday: Evermore – Sara Holland

Synopsis

Thoughts