Tuesday 13 May 2014

FLUX Puzzle Piece Cover Reveal

I’m happy to bring you a puzzle piece for the FLUX cover reveal. Stay tuned to see the complete cover later today on the REUTS blog. You can even win a copy by blogging about the cover yourself!

Release Date: May 27, 2014

The last thing sixteen-year-old Alaina Oftedahl-Miller expected was to watch her mom brutally destroy their life. 

But, in the wake of tragedy, strength forms. Shipped off to live with her birth father, Alaina finds herself dealing with more than just being the new American girl in a Norwegian school. Juggling the formation of a relationship with the man who abandoned her as a child, and a budding attraction to Kaius Vargøy--the mysterious, beautiful classmate who's been assigned as her personal translator--Alaina can't shake the feeling that every move she makes is being watched. Judged.

She soon learns there's far more to this sleepy Norwegian town than she ever imagined. Kaius and his friends aren't exactly what they seem, and the repercussions of that could send her traveling through the most unexpected experience of her life. Murder and relocation is one thing, but add in supernatural occurrences and Vikings, and even she may not have the strength to survive. 

Saturday 3 May 2014

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor review

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor review
Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy #3)
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: YA
Publication Date: 17th April 2014
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Stars: Four stars
Summary: 
It began with DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
It continued with DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT
It ends with DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael’s brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz … something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theatre that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?



At a whopping 613 pages, this book was far from an easy read. With twists at every corner, it was an incredibly hard book to follow at times. New characters only added to the confusion. And some were unneeded, as if they had been carelessly thrown in as a page filler at the last minute to make the book as gigantic as it is.
Karou, our favourite blue-haired heroine is back, and she does not disappoint. An extremely strong and resilient heroine all the way to the climatic (and confusing) ending.  There will never be another YA heroine like Karou. She is one of those rare characters that  can never be compared to any other. She will never be forgotten. And since there seems to be a movie in the works, she might be resurfacing very soon! A face to the name we all know so well.
I adored Akiva in this book. Who doesn’t like Akiva? A beautifully crafted character that you cannot help but love. In this book we see Akiva and Karou’s disastrous relationship somewhat fixing itself piece by piece. After the zero-romance in Days of Blood and Starlight, I think everyone was hoping and praying we’d at long last see the couple reunite. 
I admit it, I was hoping and praying for Brimstone’s return throughout the book. If Issa had survived by the skin of her teeth, I truly wondered whether Brimstone had. But… alas, no. He’s gone. *weeps*
This trilogy has long been one of my favourites, the amazing world of Eretz more than inspiring. Karou has caused me to dye my hair blue on more than one occasion. I have zero regrets! 
Laini Taylor has one heck of an imagination. Seriously, can I crawl inside her head and live in there? The world building, the imagery and words… it’s like the books are exquisite poetry that flow and twist, dragging you into the book and world itself with chimaera claws hooked into you. DOGAM wasn’t as good as the first two, but still an amazing feat that not many authors could pull off.
And the cover! The US covers are beautiful, but the UK DOGAM blew me away! The blue, the birds… wow. Just wow! Whoever designed this cover -no, the covers of the entire UK hardback trilogy deserve a medal. Gorgeous covers for a gorgeous story.
The fact that there will be no more Karou and Akiva is agonizing. Thank you Laini for creating this beautiful, vibrant world and characters. It will be sorely missed by all.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

The Book Liberators



The Book Liberators
The Book Liberators 82 members Don't know what to read next? Bored of a certain genre and looking for something new? Join this g...




View this group on Goodreads »

Come and join in the fun! There are group reads and prizes.

Friday 21 March 2014

REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Series: Grisha Trilogy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: May 7th 2013
Stars: Five fat stars

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?
The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?



Shadow and Bone has been sat on my shelf so long it was actually starting to collect dust. The first time I attempted this book, it was not to my taste at all. 
But now, a year later, I have opened my arms and embraced the majesty that is Shadow and Bone. 
This book sounded a little odd from the back cover, but still strangely appealing.  Obviously high-fantasy from the blurb. 
Alina Starkov is an orphan. There doesn’t seem to be anything remotely special about her until a crossing through the Shadow Fold, a slice of impenetrable darkness through the land of Ravka. She and the rest of the group are attacked by a group of monstrous winged Volcra. Alina discovers a power beyond her imagination and finds herself thrust into the world of the Grisha. The magical elite with the Darkling at the top. While Alina is now known as the Sun Summoner, the Darkling is the complete opposite. A being of darkness, deception and for Alina, attraction. 
I adored Alina. She never once annoyed me, which is very rare in a YA book. She reminds me of Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass. There is an air about Alina that you also see around Celaena. 
The beginning of the book was slow, but within the slightly sluggish pages, there was a lot of important information. There is a method to the speed, one where you get to know the characters better and learn more about Alina’s home, Ravka. 
I was instantly swallowed up by Alina’s world. Once you get over the complexity of the different kind of Grisha, you really start to get into the book. Beautiful imagery too. At times during Shadow and Bone, I almost felt like I was there in Ravka. Could see the Volcra and imagine their screeching. Fascinating imagery. Really fascinating.
The characters were vibrant, alive and unforgettable. Mal we do not see much of in Shadow and Bone, but even he left his mark. Especially during the climatic ending. Wow, that was one hell of a ride.
Yes. He is next. The Darkling.  
Wow. Can I say hot? As soon as we met him, BAM! That was it. All that insta-love cheesiness. I love the Darkling’s character. He’s exceedingly intricate, mysterious and more than a little bit scary. With powers that far surpass any other Grisha in the world, he’s lethal. And he’s certainly demonstrated the extent of his powers numerous times, which horrifies Alina.
Alina cannot help her attraction to him. And I must admit, even with what happened in the end, I still ship them hardcore. But I ship Mal and Alina too.  Oh well, I will carry on shipping both ships to my hearts content. Even if one ship is named Titanic.
This book was a mass of feels and sexy strange boys and men. Quite easily one of the best high-fantasy books in this kind of style since Throne of Glass. 
Five superfat stars with a naked Darkling on top. I’m plowing through Siege and Storm at the moment, and it is not disappointing.

Book of the Week: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

It's that time of the week again! Friday. At long last. This week has crawled by on it's hands and knees.
And now, we have Book of the Week. This Friday's is...



SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo!

And just why does this book deserve the title this week?

SHADOW AND BONE is one of the best reads I've come across this year. The book itself had been sat on my shelf since early last year until I picked it up and opened it on a whim.

High fantasy, fans of Sarah J. Maas's THRONE OF GLASS will devour this in one sitting. I know I did.

What is this story about?

Alina Starkov is an orphan. There doesn't seem to be anything remotely special about her until a crossing through the Shadow Fold, a slice of impenetrable darkness through the land of Ravka. She and the rest of the group are attacked by a group of monstrous winged Volcra. Alina discovers a power beyond her imagination and finds herself thrust into the world of the Grisha. The magical elite with the Darkling at the top. While Alina is now known as the Sun Summoner, the Darkling is the complete opposite. A being of darkness, deception and for Alina, attraction. But what about Mal, her childhood friend? Why can't she forget about him?

The sequel, SIEGE AND STORM even comes with a map!


This book has everything you could ever want in a YA fantasy and romance book. It's kick ASS. Yes, caps lock was needed then. A very easy five-stars, but it might not be to everyone's taste. 

Where can I find a Darkling of my own???


Wednesday 19 March 2014

Wednesday Wonders #5

These are all requests of readers and are free to use as long as you credit me. Just a little bit of fun to brighten up the blog

#5 The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Wait For You/Be With Me by J Lynn
The Edge of Never by J A Redmerski
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Daughter of Smoke and Bone/ Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo


























Wednesday Wonders #4

These are all requests of readers and are free to use as long as you credit me. Just a little bit of fun to brighten up the blog

#3 The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner 







Wednesday Wonders #3


These are all requests of readers and are free to use as long as you credit me. Just a little bit of fun to brighten up the blog

#3 The Fault in our Stars by John Green










Wednesday Wonders #2

These are all requests of readers and are free to use as long as you credit me. Just a little bit of fun to brighten up the blog

#2 Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas