When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the 4 stars
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the spell. There they find themselves trapped in a resort in the midst of a snowstorm with other guests of the lodge. But not everything is as it seems and Mercy and Adam must find a magical artifact before even worse things begin to happen.
Let me start this with I am being very kind with my 4 star rating. Any other author or series I probably would have rated much lower, but I absolutely love this series and Mercy. But this book really was not up to the standards of the other books in this series. It was very disjointed with bad pacing and took me a very long time to read. But it's like pizza, even when it's bad, it's good. And I'll always welcome more of these characters and this world into my life. I just hope the next installment in the series is more plot forward than this book. This book felt a lot like a side quest.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinions, thoughts, rating, review. ...more
Such a cute and beautiful series! I don't want to give much away, but book three is Hades and Persephone navigating their budding friendship 4 stars!
Such a cute and beautiful series! I don't want to give much away, but book three is Hades and Persephone navigating their budding friendship, as well as their relationships with other people. I love the art in these graphic novels, it is so fantastically done. I also want to give the author bonus point for having the characters advocate for therapy and self care....more
Wow what a beautiful graphic novel! Seriously, the illustrations are stunning.
I am a sucker for mythology retellings and this is a great one with HadeWow what a beautiful graphic novel! Seriously, the illustrations are stunning.
I am a sucker for mythology retellings and this is a great one with Hades and Persephone beginning a romance against all odds. I am very excited to see where this all goes....more
I really need to pay closer attention to trigger warnings. And I read them, I did! But when everyone was saying this book was brutal I didn 2.5 stars
I really need to pay closer attention to trigger warnings. And I read them, I did! But when everyone was saying this book was brutal I didn’t listen for some reason? And yeah, this book was too brutal/gory for my liking. Just a little bit too much where I’d put this book more under horror than fantasy but that might just be my feelings about it.
The Wolf and the Woodsman is the story of Evike, a young woman with no magic who is betrayed by her village and sent off to be a sacrificial magic wolf girl for the king. While with a group of Woodsman, they are attacked by creatures in the forest and Evik finds herself one of the survivors along with Gaspar, a one eyed woodsman who turns out to be a disgraced prince. Together they must survive the creatures of the forest despite disliking each other.
I thought this book dragged. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style and while I found some of the story to be interesting, the pacing was really off. I would get into one part of the story and then they were off doing something completely different or retelling a myth in the middle of the book. I’m not sure what to pin point, but I really didn’t connect with this book. I read it all the way to the end so I did have some enjoyment of it but probably wouldn’t read more by this author unless I knew the books were different....more
“The ending doesn’t matter. What matters is how we get there. To face what’s ahead with as much dignity as we can muster and make the mos 3.5 stars
“The ending doesn’t matter. What matters is how we get there. To face what’s ahead with as much dignity as we can muster and make the most of the time we have left.”
The Witch’s Heart is a norse mythology fantasy novel. Angrboda has lived two lives, and after the last one left her burned and with her heart removed she flees deep into the woods into a cave. There, Loki finds her and returns her heart to her and the two develop a special bond. But Angrboda cannot hide in her cave forever, as there are those who seek her and want her to do their bidding.
“My heart is so much more than it once was, even if it now beats outside my chest.”
I really loved the first hundred pages of this book, they were so compelling and I was devouring the book. And then, after that things started to get… weird. I would say this book is the norse version of Circe by Madeline Miller, probably the best readalike out there. I’m not as familiar with norse mythology but I was able to follow the book for the most part and enjoyed it. I just didn’t love the second half of the book (with the exception of Skadi) and I thought the pacing was off.
A great debut novel from this author, I liked it and would be willing to read more by her.
“It doesn’t really matter where we came from, does it? We’re here now. We’re ourselves. What more can we be?” ...more
This is probably one of the most recent Newbery awards winners that I’ve loved. This story is so beautiful, about a young girl dealing with some confuThis is probably one of the most recent Newbery awards winners that I’ve loved. This story is so beautiful, about a young girl dealing with some confusing and difficult matters but also weaving some Korean folklore into the story. Definitely going to be recommending this to a lot of kiddos who visit my library. ...more
Basically, this gif sums up most of Greek mythology: [image]
Not even kidding a little bit.
Anyways, mythology is always something I was interes 4 stars
Basically, this gif sums up most of Greek mythology: [image]
Not even kidding a little bit.
Anyways, mythology is always something I was interested in and loved, it's in so much of our everyday life still in the stories we tell and our history. I know most of my real life friends read this in the 10th grade, but my class read The Odyssey only and I've always meant to get to this book but didn't until now.
I listened to the audio of this book during my work commutes, and I liked it because it was a bunch of stories so I didn't have to keep track of a lot. Many stories were familiar, some I had heard different versions and some I had never heard. Hamilton, while not indulging in graphic details, does not shy away from some of the harsher aspects of these stories and I found myself making faces while listening. I also really liked how Hamilton told the reader her sources on where she got these stories from and if from different writers, how many years apart they were.
I was a history major in college, so this was fascinating to me. I get that it's not for everyone, but if you want to learn more about mythology in general, this is the book for you.
“Aha! So I’m not crazy.” “You are most definitely crazy,” Derek said. “But in a deranged, endearing way.”
Short review. I really enjoyed t 4 stars!
“Aha! So I’m not crazy.” “You are most definitely crazy,” Derek said. “But in a deranged, endearing way.”
Short review. I really enjoyed this book, it's a great addition to the series and basically sets up many huge plot points for what is to come from this series. There were some low points (like the weredolphins, I mean really??) and some high points (I'm not telling you the high points lazy! Read it yourself!).
But I love this series and I want to jump right into the next one. So peace out!
“When I was born, the word for what I was did not exist.”
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Circe is a retelling of the Greek Goddess of sorcery. From her birth and 4 stars!
“When I was born, the word for what I was did not exist.”
[image]
Circe is a retelling of the Greek Goddess of sorcery. From her birth and through thousands of years of her life. In her early life, she discovers a strange power within her and she finds she can transform her enemies into monsters. Fearful of her power, Zeus has her banished into exile, to spend her immortal years on an island alone.
As the years go by Circe faces those who come to her island, some are friendly and some are foe. In this, we get her side of the story and see that things are not always as they seem.
“You cannot know how frightened gods are of pain. There is nothing more foreign to them, and so nothing they ache more deeply to see.”
Madeline Miller is a writer I love, her book The Song of Achilles is very close to my heart. So when I saw that she had written another novel I was very eager to read it. I didn’t remember much about Circe and after I started I admit I needed to look her up for a refresher. One of my favorite thing about Miller is her writing style and the way she bends the English language to her will. All the words flow so elegantly across the page, I love reading what she has to say.
Circe was a very interesting character, but also a passive one at least to me. I felt a lot of her life was watching things happen to other people, and while she was involved, it wasn’t until the end that she felt like the heroine of her own story. I liked seeing Miller’s take on all of these famous characters and how the stories we thought we knew might be a little bit different than we think.
A beautifully written book and an interesting story, if you like the classics and retellings you should pick this book up.
“It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment's carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did.”
“Our lives may take us to unexpected places and it might alter many a things, but I will forever be yours.”
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I’ve been needing an e 5 stars!
“Our lives may take us to unexpected places and it might alter many a things, but I will forever be yours.”
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I’ve been needing an epic romance, and who knew I’d get it from an author I’d never read or heard of before? High five to Arabella for the spot on book recommendation. Axios is the story of two Spartan soldiers (Eryx and Axios), who from a very young age they were trained to kill, always knowing they would live their lives fighting wars.
Eryx is loyal to the Spartan lifestyle because of the sins of his father, while Axios has a harder time adjusting. From childhood to adulthood the two are inseparable, best friends and then lovers, finding comfort in each other's arms. In a land where feelings are viewed as weak, the two develop a strong relationship. But as war approaches, fear infiltrates them, for one cannot live without the other
“Know what I see? I see someone who is kind and who stops to see the beauty of the world. Someone who likes to watch the birds fly in the sky, wondering where they go… wondering what it’s like to soar amongst the clouds. I see an intelligent mind who ponders what makes the sky blue and where the sun goes at night. But mostly… I see my truest companion.”
I really loved this book, I felt it was exactly the epic romance I needed to break me out of my book funk. Seriously, this is going under one of the best books of 2017! This book reminds me a lot of The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, in fact I think super fans of that book may have a hard time with this one because they are so similar. But this was filled with romance, longing, and angst and was just completely perfect for me.
I loved both of the main characters, Axios is a gentle soul thrown into a harsh world. The only thing that gets him through it is Eryx and his desire to be strong for him. Through harsh conditioning Axios becomes harder, but still has the soft and kind soul beneath. Eryx on the outside doesn’t show his emotions as much, we really only see them when he’s with Axios. But he loves Axios with all his heart and will do anything for him, even when it goes against what he truly believes in.
This book is a historical romance and I think the author did really well. There was never really a moment where I was reading and thought “that would never happen” and I was amazed by this. She stayed true to the story and the setting and backdrop only accentuated the love story and made it that much better.
If you’re a fan of epic romance this is the book for you! It flowed across my mind so smoothly and gave me so many feels. I’m going to be dreaming of this couple, I just know it!
PS: sorry to all the friends I’ll be badgering to read the book. It’s a condition of my friendship :P
“I will kill any man and turn the whole world to ash for you, my warrior. I fear neither battle nor death, but I fear the day you are not by my side. Never question where my heart lies, because it is forever yours. In this life and the next.”
Yes, even though I didn't finish it I'm still rating it. You don't have to eat the entire cookie to know you didn't like it. This book iDNF at page 204
Yes, even though I didn't finish it I'm still rating it. You don't have to eat the entire cookie to know you didn't like it. This book is ALL OVER THE PLACE. No coherent plot, world building feels non existent. I hate everyone. Basically this book was a big let down. I gave it two stars because of the writing, and I could read what I did quickly. But when you bring in (view spoiler)[ a random past life/reincarnation it just feels like lazy writing so I quit (hide spoiler)]
Breath of Fire begins where A Promise of Fire 4 stars!
““You’re the shield, and I’m the sword.”
[image]
What an action packed and thrilling series!
Breath of Fire begins where A Promise of Fire left off, and with one of Cat’s big secrets revealed. It becomes clear that Griffin and the team need more to protect their city from outside. From there they go on a quest to a wizard to tell them what they need to achieve this, and the adventure begins from there…
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“It’s time to be the person you were meant to be, Cat. You don’t just have to make decisions and stand by them now. You have to live with them.”
From the first page of this book I was enthralled with the story. We get a major overdose of angst right at the beginning (much to my delight) and then things smooth out from there. I love fantasy novels so mixing fantasy and romance together is like a dream come true. My favorite parts of this book included Cat and Kato in the labyrinth, a truly thrilling part of the book.
Cat definitely matured in this book, her annoying aspects have disappeared somewhat because lots of her internal fears were resolved. She’s still strong and sassy as ever, and she has the best man alongside her. I love Griffin, he’s an excellent mix of alpha male and partner, being dominant and yet letting Cat be herself and fight. He just fights alongside her. A thrilling follow up novel filled with action, romance and mythology. I am so ready for the third book and I wish it was out right now.
“I will always come back to you.” …I lean forward and kiss him because he’s my hunger and my food, my thirst and my water, my air and my every breath.”
“People talk about fight or flight? That's nonsense. It's fight and flight.”
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I love fantasy romance, it always delivers such fun 4.5 stars!
“People talk about fight or flight? That's nonsense. It's fight and flight.”
[image]
I love fantasy romance, it always delivers such fun!
A Promise of Fire is a mythological fantasy romance about a woman who can detect lies, among other abilities. This makes Cat very valuable to the rulers of the world who want to use her for their own gain. When the brother of a Queen recognizes Cat as a Kingmaker, he and his warriors capture her to bring her to their Queen.
Griffin wants to use Cat for peace, but a lifetime of hardship has Cat convinced that is not possible. It's up to Griffin to sway her.
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“Now that that's settled, you're coming with me."
"Never in a billion suns. Not even if Zeus showed up as a swan and tried to peck me in your direction. I wouldn't go with you even if my other option was Hades dragging me to the Underworld for an eternal threesome with Persephone.”
After seeing this book on lots of Best of 2016 lists, I wanted to give it a shot. I'm glad I did because it was a fun and wild read. Lots of reviews have noted Cat as annoying, and I can see where people would think that, but to me she was feisty and fierce. Could she have made better decisions? Yes. But her life circumstances never really taught her the "right" way to live, she had to learn on her own.
Griffin..... oh my Griffin
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I love a romance where the man has to convince the girl to love him. His courtship of Cat was fun, and it was frustrating at times, but he never wavered.
I loved the mix of mythology and fantasy, the mystery behind who Cat really was, the relationship of Cat with the warriors and the royals. Basically I really enjoyed this book. So much so, I ran to my local Barnes and Noble to pick up the next book before I was even done reading!!!
“I conquered a kingdom and found a treasure." His voice turns gravelly, low. "I won't let you go. Not now. Not ever.”
“We were like gods at the dawning of the world, & our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.”
[image]
The Song of Ac 4.5 stars!
“We were like gods at the dawning of the world, & our joy was so bright we could see nothing else but the other.”
[image]
The Song of Achilles is a retelling of the life of Achilles through the point of view of his childhood friend Patroclus. Patroclus was a prince who made a mistake as a young boy and was exiled. He became friends with Achilles and the two were inseparable; they even both began training under Chiron the Centaur together even when Patroclus was not meant to be trained.
There had always been a strong connection between Achilles and Patroclus, but over time friendship grew to love, and love into passion. Though their relationship may anger some, the two do not care, they only wished to be together. But then war against Troy comes calling, for both of them. And they must face fate, together.
“He is a weapon, a killer. Do not forget it. You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that will not change its nature.”
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I picked up this book because I went to a book signing for author Taylor Jenkins Reid and she recommended this book to the crowd. After hearing her rave about it I was curious. I work in a library and requested it, and when another coworker saw I was going to read it she freaked out and became so excited because she loved this book. So basically at that point I had to read it.
This book completely blew me away. I normally don’t read contemporary fiction, at least not anymore. But this book is something special. I love retellings, even if the story isn’t exact because I love other people’s interpretations. Plus I am a sucker for the male/male romance. Beautifully written, poetic, I fell in love with both characters despite their faults.
And if you’ve read The Iliad, or seen any movies based on it, you know the outcome. Yet knowing what would happen, Miller still put her own unique spin on it and it was like reading a new ending. So so many feels, and I may have let a tiny tear escape (A TINY ONE). I will hold these men in my heart very dearly, their story is one I could never forget.
“Name one hero who was happy." I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lost his bride and father; Jason's children and new wife were murdered by his old; Bellerophon killed the Chimera but was crippled by the fall from Pegasus' back. "You can't." He was sitting up now, leaning forward. "I can't." "I know. They never let you be famous AND happy." He lifted an eyebrow. "I'll tell you a secret." "Tell me." I loved it when he was like this. "I'm going to be the first." He took my palm and held it to his. "Swear it." "Why me?" "Because you're the reason. Swear it." "I swear it," I said, lost in the high color of his cheeks, the flame in his eyes. "I swear it," he echoed. We sat like that a moment, hands touching. He grinned. "I feel like I could eat the world raw.”
I know I have been DNFing like crazy, but when the main character says she has fallen in love with a boy when she has spent no more thDNF at page 122.
I know I have been DNFing like crazy, but when the main character says she has fallen in love with a boy when she has spent no more than real time 2 hours with him, I no longer take the book seriously. It for real made me roll my eyes. ...more
“What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?” he whispered. “If I’m a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on be 4 stars!
“What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?” he whispered. “If I’m a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed.” The weapons still in her grasp, she shoved against his chest. “No.” His hands dropped to her waist. “Destroy me.”
A retelling of 1001 arabian nights, The Wrath and the Dawn is the story of Shahrzad. Shahrzad volunteers to be one of the many wives of the king, knowing the risk that by the morning after her wedding she will be dead. But she volunteered as a part of a plan of vengeance, for her best friend was one of the many brides murdered by her King. She survives the first night by enrapturing the king with a story until dawn, and she lives to see another day. As the days pass she begins to learn there is more to this story than she knows, and more dangers afoot.
“You have a beautiful laugh. Like the promise of tomorrow.”
I've seen lots of reviews being tossed around for this book, and it was a finalist in the Goodreads choice awards so I decided to give it a chance. What I found was a unique story and a strong heroine, alongside a fresh take on the beloved story of 1001 nights. There were parts that were a bit slow/confusing, hence four stars and not five, but ultimately this book captured my attention and didn't let go until I was done.
I kept reading because I had to know what came next, ever unsure of where the story would lead me. I hope the wait for the next book isn't too long so I can read it right away! There were lots of unanswered questions at the end of this book and I need to know what happens next! Bravo to Renee Ahdieh for this story, and for a writing style that captivates and entertains the reader throughout the entire story.
“There is no one I would rather see the sunrise with than you.”
“Look what we've done so far. We're pretty good at the impossible.”
I didn't expect to like this one. The only book I've ever read by this 4 stars
“Look what we've done so far. We're pretty good at the impossible.”
I didn't expect to like this one. The only book I've ever read by this author was Vampire Academy, and I wasn't super impressed by that one (despite loving the movie as a guilty pleasure). So Soundless was a bit of a risk going in, but the premise is what had me intrigued.
Fei lives in a small village in China, up on the mountains where they can only be reached by zip line. Years ago an avalanche blocked all exits from the village leaving the people up there for hundreds of years. The village has worked out a negotiation where they send down materials they mine, and food is sent up. The entire population is deaf and has been for a long time. But recently the people have begun to go blind as well.
One day Fei wakes up suddenly and she can hear. This opens up new possibilities of escape and a life greater for her people than just working in the mines. Fei and a childhood friend decide to make their way down the mountain, and what they find changes their lives.
“I went to the library seeking information on what might bring hearing back, but now I wonder if there's a way to make it go away again. I can't see why our ancestors thought hearing was such a great thing, why they mourned its loss so much. It's jarring and distracting, making it impossible to focus on anything else.”
As I said before, I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. This book flowed fairly quickly and was fast paced, despite a lot of it being descriptions of surroundings and characters. I liked Fei as a character, she had hard choices to make and ultimately was a good person and made the right ones.
I am very glad this was a standalone, another book after this would have just stretched the story. It's refreshing to come across a YA fantasy standalone as most publishers are making things trilogies for the money. The ending of this felt a bit rushed after all of the build up, but was still a great way to end things. Very romance light, with a hint of what is to come in the future.
If you want to try a different kind of YA novel, I recommend this one. It's a very refreshing and unique read among a genre where similarities and tropes are endless.
“Some things don't need words. Sometimes it's enough to just feel. You don't have to label and articulate all that's around you.”
---------pre-review 1/7/16---------------- I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Considering all the negative reviews I figured baby unicorns and puppies were murdered in this or something.
It's been a while since I read the covenant series, so I decided to give this a whirl. It's a prequel novella of Alex and what she was up to before thIt's been a while since I read the covenant series, so I decided to give this a whirl. It's a prequel novella of Alex and what she was up to before the events of Half-Blood. I enjoyed it, it's a fun bonus read but not necessary to read as a part of the whole series.
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