Reading round up (40)

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. *rolls away from my responsibilities*

18th August

Still plodding on with my crappy mood. Read another 2% of Heir of Fire. It's laughable how little motivation I have. Also I don't want a new love interest for Dorian, why do we need one? And who are these new people? Oh, I don't care. Understanding why some people bailed.

19th August

Not feeling an Heir of Fire day, so I read 16% of Sworn to Transfer. The woods and fae (okay, kith) are making this book more interesting. Excited to see where this is going, since everyone says this book is better than the first and I haven't seen that yet. Also finished that Skylar Dorset novella. Not fussed. You can read my review here.

20th August

Currently reading: Sworn to Transfer | Terah Edun

Current page/percent: 19%

Read today: 74%

Thoughts: I'm enjoying this now!

21st August

Finished Sworn to Transfer (26% read). It was pretty decent.

22nd August

Attempted to read Maureen Johnson's The Boy In The Smoke, which I thought was a Shades of London prequel but turned out to be real life events for the most part. DNF at 35%. Went on with Heir of Fire, too (12% read), which is getting MUCH better.

23rd August

Currently reading: Heir of Fire | Sarah J. Maas

Current page/percent: 34%

Read today: 14%

Thoughts: This is taking so long to get through, and not so much because of the size but because of everything that's happening.

24th August

Currently reading: Heir of Fire | Sarah J. Maas

Current page/percent: 55%

Read today: 21%

Thoughts: UGH I knew I'd love Rowan. I wish he and Celaena would be endgame but I'm happy with their friendship if that's all it'll be.

Books finished this week: 1.5

(Ughhh.)

 

Trial By Fire | Josephine Angelini

The Walls Around Us | Nova Ren Suma

You have no idea how happy I am. I've been wanting Trial By Fire for EVER. Merci, Macmillan! The Walls Around Us sounds pretty mysterious, like it could be good, but I found out AFTER I'd been approved that it was download only, and wasn't sent to my kindle. So, we'll see how that works out because the last two I've had that way expired before I could read them.

I'm still bugging you to donate to the campaign for printing and shipping of The Wandering. To persuade you, there are REWARDS! Donate a pound for your name in the acknowledgements. Donate £3 or more for extra cool stuff, bracelets, bookmarks, rare paperbacks etc. Help me give people more free books!!

Sworn To Transfer (Review)

Courtlight: Sworn to Transfer | Terah Edun

Published: September 17th 2013

Genre: YA, High fantasy

Pages: 255

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Eighteen-year-old companion trainee Ciardis Weathervane has won the friendship of the royal heir and saved his claim to the throne. Yet her interference in the inheritance rights leaves more harm done than good. The Ameles Forest lies unprotected and its inhabitants are dying.

As humans begin to die in gruesome deaths, the Emperor dispatches the royal heir to the forests with the solution to the kith concerns. 

With enemies closing ranks in Sandrin, Ciardis can little afford to leave the city’s nest of vipers to take on a new task. But she’s given no choice when her loyalty to the crown and courts are called into question. 

To keep the Companions’ Guild happy and the favor of the Imperial Court, Ciardis will be tested in frightening new ways, especially when she’s faced with an obstacle that could risk the lives of her friends and the family she never thought she had.

This second novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Raise.

I really enjoyed this book's predecessor Sworn to Raise: it was a pleasant surprise, a great mix of characters and action and world building, so I was excited to read its sequel. While I didn't enjoy Sworn to Transfer as much as the first book, but there was still a lot to like.

It took me a while to really get into this book, and I read very little at a time as a result. The beginning felt like it was going through the motions, it was slow paced, and confusing at points - I still don't understand what part the Duchess had to play in the overall story, but I do enjoy the drama of it all. The one thing I will say is this: not enough Sebastian. For me the first book hinged on the relationship between Ciardis and Sebastian and while we did get some moments of their friendship in the second book, I craved more.

Sworn To Transfer really picked up for me when Ciardis went into the forest. I actually preferred the kith characters to the human ones in this book, because they were so intriguing and different. I'd like to read more about those in future books. Especially Julius and Alexandra. I'm not sure what the Shadow society or whatever they were called brought to the story either, but I'm guessing they'll be important later.

All in all a great blend of fantasy, mystery, and action. Just not enough Sebastian to please me (there will never be enough of that boy to please me tbh. I love him so.) 

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing Style ★★★☆☆

Sworn To Raise (RC Review)

Courtlight: Sworn To Raise | Terah Edun

Published by: Amazon Digital, April 10th 2013

Genre: YA, High Fantasy

Pages: 265

Format: ebook

Source: All Night Reads via Netgalley (so sorry for the delay)

Seventeen-year-old Ciardis has grown up in poverty, a cleaner in a small vale on the outskirts of the empire. But beneath her empire’s seemingly idyllic surface lies a hidden secret. Whispers of an inept crown Prince are growing ever louder—intensified by the five year anniversary of the soulbond initiations.

Amidst scandalous whispers, Ciardis finds herself chosen to train for the Companion’s Guild. She leaves her home and sets off on a personal journey to become a Court Companion. A position she’d never thought possible for a lowly servant to obtain, she must prove that she has the skills to attract a Patron. 

But she must master those skills quickly. If the legends are true, only Ciardis can harness the power to raise a Prince in an Imperial Court sworn to bring him down.

This sensational series debut melds intricate storylines with remarkable characters and unforgettable magic. Sworn To Raise is ideal for fans of Kristin Cashore, Michelle Sagara, and Maria Snyder.

Why did I wait to long to read this? Short answer: it got buried under a tonne of books on my ereader. Long answer: I kept overlooking it because I'm a dumbass and judgemental of self published books, regardless of being a self pubbed author myself. I mentioned I was a dumbass, right?

Sworn To Raise is about a girl, Ciardis, who is taken from her ordinary life as a poor washerwoman, and elevated to life as a Companion, a life partner to a rich and powerful suitor. Along the way she discovers a conspiracy to unseat the Prince of her land from his position, a powerful magic that she is due to inherit, and unexpected friendships.

It doesn't sound like much when I say it like that, but this book is wonderful, truly. Ciardis is a very authentic character - she's emotional, she's strong, she's caring and kind and willing to help just about anyone. And more than anything else, I think, she wants what is best for herself and isn't afraid to make her own future. I like her a lot, and I never expected to.

My favourite thing about Sworn to Raise is how the magic and abilities are all tied up in the politics of the realm. I love the subterfuge and the building dissent, and I look forward to seeing how Ciardis and the Prince will deal with this in future books.

This book is a delight, and I recommend it to all fans of high fantasy, strong characters, original stories, and sparkling magic.

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world building ★★★★☆

Writing Style ★★★★☆