A Darker Shade of Magic (Review)

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic #1
Genre: Fantasy
Page Length: 416 pages
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Tor Books

About A Darker Shade of Magic (via Goodreads):

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

There are a million things I can say about this book, so it's hard to find a way to articulate my thoughts. So let me just start with this: WOW. A Darker Shade of Magic is like no other book I've ever read. Granted I don't read much adult fantasy, but either way, this book is extremely special. From the characters to the worlds to the magic systems in those worlds and everything in between, Schwab did not fail to captivate me.

Every single character and aspect of the worlds Schwab created were unique and special and intriguing and wondrous and I'm sorry for just throwing around synonyms for the words "amazing" and "special" but the worlds of A Darker Shade of Magic and the characters that dwell in it are truly incredible and I don't even know how to put it into words. I can just tell Schwab put so much effort into the little details because each character and place, no matter how big or small, had his/her/its very own personality and not a single one blended with another or was forgotten to me. Overall, the cast of characters in A Darker Shade of Magic is probably one of my favorite (if not my #1 favorite) cast of characters out there.

I absolutely ADORED Kell. I know he's flawed and makes mistakes and all that jazz, but he proved Holland wrong and owns up to his mistakes, fixes them, and becomes stronger and braver along the way.

Lila was a glorious heroine as well. She's brave, bold, and sassy. I loved seeing her interact with all the different characters, and I respected her for not letting anyone stand in the way of her dreams.

I even liked the villains, and I rarely ever like villains. Perhaps I don't like them in the way I liked Kell, Lila, Rhy, and the "good guys", but I was definitely intrigued by them. Even though I hated what the villains did to the beloved heroes, I respected them as characters. They were twisted, but they had every reason to be. I understood where they were coming from with their actions, and that says a lot about Schwab as a writer. If an author can make me feel for both the heroes and the villains, she's done a fantastic job.

Schwab did this and more with all her characters, especially with Holland. Although I didn't find out as much about Holland throughout the book as I would have liked to, I still liked him because based on what I did know about his past, he wasn't so much an evil character as he was a tortured soul who didn't really have a choice.

I touched briefly on the worlds in the novel, but I'd like to say a bit more about them. I know parallel universe stories existed before, but A Darker Shade of Magic really sets a high standard for those that follow. The distinctness of each of the Londons, even with the simplest thing like the difference in smells, captured my attention and drew me in. I was captivated by the intricacies of each London and their different languages, rulers, behaviors, and just everything.

The plot could be a tiny bit slow at times, but overall, A Darker Shade of Magic was a delight to read. Everything about it was so focused and detailed, allowing me to fully immerse myself into each London and go on a wild adventure with Kell and Lila. I can't wait to see what's in store for them next!

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Chasm (Cover Reveal, Sneak Peek, and Giveaway!)

It seems like just yesterday, we were talking about The Island. Oh wait, we were. Check out all the info, including the gorgeous cover, for Book 2, The Chasm!

They survived The Island, but can they cross The Chasm?

Four months after Prince Galian was discovered alive on a remote island, he's adjusting slowly to life at the hospital under the Kylaen media's glare. His promises to Theo remain unfulfilled as fear of his father keeps him from taking concrete action. And the more he learns about the machinations in Kylae, the less sure he is that it's possible to make a difference.

Across the great Madion Sea, Major Theo Kallistrate struggles to navigate the tricky political waters of Rave's presidential staff. To make positive change for her people, she must remain relevant and interesting to the Raven media and to the president. When he asks her to deliver a speech on her supposed two-month imprisonment at Mael, she's not sure she can stomach the lies.

The Chasm is S. Usher Evans' breathtaking, fast-paced follow-up to The Island, which readers say is "not to be missed."

Buy the first book in the Madion War Trilogy today for Kindle, paperback, and hardcover, and see below for a special preorder promotion for The Chasm, coming July 12th. 

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSJ2fenOsBs[/embed]

Buy The Island for Kindle (free for KU Subscribers), Paperback, and Hardcover.

• SGR-Pub Paperback / Hardcover
• Amazon Paperback / Hardcover / Kindle
• Barnes and Noble Paperback / Hardcover
• Book Depository Paperback / Hardcover

Special SGR-Pub Preorder Promotion

Preorder The Chasm paperback or hardcover through Sun's Golden Ray Publishing and get a signed Madion Trilogy bookmark, a signed map postcard of the Madion world, and a Very Special Surprise for The Union, the final book in the trilogy. Preorder the paperback / hardcover Preordering an eBook? Submit your receipt to SGR-Pub and get a signed bookmark!

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneak Peek

"Fellow Ravens, my countrymen, my 'neechais and 'nichais. The fifty years since we reclaimed our independence from the Kylaens has been a struggle to keep our great nation alive. Great sacrifices have been asked of every Raven man, woman, and child, and we, as a nation, continue to rise to the occasion."

"Sacrifices, of course, being the conscription of twelve-year-old children," the Kylaen announcer said, cutting off the rest of the speech. "It's just sickening how Tedwin Bayard continues to be heralded as a savior when he's responsible for tens of thousands of deaths a year—"

I tuned out the rest of the conversation, too tired to get my blood pressure up at either Bayard or the announcer. As far as I was concerned, both were liars. Like most of Kylae, I couldn't give a rat's ass about the so-called president of our disputed colony and would've completely ignored the minute-long segment…

…if not for the beautiful Raven woman sitting just behind Bayard.

Her eyes were locked on some unseen point beyond the cameras. When I was marooned with her on an island in the northern Madion Sea, she'd been fiery, full of life and passion. But there wasn't even a spark in her now. Compared to Bayard, who swayed and gestured on the podium in front of her, she looked like a wax doll.

I ran a hand over my face. The Kylaen news had moved on to another story—the trade agreement with Jervan—and I was left with my guilt and a half-eaten sandwich. It was midday, and I'd finally been able to spare a few minutes out of my busy shift at the hospital to eat lunch. Seeing Theo had stolen my appetite.

I couldn't blame it all on the news report as I'd already been in a foul mood. After working the late shift two nights ago, I was now on an early shift. The back-and-forth shift-switching had been going on since since I'd returned to my residency, and I could barely tell if it was morning or afternoon anymore.

To make matters worse, my mother had been hounding me to attend some stupid function at the castle for some person who'd done some thing for Kylae—I couldn't care less. Aside from the fact that state functions were my least favorite part of being the third prince of Kylae, I hadn't set foot in the castle in over four months. I'd stormed out of a family dinner and told the king of Kylae to kiss my ass. It was a miracle I wasn't in Mael, our prison to the north.

I glanced at the television again and wished they'd replay the Bayard segment. Days like today, when I was tired and miserable, all I wanted was to talk to her. In the short months we'd spent together, I'd become addicted to her counsel. Hers was the only opinion I cared for anymore, though I was pretty sure I knew how she'd feel about my progress so far.

Theo was home and she was safe, but the larger issues—the war and the Kylaen death camp at Mael—remained nagging issues in the back of my mind. I was no closer to finding a solution to either of them than when I'd started. To make matters worse, the days were passing too quickly for me, and the more time that slipped through my fingers…

"Helmuth, break's over," came a disgruntled voice from behind me.

Dr. Hebendon was my new attending physician. Dr. Maitland had either been asked or forced to take a six-month sabbatical to a hospital in the country of Herin. In his place, they'd sent Hebendon. Like most Herinese, he was tall and pale with jet-black hair that hung in a curtain around his face. I was pretty sure that despite not being Kylaen, he'd been given a royal decree to make my life miserable whenever I set foot in the hospital. Thus my skewed schedule and, of course, the special privilege of having the best cases.

"Janna needs you in room fifteen for another impaction," he said, a twisted grin curling around his thin face.

I forced a tight smile onto my face so he wouldn't know how completely sick I was of pulling shit out of asses.

Hebendon left, and I pushed myself to stand, tossing my sad sandwich in the trash. When I'd been on the island, I would've done anything to eat so much food.

Now I would've done anything to get those half-starved, beautiful days back.

About the Author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit. Evans is the author of the Razia series, Madion War Trilogy, and Empath, published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing. Check her out on the below social medias:

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday (41)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Bound by Blood and Sand by Becky Allen
Series: Untitled #1
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Page Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: October 11, 2016

About Bound by Blood and Sand (via Goodreads):

Jae is a slave in a dying desert world.

Once verdant with water from a magical Well, the land is drying up, and no one remembers the magic needed to keep the water flowing. If a new source isn’t found soon, the people will perish. Jae doesn’t mind, in a way. By law, she is bound by a curse to obey every order given her, no matter how vile. At least in death, she’ll be free.

Elan’s family rules the fading realm. He comes to the estate where Jae works, searching for the hidden magic needed to replenish the Well, but it’s Jae who finds it, and she who must wield it. Desperate to save his realm, Elan begs her to use it to locate the Well.

But why would a slave—abused, beaten, and treated as less than human—want to save the system that shackles her? Jae would rather see the world burn.

Though revenge clouds her vision, she agrees to help if the realm’s slaves are freed. Then Elan’s father arrives. The ruler’s cruelty knows no limits. He is determined that the class system will not change—and that Jae will remain a slave forever.

The Island Release Day Blitz (Sneak Peek and Giveaway!)

Prince Galian is third in line to the throne, but prefers his place as a resident at the Royal Kylaen Hospital. When his father urges him to join the military to help reclaim their colony, Galian is forced to put aside his oath to Do No Harm and fight a war he does not believe in.

Across the great Madion Sea, Captain Theo Kallistrate dreams of a day when she is no longer bound by conscription to fight for her country's independence. But when the Kylaens threaten, honor and duty call her to the front lines to fight off the oppressors.

When an air skirmish goes wrong, both Theo and Galian crash on a remote island hundreds of miles from either nation. Grievously injured, Theo must rely on Galian's medical expertise, and Galian must rely on Theo's survival skills, to live another day in a harsh and unforgiving terrain.

Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive? Or will the war that brought them to the island tear them apart?


Buy The Island for eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover.

• SGR-Pub Paperback / Hardcover / eBook
• Amazon Paperback / Hardcover / Kindle
• Barnes and Noble Paperback / Hardcover
• Book Depository Paperback / Hardcover
• iBooks 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Island Sneak Peek

Theo

  "Yep," he observed, with a smirk on his face. Up close, he was every bit as handsome as I'd seen in pictures. "You definitely got what you deserved. Shouldn't have shot at me."

"You shouldn't have invaded my country."

His eyes widened for a moment and I thought I'd finally done something to wipe that smile off his face. To my supreme annoyance, he tilted his head back and let out a throaty laugh.

"Oh, you are witty," he said, nodding. "And technically right. But it wasn't my decision. I was, as they say, just following orders."

"And I was just following orders when I blew you out of the sky."

"Aren't we at an impasse then?" He seemed to be enjoying this conversation. He looked down at the side of my ship and read the inscription. "Theo, huh? Well, you must be a pretty high ranking pilot then. I hear the Ravens only allow you to put your name on your ship after you've survived plenty of battles."

I moved out of anger, but the pain in my legs came roaring up my body. "Please let me die in peace," I asked, unable to look at him.

"Oh, you aren't going to die today. But it would probably be safer if I pulled you out. I don't like the look of that fuel leak."

He leaned into my small cabin. If I'd had half a mind, I could've snapped his neck, but it was hard enough just to breathe. He found my seat strap and unhooked it, then lifted me out by my arms. I couldn't help but scream.

"Yeow, buddy," he said, stopping. He put one hand over his ear and muttered. "You sure got a girly scream."

"My legs are caught. Just leave me here. I'm as good as dead anyway."

"Naw, then who am I going to talk to while I wait to get picked up?" He sounded like he was waiting for dinner. "C'mon, we can get you out of here. Just take a deep breath. One…two…"

I didn't hear him count to three as he yanked my legs out of the mess and I screamed again, the pain so bad I almost lost consciousness. But, blessedly, it subsided, and the next thing I knew, he was laying me on the ground.

"There, now, Theo of Raven, let's take a look at you," he said, taking my helmet off.

Galian

Theo was a girl.

A pretty girl.

I'd always thought Raven women were more interesting looking than Kylaen women—with their olive skin and black hair, they seemed to draw my attention. And this girl, something about her made my head spin.

Even with her mangled, bloody legs.

They were a sight: dark red staining her gray jumpsuit.

"Thank you, Dr. Maitland," I said, cracking open the bag he'd given me and sliding on the pair of latex gloves.

She murmured something. The amount of blood she'd lost was a real concern, and she was most likely concussed. I would worry about the head injury later; it wouldn't matter much if she died from blood loss.

"What are you doing?" she croaked.

"Pardon the invasion of privacy," I said, flashing her my trademark smile.

I unzipped her jumpsuit and pulled it down, exposing a white bra and underwear and nothing else. Immediately, her skin puckered with goosebumps as I tossed away the soaked dark gray suit.

"Are you still with me, Theo?"

She blinked, but didn't respond.

"Okay, I'm going to examine you now," I said, leaning over her bare legs. I pressed my hands to her hips, and she reacted, swiftly, sitting up so fast she nearly whacked her forehead to mine.

"Get your filthy hands off of me," she hissed, her breath touching my face.

About the Author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit. Evans is the author of the Razia series, Madion War Trilogy, and Empath, published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing. Check her out on the below social medias:

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Goodreads

Book Blitz: Broken Fate (Book Blitz + Giveaway!)

Broken Fate
Jennifer Derrick
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: April 18th 2016
Genres: Mythology, Romance, Young Adult

Zeus gave her one simple job: Kill every human. Atropos—daughter of Zeus and the third goddess of Fate from Greek mythology —spends her eternal life snipping human lifelines when their mortal lives are over. As if being a killer doesn’t make life miserable enough, she and her Fate-wielding sisters must live amongst the humans on Earth thanks to a long-running feud between their mother and Zeus. Living on Earth means they must mingle with the mortals, attend the local high school, and attempt to fit in—or at least not stand out too much.
Killing and mingling don’t mix, which is why Atropos’ number-one rule is to avoid all relationships with the humans. Caring for the people she has to kill is a fast track to insanity. However, when Alex Morgan walks into her first-period English class, she knows she’s in for trouble. He’s the worst kind of human for her to like—one with a rapidly approaching expiration date. And he makes Atropos want to break all the rules.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

EXCERPT:

When he struggles to sit up, I help him. He looks down at the blood and goo splattered on his clothes and the wounds on his chest. Then he looks at me and takes in the blood splatters on my clothes. Finally, he looks toward the cave entrance and sees my sword standing at attention there. Turning to me again, he asks the only reasonable question.

“What the hell was that?”

He follows it with the only other reasonable question and the one I’m dreading more than any other.

“And what the hell are you?”

My heart breaks a little at the betrayal in his voice. I was a fool for thinking I could keep my true self a secret.

“I always knew you weren’t normal,” he says. “Always running off, missing school, never talking about yourself except in the most general terms, never mentioning your family. I knew there was something you were hiding. But I never dreamed it would be this, this—” He falters, unable to find the right word to describe what he’s just witnessed.

“Disgusting? Frightening? Horrifying?” I try to finish for him, hanging my head in shame. “You’re right. It’s all of that and more.”

He thinks for a moment, and I see the most amazing transformation pass over his face as he processes what just happened. He actually smiles at me.

“No, no. The word I’m looking for is badass. I had no idea. I mean you were so cool with that sword. And those horses! That was so awesome.” His smile is huge now. He’s thrilled by what he’s seen, not scared.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, so I end up giggling a little hysterically. Here I am expecting recriminations, fear, and hatred, and he’s complimenting me? This guy is crazier than most of the gods. I force myself to stop laughing and to treat this mess with the seriousness it deserves.

“You’re not traumatized? Scared? Afraid to be in the same room with me because I might do to you what I did to the Keres?”

“No. I’m a dead man anyway. Even if you intend to kill me, it doesn’t matter, does it? But I would like to know what you really are and what that was about.”

I hang my head. “I’m not supposed to tell you,” I say, knowing the right course of action is to flush his memory immediately, not engage him in conversation.

“Hello,” he says, motioning to the still-bleeding wounds on his chest. “I’m the one with holes in me, here. I deserve to know the truth, don’t you think?”

He’s right. Even if I can’t let him remember it forever, in this moment, I owe him the truth.

“You’re not going to like me when I’m finished,” I warn.

“I’ll judge that.”

I inhale and decide to begin with the simplest yet hardest fact. The one that will turn his admiration of me into hate and fear.

“My real name isn’t Sophie. It’s Atropos.”

When that doesn’t get a reaction, I press on. “I am the third goddess of fate. I am the one who cuts human lifelines and ends your mortal lives.”

Author Bio:
Jennifer is a freelance writer and novelist. As a freelancer, she writes everything from technical manuals to articles on personal finance and European-style board games. Her interest in storytelling began when she was six and her parents gave her a typewriter for Christmas and agreed to pay her $.01 per page for any stories she churned out. Such a loose payment system naturally led to a lot of story padding. Broken Fate, her first novel, earned her $2.80 from her parents.
Jennifer lives in North Carolina and, when not writing, can often be found reading, trawling the shelves at the library, playing board games, watching sports, camping, running marathons, and playing with her dog. You can visit her at her official website:www.JenniferDerrick.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

Waiting on Wednesday (40)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Series: Untitled #1
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Page Length: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: September 20, 2016

About Three Dark Crowns (via Goodreads):

Fans of acclaimed author Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Bloodwill devour her latest novel, a dark and inventive fantasy about three sisters who must fight to the death to become queen.

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose...it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

I originally wasn't sure whether I wanted to pick up this book, but Sarah @ YA Book Traveler made an INCREDIBLE book trailer for it, and I just fell in love with the concept as she made it come to life on the screen. I can't wait to see how the story plays out within the pages, and I'm interested to see what I'll think of (likely) the first Kendare Blake book I'll ever read.

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Retelling
Page Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: January 10, 2017

About RoseBlood (via Goodreads):

In this modern day spinoff of Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide.

Hoping creative direction will help, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn -- an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks.

As the two discover an otherworldly connection, a soul-deep romance blossoms. But when Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light, he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known. Slated to launch January 2017.

The Rose & the Dagger (ARC Review)

The Rose and the Dagger
Series: The Wrath and the Dawn #2
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Retelling
Page Length: 416 pages (HC 432)
Format: ARC received from a friend (thank you so much for sending it to me, Cat! <3)
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

Although I received a free copy of this book, my opinion of it is completely my own.

About The Rose & the Dagger (via Goodreads):

The much anticipated sequel to the breathtaking The Wrath and the Dawn, lauded by Publishers Weekly as "a potent page-turner of intrigue and romance."

I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.

In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse—one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces set on destroying Khalid's empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to people she loves. But she refuses to be a pawn and devises a plan.

While her father, Jahandar, continues to play with magical forces he doesn't yet understand, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.

Ahdieh did it again. She captured my heart with her words, tore me apart quite a few times along the way, and managed to stitch me back up again with a brilliant flourish. I was so excited to receive an ARC of the sequel of one of my absolute favorite books, but I was immensely nervous as well. It's always hard reading sequels because there's always that worry that it won't live up to expectations, but I never should have doubted because Ahdieh delivered everything I dreamed of having in the sequel. Although I admit the beginning was a tad slow, the story enthralled with a spectacular display of heart-stopping romance, thrilling fight scenes, and brilliantly-planned schemes.

Ahdieh continued to awe me with her exquisite writing and never failed to make me feel something. Whether it be happiness, gut-wrenching fear, sadness, or something else entirely, I was swept up in a vast ocean of emotions, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. My experience included extensive flailing and making weird guttural throat noises (that were sometimes meant to be squeals and other times meant to be growls). No joke. Let's just say I'm glad I read 3/4 of it while sitting alone in my cave of a room because I'm pretty sure everyone would have thought I was going crazy while reading the book. I just couldn't contain my excitement. THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER WAS JUST THAT GOOD.

FIRST OF ALL, THE CHARACTERS WERE AS GLORIOUS AS EVER. Ahdieh dove even further into the perspectives of some beloved familiar faces from the first book, while throwing a few other new and equally as intriguing characters into the fray. It was great getting to know the characters even better, and it really made the plot stronger. I've probably said this before, but I've never been a huge fan of multi-POV, but Ahdieh always pulls it off beautifully. While I wish a few of my favorite characters got some more page-time, I nonetheless enjoyed all of the characters' unique story arcs and loved seeing it all converge in the end for the final showdown.

I fell in love with each and every character all over again, and Ahdieh even managed to change my mind about a character I'd previously wanted to shove off a cliff *cough* Tariq *cough* In case you were wondering, a lot of my guttural growls were directed at him. Some growls were also because of Jahandar (Sharhzad's father), but enough about that. Not that that's anything new, but I'd prefer not to spoil anything.

Ah, now for Sharhzad and Khalid. Sharhzad, as usual, was a stubborn and sassy protagonist, and I continue to adore her for it. She is one of the strongest characters I have ever met, and she valiantly throws herself in the face of danger and death to protect those she loves and to stand up for her beliefs. Khalid continued to struggle with his inner demons, but fought hard and had so many layers to him that were further peeled away.

Ever since book one, I absolutely ADORED Khalid and Shazi, both as individuals and a couple. Book two definitely does not disappoint in regard to either matter. Their relationship continued to blossom, and although their interactions were much more limited due to the onslaught of obstacles they had to overcome, when they were together sparks flew. It was so passionate and swoony and romantic and *tears up a little* IT WAS JUST SO BEAUTIFUL AND MAGICAL AND PERFECT <3

Speaking of magical, there was even more magic in The Rose and the Dagger than in The Wrath and the Dawn! Lots of flying fireballs, winged serpents, and all that good stuff. It would have been interesting to see even more of the magic explored in the book, but Ahdieh gave me just the right dose of magic that I was left intrigued without being confused or unsatisfied.

Overall, The Rose and the Dagger was a stunning conclusion to Shazi and Khalid's story. The writing was vibrant and rich, and the characters never ceased to amaze and surprise me. I loved this book with all my heart, and hope others will fall in love with this gorgeous sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn as I have.

Rating: 4 stars

April SST: 4 Reasons Why You Should Read The Island by S. Usher Evans

The Island by S. Usher Evans
Series: The Madion War Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Page Length: 260 pages
Publication Date: April 26, 2016

About The Island (via Goodreads):

Prince Galian is third in line to the throne, but prefers his place as a resident at the Royal Kylaen Hospital. When his father urges him to join the military to help reclaim their colony, Galian is forced to put aside his oath to Do No Harm and fight a war he does not believe in.

Across the great Madion Sea, Captain Theo Kallistrate dreams of a day when she is no longer bound by conscription to fight for her country's independence. But when the Kylaens threaten, honor and duty call her to the front lines to fight off the oppressors.

When an air skirmish goes wrong, both Theo and Galian crash on a remote island hundreds of miles from either nation. Grievously injured, Theo must rely on Galian's medical expertise, and Galian must rely on Theo's survival skills, to live another day in a harsh and unforgiving terrain.

Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive? Or will the war that brought them to the island tear them apart?

The Island is the first in a new romance trilogy by S. Usher Evans, author of the Razia series and Empath.

1. THE CHARACTERS. I loved Theo and Galian as protagonists! They were very flawed and opinionated at the beginning, but went through a huge transformation throughout the book. While being opinionated obviously isn't a bad thing (it's a great thing!), they started out unable to compromise their ideas of what the enemy is supposed to be like. They were able to overcome so many obstacles, both physical and mental, and I was rooting for them the whole time. It was great seeing them transform as people and become more aware of the world around them.

2. CONNECT-ABILITY/LIFE LESSONS. It's important that what we read teaches us to be good people. Although this trilogy takes place in a fantasy world, we can definitely learn things from The Island. It teaches a lot about the issues that arise from discrimination and ignorance. Although it does not go into a lot of depth about specific customs or cultural differences between the Kylaen and the Raven peoples, the relationship between Theo and Galian and the development of said relationship shows the importance of making a better effort to be more accepting of other cultures and other people. Obviously we shouldn't have to be stuck on a deserted island in order to make such progress in our world today, but a lot of conflicts probably would not occur if we were willing to learn and listen, instead of making false assumptions about people we might not know as well as we think. I guess this lesson is one we should already know, but it seems like a lot of people still discriminate against people simply out of ignorance or past grudges we barely understand. And sometimes we miss out on meeting the most incredible people because we are too afraid to give them a chance.

3. THE ROMANCE. I can guarantee that this one is a slowwww burn. Although they could be awkward at times, Theo and Galian complemented each other really well. At the beginning, they never failed to throw some snarky comments at each other, which I loved. And then when they get together... it actually gets pretty steamy ;) Overall, their relationship was just so wonderful *spins around happily* They started off as enemies, but they gradually warmed up to each other and once they finally realized they love loved each other... *flails spastically* IT WAS TOO CUTE.

4. QUOTABILITY (AKA SNARK AND SWEET NOTHINGS). From hilariously snarky sayings that I can't repeat because of somewhat inappropriate language to sweet nothings, The Island had a variety of quotes I just couldn't help but laugh or smile at. I'm going to share a few quotes I like, just so you can get a taste. Some of them are neither snarky remarks nor sweet nothings, but I adore them all the same:

“She stared back at me with those beautiful dark eyes. In them, I could see the years of abuse, of fear, of living every day as if it were her last. She was Raven by birth, but they'd never loved her the way a country should love its child. They'd put her to work, enslaved her to a fighting force caught in a losing battle."

 This quote ^ is probably one of my favorite quotes from the book. There's just something so emotionally raw and powerful about it.

"'So, Princeling...' 'I'm sorry, what?' He blinked at me. 'Princeling.' The horrified look on his face tugged a smile onto my lips. 'It's what we call you in Rave.'" 

 "'Oh, go to hell,' she hissed at me. 'I'd rather drink my own piss than accept anything from you.'"

And these last two quotes are just a bit of a peek at how sassy Theo is to Galian. And these aren't even the best ones. Some of her comments are absolutely hilarious, but also outlandishly inappropriate, so I didn't want to share them. If you're curious though, I really suggest reading it and finding out for yourself!

Blog Tour - Never Stop Falling (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!)

Never Stop Falling by Ashley Drew

Publication date: March 1, 2016
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

About Never Stop Falling: She didn’t expect to fall for her best friend.

He was always waiting to catch her.

Corinne Bennett lives in the moment. Whether she’s skydiving out of an airplane, or setting off on the road to anywhere, she’s ready to dive into the next adventure. That is, if best friend and always-by-the-book Nicholas Kelley doesn’t put his foot down on her wild stunts first.

When Corinne gives in to her growing feelings for Nicholas the summer before their freshman year of college, she takes the ultimate risk, making this one adventure he has longed to explore with her.

But the moment they take that irrevocable leap, a shocking revelation blindsides Corinne, exposing her vulnerabilities, baring her fears, and shattering her beliefs about love. With their future—and most importantly, their friendship—now clouded in doubt, she must decide if love is really worth the risk.

Because when it comes to love, you never stop falling.

I adored this book more than should be humanly possible. The characters, the relationships, the romance, the story… I just adored everything about this book.

Okay, so maybe I didn't agree with the fact that Cori and Nick were engaged to other people and stuff still happened between them anyway, but I couldn't help but ache for them when their relationship became rocky. Especially because I got to see them together before they even met their fiancées, and I loved them so much. It was heartbreaking to see things fall apart between them, so I couldn't help but want them to be together together when they were finally reunited. They were meant to be together. As much as I am a logical person, I do have a romantic's heart, and I just wanted them to have the Happily Ever After they deserved.

The characters were so real. I know that might not sound like some major feat, but I've rarely felt as connected to characters as I was with the ones in Never Stop Falling. I laughed with them, I screamed at them, I cried for them. It was a roller-coaster of emotions, but it was all so worth it. Seeing Cori and Nick transform and realize who they are and where they are meant to be—it was something else. Even at 24, they still had a lot of growing up to do. And I was so proud to watch them flourish into wonderful human beings and stop letting their mistakes hold them back. They overcame so many obstacles throughout the book, and eventually faced their fears head on.

Ashley Drew's writing was absolutely lovely. Every word seemed to hold a deeper meaning in the grand scheme of things, and I loved putting the puzzle pieces together along the way. Her writing was easy to follow, while also being eloquent and beautiful. The story was so sweet and heartfelt, but also held so much more meaning than a simple love story.

I sped through Never Stop Falling in less than a day. It captured my attention from the start, and may have stolen a piece of my heart along the way. I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to pick this book up, but it defied all my expectations and was a joy to read.

Rating: 4.5 stars

About the Author:

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Ashley Drew currently lives in Los Angeles. When she’s not going cross-eyed after writing for five hours straight, or burying her nose in a book, you’ll find her sprawled on her couch watching General Hospital, having alien conspiracy discussions with her husband over a bottle of bubbly, and dancing to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album with her daughter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday (38)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that you are eagerly anticipating.

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction
Page Length: 672 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: October 18, 2016

About Gemina (via Goodreads):

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

Hanna Donnelly is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik Malikov the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion. 

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own surivival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

In Which I Start to Ramble about the Complexity of Rating Systems

Before I started blogging, my review/rating system was non-existent. I would rate based on how much I liked a book, and that was it. Looking back, I realized that it's much more complicated than that. There are so many different things one can like or dislike about a book, and it's rare to like every single aspect of a book (or hate every single aspect of a book, for that matter).

Even after blogging for about six months, my rating system was still volatile. And I still continue to find myself becoming more and more critical of books that I probably would have given 4, 4.5, or 5 stars rather easily a few months ago. Years ago, I used to be that person who gave 5 stars to anything that kept my attention and had no grammatical issues, even if there were tons of underlying problems with the characters, plot, and romance. But that isn't me anymore.

For a while now, I've been breaking down my ratings into five categories and rate each book on a 5-star scale per category, then average the them out to get the overall star rating. I'm pretty sure a bunch of people also do this (or something similar), although I definitely still need to rethink and tweak my system. The five categories (at this point) are as follows:

1. Writing Style
2. Creativity
3. Characters
4. Plot
5. Romance (if applicable)

Since I read so much fantasy, I am considering adding a world-building category, but there are obviously other problems to the system other than lacking rating categories for specific genres. For example, I value certain categories more than others, but I don't weigh the ones I value more more heavily than the ones I don't care as much about. Also, there are tons of sub-categories I could be rating to determine the overall category rating (like rating the main characters, secondary characters, and villains separately to get the overall character category rating), but then it gets super complicated. Do the main characters have more of an influence on the character rating than the secondary characters? And if yes, how much more influential to the story are they? Because honestly, secondary characters are more important than I initially thought.

I understand the importance of rating books, and I try my best to be fair with the books I read, but it's definitely more complicated than I imagined. Obviously we all have different opinions of books, and therefore will have different ratings, but everyone's rating scales are very different. Some people are really easily blown away by books, while others find problems with almost every book they read. And since we all are unique individuals, we're bound to love certain things about books that other people will hate.

Is there (or can there ever be) some sort of universal rating system? What rating scale do you use to rate and review books?