Monthly Wrap Up / Mo_Books News - December 2013

 Here are the bookish things I have been up to for December 2013. Everything in green is a link, so click on it :)



Reviews



Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout | All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill



The Fall of Hotel Dumortby Cassandra Clare & Maureen Johnson | What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything by by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan



Brooke by Veronica Rossi

Memes

Top 10 Books I'm most excited for in 2014 | Top Books on my Winter Tbr list post




The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare





Holiday Edition: What book would you recommend for a Christmas present? | Holiday Edition: What books do you want for Christmas?




Mo_Books News

I already have a few great things planned for the upcoming year. First I will be participating in the Ringing in the New Year blog hop hosted by Danielle @Coffee and Characters. I will be featuring my most anticipated book of 2014 and I will have a $15 gift card up for grabs. Watch out for my post and enter for your chance to win. Contest open to Canadian residents only. 
My post for the Witch Fall blog tour will take place on January 17th 2014. This is the prequel to the Witch Song series by Amber Argyle. My stop will include my review and a few of my favourite quotes. Hope you can check it out. 
 I have a few new fresh ideas I would like to try out on the blog in 2014. Perhaps a new look or some new subjects to discuss, I'm not really sure yet. One thing that is for sure is that I cant wait to start off the new year with this truly awesome blogging community. Also be sure to have a look at my Top 5's of 2013 post just click here

Well that about wraps things up. As always people, thanks for reading. 

My Top 5 favourites of 2013

 It's hard to believe that 2013 is at an end. This is the year that I finally became more involved in the bookish community and started my blog. I'm excited to start the new year off with a little more experience and a better understanding of the blogging world. Below is a list of all my favourite top 5's for 2013 and other little tidbits. You can also find reviews for each of the books listed in the books reviews label on the right side of my blog, it should be around the bottom of this post.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

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Til the World Ends by Julie Kagawa

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Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls

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Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

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Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Covenant series by Jennifer Armentrout / Red Blood Road by Moira Young / Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls / Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta / Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

I read and reviewed books for quite a few new to me authors this past year. I loved discovering all of them and these are my favourite:

Katie Hamstead - 

Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh

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Lindsey Fairleigh -

Echo

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After the End

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Into the Fire

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Annie Walls -

Taking on the Dead,

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Controlling the Dead

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Beth Revis -

Across the Universe

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A Million Suns

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Shades of Earth

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As They Slip Away

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

Veronica Rossi -

Under the Never Sky

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Through the Ever Night

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Brooke

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Books read: 67

First book read: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Last book read: Witch Fall by Amber Argyle

Favourite author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Most books read by a single author: Jennifer L. Armentrout(10)

Most memorable character: a tie between

 Daemon Black Lux series & Kansas City Sunshine Moore Famished trilogy

 There it is folks. That is what I considered to be the best of my 2013 reading experience. What were your best moments? Did you read a book that stands out from the rest? Share your thoughts with me.

Review - Brooke by Veronica Rossi

Brooke (Under the Never Sky #2.5) by Veronica Rossi
Release date - November 26th 2013
Published by HarperCollins
Ebook, 82 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Set just before the events of Into the Still Blue, the conclusion to Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky trilogy, this breathtaking novella is a satisfying stand-alone for new readers as well as an exciting glimpse at favorite characters from the trilogy. Pulsing with romance and danger, Brooke will leave readers desperate for the conclusion to this epic and unforgettable saga.

The only fight she can't win is the one for Perry's heart. Following the stunning climax in Through the Ever Night, the Tides have been forced to seek shelter from the Aether storms in a dismal, secluded cave. But Brooke's memories of the cave go back much further, to when she and Perry used to come here together. That was before Perry fell in love with Aria and before Vale's dealings with the Dwellers altered the course of the Tides forever.

Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants.

My Review

 Out of all the characters that could have a story written in their own POV I was least excited for one about Brooke. Cinder, Talon or even Soren would have been more interesting. But after reading this novella I rediscovered that old saying, you can't really understand a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes.

 Brooke's whole bad attitude stems from her jealousy of Aria over Perry. He was her first love and she's not happy that he chose Aria over her. Brooke is pretty mean but it is a completely natural first reaction to being left for another. The problem is that she needs to find a way to move forward with her life and come to terms with the way things have turned out. That's what play out in this story.

 I see Brooke in a different light after reading her story. She's still not my most favourite character but I do like her. I hoping that things will start to get better for her.

I give this a 3 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯

Book Blogger Hop, #20 - Holiday Edition: What books do you want for Christmas?

 The Book Blogger Hop is hosted over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The hop's purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.


Here's what you do:

1.) Post on your blog answering this weeks designated question. ( click here for next weeks question )

2.) Enter the link to your post in the Linky list on the Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer's blog

3.) Visit other blogs on the list and comment on their posts.

4.) Be sure to find out next week's question when you post your link

Question

 What books do you want for Christmas?

My Answer

 
  If I tried to list all of the books I would love to see under the tree we could be  here for awhile. Yeah I'm a total bookworm :-D . So I narrowed it down to 3 that  I would like to read during the holiday break.

 Echo in Time by C. J. Hill

 A Tale of Two Centuries (My Super Sweet 16 century #2) by Rachel Harris

 Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi

Whats book do you want to open up Christmas morning? Please feel free to share with me. As always, thanks for reading.

Review - What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

What to Buy the Shadowhunter Who Has Everything (The Bane Chronicles #8) by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan
Release date - November 19th 2013
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ebook, 40 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Magnus Bane may or may not be dating Alec Lightwood, but he definitely needs to find him the perfect birthday present.

Set in the time between City of Ashes and City of Glass, warlock Magnus Bane is determined to find the best birthday present possible for Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter he may or may not be dating. And he’s also got to deal with the demon he’s conjured up for a very irritating client . . .

My Review

 This was a very intriguing story and I adored it. It shows how much affection Magnus has for Alec and shares a little of their private moments together. It's actually pretty cute to see Magnus so stressed out over what to get Alec for his birthday. The part when he is taking to Catarina on the phone was one of my favourites because Magnus kind of just starts babbling on about his situation. That's how you can tell just how smitten he is.

The part with the daemon was fun, I enjoyed Isabelle's conversation with Magnus and the part that takes place at Taki's was superb. This was absolutely one of my favourite novellas in the Magnus Bane chronicles.

I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ 



You may also be interested in these reviews



What Really Happened in Peru  The Runaway Queen 

Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale   The Midnight Heir

 The Rise of Hotel Dumort 

 Saving Raphael Santiago | The Fall of Hotel Dumort  by Cassandra Clare,  Sara Rees Brennan & Maureen Johnson

Places you can find the authors

Links

Cassandra Clare
Website | Twitter | Goodreads


Sarah Rees Brennan
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday, #26 - The Guard by Kiera Cass

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.

My WoW pick this week is....





The Guard (The Selection #2.5) by Kiera Cass
Expected Release date - February 4th 2014
Published by HarperCollins
ebook, 64 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . .
Before she entered the Selection . . .
She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

Don't miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection trilogy. This brand new 64-page story begins just after the group of Selected girls is narrowed down to the Elite and is told from Aspen's point of view. The Guard also features a teaser to The One, the thrilling conclusion to The Selection trilogy.

Why I want to read it

 This year I have developed an interest in novellas, but only the stories that are pertaining to a series that I've previously read. The Guard is definitely one that I was to check out. I liked Aspen's character in the Selection series and I am happy to have something written from his point of view. I've always felt that he never stopped loving America, that he actually loved her so much he wanted her to have a chance at a better life then he would ever be able to provide for her. I look forward to finding out what he was actually thinking.



What books are you waiting on? If you have a WoW pick of your own please share the link.

Top Ten Tuesday, #19 - Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR.

 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at  The Broke and the Bookish, and for this weeks TTT here is my list of the Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR.

Into the Fire by (The Ending, #2) by Lindsey Fairleigh & Lindsey Pogue

Dani and Zoe's travels through the disease ravished new world has had some pretty intense moments. The first book ended on a cliffhanger, and I want to find some answers.

Witch Fall (Witch Song, #3)by Amber Argyle

I'm scheduled to read and review this book for the xpresso reads blog tour in January. I'm excited to get started on it as soon as it arrives.

Kiya mother of a King (Kiya, #2) by Katie Hamstead

I won this book in a giveaway from the author. Katie even signed it for me :-D For as long as I can remember I have loved all things Egyptian. I'm excited to dive into this NA, historical, romance.

Allegiant (Divergent, #3) by Veronica Roth

I finally bought this a few days ago but I don't think I will get to it until after Christmas. I'm looking forward to reading about Tris and Four again.

Echo in Time (Erasing Time, #2) by C. J. Hill

It feels like I've been waiting forever for this book to be released. I love sci fi, time travel books and the first book in this series was fantastic.

Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky,#3) by Veronica Rossi

I have really enjoyed Aria and Perry's journey through this series, and I am anxious to find out how their tale ends.

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3) by Marissa Meyer

Super excited about this one and I need to read this as soon as it comes out. Great characters, fairytale retellings and sci fi, what's not to love.

Healer of Carthage by Lynne Gentry

This historical, time travel story sounds really good. I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I hope I can get started on it soon.

Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon

I really like the sounds of this story. I've never read anything by this author before and this was recommend by a fellow blogger so I thought I would give it a try.

Frigid by J. Lynn

I needed to put something by JLA on my list so I don't go through withdrawal. She is a phenomenal writer and I've loved anything of hers that I have read so far. Frgid sounds like a perfect winter read.






 There you have it. That's what I will be reading this winter. What's on your list? Share your link with me in the comments below.

Review - The Fall of the Hotel Dumort by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson

The Fall of the Hotel Dumort (The Bane Chronicles #7) by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson
Release date - October 15th 2013
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ebook, 40 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Magnus Bane watches the once-glamorous Hotel Dumort become something else altogether in 1970s New York City.

Fifty years after the Jazz Age rise of the Hotel Dumort, immortal warlock Magnus Bane knows the Manhattan landmark is on the decline. The once-beautiful Hotel Dumort has fallen into a decayed thing, a ruin, as dead as a place can be. But the vampires don't mind...

My Review

 Sadly I have to say that this story was only okay for me. Magnus attempting to help the vampire clan with its drug addiction problem didn't make for the most spectacular of tales. It was however interesting to see the calm and collected Camille at this low point in her existence. Magnus was rather dull in The Fall of Hotel Dumort, and lacked his normal exuberant and witty personality.

I give this a 2 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯

Sunday Treasures, #18

 It has been quite sometime since I have done a Sunday Treasures post. I'm not sure why because I love showing off new books that I get. These are the two newest treasures that have recently obtained.




Allegiant (Divergent, #3) by Veronica Roth
Release date - Published October 22nd 2013
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Source - Purchased
Add it to Goodreads

Finally I was able to pick this up at Coles the other day. I've been avoiding reading reviews because I don't want to be accidentally spoiled. So I can't wait to finally start it.

Into the Fire (The Ending, #2) by Lindsey Fairleigh & Lindsey Pogue
Release date - November 22nd 2013
Published by L2 Books
Source - NetGalley
Add it to Goodreads

I read the first book in the series After the End (Click here for my review) , and I found the story to be intriguing. It ended on a big cliffhanger and I just need to know what happens next.

 Did you get any new treasures of your own recently? I would love it if you would share with me what they were. Just leave me a comment :-) Thanks for reading.

Review - All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

All Our Yesterdays (All Our Yesterdays, #1) by Cristin Terrill
Release date - August 1st 2013
Published by Bloomsbury Childrens
Paperback, 362 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Em is locked in a bare, cold cell with no comforts. Finn is in the cell next door. The Doctor is keeping them there until they tell him what he wants to know. Trouble is, what he wants to know hasn't happened yet.

Em and Finn have a shared past, but no future unless they can find a way out. The present is torture - being kept apart, overhearing each other's anguish as the Doctor relentlessly seeks answers. There's no way back from here, to what they used to be, the world they used to know. Then Em finds a note in her cell which changes everything. It's from her future self and contains some simple but very clear instructions. Em must travel back in time to avert a tragedy that's about to unfold. Worse, she has to pursue and kill the boy she loves to change the future.

Quote

“We’ll move fast,” Finn says, “before they realize something’s wrong. Besides, what are they going to do? See our different clothes and slightly aged faces and say ‘It must be Marina and Finn from the future! Stop them!’”

My Review

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 Wow. I was pretty amazed at how much I enjoyed reading this book. It immediately jumped right into the story with with a high octane beginning, and I was hooked after the first page. Time travel is such a interesting topic for me because there are so many different probabilities that can happen due to a time paradox.

 Em has tried everything, even if she can't remember, to prevent her horrible future from recurring. The only possible solution left is to go back in time and kill someone that she'd been hoping to save. It would be difficult knowing that the fate of the world was on her shoulders. Thank goodness she didn't have to go through it alone, she had Finn.

 I really liked Finn. He made me laugh and I love a guy that can make me laugh. He endured all the same hardships as Em and is really the only other person that can relate to her. Together they work to find a way to fix the nightmare they've been living.

 The chapters alternated between the future and past Em/ Marina's points of view. I liked this. It was amazing to see how different the lead protagonist has become after the ability to time travel changed the world. Marina was a naive young girl who also happened to be a bit of a snob. Four years later she's calculating and driven, but still has a softness in her heart for everyone involved.

 The last few chapters of this story were so full of emotion. They were sadly beautiful last moments to end the story on. The only thing I didn't like about the book was about Marina and her parent troubles. When they set her down for a talk it just felt like page filler to me and had nothing to do with the plot.

 In conclusion I will say that All Our Yesterdays was a fabulous story. There wasn't a boring moment, and I read it in one sitting. I recommend this to all YA, sci fi fans. I give this a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ½


Buy it here:

Amazon

Book Blogger Hop, #19 - Holiday Edition: What book would you recommend for a Christmas present?

 The Book Blogger Hop is hosted over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The hop's purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.


Here's what you do

1.) Post on your blog answering this weeks designated question. ( click here for next weeks question )

2.) Enter the link to your post in the Linky list on the Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer's blog

3.) Visit other blogs on the list and comment on their posts.

4.) Be sure to find out next week's question when you post your link

Question

 What book would you recommend for a Christmas present?

My Answer

  The only Christmasy books that I have read are children's books so I wouldn't be able to pick a Christmas themed book. Something that I think would make a great gift would be something exciting to read when all of the days holiday festivities come to an end and its time to relax. I would recommend anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout. She's is a fabulous writer and versatile as well. I loved her Covenant and Lux series as well as her novel Obsession. Jennifer is also a writing machine and has new books coming out a few times this year.

 Whats book do you think would make a great Christmas gift? Please feel free to share with me. As always, thanks for reading.

Review - Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Sentinel (Covenant #5 )
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Expected Release date - November 2nd 2013
Published by Spencer Hill Press
Paperback, 360 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

It's a beautiful day for a war.

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoon worthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

My Review

 It has actually taken me quite some time to be able so sit down and write my thoughts on Sentinel. *Sigh* what can I say? I loved it! It was awesome and now I'm bummed that the series is over :( However, this story ended just like it began, phenomenal. So I was delighted that in my mind it had the perfect ending....well almost.

 Saying that Alex had some tough decisions to make would be a bit of an understatement. Finally she is able to be with Aiden, even if some people still think its not right, but after she becomes the god killer Alex isn't sure what kind of a future they could possibly have together. Alex is one of my favourite heroines. She strong willed, brave and quick with a snarky comeback. I've happily watched her relationship with Aiden grown through the series, and feel that they are a perfect match. Reading Alex's journey of being a low on the totem pole Half-Blood, awaking into the Apollyon, and eventually becoming a God Killer has been an epic adventure that I am sad to see come to an end.

 As much as I loved this story there were a few moments of deep sadness. One particular event (which I won't say) had me feeling pretty devastated. Of course I completely expected that Alex and the gang weren't going to stroll up to Aries, kick his ass and walk away unscathed, but I have to say I was shocked.

 I  was happy to see that Seth was able to reform and come to his senses. He has always been a favourite, even though he was despised by many. I loved the scenes with Seth, Alex and Aiden. I though most of them were hilarious. I would eagerly recommend the Covenant series to anyone that enjoys reading.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯

Buy it here:

Amazon

You may also be interested in these reviews

Daimon   |   Half-Blood   |   Pure   |  

Deity |   Elixir |  Apollyon 

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Waiting on Wednesday, #25 - The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by  Breaking the Spine showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.

My WoW pick this week is....





The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1) by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black
Expected Release date - October 2nd 2014
Published by by Doubleday Children's Books
Hardcover, 400 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Twelve-year-old Callum Hunt has grown up knowing three rules by heart. Never trust a magician. Never pass a test a magician gives you. And never let a magician take you to the Magisterium. Callum is about to break all the rules. And when he does, his life will change in ways he can’t possibly imagine.

Why I want to read it

 I know that this book is not going to be released until next fall, and I try to post WoW choices that will be released in a few months but for this I couldn't resist. Cassandra Clare is one of my favourite authors, so when discovered this little gem I got excited. The short synopsis was all it took to place this book on my I need to have it list.



 What books are you waiting on? If you have a WoW pick of your own please share the link.