Review: Through the Veil by Colleen Halverson

Through the Veil
Author: Colleen Halverson
Series: Aisling Chronicles #1
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult
Release Date: February 22th 2016

Publisher: Entangled

Elizabeth Tanner is no Tinkerbell, and her life is no fairy tale. Broke and drowning in student loans, the one thing she wants more than anything is a scholarship from the Trinity Foundation. But after the ancient Irish text she's studying turns out to be more than just a book, she becomes their prisoner instead. And when Trinity reveals Elizabeth is half-Fae, she finds herself at the center of a plot to save the magical races of Ireland from a brutal civil war.

As Commander of Trinity's elite warriors, Finn O'Connell isn't used to having his authority challenged. He doesn't know whether to punish or protect the infuriating young woman in his custody. When he discovers the Dark Fae want to use Elizabeth's abilities to control the source of all power in the universe, he'll risk everything to help her.

At the mercy of Trinity and enslaved to the Dark Fae, Elizabeth finds herself alone on the wrong side of an Irish myth thousands of years in the making. Refusing to be a pawn in their game, Elizabeth has to fight her way back to the man she loves, but to do so, she must wage her own war against the magic that binds her.

This book is a standalone novel in a series of standalones.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

Review: Wild Hearts by Melissa West

Wild Hearts
Author: Melissa West
Series: Hamilton Stables #1
Genre: Romance
Release Date: February 16th 2016

Book Length: 194 pages
Publisher: Lyrical Shine

In the lush heart of Kentucky, horse racing is king, and the Hamilton family is royalty, born to produce champions. Maybe that’s because they understand wildness better than most…

Charming, reckless, and restless, youngest brother Alex Hamilton has a reputation for sweet talking his way into any woman’s arms—and failing at anything to do with the family business. So when he commits to managing their new breeding operation, it’s under one condition: he’ll focus on work and nothing else—no distractions, no fun…no women. But just when Alex has promised to keep his hands to himself, sweet, sexy Kate Littleton gallops away with his heart…

Kate knows Alex isn’t the long-term type—he proved that in a lot of delicious ways when they first met more than a year ago. But seeing him blazing with new dedication to Hamilton Stables, she can’t deny that he’s miles ahead of any other man who interests her. The attraction between them is electric right out of the gate, but it will take an unexpected loss to put them back in the race and headed for a passionate future together…

This book is a standalone novel in a series of standalones.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

Cover Reveal: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

CROOKED KINGDOM

Are you ready to reunite with the best band of misfits?
Have you missed your ships?
Feast your eyes on this glorious cover!!

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.

It's so gorgeous, I think it goes incredibly well with the Six of Crows cover! I'm now totally looking too much into it and trying to see how it fits with my many ludracious predictions.

I need this now!

This is another one of my most anticipated reads of 2016 and I cannot wait to finally get my hands on it. I just need Kaz, Inej, Matthias, Nina, Jesper and Wylan to survive and I'll be okay, I'm not asking for much right?

So, what do you guys think of the cover?

It's released September 22nd 2016, so get this on your TBR shelves now..
Crooked Kingdom - Goodreads

Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Stars Above
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: February 2nd 2016

Book Length: 369 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

The enchantment continues....

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

--  The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.
Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….
The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.
Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.
The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.
After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.
The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess
The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.
Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century...

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

BlogTour&Review: The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury

The Sleeping Prince
Author: Melinda Salisbury
Series: The Sin Eater's Daughter #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy,
Release Date: February 4th 2016

Book Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Scholastic

Return to the darkly beautiful world of The Sin Eater's Daughter with a sequel that will leave you awed, terrified . . . and desperate for more.

Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.

When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

Review: The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

The Girl From Everywhere
Author: Heidi Heilig
Series: The Girl from Everywhere #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Time Travel
Release Date: March 3rd 2016

Book Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Hot Key Books

It was the kind of August day that hinted at monsoons, and the year was 1774, though not for very much longer.

Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times - although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix's father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix's existence rather dangerously in question...

Nix has grown used to her father's obsession, but only because she's convinced it can't work. But then a map falls into her father's lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it's that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

CharacterTour&Giveaway! Thief of Lies by Brenda Drake

Thief of Lies Character Tour

Hey everyone!
Welcome to my stop on Brenda Drake's Thief of Lies Character Tour! Each stop will feature a character from the Library Jumper series and today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Afton. I loved Afton in ToL, she's hilarious and I wish I had a friend exactly like her. As well as introducing to some of these amazing characters, there's also a giveaway. You can find a list of the tour dates here. 

THIEF OF LIES

Author: Brenda Drake
Series: Library Jumpers #1
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication date: January 5th 2016
Book block: 400 pages
Genres: YA, Fantasy

Gia Kearns would rather fight with boys than kiss them. That is, until Arik, a leather clad hottie in the Boston Athenaeum, suddenly disappears. While examining the book of world libraries he abandoned, Gia unwittingly speaks the key that sucks her and her friends into a photograph and transports them into a Paris library, where Arik and his Sentinels—magical knights charged with protecting humans from the creatures traveling across the gateway books—rescue them from a demonic hound.

Jumping into some of the world's most beautiful libraries would be a dream come true for Gia, if she weren’t busy resisting her heart or dodging an exiled wizard seeking revenge on both the Mystik and human worlds. Add a French flirt obsessed with Arik and a fling with a young wizard, and Gia must choose between her heart and her head, between Arik's world and her own, before both are destroyed.

Goodreads / Amazon US / Amazon UK / Barnes & Noble 

---

 

~ Afton ~

Afton Wilson
Age: 16
Gia’s BFF
Description: Beautiful, fashionista with attitude, and popular with the guys.
Thief of Lies (Library Jumpers Series Book 1) Quote: “This is so antiquated. But, hey, the boy is smoldering. I say go for it.”

Afton is one of Gia’s best friends in the Library Jumpers series. Her family moved to Boston right before her freshman year in high school, where she met Gia and they became instant friends. 
She has a little spice to her personality. Though she doesn’t want to admit it, she has some feelings for Nick, the other part of the friend trio.  

Afton wants to study architecture in college. She’s a talented artist and loves dressing in style. She does discover that she enjoys helping the curers in the Mystik world, which will come into play later on in the series. Teen relationships can be messy and not always clear-cut. There’s another girl vying for Nick’s attention that could complicate things for her. In book two, Afton is separated from her friends. When she’s reunited with them, her world will be turned upside down.

  Guardian of Secrets (Library Jumpers Series Book 2) teaser with Gia and Afton:

“I think flats would look fine,” Deidre said. “I have black satin ones that might work.”

Afton dropped the curler in her makeup bag. “You’re probably right, and she’s a little clumsy on heels.”

“She’s right here,” I said, “and she thinks she’ll wear the heels.”

Afton’s lips turned up at the corners as she applied lip-gloss, and I knew she’d just played me. All someone had to do is say I couldn’t do something and it made me want to prove that I could.

I picked up my root beer flavored Lipsmacker from the bureau and slathered it on my lips. “Ready?”

“You haven’t grown out of the lip balm, yet?” Afton stood and smoothed down her dress.

“Nude lips are classic,” I said as if I knew what I was talking about. “I’m wearing eye shadow and mascara. Now that has to count for something.”    

---

  I hope you enjoyed meeting Afton. Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to enter the giveaways for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card with an eBook copy of THIEF OF LIES or a signed hardcover copy of FORGET TOMORROW by Pintip Dunn below. (P.s another fantastic book!) You can check out my reviews here: Thief of Lies, Forget Tomorrow.

About the Author

Brenda Drake, the youngest of three children, grew up an Air Force brat and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother’s animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. So it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical. When Brenda’s not writing or doing the social media thing, she’s haunting libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops or reading someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment). 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads       

Giveaways!

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ARC Review: Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series: Red Queen #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: February 11th 2016

Book Length: 488 pages
Publisher: Orion

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

Review: Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands
Author: Alwyn Hamilton
Series: Rebel of the Sands #1
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Release Date: February 4th 2016

Book Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Faber & Faber

"Tell me that and we'll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that's how you want your story to go and we'll write it straight across the sand."

Dustwalk is Amani's home. The desert sand is in her bones. But she wants to escape. More than a want. A need.

Then a foreigner with no name turns up to save her life, and with him the chance to run. But to where? The desert plains are full of danger. Sand and blood are swirling, and the Sultan's enemies are on the rise.

Goodreads / Amazon UK / Amazon US / Barnes & Noble

February TBR: It's all about the 2016 releases!

Hey guys,

I hope you're all well and have had a lovely start to the New Year, can you believe it's February already? Where has the time gone? All our highly antiquated reads of 2016 will be here before you know it! In order to help motivate me to get some actual reading done this month, I thought I'd post my Feb TBR, so here it is...

The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig 

- I actually finished this book last night but I'll include it in my Feb TBR as I'll post my review this month. I was pretty impressed with this debut but more on that next time.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

- My current read and by Wyrd, it's spectacular... like seriously, I'm rushing this post so I can get back to it. So far, so good and I already highly recommend this book.

 The Sleeping Prince by Melinda Salisbury

- I'm actually on the blog tour for The Sleeping Prince, which is pretty exciting. LitObsess' tour stop is on Feb 14th incase anybody would like to check it out but there are plenty of amazing stops along the way. I'll have my review up on my tour stop but I just want to say that The Sleeping Prince is ten times better than The Sin Eater's Daughter, so fans of the series will love the sequel.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab

- I can't tell you how excited I am to read this book, I don't know how I've lasted this long without reading it, especially with all the hype surrounding it. But with A Gathering of Shadows just around the corner, it's about time I take the plunge and discover what it is about Schwab's writing that has everyone cuckoo, wish me luck!

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

- It took me a while to get this book, as I'm from the UK the only way to get a copy was Amazon which 9 times out of 10 is fine, sometimes I even get my copy early and I'm screeching like a howler monkey... not this year. Nope, this year I get an email saying my copy will be between 4-6 weeks *cries* but luckily it was delivered last week, hurrah! This is one of my 2016 most anticipated reads so I can't wait to get started, also how gorgeous is the cover?

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

- I'm a little nervous for this one, while I've been looking forward to it the hype surrounding this book before Christmas doesn't add up to the reviews I'm seeing now? Oi vey, I think I'll blame the hype if this books doesn't turn out to be the epic-fantasy adventure I'm expecting, but fingers crossed it's everything I hope and want it to be.

Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell

- Sadly I wasn't a fan of 'A Whole New World', but there's something about twisted re-tellings that calls to me, I can't resist them. I'm trying to not get my hopes up about Once Upon a Dream but the mere thought of diving into this world which will undoubtedly bring back all my Disney Movie memories has me itching to pick it up this instant.

Crush by Eve Ainsworth

- Again my little blog LitObsess was invited to be apart of the blog tour for Crush *squeals*. I've heard a lot about Ainsworth writing and that she tackles real, tough issues that we don't usually see in those light and fluffy YA contemporary romances, refreshing right? 

Through the Veil by Colleen Halverson

- Lastly on my list is Through the Veil and ever since I finished The Iron Warrior, I've been in need for a good Fae book; please be this! Now that I'm looking back on my TBR, I'm starting to worry I've been a little ambitious. Hmm, ahh well I can always add a few to my March TBR if I don't get through them all.

So that's my TBR and knowing me it will completely change 

as the weeks go by *sigh*

What does your month look like?