"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 22nd and runs through Sunday, August 28th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 17 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team"

Bout of Books 17 starts next week? :O Where did the time go? I can't believe the last read-a-thon of 2016 starts next Monday! Hopefully, it will be a week full of bookish fun - as it always is. ;) Good luck to everyone joining it. 

Waiting on Wednesday. Metaltown

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week on WoW is Metaltown by Kristen Simmons. Sometimes I've to switch genres (I can't always be reading fantasy and retellings) and  Metaltown seems an interesting dystopia. I'm hoping it to be as good as the summary makes it sound. as it's been a while since I read a good dystopia. The book will be released on September 20th.

"Metaltown, where factories rule, food is scarce, and hope is in short supply.

The rules of Metaltown are simple: Work hard, keep your head down, and watch your back. You look out for number one, and no one knows that better than Ty. She’s been surviving on the factory line as long as she can remember. But now Ty has Colin. She’s no longer alone; it’s the two of them against the world. That’s something even a town this brutal can’t take away from her. Until it does.

Lena’s future depends on her family’s factory, a beast that demands a ruthless master, and Lena is prepared to be as ruthless as it takes if it means finally proving herself to her father. But when a chance encounter with Colin, a dreamer despite his circumstances, exposes Lena to the consequences of her actions, she’ll risk everything to do what’s right.

In Lena, Ty sees an heiress with a chip on her shoulder. Colin sees something more. In a world of disease and war, tragedy and betrayal, allies and enemies, all three of them must learn that challenging what they thought was true can change all the rules.

An enthralling story of friendship and rebellion, Metaltown will have you believing in the power of hope."

From Goodreads

Review 20. Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Title: Stitching Snow
Author: R.C. Lewis
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: October 6th 2015
Pages: 352 pages

"Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back-but that's assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane's arrival was far from accidental, and she's pulled into the heart of a war she's risked everything to avoid.

In her enthralling debut, R. C. Lewis weaves the tale of a princess on the run from painful secrets . . . and a poisonous queen. With the galaxy's future-and her own-in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival."

Essie has made home in the wintry Thanda, spending her days taking care of her seven drones and being part of cage fights to earn some extra money. She lives a lonely life, never trusting anyone, but one day it all changes when a spaceship crashes in Thanda. Inside the spaceship is Dane, a treasure hunter looking for something more valuable than merinium. When Essie's secrets slowly come to surface, she realizes that must face her past or let the galaxy succumb at the hands of a tyrant. 

Writing: I read Spinning Starlight a few months ago (yes, I know, I should have read Stitching Snow first) and I wasn't very fond of it because of the confusing world-building and the technological "mumbo jumbo". However, I decided to give Stitching Snow an opportunity - how could I not with such a beautiful cover? - and I'm so glad that I did. 

 “Brave is being scared and doing what needs to be done anyway”

I loved R.C. Lewis' writing-style (which I wasn't able to appreciate before), with all the little details that created fascinating settings. The plot is more complex than it initially seems. The story is fast-paced, there isn't a dull moment, and every scene connects perfectly together.    

Characters: How can I describe Essie? She is independent, smart (she's a codding genious), strong and stubborn; she's a survivor (she fights miners bigger and stronger than her to earn some money). And no matter how difficult her childhood was (I just wanted to hug her), Essie keeps moving on. There isn't a bit of self-pity in her. However, Essie also has her silly moments, being Dane responsible for them.

Dane is simply swoon-worthy. He does have flaws. I mean, he did kidnapped Essie, but it was to save his people, so his mistake was forgiveable (even Essie understood his reasons and felt sorry). And, after admitting his mistake, Dane wanted to do all in his power to protect Essie. He was always there for her, no matter what.

The antagonists were very despicable. There was nothing good inside Matthias and Olivia and I ended up hoping for their black hearts to be severely punished.

Romance: One thing I love about fairytale retellings (at least, about all those I've read until now) is that there are no love-triangles. Essie is so badass that I probably wouldn't have been fond of her if her heart was always jumping ship. I also love foes-to-lovers relationships, so I was more than meant to  ship Essie and Dane. Their romance is sweet, but not overwhelming because they both understand their priorities (to save their people and the galaxy).  

“...My choice wasn't supposed to include you coming along and getting killed, too, and when I'm probably going to die anyway, you shouldn't waste your feelings on me.

You're brilliant, Essie, but you're still dim on a few things. Feelings can't be wasted. Knowing they're real for however long they last makes them worth having.”

Worldbuilding: I found the world-building simply splendid (where in Spinning Starlight I thought it confusing). I loved all the futuristic planets crafted by R.C. Lewis: the wintry Thanda, the desert-like Garam, the haunted by natural disasters Candara and the imperfectly-perfect Windsong. Every planet is perfectly created. I also loved in the world-building how the elements of the original tale, Snow White, were written into the story. There is the Huntsman and the Evil Queen and the poison apple. The seven dwarfs became seven drones - Dimwitt was very adorable. *.* The classic elements are intertwined with futurist settings, creating an alluring sci-fi retelling.

Stitching Snow is a fascinating sci-fi retelling of Snow White that every retelling fan should read.  

Cover Reveal. Empress of a Thousand Skies

You're certainly tired of reading this, but isn't this cover pretty? *.* It's a beautiful minimalist cover. I simply adore its colours. Don't you love them too? Now, the genre sci-fi/fantasy has been growing on me ever since I read Alienated by Melissa Landers - and the Starbound trilogy just made me love the genre a lot more. So, when I read the summary of Empress of a Thousand Skies and I added it right way to my wishlist. Currently counting the days until the release...          

Empress of a Thousand Skies is expected to be released on February 7th 2017.

"Empress
Rhee, better known as Crown Princess Rhiannon Ta’an, is the sole surviving heir to a powerful dynasty. She’ll stop at nothing to avenge her family and claim her throne.

Fugitive
Aly has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the dashing star of a holo-vision show. But when he’s falsely accused of killing Rhee, he's forced to prove his innocence to save his reputation – and his life.

Madman
With planets on the brink of war, Rhee and Aly are thrown together to confront a ruthless evil that threatens the fate of the entire galaxy."

Waiting on Wednesday. A Shadow Bright and Burning

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week on WoW is A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess. Victorian London, magic, bloodthirsty demons... It just seem such an enticing book. Also, it has all the right ingredients to be a five stars novel. Also, isn't the cover to die for? *.* The book will be released on September 20th.

"I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she's brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?"

From Goodreads

TTT. If I Had a Loaded Gift Card

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

This week on Top Ten Tuesday is Ten Books I'd Buy Right This Second If Someone Handed Me A Fully Loaded Gift Card. I really wish someone handed me a gift card. I'd be the happiest bookworm on Earth if someone gave me a fully loaded gift card. Does anyone want to give me one? Don't you want to make me happy? *puppy eyes*

Den of Wolves, Juliet Marillier. How haven't I pre-ordered this book yet? Last year, I ordered Tower of Thorns six months before its release. :O I blame it on the price as I'm waiting for it to drop. I love Juliet Marillier, but twenty-two euros is a bit expensive.      

Kingdom of Ash and Briars, Hannah West. Another book I should have already pre-ordered, but I haven't. I'm in love with the summary and a lot more in love with its cover - the bookstagrammer in me is already imagining all the beautiful photos I can take. *.*

Menagerie, Rachael Vincent. I've been eyeing this book for almost an year now. But, as it happens with Den of Wolves, it's too expensive. I've been waiting for a the price to drop, but sadly it hasn't dropped yet. *fingers crossed*

Hunted, Meagan Spooner. I'm dying to pre-order this novel. A Beauty and the Beast retelling? Written by Meagan Spooner? I need to have it! However, as the book only comes out in 2017, I'm telling myself I can save the money and order Hunted when it's closer to its release. Why can't the gift card be real? :´(

P.s. I Still Love You, Jenny Han. I've an ebook copy, but I love this book too much not to have a physical one. I already bought To All the Boys I've Loved Before (hardback, of course) and as soon as I receive a coupon/discount code, I'll get my hands on this one. I need to get ready for the release of Forever and Always, Lara Jean.

The Starbound Trilogy, Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner. This is one of my favourite intergalactic series. I would love to own a physical copy of these books. Also, the covers... aren't they beautiful? *.*

Everything by Marissa Meyer. I read Cinder in 2014. I told myself I'd buy a physical copy of it and then of its sequels, so that I could finish the series. But have I bought the Lunar Chronicles yet? No! I tell myself "I'll buy it this month", but then I think it's better to buy it in the next one... And, yes, I'm doing the same with Heartless. Marissa Meyer must hate me.

A Thousand Nights, E.K Johnston. I read A Thousand Nights a few months ago and I loved it. Sadly, as usual, I read it in my Kobo and now I'm dying to have the physical copy. 

Monthly Recap. July 2016

I can't believe July has ended. Time loves flying! Before going through this bookish month, I'd like to share some good news. As you know, last month I lost my beloved Mufasa. I think about him every day and I miss him dearly. I thought I wasn't ready to love again, but on July 12th I found a little kitten in an animal shelter and he is the spitting image of my Mufasa. I simply couldn't leave him - not after having to let Mufasa go.

So, I'd like to introduce you Iago. He has been cheering my days up and making sure I get up from my bed every day. He is always running and jumping and being adorable. He is helping me healing. Iago has become a little sunshine in my life. Now, isn't he adorable? *.* 

July was a good reading month. I can't recall the last time I read seven books. I know a few were easy readings, but I'm really proud of myself. Hopefully, I'll read more in August. :)

Instagram

• Stolen Songbird, Danielle L. Jensen
• Defy, Sara B. Larson
• Signs Point to Yes, Sandy Hall
• A Little Something Different, Sandy Hall
• Dreamology, Lucy Keating
• Stitching Snow, R.C. Lewis
• Flawed, Cecilia Ahern

My favourite readings were Stolen Songbird and Stitching Snow. These novels were really nice surprises (especially Stitching Snow, as Spinning Starlight didn't impress me) and I can't wait to read Hidden Huntress [The Malediction Trilogy #2]. A Little Something Different was such an original and cute contemporary. The story of Lea and Gabe is told by twelve different POVs - and this includes the POV of a squirrel and a bench.

 

Defy was a utter disappointment. I couldn't stand the main character and I had issues with the writing (it was a little repetitive). The world building of Dreamology and Flawed was interesting, but I felt there was something missing at the end (also, the main characters had a few eye-rolling moments).

 

I think I got too many books this month. Okay, I don't think, I'm sure I bought too many books this month. =P It was my way of dealing with loss. New books cheer me up. 

I read To All the Boys I've Loved Before last year and it's one of my favourite books (in fact, it's one of my favourite series). I thought it was a good time to finally own a physical copy because Always and Forever, Lara Jean is coming out next year. This Savage Song came with this month's Owlcrate (I don't know how they do it, but they always choose books I want). I was eyeing Asleep (a dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty) for a long time and when I saw that the price dropped, I bought right away. Angelfall and Shatter Me were on my wishlist for a long time, so I finally decided to give these series an opportunity.

Now, this is going to sound bad, but all the other books were cover buy. Have you seen the cover of Illusions of Fate? *.* And the cover of Stitching Snow? *.* Okay, this one is a retelling, so my love for retellings had something to do with me buying it too. Well, but as I was saying, they were cover buy [The Chaos of Stars, The Unexpected Everything, After Alice] and they happened to have an interesting summary. Win, win. Oh, and Prince of Shadows was so cheap that I just had to get it. It would be insulting not to buy it at a such low price.

Random & Randomness, as the name indicates, is about random bookish stuff. Inspired by a few blogs, I decided to create this little space where I share some book love . This week I also share TV series and videogame love.

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Funko Pop! Vynil - Have you seen the figures? Aren't they adorable? *.* When I saw the announcement on Pottermore on my birthday (July 7th), I knew I had to get my hands on the magical creatures set. I was a bit disappointed when I heard they would be sold on SDCM, but then there was a partnership with Barnes and Noble and I couldn't resist ordering the Cornish Pixie, Mandrake and Grindylow. *happy dance*  
• Stranger Things - I'm addicted to TV series and this month I fell in love with Stranger Things. This series is all kind of awesomeness. Set in the 80's, it brings the nostalgia to surface. Nerdy kids, Dungeons & Dragons, ET, monsters, mysteries... I recommend you to watch it.   
• Gravity Rush 2 - I'm also a gamer and Gravity Rush 2 has been one of my most-waited releases. This month its release date was announced: November 30th! *counting the days*
• My review of Their Fractured Light and Stolen Songbird.