Trailer Tuesday: Dororthy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz. Danielle Paige's novel offers a new twist on the classic tale. The graphics in this trailer are really cool, and I really think help to capture the darker, a bit more twisted atmosphere of the book. The voiceover does a great job of summing up the book. I liked Dorothy Must Die and I think this trailer is a good representation of the what the book is about.

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne + SIGNED COPY GIVEAWAY

Midnight Thief

Livia Blackburne

Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: July 8, 2014

Series or Standalone: Midnight Thief #1

ISBN: 9781423176381

Websites:

Livia Blackburne - Website

Livia Blackburne - Blog

Livia Blackburne - Twitter

Rating: 4 Stars

After reading Poison Dance, I couldn’t wait to read Midnight Thief. Midnight Thief did not disappoint. Livia Blackburne’s debut novel is a perfect addition to YA fantasy genre. 

I loved the world that Livia Blackburne created. The world that Kyra, Tristam and James occupy is as important as any character in the story. It’s a richly nuanced world that provides the perfect backdrop for this story. Forge is not a perfect place, its corrupt and has its fair share of issues, which makes it perfect for Kyra’s story. There is complex political atmosphere in Forge, but Blackburne makes it easy to understand everything that is happening in Forge. Blackburne has a much stronger grasp on establishing a detailed fantasy world than some veteran authors. Everything worked and the pieces fell in place perfectly within Forge which helped make the plot twists believable. 

Kyra was a great main character. She was extremely loyal to those she cared about and willing to do what it took to survive and to provide for those around her. She’s an extremely impressive thief and I loved reading about her adventures. While she does get placed in some difficult situations, I enjoyed seeing her struggle to remain true to herself and stick to her morals. I enjoyed that as the book went on, we got to learn more about Kyra and see her struggle to come to terms with who she was. Her background was a mystery to her and the reader at the beginning, but we slowly learn more about who she is. I’m excited to see her character grow even more in the second book in the series. 

Man, how wrong was I about James. He’s the focus of Poison Dance and an integral player in Midnight Thief. He really took me by surprise in this book. I did not expect his character to make the decisions that he did. He’s an extremely talented and charismatic leader of the assassin’s and I felt like he played me as well as he played everyone else. He’s extremely important to helping Kyra’s development as a character, and not because he’s “darkly attractive.” His actions are important to Kyra’s questioning of her own limits and identity. James really was such a great character, I loved the scenes with him in it. He really took me by surprise.

We also have Tristam, another character, who in many ways is the exact opposite of Kyra. Their situations in Forge couldn’t be more different, but when you threw them together, they worked. Their story lines overlapped and blended together perfectly. He’s a good ally for Kyra to have, and a deeply loyal friend and knight. He’s one of the good guys, and I’m excited to see how he deals with the incidents that occurred in this book. 

While there is romance in Midnight Thief, it does not take center stage. Romantic tensions run high in some scenes, and I enjoyed them, but was really glad that they were not the most important thing. I enjoyed that Blackburne let the relationships and the romance build throughout the book, leaving more room for it in the sequel. Sometimes, less is more in the romance department. 

The plot twist in this book was not what I was expecting. I loved every minute of reading this. Everything from the assassins, to the demon riders; it was great. The pacing was perfect, with the action scenes happening at the right times. Their were so many secrets and lies in this book that you did not know who to trust or what to expect next. The second half of the novel flew by as the story really got into its grove. I’m so excited to see what happens next.

Midnight Thief is a must read for anyone who loves fantasy. It’s a story of twists and turns set against a fabulous world. I loved reading about Kyra and her adventures and am hungry for more. I also really love that Midnight Thief is a duo logy (I’m so sick of trilogies). Fans of Kristina Cashore and Tamora Pierce should definitely pick this book up. Livia Blackburne’s debut is a solid YA fantasy that has provided the perfect groundworks for a sequel. I highly recommend you pick this one up sooner rather than later. 

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GIVEAWAY

Luckily, I was able to attend Livia Blackburne's Boston launch of Midnight Thief. I'm giving away a signed copy to one lucky win. Open to US residents only (sorry!) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars

Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Disney Hyperion

Release Date: December 10, 2013

Series or Standalone: Starbound #1

ISBN: 9781423171027

Websites:

These Broken Stars - Website

Amie Kaufman - Website

Amie Kaufman - Twitter

Amie Kaufman - Facebook

Meagan Spooner - Website

Meagan Spooner - Twitter

Meagan Spooner - Facebook

Meagan Spooner - Tumblr

Rating: 3 Stars

These Broken Stars seems to be a book that people either really loved or really hated. My feelings on this book fell somewhere in the middle. I enjoyed parts of the book, but other parts really lagged for me. This is one book I’m glad I got out of the library to read.

The premise of this book was more promising than its execution. I loved the idea of the spaceship crash that throws together two very different people in an unfamiliar environment. However, the plot dragged throughout the whole middle, and a book that really only has two characters faces its fare amount of challenges in holding the readers attention. 

The beginning and end of this book are the parts I really enjoyed. The story had such potential in the beginning. I loved Lilac and Tarver’s interactions while onboard the Icarus. They both had strong characteristics and good backstories. The crash of the Icarus was heartbreakingly beautiful — in many ways it reminded me of the sinking of the Titanic. I had high hopes with seeing how Tarver and Lilac dealt with being ship wrecked, hoping that it would making them stronger characters. 

However, the whole middle dragged. I did not like how the characters acted. Lilac became very weak and whiny. Even when forced to fend for herself, she still felt like she need Tarvers there to prop her up and support her. Her character during the middle of the book at times really annoyed me. Tarvers was the stronger of the two characters and the one I had a stronger connection with. I wanted to see what happened to his character more than Lilac. There were many times during the middle of the book that I wanted to put the book down because NOTHING was happening. The ending slightly redeemed the middle and was not what I expected. 

The romance between Tarver and Lilac fizzled. In the beginning, I could see the spark and the potential. But, as the story went on, it felt like the romance was their because it had to be there. They were the only two people on the planet, so of course that’s what had to happen. I wish that the same spark from the beginning was able to carry through the whole book. 

I did really like that their were snippets of Tarver’s interrogation from present day before chapters and eventually the storyline of the plot and interrogation overlapped. It was a nice structural device that was really interested to read. I think I liked the interrogation transcript more than the actual plot sometimes. 

Despite this book being written by two people, the two authors voices blend very well. It’s really hard to tell who is writing what parts. There were some really beautifully written scenes, including the ship crash, that I really enjoyed reading. I’m always intrigued by books written by two authors to see how well the two authors blend, and Spooner and Kaufman do an excellent job of that. 

Overall, These Broken Stars just didn’t cut it for me. I enjoyed parts of it, but a dragging plot really pulls the story down. I’m interested in the companion sequel This Shattered World because we will get new characters facing a new set of challenge. I still have some doubts about it, but I do plan on checking it out when it's released. 

Waiting on Wednesday (99) - Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Mortal Danger
(Immortal Game #1)
Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
To be released: August 5, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...

Something about this book's cover is extremely intriguing to me. It's simple, but creepy and captivating, which ties in well with the synopsis. I'm excited to see how this story pans out and hope it lives up to the awesome description.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

For this week's Trailer Tuesday, I'm kicking it old school. Okay, not really old school. This week i'm throwing it a few years back with the trailer for the final book in one my favorite series: Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray, the last book in the Gemma Doyle series. It's been 6 years since this book's release and I'm still not over some of the things Libba Bray did that book (re:KARTIK!)

While this book trailer does not fully capture the awesomeness that is this series, it definitely stirred up my desire to reread the entire thing. If you've never read the Gemma Doyle series, I suggest you check it out ASAP.

Waiting on Wednesday (98) - Silver Shadow by Richelle Mead

Silver Shadows
(Bloodlines #5)
Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
To be released: July 29, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists.

Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive.

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . .

Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

I had to do this as my WoW. I've been dying to read this since Fiery Heart, because hello, that cliffhanger! This book comes out this month, thank goodness! This is by far my most anticipated book coming out this month, and I'm sure it is for a bunch of other people as well. I need more Sydney Sage and Adrian in my life pronto.

What book are you Waiting on Wednesday for? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for great new books to read.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event highlighting exciting upcoming releases. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Trailer Tuesday: Conversion by Katherine Howe

First off, I want to apologize for the lack of posts this week. It's been a busy week for me, so I haven't really had time to sit down and write. ANY WAYS, back to this post. So this week on Trailer Tuesday, I have the trailer for Conversion by Katherine Howe, which came out today! (Yay!)

I only saw this trailer recently and it has made me even more excited for this book. I love that it is set in Danvers, Massachusetts (I've been there!). I really like this trailer, especially with how it starts off as a news reporter. Definitely an interesting lead in! 

Check out the trailer below and check out Conversion available now!