April Wrap-Up!

So, because April was such a busy reading month for me, I thought I would jump onto the wrap-up bandwagon and show you some of the books I've read, and give them each a mini review.

These aren't all my books I've read in April of course, I've written a few full reviews too, but these are just some of the other books that I thought you'd like to see my thoughts on! (and you can click the link in the name to find the Goodreads page if you're interested in the blurbs)

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury:

This was a re-read of mine, that I finished at the beginning of April. I've read the first 2 books in this series before but I decided to re-read this because I went to the launch of Mel's new book Sorrow last month. This was my train read, and I forgot just how great the book was.

Reading this a second time just made me love it more, although I admit because I knew what happened it did make me dislike Leif this time round, and I had a lot more sympathy for Merek than I did the first time round.

I love the world building in this series and I loved the idea of different sins and what would be eaten - I'd love a longer list! Overall though this book gets 4.5 cats!

                  

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas:

So, the third in this series I decided to read it after having it a little while because of there is another book being released soon, and I wanted to be ready for it.

As with the other two books I adored it, as I think that Rhysand is one of my favourite characters out there, and I love the way he interacts with his court and Feyre. I was especially interested to see how Nesta and Elain's plots played out in this book after how it ended, and I really wanted to see if the Hybern situation would be resolved or not.


Definitely an action packed book, and I definitely loved it like the rest, but my favourite in the series is still the second book. However, I did like meeting all the new people in this one, and I can't wait to see where it goes. This book gets 5 cats!

I am Thunder by Muhammad Khan

I won this book in a competition, and I decided to read it because I was meeting the author at YAShot this month. Definitely glad I won it, it was such a good book! (But it did leave me feeling old because when reading it did take a while to get used to the teenager speak!).

It did take me a while to get into it, but when I did I was definitely sucked in, it was so different to see the POV of someone that was a Muslim, I've only ever read one book like that - and this one trumped that by miles.

I think my favourite bit about the book was the name - and the quote used - I am thunder and I won't keep quiet. It definitely resonated with me and I think it's one of my new favourite quotes - and something I need to live by I think. Overall, I give this 4 cats. It's definitely a thought provoking book.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

I decided to re-read this book because I got sent the second in the duology for a review, and I wanted to refresh my mind. My original read of this book was reviewed on goodreads before I started blogging, and I laughed a bit when I read my review. 

My opinion has changed from the first time - I loved it more than I did then. I think the re-read helped me to understand things a bit better and really helped me to get into the plot more and connect with the characters more too. It's definitely going to be one of the books I'll re-read again in the future, and my review of the second book will come soon in a separate post.

Also I've had a lot of people comment on the beauty of the cover, and yes that was the main reason I bought it from Costco's, the deep blue with slashes really caught my eye, and then the description intrigued me too. I give this book 5 cats (one more than last years review)

A Shiver of Snow and Sky by Lisa Lueddecke

Although I have so many other books on my TBR pile I started on this as soon as I got it in the DrinkYA goodybag as I've wated to read it so much. It did take me a little while to get into it, maybe I was going in with too many expectations and it put me off? But when I did get into it I can see why it's such a popular book, some of the descriptions in this book definitely caught my eye throughout - they were so beautiful.

I adored Osa as a character - she was so strong throughout the book despite how she was brought up being blamed for her mothers death. I think her character development was amazing, especially at the end, and I think it was so great how her development was like a big circle - she learnt that it wasn't her fault and also really came into herself.

I also think the world building in this was great - I can't wait to see what the author will do in any future books if its as great as this one, it will definitely be a surprise as I can't guess where it may go at all. 4 cats for this book!

ARC Review: Jane Seymour - The Haunted Queen by Alison Weir

I received an e-copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which will follow.

I've always had an interest for Historical Fiction books over the years, of course not as much of an interest as fantasy or YA but I do love it, so when I saw this book I had to request it.

Here it is:

THE WOMAN HAUNTED BY THE FATE OF HER PREDECESSOR.

Eleven days after the death of Anne Boleyn, Jane is dressing for her wedding to the King.

She has witnessed at first hand how courtly play can quickly turn to danger and knows she must bear a son . . . or face ruin.

This new Queen must therefore step out from the shadows cast by Katherine and Anne - in doing so, can she expose a gentler side to the brutal King?

JANE SEYMOUR

THE THIRD OF HENRY'S QUEENS

HER STORY

Acclaimed, bestselling historian Alison Weir draws on new research for her captivating novel, which paints a compelling portrait of Jane and casts fresh light on both traditional and modern perceptions of her. Jane was driven by the strength of her faith and a belief that she might do some good in a wicked world.

History tells us how she died.

This spellbinding novel explores the life she lived.

SIX TUDOR QUEENS. SIX NOVELS. SIX YEARS.

I have always loved Tudor history. We never learnt much of it while at school and I always hated that because it is one of my favourite parts of history. So, I got most of my information from TV shows (I  binge watch The Tudors quite regularly) and from books that my sister likes. So, when I saw this available to request on Netgalley I snapped at the chance even though I hadn't read Alison Weir's two previous books on the subject.

I was so keen to get into this book, because most fiction on this period of time focuses mostly on Anne Boleyn or Queen Elizabeth I. So, the idea of reading the thoughts of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's only wife to bear him a son, was intriguing. And what a story Alison Weir has told. From the childhood wish of being a Nun, to serving Queen Katherine and Queen Anne Boleyn, to being Queen herself, Jane Seymour's life is told in a sweeping story that gets right into the time. It's amazing when a writer can transport you into the life of the main character, and when reading this I was transported to Tudor England.

I loved that at the end of the book you got a timeline of events so you could see when everything happened, and then there is a summary of how Alison Weir came up with the little points that were never a part of history before. It was fascinating to read her summary and it really shows that history can be interpreted in different ways if you just look at all the details.

Overall, I give this book 5 cats, and I'll definitely be reading the previous two books and any future books to come too!

Have you read any of Alison Weir's books? Comment below!

ARC Review: The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green

I got this as an advanced e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which will follow.

I'd heard a few things about the author of this book, Sally Green, before I saw this on Netgalley, and then when I saw this beautiful cover I was drawn in, and who wouldn't be?! It's so beautiful with the smoke against the white background. So, I requested it and got accepted (Yay!).

Here it is:

A princess, a traitor, a soldier, a hunter and a thief. Five teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands. Five nations destined for conflict. In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father, while her true love, Ambrose, faces the executioner's block. In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town. And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell. As alliances shift and shatter, and old certainties are overturned, our five heroes find their past lives transformed and their futures inextricably linked by the unpredictable tides of magic and war. Who will rise and who will fall? And who will claim the ultimate prize?

The first thing I have to mention about this book is that it is split into 5 different POVs. I'm not used to books with this many POVs so it did take me a little while to get into it, but eventually I started to like it. I especially liked that at the beginning of each chapter there was a little drawing to show which MC you would be listening to next - a jug for March, a flower for Catherine, a Sword for Ambrose, an eagle seal for Edyon and smoke for Tash.

I think that one reason why I came around to so many different perspectives was that it really kept me guessing as to how all of the MCs would end up meeting and interacting, and just how the plot would bring them all together. It wasn't until quite far through the plot that you saw everything coming together - and I definitely liked that it kept me on my feet guessing what would happen near the end of the book.

I definitely had a favourite character in this book - Catherine. She was so strong and had her own personality despite how she was brought up in a land where females are supposed to be obedient and quiet wives. I loved how she was able to make a name for herself in Pitoria and really come out of her shell after going there for her wedding.

Most surprising of all for me was the fact that for once I wasn't routing for one of the MCs love interests. When it came to Catherine I didn't ship her and Ambrose at all (despite the fact that it would have been an obvious ship). No, instead I really ship her and Prince Tzsayn, and I can't wait to see where everything goes in the next book (I see a love triangle maybe and I adore love triangles!).

Overall, it's such an interesting book, with an intriguing plot about demons and demon smoke, and I really just want the next book already to find out more about what's going to happen now all the characters were together!

I give this book: 4.5 cats!

If you want to read it, this book comes out May 3rd, and I would definitely recommend it! Have you read this, or are you planning on reading this? Comment below!

Review: The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

So, I originally received this as an advanced e-copy from Netgalley, but didn't get round to reading it until now which is a shame as it was so amazing.

Here it is:

A KINGDOM AT RISK, A CROWN DIVIDED, A FAMILY DRENCHED IN BLOOD

Tessa Gratton's debut epic adult fantasy, The Queens of Innis Lear, brings to life a world that hums with ancient magic, and characters as ruthless as the tides.

The erratic decisions of a prophecy-obsessed king have drained Innis Lear of its wild magic, leaving behind a trail of barren crops and despondent subjects. Enemy nations circle the once-bountiful isle, sensing its growing vulnerability, hungry to control the ideal port for all trade routes.

The king’s three daughters – battle-hungry Gaela, master manipulator Reagan, and restrained, starblessed Elia – know the realm’s only chance of resurrection is to crown a new sovereign, proving a strong hand can resurrect magic and defend itself. But their father will not choose an heir until the longest night of the year, when prophecies align and a poison ritual can be enacted.

Refusing to leave their future in the hands of blind faith, the daughters of Innis Lear prepare for war – but regardless of who wins the crown, the shores of Innis will weep the blood of a house divided.

I first decided to request this because the cover immediately caught my eye, it was so beautiful. Then, when I saw the description I was even more intrigued as it sounded like something right up my alley. By the end of this book I was so annoyed with myself for leaving it in my TBR for so long, as it was a spectacular read. I later found out that this is based on a Shakespeare story (I've never read any really) so if you're a fan of that and fantasy then I'm sure you'll adore this book.

I admit, the first bit of the book did confuse me a bit, enough that I wondered if I would get into it at all, but as soon as it got to the POVs of the sisters I got sucked in. It was so nice to have the different POVs of each of the main characters at the beginning, it really gave you a sense of what each of the characters would be like throughout the book and gave you a good baseline as to how the book may go.

I'll say that this was definitely a fascinating book, and come towards the second half I didn't want to put my kindle down. I'm a bit obsessed with just watching the stars (not that I can read them or anything) so I think that the star prophecies in this book really called to me, and made me that much more interested. Then, adding to that the idea that in this land you could also talk to the earth and the trees and the wind, it intrigued me and kept me interested, it's just such a magical idea.

Just overall, I think I can explain this book in one word: beautiful. The imagery in this book is some of the best I've ever read - it was all so magical and beautiful that it actually left me breathless. I really do urge you to read this book just for that!

I give this book: 5 cats (and I would give so many more if I could)

This is probably going to be one of my top reads of 2018, and I will be buying a physical copy when I can. Have you read this? Comment below!

Review: Dissent Renegades by R. J. Furness

I was given an e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review, which will follow.

It took me a while to get round to it (sorry!) but I'm glad I finally did read it, it was definitely an interesting plot!

Here it is:

The Great Freeze changed everything… 

“Ellie loved riding the orgo. She had often dreamt about it since being a small child. Now that her father wasn’t around to voice his opinions, she finally could. Twenty years had been a long time to wait.” 

Centuries from now, during a new ice age, only three human colonies are known to exist. Scorr Tanta, the first city, is vast and resourceful, whereas Eklips is more desolate. Ellie, on the other hand, works in Port Harmony; a harbour town. As an apprentice orgo-keeper, the only highlight is getting to ride the animals that she cares for. Then, a chance skirmish at the market draws her closer to Haylee and her friends, and everything begins to change. Desperate to join them, Ellie has heard many tales about Haylee and her group of renowned warriors. What she doesn’t know, is how much danger follows them. Ellie is soon tugged into a much different world than she had first assumed. A world built on dissent, and filled with secrets.

Okay, so I didn't really know what to expect when I started this book. The blurb gave hints but didn't actually say what would happen which intrigued me. I usually like to know in general what will happen, but after this book I've decided I also like the intrigue of finding out just where it will go. There were definitely some twists I didn't see coming, and I liked that a lot.

My favourite part of the book: has to be the orgo's (the creature on the cover). I love fluffy things and from the sound of it I could just cuddle into one and be happy forever. I want one now (but unfortunately they are not real so no cuddles from an orgo for me).

One of my favourite parts of this book is the plight of the elrupe, a species similar to humans but pushed out of the colonies and left to survive by themselves. I think they sound so cute, and I really hope to get a bit more history in the next book about them. In fact, I would love to see a lot more history about everything in the next book - I was really interested in the hints of Rada's history (the leader of the colonies) and can't wait to see what the author comes up with in the next book about it.

Overall, definitely an interesting books, but I would have loved a whole lot more history, so I'm giving this book 4 cats!

Have you read this book? What did you think? Comment below!