Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Review: Half A King by Joe Abercrombie

Half a King 
by Joe Abercrombie
My Rating: 5 Stars


“I swore an oath to avenge the death of my father. I may be half a man, but I swore a whole oath.” 


 Prince Yarvi has vowed to regain a throne he never wanted. But first he must survive cruelty, chains, and the bitter waters of the Shattered Sea. And he must do it all with only one good hand.

 The deceived will become the deceiver.

Born a weakling in the eyes of his father, Yarvi is alone in a world where a strong arm and a cold heart rule. He cannot grip a shield or swing an axe, so he must sharpen his mind to a deadly edge.

 The betrayed will become the betrayer.


 Gathering a strange fellowship of the outcast and the lost, he finds they can do more to help him become the man he needs to be than any court of nobles could.

 Will the usurped become the usurper?
 But even with loyal friends at his side, Yarvi finds his path may end as it began—in twists, and traps, and tragedy.



This is the first book I've read by Abercrombie and trust me, it will not be the last. Probably my favorite book read in 2014.

With a memorable cast of characters and a gripping, unpredictable journey til the end, this book did not disappoint. It exceeded my expectations and I'm eager to read more of Joe Abercrombie's work.


Whip-cracking pace, full of action, adventure, betrayal and plot twists galore. I can not stress how entertaining and enjoyable this book was. I definitely see myself re-reading this in the future.

I'm thrilled that this is only book one in Joe Abercrombie's Shattered Sea Series and I'm anticipating the wait for the next installment.

A must read for Everyone!!!!!

5 STARS

**much thanks to the publishers @ Netgalley. This was a free copy for my honest review.

♥ BIG hugs and Lots of Love ♥




Waiting on Wednesday: The Young Elites and W.W.W. Wednesday



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly bookish meme, 
hosted by Breaking the Spine,
that showcase upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. 

Today's Book:

Marie Lu
Date of Release: October 7th, 2014

**I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.


Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.**

Okay, so I'm not going to lie. This is not this first time I have posted The Young Elites for my W.o.W. But that's okay, right!?!
The reason why I just had to post it a second time is because I got the chance to read a sneak peek, Chapter 1 preview! All I have to say about that is
WOW!! Freakin' give me the book NOW!!

Get ready to be blown away! Click here to read the first chapter of Marie Lu's The Young Elites.



"THE YOUNG ELITES is my new, upcoming YA series (the first book comes out in Fall 2014 from Putnam/Penguin Books). It's set in a fantasy, Renaissance-like world where magic is new and misunderstood, and where societies of dangerous young people with supernatural powers battle for supremacy. Think X-Men meets Assassin's Creed 2 meets Game of Thrones. (At least, that's the goal!) The following are some sources of inspiration that capture the general feel of the story.Marie Lu


Check out this quote and some awesome ideas Ms. Lu has conjured up on Pinterest, for her upcoming series, The Young Elites.

The only thing that sucks about this whole thing....
It does come out until October!


Bummer!

Now for a little something extra.......W.W.W. Wednesday :)

Because I've been away for a while I figured I'd update everyone on these three questions....

What am I currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you plan on reading next?


  • Currently Reading:

Half A King (Shattered Sea, #1)
By Joe Abercrombie

I am so in love with this book. It has consumed me from the very first page. I'm so absorbed and entertain by this book and Abercrombie's amazing storytelling. I don't want it to end. Sadly I'm almost done.
Good news there will be a second book, bad news....not until next year. I will be re-reading this magnificent masterpiece again....soon!




  • Recently Finished Reading:

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha, #3)
By Leigh Bardugo

I actually listened the audio-book, actually for Siege and Storm as well. I wasn't that impress with the first book, Shadow and Bone, but thankfully I listened to everyone's advice and did not give up on this series. I listened to Siege and Storm and fell instantly in love. As soon as that audio was finished, I IMMEDIATELY downloaded Ruin and Rising, listened to it non-stop. Cried, Cheered, Loved it! Leigh Bardugo is a wizard, magical with her words, brilliant with her storytelling! Sad it's over :(

By Josh Malerman

When I wasn't listening to an audio-book, I was reading Bird Box. Recommended by a friend who wanted to scare the bird shit out of me and succeeded. This book had me biting off every last bit of nails, I had, off. I read outside, always, so at night I had the porch light on but was constantly looking around, over my shoulder, eyes WIDE open!! This was a short, easy to read thriller. So intense and addicting, you won't want to put it down. Great read!


The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archives, #1)
By Brandon Sanderson

Not much to say about this one other than BRILLIANT!

Brandon Sanderson is my all time favorite Fantasy storyteller. He definitely knows how to create another world and characters, writing in such a descriptive way that you'll truly believe that it's all real, a part of history. Thanks to our WoK read-along and the master-mind behind it all, Kritika @ Snowflakes and Spidersilk. Check out her blog for out discussion on The Way of Kings Read-Along.


  • Plan on Reading Next:

There's no guarantee what's coming next. My mind is always changing by the hour when it comes to reading. Sometimes I'll pick a book up, read the first couple of sentences and just not be feeling it at that time. Pick up another book and the same thing might happen.....it just keeps going on like that until I get that feeling. Lol... I don't know. I'm weird!
Do any of you get like that????
Here are some that I do have in mind, either for reading or audio. (I usually do one of each)


(The First Law, book 1)
by Joe Abercrombie










by Erika Johansen









by Hugh Howey









I've been M.I.A. for a month, almost two, now and I'm sad that I've missed out on so much (blogging, that is)
I've missed a lot of my blogger friends, especially! Y'all know who you are. Even though I wasn't blogging, y'all made sure to tweet me, message me, find some kind of way of letting me know that y'all cared. That was freakin' awesome! Love you guys.
Now I'm back, trying to get into the grove again. It's, not going to lie, A LOT harder now. My kids are growing up, making blogging a bit difficult, LOL! For those of you that don't know, I have a 3 and half year old and a 1 year old. So yea, they're into everything!
Please bare with me....


I'm going to try my hardest to blog on a daily basis again. Wish me luck guys.
I got a lot of catching up to do!

♥ BIG hugs and Lots of Love ♥

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Top Ten Authors I Own The Most Books Of


Top Ten Tuesdays is a meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish that features a new topic each week where we have to put down our top ten of it.

Today's Topic:

Authors That I Own The Most Books From

Stephen King: 14 books (and not stopping there)

Now I have to be completely honest. Yes, I own 14 of his books but have I read them all.....No, unfortunately. 
One day though......

Books owned: The Shining, Pet Sematary, Under the Dome, Doctor Sleep, Thinner, Four Past Midnight, and The Dark Towers Series (1-7, including The Wind Through the Keyhole)



Neil Gaiman: 12 books (and never will I stop until I own everything by this amazing man)

Everything I've had the opportunity to read by this brilliant being, I have loved. He is such a creative genius! My goal in life is to own everything this guy puts out. Hands down, my favorite author!!
OMG, and have your heard him narrate is books. Beautiful. I could listen to him read to me, all day, everyday. For the rest of my life. *sigh*

Books Owned: Neverwhere, Anansi Boys, American Gods, The Graveyard Book, Coraline, Stardust, The Ocean At The End of The Lane, MirrorMask, Fortunately The Milk, Stories, Good Omens, The Truth is A Cave in the Mountain, The Sandman: Endless Nights.....Not too mention books written about him ;)

Clive Barker: 12 books 

This author opened up my eyes and mind, showing me how creative writing can be. He definitely stimulated my imagination, introducing me to, which is now my favorite, the Fantasy Genre. And for that, I will forever be grateful!!

Books Owned: The Thief of Always, Weaveworld, Imajica, Mister B. Gone, Galilee, Incarnations, Cabal, The Hellbound Heart, The Great and Secret Show, Everville, Abrat, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War

Chuck Palahniuk: 7 books

Recommended by a friend, this author blew my mind. I fell for his risky, vulgar and straight "I don't give a fuck" writing and for his bizarre plot twists and extremely original creations. 

Plus I always learn some raunchy new words from him, to add to my dictionary of vile language ;)

Books Owned: Fight Club, Invisible Monsters, Lullaby, Snuff, Tell-All, Damned, and Haunted


Brandon Sanderson: 9 books (never gonna stop)

I will continue to get every thing written by this wonderful writer. He is just phenomenal at what he does and what he creates. The worlds he creates, the characters he introduces, OMG! I could go on and on. He is just an amazing storyteller. LOVE HIM!! I don't know who it was that recommended Sanderson to me but, whoever is was...THANK YOU!

Books Owned: Mistborn: The Final Empire (book 1), The Well of Ascension (Mistborn 2), The Hero of Ages (Mistborn 3), The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archives 1), Words of Radiance (Stormlight Archives 2), The Rithmatist, Elantris, The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Times 12), and Towers of Midnight (Wheel of Times 13)

J.K. Rowling: 7 books

We all have this one in common, I imagine!
The only books I own of hers is the 7 books in The Harry Potter Series.

Books Owned: Harry Potter Series (books 1-7) Y'all know what they are, LOL!!






Karen Marie Moning: 6 books

Recommended by friends on Goodreads and we're doing an "end of summer" read-along to Moning's Fever series.

Books Owned: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, Shadowfever and Iced



Rick Riordan: 5 books

Percy Jackson and the Olympians 1-5
Own but haven't read yet :( 
Eeeekkkk....I know! Tsk tsk!!

Books Owned: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series 1-5



Own 4 of their books:
Garth Nix: Abhorsen Series 1-3 and Across the Wall
Laini Taylor: Daughter of Smoke & Bones 1-3 and Dream Dark
Patrick Ness: Chaos Walking Series 1-3 and A Monster Calls
Christopher Paolini: The Eragon Series 1-4
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy 1-3





Own 3 of their books:
Veronica Roth: The Divergent Series
Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games Series
Melina Marchetta: The Lumatere Chronicles
Marissa Meyers: The Lunar Chronicles (this number of books will change, her 4th book comes out in 2015)
Scott Lynch: The Gentleman Bastard Series ( more books coming soon)


I'm sure these numbers will change for some of these authors. More books will be coming out for some of their series and I, of course, will be going out to get them, adding them to the on going amount of books I own.

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH!

P.S.
I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaccckkkkkk!!! :)


 BIG HUGS and Lots of Love