Top Ten Tuesday #94 Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to In 2018

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I'm Looking Forward to In 2018 (These could be new releases, or books you resolve to read.)


Tina's Picks
Looking forward to these 2018 releases~

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

 

Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

 

ShadowsoBatman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

 

 

Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas

 

 

Markswoman by Rati Mehrotra

 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

 

 

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman

 

 

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi 

  

 

 

Rage by Cora Carmack

 

 A Court of Frost and Starlight

 

 

What are your most anticipated reads?

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Reviews: The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
Published July 29th 2014 by Avon Genres: High Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Paranormal
Page: 595
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea's king by taking one of the man's beautiful, beloved daughters, known as "Seasons" as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter's battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother's death, rages on.

Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father's palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig's icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.

Thoughts

Wow wow wow..this book is such a gem. I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked it up. I was looking for an epic fantasy story with an epic romance. I wasn't prepared for how engrossing this little gem turned out to be.

Review

Neglected and unloved by her father, Khamsin grew up isolated and hidden from the world. Her father viewed her as an abomination. She is one of the most powerful Weathermage of her royal family line, the temperous Storm.

Fantastic world building. Contains elements of heroism and monstrous foes from frost giants to battling the Ice King. The action doesn't stop here. The girl then turns into the hero she grew up reading and fantasizing from her childhood.

This book completely took me by surprise. It was so enthralling and it exuded Tamora Pierce feel; whoa call me impressed.

Definite recommend.

Top Ten Tuesday #93: Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books I Hope Santa Brings (If you celebrate a different Winter holiday, adapt this topic to fit it!)


Tina's Picks:
I was just thinking about how much I love the covers and want to get my hands on these books

 

 

Books I want to do a second read

 

 

 

 

Series I need to get my hands on


I'm super in love with the Nick Chronicles right now *sigh...

 

 

The Dark Hunter series

 

 

 

Top Ten Tuesday #92: Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017



Tina's Picks
There are a few I'm pleasantly surprised. I delight in the feeling of an unexpected story that captures my interest and all I can think about is to need to finish it!

 

 

 

 

Monday Reviews: Made You Up by Francesca Zappia

Made You Up by Francesca Zappia
Published May 19th 2015 by Greenwillow Books
Genres: Young Adult, Mental Health-Mental Illness, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
Page: 428
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

Reality is often not what you perceive it to be. Alex fights a daily battle to figure out the difference between reality and hallucination. Alone, she wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay sane long enough to get into college. Then she has her freedom, away from the watchful eyes of her parents, away from the judging looks of her classmates. 

Thoughts

"Real or not real?"

I've said this in Eliza and Her Monsters and I'll say this again, watch out for Francesca Zappia. She writes compelling realistic stories! Her YA contemporary romances are phenomenal. Especially the heart felt mental illness issues.

Review

Alexandra is diagnosed for paranoia and schizophrenia after an incident that happened when she was 7 years old that her mother believed to be made up. She goes through daily routines from checking her surroundings to taking photos to examine later, constantly questioning her visual and audio hallucinations.

Her reality begins to bleed into her hallucinations when she meets her childhood friend on the first day of senior year. I love Alex meeting Miles. Two unlikely anti-social outcasts finding friendship, understanding, and love. They are so perfect for one another. And both equally flawed. I also love the squad. Charming, loyal, reliable, and funny. They make a great team for these highly functioning introverts. 

This story is unbelievably pure. I've never read anything this complex. I thought with all the modern medicine has to offer, Alex would be able to seek help and relief. But her reality is so blurred and she shatters each time she discovers what she think is real isn't. It has me questioning what are the truths in her life.

This story also throws me for a loop. Each time I think I know what's about to happen, it goes another way. Moments of joy mixed with incredulous scenes. And times when I expect a happier moment, the rug is pulled out under me. Brilliant writing. Always a joy picking up Francesca Zappia's book.

Monday Reviews: The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
Published October 3rd 2017 by HarperTeen
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons
Page: 432
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina


Synopsis

These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.

Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

Summary

The legend of Namsara and Iskari goes like this, "In the beginning, the Old One was lonely. He made two companions for himself, Namsara was good and full of laughter, Iskari was destruction and death. Iskari hated her nature and wanted the Old One to change her but he refused, there needs to be a balance in the world, he said. Iskari hated her brother for being beloved and hated the Old One for making her full of bloodlust. She wandered the desert alone and lost. Namasara searched for her in the desert and the sky changed seven times before he found her body in the sand. At the sight of her, dead, Namsara fell to his knees and wept."

Review

All her life, Asha struggles between her Iskari nature and the good Namsara. She grows up believing she is the evil one, feared and hated by her people. This story is about her journey and the discovery of what happened to her and her family in the past.  

This story is so beautiful and carefully constructed. The plans that come together are breathtaking. I find myself liking dragons when I never have before. I want to hear more of their voices, more of their stories.  

Sigh... Asha and Torwin are so genuinely good. His gentle nature and kindness slays me. I'm so happy that Asha is a strong independent woman who takes control of her destiny and breaks down barriers. She wasn't as alone in her journey as she thinks and I'm so glad she has people who love and care about her. I'm intrigued by the next journey she takes.

Top Ten Tuesday #90: Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR




Tina's Picks:
Newly Released Novels I'm excited to read this Winter
 

 

The Goblins of Bellwater

 

 

An Enchantment of Ravens

 

Wild Beauty

All the Crooked Saints

 

Click'd

 

The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic
 

 

 

Some rereads I enjoy on a chilly Winter night 

 

 

 

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy

 

 

 

Harry Potter Volumes 1-3

Monday Reviews: Roar by Cora Carmack

Roar by Cora Carmack
Published June 13th 2017 by Tor Teen
Published May 19th 2015 by Greenwillow Books
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Magic
Page: 380
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them. Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes.

As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings.

Thoughts

Kudos to Cora Carmack for tackling YA. She is Shon's fave author and she recommended me her contemporary/new adult romance fictions last year so I was both excited and surprised with the release of Roar; I didn't know she can write something so compelling and unique. 

Review

The story begins by telling the reader that Aurora is magic-less. She comes from a long line of royal Stormlings blood but she herself has no magic. Her mother is one of the most powerful magic wielder/storm tamer and to hide Aurora's shameful secret, she is kept in seclusion most of her adolescent life. Her mother believes to save her kingdom, she must marry Aurora to one of the powerful Stormling families. Aurora is conflicted with wanting to be obedient and wanting to seek her independence.

One night, as she follows her betrothed into the darkness, she discovers an underground black market of magic for the giftless. Sheltered all her life, this is a very exciting new possibility.

Overall

Electrifying.

Here's why. This story can take so many different directions. First of all, her situation is already bleak because she has no magic. I can already envision a life of dominance by her future husband and she hasn't told him that she carries no abilities yet, imagine the mayhem. Second, I didn't even think there is a chance of non-Stormling to carry Stormhearts, this is just too cool. Storm Hunters? Yes!! Third, she has two prospects? Whoa! I'm already liking her hot betrothed and now she has another love interest? Fourth, even though Aurora can't tame a Storm doesn't mean she might not have some other abilities. That's why I think this book is amazing. The possibilities are endless! There's so much potential and the adventures are exciting.

And the epilogue? I want to throw a tantrum very badly, I want the next book now...