Week in Review #4 (19-25 Jan) – Book Reviews, Currently Reading etc.

I feel like I had a pretty good reading week this week as I managed to finish 3 books and read more of several other books as well as starting to read several new books.

 

THIS WEEKS BOOKS

Read: Collision: The Battle for Darracia, #2 The Darracia Saga by Michael Phillip Cash (review paper back)

Started: 13/1/15     Finished: 19/1/15

Revuew

Review

Thank you so much Michael for sending me this book and I loved it because it was a fitting second book in a series.

Michael’s writing and world building in this book was equally as good as in the first book and it really made me feel like I was part of the story. Thanks to this and the fact that I will buy a digital copy of this book to be able to easily re-read as well as buy it & recommend it to others is why I gave it 5 stars.

We learn more about the planet, the other planets in the solar system, the species on Darracia along with the other planets and the main characters in the story.

I particularly enjoyed seeing how the love story between V’sair and Tullani developed even more to the point where near the end they were preparing to get married. It was grate seeing how much they both struggled being away from each other and then how they flourished once they were back together.

It was also interesting seeing what Zayden,V’sair’s older brother, and Staf Nuen V’sair’s uncle who’d left Darracia in the interim between leaving the and returning to the planet.

So in conclusion I absolutely loved this book and will definitely re-read it again on a fairly regular basis.

Book Information
Product DetailsThe Darracia saga continues with all the key players spread out and searching for answers throughout the solar system. Prince V’sair struggles to hold his fractured kingdom together without help from his family. His stepbrother Zayden is on a vengeful hunt for his evil uncle Staf Nuen. Tulani navigates her two worlds trying to bring them together. Staf Nuen, the orchestrator of the original coup, is making unholy alliances with nefarious new allies. Like the comet zipping across the horizon, all the different factions are heading for a collision course that will test both their faith and power.

Abouot the Author

see last weeks week in review (link: ) for this information

Forgotten, #3 Fade Series by Kallin Gow (ebook)

Started: 15/1/15           Finished:   25/1/15

Review

Book Information

Product DetailsA love that can never be forgotten…

The truth about Celestra Caine comes back in the most shocking way. Everyone knew Celestra Caine was dangerous, but they didn’t know she was THAT dangerous… As Celestra’s memories begin returning to her after being Faded, and her identity is revealed, she learns the fate of the world really is in her hands, and that she, the mysterious and sexy fader Jack, and her handsome ex-boyfriend Gray are more connected to each other than she ever imagined.

In this dystopian ya thriller, where nothing is what it seems, sometimes love can be strong enough to withstand time and space and never be forgotten.

About the Author

For this Information please see last weeks week in review post (link: )

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Read: Half Bad, #1 Half Bad Series by Sally Green (paperback)

1 – 24/1/15

Review

I have given this book a 5 star rating because I loved the cover art and that along with the authors writing style and world building was so grate that I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. It is because if this that I will re-read the book as well as recommend it to others/buy it as a gift for friends and family who I think will enjoy it.

Book Information

Product DetailsSixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans, Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world’s most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan’s only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it’s too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

Half Bad is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive.

About the Author

Sally Green was one oof 2014’s debut authors Half Bad being her debut book and the first book in a triloy, published by Penguin in March 2014.

2013 was a whirlwind year for Sally who submitted her manuscript of Half bad to an Agent in the January of that year (and getting accepted by her agent Claire),  and then agreeing a deal with Puffin (UK) and Viking (USA) in March. In April I agreed a film deal with Fox 2000 with Karen Rosenfelt as producer (google her!). Since then Half Bad has been sold to more countries, and I’ve been busy editing Half Bad and have started work on the second book of the trilogy.

Sally lives in north-west England. I love to read, walk in the country and would like to drink less coffee (but I know it’s impossible – I’m an addict)!

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Currently Reading:- City of Stairs by Robert   (Review ebook from bloggingforbooks.com)

Started: 5/1/15

Book Information

Product Details

You’ve got to be careful when you’re chasing a murderer through Bulikov, for the world is not as it should be in that city. When the gods were destroyed and all worship of them banned by the Polis, reality folded; now stairs lead to nowhere, alleyways have become portals to the past, and criminals disappear into thin air.

The murder of Dr Efrem Pangyui, the Polis diplomat researching the Continent’s past, has begun something and now whispers of an uprising flutter out from invisible corners. Only one woman may be willing to pursue the truth – but it is likely to cost her everything.

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Currently Reading:- Murderess by Daya Mamin (nertgalley review ebook, 172 pages (pages left to read 169))

19 /1

Book Information
Product Details

Lu Killer never wondered if her name was strange. ‘Killer’. How was she to guess her ancestors fought ferociously against the royal family for generations? How was she to know her family lived in a completely different world called Greywall’d? All that 16-year-old Lu cared for was when she could next listen to her music, next be left to her own devices and when she could truly feel at peace.

But her life changed completely when a young boy with a hat fell from the sky into her train…

Murderess is the first book of ‘The Exiles of Greywall’d Saga’ and features the beginning of a spine-tingling story with a new world where Lu will discover that she has a critical part to play in the future of Greywall’d.

Daya Marnin started writing Murderess two years ago when she was thirteen. She is currently writing “Priestess”, the second part of the saga.

About the Author

Daya Marnin  Daya Marnin is a 16 years old fantasy author that had just published her first book – Murderess.

Murderess is the first of six parts of the ‘The Exiles of Greywall’d Saga’. The story of Lu Killer (hence the title) and her quest for answers in a world of uncertainty becomes a compelling spring board for a complex narrative that is sure to gratify its readers for years to come.

In her writing, Daya created Greywall’d, a whole new world parallel to Earth, full of imagery, characters and sights that are written in such a level of detail that immerses the reader from the very beginning.

Daya started writing Murderess over two years ago when she was 13 and is now writing the second book of the saga – Priestess.

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Started reading: The end of All Things, #1  The end of All Things Series by Lisa  (bloghop review request ebook/264 pages)

21 –  /1

Book Information

Product DetailsAfter a terrible virus ravages the planet, Carly Daniels, one of the few survivors, hides in her apartment in Juneau trying to survive the best she can with only occasional forays to gather food. With her is Sam, a wolf puppy she found starving on the streets. He becomes her companion and a reason to continue when giving up sometimes seems like the more attractive option. Still dazed with shock and grief, she hopes for the world to go back to normal soon.

She is discovered by Justin, an ex-soldier who is intent on making his way to Florida before the winter sets in. Justin coaxes her out of her hiding place and convinces her to join him on his journey, because a warmer climate will be their best chance against the extremes of Mother Nature.

Together, they begin a perilous journey through a nation laid to waste by the disaster. Challenges abound along the way. The weather, injury, and shortage of supplies all help to slow them down. In time, they discover that they aren’t the only survivors. Some are friendly but some have had their minds destroyed by the high fever. Then there are those who simply take what they want, leaving Carly and Justin with no choice but to defend what is theirs.

But their journey is not without joy and love. Together, they face every struggle, including an unplanned pregnancy. Despite the perils of bringing a child into a world of chaos, their baby is a new beginning for themselves and a symbol of hope for the other survivors they find along the way.

This is the story of their journey to find a place to begin a new life, and a home in each other.

About the Author

Lissa Bryan

   Lissa Bryan is an astronaut, renowned Kabuki actress, Olympic pole vault gold medalist, Iron Chef champion, and scientist who recently discovered the cure for athlete’s foot…. though only in her head. Real life isn’t so interesting, which is why she spends most of her time writing.

She is the author of four novels, Ghostwriter, Under These Restless Skies, The End of All Things and its sequel,Land of the Shadow. She has short stories in Romantic Interludes and Tales from the End.

Lissa is also a fanfiction author, whose stories can be found here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/3300533/L…

http://www.lissabryan.com
http://www.facebook.com/lissa.bryan
https://twitter.com/LissaBryan
http://lissabryan.tumblr.com/

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Started Reading: The Hawk and Dove, #1 The Hawk and the Dove Trilogy by Penelope Wilcock (netgalley ebook review/

Started: 21/1

Book Information

At the start of the first novel Father Peregrine is appointed Abbot, at the age of 45. Father Peregrine, whose name in religion is Columba, is an arrogant, impatient man, a hawk trying hard to be a dove, whose struggles to manifest the character he considers to be expected of an abbot provide much of the narrative. He is surrounded by a company of flawed, human monks who are – for the most part – also serious about their calling, and who – again for the most part – come to love their driven and hard-driving leader. They lived six centuries ago, yet their struggles are our own—finding our niche; coping with failure; living with impossible people; and discovering that we are the impossible ones.

Lion Hudson Plc

Publish Date:  Feb 2015

About the Author

Penelope (Pen) Wilcock is the author of over a dozen books of  fiction and poetry, including The Hawk and the Dove trilogy.  She lives a quiet life on the southeast coast of England with  her husband and is the mother of five adult daughters. She  has many years of experience as a Methodist minister and has  worked as a hospice and school chaplain.

 

 

 

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Started Reading: The Crown, Vol. 1 The Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes (KindleUnlmited Ebook)

25/1

Book Information

Product Details

As Princess of Wonderland Palace and the future Queen of Hearts, Dinah’s days are an endless monotony of tea, tarts, and a stream of vicious humiliations at the hands of her father, the King of Hearts. The only highlight of her days is visiting Wardley, her childhood best friend, the future Knave of Hearts–and the love of her life. When an enchanting stranger arrives at the Palace, Dinah watches as everything she’s ever wanted threatens to crumble. As her coronation date approaches, a series of suspicious and bloody events suggests that something sinister stirs in the whimsical halls of Wonderland. It’s up to Dinah to unravel the mysteries that lurk both inside and under the Palace before she loses her own head to a clever and faceless foe. Part epic fantasy, part twisted fairy tale, this dazzling saga will have readers shivering as Dinah’s furious nature sweeps Wonderland up in the maelstrom of her wrath. Familiar characters such as Cheshire, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter make their appearance, enchanting readers with this new, dark take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But be warned…not every fairytale has a happy ending. This is the story of a princess who became a villain.

Author Biography

Colleen Oakes is the author of books for both teens and adults, including The Elly in Bloom Series, The Queen of Hearts Saga (Harper Collins 2016) and The Wendy Darling Saga. She lives in North Denver with her husband and son and surrounds herself with the most lovely family and friends imaginable. When not writing or plotting new books, Colleen can be found swimming, traveling, blogging, decluttering or totally immersing herself in nerdy pop culture. She currently at work on the final Elly novel and another YA fantasy series.

You can visit her webpage at: www.colleenoakes.net or at her very lengthy and sometimes embarrassingly personal blog, The Ranunculus Adventures:
http://ranunculusadventure.blogspot.com/

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Currently (continued) Reading: Hallowed, #2 Unearthly by Cynthia Hand (31 pages read)

Product Details

The heart-wrenching, unputdownable sequel to Unearthly.

Part-angel Clara is still reeling from the choice she was forced to make amidst the vicious forest fire of her nightmares. Now, torn between her love for Tucker and a destiny that will separate them, Clara is faced with another shocking revelation: someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows is that the fire was just the beginning.

About the Author

Cynthia Hand  Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of the Unearthly series with HarperTeen: UNEARTHLY, HALLOWED, RADIANT (an enovella) and BOUNDLESS. Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. Her next book, THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, will be released in February 2015.

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Started Reading: Day 21, #2 The 100 by Kass Morgan (15 pages read)

Product Details

It’s been 21 days since The 100 landed on Earth. They’re the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries… or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.

Author Bio

Kass Morgan Kass Morgan studied literature at Brown and Oxford, and now resides in Brooklyn, where she lives in constant fear of her Ikea bookcase collapsing and burying her under a mound of science fiction and Victorian novels. Kass is currently working on the sequel to The 100, which she’ll finish as soon as she finds a coffee shop that allows laptops on the weekend.

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Started Reading:  Red Rising, #1 Red Rising Trilogy) by Pierce Brown (3% of book read)

Product Details

The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity’s last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it’s all al lie. That Mars has been habitable – and inhabited – for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield – and Darrow isn’t the only student with an agenda.

Author Bio

Pierce Brown Though Pierce Brown was born in Denver, Colorado, his origins are a little more diverse, having called seven states home (Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona, Iowa, Texas, Washington, and California). Now twenty-four, he splits his time between Seattle and Los Angeles.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Brown spent time working as an executive aide on a U.S. Senate Campaign, a script runner at ABC, a freelance web producer, and eventually an NBC Page. His degree from Pepperdine University is in Economics and Political Science.

You can find him on Twitter @Pierce_Brown and Facebook, or visit his blog: www.pierce-brown.com

BOOKS RECEIVED

Netgalley

      

     

 

  

       

      

       

        

    

Librarything.com

Strange Magic   The Nightingale Circus (Broken People, #0.5)

From Authors/Blog Tour Organizers

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COMMENTS AND NEXT WEEKS GOALS

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