I’m listening to…
Having a long commute, I decided to try listening to an audio book. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline has been on my TBR list a long time and my friend happened to have a copy of the audio book so I promptly selected it as my trial audio book. It’s been great company all week and a blast to listed to. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
Series: Standalone
Genre: Science Fiction, YA
Published: August 16th, 2011
Links: Goodreads Amazon
At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, READY PLAYER ONE is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.
It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.
A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
On my Radar…
Life is so crazy these days that I seem to have more time to find books that I really want to read, than actually finding the time to read said books. I thought I would share some of my recent finds…
Steel Victory – J.L Gribble
One hundred years ago, the vampire Victory retired from a centuries-long mercenary career. She settled in Limani, the independent city-state acting as a neutral zone between the British and Roman colonies on the New Continent.
Twenty years ago, Victory adopted a human baby girl, who soon showed signs of magical ability.
Today, Victory is a city councilwoman, balancing the human and supernatural populations within Limani. Her daughter Toria is a warrior-mage, balancing life as an apprentice mercenary with college chemistry courses.
Tomorrow, the Roman Empire invades.
The Deep End of the Sea – Heather Lyons
What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?
Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.
But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.
Paladin – Sally Slater
Brash, cocky, and unbeatable with a sword (well, almost), Sam of Haywood is the most promising Paladin trainee in the kingdom of Thule… and knows it. The only problem is that Sam is really Lady Samantha, daughter of the seventeenth Duke of Haywood, and if her father has his way, she’ll be marrying a Paladin, not becoming one.
But Sam has never held much interest in playing damsel-in-distress, and so she rescues herself from a lifetime of boredom and matrimonial drudgery. Disguised as a boy, Sam leaves home behind to fight demons-—the most dangerous monsters in Thule—-alongside the kingdom’s elite warriors. Pity that Tristan Lyons, the Paladin assigned to train her, is none other than the hero of her childhood. He hasn’t recognized her–yet–but if he does, he’ll take away her sword and send her packing.
Sam is not the only trainee hiding secrets: Braeden is a half-demon with a dark past that might be unforgivable. Whether he can be trusted is anyone’s guess, including his.
As demons wreak havoc across the land, rebellion stirs in the West, led by a rival faction of warriors.
A war between men is coming, and Sam must pick a side. Will saving the kingdom cost her life–or just her heart?
Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Heart of Magic
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Loved the first book and I can’t wait for book 2. I need my Lila and the Sinclair family fix 🙂
Dark Heart of Magic – Jennifer Estep
Series: Black Blade #2Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Published: October 27th, 2015 Links: Goodreads Amazon
Something Wicked This Way Comes…
As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there’s no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.
Even though he’s my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what’s supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious “accidents,” it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.
As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone’s going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing’s for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else…
Review: Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard
Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen #1 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Published: February 10th, 2015 Links: Goodreads Amazon
Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard’s sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king’s palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?
Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood–those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard–a growing Red rebellion–even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is responsible for a very lethargic Adina at work recently, there in body if not in mind. I enjoyed this story so much that I just keep reading until the end and so I headed off to work with only a couple of hours sleep. Let just say, it was a quiet day 🙂
Red Queen introduces the world and unenviable life of Mare Barrow. Mare’s world is pretty miserable place, its populace divided by blood into the reds and the silvers. Those with silver blood have magical abilities, power and wealth. Those with red blood are essentially slaves living in poverty and misery. Mare is a red blood, her older brothers have been conscripted to the army and send to die in a futile war. This is the destiny that awaits Mare before a chance meeting with a disguised Silver changes their world forever.
Red Queen was a really enjoyable book. The plot and world were well developed. The contrast between the Silver and Red worlds was stark and heart-breaking. I liked how the author showed that although the life of a red blood was pretty miserable, there were also moments of happiness and laughter. Mare is an interesting main character, she’s tenacious and tough. She’s faced with many difficult decisions, with no easy choices and although her choices can be somewhat questionable, they are understandable. Mare is in a fight for survival.
The supporting were an interesting bunch and I liked how many of them also faced tough choices. I liked the shades of grey in this story, the lack of an easy solution.
All in all, Red Queen was a really good book, with an interesting world and set of characters.
My Rating: 8/10
I’m Reading…
In desperate need of a fun easy read while stuck for hours at the airport recently and having abandoned around 5 books after the first chapter, I started Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep. This story and its fantastic badass heroine Lila was just what I needed. Instantly drawn in the pretty nifty world, the hours flew by and I was a little irked to have to board my plane.
Cold Burn of Magic – Jennifer Estep
Series: Black Blade #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Published: April 28th, 2015
Links: Goodreads Amazon
TThere Be Monsters Here. . .
It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.
I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.
But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call–get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her. . .
Waiting on Wednesday: Until Friday Night
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
I’m always on board for a new Abbi Glines and only a couple of month to wait 🙂
Until Friday Night – Abbi Glines
Series: The Field Party #1Genre: YA Contemporary Published: August 25th, 2015 Links: Goodreads Amazon
To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer.
Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away.
As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else.
West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…
Waiting on Wednesday: Once Upon a Marquess
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Historical Romance is a genre that I’ve been neglecting lately. Whether that’s due to a lack of time or lack of interest in recently published books is debatable but Courtney Milan is a great author and rarely disappoints.
Once Upon a Marquess – Courtney Milan
Series: The Worth Saga #1 Genre: Historical Romance Published: May 19th, 2015 Links: Goodreads
The last man Judith Worth wants to see again is Charles Trent, the Marquess of Ashford—the man who spent summers at her family home, who kissed her one magical night…and then heartlessly ruined her father. But when a tricky business matter arises, he’s the only one she can ask for help. With any luck, he’ll engage a servant to take care of the matter, and she won’t even have to talk with him.
But Ashford has never forgotten Judith. He knows she will never forgive him for what he’s done, but when offered the chance to assist her, he arrives in person. His memory of Judith may have haunted him, but it pales in comparison to the reality of the vivacious, beautiful woman he rediscovers. Throughout his life, he has always done what is correct. But now, he finds himself doing something utterly wrong…falling in love with the one woman he can never have.
Waiting on Wednesday: Midnight’s Kiss
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Adding together the Elder Races by Thea Harrison and a second chance love story is a recipe for success in my humble opinion 🙂 Only a few days to wait.
Midnight’s Kiss – Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races #8
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: May 5th, 2015
Links: Goodreads Amazon
In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two souls who have long buried their passions are about to be consumed…
Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…
Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?
Waiting on Wednesday: Soundless
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Richelle Mead can be a little hit for miss for me personally but I’m intrigued by the idea of Soundless. Here’s hoping it’s a hit 🙂
Soundless – Richelle Mead
Series: NA
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Published: November 10th, 2015
Links: Goodreads Amazon
From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.
For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.
Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…
Waiting on Wednesday: Hidden Huntress
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Stolen Songbird, the first book in The Malediction Trilogy was a reading pleasure last year. I was completely won over by the characters, world building and story. So I’m really excited for book 2 🙂
Hidden Huntress – Danielle L Jensen
Series: The Malediction Trilogy #2
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Published: June 2nd, 2015
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.
Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.
Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.
To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…
Adina's Book Blog 