MY NEW ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK

The Name of the Wind 

Written by: Patrick Rothfuss
(The Kingkiller Chronicle #1)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Release date: March 2007

     
      

"MY NAME IS KVOTHE

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me."

So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature--the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.

WINDWITCH - MY FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2017

Those of you who follow my blog regularly know that Truthwitch was one of my favorite reads last year and main protagonists Safiya & Merik even made it to my top favorite ships of 2016. To say that I was super excited to read sequel, would be an understatement. I simply could not wait to get my hands on Windwitch. So imagine my disappointment when it did not meet my expectations at all...

Windwitch (The Witchlands #2)

Written by: Susan Dennard

Published by: Tor Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release date: January 10th 2017

       
           

Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…

After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands. 

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: YOUNG ADULT FANTASIES

Today I am here with reviews of two ARCs that I read in September but forgot to share my thoughts on them. I am sorry for the delay but better late than never, right?

(check my Rating System for detailed explanations of my quick rating)

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF CROOKED KINGDOM

It has been long since I read a book that inspired me to write full and proper review. Until today. Crooked Kingdom completely blew me away and I simply have to share my thoughts with you!

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2)

Written by: Leigh Bardugo

Published by: Henry Holt and Co.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release date: September 27th 2016

        
          

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world. 

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: ADDITIONS TO FAVORITE SERIES

There are book series and THE BOOK SERIES. For me, there are only few series that belong to the second group and Harry Potter and Experiment in Terror definitely belong among them. So imagine my joy when I found out that there weas 8th Harry Potter book as well as EIT spin-off novel coming out this summer. How do I feel after reading them both? Read on.

 (check my Rating System for detailed explanations of my quick rating)

NO MORE WAITING #7: THE WINNER'S TRILOGY

Are you fed up with cliffhangers? Are you not patient enough to wait months for next instalment when reading series? Or do you just prefer to completely lose yourself in story and marathon all the books together? If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, this post is for you. NO MORE WAITING is a feature on my blog that spotlights completed series. You can look forward to spoiler-free reviews and graphic arts to accompany it.

The Winner's Trilogy 

Written by: Marie Rutkoski

Genre: YA Fantasy Romace 

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

         

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

REVIEW: 5 REASONS THAT MAKE TRUTHWITCH BY SUSAN DENNARD YOUR NEXT BOOK-HUNGOVER-WORTHY READ

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1)
Written by: Susan Dennard
Published by: Tor Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo
Release date: January 5th 2016

       
          

On a continent ruled by three empires, some are born with a “witchery”, a magical skill that sets them apart from others.

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble—as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her—but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast into one of reckless adventure, where she is a cool, wary balance to Safi’s hotheaded impulsiveness.

Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship’s captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

NO MORE WAITING #4 :FIRE AND THORNS SERIES

Are you fed up with cliffhangers? Are you not patient enough to wait months for next instalment when reading series? Or do you just prefer to completely lose yourself in story and marathon all the books together? If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, this post is for you. NO MORE WAITING is a feature on my blog that spotlights completed series. You can look forward to spoiler-free reviews and graphic arts to accompany it.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Written by: Rae Carson

Published by: Greenwillow Books

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

        

All three volumes of Rae Carson's New York Times‒bestselling The Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy plus the three novellas set in the same world, available together! An insecure princess with an unclear destiny becomes a secret bride, a revolutionary, a queen, and—finally—the champion her world so desperately needs in this epic fantasy series that Tamora Pierce called "engrossing" and that Veronica Roth said was "intense, unique . . . definitely recommended."

Once every century, one person is chosen for greatness. But the prophecy is vague, and Elisa has no idea why she was chosen or how she will fulfill the expectations. Her future is unknown and her potential is tremendous—even if she doesn't realize it. A sweeping fantasy series about a young woman finding her true strength, this is perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones. 

REVIEW: FANGIRLING OVER SIX OF CROWS

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Published by: Henry Holt and Company

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release date: September 29th 2015

Purcase: Amazon / B&N / Kobo

        
          

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.  

REVIEW: CARRY ON BY RAINBOW ROWELL

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Release date: October 6th 2015

Purchase: Amazon / B&N

    
     

Rainbow Rowell continues to break boundaries with Carry On, an epic fantasy following the triumphs and heartaches of Simon and Baz from her beloved bestseller Fangirl.

Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he’ll be safe. Simon can’t even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can’t stop worrying about the evil git. Plus there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you’re the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story — but far, far more monsters. 

ARC REVIEW: WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson
(The Gold Seer Trilogy #1)
Published by: Greenwillow Books
Release date: September 22nd 2015
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy

       

         

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Timesbestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research.

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: YA WITH EXOTIC SETTING

Today, as a part of my Two Quick Reviews feature, I will compare two YA novels which were inspired by Arabian Nights stories. Both novels are first books in fantasy series and both are set in magical world a lá Orient style. Which one won me over?

(check my Rating System for detailed explanations of my quick rating)

TWO QUICK REVIEWS: BATTLE OF FANTASY RETELLINGS

For this month's Two Quick Reviews post I decided to pick up and compare two recently released and highly praised fantasy fairy tale retellings. Who won? 

"Red Riding Hood" or "Beauty and the Beast"?

ARC REVIEW: RED QUEEN BY VICTORIA AVEYARD

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

(The Red Queen Trilogy #1)

Published by: Orion

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release date: February 10th 2015

     
      

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

NO MORE WAITING #1: THE GIRSHA TRILOGY

Are you fed up with cliffhangers? Are you not patient enough to wait months for next instalment when reading series? Or do you just prefer to completely lose yourself in story and marathon all the books together? If you answered "yes" to at least one of these questions, this post is for you. NO MORE WAITING is a new feature on my blog that will spotlight completed series. You can look forward to spoiler-free reviews, graphic arts to accompany it and interesting discussions.

REVIEW: GOLDEN SON BY PERCE BROWN

I'm starting new year with a bang. My first review in 2015 is of the book I read couple of weeks ago but still can't stop thinking about. It is completely spoiler-free so you can read it even if you haven't started this series yet (in such a case, I suggest you put everything aside and read first book Red Rising right now!)

Golden Son (Red Rising #2)
Written by: Pierce Brown
Published by: Del Rey

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / BD
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy

       
        

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within. A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of fiction’s most exciting new voices.

REVIEW: RED RISING BY PIERCE BROWN

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

(Red Rising Trilogy #1)

Published by: Del Rey

Genre: Sci-Fi / Dystopia

Release date: January 28th 2014

    
      

The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie. That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda.

MY REVIEW:

Wow, what a page-turner! I am impressed. Red Rising is outstanding debut novel by Pierce Brown, phenomenal introduction into new series and my personal new favorite of this year.

I'm not going to provide summary of this book. It would be too long and it wouldn't do this complex story justice. You need to read this book yourself, experience it all on your own without having any knowledge of storyline or spoilers. After all, this is kind of the book that, plot-wise, you should definitely go into blind. But what I can tell you is how this story made me feel, what kind of impression it left on me. And let me tell you, it affected me big time!

Red Rising is one of the most creative and captivating stories I have had the pleasure of reading. Its imaginary took my breath away and heart-stopping situations often left me in goose bumps. Moreover, world building is done perfectly. This great introduction into dystopian society will grab your attention from the first pages of this novel and its twists will keep you anxious and entertained till the very end.

Red Rising is story about death and sacrifice, about big dreams and broken ideals. It is story that most definitely won't let you indifferent. Power, freedom, justice, politics and loyalty. All these topics have been used countless times in the books before. ButPierce Brown gives them new shining, he shows them in his own singular light. And result is awe-inspiring and enthralling.

Most importantly, I can't forget to mention writing style. I absolutely loved how author managed to narrate this novel. It was straightforward, fast-paced and attention-grabbing. There was not a single thing I would not love about it and I can't recommend this book enough to all those who love great storytelling.

This novel shows us one thing. When you live for the dreams of others, you can easily lost your true self in the process. Will that be Darrow's fate? I already can't wait to read next instalment - Golden Son!

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REVIEW: Dust to Dust by Karina Halle

My favourite series has come to an end. It is a bittersweet feeling. I truly recommend this series to everyone who likes out of norm stories with intriguing plot. #TeamDerryForever

Dust to Dust by Karina Halle

(Experiment in Terror #9)

Purchase: Amazon / B&N / iTunes

Synopsis:

The dramatic conclusion to the Experiment in Terror Series.

Perry Palomino and Dex Foray.

On their own, they’re uniquely brilliant. Together, they’re an unstoppable team.

Until now.

Because after everything the duo has encountered, they haven’t come across an evil quite like this. An evil that has been years in the making, an evil that will stop at nothing until they, and everyone they care for, are destroyed.

Dex and Perry’s love has survived a multitude of sins.

But can it survive the end?

THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MATURE READERS AUDIENCES ONLY. HOWEVER, THIS REVIEW ITSELF DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL.

* 5 STARS * Review:

"I love you," I whimpered. "Always. Beyond death."

What can I say? Dust to Dust is definitely one big finale to this phenomenal series. The big finale that all fans of Experiment In Terror series have been waiting for and simultaneously have been dreading to read since they knew they would have to say goodbye to our beloved Dex and Perry.

Do you think that nothing can surprise you? You are dead wrong. Karina Halle has one wicked mind of a genius and you have to trust me when I say that you will find yourself breathless and speechless quite often while reading this novel.

Do you think that nothing can scare you? Think twice. Because you have obviously never read anything like this book. Our main duo has never been in such a big trouble as in this book and my heart was constantly racing with all the anxiety. So prepare yourself for a great dose of creepiness and heart-stopping situations.

Do you never/rarely cry when it comes to fictional characters? The fact that you got so far in the series as book #9 means that you care. And if you care about Dex and Perry, this novel won’t leave you indifferent when it comes to emotions and touching moments.

"We were Dex and Perry and our relationship seemd to thrive on the universe being out of order."

And my favourite part of this book? I loved that Karina Halle still kept Dex’s sarcasm no matter what messed up situations protagonists found themselves in. His unmistakable humour is one of reasons that make Dex so special in my eyes and I was glad it was still present in this instalment.

Experiment In Terror is my all time favourite series taking place in our contemporary word. It has been unforgettable journey and an incredible experience to get to know Dex and Perry. And now I am truly sad to say goodbye. Karina Halle did fantastic job with creating this series and if you haven’t read it yet, you are most definitely missing out!

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