Literary Ligase: June 2016

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

5/5 Stars ★★★★★

Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Published October 20th, 2015

Synopsis: This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

Goodness me, "heart-stopping, high-octane" are the exact words I would use to describe Illuminae. This book was fantastic in a way that was so unique and special. Every page had something new on it, whether it be the format the information is presented to you on, or the character dynamics. It was incredibly fast paced and straight to the point. I enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book, and wanted to read it over and over again until I had precious Gemina in my hands. This trilogy will be one of my top faves and the second isn't even out yet - but I know. The writing was insanely good -smooth, descriptive, and intriguing - and I now believe that Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman are the dynamic duo of this century.

This meme was created by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday there is a new list that involves all things books!

top ten favorite reads of 2016

(in no particular order)

The Raven King

by Maggie Stiefvater

Review || ★★★★★

The Love That Split The World

by Emily Henry

Review || ★★★★★

Lady Midnight

by Cassandra Clare

Review || ★★★★★

A Study In Charlotte

by Brittany Cavallaro

Review || ★★★★★

Tell Me Three Things

by Julie Buxbaum

Review || ★★★★★

A Court of Mist and Fury

by Sarah J. Maas

Review || ★★★★★

Dreamology

by Lucy Keating

Review || ★★★★★

Illuminae

by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Review (coming soon!) || ★★★★★

The Unexpected Everything

by Morgan Matson

Review || ★★★★★

The Lovely Reckless

by Kami Garcia

Review (coming soon!) || ★★★★★

I've been having an excellent reading year so far, don't ya think? Have you read any of these releases this year and enjoyed them as much as I have? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me what your favorite read is of this year!

ARC Review: This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity #1) by Victoria Schwab

3.5/5 Stars

Published by Greenwillow Books

Published July 5th, 2016

Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

This was my very first Victoria Schwab book. After watching tons of praise filled reviews fall from the glorious mountaintops I said to myself: "lillie you're gonna like this book." And to my surprise, my prediction was wrong. I didn't find any reason to be goggling at this book when I finished it, despite the initial storyline being good. I was intrigued by the idea: a divided city, monsters, music, a platonic relationship, monsters - but I felt as though this book dragged on for 100 more pages than it needed. Besides this, however, I really liked the characters in this book and the direction the plot took because of these main characters and their internal processes, emotions, decisions, etc. And when it did get moving and intense, it was really good.

Here is where I share with you my anticipation for upcoming books! Breaking the Spine has introduced me to this and I am super excited to get to participate. Please feel free to comment what books you are looking forward to as well!!

Synopsis: Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

I loved Everything Everything and I love Nicola Yoon and everything she does, so I am going crazy over the anticipation for this book. The Sun Is Also A Star is Nicola's sophomore book, and it sounds fantastic. People have described it as beautiful and stunning, unique and special, and I have the worst case of grabby hands !!! This cover is beautiful, the synopsis sounds gorgeous - I just think this is going to be an amazing story told by the even more amazing Nicola Yoon.

The Sun Is Also a Star comes November 1st, 2016!

A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J. Maas

5/5 Stars

Published by Bloomsbury

Published May 3rd, 2016

Synopsis: Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

If you're looking for the definition of steamy, you have found it, my dear friends. While I thought Sarah J. Maas outdid herself when she published Heir of Fire/Queen of Shadows, she really, and I mean really, outdid herself with A Court of Mist and Fury. This has to be the best book she has ever written. It has taken me a month to finally gather my thoughts and reread pretty much every single bit over and over until I've memorized it, but I am now ready to express to all of you: my feelings.

This is a weekly feature I have started to share my love of music while combining it with the amazing stories I read on the daily. I'll be sharing either a playlist with you all each week! Along with this, I'll be analyzing the lyrics and pointing out parallels between the books and the songs. I hope you enjoy!

A Court of Mist and Fury
**here's a warning that this IS spoilery**

Searching For A Feeling by Third Story
Say It by Flume ft. Tove Lo
All I Want by Kodaline
Bravado by Lorde
Drops of Jupiter by Train
Dark Paradise by Lana Del Rey
Your Body Is a Wonderland by John Mayer
Yours by Ella Henderson
Coming Down by Halsey