Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

 This was some read. I couldn't put it down to save myself. It was such an interesting and diverse book. 

This book is literally about Greg (Me), Earl and Rachel (The Dying Girl). It is about their friendships and struggles, their high points and their lows.

 The main character and narrator of this wonder is Greg. He is the kid that knows everyone but doesn't truly know anyone at the same time. He is quirky and funny, and a normal human being with flaws. I loved that he was "normal" so-to-speak. I loved that he wasn't some good-looking jock-type that was forced into spending time with a girl he had no intention of ever being friends with. He was a chubby, strange boy with imperfect skin and not an ounce of athletic ability. I think that made the narration of the book even better. 

Another thing that I really liked about this book was that all of the characters are different. They all come from different backgrounds, hang out with different people and live different lives. Somehow though they all find some common ground. They all love films. Eric and Greg have made silly remakes since they were young and Rachel loves to watch them.

The way this book is written is something else entirely. Its funny and quirky and downright strange in some places but it works so well. The explanation at the end just helped to make the narrative more understanding but in my opinion it wasn't one hundred percent necessary. It was a nice way to end the story however. 

Like I said at the beginning, I couldn't put this book down once it was in my hands. There were some areas of the book where I felt that the story lulled a little but overall it was a well-paced and thoroughly entertaining. I'm not sure if I would pick this book up again, maybe to relieve me from a reading slump, but I will say I am glad that I picked it up.  

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

Before I start going on about the book and opinions and just generally start to bore people, how nice is this cover?! I seem to find myself just sitting staring at it because of how interesting it looks. 

Now for the nitty-gritty boring bit.

It was the concept of this book that intrigued me. It is about a countess who decides she is fed up of her life. She disguises herself as one of her servants to escape her arranged marriage. This sends her on a path to The Glittering Court where "normal" girls are turned into upper-class ladies seeking marriage of their own choosing. It is a tale of twists and turns and romance and deception. 

I'm not sure what it was about the book though, I just couldn't seem to get into it. I don't know if it was a mistake on part for picking it up after a fast-paced fantasy or if it was just the book itself. 

Don't get me wrong, this book has its good points. The budding romance and friendship between Cedric and Adelaide was well done. It was beautifully portrayed as a forbidden romance that would ultimately end with the pair as a fully fledged couple. I liked that it began is a simple friendship with two people trying to help one another. 

The relationships between all of the girls was great too. I loved that they were competing against one another but somehow found a way to become friends and help each other along the way too. It was a real and honest relationship and the author did a great job in bringing it to life. 

Overall though I felt that this story was dragged out too long and there was a lot of details that were unnecessary. I really hate feeling this way about this book because I love all of the other Richelle Mead books I have read but this one just didn't live up to my expectations.   

Blood Rose By Danielle Rose

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!!

Release date for Blood Rose is finally upon us and I can finally share the thoughts that have plagued my mind since I finished this book a week ago. Before all that though, I would like to thank OfTomes Publishing and Bare Naked Words for giving me an ARC of this book and the opportunity to write a review of it. 

As soon as I heard the concept of this book I just knew I had to get my hands on a copy. I mean who could pass up a chance to read about witches and vampires, especially when it has been described as Charmed meets Vampire Academy. And if I am honest, it totally is. 

The story is truly so much fun. There is action, romance, personal conflict and so much more. It's a quick fun read that I believe is one that will get you out of a reading slump (it has for me). 

The main character is a young witch called Avah. Avah is the chosen one in her coven who is destined to receive The Power, a great source of magic that only one witch can obtain. I'm not sure what it was about the character of Avah but I didn't like her for a large part of the book. I felt like her being brought up knowing that she is different or special, so to speak, has made her a little full of herself. I feel that in her head she was better than everyone else, therefore more important and rules could be bent because she was who she was. Her attitude about a lot of things just got on my nerves. I do feel like towards the end of the book though she does redeem herself and I began to like the character she had become. 

I loved the covens in this book. I loved that they were like families. There is the high priestess who is the mother figure and keeps everyone in line and then there is the elder/more powerful members of the coven that are like the aunts and uncles or the older siblings that need to take care of the younger, more vulnerable members. Then there is the rest of the coven that are like the children who hold grudges and cause conflict in the household. I thought it was a great way to switch between the two worlds of the witches and the vampires. 

The magic in this book is exactly what you would imagine an ancient coven of witches. They use latin incantations and herbs and crystals. It's exactly what I imagined when I thought of a coven of witches. 

Danielle Rose is truly magical (see what I did there) with words and this world she has created is amazing and there is so much she can do with it. I truly cannot wait for the sequel. 

Happy Book Birthday! and Cover Reveal!

Blood Rose (Blood Series #1)

by Danielle Rose

Genre: Urban fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal Romance

Release date: June 21, 2017

Publisher: OfTomes Publishing 
Cover art by Gwenn Danae of Upon A Day Dreamer.

#BloodRose

Published by OfTomes Publishing, the Blood Books trilogy follows the harrowing  journey of Avah Taylor, a mortal witch in the midst of a centuries-old war against the immortal vampire species. Avah’s intense journey is fueled by blood, jealousy, betrayal, murder and revenge.

Book Synopsis

There’s no wrath like that of a witch scorned.

As one of the only spirit users in her coven, Avah has been chosen to wield The Power, the ultimate weapon against the immortal vampire species witches have been at war with for centuries. 

But on the night of her birth rite, Avah’s coven is attacked. Forced to seek refuge among the very beings she’s sworn to kill, Avah vows revenge on those who took her former life from her.

As Avah slowly transitions into a life of blood and war, she realizes everything she’s been told is a lie.

Buy the Book

AmazonPaperback   §      Barnes & Noble

Amazon Kindle

Author’s Bio

Danielle Rose holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine. Currently residing in the Midwest, where she spends her days dreaming of warmer temperatures, when she’s not writing, she enjoys pretending she lives in California, spending an embarrassing amount of time at Hobby Lobby, and binge-watching Netflix. Visit Danielle on the Web: www.Danielle-Rose.com.

Social Links

        

   

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/DRoseAuthor 

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/daniellerose

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/danielle-rose

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DRoseAuthor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blood Magic (Blood Series Book2)

COVER REVEAL

Book Synopsis

Avah Taylor thought she had already faced the worst.

      As her coven’s chosen one, destined to receive a power that could kill her, Avah was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice when she gave up her mortal life to become a vampire, the witches’ greatest enemy. But just when she begins to adjust to her new life, even as she falls in love with her sire, the high priestess of her new coven is seized by Rogue vampires.

     Guided by Avah’s visions of the past, present, and future, Avah and the other vampires set out to rescue their priestess, but their journey leads Avah to the discovery that the conspiracy behind her power runs deeper than she ever imagined. As her visions grow increasingly terrifying, Avah begins to wonder if she may not have a future at all.

PRE ORDER BLOOD MAGIC

Kindle US          Kindle UK

Kindle CA        Kindle AU

COVER REVEAL!!!!!

I'm so glad that I get to be a part of this reveal!!

This is the new cover to Ultimate Sacrifice by S.E. Green. This is Oftomes Publishing's horror debut of 2017. Seriously though how gorgeous and eerie is this cover! It's nothing compared to the plot! 

Interested? Me too! It is being released on October 10th and if I'm honest it's not soon enough. 

Feel free to share the love and your excitement over on Twitter. I'm sure both the author and the publishers will love to hear from you. 

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

I honestly don't know what took me so long to read this book!!! It is so beautiful and honest and I loved every single word of it. It has left me in an over-emotional state but in a very good way. 

If you don't know what More Happy Than Not is about or who Adam Silvera is then where have you been?!?! Ok, maybe that is a little mean...

Just a warning before you think about picking this book up, it does have trigger warnings for depression, self-harm, suicide and abuse. 

More Happy Than Not surrounds sixteen year old Aaron. Aaron is dealing with a lot in the book, for example his father's suicide, this leaves him struggling to find happiness. It forces him to confront both his past and his future to come to terms with the situation he finds himself in. 

There is honestly so much about this book that I loved. One of the first things that made me fall in love with this book is that all of the characters are normal. They are normal in the way that they are not perfect or good looking or in any way spectacular. They are real teenagers going through some real teenage issues with just a little bit of not so unreasonable made-up stuff thrown in there. It was so refreshing to read about characters like that because you don't really find many. 

Something else I loved was the relationships of the characters. They were what real relationships really are like. You've got the kid who you grew up with who you always thought of as your best friend but isn't really that great of a friend. You've got all of the people you hang out with just because you live near each other. You've got the brother who you love because he's your brother but you really don't like him very much as a person. You've also got those people who you know but don't really know at the same time. 

The thing that truly won me over with this book though was the honesty of Adam's writing. The way he explained situations and problems and describes his characters is beautiful. It is just so honest and real. I think that is why you get to the end of the book and feel so overwhelmed with emotions that you just have to sit and take everything in and process it like it all just happened to you or to a friend of yours. 

I'm not sure if I could pick this book up again, not right away anyway. Yes, it is beautiful and an amazing story but it carries so much information and emotions with it that you need time to separate yourself from it before picking it up again. I will be recommending this to people though, I can guarantee you that. 

Coral and Bone by Tiffany Daune

Coral and Bone Giveaway

Looking for a fast-paced, exciting read? Like mermaids, shapeshifters and otherworldly creatures? Then look no further, this is definitely the book for you!

Coral and Bone is an enchanting read about love, loss and hope. It is a tale of evil mermaids, shapeshifting beings and a whole lot of action. 

When I picked this book up for review, it didn't really think much of it. If I am honest I had low expectations for it. By golly was I wrong. I totally under-estimated this book. From the minute I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. I got so wrapped up in the story that it was literally all I could think about. I spent every possible moment with this book in my hand, I even lost sleep over it.

I loved the way that Tiffany wove in the title of the book. I think the way that she did it was very clever with it having a purpose in the story.

I loved the characters in this book. They all had their own reasons for helping Halen (which is a great name) and the cause. They were all complicated and wonderful in their own right and I loved each and every one of them. Though my favourite character has to be Tage. The way she cares about Halen and was willing to die to help her is amazing. She is such a great friend to Halen and she is also a badass character. 

The twist at the end when it is revealed that Dax is really Halen's guardian I found kind of predictable. I guessed from the first meeting between the two that there was something more to him than simply a romantic interest especially when he seemed so attached to Natalie. That being said I like the reason behind why it was hidden from her. 

I truly loved every word of this book and even after finishing it I want to pick it up again. Tiffany Daune's writing is truly remarkable and I honestly believed every word I read like it was part of the real world. The description and the characters were all made to be real in my mind. 

Below is a little insight into more about the story and the author. 

Can you tell me a little bit about your series and what inspired it? 
The Coral & Bone series is filled with mermaids, shifters and otherworldly creatures. It's a story of love, loss and hope. My writing is most influenced by the beloved stories I read as a child, such as Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid and C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I'm drawn to mystical realms and love it even more when magic collides with our world. 

The Etlins in the Coral & Bone series are shifters. If you could be a shifter what animal would you want to be and why?
Definitely a raven because they are wickedly smart and eerie.  

Can you share a little about the current title you are working on? 

I'm currently editing books two and three of The Siren Chronicles and working on an outline for an exciting new series. Keep an eye on my Instagram account where I'll be posting a sneak peek very soon.

When did you know that you wanted to write professionally and how did you take the leap to get into the business?  

I started writing with the intent of publishing seven years ago. I faced a lot of rejection letters, but I kept submitting and writing, until I received my first contract for Surface and the sequel Landlocked. Unfortunately, my publisher closed, and I had to start over. So, instead of resubmitting Surface, I wrote Coral & Bone which won a watty award in 2016.  

What book is currently on your nightstand? And who are some of your favorite authors?

I have five on my nightstand right now. I'm currently lost in the pages of The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. I'm also reading some great works on Wattpad.

I could never pick just one, but I a few of my faves are Alyson Noel, Tehereh Mafi, Casandra Clare, John Green, Taran Matharu, Jennifer L Armentrout and Kendare Blake. 

What was your favorite childhood book?

I loved so many books as a child, it’s hard to pick one. My top three would have to be The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Are you there God It’s Me Margaret. As a teen, I devoured anything by Stephen King, John Saul & Anne Rice.

What’s your favorite writing food?

Popcorn, cucumbers and chocolate.

What is one of your favorite quotes?

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light. ~ Albus Dumbledore

Want to win some mermaid themed goodies?

Well Tiffany is holding a Rafflecopter giveaway for the items picture below. 

To enter just follow the link below:

Coral and Bone Giveaway

Below are all of Tiffany's interweb links

Website:                      www.tiffanydaune.com

Newsletter:                   http://eepurl.com/5hU0z

Facebook Page:           https://facebook.com/tiffanydaune

Twitter :                       @TiffanyDaune

Goodreads:                  www.goodreads.com/author/show/6904400.Tiffany_Daune

Tumblr:                       http://tiffanydaune.tumblr.com

Instagram:                   @TiffanyDaune

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why has recently become popular due to the release of the TV show on Netflix. Though I am very disappointed in myself to say that I jumped on this book for the same reason, I am glad that I did. 

If you don't know what Thirteen Reasons Why is about, 1. Where have you been?! And 2. Its about a teenage girl who commits suicide and leaves behind seven tapes explaining the thirteen reasons that lead her to it. 

I want to start by saying that this book has a very powerful message in it. I love the way it explains that your action can affect someone, even in the instances when you don't do anything at all. It also explains what happens after a suicide and how everyone is left unsure in how they played a part or if they could have helped in some way. 

I finished watching the TV show around the same time as finishing the book and I decide that in this instance I actually enjoyed the show better that the book. I know, I know, it's sacrilege. Let me explain why. 

The characters in the book just seemed to be there. You got no background to who they were or what they were like, you only got what Hannah knew. I liked that the TV show gave them more to their story. Justin in the book was a jerk, there is no other way to describe him other than that. In the show you got to see who he was and why he did some of the things he did (not that I'm sticking up for him, he is still a jerk) and it allowed you to understand him more. I feel the same way about the rest of the group too, they were all given more background and more time to explain what they were doing. 

Clay was the same in both the book and the show for me. So well done Dylan Minnette for pulling that off. He truly did an amazing job and I couldn't fault it at all. 

Hannah... where do i start... In the TV show I understood why she felt the way she did and why as a result she did some of the things that she did. I got it. In the book though, she just got on my nerves. By the end of the book I found her so infuriating that I had to keep putting the book down.

Overall I really did enjoy this book and recommend that teenagers, not just the girls, pick this up. Adults too, adults need to read this too. Anyone and everyone needs to read this at least once in their live to be perfectly honest. I do think the TV show did a better job at explaining things though, so you sound totally give that a watch too if you haven't already. 

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

Milk and Honey is a collection of poetry by Rupi Kaur. It is a very feminist based collection of poems with an incredible message behind each one. There are four main themes within the book all with their own way of making you think and feel. That being said, each poem truly deserves its place on the page. 

I can honestly say, hand on my heart, I did not expect to be moved in the way I was while reading this. 

Some pieces from this wonderful collection of poetry made me ball my eyes out to the point where words were blurred and I had to physically put the book down. Others made me angry or peaceful. This glorious book shook me to the core and brought me back out of the dark hole I had found myself in over the past few months. 

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone and I mean anyone. Yes, the poetry inside is focused on woman and feminism but I truly believe that everyone would be able to find something within this book worth mentioning to someone. 

The Sun Is Also A Star By Nicola Yoon

This one probably took me longer than it should have to read but I think subconsciously I knew it was worth savouring. The Sun Is Also A Star is so much more than the love story it first comes across as being. It is beautiful and thought-provoking and I am so glad I picked it up. 

Like I said this is a love story but at the same time it's not. Woven into the love story between Natasha and Daniel is the story of two teenagers trying to solve their problems and find where they are meant to be. There is also the stories of many other minor character woven in with their story too and I loved that concept of the book. 

The story is told from both Natasha and Daniel's point of view along with the Universe who explains the history of minor characters and eyes and the concept of half-life. It is just a wonderful way to experience a book. 

I listened to the audiobook of this book for parts and it truly is a great audiobook too. The characters are so well presented. I found the audiobook made it easier at times to understand who was talking at different points in the book so if you feel like you get lost easily in a book with different POVs in it i highly recommend picking up the audiobook. 

I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is because it is so beautifully written. Nicola Yoon has a way with words. The way part of this book are written truly helps you to understand the situations the characters have found themselves in while bringing out the different personalities in each of them.

I also loved that Yoon was able to write about some pretty serious topics throughout the book. It covers racism, deportation and the science vs love debate that is prominent throughout. 

It truly was an amazing book to read and I loved every minute of it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a more diverse book to read that will get your brain going a bit.  

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

The idea behind this book is incredible so props to Siobhan Dowd for that. This book is about a young boy whose mother is dying, she has Cancer. One night after walking from a nightmare Conor finds a monster outside his window. This leads to three tales, many nights of frustration and a revelation that nobody knew they needed. The story of Conor and his monster is both heartbreaking and beautiful. 

I know I have already said that Conor's mother has Cancer but by no means is this a cancer story, at least I wouldn't consider is to be one. This isn't A Fault In Our Stars or This Star Won't Go Out or any other book like those. This about a boy and his struggle at a very hard time in his life. Patrick Ness does a beautiful job in weaving Cancer in with bullies, and friendship, and school, and simply all of the things that a normal young boy could face. 

This book truly is phenomenal and deserves all of the incredible reviews that it already has. The writing of Patrick Ness is so beautiful and the story he tells with Siobhan Dowd's idea is like nothing else I have ever read. 

I don't want to say too much more because 1. I could be here all day and 2. It is something you need to experience for yourself. I highly recommend you go ahead and pick this book up.