The Book Connection Projection

A few weeks ago I got to thinking about what it must be like to have bookish friends that I can meet up with in real life and hang out.  As much as I love the bookish community here online, it's not the same as meeting someone face to face.  And while my friends here are all pretty much readers, they aren't as infused with this online community as I am and don't share the same passion I do for everything books.  And I can't be the only one who feels like this.  So what if I somehow combined the two communities?  That's what I'm trying to do with this project.

The Book Connection Project starts with a form you fill out.  Find THE FORM by following the link.  If you're having problems, please contact me (either in the comments or with my email).

After you fill out the form I'll sort you into the proper category on The Book Connection Project page (above).  You'll find your name, and a link connecting to your blog (or instagram or goodreads or whatever you choose to link to) go live within the week.  And you'll be able to see other bookworms in the same state/region/country as you.

Which is all pretty great, but here's where things can get even cooler:

If two bookworms in the same state/region sign up I'll contact both of you and share information about contacting between the two of you.  Then, you'll be able to determine how close you actually are and whether meeting up is possible.  If it works out that's fantastic!  If it doesn't work out, don't worry, because more bookworms will be signing up to the project and you'll also have made a friend online.  Don't worry about constantly checking the page, because I'll be doing the checking and contacting for you!

I'm really excited for this project and I hope it works!  If you have ideas for how to make this run even more smoothly, please don't hesitate to contact me here: tsundokublog(at)gmail(dot)com.  And if there are any questions I'd love to be able to answer them so either shoot me an email or sound off in the comments.

And, here, grab a button to show the rest of the world that you're a part of the project!

link: http://tsundokubooks.blogspot.com/p/the-book-connection-project.html

Wrap Up (The One Where My Candle from The Melting Library Arrived)

I was so excited to order this a few weeks ago and it finally came in the mail! If you want pictures, head over to my Instagram (@tsundoku_sam) and watch my story. I'll be posting about it every day I think because it smells delicious! I got the Night Court candle and it smells like Jasmine, Sea Breeze, Rain, and Citrus (at least according to the ingredients). It's well worth the money and I strongly recommend picking up a candle from this wonderful company!

Finished this Week

The bulk of the week was taken up by a massive tome called Elantris. I loved it! It's getting five stars and a review very soon. It's Brandon Sanderson's debut novel, and while it's not as good as Mistborn of Stormlight Archive, it's a pretty phenomenal book. I also read the fourteenth volume of Noragami, which raised the stakes and introduced some very important and exciting plot points.

Currently Reading

I'm continuing my Throne of Glass annual reread by picking up Crown of Midnight. So far I'm flying through this book. Once I'm done I'll be reading The Raven King and finally finishing the Raven Cycle (and probably ruining myself in the process, haha!). If the week's still not over after that I want to start Heir of Fire.

Last Week

Sunday-- Book Series' I Need To Finish

Tuesday-- Mini 5 Star Reread Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday: King's Cage

Thursday-- 5 Star Reaction Review: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

Friday-- Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter, #8)

Next Week

Sunday-- Book Connection Project

Monday-- The Happiness Tag

Tuesday-- Blue Lily, Lily Blue Review

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday-- College Journey

Saturday-- Wrap Up

What are you currently reading?

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter, #8)

Author: JK Rowling

Website, Facebook, Twitter

John Tiffany

Jack Thorne

Edition: Hardcover

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads

Rating: 3 Stars

We waited and we waited and we hoped and then we waited some more and then we got it. Another Harry Potter story! In a very unconventional form.

The Cursed Child is about Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, the children of Harry and Draco respectively, and their first few years at Hogwarts dealing with their lineages.  It is also about and adult Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron as they deal with their lives as parents.  This book really focuses on the relationship between parent and child, and what it means to be a good father or son.

First of all, this really isn't another Harry Potter book.  It lacks the magic that the original seven had, but that's not that surprising upon reflection since this is a play and Rowling isn't the main author.  It's her story, yes, but Jack Thorne is a playwright, so really, it's his writing.  And since it's his writing, and intended for the stage, it just doesn't come off the page like I was hoping.  Rather than being relaunched into the favorite world of my childhood it was like reading poor fan fiction.

Beyond getting the voices of the characters pretty much completely wrong, a bunch of unnecessary cameos, a storyline that made only the littlest of sense, and a strange (and disliked) turn of events at the very end, this wasn't a horrible book.  It just let me (and I'm sure quite a few others) down.

I don't want to spoil anything so I'm not going to go into what I really disliked about the book here.  If you want to rant, though, hit me up on twitter and I'll share all my in-detail problems with their full spoiler glory. (shameless twitter promotion: @tsundokusam)

Here's what I did like: the new characters.  Albus and Scorpius are gems!  Scorpius in particular will now always have a special place in my heart because he's absolutely adorable and just precious.  I liked the beginning of the book and what happens when Albus gets to school.  I also really liked Rose, though I wish we could have spent more time with her character.  The relationship between Ron and Hermione was pretty cute, too, and Ginny and Harry are really given the opportunity to show us why they fell in love.

Returning to the Wizarding World has been great, but it seems that it missed out a lot of what we wanted.  Here's to hoping Fantastic Beasts does a much better job.

5 Star Reaction Review: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

Author: Sarah J Maas

Website, Twitter, Instagram

Edition: Hardcover

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Related Reviews: The Assassin's Blade

Rating: 5 Stars

SO, I've read this book five times now? Which is why I can't really do another review for it (see last year's: here) but one thing I have noticed is that every time I read it I seem to change opinions about certain things and I always get something different out of it. Here's what I got out of it this time:

The king isn't so scary anymore. In fact, I think I read him as more human and less overpowering, general scary, force of nature that I have been reading him as the last four years. Part of this, I think, has to do with the way that Queen of Shadows ended, but a bug chunk has to do with the fact that I've been reading a lot more diverse fantasy that has been giving villain's more of a three dimensional role so I've been able to visualize him as a more three dimensional character.

I don't ship Celaena and Dorian anymore. They have always kinda been my ship (even though I love Rowaelin, don't get me wrong) because I always loved their relationship in this book. But this time around it just wasn't doing it for me. If anything, they're best friends. Maybe, to cross the borders into another book for a moment, like parabatai. But, no, I don't ship them. Dorian is, as always, my little cinnamon role and absolute favorite character.

Perrington, Kaltain, and Cain all look different in my head. I don't know exactly how I pictured Kaltain before, but this time it was more vivid and she was clearly a court lady. Not as ugly, maybe? I think knowing, again, the way Queen of Shadows turned out really changed my opinion of her, and therefore how she looked in my head. For Perrington and Cain, they both used to be super bulky characters in my head with little to no defining characteristics. This time around they were much clearer, and while Cain is still rather bulky, Perrington isn't so much.

Elena is really annoying. Or, more specifically, Celaena's constant harping on her and the mission she has granted her was really annoying. It was sort of background noise to me, I guess, and I just was kinda bothered by it because I never really liked that plot line itself. Oh well.

So, yeah, that's my reaction to it this year. Since I'll be rereading all the other books before Empire of Storms you can look forward to seeing my reactions to all of them.

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Waiting on Wednesday: King's Cage

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

In the third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, Mare is forced to play a psychological cat-and-mouse game with an old and deadly enemy, where the stakes are not only the future of the Red Rebellion but the sanctity of her own mind.

Why I'm Waiting

I really loved the first book in this series, but rather disliked the second one.  The way the second one ended I am rather excited for this one, though.  We'll see where this series goes.  I think this book could really save it all for me.

Related Reviews

Red Queen

 Glass Sword

King's Cage releases February 7th, 2017

Mini 5 Star Reread Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

Author: JK Rowling

Website, Facebook, Twitter

Edition: Paperback

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Related Links: Sorcerer's Stone

Rating: 5 Stars

And so I continue with my reread of this wonderful series! Normally, this is one of my least favorite books in the series because very little happens, but that doesn't discount it as a good book, it's just competing against other really good books. Just be warned, there are some spoilers below if you haven't read the book yet (but, seriously, why are you reading this when you could be reading the Harry Potter books?).

In Chamber of Secrets the story picks up near the end of the summer when Harry is visited by a House Elf named Dobby who warns him not to return to Hogwarts and then gets Harry in so much trouble he worries he won't be able to even if he wants to.

My favorite part of this book is either Gilderoy Lockhart, who is a gem of a character and ridiculous in every way. I do wish he had popped back up in one of the later books, if even for a moment. He's too good to waste, really.  The other best part is the information we get on both Hagrid and Tom Riddle.  I don't think Hagrid gets much more fleshing out, history-wise, as the series progresses, which is a major shame since he's a rather interesting character. Though Riddle does get a much more extensive look at his backstory, this is, for me, where things really begin and get serious.

Other memorable moments: Ginny actually being a major character (yay for Hinny shippers! is that even the name of the ship, though???); Fawkes the Phoenix being badass and awesome and making everyone want a pet phoenix; the sword! because who doesn't love swords?

I'm looking forward to continuing on with my reread, particularly because the next book features so many of my favorite characters (*cough cough* Sirius and Lupin *cough cough* Buckbeak).

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Book Series' I Need To Finish

I have this awful habit of not finishing series. Like, it's a pretty bad habit. A lot of the time there's no reason for not finishing and I may even own all the books. In fact, sometimes it's series' I love! But I just don't finish them. And, well, I really need to get on that.

The Kane Chronicles

I only have the final book in this trilogy left. I loved the first two and thought they were a nice change from Percy Jackson and had a really interesting magic system. At this point I won't let myself read any of Rick's other works until I get to this one!

The Wolves of Mercy Falls

Okay, this one's a little different since the final book, Sinner, is more of a companion than anything else, but I do really want to read it at some point. Not only did this series make me fall in love with Maggie Stiefvater's writing, but it was one of the first YA series' I ever read.

The Lunar Chronicles

One of my all-time favorite series' and I haven't yet read Winter! What is wrong with me? Cress was such a phenomenal book and I promised myself I would pick up Winter asap but it seems like it just keeps ending up on my monthly TBR but getting no closer to being read.

The Mara Dyer Trilogy

I read the first two when the second book came out and was blown away by how amazing they were. And that cliff-hanger at the end of book two! But then it seemed as if the publication for the final book kept getting pushed off and I slowly lost interest. I bought it when it came out looking forward to finishing it but until this date it's just sitting on my shelf gathering dust. Plus, I want to finish it before the spin-off series starts being published.

Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Duet

Actually, I have no idea what this series is called. But I loved the first book. I read it in one day (the release day if I remember correctly) and thought it was just the greatest thing. I constantly recommended it to people after I finished it, but somehow I just never picked up the sequel and sort of forgot about this one.

The Newsoul Trilogy

I read Incarnate ages ago and loved it. It wasn't what I expected at all and far surpassed whatever I might have thought. But... then I didn't read the rest. I actually won the whole paperback trilogy in a giveaway and was like YES This is when I read this series! but that didn't end up happening, sadly.

The Raven Cycle

So, I'm currently reading this one anyways (I'm in the midst of Blue Lily, Lily Blue as I write this post but I think I'll be done when it goes up) but who knows, maybe The Raven King will just end up sitting on my shelf forever kinda like Winter? I hope not.

The Archived

I read book one and loved it so I bought book two and have just petted it a few times. It's not a top priority for me at the moment, mostly because I know that there was another book intended for the trilogy that may never be published, which makes me incredibly sad.

The Grisha Trilogy

I love this series, too! I only just started reading it and have plans to finally finish it this month (finger's crossed) but who knows if those are reliable plans. I worry so much for Nikolai (poor baby!).

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I read book one when I was on vacation a few years ago and going into it I had no idea what to expect. Well, it totally enraptured my imagination and really changed the shape of my reading at the time. So of course I bought books two and three when i could. But, till this day, they sit on my shelf. I was hoping to read the trilogy before the movie came out but that seems unlikely.

Snow Like Ashes Trilogy

I wasn't crazy about this book but I want to finish the series because I am curious. Not a top priority but still a priority.

Bloodlines

Okay, so I loved Vampire Academy, and when I read the first book in the Bloodlines series I loved that too. But now... Well, I don't know if I would still love it now. I'm considering on giving up on this one so as not to tarnish the memories, but I have a close friend who really, really wants me to finish it. We'll see.

The Selection

This series is just one of the best quick reads in my opinion. I always end up spending just one day devouring these books. I've only read the first two but I have the next two sitting and staring at me as I write this post.

The Iron Fey

The original quartet are some of the best books on my shelf. They were some of the first YA I read and they were just everything to me at the time. In fact, one might say Ash was my first book boyfriend, lol. But with the spinoff series every book seemed to get worse and even though I bought the final one I haven't had the nerve to read it.

Wow, as I was writing this I realized there were more series' I needed to finish than I had realized. So, actually, I might make a part two post in order to finish up the rest (because this was only about one and a half of my shelves....) Any series' on here that you haven't finished? What's just been sitting on your shelf forever?

Wrap Up (The One Where I Finally Kicked That Book Slump I Didn't Quite Realize I Was In)

Yeah, I was in a bit of a book slump, but I don't think I realized how bad it was until I started reading regularly again. I think, actually, I've been in this slump since February or March (which actually makes sense when I look back at my mental health around that time of the year... so does this mean things are turning up? I hope so). I think I can thank JK Rowling for this- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child may not have been the best book but it got me to sit down and read it in two or three sittings, which hasn't happened in ages. So, yes, there is still magic with this book.

Finished this Week

Well, Cursed Child, obviously, and then I raced through Blue Lily, Lily Blue and The Graces, both of which deserve the five stars I'm giving them. Reviews for all to come!

Currently Reading

Elantris! I meant to pick this up right after BLLB but got distracted (happily!) by The Graces, which was an ARC. So, now I'm knee deep in this book and let me just tell you, only one hundred pages in and I'm so invested in everyone. I love returning to Brandon's writing and I'm glad I get to explore this new corner (for me) of the Cosmere. If I finish this before the week ends I'll be picking up Crown of Midnight to reread.

Last Week

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday: Crown of Wishes

Thursday-- 5 Star Mini Reread Review: The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.5)

Friday-- Graphic Novel ARC Review: Awakening (Monstress, Vol. 1)

Next Week

Sunday-- Book Series' I Need to Finish

Tuesday-- Chamber of Secrets Review

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday-- Throne of Glass Review

Friday-- Cursed Child Review

Saturday-- Wrap Up

How was your week?

Graphic Novel ARC Review: Awakening (Monstress, Vol. 1)

Author: Marjorie Liu

Artist: Sana Tekada

Edition: eGalley courtesy of Edelweiss

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Release Date: July 19th, 2016

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I have been excited for this series ever since I saw the first issue released. I actually bought that first issue digitally, but I never got the chance to pounce on it, so I was even more excited when I saw this on Edelweiss.

I received Monstress Volume One from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

Monstress is about a girl named Maika who has something she doesn't understand inside of her.  What she wants are answers- which means she has to get herself enslaved and into the middle of enemy territory.  Of course, she also needs to escape again...

When I started reading this I was swept off my feet!  The art is gorgeous (really, really wonderful stuff!) and the story starts by hurling you into a rich world with well defined characters and a unique story.  I was enchanted by everything, and even if I didn't know what half of it meant, I was enjoying the ride.

And then the ride got a tad too long.  The world is so full that every page had one new term or another, which is fine as long as there's something "normal" too touch base with, whether it's the art or another term that connects things.  Eventually there were small snippets that helped describe the world and the different races and the politics but for me they came too few too late and I was lost swimming in what felt like an ocean.  It really threw me off and made it hard to enjoy when I so confused for huge stretches of time.

Eventually I did figure it out (but it wasn't until the final two or three chapters) and I got back to enjoying the whole thing.  It really is an incredible story and, even better (at least for me) it focuses on female characters and depicts them super well!  As much as I love fantasy (and graphic novels) I have noticed how sometimes there just aren't enough women and while this has really been something that's been working on getting fixed lately (thank god for YA, which I credit for putting women back into literature and fantasy in particular) Monstress takes it into a whole other level.  Not only does it feature two pretty badass girls front and center but it's set in a matriarchal world which is such a great change.  Most of the characters, actually, are women and I love that so much!

This definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea but if you get the chance to pick it up I really do recommend it.  While it is confusing, I recommend skipping ahead (but don't worry, no spoilers) and checking out the pages that explain the world itself.  It will make the whole experience so much better and I promise you won't regret it!

5 Star Mini Reread Review: The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.5)

Author: Sarah J Maas

Website, Twitter, Instagram

Edition: Hardcover

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Rating: 5 Stars

I always do an annual reread of this series, but normally I leave this book out. I decided to read this one again because I thought Ansel might be important in the coming novel. As always, I absolutely adore this world, these stories, and this writing. Throne of Glass is one of my absolute favorite series and it never gets old for me.

The Assassin's Blade follows Celaena Sardothien's early days, before she is captured and brought to Endovier, where the first book takes off. 

The biggest thing with this book, at least for me, is Sam and Celaena's relationship. The first time I read this collection I wasn't super crazy about the two of them, but that was two years ago, and this time around I was searching every line trying to figure out a way to prove that Sam was still alive. I don't know, my fingers are still crossed (sorta, because WOW that would be a game changer). 

I also really liked being able to see where Celaena came from and be able to compare her to the ending of Empire of Storms. She has changed so much, and you can just tell from the first page of this book how much she has matured and grown and I think that's just a beautiful thing that Sarah J Maas has managed to do with her characters.

Also, Leigh Bardugo is totally in this book. Just look for her. YOU'LL FIND HER.

This is a must read for Throne of Glass fans and if you haven't picked it up already what's wrong with you?

Waiting on Wednesday: Crown of Wishes

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

When Gauri, the princess of Bharata, is captured by her kingdom’s rivals, she can only find help in Vikram, the cunning prince of an enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with royal life, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. They set aside their differences and team up to compete in the Tournament of Wishes, wherein the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor. Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.

Why I'm Waiting

I haven't read The Star-Touched Queen yet (don't yell at me, I'm getting to it soon!) but according to everyone it's amazing and I fully expect to love it; even without all the praise it sounds like something I'm going to adore.  And this sequel? It sounds amazing on its own. (Also, this cover!!!!)

A Crown of Wishes is released March 28, 2017

Wrap Up (The One Where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is Less Than a Day Away)

Yes, I'm back, and boy am I glad to be back! I don't want to ramble too much in this post, but, but, BUT Harry Potter and the Cursed Child comes out tonight and I thought it was coming out tomorrow night so I almost missed it! What was I thinking? I don't even know. But, thank to the internet and my email I was reminded it was today. So, yes, I am so happy and excited and I'm ready to blow money at the bookstore tonight! Who's with me? YES!

Finished Since I Last Popped By

I managed to reread Assassin's Blade, Chamber of Secrets, and Throne of Glass (all of which were fantastic rereads) and Monstress. Reviews for all will be coming soon.

Currently Reading

Blue Lily, Lily Blue! I'm so excited to be back in this series though I have no idea where it will go. After I finish this I'll be picking up Elantris by Brandon Sanderson.

Since I Was Last Here

Writing Corner: Returning to Wheel and Cog

Waiting on Wednesday: Poison's Kiss

5 Star ARC Review: And I Darken (The Conquerors Saga, #1)

Writing Corner: Every Chapter A New Beast

Waiting on Wednesday: Traveler

I'M BACK feat. A HUGE APOLOGY (with a special guest appearance from DAMAGE CONTROL)

Next Week

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday

Thursday-- Review of Assassin's Blade

Friday-- Review of Monstress

Saturday-- Wrap Up

Are you celebrating Harry's birthday/the release of Cursed Child?

I'M BACK feat. A HUGE APOLOGY (with a special guest appearance from DAMAGE CONTROL)

You may or may not have noticed that I haven't blogged in like two weeks or so.  I actually kinda stopped on the 14th.  Which is crazy.  I did try to write a few posts and I did already have a few set to post already, but beyond that I just kinda gave up on blogging for a short period of time.  

It was completely unplanned but things just snuck up on me and I didn't have the time or the state of mind to dedicate time to blogging of any sort.  After the first few days I scrambled to catch up but I fell asleep while I was working on it and the next day I realized I shouldn't push and stress myself out about this.  So I rolled with it and didn't stress out about it at all.  I didn't allow myself to.  I let this unplanned vacation from blogging happen and now I'm ready to come back.

I have been spending a TON of time on twitter lately and it has helped remind me why I started blogging and why I love the community.  It's also a great place to kill time and just hang out with people, something I didn't realize I was so sorely missing since being home from school and my friends there.

One big thing happened since my little vacation happened and I wanted to bring attention to it: I started a side blog.  It's called Fernweh and I'm not going to talk about it a bunch here but I thought I would mention because it will be taking a (very very small) fraction of my time.  Fernweh is a small corner of the internet and is a darker place for me to just rant or talk about how I feel about the state of things or my adventures (that aren't book related).  I will also be doing most of my writing posts over there from now on and if something big happens in a book I'm working on I will link it during the weekly wrap up for those who are interested.  Fernweh is going to be more of a "me" blog and it's going to be intensely personal.  It's a nice reprieve to have it there since I'm not super good at keeping a physical diary.  I don't really expect people to visit Fernweh but I don't want to discourage you if you're interested.

Anyway, that's where I've been.

And let me say I AM SO SORRY!  I didn't plan this at all and while I realize I desperately needed it I hate just disappearing like that.  

Which leads me to Damage Control.  Well, I'm certainly behind on what I wanted posted and read and a dozen other things blog related so these next few days will be dedicated to that.  Tomorrow I'll be doing a lot of background stuff like updating goodreads and tumblr and small pieces of this blog.  Thursday I don't think I'll be around but Friday I should be finishing all the bigger things I need to get caught up on and on Saturday everything will be back to normal! 

Thank you for sticking with me throughout all of this, guys!  I hope to be back blogging regularly by next week and I'll be back to visiting blogs and commenting on them and just re-emersing in the community again by Saturday.

See you all soon!

Waiting on Wednesday: Traveler

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Jessa has spent her life dreaming of other worlds and writing down stories more interesting than her own, until the day her favorite character, Finn, suddenly shows up and invites her out for coffee. After the requisite nervous breakdown, Jessa learns that she and Finn are Travelers, born with the ability to slide through reflections and dreams into alternate realities.
But it’s not all steampunk pirates and fantasy lifestyles…Jessa is dying over and over again, in every reality, and Finn is determined that this time, he’s going to stop it… this Jessa is going to live.

Why I'm Waiting

The description!  It just sounds amazing!  I'm actually salivating at the mouth for this one.

Traveler releases February 7th, 2017 

Writing Corner: Every Chapter A New Beast

Writing corner is the little corner of my blog where I talk about writing.  If you're interested in the rest of the corner, click here.

Currently I've been working on The Queen's Ransom (or TQR) which I've talked about before.  Normally when I sit down to write I have an idea of what's going to happen and if something huge changes in my head I just start over because when it's something that changes the "roots" of the story I have a hard time continuing writing.

Well, that's a bit different this time around and I don't actually know why.  I began with a really basic plot and a really basic outline but knew where I wanted to go with the story.  While writing each chapter though, I tend to stumble upon an idea that betters the story and absolutely changes the "roots" of it.  But, instead of going back and starting over, I just roll with it and let it play out as it's playing out just with these new changes.

For example, at the end of the first chapter I realized that one of the two MCs had to have a different motivation.  His motivation is a major plot point in the story (understandably) and changes a lot of what his character means.  As I go through, too, I keep streamlining why he does what he does and his character has done a near 180 since he was first spawned into my head.

The quest itself- the driving force of the whole novel- has changed quite a bit as well.  It went from being a rather solitary thing to being something where a whole bunch of outsiders can take part of.  This was the hardest change to enact because I will have to rewrite most of the first chapter and the prologue but it's also the best change for the story so far.

Smaller things have changed as well.  Things I didn't realize I was missing or were weak are now there and are strong.

Every chapter is a new beast when I sit down to write it because right now it feels like each chapter belongs to a different story.  I'm looking forward to editing it when it's done because then I get to straighten all the lines out and finally wrangle it into one definitive story.

5 Star ARC Review: And I Darken (The Conquerors Saga, #1)

Author: Kiersten White

Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr

Edition: ARC courtesy of the publisher

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Rating: 5 Stars

I received this book from the publisher when I went to Chicago's C2E2 event; thank you!

I read the Paranormalcy trilogy by Kiersten White many years ago and wasn't really a fan.  I think I was fading out of that genre and it felt like it was meant for a reader younger than I had been, so things just didn't click.  When I heard about this book I wasn't too eager to pick it up even though it did have a surprising description.  But as time passed (and as an ARC landed in my lap) I kept coming across it and being incredibly interested.  So I picked it up and the was one of the best decisions I've made in a long time.

And I Darken is a historical fantasy where Vlad the Impaler is gender swapped and now named Lada.  Lada is vicious, brutal, honest, brave, brilliant, and so many other things in a world that shuts women in a harem.  Lada and her brother, Radu (the other narrator of the book), are, more or less, sold to the Ottoman Sultan in exchange for the freedom of their country.  While at court they are caught up in the politics in a way they never could have predicted.

This is a long, dense book.  It takes its time telling its story and doesn't shy from any details.  It simmers just under your skin as it tells its story and wriggles its way into the corners of your dreams. This book took me much longer than I anticipated to read- and I was grateful for every second of it.  Sometimes books that take me a while make me sick of them.  But this one made me appreciate it more and more.  The reason?  It felt so realistic!  I felt like I was there!  Everything was vivid, not just thanks to Kiersten's wonderful writing, but also thanks to the aura the book cast over everything.

I don't know much about her historical counterpart, but Lada is amazing.  She was everything I wanted and then some.  Going into it I wasn't sure if I would like her character or if she would live up to her description on the back of the book, but whatever I thought was completely surpassed by the character within the pages.  Besides Lada there is Radu and he was a real treat to read as well.  I didn't know there were going to be two main characters.  And I certainly didn't know that they would pull my heart strings in every direction at once.  Sometimes with multiple narrators it's hard to balance a story, but that balance is perfect between Lada and Radu.

This is one of those books you won't regret reading.  Go pick it up immediately!

Waiting on Wednesday: Poison's Kiss

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Marinda has kissed dozens of boys. They all die afterward. It s a miserable life, but being a visha kanya a poison maiden is what she was created to do. Marinda serves the Raja by dispatching his enemies with only her lips as a weapon.
Until now, the men she was ordered to kiss have been strangers, enemies of the kingdom. Then she receives orders to kiss Deven, a boy she knows too well to be convinced he needs to die. She begins to question who she s really working for. And that is a thread that, once pulled, will unravel more than she can afford to lose.
This rich, surprising, and accessible debut is based in Indian folklore and delivers a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Why I'm Waiting

This has been one of my most anticipated 2017 debuts since I stumbled upon it a few months ago while wasting time on Goodreads.  It sounds amazing and I'm a huge fan of non-western fantasy starting to take a leading role in the genre.  Also, this cover?  Makes me swoon every time!  Can't wait to see it on my shelf.

Poison's Kiss releases January 10th, 2017

Writing Corner: Returning to Wheel and Cog

Writing corner is the little corner on my blog where I talk about my works in progress.  To find the rest of the content, click here.

Last week I talked about shelving Sand and Storm for the time being and mentioned that I've been working on another project in a pre-writing phase.  I wanted to talk about that projected a bit because it's been a story idea I've had for a while and returning to this world has been one of the best possible decisions I could have ever made.

It's a steampunk trilogy featuring a very large group of characters, though it has a very tight story (in which I mean that everything ties up and is connected and means something- I try to make nothing extraneous).  Ever since I had the idea, I knew the series would be called The Wheel and Cog Chronicles.  Don't ask why, but it came with the original cast of characters and it works so absolutely well.  Thus, the first in the trilogy has been dubbed Wheel and Cog (or, affectionately, WAC).

The idea hit me in junior year math class.  I didn't want to pay attention because I hated my teacher and I sat in the back so I sketched out the original eight characters and how they were all connected then and there.  I didn't even know what the story would be, just what the first scene was, and the names.  Rarely does this sort of story ever work out for me, but it all just slotted in so perfectly that I was left with eight well rounded characters.  That was several years ago, and the majority of them have kept the same names and all of them have kept the same connections between them (though I added a few new relationships to tie things together better the old ones all remained).

I worked on the idea a little and had a rough idea of the plot of the series, but didn't pursue it too much until that summer when I was in Europe.  One day, in Paris, we were walking and it just hit me that there could be a scene from the book in Paris.  That scene has now been scrapped for good since it was completely unnecessary, but after I figured out that scene I latched onto one particular character and followed him through his journey (which isn't set in Paris- none of the book is set in Paris at this point, actually).  I got from the beginning to the end, and since he interacted with every other character, I got to visit major points in their stories as well.  And suddenly, after a whole day of being completely lost in my head daydreaming, I had a trilogy laid out in front of me, nearly perfect.

And so I tried to write it.  But the time wasn't right.  I got a little into it, but I knew I just couldn't give the story what it needed at the time.  I was a senior in high school and as much as I loved writing I can honestly say I wasn't as mature as I am now in it.  I hadn't read as many "good" books and hadn't really studied craft at all.  The books I was reading at the time didn't really align to the sort of story I wanted to tell.  So I set it aside.  I've always known I would come back to it.  And I have.

As I am writing The Queen's Ransom I've decided I shouldn't just focus on that project.  It's going really well, but sticking to one story almost makes me hate that story.  So pre-writing Wheel and Cog has been a relief.  I think, now, I can finally give this series the heart it needs.  I hope to finish the pre-writing in a month or so, but I'm not going to rush it.  I'm taking my time to finish perfecting it (to the best of my ability) and then I'm going to dive in and seriously get to writing.  It's time.

Wrap Up (The One Where Pokemon Go Was Released)

Who else is playing?  Because Pokemon Go was everything I wanted from this app and I couldn't be happier!  Unfortunately, my brother used most of the wireless data so I have to wait until the 11th before I can go properly exploring, but I did sneak in a few car rides worth of Pokemon and am officially Team Yellow :)

In other news, I start work tomorrow (it's just a short two-hour meeting but then Monday and Thursday are like nine hour shifts) and I'm nervous but excited at the same time.  Fingers crossed it's only good experiences from here on out.

As for my emotional/mental health, this week was up and down.  Some days were much worse than others.  But it didn't get the best of me or prevent me from doing anything I needed to do, so I count this week as a win for me!

Finished this Week

I finally finished And I Darken and, guys, I absolutely loved it!  Five solid stars.  Definitely go pick it up.  I also started a new manga and read the first volume of Demon Prince of Momochi House.  It's not bad, but I'm not going to weigh in on it definitively until volume two.

Currently Reading

I'm just under the halfway point in my Assassin's Blade reread and wow did I miss this world!  It's not unlike coming home after a long trip whenever I reread these books.  I will be finishing this one up quickly and then moving onto my reread of Chamber of Secrets (another series that feels like coming home whenever I read it).  I also plan to tackle the graphic novel Monstress this week and I can't wait!

Last Week

Monday-- 5 Star ARC Graphic Novel Review: White Sand Volume 1 & Summer Goals Update 1

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday: The Winds of Winter & Writing Corner: Shelving Sand and Storm (For Now)

Thursday-- Book Review: Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands, #1)

Next Week

Tuesday-- Writing Corner

Wednesday-- Waiting on Wednesday

I know it's a bit of a short week next week, but I have a lot going on (besides work I'm going with my brother on a college tour in Wisconsin) and it will be a good chance to catch up on my reading.  How was your week?  What are you currently reading?

Book Review: Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands, #1)

Author: Alwyn Hamilton

Website, Twitter, Instagram

Edition: Hardcover & Audible Audio Book

Buy Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Goodreads Link

Rating: 4 Stars

This book and I had an interesting adventure.  Normally, I read a book by picking it up, turning pages, reading words, and then finishing it.  However, with Rebel of the Sands I got it as an audio book first.  I wasn't intending to fall in love with it, but enjoy it, so I thought it would be a good book to fall asleep to.  Since I tend to only buy audio books of novels I know for a fact I enjoy, this was a bit of an experiment.  Then, once I reached the halfway point or so I decided, because I loved it, I'd rather have a physical copy that I could touch and put on a shelf.  So I stopped listening to it and waited to go and buy it.  And then, after buying it weeks later didn't pick it up for another month or so.  But I did it- I finished it!  And I really, really liked it!

Rebel of the Sands is set in a wild west/middle eastern desert-type setting and follows Amani, a master marksman who is desperate to get out of her small town and escape the traditional life of a girl.  She escapes with the help of a foreigner who has ties to the rebellion and with him they traverse the desert to freedom.

I really, really loved this book.  I loved the setting, the mythology created by Hamilton for this world, and the characters.  I could go on and on about how wonderful this book is and sing its praises.  Basically, if you're looking for a nontraditional but still fantastic fantasy, pick this up.

But now onto what I didn't like and what led to the book only getting four stars instead of five.  Honestly, it's a matter of taste and what tropes I dislike in novels.  And these tropes aren't really ones I see other people complaining about, so I think I'm in the minority here.  Anyway, somewhat minor SPOILERS:

In the final third of the book a bunch of new characters were introduced.  That's fine, but suddenly we, the readers, were meant to be buddy-buddy with them and invested in them.  I hate when a torrent of characters are thrown into one place and without all the development of the main characters they're given huge roles and we're expected to just click with them.  I think part of my dislike of this is that I just can't connect with a character that quickly and I like to see development- it's what I enjoy most from books!  When new characters come around that's fine, but I want to see them grow and develop and be interesting before I actually appreciate them.  Anyway, that's why I couldn't give the book five stars.

Overall, this book is fantastic.  It raises interesting questions and also entertains.  If you even considered picking it up, stop considering and just pick it up.  You won't regret it!