June Book Haul!

Today is the end of June! I cant believe we're already half way done with 2017! Scary! But now I get to share with ya'll the books I've accumulated this month alone... and its a lot. I went a little crazy this month and yes I am ashamed of myself. I am going on book buying ban for July! I will allow myself to buy only 2 books but only if necessary! (because you know, sometimes its necessary)

Anyway... here is my list!

Two books from Maggie Stiefvater! The Raven Boys and a hardcover of Shiver!

I don't own a hardcover of Shiver and the other two books in the series that I own are both hardcovers so I wanted them to match! So when I found Shiver at Half Price Books, I couldn't pass up the chance! And Ive always wanted to read The Raven Boys!

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall.

I'm not a huge contemporary fan but this books sounds so cute and I just couldn't resist!

Daughter Of The Sun by Barbara Wood - Got this one for Free!
The synopsis sounds so good! I love historical fiction and this one seems like a good one!

Fever by Lauren Destefano- also free! I have the first one in the series so why not!

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes.
Found it at Half Price Books and I couldn't resist picking it up! I'm excited to read this one! I've  Heard awesome things!


    Flame in the Mist by Renee Adhieh
Says its a Mulan retelling so obviously I needed it!






Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Another retelling, Beauty and The Beast this time! I have heard great things about this book and I really hope it lives up to them!








Siege and Storm , Ruin and Rising, and Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
I read Shadow And Bone last month and I cant stop thinking about it! Obviously I need all the other books in the trilogy! And I've heard amazing things about Six of Crows! apparently they say its even better that the Grisha Trilogy! How can that be?! Can my heart even handle that?!

So that's it! A lot, I know! So what books did you guys accumulate this month!?

Top Ten Tuesday

Its Tuesday again and that means it's time for Top Ten Tuesday again! This awesome feature is Hosted over at The Broke and The Bookish! This weeks topic is Best Books You've Read In 2017 So Far! The list is in no particular order!

1. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
So freaking good! I can't wait for the next book! Review for it on Thursday!
















2. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by John Tiffany
Very enjoyable! Liked it more than I thought I would!


















3. The Beast of Clan Kincaid by Lily Blackwood
Just reviewed it and I loved it!

4. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
OMG so good! I'm obsessed and I'm currently reading Seige and Storm! (I <3 The Darkling...) Review coming soon!















5. The Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Cruise
So funny and cute!
















6. Hunted by Megan Spooner
Its a new favorite! I LOVE this book!

And those are my best reads of 2017 so far! I cant wait to see what other amazing reads I get to enjoy this next half of the year! What books made your list?!

Review: The Beast Of Clan Kincaid

The Beast of Clan Kincaid
Lily Blackwood

Mass Market Paperback, 291 pages

Published May 31st 2016 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

A Highland warrior battles to reclaim his birthright in the first of a new series filled with seduction, revenge, and soul-stirring passion…

They call him the Beast—a hardened mercenary whose heart seems as cold as his icy blue gaze. They do not know his true name: Niall Braewick, son of the Laird of Kincaid. It has been years since he escaped into the forest the night his father was murdered. Now he has returned, ablaze with a vengeful hunger. He will gain the MacClaren chief’s trust, gather his clan, and take back his lands. And take the MacClaren’s daughter as well…

Though he pulled her from the river, saving her life, Elspeth has been warned to keep her distance from her father’s hired warrior. He is a barbarian—a shame, as he is far more compelling than the lechers and fools competing for her dowry. Little does she know that, like the castle itself, she is a prize Niall intends to claim…but will he extract blood for blood and possess what is his, or will his enemy’s beautiful, innocent daughter tempt him to forsake his dream of conquest?

Plot: Exciting. Its a story of revenge and forbidden romance! Two things that I cant resist! Also there's a good amount of politics going on through out the story as well and I really enjoyed that! It was fast paced and kept entertained and coming back for more!

Characters: They were all good! I really liked Elspeth! She was a strong willed young women who showed loyalty to her clan and her father and behaved very bravely in the situation in which she was being forced into. And Niall was also likable. He was a little more stereotypical brave macho man but still likable and sweet. The other characters were also likable enough. Not to memorable but at least there weren't any that were dislikable enough to be remembered.

At its best: The romance was obviously the best part! It kept me swooning and rooting for them! At one point I think I was smiling so hard and caught myself and ... stopped. (I was out in public...)

At its worst: It had some sexist parts buts its a historical romance so its to be expected. It also came close to sexual assault so if that might trigger you, maybe skip this one.

Read again: Yes!

Continue series: Yes! there are two more books in the series and I cant wait to get to them!

Final thoughts: It was a pleasure to read! Lily Blackwood did really good and her writing was very nice! I thoroughly enjoyed!

Rating:8 /10

Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of a Universe
Benjamin Alire Saenz
359 pages

Published February 21st 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. 





So I had heard from many, many people that this book was one of the most incredible books they'd ever read and so I went out and bought it expecting the same. And the book itself has won bunches of awards! So yeah, I completely believed the hype and was pretty excited to read it! Well... I did not get the same feeling from this novel as everyone else. And actually, I believe that I would have enjoyed it way more if I hadn't been spoiled by a couple people on goodreads. And I don't know if people don't realize that they're spoiling the book but ... they are. However, before you read on, if this is one of your favorite books in the world please don't take this review as a negative one! Just cause I didn't enjoy it as much as you or everyone else doesn't mean that the book itself is not good!

Plot: There is none. The book is basically all dialogue. Nothing really happens. And I'm a person who is very plot driven. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy character development too. But I like for there to be an even amount of plot and character development in my books. So I was pretty bored with this novel.

Characters: The Parents and Dante were the best! I loved Dante and thought he was the most precious human being ever! I wish we had gotten his perspective instead of Ari's. And I loved how loving and involved the parents were! We never get to see that in YA novels! We need more family heavy YA books out there!

Setting: Like I said, the book was mostly dialogue so...

At its best: The relationships between the boys and the boys and their parents is what really made me enjoy this book! I loved seeing how much the boys loved their parents! And the parents were the sweetest people ever! Especially Dante's parents! I also loved the representation of an American/Mexican family. I am American/Mexican and I could relate to so many things in this book! Especially the way Dante felt about his heritage. (that part hit me deeper than I thought it would!)

At its worst: Honestly the worst part about this book was Ari. And that was unfortunate since he's the perspective we have to read through. He was just so angry and moody all the time! and I under stand that it was because he was going through changes with himself but I just didn't wanna deal with it! Also the Writing style just wasn't for me! I could not connect with it at all. A lot of the dialogue was so random and unnatural. The way some of the conversations read were very weird and short. I just didn't get it.

Read again: Probably not, but I would recommend it to other people looking for books like this one.

Final thoughts: I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. Like I mentioned above, I think the book was spoiled for me. If I hadn't known what would happen at the end, I might have actually been pleasantly surprised! But the writing style just wasn't for me and the book itself just dragged for me.

Rating: 6/10

Top Ten Tuesday

  

Top Ten Tuesday time! This feature is hosted over at The broke and the bookish and this week the topic is top ten series I've been meaning to start but haven't yet! If I listed off all the series that I have meant to start but haven't yet, it would crazy long! So instead I'm gonna go only with the series I haven't started that are on my bookshelves. This is gonna be embarrassing and hopefully a WAKE UP call for me!

1.  Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.

I own the first book and bought it a long time ago, probably when it frist came out! I must of bought it during my awful reading slump! (that's gonna be my excuse anyway). I need to start it this year!

2. The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare.

I know, I know! But in my defense, I blame it on the fact that I couldn't finish City Of Ashes! I just couldn't get through it! But everyone says this series is way better so I still am gonna give it a try!

3. The Seven Realms series by Cinda Willi

I've had it forever! I even have the second novel! Another one That I swear I'm gonna start it this year!

4. The Cahill Witch Chronicles by Jessica Spotswood

I also bought this book forever ago and just haven't picked it up! And I love that cover so much! I heard they've changed them and that they aren't as pretty as this one... :(

5.  Across the Universe trilogy by Beth Revis

Another book I bought long, long ago! I don't even remember what the synopsis says! I should be ashamed of myself!

6.  The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

I cant even come up with an excuse for this one...

7. The Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin

No more excuses left in me...

And That's all of them I think... Wow. I'm a mess. And I cant even begin to count all the series I've started but haven't finished...

Well now that I've shamed myself, hopefully I'll hold myself accountable! Also I need to work on my impulsive buying habits!  Let me know what series you haven't started yet but have been wanting to!

Flash Back Friday!

Flash Back Friday is a new thing I'm going to be doing on my blog every Friday (or at least I'm gonna try every Friday). Its basically where I post about a book or something that I loved that I haven't really  talked about for a while and feel like reminiscing about. So......

This Friday I flash back to when I read the Raised By Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes! I have been thinking about this series all week!

    

I remember the first book not being my favorite but still deciding to stick it out and keep going with the series! And boy am I glad that I did! it was so freaking good! I could not believe how amazing the second book was! It literally blew my mind! and the third book was the same as the second! so so good! I'm serious! If your looking for an awesome werewolf series, this is it!

P.S. I saw on goodreads that there was another book in this series published in 2015 and i had no idea! I need to check it out ASAP!

Review: We Were Liars By E. Lockhart

We Were Liars
E. Lockhart
242 pages

Published May 13th 2014 by Delacorte Press

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

There was a lot of hype when this book was released and maybe that was what made me feel disappointed when I finished it. I just expected it to be , I don't know, Better? I guess? I just expected more than what I was given.

Plot: tbh there wasn't much of a plot. The whole book is spent by following Cadence, the main protagonist, through her summer on her rich, white family's island and her trying to remember some accident that happened to her that no one wants to remind her about. Nothing really happens. Not till the end at least. It was incredibly boring.

Characters: No characters really stood out in a positive or negative way. They were all boring and I didn't get attached to any of them. And reading through Cadence's view was honestly a drag.

Setting: Forgettable. No, seriously. I cant remember anything about the island.

At its best: The best part of the book is when they talk about the golden retrievers...

At its worst: So boring! It took me like 3 weeks to finish it because I just didn't wanna read it. The only reason I did finish it was because I had already wasted too much of my time with it to not find out what the big mystery was.

Read again: No...

Final thoughts: I found the ending stupid and cheap. I just didn't care for it. I never understood the meaning behind why Cadence and her cousins called themselves "liars". I just didn't get this book...

Rating: 4/10

Top Ten Tuesday

Time for Top Ten Tuesday! This feature is hosted over at The broke and the bookish and this week the topic is Top Ten Books From X Genre That You've Added To Your TBR! I choose Fantasy as my genre because its my favorite and the one that grabs my attention the most!

1.  Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

Everyone and they're mom talks about this series! I'm obviously missing out on something! Good or bad, I wanna find out!

2. The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Another one that everyone claims to be amazing! And its sounds pretty amazing!

3. The seven realms series by Cinda Williams Chima

I actually bought the first book a while ago and, of course, didn't read it! I saw a review on the series on youtube a couple weeks ago and I'm intrigued again!

4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

I just finished Shadow and Bone by Bardugo and I freaking loved it! And I have heard that this series is even better than the Grisha series! I cant wait to read it!

5. The Raven Boys Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

I LOVE Maggie Stiefvater and her writing! I still don't understand how I haven't read this series yet! I had forget about these books and a friend raved about them last weekend and again, back on the TBR list!

6. A Court of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Another Maas book! With the third book of this series having been released last month, I could not escape the hype! I actually went out and bought the first book so that I could finally start the series and it was included my May haul!

And I'm actually gonna finish the list at 6 because if you count all the books in each series that would be way over 10! So I'm actually not leaving the list short even though I am... Anyway... What genre did you pick and what books were added to your TBR?!

May Book Haul

I went a little crazy last month with the book buying. Per Usual. So I might as well share what I bought right? I bought a couple first books in some series and some stand alones. I cant wait to read these! I've heard great things about them!

 Okay, so here is what I purchased in May...

The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle Van Arsdale.

This book looks right up my Alley!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Already finished it! Review up soon!

A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Heard good things so far!

Shadow And Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Hear great things!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

So many readers on booktube have raved about this book that I had to check it out!

The Queen Of The Tearling by Erika Johansen

So excited to finally read this one!

 

Tell Me Lies By Jennifer Cruise

Started this one and it might go in the DNF pile. See I do this thing now where if a book doesn't completely engross me past the 100 page mark then I just stop reading it. ( I use to force myself to finish books no matter what because I wasn't a "quitter" ) who knows, maybe Ill come back to it one day...

Gabrielle-Suzanna Barbot de Villenuev

The Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanna Barbot de Villenueve

Its IGabrielle-Suzanna Barbot de VillenueveIts like a 3D illustrated book and its beautiful so I had to buy it to display on my bookshelf!

And that's it! hopefully these hold me over for the next couple months because I NEED to save money for vacations in the very near future! But lets be real...

What books did you all buy in May? link your hauls in the comments! I'd love to check them out!