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Sunday, February 28, 2016

February Book Haul

So remember when I said I was going to reduce the amount I spend on books this year? Well like all new year resolutions it all 'gone-to-pot' (i.e failed miserably) already. However I can not say that I am upset about this because... well BOOKS!!!

So we have 8 new books to show you I am not feeling too guilty about this because I have read 5 of them already!

 

Rebel of the Sands by






I highly anticipated this book for quite a few months and I have to say that it's beautiful. I mean it was pretty when I saw it online but the actual physical book is sooo beautiful it shiny (which can be a bit distracting. I found myself more than once just sat their starring at the front cover when I was meant to be read it! Woops!) 



Inferno (Blood for Blood #2) by Catherine Doyle

Inferno (Blood for Blood, #2)
Add on Goodreads
Buy from Amazon UK || Book Depository || Wordery
Read my Review of this Series so far

I read the first book in this series (Vendetta) last month and really enjoyed it so I thought I would pick up this book and I am SO glad that I did. If you have read this please Tweet me I am still need to gush about it.





Vengeance Road by























Red Queen was one of the books which I read just I was starting to blog and I loved it! So have been anticipating the release of the sequel ever since.






Six of Crows (#1) by  

Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)

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Buy from Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Wordery

 I have to say that I am still on the fence about the Grisha Trilogy (I never got past the first book) but the general feeling I got from the online book community was that this book was amazing I needed to read it. I am always up for a good heist so I thought I would give it a go.




Midnight Thief (#1) by






I bought this book entirely because the main character is an orphan who is thief being recruited by an assassins guild. It was something I just had to check out.




Truthwitch (#1) by Susan Dennard

Add on Goodreads
Buy from Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US) || Wordery

I bought this book purely because so many of the readers I follow (and enjoy similar books to) here online have enjoyed this book and it's a YA Fantasy so I thought I would give it a try. Also yes, I did by this edition of the book, although I do live in the UK I preferred the US edition.




So there we have it all the book I bought this last month. Let me know in the comments below if you have read any of these books if so what did you think of them?

Friday, February 26, 2016

March Releases

 

March hadn't stuck in my head as a month where lots of books were being released but as I was writing this I just kept on finding more that I liked the look of. So I have 10 books released in March that I think sound like interesting reads so lets get started:  

 

Beyond the Red by Ava Jae

Release Date: 1st March (Kindle) || 17th March (UK Hardback)
Add on Goodreads
Order from Amazon (UK) || Amazon (US)

I came across this book when I was looking though Pondering the Prose's reviews and she seemed to have really enjoyed it. The synopsis seems like it is going to be a hate/love romance which I love.

 

 

 

A Study in Charlotte by 

































I have recently been trying to explore more books set in historical settings and this one is set in 1849. The main character is a Chinese girl hoping to become a professional musician but after an accident she fears for her life, so with the help of a runaway slave she flees town for the unknown frontier. They dress themselves as boys and run into cowboys! What a mix of characters I want to see how it all works together. (The hardback cover is so pretty check it out below.)







I have to say that this is one of those series that I have had on my to- buy list for years and so many people have recommended it but I have never read them. However, now that the last book has come out hopefully that will motivate me to finally read this trilogy.
















This series is another one of those which I LOVE the sound of but I have yet to read. The first book The Conspiracy of Us looks like a romance, mystery, with every character having secret pasts.








































Hardback Covers of some of the books mentioned above:

Let me know if you prefer the Hardback or Paperback cover designs and tell me what you think about any of these books - have you already read any of them (what did you think?) or you excited about their release just like me?  

Sunday, February 21, 2016

#LoveAThon Mini Challenge: Book Spine Poetry

So I thought I would try out this mini challenge - Book spine poetry - I have never done this before and once I had got started it was amazingly fun. My room was buried under hills of books by the time I had finished but I have created two wee poems and one longer poem (more like a wee story!) for your enjoyment, let me know in the comments below what you think of them, do you have a favourite?

 

The Bitter Kingdom,
Taken by Storm;
City of Bones
Embers of Ash
 
 
The Thief Lord, Heartless
Queen of Shadows, Heart of Venom
The Kiss of Deception
 
 
In the age of love and chocolate,
Two good thieves, uncommon criminals,
The one midnight thief; the thief lord.
The girl in the mask, the elite lady thief;
The last princess,
To marry a prince under the never sky,
Tomorrow when the war began in a dark dark wood,
The emerald flame, ignite
Ruins,
Young, gifted,
and  dead.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

2016 Love-a-Thon: Get to Know Me Questionnaire


 

1.      What’s your name?

Hi everyone, my name is Deborah Hill *waves frantically*

2.      Where in the world are you blogging from?

I currently live in the middle of the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland, basically the middle of nowhere. Bus? Nearest stop = 1mile. Shop? small Spar = 5miles!!

The local village has 'Narnia Lights' that are so cool!
 

3.      How did you get into blogging in the first place?

I first became 'aware' of how big the online book community was when I started to watch booktube just less than a years ago, and last summer decided I wanted to become a part of it. However, I didn't have the right stuff (or skill I don't think) to create videos so I thought I would try out blogging, and I haven't looked back since.

4.      How did you come up with your blog name?

This isn't something I've talked about on my blog but if you look at my last name well!! Also at times have hills (more like mountains at some points) of books (especially when I'm reordering my bookshelves - something I do way to often) in my bedroom.

5.      What genre do you read and review the most on your blog?

Almost all my books are within the Young Adult group and within that mainly the Fantasy (Urban, Epic, High), Science-fiction, Dystopian and Magical Realism

6.      What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews?

Every month I will do a  reading wrap-up and book haul, I also share the new releases for each month that I like the look of and last month I started to share my favourite book quotes. I also occasionally do Waiting on Wednesday, Top Ten Tuesday and Book Tags. Saturday's Sentence Game was also something I created a for something different a few months ago.     

7.      Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2016!

Only five! Well there are many more than this but here we go:
The Rose and The Dagger (The Wrath and The Dawn #2) by
Throne of Glass book 5 by Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

8.  Name the 5 books you want to read this 2016 that you didn’t get to in previous years!

9.  What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read?

Hemlock.jpg
Tales of a Traveler: Hemlock  by N.J Layouni
(I love this time travel series and the first book is FREE on kindle so you have no excuse for not reading it!)

10.  Who would you recruit for your apocalypse squad (5 characters max)

Rowan (Throne of Glass Series) because of his fighting ability and magic although fire might be a better skill, add Aelin to the list as well.
Ull Myhr (The Elsker Saga) again he's a great fighter but he is also kind and caring.
Gin Blanco (Elemental Assassins Series) she's got a great personality (and humour) and this ability to survive anything as long a she has her trusty knives.
Iko (The Lunar Chronicles) I think she would help to lift the mood also because she is an android we could send her on the slightly more dangerous missions (also does she need food??!) because we could fix her. 

11.  Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for?

I have to admit not much else, however my bank balance is happy that books are the only thing I like to buy as it's not happy about accommodating that.

12.  What would your dream library look like?

I have just spent far to much time scrolling though some amazing rooms of books but I have managed to choose three amazing reading rooms I think I want a mix of all of them.

 Let me know what features from these rooms you like (if any) in the comments below:


So hoped that helped you all get to know me a bit better and I hope to see you all though out the Love-a-Thon weekend. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Waiting on Wednesday #11 - Cross the Stars by Venessa Kimball

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

Release Date: 8th March 2016
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Pre-order on Kindle (UK) (US

Synopsis from Goodreads

She is American. A commoner, an outsider. Min barra. He is Jordanian royalty. A prince, already promised to another. And their worlds are about to collide.

A year shy of graduating from Georgetown University, Ella Wallace feels like she is losing direction. Having carved her own path through life, rejecting her family’s elitist influences, the last thing she wants is to waste time and prove her parents right. A happenstance summer-long program abroad offers the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in volunteer work, finding richness in family and purpose she has never experienced before.

Prince Rajaa bin Ammaar is returning home to Jordan from Georgetown University. His intent is to spearhead a refugee program meant to bring peace to his country. Amidst threats of civil war and revolt, Raj stands for his convictions, even when they challenge his family and the very culture he is preordained to uphold.

A chance encounter at a crowded party in D.C. brought Ella and Raj together for one fleeting moment – two people never thought to meet again. But it’s not until their diverse worlds collide in Jordan that they realize the power of their connection. With the refugee program as their reuniting bond, they must cross the stars and defy their clashing cultures to protect their forbidden love.
 

Why I am Waiting

I came across this book on Cover2cover (also where I got the cover photo from) just this week. Now, I am not normally into contemporary books I am more of a fantasy girl but something about this book interests me. Maybe it's the royal falling for the commoner, always been a bit of a sucker for that situation! There is one lonely, but glowing review up on Goodreads so I think I shall give this book a go, I am trying to expand the genres I read and this is meant to be Adult, Contemporary, Romance (plus it is currently only £0.99!) so this is another book I'm adding to my TRB!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday #2: Top Ten Books I'd Give A Theme Song To

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.
So this weeks Top 10 is around books and music and I decided to share some of the song/book pairings I have put together. Matching songs and books is something I do all the time when I read - I will be listening to music and imagine how that relates to the situations of the characters in my current read- but I have not really written them down before so here we go (in no particular order):
 

1) Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas = 'See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth'

I think this song describes Aelin's and Aedion's relationship how they miss each other so much.
 
"It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again"
(Source: azlyrics)
 

2) Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton = 'Renegade Runaway by Carrie Underwood'

I think this song could have totally have been written about the main character Amani.
 
"She's an outlaw, a quick draw
She'll take it all, so don't you fall
For that renegade
...
 If I were you, I'd place my bet
That she's ridin' off out into the sunset
With her long hair flyin' 'cross the desert dirt
Let me tell you, boy, you're never gonna catch her"
(Source: azlyrics)
 

3) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare =  'Heart Wants What It Wants' by Selena Gomez

I think this describes Jace and Clary's relationship at the end of City of Bones.
 
"You might be right but I don't care
There's a million reasons why I should give you up
But the heart wants what it wants"
(Source: directlyrics)
 

4) The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh = 'Something That We're Not' by Demi Lovato

This is how I hope Shahrzad sees her relationship with Tariq.
 
"This isn't love boy, this ain't even close
But you always think we're something that we're not
...
You wanna be more than just friends
I can't go through this again
Stop trying to get inside my head"
(Source: directlyrics)
 

5)Inferno (Blood by Blood #2) by Catherine Doyle = 'Wonder' by Megan McCauley

Admittedly some of this song doesn't apply to this book but there is some of the lyrics which fit really well with parts of this book.
 
 "I try to find the truth between all the lies
When Bleeding is feeling and feeling ain't real
Will I see you when I open my eyes?
Will I see you when I open my eyes?
When Breathing's a burden we all have to bear
And trust is one thing we're taught never to share
Somehow you just seem to shine
When loving means breaking and saying goodbye"
(Source: azlyrics)

 

6) Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J.Maas = 'Trouble' by Iggy Azalea featuring Jennifer Hudson

Describing a certain fey Prince ...
 
"I shoulda known you were bad news
From the bad boy demeanour and the tattoos
...
Opposites attract, I guess this it that
...
Cause you don't wanna lose your ride to the next guy
And baby trouble only makes for a good time
So all the normal red flags be a good sign
...
Got a hold on me, that's without a doubt
So clear now that he's a trouble starter
But I ain't a saint neither and these ain't no still waters, hmm"
(Source: azlyrics)
 

7) Graceling by Kristen Cashore = 'I Dare you' by Bea Miller

I think this is the kind of 'power' song that goes well with the point in the story where she stands up to her cruel uncle.
 
 "I can remember a time when I was so afraid
When even my shadow wouldn't follow me
So ... I'm picking up my sword
To shatter all the pieces that I was before
 ...
So put me in a cage
Lock me in a room
Throw away the key
I dare you
I'll break down the walls
 ...
And I won't let you tear me down, no"
(Source: azlyrics)
 

8) Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard = 'Fight Song' by Rachel Platten

Another 'power' song which I think describes Mare's push to keep going.
 
"Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

 Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep
Everybody's worried about me
In too deep"
 

So only managed to think of 8 at the moment, I am sure that more will come to mind as I continue to read more of my TBR. Let me know if you agree with any of my matches and tell me in the comments (or leave a link) if you can think of any other song which 'go' with these books!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Series Review: Blood For Blood by Catherine Doyle


So Blood for Blood is one of those series  that I completely underestimated. I stumbled over it while watching Casey Ann books youtube channel, she went though a period where she managed to mention Vendetta in every other video so I thought I would give it a go. 

  

I picked this book up when I heard it was a modern Romeo and Juliet.
 
 

Vendetta (Blood for Blood #1) by Catherine Doyle

 
 
Add on Goodreads
 
What's is it about?
 
Vendetta follows Sophie as she works away her summer at the family diner. Her resent past hasn't been easy and it's just about to get harder. When five mysterious boys move into the local mansion they catch Sophie's attention. She slowly begins to notice strange things about them and her growing feelings for Nic cause secrets to emerge, shattering all of Sophie's norms and thrusting her straight into the path of danger.  
 
Summary of my Thoughts
 
This book is an exciting start to the Blood for Blood series, it's a great story of how five boys - armed with switchblade's and guns - turn one girls life on it's head. Full of romance, secrets and danger this book in a thrilling read up until the very last chapter.
 
I loved this book and the 'This book in three words' on the back of the book, couldn't describe it better:
 
Thrilling, Dangerous, Romance.
 
My Thoughts
 
This book starts by giving us a few chapters to get to know at bit about Sophie, her friends and her families situation before the boys arrived. Something which I was grateful for, as it helped to show that Sophie was just living a normal(ish) teenage life and highlights the impact that the boys arrival has on her world (a contrast that continues to grow).
 
Each of the boys are individuals, I was worried when we were first introduced to them, that we were only going to get to know about one or two of them in depth. However as we read through the book the personality of each individual brother shows though. I also enjoyed that as Sophie gets to know the brothers more and more we get to see certain characteristics that weren't obvious in the beginning. I think that this helped to make them more realistic and 'filled out' characters, because - in real life - as we get to know people more we realise new things about them.  
 
I enjoyed the romance between Sophie and Nic but as we get further though the book he just doesn't seem to be able to understand Sophie as well as his brother Luca. Nic and Sophie obviously care for each other but I - like most of the people who have read the Blood for Blood series - am drawn to the slightly mysterious and moody Luca.  
 
"Blood will spill and hearts will break..."
 
After about page 200, Sophie (as well as the reader) is given surprise after surprise, which made for a thrilling read that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. This book leaves so many thing unresolved and the need for book two will be a very strong indeed.
 
Favourite Quote:
 
"This life is complex that we rarely get to be the people we are truly meant to be. Instead, we wear masks and put up walls to keep from dealing with the fear of rejection, the feeling of regret, the very idea that someone may not love us for who we are deep in our core, that they might not understand the things that drive us."
- Page 108
 

Inferno (Blood for Blood #2) by Catherine Doyle

 
 
Add on Goodreads
Buy from Amazon UK || Book Depository || Wordery  
 
What is it about?
 
After the events in Vendetta Sophie's life has been turned upside down. However, no matter how hard Sophie tries to get back to normal, normal is still far away. The Falcone boys no longer live in the mansion but the arrival of a Mafia clan thrusts the Falcone boys and Sophie back together.
 
 "If you play with fire you'll get burnt..."
 
My Thoughts
 
Basically to keep this mini review spoiler free for both books it's going to have to be quite short and vague.

This book is more explosive, more heart-breaking, more romantic than the first book. It's full of yet more secrets and lies. It has more great banter between Sophie and the Falcone boys which gives the warm happy feels, it also has moments when you want to cry but leaves you pumped for the next book.

"You shouldn't have to be in the darkness with me."
"I think the point of being a good friend is being in the darkness. I'll be your light, until you can be it yourself again."

-Page 355
 
***
 

The third book has now been published see my review of the final book here