Literary Ligase: February 2017

Romantic Books + Playlists

Romantic Books + Playlists

this post was originally featured on Alex's blog for Fictional Fever Week, but I loved writing up the post so much, I decided to tweak some things and switch out some books so I could share it with all of you here!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

"As I was saying. He could never use you. You own him. You should've seen the way he was looking at you while you were out"

"How?"

"Like you're the ocean and he's desperate to drown."

Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw, aka madness, is my go to couple when people ask me who my favorite OTP is. There is so much dimension to the way these two care for each other. My heart bursts for them. Also, this isn't exactly a romance book, because I remember when I was reading it I was actually scared, but I think the dark themes and mystery of the story really enhance the romantic aspects. You can't help but root for these two to be alright and to end up together, and I just love them. I cannot wait to see what Michelle Hodkin has in store for us in The Shaw Confessions.

The Darkest Minds

"Now, darlin', I just had myself a little thought."

"Did you?"

"I did indeed. It being that you are seventeen and I'm eighteen, and we have every damn right to make out like teenagers. Like normal, happy, crazy kids."

ok rubiam is one of my original otps. I love these two so much. liam loves everything ruby is made and capable of, and she loves him something fierce, and my whole world revolves around these two being in love and happy. their dynamic as a couple makes me extremely happy, because not only do they feed off of each other in terms of strength, but they also allow others to find a feeling of empowerment. together with chubs and zu, I love this cast of characters with my entire heart and soul, and now I really have to reread it.

The Raven Cycle

"His feelings for Adam were an oil spill;

he'd let them over flow and now there wasn't a damn place in the ocean that wouldn't catch fire if he dropped a match."

my sons Adam Parrish and Ronan Lynch. This was the slowest of all slow burn romances ever, but I am here for it and I love them. Ronan adores Adam so much and will likely do anything to see him smile, and I'm just wrecked. I am beyond happy with how this series ended up and am so excited for us to get our very own Ronan Trilogy. Ronan Lynch is my favorite character ever, so this trilogy will likely be my favorite trilogy ever. Hopefully my boy Adam makes an appearance, or better yet, just tag along for the whole trilogy - that would be quite nice.

A Darker Shade of Magic

"So you confess it, then?" -

He brushed his lips against Rhy's throat.

"That you are mine."

Alucard Emery and Rhy Maresh - I love them and didn't know I needed them together until it happened, but I've been drowning ever since. I haven't finished AGOS yet, so I don't even know if something terribly horrible happens to either of them, but I only need to read 100 more pages, please bear with me. So far that one little cameo of the two of them is enough to let me know that I need more of it. Hopefully I will finish AGOS in time for A Conjuring of Light to come out (which is right in time for spring break yay!). Anyways, I love these two and really hope they ~~stay alive~~ have more scenes together in the next book.

The Love That Split the World

"If we were in the same world, the one where Kincaid was in love with you, I'd still be here. If you wanted me, I'd be here."

"Why?" I ask.

"I'm not sure the world and me are as complicated as you think, Natalie. I didn't mean to choose you or anything. I just know if I only get to build one porch in my life, I'd like it to be yours, and if there's one person I never have to hurt or disappoint, I'd want that to be you too.”

ok The Love That Split The World is one of my favorite books ever. I love everything about it - the characters, the plot, and especially the writing. Emily Henry has become one of my favorite authors in just the span of one book, but I am already so impressed by everything she does. A Million Junes comes out this year, May 16th, and I will literally move the entire world for this book. I've heard amazing things about it thus far and will only continue to push people to read her books. I love Natalie Cleary and Beau Wilkes - they complement each other so well. Their personalities are incredibly meshy and they're so mushy and ah I love this book.

Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken

4/5 Stars

Published by Disney Hyperion

Published January 3rd, 2017

Synopsis: All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected—Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master’s heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta’s past could put them both at risk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realizes that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognizable… and might just run out on both of them.

Wow, I am so impressed by this book. Alexandra Bracken has grown tremendously in her written capabilities. Passenger was my favorite book in 2015, as I read it right after YALLFest, and I was immediately ready to be wrecked by the second book. As I predicted, I was absolutely correct - I was destroyed by this book. Alex has this amazing ability to create luscious depictions of locations around the world and scenery that sticks with you. As much as I was lost in the writing, I was lost in the world of time traveling. I want to experience what these characters can do (without being hunted, of course). Wayfarer has to be the best book Alex has written in terms of rich writing, decadent plot development, and just overall amazing story telling. I've so much respect for the author she has become and cannot fathom the great things she will accomplish in the future. (*Also, maybe slight spoiler alert, because this is a sequel and a lot happens in this book that would probs spoil the first. So I'm gonna try to review it without spoiling anything, but please take caution!!)

Hello! For a while now I've been in the mood to start a cute little project. After a lot of thought and testing out different ideas, I've strangely come up with the plan to start relating books to corgis. I've spent weeks cultivating ideas and gathering photos all for these posts in a series I'd like to call Books as Corgis. As strange as this may sound, I wanted to bring something to the table was purely mine, so I decided to just throw two of my favorite things together. Bear with me, this is meant to merely bring a smile to your faces and a little more joy in your days. Without further ado, I would like to present to you all Books as Corgis.

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

as you can see, fluffy winter corg is enjoying his day out and about in the snow, on a beautiful winter's day. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is set during christmas time and new years, so it's the perfect winter read, which is why I thought these two were a perfect match. dash finds a red notebook, the challenges ensue, and soon their relationship develops. add a cute snowy corg and this trail of dares would be even better. this cute corg is named haru.

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

this happy corg was able to find a beautiful cherry blossom tree and spend its day surrounded by its pink flowers. stormdancer's cover reminded me a lot of these flowers, though I'm sure the flowers on the cover are actually lotus flowers and not cherry blossoms. this doggo is named meatball (*cries*).

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

corgi butts featuring dragon tail. this majestic pupper reminded me a lot of the new dragon-trafficking novel coming out by Jodi Meadows. I'm super excited to see a new dragon book out in the world, as I've had some trouble enjoying dragon books in the past due to their cliche plots etc etc. also, cue dragon tales theme song - this corgi's name is loki.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

yer a wizard doggo. look at this cute hogwarts pup! all ready to take on the wizarding world and take down voldy. obviously I would pair this with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. this cute dog is named marron.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is set in 18th cent. europe. in this photo, our cute little pup, emma, is standing on a hillside of what reminds me of ireland, scotland, etc. immediately I thought of this book which I'm dying for. upon finding a magical artifact, henry and percy are seen all over europe fighting pirates, highwaymen, and their feelings for each other.

If you guys want to see more posts like this, please let me know in the comments below! I had so much fun drafting this post. Also lemme know which of these comparisons were your favorite and if there are any particular books you'd like me to try to find corgi's for (I'm telling ya ill be able to make it happen).

Dare You To by Katie McGarry

5/5 Stars

Published by Harlequinn Teen

Published May 28th, 2013

Synopsis: Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

*swoons* I knew I would love this book, but I didn't think I would love it as much as I did. With Pushing The Limits being one of my favorite contemporary novels, probably ever, I knew it would be hard to compete, but Dare You To knocked my socks off. Katie McGarry is wonderful at pulling you into her story with great characters, a thrilling plot-line, and lots and lots of kissing. I'm sure most people would look at the covers of the books in this series and label it as a stereotypical romance book, but it lies far from that. There is so much substance in the plot, so much dimension to these characters and the way they work, and a writing style that does not allow you to stop. Within literally the span of two books, Katie McGarry became an author who is at the top of my radar. I must note that these books do deal with abuse, so please take caution if you decide to pick them up.

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: Before

Mira Minkoba is the Hopebearer. Since the day she was born, she’s been told she’s special. Important. Perfect. She’s known across the Fallen Isles not just for her beauty, but for the Mira Treaty named after her, a peace agreement which united the seven islands against their enemies on the mainland.

But Mira has never felt as perfect as everyone says. She counts compulsively. She struggles with crippling anxiety. And she’s far too interested in dragons for a girl of her station.

After

Then Mira discovers an explosive secret that challenges everything she and the Treaty stand for. Betrayed by the very people she spent her life serving, Mira is sentenced to the Pit–the deadliest prison in the Fallen Isles. There, a cruel guard would do anything to discover the secret she would die to protect.

No longer beholden to those who betrayed her, Mira must learn to survive on her own and unearth the dark truths about the Fallen Isles–and herself–before her very world begins to collapse.

I am so excited for this book! I've been waiting a very long time for a book that deals with dragons that actually intrigues me. I've had a very difficult relationship with dragon books in the past and that upsets me a lot, because dragons are freaking awesome. Also, this cover just released and I think it is one of the most gorgeous covers I've ever seen in my whole life. I am so happy that we've finally got the poc cover we've all been dying for. Before She Ignites brings forward a badass, female, poc main character, with illegal dragon trafficking, and a slow burn romance. Slow burn romance!! This sounds like the book everyone will need in their hands when it releases.

Before She Ignites releases September 26th, 2017!

Top Ten Favorite Romances

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 romances!

Legend by Marie Lu

you guys already knew this would be top of my list

june iparis and daniel altan wing
they are precious and must never be harmed
badass couple who saved the whole world
day is an amazing older brother and june is everything I hope to be
goals

The Love That Split The World by Emily Henry

natalie cleary and beau wilkes
cutest alternative, parallel universe couple ever
fahn
sweet romance that takes place after graduation, so basically it wrecked me because I graduated at the same time

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

ruby daly and liam stewart
honestly I want liam to myself
another couple of badass teens who have superhero abilities and save the world
liam loves ruby so much and will do anything to keep her safe
ruby would do the same

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

blue sargent and richard (dick) gansey iii
adam parrish and ronan lynch
this is literally a double whammy with two beautiful ships
such a slow burn romance I cry every time
so much appreciation for this gang of friends and how they all look after each other with such kindness in their hearts and each others' best interest in mind

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

mara dyer and noah shaw
noah shaw is the epitome of book boyfriend
love each other with a force more powerful than the sun
these two also have wicked cool powers
swoon swoon swoon

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

inej ghafa and kaz brekker
jesper fahey and wylan van eck
nina zenik and matthias helvar
I cannot believe we were blessed with 3 wonderful, diverse couples
no mourners, no funerals YIKES i love them all so much

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

tessa gray, william herondale, and jem carstairs
how did tessa get to spend her life with two beautiful boys that care so much for her
this is an og throwback to my shadowhunters phase in middle school (which still has not died)
i love william herondale
I am glad jem is thriving

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

celaena sardothien and chaol westfall
chaolaena circa crown of midnight
this was the damn ship that should've sailed
I miss them a lot
where tf even is chaol now I'm pressed

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

kady grant and ezra mason
I love galactic space wars and I love cute space pals
these two found a beautiful strength through each other in times of distress
kinda saved the universe? tbd circa illuminae #3
I just love their chats so much they are so feisty

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

linh cinder and prince kaito
these two are so sweet together
so happy with the ending they received
I loved this cinderella retelling and the fact that he kept her foot ??? talk about romantic