February Wrap-Up

February went by so fast. Granted, it's the shortest month of the year, but still! We're already 1/6 of the way through 2016. It's crazy! Anyway, I did not read a ton this month, but I got way too many books to count (I used some holiday gift cards, but I still feel a tiny bit guilty).

BOOKS I BOUGHT THIS MONTH:

1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman
2. Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
3. The Siren by Kiera Cass
4. The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
5. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
6. The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
7. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

GIFTED/WON THIS MONTH:

1. Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson (received from a friend)
2. Places No One Knows by Brenna Yavanoff (received from a friend)
3. The Way Back to You by Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott (received from a friend)
4. How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather (received from a friend)
5. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (won in a giveaway)
6. The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye (won in a giveaway)

BOOKS I READ THIS MONTH:

1. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman (check out my review here!)
2. Gena/Finn by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson (review going up tomorrow!)
3. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi (review going up next week!)

CURRENTLY READING:

1. Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan - I might DNF this one though... I haven't decided yet.
2. The Island by S. Usher Evans
3. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

DISCUSSION POST(S) THIS MONTH:

1. "Are Epilogues Necessary?" and the "Cookie-Cutter Epilogue"

AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE THIS MONTH:

1. Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books, Cee @ The Novel Hermit, Hazel @ Stay Bookish, and Mel @ The Daily Prophecy hosted the 2016 Love-A-Thon
2. Kit Cat @ Let the Pages Reign talked about why an author is 50% of the book
3. Aila @ One Way or An Author shared 5 popular character descriptions in YA literature
4. Alex @ Fiery Reads discussed whether you can love a book but hate the ending
5. Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales shared insecurities of book bloggers

Disney Princess Tag

I was tagged by Deanna and Gabi @Booksablog/Reading In the Rain to do the Disney Princess Tag back in September, and I'm finally doing it. Better late than never, right? I am super excited to do this tag, since I LOVE Disney, so let's begin, shall we?

Snow White - name your favorite classic

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I know it's not as popular or well-known as most "classics", but I remember absolutely loving it, and it being on my summer reading list one year. So maybe it's not canonically a classic, but it's still kind of a classic...? I don't really know. Also, I don't remember much about it at all, except that I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

Classic runner-ups (that are more typically viewed as classics) are definitely Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Cinderella - name a book that kept you reading well past your bedtime

For this one, I'll definitely have to say Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff! I'm sure there have been others, but I was absolutely obsessed with Illuminae, and with the amazingly unique formatting, it was even easier to tell myself it was okay to read just one more page.

Aurora - name your favorite classic romance

Favorite romance... There are quite a few I adore, but the one that stands out most to me is between Anne and Teach from Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman!

Ariel - name a book that's about making sacrifices and fighting for your dreams

The Wrath and the Dawn is definitely about making sacrifices and fighting for what you believe in! I mean, Shazi did go in to wed Khalid in order to avenge her friend's death... Things did end up changing, but they kept fighting and making sacrifices, even though their dreams changed.

Belle - name a book with a smart and independent female character

Okay, so maybe she is a bit impulsive at times, but Adelina from The Young Elites is definitely smart and independent! She hasn't necessarily made the best decisions, but she is intelligent and independent, even though her emotions may get the best of her a lot of the time.

Jasmine - name a book with a character who challenged the social issues

Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Pocahontas - name a book whose ending was a roller-coaster of emotions

There are sooooooo many of these. Blackhearts (Nicole Castroman), Strange and Ever After (Susan Dennard), Reign of Shadows (Sophie Jordan)... TOO MANY BOOKS.

Mulan - name a book with a kick-ass female character

Pretty much any female character from Sarah J. Maas' books, so Celaena, Nehemia, Manon (although I still haven't finished reading Heir of Fire, so that might be a problem), Feyre, etc.

Rapunzel - name a book that features an artist

I haven't read it yet, but apparently the characters in I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson are artists? I'm hoping to read the book soon since I have had it on my shelf for over a year now, but I just haven't had the opportunity to pick it up yet.

Merida - name a book that features a mother-daughter relationship

It's definitely a strained relationship, but there is at least a mother figure in the Something Strange and Deadly trilogy by Susan Dennard. Mother figures are extremely uncommon in Young Adult fiction, or so it seems, for whatever reason. I've never really understood that.

Anna and Elsa - name a book that features a great relationship between siblings

I'm actually struggling to come up with an answer, so I'll just go with Jane and Lizzie's relationship in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Waiting on Wednesday (32)

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

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 432 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 26, 2016

About The Last Boy and Girl in the World (via Goodreads):

From the critically acclaimed author of The List comes a stunning new novel about a girl who must say goodbye to everything she knows after a storm wreaks havoc on her hometown.

What if your town was sliding underwater and everyone was ordered to pack up and leave? How would you and your friends spend your last days together?

While the adults plan for the future, box up their possessions, and find new places to live, Keeley Hewitt and her friends decide to go out with a bang. There are parties in abandoned houses. Canoe races down Main Street. The goal is to make the most of every minute they still have together.

And for Keeley, that means taking one last shot at the boy she’s loved forever.

There’s a weird sort of bravery that comes from knowing there’s nothing left to lose. You might do things you normally wouldn’t. Or say things you shouldn’t. The reward almost always outweighs the risk.

Almost.

It’s the end of Aberdeen, but the beginning of Keeley’s first love story. It just might not turn out the way she thought. Because it’s not always clear what’s worth fighting for and what you should let become a memory.


A transcendent love story, as profoundly moving as it is fun. This is Siobhan Vivian's finest hour.
--Stephen Chbosky, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2016 Love-A-Thon Questionnaire

About the 2016 Love-A-Thon: "The Love-a-Thon [hosted by Alexa @Alexa Loves Books), Cee @ The Novel Hermit, Hazel @Stay Bookish, and Mel @The Daily Prophecy] is an event dedicated to spreading positivity and love. It’s time dedicated to visiting other bloggers/Instagrammers/BookTubers, leaving a comment or two, making new friends and fostering positivity among the members of our amazing community."

~QUESTIONNAIRE~

1. What’s your name? Alexandra :)
   
   
2. How did you get into blogging in the first place? I started reading book blogs about four years ago (aka I pretty much just devoured Nikki's blog, Fiction Freak), but I never truly contemplated starting a book blog until I joined the Goodreads community back in 2014. It took me a while though, and I finally made it happen after BookCon last May!
   

   
   
3. How did you come up with your blog name? Once I decided I wanted to create a blog, it took me about a week to come up with the name Literary Legionnaire. I started brainstorming and Literary Legionnaire came up because I had just finished reading An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (I highly recommend it if you haven't read it yet!) and the book is based on the Roman empire, and since legionnaires are members of legions in the Roman army (and I've just been loving fantasy lately), Literary Legionnaire stuck out to me. (And I love alliterative names, so it all seemed to work perfectly!)
   
   
4. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog? I've definitely read and reviewed the most young adult books on my blog, especially YA fantasy, although I like a variety of different genres.
   
   
5. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews? I like to do a wide variety of bookish things, so I participate in some memes like Waiting on Wednesday (hosted by Breaking the Spine) and Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish), as well as doing the occasional haul, tag, and discussion post.
   
   
6. Best blogging experience so far? Definitely the friendships I've formed! There are so many amazing people I've met and I honestly don't know how I possibly survived without them in the past.
   
   
7. Favorite thing about the blogging community? The atmosphere! There have definitely been some problems in the community over the past few months I've been in the blogosphere, but overall everyone is usually so supportive and nice and just amazing! Everyone is also so unique and special, but we seem to respect each others' opinions and get along splendidly!
   
   
8. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2016! There are so many books releasing this year that sound absolutely amazing, but I'm especially psyched for The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye, The Midnight Star by Marie Lu, The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh, and And I Darken by Kiersten White!
   
   
9. Name the 5 books you want to read this 2016 that you didn’t get to in previous years! Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige, The Orphan Queen by Jodie Meadows, Zodiac by Romina Russell
   
   
10. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read? The Somethings Strange and Deadly trilogy by the lovely human that is Susan Dennard. I know it's been getting a lot more attention now because of Truthwitch, but I still highly highly recommend it and feel like the series is still kind of underestimated. Honestly, I normally hate zombies (and historical fiction isn't usually my cup of tea), but the trilogy is nonetheless one of my absolute favorites!
    
    
11. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF? Shazi from The Wrath and the Dawn or Anne from Blackhearts, maybe?
    

    
    
12. Which book boy or girl would be your book boyfriend/girlfriend? Daniel Sheridan from Something Strange and Deadly or Magiano from The Rose Society. I LOVE THESE BOYS <333
    
    
13. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests? Writing, photography, film, music, dance, speech and debate, softball
    
    
14. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for? I'm obsessed with stationary and office supplies, so I love shopping for that type of stuff, but also shoes and clothes! Although I guess I don't specifically like shopping for shoes and clothes as much as I like having the new attire in my wardrobe.
    
    
15. At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song – and it’s your song. What song would be playing? My song right now is "Alexander Hamilton" from the Hamilton musical soundtrack because I'm obsessed with all things Hamilton right now, so I doubt that would be playing at a party (but who knows!)
    
    
16. What would your dream library look like? I'd be happy with having a library the fraction of the size/beauty of pretty much any of the 49 Breathtaking Libraries From All Over the World.
    

    
    
17. Author you want to meet and sit down to tea with? Susan Dennard! I did have the amazing opportunity to meet her, but I kind of forgot to properly introduce myself and I was a complete disaster so it would be lovely to be able to properly chat with her and prove to her that I am indeed a functional human being.

Waiting on Wednesday (31)

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

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #2
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Publication Date: May 3, 2016

About A Court of Mist and Fury (via Goodreads):

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

Songs I Wish Were Books - Top Ten Tuesday #9

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is "10 songs I wish that were books." I absolutely loved this idea, and knew I had to participate this week! I basically like every genre, so this list consists of quite a few different genres.

1. "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men
2. "This is War" by Thirty Seconds to Mars
3. "Carousel" by Melanie Martinez
4. "Already Home" by A Great Big World
5. "Sparks Fly" by Hey Violet
6. "All of My Heart" by Sleeping with Sirens
7. "Yours Truly" by Paradise Fears
8. "I Know Places" by Taylor Swift
9. "Amnesia" by 5 Seconds of Summer
10. "Warriors" by Imagine Dragons

Extras:
- "Payphone" by Maroon 5
- "The Leaves will Change" by Take Cover
- "If You Can't Hang" by Sleeping with Sirens
- "Relapse" by Divided by Friday
- "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons
- "Wild" by Troye Sivan

The Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

Hey guys! I was recently tagged by the lovely Ranu @ The Araliya Bookshelf to do the Unpopular Opinions Book Tag!

A popular book or series you did not like?

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. It seemed a bit too hyped and there were so many overused tropes and I was not surprised at all throughout all the twists and turns of the plot. I think I'll give Glass Sword a try anyway, but I'm not loving the series so far.

A popular book series that everyone hates but you like?

The Selection by Kiera Cass. I only read the first three (the original trilogy), and I can see where people are coming from in regard to some of the problems in the book, but I still really liked the series. I may not love the series as much if I read it now, but I still think I would enjoy it.

A love triangle where you didn't like who the main characters ended up with.

The Firelight trilogy by Sophie Jordan. The Matched trilogy by Ally Condie (just assuming it remains the same since I still haven't read the final book because I was so fed up with the relationship in book 2). Maybe I just have a grudge against a lot of forbidden romance love triangles. Who knows.

A popular genre you hardly ever read.

Contemporary. I used to love love love contemporary, but lately I just have not been reading any contemporaries. At all. In all seriousness though, I've only been consuming fantasy lately, with a splash of sci-fi.

A beloved character you hate.

I know I'm not the only one, but there are quite a few people who love him, so I'm just going to say it. I HATE CHAOL WESTFALL WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING. I have this weirdly overwhelming grudge against him, okay? Don't question it.

A popular author you can't seem to get into

It's not as much I can't get into the author as much as it is I haven't had the chance to read the books since it's kind of a huge commitment. And by that, I mean Cassandra Clare books. Yes, I understand everyone loves them, and I did like the third or so of Clockwork Angel that I read several years back (before I had to put it down because I was overwhelmed with work), but since there are so many Shadowhunters books, I feel like if I start, I won't be able to stop, and I don't have the time for that right now. Also, Clockwork Angel was good, but I wasn't as intrigued and excited as I was hoping I would be.

A popular trope you're tired of reading?

LOVE TRIANGLES/POLYGONS. THEY NEED TO JUST MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ALREADY.

A popular series you have no interest in reading.

Twilight. I know some people are hardcore fans and others hate it, so I'm a tiny bit curious, but overall I don't actually have any interest in the book itself. Just the love/hate relationship with humanity it seems to possess.

A movie you liked better than the book.

Divergent. It's not that the movie was mind-blowing, but I wasn't a huge fan of the book, so the movie was more appealing to me.