The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson [Book Review]

It has been two whole days since I finished the book and I still have so many feelings and am trying to gather my thoughts because this book was full of so many amazing things I don’t know where to begin! In this moment I’m happy for the ability to highlight and make notes on the Kindle App because I’m honestly going through everything I noted and highlighted hoping I can write a review that describes my love for this book.

The story itself blew me away and my dumb ass didn’t realize until I was nearing the end of the book that there is going to be a second book…I think…I hope… But anyways! I was drawn in with the first page and in that moment, I felt like I too was flying and oh, how I longed to after that. The craft and skill in which Kalyn Josephson wrote this book gave me no choice to be dragged into the story and get invested with it and these characters from the first sentence.

Thia is the main character of the story and as the POV character her voice was established and remained there the whole way. Very strong narration in which I  felt a very real connection with her and I saw a lot of myself in her in that she is feisty and quick to stand up for others even if she gets in trouble for it.

Now let me take a moment to address what I think is one of the most important things in this story. Depression. Yes, you read that right… Depression. Kalyn Josephson has done what so many have tried to do and has taken it and blown it out of the water! It’s safe to say that this is one of two FANTASY books/series in which I have seen an accurate portrayal of mental illness/depression. As someone with depression seeing this accurate portrayal and seeing Thia kick depression in the ass was so empowering to me because throughout the book you see this process on how it really is like living with a mental illness. Some days you feel like you can conquer the world and your mental illness but then others it’s a fight to simply get and stay out of bed and for this I APPLAUD the author because the way she portrayed this is so real and SO. SO important. Everything Thia felt I have felt too and it just felt so real.

Essentially this book was beyond amazing and went above and beyond what I thought and expected from it! (and I expected many great things)

 

**I was provided this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own**

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So life has been insane…but here is whats coming up.

 

So long story short, my computer bit the dust. ( *weeps* ) its why I haven’t been blogging as of late because work has been crazy, my boyfriend was visiting AND I haven’t had the chance to get to the library long enough to actually write up a blog post or two…BUT here I am. At the library writing away and I’m popping in to tell you whats coming up.

 

1. Sometime in this next week I have a blog hop post for Author Jennifer Murgia and her spooky novels! (Just in time for halloween!) – long story short it was supposed to be done today but see reasons above relating to my computer and now I have no graphics for the post either 😦

2. November 2nd – Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall Blog Tour

3. Early November (No set date yet) – I’m REALLY excited to bring a music review of a family friends newly released album. Just need some time to listen to the album and write up a post

4. More life posts! 

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

Hey look at that! I FINALLY have a book review on here again. I just read this book this weekend and have been reading through it this month with Briana Morgan and I just finished it this weekend! I had …

Well, We Don’t Like Being ‘Eye Candy’ Either…

So I recently went and saw the Ghostbusters movie in theatres with my sister and co-worker, Taylor, and I really really enjoyed the film (maybe I’ll review it another time) A few days after watching the movie, I stumbled upon some posts and articles posted on Facebook written by some enraged guys about Chris Hemsworth’s character Kevin in the film.  People were mad that he played a dumb guy who was basically just there for his looks. (The term I read that was used frequently was ‘Eye Candy’ )

Now normally I’m not one to whine or complain about this kind of stuff but I just want to say this. ‘Us girls don’t like it when you do this to us, either.’

Normally I’m not one for the whole time to give you a taste of your own medicine thing…but right now this actually applies quite well. I think it was interesting and kind of nice to have the roles reversed for once because finally…FINALLY people are starting to slowly come to the realization that ‘hey. It totally sucks when this guy/girl is a total dummy and only there because they are attractive. What does that make me?’

My question and main concern is Why? Why aren’t people taking a stand against the creation of characters like this? Like, don’t get me wrong. These kinds of characters are HILARIOUS. But what is that also telling us about how much people and the media seem to take the looks of people for granted and nothing else really matters? – Now I’m NOT saying we all need to riot till things are changed but do you think there is any way this kind of thing can be changed? or should?

I ask this for the reason looking at it from a girls point of view here. But to me, it seems women’s bodies are so sexualized in our society and we and our bodies are turned into some sort of pleasure for the eye. And what do we and our bodies then become? Eye candy. There for the pure and simple enjoyment of the eyes of others. Women these days don’t seem to be held to high standards because they are clever. Its based a LOT on how we look and its one of the many things messing with many people in our society today. As women we want to be like these models or whoever and have a body like theirs to even get a guy to look at us or get their attention but then we have to worry about guys who may not wanna keep their hands (or words) to themselves. Everything has spiralled out of control based on this whole idea of people and characters only being around for the sole reason of being ‘Eye Candy’ to others.

 

Until Next Time,

Adriana G.

 

Please Note: I’m not saying all guys are horrid people or whatever. I’m just looking deeper into an issue that can and is spiralling out of control even with simple and further promptings with characters who are dumb and really only there cause they look good to the other characters or whatever.  (and I’m using the example of women cause I am a woman and yeah….you get my point)

BookLook Bloggers

Hello Lovelies!

Just popping in to talk about something called BookLook Bloggers. Basically BookLook Bloggers is a website where, once you have a certain amount of blog followers, you can request books (physical copies and ebooks) for review. Pretty cool right?

Something even cooler (yeah yeah, I know thats not used properly) is that I finally applied today and got accepted!

I kept meaning to apply for a while now but have been crazy busy!  But now I finally just sat down and did it and already I’ve requested some paper back books to read! So, it will be a little while before they come (3-4 weeks cause I’m in Canada but YES they ship worldwide!) but by then I should have life together somewhat and I’ll be almost done school at that point which means REVIEWS AND BOOK READING ALL OVER THE PLACE!

….Or maybe. I know it will for sure be more often because I’ll be free from the clutches of High School. From there I’ll be working but minor details my friends, minor details.

Is this something you’re interested in and want to check out? Well you can click the link I provided above or (hopefully if this works) click this blog button and it should take you to the website.

 

At this point I’m off to my nannying job but I just had to come tell you all because I’m excited! I’ll let you know what books I requested in another post 😉

Until Next time!

Adriana G.

 

Castle of Sighs || It’s Release Day!

Hello Readers!

Apologies on my absence on the blog as of late. Life is CRAZY and I’m drowning in assignments these last few weeks haha. I may not get a writing post up Wednesday but I will try to get it up sometime this week 😀 But for now….It’s time for a release day celebration!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Castle of Sighs
(Forest of Whispers #2)
Author: Jennifer Murgia
Release Date: September 15th, 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

SYNOPSIS:

In this sequel to FOREST OF WHISPERS, Some secrets cannot be kept—in life or in death. Months have passed since Rune has heard a single whisper from her long-dead mother, the great witch of Bavaria. But the absence of one evil has only made room for another.
After rightfully inheriting her ancestral home, Pyrmont Castle, Rune settles into a quiet life taking care of two orphans left in the wake of the terrible witch hunt that claimed dozens of lives in the nearby village. As the days grow colder, the castle’s secrets beckon and Rune finds herself roaming where no one has set foot in a long time. In the bowels of the fortress is a locked room full of memories that hang like cobwebs—shelves stacked with jars, strange specimens, putrid liquids, and scrolls of spells. Rune is undeniably drawn to what she finds there, and she begins to dabble in the possibilities of magic, hoping to find a cure for the strangeness overwhelming the castle.
As secrets unspool, the delicate thread of Rune’s world is threatened when she realizes the key may lie in the dark forest she once called home and the boy she thought she knew

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

PRAISE FOR FOREST OF WHISPERS

“FOREST OF WHISPERS drew me in from the very first page! Rune is a capable and empathetic heroine who had me rooting for her from the start. Fans of witch and rune-lore will enjoy this darkly woven tale.” ~Amalie Howard, author of critically acclaimed Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kids’ INDIE NEXT title.

 

“NOT your average teenage witch! Jennifer Murgia’s FOREST OF WHISPERS is a dark, brooding mystery/thriller that captures the paranoid, plague-driven frenzy of 17th Century Europe with the speed and power of a galloping stallion. Rune, a 16-year old with formidable abilities that she herself can barely understand, must fight her own inner demons as well as what seems to be a whole world gone awry with bloodlust for her kind. This is a thrilling read.” ~ Molly Cochran, author of LEGACY & POISON

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Murgia writes moody fiction for teens—from paranormal fantasy (Angel Star, Lemniscate, The Bliss), to contemporary gut-punchers (Between These Lines). Her latest, Forest of Whispers, a 17th century historical mystery (about witches!) was a School Library Journal Fall 2014 HOT TITLE, and a 2014 Moonbeam Children’s Literature Award Winner. Look for the sequel,​Castle of Sighs, to hit shelves 9.15.15 from Spencer Hill Press. In 2012, Jennifer Co-Founded YA FEST with YA author/friend, Cyn Balog. She coordinates this unique annual festival, bringing teens and fellow Young Adult authors together at her hometown library in Easton, PA.

WEBSITE | EMAIL | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST

Publicity inquiries: brooke@spencerhillpress.com

GIVEAWAY

1 Winner will get a key necklace and special spell kit (US Only)

 

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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.

Turning Point Blog Tour

 

Hello Readers!

So, I nearly forgot about my post for today but then…I didn’t. So it’s all good and I’m excited to share this with you all.

I’m here to tell you about this awesome set of books (7 of them, in fact) perfect for your summer reading. For a limited time, the Turning Point collection is featuring seven full length young adult novels for only 99 cents available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo! 99 cents people! I’ve yet to get my copy…But I think you all know by now not to follow my book buying example, becasue I never have money to afford books…or almost never…..

Here are the titles in the set!

Turning Point: 7 Young Adult Inspirational Novels in One Set Making it easy (and super cheap!) for you. All your summer reading is right here in this one set. Get seven full-length novels from some of your favorite authors.

 

By Darkness Hid, Jill Williamson

Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan’s owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince–more of a death sentence than an honor. Meanwhile, strange voices in Achan’s head cause him to fear he’s going mad. While escorting the prince to a council presentation, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded and arrested, but escapes from prison–only to discover a secret about himself he never believed possible.

 

 

Whisper If You Have To, Staci Stallings

Secrets. Alison Prescott has collected a boatload of them in her short lifetime. Moving to a new school in a new town was supposed to fix everything; however, when she meets a new set of friends, keeping those secrets might just ruin everything including her fledgling relationship with the school’s basketball star, Chad Dourozette. How far will Allison go to keep the secrets she can never tell anyone?

 

 

It’s Complicated, Laura L. Smith

There’s a reason Facebook has the Status Update, It’s Complicated. Follow four college roommates, Claire, Palmer, Hannah, and Kat as they maneuver crushes, confusion, and the crisis when pushy boys go too far. Complicated as it is, these four friends will pull through, guided by the strength of their friendship and the power of God’s love.

 

 

Failstate, John W. Otte

A fledgling teenage superhero competes on a reality TV show for a government vigilante license. When one of his competitors is murdered, Failstate sets out on a quest to avenge her death. But will his superpowered lunk of a big brother ruin everything?

 

 

The Wishing Pearl, Nicole O’Dell

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield can’t wait to escape the confines of her home, which promises nothing but perpetual torment and abuse from her stepfather. When poor choices lead her to the brink of a complete breakdown, Olivia comes to a crossroads. Will she find the path to ultimate hope and healing that her heart longs for?

 

 

Mardan’s Mark, Kathrese McKee

Abducted by pirates and taken behind enemy lines across the Great Gulf, Princess Srilani is determined to save her sisters and younger brother, the crown prince, from captivity. She convinces their caretaker, Aldan, and his brother slaves to share the perilous journey home. This ragtag group of unlikely heroes sets out on a quest — pursued by cutthroat pirates, merciless priests, and marauding soldiers — to return the heir to his kingdom before war breaks out. In this epic adventure fantasy, Srilani and Aldan risk everything to save a prince and a nation, discovering along the way that death is not their deepest fear.

 

 

Glass Girl, Laura Anderson Kurk

After her older brother Wyatt is killed in a jealousy-fueled incident and her mother disappears, Meg Kavanagh decides surviving is easy—it’s living that takes guts. She believes she’s to blame for Wyatt’s death, but when Henry Whitmire steps in with a secret, will Meg forgive herself enough to accept the good things in life like the rush of first love and the power of mercy? – See more at: http://jillwilliamson.com/turning-point-blog-tour-information/#sthash.mqPPTgv6.dpuf

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: