Waiting On Wednesday #8: Nemesis

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Nemesis (Nemesis #1)
Author:  Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Expected publication: October 4th 
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

Synopsis

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.


Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs? 


What's your "waiting on" pick this week?

Top Ten Tuesday #40: Books On My Fall TBR List

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

Shon's Fall TBR

1. Nemesis (Nemesis #1) by Anna Banks

 

2. Sugar Free (Sugar Bowl #3) by Sawyer Bennett 

3. Twisted Palace (The Royals #3) by Erin Watt

4. Glitter by Aprilynne Pike

5. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon 

6. The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

7. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

8. This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston 

9. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst 

10. Gilt Hollow by Lorie Langdon

Tina Reviews: A Torch in the Night

A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir
Published August 30th 2016 by by Razorbill
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 452
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by Tina


Synopsis

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.


Review

I was very critical in my An Ember in the Ashes review. I found many things lacking. I didn't like how the story was written. I found plots dull and relationships not believable.

This book made wonders. It is so much more enjoyable. I'm now understanding why readers are hyping it. The writing is much cleaner. The choppy style present in the first book is not there in this one. I'm actually looking forward to reading book 3.

Since the plots were introduced in book 1, the story picked up quickly and went racing from scene to scene. The story could definitely do without the love triangle but I get at the end why it was necessary.

Very interesting plot twists and discoveries. And tons of situations that went awry. The death toll was staggering. Bravo on writing great villainous characters. I had fun reading this book. Also very happy with zero cliffhangers at the end. I'm putting Sabaa Tahir on my radar :)

Book Blog Tour: Tina Reviews Updrft

Title/Author: Updrift by Errin Stevens
Published November 2nd 2015 by Liquid Silver Books

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, 
Mermaids, Young Adult
Page: 269
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina


Synopsis

Since her father died, Kate Sweeting’s home life has been in the pits, her well-being on life support. Her future looks desolate until she and her mother, Cara, decides to pack up and move. Now Cara can play small-town librarian and Kate can enjoy the quiet day to day of book reading, gardening, and cooking. But this small town in North Carolina is anything but quiet. There's something going on with the Blake household. No family is that big or full of mystery.
 
 

My Thoughts

What a compelling story! The minute I received this book from the author, I began to read it right away.

From the opening paragraph, the story captured my interest completely. The story begins with a little girl out boating with her mother when she was lured into the ocean to play with a little boy. He promises her adventure and to her mother's horror, she thought the little girl had drown. This is how the Sweetings fatefully met the Blakes that day. The two families befriended immediately as Kate Sweeting and her mother moved into the same town.

This book came as a complete surprise. It is unlike any Mer story I've read. Not only is the book really well written but the dialogue is fantastic. I couldn't tear away from the book.


My Review

Updrift is broken into three parts.
Part 1 is the initial meeting of Kate and Gabe as 5 year olds. They become fast friends and spends all their time together up until high school. I curiously waited for Kate to discover Gabe is a Merman (in another term Siren). The author made me wait a very long time. I would have been deliciously happy with Kate's discovery with the book ending at page 150 (part 2). Oh no... the book encompasses more than just fantasy and romance, it tosses in suspense, intrigue, and deceit (part 3). 

What just happened? I thought Mermen are honest good hearted people. It's against their nature to act deceitful, that's a humanistic trait.

I really appreciate how the story captures my interest right from the start. It is unassuming and unique. It brought adventure and intrigue. I love how fantastically the chapters changed from innocence to romance. I felt I walked with Kate and Gabe on their journey into adulthood. What a complete underdog story. I'm in complete awe. Updrift deserves a standing ovation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Errin Stevens writes paranormal romance from her home in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and son. When not wrestling with unruly narrative – or reading everything from mythology to contemporary romance to New Adult suspense – you’ll find her swooning over seed catalogs (winter), or digging in the garden (the other three days of the year). Visit the blog for release updates and random essays on writing and mothering.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://errinstevens.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.errin.stevens

Twitter: https://twitter.com/errinstevens

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/errinstevens

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GIVEAWAY

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/050c6a3b10/

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PLAYLIST:

    1      Echo & The Bunnymen "Lips like Sugar"

    2      The Stone Roses "I wanna Be Adored (Remastered)

    3      FAIRCHILD "Arcadia"

    4      Snow Patrol "Shut Your Eyes"

    5      Paul McLinden "Whether the Weather"

    6      Santana "Aqua Marine"

    7      The Hot Dark "Blossom"

    8      Rocket City Riot "Into the Night"

    9      Avinale “Azure"

 

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TOUR SCHEDULE:

September 19th:

Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com)

September 20th:

Kathy (https://www.instagram.com/bookfoxes/)

September 21st: 

Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)

 

September 22nd:

Rachel (http://rachiereads.wordpress.com)

 

September 23rd:

Yahaira (https://www.instagram.com/thejubilantreader)

 

September 24th: 

Gabriela (http://www.instagram.com/writingpromptsandotherstuff)

September 25th: 

Tangled N' Books (http://tanglednbooks.blogspot.com/)

Jackie (http://dauntlessbooksandpenguins.wordpress.com)

September 26th:

Charlotte (http://taleasoldastime31.wordpress.com/)

Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com)

September 27th:

Hannah (https://www.instagram.com/toallthebooks1)

 

September 28th:

Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)

September 29th:

Madeena (http://www.instagram.com/mylittlebookobsession)

 

September 30th:

Jen E. (http://paperandpageblog.wordpress.com)

 

October 1st:

Gaby (https://www.instagram.com/gabbook_art_and_company/)

October 2nd:

Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)

Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours

*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.

Friday 56! September 23, 2016

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. 

1. Grab a book, any book. 
2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. 
3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. 
4. Post it.

"My body tenses, waiting to hear something else. Maybe Sela isn't done and will start trying to call out to me through the door. Maybe she'll try to throw more fiction at me, and in fact, maybe that's why she's silent right now. Her brain is working up a new web of deceit in which she'll try to capture me." - Beck 

From the book Sugar Rush by Sawyer Bennett 

Happy Friday!

Comment down below your Friday 56!

Blog Tour: The Raven Trilogy: The First Journey by Melka Stansah

Title: The Raven Trilogy: The First Journey
Author: Melka Stansah
Published January 29th 2016 by Green Hill Publishing
170 pages
ISBN 9780992339265
Source: Review Copy


Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase: Amazon // BN // TBD


Raven has lived as an outcast his entire life. When secrets are revealed to him, his world is turned upside down.

No mother, no father, he now stands alone.

His quest for revenge leads him on a path beyond his wildest dreams.

Filled with self discovery, love and heart-ache - this book will be sure to make you laugh and cry.

Will Raven find the answer he is looking for?

Chapter 1:
It was a cold winter night. Snow had fallen, covering the stone roads and rooftops of a quiet village, Kiolz. Each family stayed in their houses and sought the warmth of their fire places. It was an unsettled night for a man who was riding his horse in the cold, seeking shelter from the cruel winter weather. The night was getting dark and the wind started to change its demeanor into a horrible winter storm.

“It’s not looking good,” said the man to his horse, his only companion. “We have to find shelter for tonight.”

He focused his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of a light from a house. At this hour most of the villagers would be sleeping, but he had hopes that one or two would still be awake. He was grateful when he eventually saw a blurry light in the distance, in a window of a small house.

The man got off his horse and willed himself to knock on the wooden door. He did not have to wait long as the door was opened quickly by a blind man.

“I am sorry to be so impolite,” he said to the house owner. “A horrible storm is coming and I have nowhere to stay. Would you be kind enough to let me stay the night?”

“I am quite surprised to have someone knocking on my door on a terrible night like this; everyone should be staying in their homes where there is shelter. You must be coming from quite a far place.”

The house owner said. “Bring your horse to the barn and come in afterwards.”

The horse rider thanked him and did as he was told.

The house was warm and comfortable; the man could tell it belonged to a small happy family. The house owner invited him to a small round dining table where he was waiting with a lady. He then poured some rokha, a kind of fragrant wine, and served it to his guest.

“Let’s have a sip of this good rokha. This is a helpful friend on a winter night like this.” He then poured some for himself. “My name is Radeth and this is my wife, Vea.”

Vea was carrying a little baby who was sleeping soundly in his mother’s arms. “This is our son, he was born just five days ago and we are still deciding the best name for him.”

“Ah,” the man looked at Radeth’s son and smiled. “He is adorable.”

“He is a strong boy.” Radeth said with pride. “And like his father, he will be a great warrior.”

“I’m sure he will.” The man said. “My name is Nicholas and I am very grateful for the shelter
tonight.”

Vea soon took her baby back to her room while Nicholas and Radeth stayed for a few more sips of rokha.

“So where are you heading, warrior?” Radeth poured more rokha into his cup.

“Oh, how do you know I am a warrior?” Nicholas said ina shocked tone before he realised his question might offend Radeth due to his blindness. “Ah, I’m so sorry. I have no intention to offend you.”

Radeth smiled. “No, don’t be. I understand. How could a blind man tell who someone is whilst he can’t even see them? I know as I can sense the big sabre you are carrying. It’s not just an ordinary sabre; it is made of two layers of steel which have been forged together, this process makes it twice as strong. No man but a warrior is capable of carrying such a heavy, extraordinary weapon on a long journey through wild storms.”

“You are right to say it’s not an ordinary sabre and it’s very heavy.” Nicholas said, amazed. “But to be more precise, it was not only double layered but also forged three times.”

“You are the blacksmith?”

“Yes,” Nicholas said proudly. “One of my skills I am proud of.”

“Could I hold it for a second?”

Radeth held the sabre and felt the blade surface with his fingers then returned the sabre to Nicholas.

“It is a great weapon,” Radeth said. “But it’s too inconvenient for a battle.”

“It was never meant to be used in a battle,” Nicholas said, receiving back his sabre. “It is very precious.”

Nicholas silently observed his new acquaintances. He was delighted to meet Radeth as they shared something in common. Even though Radeth was blind he did not seem to have any difficulty doing things. He had brilliant senses; dark black hair and strong confident posture, there was no doubt he was born a fighter.

“So, where are you heading?” Radeth repeated his unanswered question.

“North.” Nicholas said.

“North? There is nothing there but deserted and murderous mountains.”“I have no choice.”

Nicholas said smiling. “I’m on a mission, and nothing is more important than accomplishing it.”

Radeth nodded, “Indeed.”

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About the Author:

Melka Stansah was born in Jakarta, Indonesia in May 1983. At just sixteen , Melka took the leap to move to Melbourne, Australia to study. Later she spent two years living in Singapore but returned to Melbourne where she now resides with her husband.

Her influences for writing are varied as her love of travel and culture has vastly enriched her life. Her childhood was spent reading Indonesian folklore, manga and novels written by famous authors all around the world.

Melka’s fantasy novels are influenced by her love of world history, historical literature and ancient mythology. “The Raven Trilogy: The First Journey” is her published novel in a series of three.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://theraventrilogy.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/msraven0905

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unravelthegems/


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TOUR SCHEDULE:

 
September 19th:
Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)

September 20th:
Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.com)
 

September 21st:
Tracy (http://www.thepagesinbetween.com)

September 22nd:
Maia (http://silver-dagger-scriptorium.weebly.com)

September 23rd:
Tangled N' Books (http://tanglednbooks.blogspot.com/)

September 24th:
Brooke (http://www.brookebibliophile.wordpress.com)

September 25th:
Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)

September 26th:
Lisa (http://www.instagram.com/_the.bibliophile)

September 27th:
Katie (http://www.facebook.com/katiesbookblog)

September 28th:
Charlotte (http://writingsofa21yearold.wordpress.com)

 

Blog Tour Organized by: Happy Lil Book Tours
*Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest reviews and opinions.*

Our One Year Anniversary + Giveaway

📣GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER📣 Winner is @_elephant_tales! 🎉✨ Thanks to everyone who entered ❤💕 more giveaways coming soon!

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Today officially marks the anniversary of the journey we started a year back!  Thank you so much to everyone for everything. Your likes, your comments & your friendship means a LOT to us, that's why we are doing a small giveaway since we didn't want this to pass unnoticed. Thank you so much again!!!

Be sure to head over to our Instagram to enter the giveaway.

THE PRIZE 🎁:

• Cress by Marissa Meyer
• Funko POP Disney Tangled: Rapunzel & Pascal
• Crescent Moon Darbel tea from adagio.com
• 2 bookish candle
• other bookish items

 

For another extra entry, comment with your Instagram user name (if apply) in the comments. 

For full list of rules, see giveaway post on our Instagram.

Good luck and again, thank you so much for celebrating with us!