Little bit of everything

Hi bookworms!
I just wanted to say that I am still here. I´ts been a busy week. I went back to work after my vacation was over and I had a lot of stuff to do. I didn˙t do much reading this past few days. I read the first 10 volumes of Sailor Moon manga.
I watched the first episode of the remake so I got a little nostalgic and wanted to go back to that time when I was a little kid so that is the reason why I was re reading the manga series. I love that anime and manga so much. It was the first anime/manga series I have ever watched/read .
I did start the Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa and I did start re reading City of Heavenly Fire. Hopefully I´ll finish both of these books by the end of this week. I love the Iron Legends so far, and I´m taking my time with CoHF because when it was released I read it in a day. And in this re read I´m sort of focusing on every detail in the book so I can do a review on that, since it is the conclusion to one of the best series I have ever read.
I have some book series recommendations planned. I thought I would do one every week. Tomorrow I will post the second one, since I already have one book series recommendation on the blog and its the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. And if you haven´t read this series you really need to check it out because it is really amazing.
Other than writing and reading I was listening to music a lot. Music is something that I can´t live without. I listen to my favorite bands everyday. To me its just as important as reading... Or breathing to be honest. Right now I´m in love with 5 Seconds of Summer. I honestly think there is not a single person that hasn´t heard of them. I love their style of music because it´s the thing that I like to listen to (punk rock) and I am actually planning on going to the London show next year since that way I can go to London and go to the concert of my new favorite band.

Well this is all the update I have for now. I will try to be more regular with my posts. This is the first time I´m actually blogging so I really need to learn how to organize my time and the things I post here.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask and don´t forget to google + this post ;)

Happy reading awesome bookworms <3 

Spellbound in his arms by Angel Sefer

 I was given this book by the author for an honest review.

Goodreads summary:

 A mansion full of secrets…
From the moment investigative reporter Jackie Alexander steps foot inside the mansion dominating the Demiris estate on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu, her suspicions are on high alert. This is no ordinary assignment… The life of her beloved cousin, Aphrodite, is in grave danger, as the heirs to the incredible fortune of Greek tycoon Andreas Demiris die one after the other, under mysterious circumstances…
A man with secrets of his own…
The only person who can help Jackie is Michael Apostolou, former Special Forces Officer and one of the finest detectives on the Athens police force. Soon enough though, Jackie realizes, that despite her simmering desire for him, she can’t really trust him, as the seductive detective seems to be investigating those mysterious deaths for reasons of his own…
Trusting the wrong person can be deadly…
Jackie and Michael are forced to work together, but the suspicions and unanswered questions are devouring them, just like their rising passion for each other. In games like this, the stakes are high and the players are ruthless… When Jackie is kidnapped by the most dangerous player of all, time is running out, as Michael is forced to choose between jeopardizing his mission and personal quest for justice, or the life of the gorgeous intruder of his heart…

 

MY THOUGHTS: 

Spellbound In His Arms is an adult mystery romance novel. I gave it 4/5 stars on Goodreads, but its more like a 3.5 /5 stars. I had a few problems with the book. At first the story line was really good and it was interesting, but then at some point in the book I felt as though there were a lot of skipped things, skipped parts, or that the parts of the story were not well explained. I felt that the idea of this story is really great but it was definitely missing details.
I wouldn´t  complain if the book was longer then it was.  I found it kind of short.
What I loved about the story itself was that it was a really great mystery story, even up till the very end. Some of the parts in the story surprised me so much, because I really didn´t expect them to happen.
It was action packed and interesting and the writing style was pretty good, because the author kind of pulls you in the story which is always a plus in my book.
I didn´t like the romance part because it was really predictable and it didn´t feel real. I get that when they met they felt the attraction but all other interactions between the two main characters was unbelievable and ridiculous.
I really wanted to see them two grow through out the book as a couple but that didn´t happen. At one moment they were not a couple and then the next thing they were getting married. So it wasn´t real as far as a real life relationship goes.

I´m not going to go into the storyline itself because I really want you guys to read this book by yourself and make your own opinion about it. And I really don´t wan to spoil the book for anyone.

All I can say is that I did enjoy the story, although it definitely was lacking details that I though were important, and I did like the characters but not so much their interactions because it just was not written good, it wasn´t convincing. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a light and quick read. 

If you already have read this book let me know what you thought about it in the comments down below. I f you are interested in reading it here is the Amazon link for the Kindle version:

My reading update!

Hi bookworms.
This Friday I couldn´t do my Friday Reads for the weekend because I had problems with the internet connection but thank God that is solved right now.
Last week I have read the last book in the Iron Fey series : ˝The Iron Knight˝by Julie Kagawa and I have so much to write about that book beacuse it was amazing. I will write the review for that one today. I started reading ˝Spellbound in His Arms ˝by Angel Sefer . It´s a mistery romance novel. I´m currently on chapter 9 and it is really good so far. I have some issues with the romance part of the book but I will write about that in the review when I finish the book. 
I honestly don´t know what will I be reading this week. I have a few books to choose from but we will see. There is 95% chance I will read the second book of The Greek Isles series: ˝Deadly Secrets˝ and then I will start The Murder Complex.

I hope you had a great reading weekend bookworms. I definitely did. My goodreads challenge for this year is improving . I´m almost at the half of the amount of books I have challenged myself to read this year. I don´t take it that serious but it´s a good way of keeping track of what I have already read.

Hope you have a great week , and I hope you read a good book.

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” 

 
  -Charles William Eliot

Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

My name is Meghan Chase.

˝I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back...˝

(source: Goodreads)

Yes this is another 5 star book from Julie Kagawa. This is the third book in the Iron Fey series, and yes I finished this book in a day. I am not saying it´s strange for me to finish a book in a day since I am a really fast reader but that kind of reading is reserved only for really , really good books.

This will not be a spoiler free review, there will be some major spoilers ahead so you have been warned. 

MY THOUGHTS ( SPOILERS AHEAD ) :

First of all I just need to say one thing. I love, absolutely love Julie Kagawa´s writing style. I just don´t have the words to describe how much I love her writing. It is so beautiful and amazing .I wish all the writers would write the way she does. She makes this bond between you and her characters, like not many writers can make. Love it. Definitely will continue reading her books. She has become one of my favorite authors ever because of these books.

And now, about the story. I loved every part of this book, every single character  was written perfectly. I loved Meghan developing as a character. She has become so strong, and that was what I wanted after reading the second book in the series.  She was weak in Iron Daughter , a damsel in distress  and now she is the Queen, and not just by the title but with her personality and bravery.  

She has come a long way as a character. All the characters in this book did. I loved to see them all develop and sort of mature. 

Ash has become someone I really like and who I can see with Meghan. Much less moody than in the two books before. He is finally opening up to her and trusting her with her decisions even though some times it´s still hard for him because he is afraid of loosing her. One of the best moments in the book was when Meghan asked him to teach her how to fight and when he said that he was thinking the same thing. that meant he is finally starting to see her as his equal. 

Meghan and Ash´s relationship is finally that, a relationship  . When she asked him to be her knight I was so happy, and i could feel all the emotions of that scene. It was one of the most beautifully written scenes of the book. 

Puck has sort of come to terms that he will always be Meghan´s best friend but still in some of the sentences he says you can see he is still hoping to be something more in the future. I do love Puck, and I really want  some happiness for him in the last book. 

There are a few new/old characters in this book. I was happy/sad to see that Ironhorse has taken care of some of the things Meghan needed even though he died in the second book. As I said in my previous review he is one of the characters that I honestly never thought I would love as much as I do now. 

Grimalkin is here being sarcastic and sassy as always. I love when they are walking through the Nevernever to find the Iron King and suddenly Grim disappears ,and you know there´s something going to pop up . When he is gone there is always trouble. 

We meet Glitch , the first lieutenant of the last Iron King Machina . he is here to stop Meghan from going on a quest of finding the new Iron King because he is afraid that if the Iron King kills Meghan he would become unstoppable . I liked his character. I sort of imagined him to look like punk Puck. 

This story was so action packed . It had that sort of Lord of The Rings feel to it. I love when a story involves a quest because there is always so much mystery, unexpected events, and action.

A lot of events happen before the war against the False King starts. The Iron Fey rebels have grouped with Summer and Winter to defeat the forces of the False King. It was an epic battle , Meghan´s speech was inspiring, and I was able to picture her on that horse talking to the mass of Iron rebels  and them responding to her with their fists in the air. It was like watching an epic movie. 

Oberon and Mab were there controlling their forces  and fighting alongside the rebels. I loved the moment when Mab made a path for Meghan so that she could get to the False King´s fortress. I could have imagined Meghan´s face in that moment, because I had the same ˝What ?? ˝face as her.

When Meghan , Ash and Puck finally come to the fortress they learn the identity of The False King. It´s Ferrum . Old and angry man that Meghan met in the second book in the tunnels that were leading to the castle of king Machina. I sort of knew it was him already in the second book so that wasn´t that much of a surprise. What was surprising to me, and what eventually made me sob uncontrollably was when Meghan finally realizes how to control both the Summer and the Iron inside herself and when i realized what she was about to do. The moment when she lets go, and the moment when Ferrum hits her was when I had to put down the book. It was so emotional I couldn´t go on. And from that moment till the end there were just more and more tears coming down my face. 

And just when I thought I couldn´t be more heartbroken , comes that scene when Meghan says to Ash that she wants to go back to the place where all began, to the tree that grew when she killed Machina so she can transfer her powers to that tree , so she can save all Nevernever. And Ash says that  he is going to take her there, even though it was in the heart of Iron Realm and it could kill him. Puck says goodbye to her in his own Puck way, and Ash takes her away. 

When Meghan released Ash and used his real name to make him leave so she could save him, the moment before she thought she would die, I knew she was going to live and  then it really hit me. She send Ash away. she survived because the magic she send to the tree healed her and she was the Iron Queen now.

And then there was the council meeting where she was presented as the Iron Queen to Winter and Summer courts. Puck was there and was happy she was alive, but there was no Ash. 

In the epilogue she goes to see her family to tell them everything that has happened and to tell them she is not coming back for some time. When she starts to go back from the house she finds a dog, with a chain around his neck that tells her that this is a gift from Ash. She thinks she can sense him nearby but she doesn´t see him.

And at the very end of the book we get Ash´s point of view where he is looking at her and the dog while he is hidden behind a tree. And Puck is near him too. Ash is going on a quest to find a way to be with Meghan again and Puck is going with him to help.

This was the best book in the series so far. I have one more book to read and that is The Iron Knight and a few novellas to complete the series. 

I am starting to read Iron Knight today and I think I will read it by tomorrow. This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. I had so many emotions while I was reading this book it was unbelievable.   I recommend it to everyone. Even though you think you don´t like faerie  stories you will love them after you read this books.

Happy reading awesome bookworms <3 

 

Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Iron Daughter is the second book in the Iron Fey series, This is a young adult fantasy series that is set in the real ( mortal ) world and the world of the Fey called Nevernever.
You can check out the review for the first book in the series here:

Iron King  by Julie Kagawa

THE IRON DAUGHTER 

 

Goodreads description : Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

MY THOUGHTS (few spoilers ahead):

 I have to say I really enjoyed the book. I would probably give it 4.5 out of 5 stars because I had a few problems with our main character. But since you can´t really give the 0.5 on goodreads I will keep the rating that I´ve posted there.
I loved the storyline and the dynamic between all of the characters.
The world that Julie has made surprises me the most. It is absolutely brilliantly written and it always seems to amaze me. I love her writing style. She is the sort of author that can really make you, the reader,become a part of her story.

Now I said I had a few problems with the main character, Meghan. It´s just that I wanted more from her in the second book. I get that she was getting used to the Fey world in the first book, but I really thought we would see her shine in this one. She acted , in some parts of the book, like a brat. And it sort of made me not like her that much. But then she came through by the end of the book so that made me look past all the negative parts. Although I really wish to see some of her fighting side in the third book.

I loved the romance between Ash and Meghan. I can definitely see them together in the end. And although I love Puck, I really don´t see  Meghan ever having feelings for him like she does for Ash.
What , to me at least, is interesting is that in every book I have read so far I could have picked a side , my OTP of the story, with no problem. But I can´t in this one. I don´t even think of it as a triangle. I see Puck as Meghan´s best friend and Ash as her true love and that is that. I didn´t even have to pick sides. Don´t get me wrong Puck fans. I know Puck loves her and I can see she cares about him but the two of them just don´t feel right.

The story is action packed and full of mystery. Some of the things I read really surprised me. Even some of the characters too. I really didn´t think I would like Ironhorse  as much as I did but I loved him.
Other character that I loved , and I love him more with each book, is Grimalkin. He is so sarcastic and funny , you just have to like him.

Overall this book is amazing. If you love YA, if you love fantasy with a bit of romance and mystery I encourage you to go and buy this book. It is a fantastic read that will definitely leave you wanting for more.

I am already half way through the third book right now and trust me when I say, that this is one of the best series you will ever read.

You can check out this book on Amazon :

Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa on Amazon

Happy reading awesome bookworms <3

Friday Reads

For all those who don´t already know ˝Friday Reads˝ is a hash tag on twitter where you just list what you will be reading this weekend. I saw it first on youtube and then on twitter so I decided to bring it on my blog too.

 

So this weekend I will be finishing ( finally ) the second book from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa which is The Iron Daughter. After that I have two more books from that series but I don´t think I will start them this weekend but who knows. I have to see how this one ends.

Next on my reading list is going to be a book from my TBR pile for this month and that is The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings. As I said I don´t know much about this book, just some things I read on tumblr but it was enough to catch my attention so I will give this book a try.

If I finish The Murder Complex I will read Fangirl by R. Rowell . I have been planning to read this book for months now and I just didn´t get the chance to pick it up yet. I have heard some amazing things about this book so I am looking forward to start reading it.

Well this is my pick for this weekend.
As always if you have something to say feel free to use the comment box down below and happy reading bookworms <3

Book series recommendation : The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

The Throne of Glass Series  by  Sarah J. Maas

˝Nothing is a coincidence.

Everything has a purpose.

You were meant to come to this castle,

Just as you were meant to be an assassin.˝

This is a fantasy, young adult series about a 18 year old girl named Celaena Sardothien , Adarlan´s most notorious assassin. 

She was living for a year in the salt mines of Endovier until the crown Prince of Adarlan offers her freedom if she becomes his champion in a  tournament to find the new royal assassin. If she can defeat twenty-three most dangerous killers , warriors and thieves in the land she will become the King´s Champion , she will serve the King, who destroyed her family and all the magic from the world, as an assassin for three years and then she will be granted her freedom.

She will soon find out that not only she has to worry how to win the tournament but also how to survive,  when the other competitors start dying in the most gruesome and mysterious ways. 

But in the Glass Castle Celaena will find love and she will find something she almost forgot existed, a real friend. 

Will her past come to haunt her, will she survive he tournament? That is something you will know after you read the book.

 

Since the first time I have read Throne of Glass , Sarah J. Maas has made my list of favorite authors, authors who´s works I had the privilege to read. Her character development is amazing as is her world building.
I have said it so many times before. When an author can make you feel the emotions of the characters, when she/he can make you feel for the characters than you know you have a good book in your hands.
She managed to make a strong main female character. Celaena is not a weak damsel in distress that waits for a prince to come and save her. Celaena is a strong, independent woman, she is badass heroine who will do anything and everything to save the people she cares about.

There is a love triangle in this book, but what I love, and I bow to Sarah J. Maas because of that, is that the triangle is not the main thing in the story. I don´t like it when the romance takes you away from the plot and in this book the romance was done in such a good way that you don´t hate any of the characters but actually care for all three of them. 

I loved the whole magic and mystery and fantasy in this books. The world building was done beautifully . You could almost imagine standing in the streets of the Rifthold and watching the people living their daily lives. Maas made you feel like you were the part of the story. And I loved every sentence of it.

This is , as I said , one of my favorite series of all time. This goes to the re-read shelf for me because I have re-read the first two books and the novelas a few times already and it never gets boring. I am so excited for The Heir of Fire coming out this year. The suspense is killing me and I wan´t to know how the story will continue. And I don´t have any doubt that Sarah J.M. will do an amazing job with the 3rd book as she did with the first two.

So go to a bookstore, buy the book and just read. You will not regret reading this book, I can promise you that much.

Happy reading bookworms <3

New releases in 2014. (second part of the year)

 I thought I would list some of the new releases for the rest of this year that I am most excited for, so here we go:

Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Putnam Books for Young Readers

Goodreads summary :


          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.

• I am looking forward to this series. I have read The Legend trilogy by Marie Lu and I loved it. I love her writing style and the way she tells the story, so this book is definitely already on my TBR list for this year.

Expected publication: August 5th 2014 by Entangled: Teen 

Goodreads summary:


    Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.
Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.
They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

• I absolutely love The Lux series by Jennifer L Armentrout. I love he character and the world building she did in those books. I ´ve been waiting for this book for so long and I can´t believe its almost here.  

  
Expected publication: September 2nd 2014 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens 

Goodreads summary: 

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

• One of the best series I have read in my life. Sarah J. Mass can make you feel all the emotions from the characters just by her writing style. You can see all the scenes from the book as though you are watching a movie. I love the characters, I love the plot, the action, the world building. One of the most exciting books I have ever read and I do believe ˝Heir of Fire˝ will be on the same level. I am really excited to continue with the series. 

 Expected publication: October 28th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

This book has no summary on goodreads yet, but I am excited anyway . I read ˝The Raven Boys˝  and  ˝The Dream Thieves˝ almost in one sitting. I love the books, even though I had some problem with Stiefvater writing style. I hope it will be as good as the rest of ˝The Raven Cycle ˝series.

 

 Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Disney-Hyperion 

Goodreads summary:


Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

•  I am a HUGE Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan fan. I love both of the series. I love how Rick made this world of gods and demigods. I have a huge respect for the authors who can build the whole world in their books, without messing something up in the process. I know these are the characters we know already from mythology but it takes imagination and knowledge to make what Rick made. I can´t wait for this book, and I pray to the gods that all the demigods survive.

 Expected publication: August 14th 2014 by Dial

Goodreads summary:

  Freddie once told me that the Devil created all the fear in 
                                          the world.
    But then, the Devil once told me that it's easier to forgive 
              someone for scaring you than for making you cry
 The problem with River West Redding was that he'd done
                                          both  to me.

The crooked-smiling liar River West Redding, who drove into Violet's life one summer day and shook her world to pieces, is gone. Violet and Neely, River's other brother, are left to worry—until they catch a two a.m. radio program about strange events in a distant mountain town. They take off in search of River but are always a step behind, finding instead frenzied towns, witch hunts, and a wind-whipped island with the thrum of something strange and dangerous just under the surface. It isn't long before Violet begins to wonder if Neely, the one Redding brother she thought trustworthy, has been hiding a secret of his own . . .

• This is the conclusion for ˝The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea˝. I have to tell you. I was pretty skeptical towards TDaTDBS and after I started reading it I was sucked into this world of mystery.  It is creepy, it is cute, it is action packed and it is lovely. i love the writing style. I love the way characters were portrayed. I hated the evil guy ( this is not something all authors can make you feel ) , and I loved he main characters ( which is also something that not all authors can achieve ) so I am really, really excited for this book. Not to mention the covers of these books are one of my favorite. They are absolutely beautiful. 

So these are the books I am most excited for this year ( well what is left of these year anyway because a lot of the books that I have been waiting for have already been published in the first part of the year).
I do know that a new book in the Bloodlines series is coming out this year too, but ( and don´t hate me ) I have not yet read this series. I loved The Vampire Academy but I sort of never started the Bloodlines although I have heard a lot of good things about the series. It is on my TBR though, so I will probably start it this year.

I am currently reading the second book in the ˝Iron Fey˝series which is ˝The Iron Daughter˝. I know I am a little late with my TBR for this month but I had a lot of things going on and now that they are all settled I will finally get some reading done.

If you have read any of these books or if you are excited for their release as much as I am let me know in the comment box, and also don´t forget to +this on Google+ and share it on facebook or twitter. It would mean a lot to me.

Happy reading bookworms <3