Book Tag. Pokemon Go 

This tag was created by @ReadatMidnight. All images belong to her. Also, Pokemon Go belongs to Niantic and Nintendo.

When I was little, my mother would read to me every night. It was always a different story, from fables to fairytales. It was back then when I fell in love with reading. However, the book that made me the bookworm I'm today was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The first four books of this series were the first no-pictures book I ever read.

I'll always love Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is my favourite classic. I don't know if I ever shared it, but I collect different editions of Pride and Prejudice. I only have four different editions yet, but the number will slowly grow. 

This usually happens to me: I lose interest in a book when it's everywhere! I find it on Goodreads, on blogs, on instagram... And then it's so overhyped that if I decided to read it, I'll probably end up being disappointed (I'm looking at you Truthwitch). At the moment, because of all the buzz surrounding it, I've no interest in reading The Raven Boys. I'm not saying I'll never do it (I loved The Scorpio Races), but thanks to the release of The Raven King, I couldn't go anywhere without being slapped in the face with this series. 

The Girl at Midnight did reminded me of Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but I didn't mind it. I was able to enjoy the story, no matter how similar they seemed to me. It even reminded me that I still have to finish the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. 

I like big books and I cannot lie. But they can be scary. The reason I haven't started reading Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes is because there already are so many books in the series. When I look at the first book and think about making it my next reading, I remember I've to read three more books to catch up with the series and it's demotivating. 

 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before kept me up at night. I couldn't put the book down because it was freaking adorable. There really was no suspense or surprising twists, but Lara Jean caught my attention and I just couldn't wait to see her story unfold.    

Is it bad that I've a difficult time deciding my bookish OTP? I do have a few (and I when I say a few, I certainly mean a longer list than the one I actually have in mind), but how can I only choose one?! This is too difficult... Okay, I think I'm gonna go with Kaz and Inej from Six of Crows. They are perfect for each other. Their soul is broken, but together they can pick up the pieces and become complete again. I can't wait for Crooked Kingdom to be released and see what is in store for these two.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. There wasn't a dull moment in this amazing novel. It's fast-paced and action-packed and the plot easily grabs the attention. 

This is a really difficult choice for me. I suppose it should be easy because when a world is dear to your heart, you never want to let it go. But sometimes I feel that the world shouldn't be mess with because it may be ruined. Does it make any sense? But if I really have to choose, I´d probably love a spin-off of Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier. I loved this world and one book wasn't enough.

I'm going with the Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. I don't read much sci-fi and I was pleasantly surprised with how awesome this series is. My favourite book from the series was without a doubt This Shattered World. I loved Jubilee and Flynn, two star-crossed lovers who would never imagine that their soulmate was on the other side of swamp (now that I think, I could have chosen them for my bookish OTP).

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. As I already wrote a thousand times, I've only read Cinder, but I plan on reading Scarlet very soon - probably when I've the money to buy physical editions of the series. Gosh, I really wish that imaginary loaded gift card was real...  

Aren't collector's editions the prettiest? *.* I wish I owned the Deluxe Illustrated Edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It's so freaking beautiful! I'm also in love the Leather-Cloth editions of A Song of Ice and Fire. I don't think it is collector's edition, but it's a box set so special that it should be.    

A debut novel? But there are so many that I'm excited for! I guess I'm going to choose Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh, which will be release on October of this year. My auto-buy author is Juliet Marillier. Whatever this woman writes, I'll buy because I know she will never let me down. Her is writing is simply beautifully-flawless. *all hail the queen*  

I feel I've been waiting on forever for A Torch Against the Night to be released (the waiting is almost over). And Crooked Kingdom. And Den of Wolves. A long list of books makes me feel like I've been waiting on forever... 

Waiting on Wednesday. Vassa in the Night

"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 Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. Retellings are back to my Waiting on Wednesday! :D I plan reading the folktale that Vassa in the Night is inspired by, Vassilissa the Beautiful, before digging into this magical story. I haven't read many novels inspired by Russian folklore, so that's one of the main reasons why I'm very excited for this release. Also, look at the cover? *.* The bookstagrammer is my is already planning a few photos. The book will be released on September 20th.

"In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.

In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling out again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.

But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair. . . .

Inspired by the Russian folktale Vassilissa the Beautiful and Sarah Porter’s years of experience teaching creative writing to New York City students. "

From Goodreads

Bout of Books 17. Sign Up

"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