Thursday, December 3, 2015

That's what He said Thursday: December 3, 2015


That’s What He Said Thursday

That’s What He Said Thursday is a meme hosted by Chapterbreak.net. Every Thursday post a favorite lines from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind these are direct quotes from dialogue in a book.



"Close your eyes," he said. Without waiting for me, he pressed his hand over my eyelids, shutting them for me.

I felt his breath on my ear as he said, "I am alone in the world, and yet not alone enough to make each hour holy. I want to reflect everything about you, and I never want to be too blind or too ancient to keep your profound wavering image with me. I want to unfold. I don't want to be folded anywhere, because there, where I'm folded, I am a lie."

This quote is taken from Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, my current favorite fantasy author. Her words are breathtaking, chilling, and beautiful. She paints a world of vivid imagery that is both captivating and pure joy.

You can find my book review here



-Tina

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday #4: Kill the Boy Band

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




Title: Kill the Boy Band
Author: Goldy Moldavsky  
Publisher: Point
To Be Release:  February 23rd 2016
Genres: Young Adult and Contemporary
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Okay, so just know from the start that it wasn't supposed to go like this. All we wanted was to get near The Ruperts, our favorite boy band.


We didn't mean to kidnap one of the guys. It kind of, sort of happened that way. But now he's tied up in our hotel room. And the worst part of all, it's Rupert P. All four members of The Ruperts might have the same first name, but they couldn't be more different. And Rupert P. is the biggest flop out of the whole group.


We didn't mean to hold hostage a member of The Ruperts, I swear. At least, I didn't. We are fans. Okay, superfans who spend all of our free time tweeting about the boys and updating our fan tumblrs. But so what, that's what you do when you love a group so much it hurts.


How did it get this far? Who knows. I mean midterms are coming up. I really do not have time to go to hell.





Why I'm Waiting On This Book

Tina and I having been waiting on this book for what feel like years.  I believe that we heard about this book on YouTube at the beginning of the year and every since we have been looking for this book.

I don’t read much contemporary but, this book sound like something I can really get into.  It nice to know that I’m not the only one who has ever thought about take home a boy band or two. LOL!


-Shon


Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday #7: Top Ten 2016 Debuts Novels We Are Looking Forward To


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten 2016 Debuts Novels We Are Looking Forward To.




1. These Vicious Masks by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas



Jane Austen meets X-Men in this gripping and adventure-filled paranormal romance set in Victorian London.

England, 1882. Evelyn is bored with society and its expectations. So when her beloved sister, Rose, mysteriously vanishes, she ignores her parents and travels to London to find her, accompanied by the dashing Mr. Kent. But they’re not the only ones looking for Rose. The reclusive, young gentleman Sebastian Braddock is also searching for her, claiming that both sisters have special healing powers. Evelyn is convinced that Sebastian must be mad, until she discovers that his strange tales of extraordinary people are true—and that her sister is in graver danger than she feared. (February 9, 2016)

2. The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye

Vika Andreyeva 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. (May 17, 2016)

3. Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace

When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous. (January 26, 2016)





4. Timekeeper by Tara Sim
Every city in the world is run by a clock tower. If one breaks, time stops. It’s a truth that seventeen-year-old Danny knows well; his father has been trapped in a town east of London for three years. Despite being a clock mechanic prodigy who can repair not only clockwork, but time itself, Danny has been unable to free his father.

5. Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky

Okay, so just know from the start that it wasn't supposed to go like this. All we wanted was to get near The Ruperts, our favorite boy band.

We didn't mean to kidnap one of the guys. It kind of, sort of happened that way. But now he's tied up in our hotel room. And the worst part of all, it's Rupert P. All four members of The Ruperts might have the same first name, but they couldn't be more different. And Rupert P. is the biggest flop out of the whole group.



We didn't mean to hold hostage a member of The Ruperts, I swear. At least, I didn't. We are fans. Okay, superfans who spend all of our free time tweeting about the boys and updating our fan tumblrs. But so what, that's what you do when you love a group so much it hurts.



How did it get this far? Who knows. I mean midterms are coming up. I really do not have time to go to hell. (February 23, 2016)

6. The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras.



In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress.



Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons. (January 18, 2016)

7. Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

The two-bit town of Rogue City is a lawless place, full of dark magic and saloon brawls, monsters and six-shooters. But it’s perfect for seventeen-year-old Westie, the notorious adopted daughter of local inventor Nigel Butler.



Westie was only a child when she lost her arm and her family to cannibals on the wagon trail. Nine years later, Westie may seem fearsome with her foul-mouthed tough exterior and the powerful mechanical arm built for her by Nigel, but the memory of her past still haunts her. She’s determined to make the killers pay for their crimes—and there’s nothing to stop her except her own reckless ways.



But Westie’s search ceases when a wealthy family comes to town looking to invest in Nigel’s latest invention, a machine that can harvest magic from gold—which Rogue City desperately needs as the magic wards that surround the city start to fail. There’s only one problem: the investors look exactly like the family who murdered Westie’s kin. With the help of Nigel’s handsome but scarred young assistant, Alistair, Westie sets out to prove their guilt. But if she’s not careful, her desire for revenge could cost her the family she has now. (February 2, 2016)

8. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mystical beasts still roam the wild and barren wastes, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinni still practice their magic. But there's nothing mystical or magical about Dustwalk, the dead-end town that Amani can't wait to escape from.

Destined to wind up "wed or dead," Amani’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to get her out of Dustwalk. When she meets Jin, a mysterious and devastatingly handsome foreigner, in a shooting contest, she figures he’s the perfect escape route. But in all her years spent dreaming of leaving home, she never imagined she'd gallop away on a mythical horse, fleeing the murderous Sultan's army, with a fugitive who's wanted for treason. And she'd never have predicted she'd fall in love with him...or that he'd help her unlock the powerful truth of who she really is. (March 8, 2016)

9. A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's named the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years and invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.
hrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the prophesied one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.



But Henrietta doubts that she's the chosen one. As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?



Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces Henrietta Howel, a powerful, unforgettable heroine, and an entertaining world filled with magic, monsters, and mayhem. (September 20, 2016)

10. Assassin's Heart by Sarah Ahiers

In the kingdom of Lovero, nine rival Families of assassins lawfully kill people for a price. As a highly skilled member of one of these powerful clans, seventeen-year-old Lea Saldana has always trusted in the strength of her Family. Until she awakens to find them murdered and her home in flames. The Da Vias, the Saldanas’ biggest enemy, must be responsible—and Lea should have seen it coming. But her secret relationship with the Da Vias’ son, Val, has clouded her otherwise killer instinct—and given the Da Vias more reason than ever to take her Family down.


Racked with guilt and shattered over Val’s probable betrayal, Lea sets out to even the score, with her heart set on retaliation and only one thought clear in her mind: make the Da Vias pay.



With shades of The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, this richly imagined fantasy from debut author Sarah Ahiers is a story of love, lies, and the ultimate vengeance. (February 2, 2016)

What 2016 YA debuts are YOU excited about? 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Shon Review William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope

Title / Author: William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doescher  


Publisher: Quirk Books 
Year Published: July 2013
Series: William Shakespeare's Star Wars
Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Fiction
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

Other Titles from this Author: William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back and William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return




Synopsis

Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language—and William Shakespeare—here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas's epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearsome Stormtroopers, signifying...pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations—William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.




My Review

This is just a brilliant adaptation of Star Wars into the style of Shakespeare.  I enjoyed the way Star Wars is done in play form and the wonderful illustrations throughout. I really enjoyed reading this. 

One of my favorite additions to the story were R2-D2's inter-thoughts. OMG! I was laughing so hard at R2-D2's monologue. He squeaks and beeps when he his taking to other characters in the play, but as soon as he is alone the monologue start. One of my favorite monologue from R2-D2 is when he start talking about C-3PO's annoying personality and on his own sneaky plans. These are just hilarious additions to already beloved story.


The language is very Shakespearean, but I still found it easy to read and understand.


-Shon

Friday, November 27, 2015

The Friday 56: November 27, 2015

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice. Grab a book, any book.  Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.  Post it.




 The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
These are the secrets I have kept. This is the trust I never betrayed. But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets. The one who saved me . . . and the one who cursed me.

My 56:



"Most curious," he muttered." Will Henry, go and press the stakes."

"Press the stakes, sir?"
"Try to push them deeper into the ground."


Be sure to leave your The Friday 56 in the comments!


-Shon

Thursday, November 26, 2015

That’s What He Said Thursday: November 26, 2015


That’s What He Said Thursday

That’s What He Said Thursday is a meme hosted by Chapterbreak.net. Every Thursday post a favorite lines from your book boyfriend to his heroine. Keep in mind these are direct quotes from dialogue in a book.





"You flirt with everything." She said, "You flirt with old people and babies and everybody in between."

"Oh, I do not..." He tucked his chin into his neck indignantly, "I was just being nice."

"You do so, you're extra nice. With everyone. You go out of your way to make everyone feel special. How is anyone supposed to know that they are special? How was I supposed to know you weren't just being nice?"

"You can't see that I'm different with you?"

"If you smile at everyone," she said, "how am I supposed to feel when you smile at me?"

"How do you feel when I smile at you?" he asked - and then he did smile at her, just a little.

Not like myself, Cath thought. She gripped his hands tightly then stood on tiptoe, brushing her head gently against his cheek. "Like an idiot," she said softly. "And like I never want it to stop."



Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, my newest contemporary fave and I don't read contemporary so that's saying something! :) I simply gush over this book (see my review here).




-Tina

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Top Ten Tuesday #6: Thanksgiving themed Freebie (November 24)



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is Thanksgiving themed Freebie.



Tina

1. I'm thankful for all the friends I've made with fellow bookstagrammers and our fun conversations we've shared.
2. I'm thankful for books like Throne of Glass and Daughter of Smoke and Bone that propelled me back into reading.
3. I'm thankful for bookstagram that's encouraging me to be better at photography and teaching me to think outside the box.

Wendy

1. I'm thankful for J.K. Rowling and her creative imagination. Thanksgiving at Hogwarts sounds fun!
2. I'm thankful for Marissa Meyer, and the new book Winter! just in time for Winter :).
3. I'm thankful for Shon and Tina! xo

Shon

1. I am thankful for my family and friends for their constant support and understanding in all the endeavors I take on. Who are willing to stand on a ladder holding a light so I can get the perfect book photo.
2. I am thankful for Tina and Windy who have decided to join me on this wonderful, exciting, frustrating and always entertaining world of blogging. (Love ya Ladies)!
3. I am thankful for the support of our fellow bookstagrammers who take the time out of their day to view, like, and comment on our photos.
4. And lastly, I am thankful for the authors who have such vivid imagination that can create such wonderful and fascinating characters and world. Whose words can take you all around the world and back again.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.” ― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons