Romanov by Nadine Brandes [ARC – Book Review]

Summary:

The history books say I died.

They don’t know the half of it.

Anastasia “Nastya” Romanov was given a single mission: to smuggle an ancient spell into her suitcase on her way to exile in Siberia. It might be her family’s only salvation. But the leader of the Bolshevik army is after them . . . and he’s hunted Romanov before.

Nastya’s only chances of survival are to either release the spell, and deal with the consequences, or enlist help from Zash, the handsome soldier who doesn’t act like the average Bolshevik. Nastya’s never dabbled in magic before, but it doesn’t frighten her as much as her growing attraction for Zash. She likes him. She thinks he might even like her . . .

That is, until she’s on one side of a firing squad . . . and he’s on the other.

My Review:

“I realized that a part of forgiveness was accepting the things someone had done – and the pain that came with that – and moving on with love.” -Anastasia from Romanov

This book was AH-MAZING.

I’m someone who very rarely reads Historical Fiction aside from a few authors and Nadine Brandes is definitely now a part of this list. My issue with so many Historical Fiction books is that they often feel like I’m reading a history textbook, and this…this was NOT one of those books.

This story was crafted so beautifully, and the ending was beyond perfect. Throughout the whole story I was just in LOVE with the Romanov family. I loved their relationships and love for each other. I especially loved the relationship between Nastya and Alexei! It was beyond beautiful. And I love how the story focused more on the love and relationship between a family more than the love interest story line. I knew nothing about the real-life Romanov family going into this story and the whole time I was reading this book I was just rooting for them and my heart rejoiced and grieved with them and their situation over and over and over again. Their small moments of joy brought me joy and their moments of sadness broke me. I was so invested in this story of their amazing family. I love the strength and the voice Nadine brought to Nastya’s character. She was so easy to connect with and relate to. I love that despite everything Nastya and her family has been through, she is so strong and despite her pain and being faced with many difficult decisions she was never selfish. She always thought about her family and those around her.

Whether you read Historical Fiction on a regular basis or not I 100% recommend this book.

**NOTE: I was given this book (from NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review/opinion**

Advertisement

Share The Love || A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Hello Readers!

Finally! I got around to a book review! Are you as excited as I am? Okay you probably aren’t but whatever. Let’s do this thing.

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

 

So, I was given a copy of this book by my Secret Sister who goes by the name of ‘Ariel’ and I finished the book a couple days after I got it. (Granted I didn’t start it until a few days after haha 😛 ) I’m seriously in LOVE with this book! ❤

After reading this book I will, without a doubt, be reading more of Patrick Ness’s works. This was the first book of his I read and if I said I didn’t enjoy it would be a big fat lie! Not only was the story amazing and intriguing but Patrick Ness’s writing style is beautiful ok? It was gorgeously amazing and flowed so well almost like poetry. I loved it.

I loved the emotions I could just feel radiating off the pages as I read. I felt fear and suspense when the monster showed itself. I also really connected with the MC Connor as well. All his emotions I could feel. At points it felt like it was me as the main character and it was just truly magical. Such amazing writing, let me tell you that.

I enjoyed this book so much and was blown away by it. I honestly don’t think I’ve read such a beautiful book before. It was an outstanding novel. If you haven’t read it then do it now. Ok? Take my word on this.

 

I rate this book: 5 Diamonds

I like using diamonds instead of stars. Don’t judge me 😛

 

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts on it? Did you love it? Why or why not?

 

Until Next Time,

Adriana G.

 

Also look at these amazing illustrations for the book by Jim Kay

Series Review || Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Hello Readers!

So, instead of doing a bunch of separate reviews for each book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, I thought doing mini reviews of each book on one post would A.) Be a lot more fun and B.) Help me get to the other book reviews faster.

So here goes nothing!

**WARNING: THIS IS A FANGIRL FILLED ZONE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION **

 

The Lightning Thief     Rating: 5 Stars

I really really loved The Lightning Thief, okay? Okay.

It was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed reading it. It was an easy read (obviously) but still amazing none-the-less.

The reason I haven’t read the series until now was because, like the Harry Potter Books, I wasn’t allowed to read them for the longest time. (Sad moment cause both are amazing series that I’m only now just getting to at 18 years old.)

Anywho. This book (despite it being middle grade) is right up my alley. Greek Mythology based stuff is totally my favourite.

I LOVE Percy so much, okay? All the sass and sarcasm is just so dang amazing. And oh my goodness the puns.

 

 

Sea of Monsters    Rating: 4.5 Stars

I really loved this book, but not as much as the first one I must say. I’m loving having Clarisse in this story a little more but the story seems to be going by at a really really fast pace. I mean I like that in a story…but this is too fast…if that makes sense. Basically with Sea of Monsters I read through it as fast as I could because it was really unenjoyable to me. I mean I still loved all the characters and the idea of the story but it was all too fast for my liking.

 

 

The Titans Curse    Rating: 5 Stars

I really enjoyed Zoe in this story…I’m just sayin. I was sad that Annabeth wasnt really in that one… I mean it progressed the plot but I was sad she was absent haha.

By this point I still can’t get over Percy. The narration is on point! Percy is just the best character to have as a narrator of the story and many times I was chuckling to myself about is sassy or sarcastic comments.

One thing I loved about this was that more of my favourite gods made appearances in this book (I LOVE Greek mythology stuff…have loved it ever since I was about 10… Which I find quite strange considering I was allowed to check Greek mythology books out from my library but for the same reason I wasn’t allowed to read the Percy Jackson books sooner… What???)

Anyways. I also really enjoyed Thalia’s character every new character that pops in for one of the novels never disappoints. Not one of them even seems the slightest bit same and that, my friends, is skill.

 

 

The Battle of the Labyrinth    Rating: 3 Stars

I enjoyed this book but definitely not as much as the others so far. It felt a lot slower to me. (The exact opposite of The Sea of Monsters) Despite that I still really enjoyed it! It was just a lot slower than I would have expected (pacing/action wise) considering the pacing of the other books in the series so far.

The reason the slower pacing surprised me was simply due to the mission the characters were on. I guess it was just interesting to see them going on such an important mission and there not being much action…though I guess other elements of the story made up for it though 🙂

As usual I LOVE LOVE LOVE the character okay? ❤ They are all just so amazing :3

 

 

The Last Olympian    Rating: 5 Stars (Or, you know…just ALL the stars)

Okay… Before I start this review, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE THING THAT IS PERCABETH??? *FLAILS* I LOVE THEM SOOOOOO MUCH!! :3 :3

I ADORED THIS BOOK! A wonderful conclusion to the first series by Rick Riordan! *takes a moment to flail about the last chapter of this book*

I really have no words for this book except for incoherent fangirl gibberish and the fact that all I can say (that other people understand) is THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING! I LOVE IT SO FREAKING MUCH ❤

 

 

SO. Thats my review! Have you read the Percy Jackson books? What are your thoughts? I would love to hear from you lovely people.

 

Until Next Time

Adriana G.

Release Day Celebration and ARC Review|| The Sound of Diamonds

Hello Readers!

As I told you a while ago, I’m back with a review of such a wonderful book that releases today! YAY! And, because of that, before I start the review I must say this: HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, RACHELLE REA!

 

Cake for everyone to enjoy while you read the review!

 

So, remember a while ago, I mentioned how Heather Manning’s first book got me hooked on historical novels? Well, this book did something even better than get me hooked on a certain genre of books. The Sound of Diamonds fed my newfound addiction and I am very much okay with that!

 

The Sound of Diamonds is an AMAZING book, you guys! Like, you NEED this in your life.I just cannot deal! It’s too amazing!

 

*excuse me while I go cry over the beauty of this book*

In Reformation-era England, a converted rogue wants to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk Godfrey knows he has only one chance at redemption.
An independent Catholic maiden seeking refuge in the Low Countries finds herself at the center of the Iconoclastic Fury. Jaded by tragedy, Gwyneth’s only hope of getting home is to trust the man she hates, and she soon discovers her poor vision is not the only thing that has been blinding her.
But the home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, will the saint and the sinner hold to hope…or be overcome?

*takes a deep breath so I can control my fangirling somewhat so this all makes sense*

Anyways. This book was absolutely amazing. I was instantly hooked and dragged right into the beautiful and amazing story.

What I loved most of all was how well Rachelle wrote Gwyneth’s struggle and the fight that went on in her mind as the journey went on. We were really shown how Gwyneth’s feelings towards the situation she finds herself in and towards other characters in the story and it all came out to be realistic and I really felt Gwyneth’s pain and her struggles. It was perfectly done.

While I’m here kind of tlaking about the characters, I must say that I LOVED them. Each character was unique and important and some were totally worthy of being fangirled over…I’m just sayin. (Oh how I want to give you all exact examples but it would ruin everything.)

As you might have gathered from the description, The Sound of Diamonds is set in the 1500s. At a time where, not only was the Reformation in full swing in Europe, but modern-day Holland was launching the Dutch Revolution because they no longer wanted to be ruled by Spain. The Sound of Diamonds starts right there in the turmoil of religious upheaval and political intrigue. The setting was amazing and I loved how within opening the book I was pulled right into the action of the story without fail. It is very rare I get into a story that quickly. Usually it takes me the first chapter to be completely hooked…but not with The Sound of Diamonds. With this book I was hooked within the first page.

Now, I can’t say I’ve been reading Historical Fiction for long..but I can say The Sound of Diamonds is my favourite Historical novel so far. I can also say that you also need a copy of this book right now.

And obviously, instead of stars, I must rate this book with Diamonds…I mean it’s fitting, is it not?

Time To Share The Love || Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Wooh! Finally got around to doing a review again. I’m so glad to be back on board with my reading and stuff. My apologies on not posting a review on Monday. We had no internet the whole long weekend and havehad sick little people in my home. But anywho. Moving on.

Today’s review, shall be of one of those three. And as the title says, I will be reviewing Scarlet by Marissa Meyer.

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison–even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

So, I never did get around to reviewing Cinder and I don’t remember enough to actually go back and review it and that’s why I’m picking up with Scarlet (So yeah, don’t go looking for a review of Cinder as that review never happened…)
I LOVED this book! I gave Cinder a 4 star rating as, I liked it but didn’t LOVE it….but this. This book I LOVED TO ITTY BITTY PIECES.

Cait Drews, I shall now give you a virtual high five as you suggested this series to me.

Now… *cough * *cough *
This is seriously the best series as I love anything Fairytale related….so retellings are totally up my alley. If you know of any other good ones, let me know people!

The twist to the Red Riding Hood story was FAN-FLIPPIN-TASTIC! And the twist to the whole wolf as the grandmother element was so creative as well. Basically, I have decided that Marissa Meyer is queen of retellings. So far the first two books have been great 😀 I really liked how Cinder tied into this story as well and we got to see a bunch of the other characters from the first book. I always love it when an author can bring another character in like that and it was flawless and so well done!

Scarlet was such an amazing adventure filled with action and I loved it. Everything felt so real and I could feel all the tension and fear and betrayal the characters felt and it was fantastic…Though with the whole thing with Wolf kinda threw me off cause I just kept picturing Derek from Teen Wolf…It was interesting. Basically, don’t watch Teen Wolf and read this book unless you want to picture Wolf and his buddies as Teen Wolf characters…I mean, its not like that’s a bad thing.

*clears throat *

Anyways…I do believe that Wolf and Scarlet are my favourite ship of the series so far. Once again, I loved how this was a little more action packed than Cinder and that I loved! Don’t get me wrong. Cinder was great and such an amazing intro to the series but I loved the more intense action that came along with Scarlet. It was great!
So, Scarlet gets a little bit of a better rating than 4 stars I gave Cinder…and that rating is:

Its Time To Share The Love || All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Hello Readers!

So this past week I was able to read through three books which means I have reviews for (for sure) these next 3 weeks! It was so great to get back to reading again after pretty much a month of no reading at all. Now, I refuse to waste any more time on an intro and get right into this review!

 

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Oh my giddy goodness people! Prepare for tears. I rarely cry while reading books. (Watching movies is a whole other story) I usually tear up but never full out cry or wail… But this book.

This book seriously made me cry harder than my two year old sister who just met Santa Claus for the first time at our local shopping center. (Reffering to her being scared to death of him of course)

ATBP was so beautifully crafted and wonderfully written. I loved it ans it was so relatable to me (being a sufferer of Depression) and I just couldn’t believe it. Many times, while reading through the book, I would find a quote and instantly I would just be like: ‘Oh my gosh! Someone understands how I feel’ It just blew my mind.

Despite the sadness and feels in this book it was just amazing! It felt so real to me. I could feel the pain these characters felt and I could see them like I was there, in the book itself as one of the characters. They felt so real and alive to me. I seriously gotta hand it to Jennifer Niven as she did such a wonderful job. *applauds the author* Their feelings just felt so real and so did their situations. Maybe some of it was due to my experience with depression or just becasue it was so well written (Actually….It’s probably both…) I seriously cannot get over it.

I also love that someone was finally brave enough to do what Jennifer did. It seems that the media/books are avoiding the topic of Suicide/Depressiona and Mental Health more and more. I think that by being brave enough to write something like this and shine a light on that will help so many people. I love how Jennifer approached this topic in such a real way and wasn’t afraid to leave out some aspects or not write about it at all. Mental Health is something that needs to be talked about but that just isn’t happening…So yeah. Another reason why this book is amazing becasue it talks about Depression and Suicide in a real way.

I absloutely fell in love with both Finch and Violet as well. Finch was awkwardly adorable and so sad and broken but amazingly charming. Violet was very sweet though somewhat lost in the feeling of loss she feels.

THIS BOOK WAS JUST AMAZING IN CASE THAT WASN’T CLEAR! IF YOU HAVENT READ THIS BOOK THEN READ IT RIGHT NOW!

*takes a deep breath* Okay…relax…calm down…

So…Basically:

If I could I would give this book a 1 million stars….but the rating only goes up to 5 so…. 5 BRIGHT SHINY STARS FOR ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

Time To Share The Love! || The False Reflections Trilogy Review by Laura L. Smith

Hello Readers!

So lately I’ve been plugging away at a bunch of novels I’ve bought or been given and I am finally making a dent in my TBR pile…Until I add like ten more books per every one I complete…Anyways. I have FINALLY read the whole novella series of Laura L. Smith’s, The False Reflections Trilogy. So today you are getting three mini reviews of the novellas! Now, it’s time to meet the three main characters (who are best friends) and learn about their stories. (Aka. Lets get this review started! 😀 )

 

Skinny: She was starving to fit in… (The False Reflections Book 1)

Teenager Melissa Rollins seems to have it all, and now she’s got the eye of the cute new guy in school, Beau Pointreaux. The one thing Melissa doesn’t have is a perfect body. There are ways to fix that, though. Strict dieting and throwing up can’t be all bad, can they? Melissa soon finds the consequences are devestating, but turning back isn’t so easy. Will she hear God’s voice before it’s too late?

This book really touched me. It was very beautiful and so well done. Knowing a couple people with anorexia and struggling with eating and such has really made this book hit home for me. This book was really well done and shone a light on eating disorders and a struggle in many teenagers these days. *cue sadness*

Anyways. This book was absolutely fantastic and a well written, thought provoking, novella. Once again, Laura Smith’s writing is amazing and really draws me in instantly!

Melissa was such a sweet, adorable character who struggled with her weight. She constantly compared herself to her friends and those around her and that didn’t help with her insecurities. As Melissa went through everything and started (eventually) on her road to recovery my heart just went out to her. At points it just screamed reminders of someone I know who was going through the same thing and at points I was afraid to admit that my line of thought and such were the same as the characters. Laura did a fantastic job of really making the characters relatable (Whether or not you struggle with an eating disorder or anything like that) This book was beautifully done and a great read that I finished very quickly indeed.

My Rating for this novella is:

 

Hot: She was tempted to give in… (The False Reflections Book 2)

Lindsey is gorgeous and dresses like a model, but inside she feels alone. She feels as though no one truly understands her — until she meets Noah. Noah possesses a calm self-confidence that Lindsey craves. But what price will she pay to escape to the comfort of Noah’s soft words and strong arms? Drawn into a world where fashion, boys, and popularity rule, will Lindsey discover what truly matters before it’s too late?

 

Once again, another amazingly thought provoking novella about the struggles of many these days.( This book deals with sexual purity.)

Lindsey’s family is far from perfect or even amazing. Most her parents time is spent on her older sister who is on a path of self destruction. That takes up so much of her parents time that Lindsey feels very alone, really only having her friends in replacement of her family. Seeing this relationship with her friends and seeing the damaged relationship with her family made me feel for Lindsey. Not having a family who cares is just so saddening indeed. I really felt for this character as she struggled to make many decisions that may or may not have taken her down a road she never originally wanted.

My rating of this novella is 4.5 stars. Why? Just because it wasn’t my favorite…BUT it was still fantastic and I did really like it! (I feel terrible for rating a book I liked 4.5 when comparing it to the other book! *gasp* )

4.5 Stars!!!

 

Angry: She was screaming to be hear… (The False Reflections Book 3)

Who do you blame when your world is crashing down? Watching her parents go through a divorce is devestating for Emma and has turned her life into a tailspin. She’s angry at everyone around her. She’s angry at her siblings who she always has to babysit, her parents who are ruining her life, and herself for not measuring up to anyone’s standards. Will she turn her torment over to God and put her trust in Him before it’s too late?

 

Emma, Emma, Emma… such a sad girl just screaming to be heard (see what I did there? 😉 ) I just wanted to hug her so tightly and fix all her problems….but I couldn’t cause she’s fictional 😦 *sniff sniff* (The struggles of a reader, I tell you.) Angry is the third book in the series and a great, though heart shattering, end to the trilogy.

Emma’s family is falling apart and she’s left to clean up the damage and try to put her life back together. Amidst the struggle, she just wants everything to be normal even though that couldn’t happen. (this book made me cry!) When bad things happen all one wants is for things to be normal right? Yeah, been there. Bad stuff happens and if everything could just fix itself that would be great! My point? totally relatable. Once again, amazing writing and a great read! 😀

My rating:

Once again, with all her works, Laura Smith ceases to amaze with her beautiful writing just overflowing with God’s love and how we are all his creation.

Amazing author, amazing writing, amazing trilogy. Go read now!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Adriana Gabrielle

Share The Love: ||3 Day Cover Reveal Countdown + Forest of Whispers Book Review||

Hello Readers!

Sorry for my absence of countdown stuff these last couple days AND the lateness of this post. My family and I spent our Family Day down at Frank Slide walking around and learning more about the tragic event in 1903 in the small town of Frank, Alberta. It’s such a chilling thing to be there, walking around on basically a two mile wide graveyard of limestone. (I’m working on a project related to this so soon I will tell y’all more about it.) So, that is the reason why this post is so late, BUT it’s here now….Better late than never, right?

First things first, The Book Review of Forest of Whispers!

 

“This is who I am. I am no longer the simple girl hidden behind the safety of a make-believe forest. I am the story. I am the tall tale . . . I am the witch.”

Raised by an old fortune-teller within the dark veil of the Bavarian Black Forest, Rune has learned two valuable lessons: only take from the forest that which you can use, and never, never look anyone in the eye in the village. For something terrible happened in the forest long ago… and now, the whispers of a long-dead mother with a vengeful secret have come haunting.

Forced to flee all she has ever known, Rune soon learns of a legacy she is bound to–one that is drenched in fear, witchcraft and murder–a birthright that stretches beyond the grave to the trees where Rune is no longer safe.

 

This book….was absolutely FANTASTIC. Within seconds I was pulled into the story and doomed to never return until I reached the words ‘The End’

When I finished this book I sat around for a while trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life now that the book was over.

This book had me doodling away and SURPRISE fan art was made. I need to actually finish with it…but that is seriously how much I adored the book. 🙂

I was very brutally attacked by feels and many times I just wanted to reach into that book and give Rune and the other characters big hugs… Or just abduct them and put them away in a safe place where their author can’t hurt them and the characters would be happy and I would give them yummy hot chocolate and yes…I would keep them very safe. I just want my beautiful characters to be happy DX But really, despite the fact that this book did kill my feels I still say you pick up your own copy of this book as soon as you can and read it all right now….

Now! Characters! I LOVED the characters. First of all I am not going to lie and say that I kept picturing Matilde to look like the witch from Disney’s Brave…Though maybe not with such a big nose….Okay,anyways. moving on. I really liked Matilde as a character and I loved how she was like a mother to Rune and I just likes that whole relationship going on there. That was great. I loved Rune as a character as well. She was such a sweet character who was put through a lot of trials and had a heavy, and life threatening burden to carry…and really I think she handled everything pretty well…I mean if I were her I would have just curled up in a ball and cried until the ‘bad guys’ found me and POOF! bye bye me! So yeah, she was a great character who was a pretty tough cookie and I really enjoyed her very much.

The story is also from the POV of a young man named Laurentz and it was really great seeing his side of the story and just getting to know him as a character. I really enjoyed him as a character and his want to protect Rune and how he tries to help her is just-I just- ashjskshruhgjkshikgusyfgjysklfg.

It was just so cute how he set out to protect Rune and refused to see her like everyone else did and was set on her not being what people said and yes…I loved it! Quite adorable. I ship it! There is so much I hope happens in the second book too…. LIKE MY SHIP ACTUALLY SAILING for one thing! It’s a little stranded right now while I wait for ‘Castle of Sighs’ but, either way this book was absolutely wonderful and I adored it very very very much! 😀

My rating for this book is 5 Stars people….and in my mind, 5 Stars = Go buy this book right now, read it then LOVE IT.

Oh….and one more thing!!!