Announcement | Hiatus {Kind of}
It's time for me to go on an adventure! I am travelling to Quebec City for 5 weeks for the Explore program to learn french. I am going to be staying at Laval University for 5 weeks of solid immersion. This means that I am not going to be actively reading or blogging. BUT for once I am prepared and I have lots of posts scheduled to go up on this blog. I have about 2 posts a week already pre-blogged so there will be new content to look forward too. I am doing a series about what series I am reading. I also have reviews for pretty much every week. I am excited to go on this adventure, and I will be able to read comments. I'll post again when I get back and if I have time while I'm alway I will try to get some things done. BYE!!
Short and Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #5
Charles Soule & Alex Maleev
As a huge Star Wars fan, I decided it was time I investigated the extended universe. However, I don't know if this was the best place to start for me. Lando is an interesting and very suave character, so it was really cool to see some of his backstory. I found I was confused during the first 2 issues in this trade but the last 3 were much more engaging and fast paced. I recommend this to any Star Wars fans out there, especially if you want to know more about Lando and already have some knowledge of his character.
3 out of 5 Stars
Scott Snyder & Jock
This was dark... very very dark. I very much enjoyed this book, especially the story. The story is what I loved about this book the most. I think that it showed a strong father daughter relationship, and it gave us a realistic insight into anxiety. What I didn't really like was the art work. It was extremely dark and had weird overlays which made it really hard to see what was going on. This book was really scary, and I could see it becoming a horror movie. Thumbs up.
4 out of 5 Stars
John Layman & Rob Guillory
Chew is hands down my favourite comic series. These books are genius! This volume definitely picks up the pace and gets even more weird and disgusting. This is the most unique series I have ever read and this volume is one of my favourites so far. I can't say too much because it's Volume 5 but things are dark and hilarious. If you are into comics, you have to check out Chew. Do it!
5 out of 5 Stars
Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publication: 10/20/2015 by Knopf Books
Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Pages: 599 Pages
Format: Hardback
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads Summary:
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.
This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
My Thoughts:
I thought I was going to really like Illuminae, I really did. I am a SciFi and Fantasy girl so I thought this would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed with Illuminae. There a few things that just didn't gel with me, many of these things are what others loved about Illuminae. Not everyone can love every popular book.
I picked up Illuminae because of it's beautiful set up. The story is told through documents and IM conversations, which seems super cool and original. However, once I actually started to read the book I didn't find this method of story telling engaging. I wasn't drawn into the story and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I considered putting this book down more than once, because I felt like I was just slogging through it.
In addition, I felt like there was a lot going on for one story. Too much at certain times. I think with the method of story telling, less would have been more. This book was an intergalactic space chase and battle with elements of the walking dead. It was a lot. I also have biological questions regarding the infection that was spreading. Viruses definitely don't mutate that quickly, the biology nerd inside me was very bothered by that element.
Illuminae just wasn't for me. I was bored for a good part of it and just wanted to read a book with real words. I do think this would make a good movie, and I really appreciate how dark the story went. I was just underwhelmed by the story telling. I feel in the minority for not liking this book but there always has to be some of us who don't like it.
Have you read Illuminae? What were your thoughts on the book?
April in Review
April is always a busy month, especially when you're a student. I had lots of assignments, projects and exams. I still did got a lot of things read. Not everything was fantastic but I did do a lot of reading somehow.
Truthwitch by Susan Dennard {3 out of 5 Stars}
Wytches, Vol 1 by Scott Synder & Jock {4 out of 5 Stars}
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab {4 out of 5 Stars}
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff {2 out of 5 Stars}
The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare {4 out of 5 Stars}
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp {3 out of 5 Stars}
Chew Vol 5: Major League Chew by John Layman & Rob Guillory {5 out of 5 Stars}
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson {5 out of 5 Stars}
Favourite of the Month: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Most Disappointing of the Month: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
General Thoughts: I was surprised that I didn't enjoy Illuminae, but I am super happy that I found a bunch of other great books. Sometimes things don't work out but there are always other options.
May is going to be a very weird month for me because I am going to be away doing a course entirely in french, so I might not get a lot or any reading done. However, I do have review books I desperately need to get too and I really want to read Crown of Midnight too. But I seriously change my mind on what I want to read every two seconds. We will see how it oes.
Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
Publication: 02/24/2015 by Tor Books
Series: Shades of Magic #1
Pages: 400 Pages
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads Summary:
Kell is one of the last Antari, a rare magician who can travel between parallel worlds: hopping from Grey London — dirty, boring, lacking magic, and ruled by mad King George — to Red London — where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire — to White London — ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne, where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back — and back, but never Black London, because traveling to Black London is forbidden and no one speaks of it now.
Officially, Kell is the personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see, and it is this dangerous hobby that sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to take her with him for her proper adventure.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save both his London and the others, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — a feat trickier than they hoped.
My Thoughts
This was the kind of book I have been looking for. I have been craving some really good fantasy and this did the trick. It's in a rich and exciting fantasy world with some serious adventure. I really enjoyed my time listening to this story, it kept me interested the whole time.
One thing that was a bit confusing (especially in the audiobook) was keeping track of the different worlds and who was the monarchy of each. Each different London has different levels of magic which is easy to confuse. But it was less confusing than I anticipated, especially where alternatives world are involved.
What I really enjoyed was the cast of characters in the this book. Kell and Lila were fantastic leads. I often have a hard time connecting with characters but I didn't have an issue with this book. Even the side characters were fantastic. I really enjoyed this book, and if you are looking for a good high fantasy book check this one out!
My Intimidating TBR Tag
This tag has been going around Booktube for the last little bit so I thought I would bring it to my blog. Like every reader I have a huge TBR pile, and there are books we are intimated by. This tag was created by Lindsey Rey on YouTube.
1) A Book You Have Been Unable to Finish?
The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore
This book is by my favourite author and I have been struggling to finish it forever. I have started and stopped so many times. The story is a satire of the Merchant of Venice so I have been having a hard time with the language. I have even tried listening to it on audio. I need to finish it sometime, but it's a struggle.
2) A Book You Have Yet to Read Because You Haven't Had the Time?
The Well of Ascension & The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
I am excited to read both of these books but I have put them off because of school. They are both big and they require more time then I can give them right now. I just finished school this week for the school year and I plan to read The Well of Ascension during summer.
3) What Book You Have Yet to Read Because it's a Sequel?
Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore
Yet another Moore book. This one is the sequel to A Dirty Job which is one of my favourite books ever. I re-read a Dirty Jon a few months ago so I could remember what happened and read this one. I am seriously going to read this very soon, I mean it this time.
4) What Book You Have Yet to Read because it's Brand New?
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
I currently don't have any new released in the books I own so I choose a book from my latest haul. The Orphan Queen came out last year, and it's one of the newest additions to my TBR.
5) What Book You Have Yet to Read Because You Read A Book By The Same Author and Didn't Enjoy it?
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
This is a hard question for me. There isn't any authors currently on my TBR that I've read something by and didn't like. This is one of the closest ones, I didn't really like the first two books in TMI series. I did enjoy City of Glass though but since reading the first books I just haven't been adventurous enough to start this trilogy.
6) What Book You Have Yet to Read Because You're Just Not in the Mood For?
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King
This is a huge short story collection and I have struggled with short stories in the past. They aren't always my cup of tear but I really want to read these because it's Stephan King. His short stories are awesome and I am going to get to this. I might not read it cover to cover, but hopefully I'll start working my way through soon.
7) What Book You Have Yet to Read Because It's Humongous?
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
It's a 900 page historical time travelling romance, and it's a super long series. This is intimidating, I have never read anything like it and I have no idea if it will be my thing. Maybe one day...
8) What Book You Have Yet to Read Because it Was a Cover Buy that Turned Out to have Poor Reviews?
The King's Diamond by Will Whitaker
I bought this one on clearance at the very beginning of my book journey. I bought it because it was about King Henry VIII's court and I am obsessed with him. He's so interesting and I have even been to his palace! But this book has only a 3.09 on Goodreads, which has put me off a bit.
9) What is the Most Intimidating Book on Your TBR?
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
It's big and out of my comfort zone. I really think I am going to like The Goldfinch, I just have to put on my big girl panties and just go for it.
Review: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
Publication: 01/05/2016 by Tor Teen
Series: The Witchlands #1
Pages: 416 Pages
Format: Library Hardback
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
Goodreads Summary:
In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.
Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.
Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.
In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.
My Thoughts:
This was a ride, a long ride. A lot happened from where we began to where this book ended, this series is really going to be an awesome journey. There was a lot that I liked about this book but I also found that there were certain parts that dragged. It took me a really long time to read this book, but there was a lot to learn about this new world and it took me some time to get into it. The world was built slowly as you read and this world has a lot of elements that it took me some time to get used to.
In general, I had a lot of fun reading this book. I see a lot of potential in this series and there is a lot of stuff to still learn. We were left with a lot of unanswered questions and you just know that many more things are going to happen before we get any resolution. What I like the most about this book is the characters. All of the characters have a lot of depth and are well developed. They are all very different and you can form connections with them. Safi and Iseult have an awesome friendship and they both have extremely strong powers which they still need to harness. There is so much power between them which is going to cause a lot of explosive events.
This was a strong beginning to an new series. I felt that it dragged a bit in the middle and that's where the story lost me for awhile but the rest of the book was strong. I am predicting that this series is going to get very intense along the way and I am excited to continue reading on when the next book comes out. High recommend this book if you are a fan of fantasy.
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