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Friday, October 9, 2015

The Heir by Kiera Cass (Review)



Genre:
Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication Date:March 5, 2015
Pages:342
Published By:  Harper Teen
WebsiteKiera Cass Website

My review copy:Purchased
Buy it: 
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Chapters

Synopsis

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.
Quotes

Didn't they know who I was, what they'd trained me for? I was Eadlyn Schreave. No one was more powerful than me.
So if they thought I was going down without a fight, they were sadly mistaken.
I continued to stalk around the room, checking to make sure I covered everyone I wanted gone. The reactions of the spared boys ranged from interesting to bizarre.
I turned away from the mirror to look at her directly. "That's not what I mean. It's simply intriguing to me the dynamic you must have. You have my laundry in your arms, and he might cure a disease. Those are two incredibly different roles in the world."

My Thoughts

  There are no words for this book and how I felt about it. This book caused such a rage within me I actually debated on putting it down after the first few chapters. This didn't happen but that was only because I have an odd dedication to finish what I have started. Well that and the fact that I adored The Selection books prior to this one. I was excited to read more about how things went after Maxon and America got their happily ever after. However, what I found was not what I expected and I was disappointed to no end.

  With the caste system broken down the world would be becoming a better happier place. Problem is once you label something, it's so hard to undo. You can remove labels but people still see them, and with so many last names coming from your caste number some are still seeing it that way. This alone would not have bothered me. We need some sort of conflict in a book right? However, what bothered me was flipping Eadlyn. You would think a child of America and Maxon would not have her head up her own rear end, but this was often the case. This was a huge problem for me in a character that should be so much better than that. Not to mention a future Queen.

  Before anyone starts to get upset let me just state that I enjoyed Eadlyn knew what she wanted. The problem was how she went about getting it. Often Eadlyn was just nasty and self centred. One moment she would carry on about how people should not be thinking of others in numbers, and then the next moment she had no problem pointing out that she was better than someone due to status. I get that she is a princess, but I expected a much more kind princess.

  To be honest Eadlyn was the sole reason I almost didn't finish this book. She caused such a rage within me that I actually made a call to rant and get it out. Once I had properly vented I pushed through the book. Eadlyn grows. Do I love her? No. Could she grow to be a character that I am not strangling in my mind... It is possible. The other reason that I continued on was the selected; the selected that made it past the 24 hour mark that is. There are some really interesting guys with completely different personalities. Each one there for a different reason and most of them not afraid to tell Eadlyn the truth.

  Most of you will look at my rating and think I'm nuts. Keep in mind I did buy this book and honestly I couldn't decide between a 3* and a 4*. I went with 4 simply because once you look past the extremely flawed Eadlyn, The Heir is actually a decent read. I did finish it in a day (this includes an overnight shift, getting my vehicle worked on, family time and nap time). I can see a lot of potential but this lays in Eadlyn's hands. I will pick up the next book to see if she can manage to get her crap together, and treat the guys like people. Because when it comes down to it there are some seriously awesome guys there, each with their own perks.

  Would I recommend you pick this up? I would have to leave that up to each individual. I think there will be a lot of people that react the way I did to the main character, but with that being said I think there will be people that will like her. The Heir is not the extension of The Selection books that I expected, but I hope that the next book will prove that Eadlyn can grow to be the queen that her people need.


Posted by Tiffany


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (Review)



Genre:
Young Adult, Paranormal
Publication Date:October 23, 2012
Pages:528
Published By:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
WebsiteMichelle Hodkin Website

My review copy:Purchased
Buy it: 
Amazon ~ B&N ~ Chapters

Synopsis

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.She can't. She used to think her problems were all in her head. They aren't. She couldn't imagine that after everything she's been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets. She's wrong. In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?


Quotes

I couldn't stop my smile. "What is it with you and girls' bathrooms? I asked, watching his eyes.The corner of his mouth lifted. "That is a fair question. In my defence, they're much cleaner than boys' bathrooms, and they do seem to be everywhere.
He might be alive but I wouldn't spend my life in terror of him. I refused. If fear was what he wanted from me, I would make sure he didn't get it.
She chuckled. "You know what my mother used to say?" I shook my head, still in position.  Boys are stupid and girls are trouble."  Truer words were never spoken.
This was the boy I loved. A little bit messy. A little bit ruined. A beautiful disaster.Just like me.

My Thoughts

  I don't really know where to start with this review.  I basically did a fan girl thing over The Becoming of Mara Dyer and though I was pulled in once again, I didn't feel the sparks that I did last time.  The intensity was still there though, and that's probably why I found myself pulled in and drowning in the events unfolding.

  There is no doubt about it you may take a trip down insanity lane with this one.  The story pulls you long and you never know if hat you are reading is occurring or if its all just in your/Mara's mind.  Her life has gotten about twelve steps crazier in this book.  She is seeing Jude everywhere but how is that possible when he died in last years incident right?  Even with Noah standing by her and trying to keep her sane everything seems to be getting worse and heading somewhere Mara isn't really ready to go.  Her fight to trust her instincts and stay true to who she is may just be the end of her and the ones she really cares about.

  I genuinely had to consider the fact that Mara was loosing her crap.  No one really seems to believe her and even Noah's concern seems to be tested at times.  The amount of medication they have Mara on has my head spinning at times, leaving the crazy train wide open.  As we all know drugs are bad and in Mara's case even the prescribed kind cause more problems.  Distinguishing the truth from everything else is becoming harder and Mara will drag you into the madness and the terrifying truth with her.

  The romance is so much more intense.  Okay I will admit it wasn't the romance per say, but Noah that was more intense.  This guy can seriously melt you and have you like putty in his hands with a few simple words.  His determination to stay by Mara's side no matter what and honestly takes this to the extreme at times.  Despite all this the romance does not take over the story no does it take away from the events unravelling around them.  This simple little fact makes this pair and their romance one of my top ten!

  The madness, confusion and overall plot has become so much thicker in this instalment.   Must admit part of the allure with this series is the madness and figuring out what is really going on because you always seem to be grasping at threads of truth... Or are they lies?  I am starting the next book asap!

Posted by Tiffany

Monday, October 5, 2015

Meet Me!




Hi my name is Tiffany :) I'm so excited to say that I am the new reviewer for Amy, here on Lady Readers Bookstuff.  That would be me just up there.  Not the little blonde (that's my darling daughter), but the bigger blonde one.  Yes, I am wearing a tiara.  It was my birthday weekend and I wore that thing as much as I could, because honestly who doesn't love a good tiara wearing here and there.  I will try and be the best reviewer possible here on Lady Reader.  If there is something you would like to see from me just let me know.

About Me

  I have been a blogger since 2012 (it's actually almost 4 now), and have loved the experience.  It's not just the reading, it's the environment and the people you meet that share a common love: books.  I have been reading for as long as I can remember, but my... lets says obsession started about six years ago.  I am not ashamed to say that Twilight rekindled my love for reading.  Not that I didn't read but more I went from a few books a year to a few books a week.

  My reading habits are super diverse.  I can't really think of any genre that I stay away from, though I am picky when it come to science fiction reads.  Rather than when I have requests of have requested things from publishers, I basically read whatever I feel like with no particular pattern.  Like everyone I go through slumps, and get book hangovers that sometimes cause slumps.  For the most part though I just keep picking things up until I'm back in full swing.

  Beyond reading I am a mom, a girlfriend, a dog lover and a gypsy at heart.  I can't sit still for very long and love to go places (probably why I love reading).  I am that basic I guess because I can't really think of anything else to say about me...  I guess we'll move on to some of my fav reads!!

My Favs

  So this is always ALWAYS a touchy subject for me.  Honestly I feel picking a favourite book is like picking a favourite child (okay I only have 1 kid but you get what I'm saying).  However, I do have books and authors that I can't help but love.  The list below in no particular order, I just put my tops there for everyone to see.
  You'll often find that my favs are from Indie authors.  It's not that I don't love traditionally published books, it's just that I know that they get a lot of attention and many of the books I spotlight just flat out deserve it.  So, this will be a mix up but always expect to see great Indie authors when you ask what I love!

  Mermaids (as an FYI: I am a mermaid fanatic)

Honourable mentions (because I LOVE these ones too):
The Sea Monster Memoirs series by Karen Hooper (anything by Karen actually)


Mythology (right up there with Mermaids)

 
 The Summer Solstice Series by K.K. Allen: Recently ROCKED my world!!


Honourable Mentions:


  Paranormal



Honourable mention:


Sci-fi




Contemporary




Honourable mention:



Romance (Adult/New Adult)


P.J Stone Gates Trilogy by D.T. Dyllin  (Anything by this author really)

Honourable mention:


Dystopia/Apocalyptic 


Honourable mention:


That's a lot to take in I know, but trust me when I say that is the condensed version.  Honestly if I posted the books that I loved... All of them... Well you would be here for a long time or wouldn't have made it this far :(  I look forward to chatting with all of you and please don't hesitate to say hi!

You can also find me in these places:

I look forward to talking and reviewing for all of you!!! 

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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Book Tour: BRUTAL YOUTH by Anthony @Breznican @StMartinsPress


About The Book:


Brutal Youth
By: Anthony Breznican
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Genres: Fiction
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Three freshmen must join forces to survive at a troubled, working-class Catholic high school with a student body full of bullies and zealots, and a faculty that's even worse in Anthony Breznican's Brutal Youth.
With a plunging reputation and enrollment rate, Saint Michael’s has become a crumbling dumping ground for expelled delinquents and a haven for the stridently religious when incoming freshman Peter Davidek signs up. On his first day, tensions are clearly on the rise as a picked-upon upperclassmen finally snaps, unleashing a violent attack on both the students who tormented him for so long, and the corrupt, petty faculty that let it happen. But within this desperate place, Peter befriends fellow freshmen Noah Stein, a volatile classmate whose face bears the scars of a hard-fighting past, and the beautiful but lonely Lorelei Paskal —so eager to become popular, she makes only enemies. 
To even stand a chance at surviving their freshmen year, the trio must join forces as they navigate a bullying culture dominated by administrators like the once popular Ms. Bromine, their embittered guidance counselor, and Father Mercedes, the parish priest who plans to scapegoat the students as he makes off with church finances. A coming-of-age tale reversed, Brutal Youth follows these students as they discover that instead of growing older and wiser, going bad may be the only way to survive.

Book Links:
If you thought high school was hell, has Anthony Breznican got a story for you…Every bully who stalked you, every sadistic teacher who ever terrified you, every stupid prank, every hopeless crush and false friend: they’re all here, along with a few kids who hang together and try to do the right thing in a brutal environment? By turns funny and terrifying, Brutal Youth is an unputdownable tour-de-force, a Rebel Without a Cause for the 21st century.— Stephen King 

About The Author:


Anthony Breznican was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998. He has worked as a reporter for The Arizona Republic, Associated Press, and USA Today. Anthony is currently a senior staff writer for Entertainment Weekly, covering Star Wars, Marvel, the Oscars, and whatnot. Brutal Youth is his first novel.

Website | Twitter | Facebook |BY Website |Goodreads

Follow The Tour:

October 5th Christine Abee – Review

 October 5th Ramblings of a Perpetual New Girl – Review / Interview

October 5th Reads All the Books – Review

October 6th Marla Miller – Author Interview

October 6th Heather Ann's Book Reviews – Review

October 6th Baps Book Blog – Spotlight

October 7thPixie Vixen Book Reviews – Review

October 7th A Universe in Words – Review 

October 8th Bookish Babes – Review

October 8th Karin Baker – Review

October 8thThe Pirate Tree – Review

October 8th Bookish Lifestyle – Review

October 9th Melissa Martin's Reading List – Review / Interview

October 9th A Diary Of A Book Addict – Review 

October 9thTriple T Tots Tweens and Teens – Review

October 9thDizneeee's World of Books – Review

October 9thFangirlish – Review


 “Surprise, surprise—the good guys don’t always win. Sometimes, they’re lucky if they just get to keep on being the good guys.”

The Giveaway:


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Sunday, September 20, 2015

Blog Tour: STENIBELLE by Ren Garcia - Schedule + Giveaway @StVith


About The Book:


      STENIBELLE
   by Ren Garcia
   Pages: 184
   Date published: July 18, 2015
   Publisher: Loconeal
   THE 3rd TURN OF THE SHADOW TECH GODDESS The quest of Paymaster Stenstrom spans the planes, taking a bizarre turn in the 3rd universe, as there he is not an affluent man but a woman in desperate circumstances. Lady Stenibelle is imprisoned for her role in the Seeker Affair, is penniless, and her House of Belmont-South Tyrol is on the verge of extinction. Her spirit broken, Stenibelle is resigned to perform her sentence without fuss, do as she is told, and fade away in obscurity. 

   However, fate is not yet finished with her. Stenibelle is in the gaze of hidden benefactors with ulterior motives. People claiming to be her dear friends come forward, yet she does not know them. The Quests of the Shadow tech Goddess proceed, and she must discover the hero that lies within or face total oblivion. The disgraced 30th daughter of the House of Belmont will either be the final stake driven into its dying heart, or the ray of light that comes to save it and all else that follows.
B&N | Amazon | Goodreads


About The Author:

  
Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature.

Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood; he also has a passion for caving, urban archaeology and architecture. His books are published by Loconeal.


He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, and their three dogs.
Website | Twitter | Facebook |Blog

Follow The Tour:

September 21st Christine Abee – Review

September 21st Marian Allen – Guest Post

September 22nd Melissa Martin's Reading List – Review

September 23rd Unwritten – Guest Post

September 24th Cabin Goddess – Recipe & Review

September 25th Room With Books – Playlist

September 28th Atomic Pirate Girl's Book Worm Booty – Review

September 29thThe Renegade Zombie Reviews – Review

September 30thA Diary Of A Book Addict – Review 

September 30thTriple A Book Blog – Review

October 1stHeather Ann's Book Reviews – Author Interview

October 1stLeigh Anderson Romance – Guest Post

October 2ndKarin Baker – Review

October 2ndPixie Vixen Book Reviews – Review 

October 2ndReads All The Books – Review

Giveaway:


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