August Wrap Up!

Tomorrow marks the start of September, my birthday month! Woop woop, I'm proud to say I read EIGHT books this month!

I have successfully conquered:

1. The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancey

2. The Infinite Sea (The 5th Wave #2) by Rick Yancey

3. The Selection (The Selection #1) by Kiera Cass

4. The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

5. The One (The Selection #3) by Kiera Cass

6. Playlist For The Dead by Michelle Falkoff

7. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

8. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

SIX of these just so happened to be on my August TBR, so I'm going to give myself a pat on the back. Here's to September!

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas

4/5 Stars

Published by Bloosmbury Children's Books

Published August 7, 2012

Synopsis: After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. She's bored stiff by her court life, but things get more interesting when the princes starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? 

Wowza! This book was amazing! I've seen tons and tons of hype surrounding Sarah J. Maas' books, so I finally decided to pick up this beauty and it was not a mistake. This is a fast-paced thriller, and does not fail to keep you on the edge of your seat. It was so easy to lose track of time while reading this book --- I would pick it up at seven, then all of a sudden it was two in the morning! This happened simply because Sarah J. Maas' writing was so elaborate, yet so easy to fall into.

There were many things that I enjoyed about this book, but first let's discuss the characters. I really enjoyed how much depth was put into them. There were tons of layers underneath that one outer layer that these characters mainly portrayed. Celaena Sardothien, the main character of this story, is an amazing female lead. She is super intelligent and analytical, almost like June Iparis from Legend by Marie Lu, very independent and stubborn, yet you can see that she craves a real friendship. I found it very interesting that despite her profession as an assassin, she really proves to be more than just her career --- she is caring and develops a deep bond with those around her. Also, Dorian and Chaol (deep sigh), were so beautifully established. I especially enjoyed watching Chaol's reserved personality begin to open up to Celaena. I really liked Dorian and his childish, yet sophisticated anitcs, but I really fell for Chaol. There is just something so raw about his character that is yet to be developed, but there are so many twinges of giddiness in him that makes me want to hug him.

The plot was so exquisitely developed and the world holds so much potential for more building in the future of this series, so I am super excited! This book was so action-packed and filled to the brim with life, I'm truly left in awe of how amazing it was. Sarah J. Maas features multiple POV's in this story and, like I've said before, I love reading from different point of views. She does an excellent job of making you feel what the character is describing and making you hold onto every last bit of detail. There were times where I had to stop and think about what was happening and had to analyze the characters, because each of their personalities were so different, but that really moved the plot along.

There were so many pros to this book and I really recommend this to anyone in a dire need of a good fantasy novel. I also recommend it to anyone who is a romance geek, because the budding romance in this story is one to keep an eye on! Definitely cannot wait to start the other books in the series, I've already bought Crown of Midnight, so I'm eager to get started!

Queen of Shadows, the FOURTH installment of the Throne of Glass series is released September 1, 2015, so you better get cracking on this series!

Sarah J. Maas

Friday 56: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

For any post here I am simply grabbing a book and turning to page 56 and choosing a couple of lines that grab my attention. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice.

Woohoo! First week of senior year over and done with! Here's to a good weekend!

I just started Throne of Glass last night and I am completely hooked, so I decided, since the book is already in my hands, to use this as today's Friday 56!

"He leaned against a table, a hand still on his sword. At least one of them remembered that they were alone together in the library. "Reading is a bit out of fashion, I'm afraid." 

"Yes, well - more for me to read, then."

"Read? These belong to the king." 

"It's a library, isn't it?" 

"It's the king's property, and you aren't of noble blood. You need permission from either him or the prince." 

"I highly doubt either would notice the loss of a few books."

Chaol sighed. "It's late. I'm hungry."

"So? " she said. He growled and practically dragged her from the library." 

Harry Potter #4: Would you rather be locked in a room with Voldemort or Bellatrix?

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a weekly meme created by Uncorked Thoughts. Each week there is a new question about Harry Potter and all you must do is answer the question! This is an excellent way to keep the celebration of Harry Potter alive.

Would you rather be locked in a room with Voldemort or Bellatrix?

First off, I would like to tell you that I despise Bellatrix Lestrange with all of my heart. One, she used the Cruciatus Curse on Frank and Alice Longbottom, torturing them into insanity. Second, she killed her cousin Sirius Black (my fave) with absolutely no remorse. Lastly, she is definitely more likely to hex me than Voldemort, which is why I would rather be locked in a room with Voldemort. 

I'm sure Voldy and I will exchange a lot of awkward banter, as well as share a few nasty looks. However, I think getting to know Voldy will be a bit easy since he seems to be more of a talker/listener than Bellatrix.

Who would you want to be locked in a room with?

Playlist For The Dead by Michelle Falkoff

3.5/5 Stars
Published by HarperTeen
Published January 27, 2015

Synopsis (taken from Goodreads): A teenage boy tried to understand his best friend's suicide by listening to the playlist of songs he left behind. Here's what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, his best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs, and a suicide note: For Sam- listen and you'll understand. As he listens to song after song, Sam tries to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it's only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he will finally be able to piece together his best friend's story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.

This was a lovely debut novel! It was gripping, heart-wrenching, and overall a well written story. It is a bit similar to that of 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher, but it follows a completely different storyline. Michelle Falkoff did an excellent job depicting the after effects of teen suicide. As we watch Sam deal with the death of his best friend, we see parts that are brutally honest and harsh, but we watch a character develop into much more. This was definitely a sad read because it dealt so much with serious issues (bullying and death), but I felt that it brought a very needed light upon the affects of such topics. 

Everything in this book was very well written and had a nice, easy flow to it. It was very slow paced, which made it easier to get a feel for the characters and the plot, and it really made my attachment for Sam grow. I really began to feel for his character and understand him a lot more as we made our way through this slow, ever-moving plot. There was a lot of depth to the characters in this book, which made it intriguing to read. Each found that they were responsible for Hayden's death and each felt that they had their own part that added up to this one giant picture. With this came one of the most raw quotes I have ever read regarding teen suicide: "Because if none of us is a hundred percent responsible, then it's probably just as likely that none of us could have stopped this from happening."

As you can tell from the title of this book, music has a very prominent part in this story. Hayden and Sam were huge music junkies, and so they shared every last bit of music with each other. They would argue over their favorite bands and genres, so it only seemed fitting that Hayden would explain his decision through something they both loved. At the beginning of each chapter there is a different song, each of them making up the twenty-seven songs on Hayden's playlist. In some chapters Sam explains what situation is related to which song --- the conversation they shared whilst that song was playing, the argument they had related to that band ---, or you're just left to listen to the song and figure it out for yourself. Sometimes Sam didn't even know the reasoning behind Hayden's song choice and so you would be left to piece it together. This helped me understand Hayden in a way Sam may never be able to do.

This book was really thought-provoking and took me longer to read simply because I spent so much time actually listening to the playlist and trying to decipher what was going through Hayden's head. It was definitely a mystery that both Sam and I were trying to figure out. It was really nice to see how all the characters were connected in some way, despite having nothing in common. The romance aspect really threw me off, maybe because it was during a very untimely event. The progression was just a bit awkward and quick, but it definitely introduced hope and light in a time of darkness. I definitely did not see the ending coming, so if you love a little surprise and mystery, I really recommend this book! I felt that the ending really tied everything together nicely (I may have shed a few tears here and there) and the messages and morals of this story were made very clear.

Michelle Falkoff

Waiting on Wednesday: The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3) by Rick Yancey

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: We're here, then we're gone, and that was true before they came. That's always been true. The Others didn't invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won't end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart. 

After finishing the first two books in this trilogy, I've been itching for the release of the FINAL book! We left off at a very intense and mind-boggling cliffhanger, so that obviously does not help my sanity. This trilogy features some of my favorite fictional characters of all time, so finally finding out what their fate will be is very stressful. Due to the post-apocalyptic theme, the characters have all hardened their outer shells (both physically and mentally) in order to maintain their composure, or to at least appear in control. With this, Cassie has become one of my favorite female leads because she is a so strong and is someone who should not be trifled with. 

I expect that this book will really explore the central theme of this story (trust), since the second book focused so much on filling us in on bits of information. This really leaves leeway for Rick Yancey to pull together an action-packed plot. I think the characters will really begin to figure out who they are and will develop stronger relationships between each other. 

The Last Star is expected to be released May 17, 2016!

I am super stoked for this release! What are you waiting on?

Rick Yancey

Where to preorder:

Books-A-Million

Amazon

Book Depository

Book Boyfriends: William Herondale

                                  

I have seen many participate in this, specifically Reading Lark and so I decided I would give it a shot! Every monday I'll post a new favorite. Here are my book boyfriends!

Sigh, this Monday I finally return back to school. Senior year has begun! Let's celebrate with a book boyfriend --- William Herondale from The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.

Will is a seventeen year old, badass Shadowhunter in Victorian England. He is described to have dark (most likely luscious) hair, blue eyes, and overall a very good-looking face. We spend a lot of time talking about his graceful cheekbones and long lashes, as well as his beautifully sculpted jawline. Tessa described him as "every fictional hero she's ever conjured up in her head." Since he's been training as a Shadowhunter since he was twelve, Will has a slender, yet muscular frame. From his time working with weapons, his fingers are calloused and rough. Will is very caring and will do anything for the people he loves. He is very charming and thoughtful in the sweetest of ways, but he hides that under his playboy demeanor. He has a great capacity to love and spread his deeply hidden light. Will has an adoration for books, making him super intelligent and a romantic. 

My Will Fancast:

Joshua Anthony Brand is so perfect for Will. Ever since seeing this fan edit, I've never seen anyone else as Will. Thank you for your good looks.

Favorite Will Herondale quotes:

1. "It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them."

2. "You are the first dream, the only dream I ever was unable to stop myself from dreaming. you are the first dream of my soul, and from that dream I hope will come all other dreams, a lifetime's worth."

3. "She leaned forward and caught at his hand, pressing it between her own. The touch was like white fire through his veins. He could not feel her skin, only the cloth of her gloves, and yet it did not matter. You kindled me, heap of ashes that I am, into fire. He had wondered once why love was always phrased in terms of burning. The conflagration in his own veins, now, gave the answer."