Fierce Reads Tour

I recently went to the Fierce Reads Tour. I went mainly to see Leigh Bardugo (Ruin and Rising), but Emmy Laybourne (Monument 14), Ava Dellaira (Love Letters to the Dead), and Jennifer Mathieu (The Truth About Alice). I found the discussion all very enlightening, but found that the discussion more geared to authors. You could tell though that they are all friends. Emmy is a very funny person as she was previously a stand up comedian.  The event was smaller than most book signings. It was overall me fangirling over Leigh Bardugo.

1) The swag was almost too much to bear. I had been waiting forever to be able to talk one on one.

A pin from Emmy Laybourne's books depicting the school bus smoking 

A postcard and bookmark from The Truth About Alice

And here comes the Grisha Trilogy stuff!

I Am Ruination button with the famous quote from Genya and probably my favorite quote from her Ruin and Rising nail polish I simply adore this red color but since it's a limited edition and I don't use nail polish I will not be using till my wedding maybe

2) Book signing! I think my signed books are most valuable possessions so I got Leigh Bardugo to sign all three. 

3) I took notes the entire event. I apologize to the authors if I looked rude I just wanted to remember everything. 

Summer Review The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This post is part of a series where I review books that are a part of my summer reading list. I won't rate them or talk about their writing because my teacher didn't want that. It is mainly going to focus on  my relationship with the book. Hope you like it!

Summer Review The Watssons Go To Birmingham

This post is part of a series where I review books that are a part of my summer reading list. I won't rate them or talk about their writing because my teacher didn't want that. It is mainly going to focus on  my relationship with the book. Hope you like it!

Review The Falconer

The Falconer by Elizabeth May Goodreads|Amazon

Published by Chronicle Books May 6, 2014

378 Pages

#1 in some Scottish Folklore Trilogy

Source: Library New Teen Shelf

Bookologist Analysis: Lately I've been taking a little break from steampunk and a lot of paranormal books. But understand during my fasting (well it was more of an unconscious process of selection) that I could not resist The Falconer. The big sentences on the inside cover say "She's a stunner. She's a liar. She's a murderer. She's a falconer." That's one way to catch my attention (Oo look shiny), but the story also just captivates your fae hunting tendencies too.

Debutante by day. Murderess by night. Edinburgh's only hope.
Edinburgh, 1844. Beautiful Aileana Kameron only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. In fact, she's spent the year since her mother died developing her ability to sense the presence of Sithichean, a faery race bent on slaughtering humans. She has a secret mission: to destroy the faery who murdered her mother. But when she learns she's a Falconer, the last in a line of female warriors and the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity, her quest for revenge gets a whole lot more complicated. The first volume of a trilogy from an exciting new voice in young adult fantasy, this electrifying thriller blends romance and action with steampunk technology and Scottish lore in a deliciously addictive read.

Coming clean I here means I have to tell you that I just finished The Falconer. This means I am completely, utterly, am totally in love with Aileana, Scottish fae mythology, and Elizabeth May (look at her back picture, she's mysterious and getting her PhD at the University of St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton attended).

There's a balance in this book that is just oh-so delicate that you just cannot touch. The writing wasn't astonishingly detailed like Laini Taylor or seemingly blunt like Cassandra Clare, but somewhere in the middle where you find yourself consuming at supersonic rate without having to reread anything; meaning you only concentrate on the story. The characters were woven into complex Oriental carpet that you simply cannot unwind.

a) Aileana- Living a double life is simply getting too hard for her. Marriage or duty. Money or the rush of a kill. Reputation or saving people. She obviously chooses the latter ones. I adore her for the fact that she is strong in the face of everything. My other favorite heroines I love for their strength and vulnerability, but Aileana is strong and grits everything up for the sake of humanity.

b) Kiaran- Who is he? Even after reading the entire book you don't know where his loyalties lie or what he wants. This immortal fae is jaded, deadly, and stoic when we first meet him; just making us want to unravel that much more. As the book trudges on we forget the one must important rule "Never trust the fae." Kiaran becomes human a mistake that I regret for Aileana, but not for myself.

c) Gavin- Just take a hike buddy unless you are becoming a falcon any time soon. You're not exactly material we to work with. FYI he is an important character with a role. I like that roles and what he has to offer. I just dislike him as a person.

The plot was fun to tinker around with. The gist of the plot slowly became visible with this one blind spot which just made me, damnation (see I snuck in Aileana there), frustrated that oh why. This was just a cruel book- the character clung to you; the story spun you out of control till you were dizzy, and simply made you love it.

Simply and exquisitely this book swept me off my feet and I am blown away by the delicacy of the craft. I have fell in love with paranormal books all over again. The Falconer is a book that simply is too good to go unnoticed. Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Room by Book Monument 14

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne Book Cover
Marais Coffee Table Galvanized by Inudstry West
Industrial Swivel Stools by Three Potato Four
Vintage Faceted and Acid Etched Glass Pendant by Modern 50
Metal Bookcaase by Loki Custom Furniture

I finished Monument 14 in spurts and went to see Emmy on tour. From the tour I got spoilers and I can't be okay with the fact to still write a review like that. Here is a Room by Book I haven't done in forever. Most of the furniture is industrial style to reflect the futuristic nature of the book. Metal is one of my favorite accents and I like how its used in all the pieces.

Review Ruin & Rising

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo Goodreads|Amazon

Published by Henry Holt and Co. June 17, 2014

432 Pages

 #3 in The Grisha Trilogy

Source: Bought

Bookologist Analysis: Ruin & Rising had all the emotions come from all the pent up waiting from Siege & Storm. Leigh Bardugo wrote this from her heart and for herself. I think that we also knew in our own souls and hearts that this was how this series was going to end and it was the right one for Alina.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Ruin & Rising was literally ruining us with the emotion; we didn’t know where the book was going. Then all of a sudden we rose we answered the call of the amplifiers and became more. (I know I know terrible play on words and titles) The process the book took to hook us was amazing with nail biting scenes. The characters came with baggage and have pulled it through their story. The trilogy was supposed to end but to quote the story itself “Our story has no end.”

Alina was this white-haired-badass-ninja. She came in like a shining light (no pun intended… fine it is intended).  We’ve seen her come from this scrawny orphan to a beloved saint to the loving partner of her twin in crime. I love Alina because she is not always a good person; she wants more, knows it, and is not afraid to admit her hunger.

We meet up with Alina in the underground caverns as weak as can be. Then of course we come back with Tolya and Tamar come in with their axes and swords. This saves us from a stupid priest (Apparat) who feels the need to control Ravka. Spoiler: Nikolai (oh my that smokin' prince) comes swooping in a flying ships.Why are there random caves in mountains?? Leigh makes then wait and wait for scenes of the Darkling (can I get a hotchacha) Boom. Mal dis and the Darkling dies. Mal comes back to life, Alina starts an orphanage. Whoopdedoo! Alarkling was meant to be in another world. Surprisingly, I didn't cry. I just sat there hollow can't believing that The Grisha Trilogy ended.

Now her suitors… let’s just say we all wish we had such nice three men coming after that. I personally find the Darkling (for his complexity), Nikolai (for being such a nice clever fox), and Mal (umm… for being nice and finding everything) all such intricate men.This story just ended the right way not bittersweet or overly dramatic. We all knew what was coming and couldn’t have asked for anything sweeter. I simply devoured the book into what will be one of my favorite books of all time. Rating: «««««

The A to Z Book Survey

I originally found this survey on Amber’s blog The Mile Long Book Shelf. This survey is from The Perpetuel Page Turner. I like doing surveys especially after the Fairytale Survey, so her is the A-z Book Survey.

 

Author you’ve read the most books from:

I don’t have a Goodreads, but looking at my bookshelf I can definitely say Rick Riordan. He has the Percy Jackson series (5), Heroes of Olympus (4/5 published), The Kane Chronicles (3), and some of the companion books. So hehhe…

 

Best Sequel Ever:

The best sequel ever… Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. I love the angst and the pent up tightness that we got from it.

Currently Reading:

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for summer reading

 

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Water or tea, but I don't usually drink anything at all while read

 

E-reader or Physical Book?

Physical book, though e-readers are useful because older books are free on my 3rd edition kindle (don't laugh it still works)

 

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Well, I'm still not in high school but there are a lot of datable characters. The most realistic (hot guys that are not insane killers- me realizing most of my book character crushes are that) .... that leaves very few choices... Hmmm... Probably I would have had a crush on Harry Potter *blushes*

 

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

 

Hidden Gem Book:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

 

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Discovering Harry Potter that lead me to fantasy, Harry Potter, and basically every other fantasy book that has changed my life with other worlds

 

Just Finished:

                               The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer

 

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Well... you know none the inappropriate stuff or summer romance or aliens or books in other languages or stuff I don't like

 

Longest Book You’ve Read:

The Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling... A whopping 732 pages I think

 

Major book hangover because of:

The Ring & the Crown by Melissa De La Cruz- I don’t know why I didn’t even love it

 

Number of Bookcases You Own:

My book cases are built into my wall, but of my own books about two shelves. In my house about 7 book cases

 

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

I reads a lot of books multiple times if I'm really anxious about a sequel but I reread The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan some many times that I almost memorized it

 

Preferred Place To Read:

Anywhere that I can read, that's what is great about reading you can do it just about anywhere. I personally love reading on my bed though.

 

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable"- Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo The quote is by Nikolai a prince and privateer; it is inspiring because it tell you not be satisfied with what anybody tells you and to test the limits till there are no limits.

 

Reading Regret:

I regret not being able to stick with classics because I just get so frustrated with the language

 

 

Series You Started And Need To Finish(all books are out in series):

I don't have any series I HAVE to finish but it would be nice to read the Lux Books by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Ruin& Rising by Leigh Bardugo, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling, The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

 

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Leigh Badugo- I've already convinced three people to read it in about a month which is a record for someone who never fangirls about books (besides the Grisha Trilogy) in real life

 

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

 

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers. I NEED that book for my life. I adore how Robin balances romance, killing and political rivalries.

 

Worst Bookish Habit:

1. Not getting library receipts and forgetting to return them

2. Reading in the bathroom (*blushes*) Thank the Lord that library books have plastic covers

3. Forgetting a bookmark and expecting myself to remember the page number which never happens

 

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E.B. … I have never read it, but it’s my Mom’s old book and she says at some point in college it will come in handy (seriously doubting that)

 

Your latest book purchase:

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer 12:30ish

 

I have deduced from the blog post that I

A) Blush too much

B) Read way TOOO much Rick Riordan

C) Don’t own a lot of books