Genre: YA/Adult/Fiction/Fantasy

Plot: The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

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?

Opinion: As I sit in my desk chair at work, obviously not working, I can’t help but wonder why I don’t stop to write a review before moving onto the next book in a series. Once again I have read book 2 and then immediately rushed to book 3 without even a second’s hesitation. Now I am sitting here with the misfortune of having to decipher WTF happened in books 2 and 3, because they have COMPLETELY blended together now. Obviously my need to know what happens next overshadows my responsibility to share my thoughts with you guys, but you are just going to have to suffer due to my selfishness. Book obsessions are a fickle mistress my darlings ❤

If you read my review for book 1 in this series, Red Queen, then you know that I was having some deep deeeeeeep issues with the fact that I couldn’t connect with the characters. Reading that a character is sad/guilty/happy/blah blah blah is COMPLETELY different than feeling what the characters feels. I don’t want to be TOLD that Mare is disappointed in herself for getting more people killed, I want to know it and feel it. As I was hoping would happen, the author has only improved in this while she has continued to write. After reading Glass Sword I was finally starting to feel the things that Mare, Cal, Kilorn, Farley and various other characters were feeling. As the story started building into a darker and more cutthroat story, the personalities and actions of the characters grew as well. Though I still feel as if Mares emotions aren’t translating as well as they could, I definitely am noticing an improvement and growth in the writing.

For me, halfway into this story is where it really starts excelling. Mare and her “team” have begun the search to recruit/rescue newbloods, and the abilities that these new characters show are KILLER! Their skills range from manipulating sound, teleporting, playing with gravity, changing ones physical appearance to match another, or being able to kill someone or something with only touch. Here is where the reader is introduced to some amazing new characters, and where I think the story actually comes into its own. As they start training the newcomers to fight and control their abilities, it starts to become clear that we are in for some epic battles in the next few books.

I am all for action scenes and cutthroat battles happening in a Fantasy story, but I am really starting to tune out of these sequences in this series. I keep finding myself skipping over a lot of these scenes, and I mean just flipping pages and not even looking back. I think there is a way to detail a battle without using so much wording, because this is what keeps losing my interest. In the Throne of Glass series there is a TON of fighting and killing happening, but I never lost interest once. I think this is because Sarah J. Maas really knows how to describe a moment in detail, but in a way that you are hanging onto her every word and not feeling as if you are being thrown too much information. In the Red Queen series this just wasn’t happening, and I couldn’t help but skip past these parts.

Glass Sword is where we also have a heart attack moment in which the author hints at a love triangle. But then again, there’s already a weird love triangle happening between Maven, Cal and Mare isn’t there? Well for those of you who love a nice romantic drama full of heart ache and emotional woes between three people…sorry. That’s not really happening here. In saying the least amount possible: some emotions are expressed, some emotions are respectfully shot down, and some other emotions are…emotional. J But fear not my romantic readers! Book 2 is where the heat begins between Cal and Mare, and by heat I mean a very VERY dim flicker of flame on a tealight candle. Yes, it’s kind of a letdown. Though now I think we are all starting to realize that Victoria Aveyard has decided to focus more on the story, less on the romance. Which I can full on respect. You go girl!

With that said, I think this is a nice step towards what is to come in this series. I always see book 2 as the stepping stone for everything else that is building up in a story, and I feel like that with this one as well. I was glad to see that some of my concerns from Red Queen had improved in Glass Sword, and I can’t wait to see if things only get better. Though this series still hasn’t hit the WOW factor for me and has left me a little disappointed, I still find it an enjoyable read. If an author is keeping at least part of me interested and I am speeding through the series, then they have to be doing something right. I have already finished King’s Cage and hope to have a review up soon, so keep a look out guys!

Book Promo · Book Tag · Books

Would You Rather Book Tag

December 14, 2016 JenAcideByBibliophile10 Comments

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Thank you to Amber over at Only True Magic for tagging me in the Would You Rather Book Tag a few months ago. I feel like I need to find way more Book Tag posts to participate in, tag me bloggers!!!! 🙂 Alright, here we go:

1. Rather read only a series or stand-alone books?

OoOoOohhh that’s a tough call! For me it all depends on the genre and how great the story line is. In other words, I want my Fantasy/Paranormal books in a series and my YA books stand-alone.

2. Rather read a book whose main character is male or female?

I love a strong female lead character, and as a female, I would obviously relate more to a main character that is also female. On the other hand, in real life I am much more accustomed to being around guys than I am women. Why? It’s just….you know…a hell of a lot easier! I think because there are so many books I have read that have a female lead, I am leaning more towards preferring a story that has a male lead.

3. Rather shop only at Barnes & Noble (or other actual bookstore) or Amazon?

Bookoutlet.com ALL THE WAY BABY! Granted I can only shop at this store online, which hurts the nerd in me that wants to wander around a book store for 3 hours, but you can’t beat these prices. They have SO many great books that range from $1-$5. I know, it’s insanely awesome and we just DON’T deserve them. *Sigh*…swoon worthy.

Once again Bookoutlet.com…compensation for free publicity is greatly appreciated 🙂

4. Rather all books become movies or tv shows?

Movies. Harry Potter, Hunger Games, The Giver, Me Earl and the Dying Girl, The Fault in Our Stars…wonderful.

Whoever keeps deciding to turn these amazing books into television shows, you need to stop it. Whoever you are, you’re ruining it. I might be the only one who thinks this way, but I seriously hate TV because all of the acting sucks and they stray away from events WAY too much. Like The Mortal Instruments for example, what the hell is even going on there? You guys should have stopped after that failed attempt at a movie. Really.

5. Rather read 5 pages per day or read 5 books per week?

Come on, 5 books per week. What am I going to do with 5 pages a day you crazy pants?!?

6. Rather be a professional book reviewer or an author?

I’m going to go with professional book reviewer. I love receiving free books and helping to promote someone’s work and a world that they have created, I think it’s amazing and something that should be shared. I have always loved writing, but I am never able to get past a single pivotal moment and fill the rest of the story with useless conversation. I would like to try my hand at writing a book one day, but I am content with book reviewing.

7. Rather only read the same 20 books over and over or get to read a new book every 6 months?

If I am only allowed to read 1 book every 6 months, then you are seriously trippin’ on some fantastical ridiculousness. I would die.

8. Rather be a librarian or own a book store?

Oh man, book store all the way!! Get a nice little coffee shop in there stocked with cheese and crackers and croissants. I would seriously drink cappuccinos all day, running around like a crazy person hyped up on caffeine and new book boyfriends. Oh yeah, sign me up. (The wine will be there for after-hours shelf stocking…obviously).

9. Rather only read your favorite genre or your favorite author?

Genre. There is way more for me to get through and enjoy by sticking with a genre rather than author. I can barely handle the wait of a book as it is, I wouldn’t survive it.

10. Rather only read physical books or eBooks?

WHAT is with all of these difficult questions!? Ebooks are cheaper, easier to get, and a lot of authors will send digital copies of their books for review instead of print copies. It’s also easier to lug an ereader around than a bunch of books…

Who am I kidding, physical books.

~ TAG Bloggers, You’re It! ~

~ Tag One – Kristen Rose Reads ~

~ Tag Two – Fictionophile ~

~ Tag Three – CloLovesToRead ~

~ Tag Four – Adoptabookaus ~

~ Tag Five – Hey Ashers ~

~ Tag Six – Reveries Reviews ~

~ Tag Seven – BookNista ~

~ Tag Eight – Gems Curiosity Blog ~

~ Tag Nine – Just Another Bookish Blog ~

~ Tag Ten – Book Slayer Reads ~

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Book Promo · Books · Reviews

FROSTFIRE (Book 1 of The Kanin Chronicles) by Amanda Hocking

June 13, 2016June 15, 2016 JenAcideByBibliophile6 Comments

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Bookoutlet.com – Frostfire – (Book 1 of The Kanin Chronicles)

Bookoutlet.com – Ice Kissed – (Book 2 of The Kanin Chronicles)

Amazon.com – Crystal Kingodm – (Book 3 of The Kanin Chronicles)

Genre: YA/Adult/Fiction/Fantasy

Plot: Hidden deep in the heart of a snow-covered wilderness lies the secret kingdom of the Kanin―a magical realm as beautiful as it is treacherous…
Bryn Aven has never fit into Kanin society. Her blond hair and blue eyes set her apart as an outsider―a half-blood unable to hold a respectable rank. But she’s determined to prove herself as a loyal protector of the kingdom she loves. Her dream is to become a member of the King’s elite guard, and she’s not going to let anything stand in her way…not even her growing feelings for her boss, Ridley Dresden. A relationship between them is strictly forbidden, but Bryn can’t fight her attraction to him. And she’s beginning to think he feels it too.
Meanwhile, there’s an attack on the kingdom―one that will test Bryn’s strength like never before. Finally, she has the chance to confront Konstantin Black, the traitor who tried to kill her father years ago. It’s up to Bryn to put a stop to him before he strikes again. But is she willing to risk everything to protect a kingdom that doesn’t accept her for who she really is? And when her mission brings her closer to Ridley, will she be able to deny her heart?

Opinion: It feels like forever since I have done a review! Which is probably because it has been quite some time…I blame work and school for that one. But not only have I not done a review, I have BARELY been reading!

So thankfully, the first book I started reading yesterday that has gotten me back into the swing of things was this little gem. MY OH MY readers, have I found a great series! But do you know what the BEST part is?!?! I got books 1 and 2 from Bookoutlet.com, book 1 is going for $2.49 and book 2 is going for $3.99. You can’t beat those prices. Unfortunately book 3 isn’t on there right now, so I had to go order it from Amazon.com, but keep checking because they restock a lot! I have inserted the links above so you can go find all of them.

Bryn Aven has been working her entire life towards joining the elite Högdragen, which is the highest form of guard that has the task of protecting the Kanin kingdom. When the reader first meets Bryn, it is right before her father is attacked by the Queen’s personal guard, for reasons that continue to be a mystery for years later. Now Bryn serves as a tracker, one who goes to human areas to locate and bring home changelings from their kingdom. But when on a mission to retrieve a high school student named Linus, Bryn notices that someone else is also tracking him. Soon, the man that tried to harm her father those years ago is thrown back into the picture and causing harm to the people in her kingdom. After several other high-ranking changelings become in danger, the trackers are forced to go out and retrieve all of them at once. Now Bryn, her fellow trackers, and her boss Ridley have the overwhelming task of trying to stop a full-fledged war from breaking out. All they have to do, is figure out why the changelings are being taken and who exactly is behind it all.

Long description, but it sadly barely summarizes what happens in this book. Because A LOT happens. It is a very addicting and smooth read from start to finish, and I finished it in about 5 hours…which of course lead me to then starting book 2 right after. Trust me when I tell you that this story is seriously addicting. The character of Bryn is a nice twist on those female badass protagonists that I am so fond of. I like that the author has made her a bit of an outcast, which in turn makes her character work that much harder for what she wants. I have found so many times in books that the female lead has all these amazing powers and can do things that nobody else can, which turns out to be kind of “eye-roll esque”. I like that Bryn has no specialty powers, which in turn makes her character have to work so much harder to be as good or even better than her fellow trackers. Her outlook on love, duty, and pride is highly refreshing. She isn’t a boy-crazy adolescent, she has goals and a focus that makes her very likeable and easy to follow. Though there is a small something that starts to brew between Bryn and her boss Ridley, it is so dragged out that I can honestly say this story focuses on the fantasy and action rather than the romance.

The story development is fairly well-done, in regards to the history that the author puts forth about the kingdoms and types of trolls/changelings. I have read a few other reviews that insisted that this series was rather monotonous or unoriginal. I personally found it to be the complete opposite of monotonous. There is not an excessive amount of “down-time” in between events, and the down-time that DOES happen is written in a way that doesn’t bore the reader and make them feel uninterested. Though there are quite a few fantasy stories out in the “BookWorld” right now that are similar, I found this to be a nice twist. The characters are fresh, the story highly developed, and the reader is kept guessing.

I really recommend this book and this series to anyone who loves a great fantasy story that highlights a female protagonist. As I had said before, I read this book in about five hours, and that was with multiple breaks. If I read it that quickly, please take that as a hint that I couldn’t get enough of it. This has definitely become a new favorite series of mine, and I am currently in the middle of reading book 2. Hope to have a review up for it soon! GO GET THIS SERIES READERS!!

4 Stars