Followed By Frost (ARC Review)

Followed By Frost | Charlie N. Holmberg

Published by: 47 North, September 22nd 2015

Genre: Adult, (NA?), High Fantasy

Pages: 244

Format: Ebook

Source: 47North, via Netgalley

Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha’s desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?

I LOVED The Paper Magician so I jumped at the chance to read this book, and it didn't let me down. It started off and I wasn't so sure about it - I didn't really like the MC, what I thought was the love interest was creepy and just felt wrong, but I was interested in the curse and I liked the whole nomad, wandering woman thing. This book really came to life when Smitha met Prince Imad and left her homeland to bring her snow (a curse to her own people, a gift to Imad's) to the desert. And Smitha felt to change completely as a person, which at first was strange and unrealistic, despite three years having passed, but then I just didn't care because I liked the person she'd become.

Part of this book, especially the parts in the desert towns, were what I wanted from Fire and Thorns, which just didn't satisfy me. Followed By Frost was enthralling and unique, I didn't know what was coming next, and it was a perfect slow burn of a book. It took its time, and in that time built an amazing world and made me fall so hard in love with the characters. I felt for Smitha and her constant cold, and I loved Lo (oh Lo, let me count the ways I love thee) as much as she did, feeling her heartbreak when she couldn't have him. And the world building was so subtle but detailed that I felt I could see the places Smitha went, from the harsh mountains to the castle carved into sandstone, and even the background characters felt genuine and authentic.

I probably have small niggles, like the story wrapping too perfectly, and her curse breaking seeming a bit convenient, but I do not care. I loved this story, I ADORED the characters, and I'll forgive everything else. PLUS the love interest was a MOC, and most of the characters in this book were POC too! (Sadly not the main character...) And it felt like the desert kingdom (whose name has completely slipped my mind) was based on a middle eastern country instead of that cardboard cut-out medieval English-ish world most high fantasies are nowadays.

Everything works in this book's favour, and it's one of my favourite fantasy books I've read this year, so just read it.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world-building ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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A Thousand Nights (ARC Review)

A Thousand Nights | E. K. Johnston

Published by: Disney Hyperion, October 6th 2015

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling

Pages: 336

Format: Ebook

Source: Disney-Hyperion, via Netgalley

Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.

And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.

Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.

Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster.

A Thousand Nights is magical and dark and empowering. From the first page it's rich with cultural details, and it all feels really respectful and authentic, which made me like this book from the start. And it's vivid. It really felt like I was there.

I liked the characters but I didn't love them. The main character is brave in a silent kind of way, which was great to see, and she fights her battles carefully. Lo-Melkiin is obviously a despicable demon, and he doesn't exhibit enough personality to form a connection with, but I really wish we'd seen more of the real Lo-Melkhiin, like maybe an insight into his thoughts throughout all this. I'd imagine he's a poor tortured child and I would love him.

My favourite thing about this book is the magic, which is brought to life by spinning and weaving and embroidering. This felt really, really original, and I couldn't get enough of it. I liked the story and the characters, but I LOVED the magic and the atmosphere of the book.

All in all, a remarkable retelling that I 100% recommend for its attention to detail and magic system.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world-building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

This book counts towards my Fairy Tale Challenge!

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Blitz: The Earthbound Series, by Aprilynne Pike

Quick note to remind you I won't be scheduling any posts for a while - only posting already-scheduled posts (i have one or two more but that's it after those) and reviews.

The Earthbound Series by Aprilynne Pike

In 2013 the Earthbound Series kicked off, introducing Tavia and her amazing abilities to the world. Now that the last book in the series is here, it's a great time to start if you haven't already – and with the release of EARTHRISE we bring you the chance to WIN the whole set!  

Nothing is better than no wait time in between books! The super charged, heart-pounding Young Adult Fantasy series will have you on the edge of your seat!

ABOUT EARTHRISE

EARTHRISE

Earthbound #3

Release Date: September 1st 2015

Even with the power to create and destroy at will, Tavia Michaels couldn't save her parents. She couldn't save the boy she's loved for countless lifetimes. She barely managed to save herself from the treachery of supposed friends. So how can she save the world from a deadly plague--and the immortals spreading it? As the events of EARTHBOUND and EARTHQUAKE reach their thrilling conclusion, no one is safe--Tavia least of all!

READ THE FIRST 8 CHAPTERS OF EARTHRISE NOW! (link to: https://www.wattpad.com/story/48209986-earthrise-chapter-previews/parts)

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/105170-earthbound

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Aprilynne+Pike&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Aprilynne+Pike&sort=relevancerank

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Aprilynne%20Pike%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Pike%2C+Aprilynne

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/search?query=Earthbound&fcsearchfield=Series&seriesId=30362c63-9e1f-589e-b73d-acdc61b0caa3

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Critically acclaimed, #1 New York Times best-selling author Aprilynne Pike has been spinning tales since she was a child with a hyper-active imagination. At the age of twenty she received her BA in Creative Writing from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. When not writing, Aprilynne can usually be found out running; she also enjoys singing, acting, reading, and working with pregnant moms as a childbirth educator and doula. Aprilynne lives in Arizona with her husband and four kids; she is enjoying the sunshine.

GIVEAWAY

- One winner will get a full set of signed books in the EARTHBOUND series from Aprilynne Pike. (Books are a combo of HC and PB due to how they were released)

- Four winners will each get a signed paperback of  EARTHBOUND

Must be 13+ To Enter |Open internationally | Please see terms and conditions for full contest rules.

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Lies We Tell Ourselves (Review)

Lies We Tell Ourselves | Robin Talley

Published by: Mira Ink, October 3rd 2014

Genre: YA, Historical

Pages: 336

Format: Ebook

Source: Mira Ink, via Netgalley

It's 1959. The battle for civil rights is raging. And it's Sarah Dunbar's first day of school, as one of the first black students at the previously all-white Jefferson High. No one wants Sarah there. Not the Governor. Not the teachers. And certainly not the students – especially Linda Hairston, daughter of the town’s most ardent segregationist. Sarah and Linda have every reason to despise each other. But as a school project forces them to spend time together, the less their differences seem to matter. And Sarah and Linda start to feel something they've never felt before. Something they're both determined ignore. Because it's one thing to be frightened by the world around you - and another thing altogether when you're terrified of what you feel inside.

It's been around a month since I read this book, and while I remember how it impacted me, and will likely never forget the story, I've forgotten all the things I wanted to talk about. Luckily, I wrote down some points in my journal, which is the form my review is going to take this time.

So here's why you should read Lies We Tell Ourselves:

- The story is so important, and needs to be read. If you're hesitant like I was, about how you could connect to the characters and the situation (because as a white person you can never understand, only empathise with the victims of racism), read it anyway. I learned a lot while reading this book and it really made me think about my white privilege. 

-One of the main characters is a white girl on a path of learning about her own privilege and her racist actions and words, and it's amazing to see from two points of view the change occuring. It's pretty horrific sometimes, what she thinks is acceptable and true and never once questions.

- I was out of my comfort zone with this, pushing myself to read historical, and romance without fantasy (something I almost never read), but I'm so glad I took a chance on this. So glad I read it.

- It's brutal, hard hitting, and honest. This book doesn't mess about. It's not light and fluffy despite the romance - it's awful and emotional and I will never forget it. 

- It's not a book you enjoy reading, but one that must be read.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world-building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

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Semi-hiatus!

This probably comes as no surprise, but I'm taking a semi-hiatus - essentially a break from regular posting. I'll manage to get some reviews scheduled and hopefully update my sidebar to show when they'll be posted, but I'm taking a few months out of regular posts because my life has got ridiculously busy and I have no time to write posts or my reading journal between frantically drafting two books simultaneously (!!!) 

You've probably noticed that there are fewer posts on here than there used to be, and there won't be a marked difference between the past month or so and the next few, but I just wanted to let you know. 

I WILL however be participating in a hella cool Halloween event, which is something to look forward to and keep an eye out for. And as I said, there'll be some reviews in the months to come.

~Saruuh

Reading Round Up (91)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week. 

14th September

This week I'm reading The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas. Today I read one novella and started another. I didn't mind the second but much preferred the first.

15th September

I read 103 pages of The Assassin's Blade. It's epic, it's painful, it's everything I expected. I also started The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows and thank GOD my precious angel Tobiah is alive, even though everything is going to hell fast.

16th September

I read 54 pages of The Assassin's Blade, and I'm all nah, I will not love Sam. (even though I kinda love Sam...)

17th September

I read 14% of The Mirror King. I had a bad day so didn't read much, sadly. I'm loving this book, though. (But these two need to KISS SOON, and I don't care about fiancees or duty, just my OTP smooching.)

18th September

I finished The Assassin's Blade (136 pages read), and oh my poor, precious Sam. It helps that I knew my baby Aelin unleashes hell for your death.

19th September

I read nothing today. Too busy :(

20th September

I scraped some time to read and read 27% of The Mirror King. Everything is painful. Thanks, Jodi.

Books finished this week: 1
Books DNF'd this week: 0

For review:

I'm weak for Harper Collins imprints.

The Unquiet (4.5 STARS)
A Riddle In Ruby (4.5 STARS)

A Riddle In Ruby (ARC Review)

Key To The Catalyst: A Riddle In Ruby | Kent Davis

Published by: Greenwillow Books, September 22nd 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Steampunk, Alternate History, Ships

Pages: 352

Format: Ebook

Source: Greenwillow Books, via Edelweiss

Ruby is a thief-in-training and a keeper of secrets—ones she doesn't even know herself. A Riddle in Ruby is the first book in a witty and fast-paced fantasy-adventure trilogy for fans for Jonathan Stroud, Septimus Heap, and The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates.

Ruby Teach, daughter of a smuggler and pirate, has been learning how to swindle and steal and pick the most complex locks for as long as she can remember. But a collision with aristocratic young lord Athen sends her spinning into chaos. Little did she know that her whole life has been spent in hiding from nefarious secret societies and the Royal Navy . . . who are both now on her trail. In this debut middle grade adventure, Kent Davis weaves a rip-roaring tale through an alternate colonial Philadelphia. A world where alchemy—that peculiar mix of magic and science—has fueled the industrial revolution. With this highly original setting, a cast of fully rounded characters and rapid-fire, funny dialogue, A Riddle in Ruby will call to mind fantasy greats like Diana Wynne Jones and Terry Pratchett.

Thank you, A Riddle In Ruby, for bringing the magic back to middle grade fantasy. I've read a slew of MG fantasy this year, most with ships and pirates as is my thing, and they've all been pretty good. But not amazing. None of them had the spark for me, that magic I've been looking for. 

This book did.

A Riddle In Ruby is a fun, high stakes adventure. It starts off on a ship (you know that's my jam) and moves onto an alternate history version of Philadelphi. Now I don't know much about American history or actual Philadelphia but I thought the setting was awesome, and wholly unique. There was a city on top of the city! Everything about this book felt indulgent, like Kent Davis had looked into my head and seen everything I wanted in a book and stuck it all in A Riddle In Ruby. Ruby, especially, stuck out to me. I loved her so much, and Athen too. Maybe the characters were the real magic I've been looking for.

My only niggle was that this book stuck to the thing where the MC is a young girl and follows a slightly older boy, who is more intelligent and worldly and knows all, where the MC is a silly little girl who needs help. I've read many MG that have this for some reason and I thought this book had given me the same thing that makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable. But nope. Everything I thought I knew was really a secret very cleverly concealed. So I actually love everything about this. It just feels fresh and it's compelling - the villain is interesting and doesn't fall into the same old villainous tropes, there are metal animals (!!!), dastardly sailors, and a very serious riddle in Ruby that I'd like to solve.

Do yourself a favour and read it.

(But what does the series name mean, and what's with the key on the cover? What am I missing? I'm so excited to get answers!!!)

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world-building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

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The Unquiet (ARC Review)

The Unquiet | Mikaela Everett

Published by: Greenwillow Books, September 22nd 2015

Genre: YA, Thriller, Science Fiction

Pages: 464

Format: Ebook

Source: Greenwillow, via Edelweiss

For most of her life, Lirael has been training to kill—and replace—a duplicate version of herself on a parallel Earth. She is the perfect sleeper-soldier. But she’s beginning to suspect she is not a good person. 

The two Earths are identical in almost every way. Two copies of every city, every building, even every person. But the people from the second Earth know something their duplicates do not—two versions of the same thing cannot exist. They—and their whole planet—are slowly disappearing. Lira has been trained mercilessly since childhood to learn everything she can about her duplicate, to be a ruthless sleeper-assassin who kills that other Lirael and steps seamlessly into her life.

An intricate, literary stand-alone from an astonishing new voice, The Unquiet takes us deep inside the psyche of a strong teenage heroine struggling with what she has been raised to be and who she really is. Fans of eerily futuristic and beautifully crafted stories such as Never Let Me Go, Orphan Black, and Fringe will find themselves haunted by this unsettling debut.

I liked this book from more or less the first page. It starts with a creepy child-assassin thriller that reminded me so much of Nikita, one of my favourite shows of all time. Kids from one earth are being trained to kill and replace their Alternates (from the other earth) from a very young age, kept captive in cottages in the countryside, and the weak ones either don't survive training or are killed by their masters. It's so so original.

And then it transitions into a sleeper spy novel, when the MC is sent to take over the life of her Alternate. I loved that this book was set in France, not the typical American setting. And there were so many elements of the story that it felt fast paced, yet drawn out and suspenseful all the same.

I didn't love the characters but I didn't dislike them either. It was interesting to see Lira growing from the killer the cottages trained her to be into her own person, with her own wants and fears despite having them trained out of her.

This book was just really cool and rare and a total surprise. If you like awesome thrillers and sci fi that feels real, add this to your to-buy list.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world-building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

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