Monday 23 January 2017

Caraval Blog Tour: Review + Excerpt



Good day! Aren't you guys excited you stopped by the blog today? Because I totally have a special invite for you below. The Caraval Blog Tour kicks off today and I'm so excited to be a part of it. Caraval is truly a unique book, with an even more mysterious setting. A new YA book for fantasy and circus lovers to check out. Raincoast, as they always are, were awesome enough to let me read and review Caraval for you guys. But also, that invite below is an excerpt that you don't wanna skip.


About Stephanie Garber


When I’m not writing, I teach creative writing at a private college in Northern California, where I’ve been known to turn assignments into games and take students on field trips that involve book signings. I’m also a blogger on PUB(LISHING) CRAWL. But I probably spend most of my time on Twitter where I tend to overuse exclamation points and emojis.

To help pay my bills during college, grad school, and the breaks in between, I worked as a barista, a waitress, a bartender, a customer service representative for an energy consulting company, and as a sales girl at Bath and Bodyworks. I also spent years working with youth; I worked as a counselor at space themed summer camp, volunteered at a school for deaf children in Mexico, and I took multiple groups of college students overseas to spend their winter vacations serving at youth hostels in Amsterdam. But out of everything that I’ve done, writing young adult novels has been my favorite job.

My debut YA fantasy novel, Caraval will be published January 2017 (Flatiron Books/Macmillan—US and Hodder & Stoughton—UK). Caraval has sold in twenty-five foreign territories and the movie rights were pre-empted by Twentieth Century Fox.



You're Invited





Review


Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: January 31st, 2017
Series: Caraval #1
Pages: 416
Source: ARC from publisher
Rating: 3.5/5

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.


I'm pretty sure anyone who reads YA has had Caraval on their radar since it's synopsis was released at some point last year. Was it the comparison to The Night Circus that caught your attention? For me, well I read and liked The Night Circus it was more that word Circus that seems to get me every time. Anything that says it's going to offer me a unique circus setting and I'm instantly sold.

Scarlett has dreamed about Caraval her whole life. She spent much of her childhood being told the tales of the magic of Caraval and writing to Legend, the master of the games. Never hearing anything back doesn't detour her until her mother goes missing and her father turns into a cruel monster. Now Scarlett is set survival and protecting her sister. Fast forward to present day where Scarlett is engaged to a man she's never met but dreams that he's going to save her and her sister from the confines of their father. Until an invitation for Caraval arrives and spirals her into different directions.

Scarlett is a naive girl that has spent too much of her life in fear and dreams. Her sister, Tella is literally her saving grace. Her need to protect her is pretty much the only thing keeping her alert. Scarlett is under the belief that someone will save them. This unknown fiance has been spun to greatness in Scarlett's head. Where Tella knows that they must save themselves. The sisterly bond is strong and is the driving force behind the story of Caraval. Things may spiral out of control and the realm of reality for Scarlett once she's competing in Caraval. But she never forgets that's doing this, competing, to save Tella.

Caraval is a character all of its own. A vivid mix of The Night Circus and Wonderland spawns to create something uniquely its own. It's easy to call Caraval a circus, but it's not really. There's the magic of a circus on the surface. But truly Caraval is a game. There are performers and participants and like Scarlett, you never know who is who. Trust and reality are a fickle thing. It's easy to forget yourself, to go mad and get lost in the game. Which is what, I'm sure, the grand master Legend thrives on. Scarlett wants nothing more than to meet Legend. His tales and decent into evil are, ahem, legendary. But just like the mysterious game he created, Legend seems to one of myths only. Caraval and its magic are what kept me turning the page.

Of course, there's a romance. I'm pretty sure that is a requirement of publishing a YA book. It's pretty clear from the get-go who Scarlett's romantic interest is going to be. Just maybe not who he truly is. We met Julian, a rugged sailor, "conversing" with Tella. From there he's annoying and saving Scarlett at every turn. It's one of those I don't want to like you but I'm finding myself attracted to you against my better judgment. Scarlett isn't stupid, enlisting Julian to help her, to help each other through the game is a need. Scarlett finds herself lusting after Julian a bit too much. But hey attraction, who knows when it's going to show up. Like 90% of the characters(including Caraval), Julian is full of lies, a past, and mystery and it's near impossible to tell what's real and what's just part of the game. And their lies Scarlett's biggest issues in falling for Julian. 

I guess my main grips with Caraval, the ones that kept me from loving it as much as I thought I would from the get go were the romance and the pacing. The romance I just wasn't interested in. I wasn't swooning or shipping. It added nothing to the plot for me. But the pacing, that's my main issue. The first half of the book was a page turner. I mean most chapters end on a small cliffhanger. But at some point, the story just lost speed. I just wanted the climax. The shock factor was wearing off and it was too easy to predict what was coming. And unfortunately, the ending was a little too neat. I thought Caraval was a game of chance and blurring the lines and well the conclusion failed there. Don't get me wrong, I'm super eager to see what the sequel will bring me. 

Garber has created a unique and vivid world in Caraval. Her writing and the tone of the story fits together perfectly with that world. The tale of two sisters escaping their small life and cruel abusive father into the legend of Caraval is an intriguing one. Reality is a gray area. Trust and lies go hand in hand. The players and performers of Caraval create a journey that spins your head in the most delicious way. 



I want to give massive thanks to Raincoast for including me in this blog tour. Caraval releases on January 31st. It makes a perfect winter read, so I highly suggest checking it out.



Happy reading!

Brittany

Tuesday 17 January 2017

Top Ten Tuesday: Hidden Gems I Read in 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme held by The Broke and the Bookish.




This week's topic is: Hidden gems I read in the past year.

Hidden gems, to me, means books that don't get enough love. The love they so deserve. The readers they deserve to have. So either these books are ones I don't see the community or my friends ever talking about and/or they don't have a decent number of ratings on Goodreads; this makes them my hidden gems from 2016.

The Fixer (The Fixer, #1)Undecided (Burnham College, #1)Summer of SloaneThe Wrong Side of RightThe Vanishing Throne (The Falconer, #2)
Overexposed (In Focus, #4)The King Slayer (The Witch Hunter, #2)How to Repair a Mechanical HeartWe Are the AntsThis Adventure Ends


Have you guys read any of these and loved them too? What was a hidden gem from your past year?

Happy reading!

Brittany


Friday 13 January 2017

Miniviews #30: All the Disappointment

Dawn StudyDawn Study by Maria V Snyder
Publication Date: January 31st, 2017
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 384
Series: Study #6/Soulfinders #3
Source: Netgalley/Publisher
Rating: 2/5
Add to Goodreads

It literally hurt my heart to give this book anything but 5 stars, but here we are; a massive puddle of disappointment.
The Study series is my precious. After waiting many years in the hopes that Yelena would grace my life with more books my dream came true. And now we're at the absolute end(I assume so anyhow) and I'm mad.
Dawn Study what the hell? It's not even the story, although there was nothing super stellar or shocking about it(in fact, it was overly repetitive; capture, rescue, scheme, capture, rescue, scheme, and repeat). It's everything else. I'm not sure if this was a rush job or Snyder got confused, but this book feels so out of place. The writing is meh. The dialogue is lacking is every way possible. And the characters! These were not my characters I know and love. Their voices are missing. Their personalities are missing. These were just some random characters that happened to have the same names as my beloved ones. I mentioned the dialogue was lacking, and well that's because these characters were. Everything was so forced and not good. No sexy Valek. No funny Ari and Janco. Yelena was a shell of her usual kick-ass self.
I'm just so upset and angry. I really wish I'd skipped this finale. It would be better to have no ending than this ending...


By Your SideBy Your Side by Kasie West
Publication Date: January 31st, 2017
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 352
Source: Edelweiss/Publisher
Rating: DNF
Add to Goodreads

DNF @31%

Guys, I just did something shocking. I marked a Kasie West book as "DNF".
I can't even.
But you know what? I haven't touched the book in two months. Haven't even thought about. That first 31% was hell to get through too.
I thought I was going to love this one based on the premise of getting stuck in the library with a cute guy(and it being a Kasie West book). Apparently, that's not all it's cracked up to be. Autumn(the MC) is a moron. The story of her getting stuck in the library makes no sense. Like absolutely zero. It makes it impossible to believe. Plus all the reasons she can't get out or no one has come looking for her, also ridiculous.
I don't even like Dax. Although if I could have stood to be in Autumn's head, Dax would have been the reason that I kept reading. I feel like he has a much better/interesting story than Autumn and her superficial worries. I mean, Jesus women, this guy(Dax) is telling you he holes up in the library because his foster family are terrible people and he can't stay there. And you're worried about getting yourself out because your best friend might be trying to "steal" your crush from you. Dax is literally begging you not to try and call the police and you can't think about him. Nah, girl is petty and selfish. I don't need to read about another spoiled brat who is shown the error of her ways by a poor kid with a tragic life. I'm sure there are parts I'll like, but I just can't bring myself to care enough about Autumn and her getting to a better place by the end of the book. I'll just assume she'll continue to be a jerk to Dax and not see how shitty her friends are for 85% of the story.
Hard pass. 


The Cottage at Firefly Lake (Firefly Lake, #1)The Cottage at Firefly Lane by Jen Gilroy
Publication Date: January 31st, 2017
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 368
Series: Firefly Lake #1
Source: Indigo(Tina)
Rating: DNF
Add to Goodreads


DNF @ 100 pages

I'm not one to shy away from DNF'ing. But this year I promised myself to do it more often. There is absolutely no point in finishing something I'm not enjoying. Especially when I have a billion books on my ever-growing TBR.
This isn't a bad book, there's just nothing compelling me to finish it. Let's just call it dull. It's funny because it's not overly dramatic yet it is. One character has just lived through a near death experience; plus her past includes two recently dead parents, and two things from her teen years that caused her to run away from her life and boyfriend(Sean, the other MC). I mean that is way too much tragic history. It's so overdone. And that's only in 100 pages, who knows what else this girl could experience before the book ends. Add on that Charlie isn't all that likable and what am I reading this for?
Sean was fine. In fact, I probably would have liked the book more if it was just from his POV. He seems a lot more level-headed than Charlie.
There's nothing compelling me to read. The story is utterly predictable. The characters are uninteresting. The dialogue is so-so. Just dull. Very dull.


Four Letter Word (Dirty Deeds, #1)Four Letter Words by J.Daniels
Publication Date: October 4th, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Pages: 416
Series: Dirty Deeds #1
Source: Purchased
Rating: 1.5/5
Add to Goodreads

It's funny how you go from thoroughly enjoying a book to becoming super frustrated and over it. Ie: Four Letter Words.
I was so into this one for almost half the book. I devoured it and stayed up way past my bedtime to keep reading. But then it all went downhill. Syd and Brian finally met in person and everything became overly cheesy and dramatic. Calling each other my girl and my boy, what are we 15? The sex scenes were blah and I was pretty much just skipping over them. Just everything turned into an eye roll. Syd was crying or giggling on every page. Brian was thinking about ways to get inside his girl. And I probably should have just closed the book at that point.
Four Letter Words was overly long for a romance. Could have cut 100 pages out and nothing would be amiss. Of course, everything still hit the fan with 30 pages left, because obviously.
Too bad. Because I thought I was really going to like this one. At this point, I'd give the first half a 4* and the second half a 1*. So take with that what you will. We'll see how I do with the second book. 


Time Served (Time Served #1)Time Served by Julianna Keyes
Publication Date: March 23rd, 2015
Publisher: Carina Press
Pages: 283
Series: Time Served #1
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2/5
Add to Goodreads

After reading Undecided early in 2016 and absolutely adoring it(it was a top favourite of 2016), I knew I needed to read Keyes' back titles. So here were are. Well, the writing and fundamentals of this book are fine. I, unfortunately, did not enjoy 75% of it. The real downer for me was Rachel and Dean. I didn't like nor connect to either of them. And I really did not enjoy their relationship. Both have a lot to learn and really just need to grow up. I can understand Rachel wanting to move away from her past but hey, maybe don't be so condescending about it. She's always sorry for leaving Dean, Dean is bent on hurting her and revenge. But you know there's still love simmering there so it's just all so messy and unappealing. These are two people that just need to move the hell on from each other. The sex scenes were not my thing. They seemed to really be saturated with hate and I just, no thanks. Their whole back and forth, hot and cold made the book feel longer than it is. I kept thinking about DNF'ing.
Good news is that I enjoyed a bunch of the supporting characters like Parker, Baxter, and Oreo a whole bunch. So they made the story so much better.
Ultimately, Keyes is a great author. This story didn't hit its mark for me. But that doesn't take away from her writing, dialogue or just general storytelling abilities. I look forward to checking out more of her work. Especially Undeclared when it's released sometime this year.

Happy reading!

Brittany

Friday 6 January 2017

2016 End of Year Book Survey


Meme created by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner



Number of books I read: 207
Number of re-reads: 36
Genre I read most from: Romance/New Adult


 best-YA-books-2014

Best book I read in 2016? This will only be surprising to like one person; A Court of Mist and Fury is the Queen of 2016. That book blew my damn mind. I still am not in control of my feelings. My head spins anytime I think about that masterpiece.

Book I was excited for & thought I would love, but didn't? There are a few answers here, so let's go with one that was so hyped up and failed to impress me; You. Sooooo boring. And one from a favourite author that let me down; The Hidden Oracle. I mean Rick Riordan writing from Apollo's POV what wouldn't there be to love? Apparently a lot. I liked it alright. There was just something missing. Apollo wasn't as funny or just fun as I imagined.

Most surprising read of 2016? Jennifer Lynn Barnes takes the award here. The Naturals series and The Fixer series are superb. And I just wasn't expecting that. They aren't my usual genre. But hell, they are both smart, witty and shocking. READ THEM!

Best series I started? Best sequel? Best series ender? A Darker Shade of Magic truly was a fantastic start to a series. A sequel besides ACOMAF you mean? Gemina and Torn are pretty damn great too. Oh series enders, you nasty wonderful things. Can anything really beat Crooked Kingdom; nope.

Favourite new to me author of 2016? It was bound to happen, but I'm sounding like a broken record; Jennifer Lynn Barnes you wonderful lady, I choose you!

Best book I read from outside my comfort zone? Honestly, I didn't stray too far from my comfort zone in 2016. I guess I don't read a lot of thrillers. So let's just mention The Naturals series again because I can.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book? The book I read the fastest and thus made it the most unputdownable? One True Loves. I devoured that book in less than two hours. I was utterly engrossed from page one.

Book I read in 2016 that I will more than likely reread in 2017? Like 20 of them. Do you even know me? Let's go with the most obvious one then, Us. Because Jamie and Wes are my life line.

Favourite cover of a book I read? Even though the book was a bit of a letdown, the cover is sure as hell the most gorgeous thing ever!

Most memorable character of 2016? Crooked Kingdom really truly and indefinitely cemented Kaz Brekker into my heart. This guy leaves a memorable impression plus more.

Most beautifully written book I read? The flowery prose is on point in The Rose and the Dagger. That book makes my heart ache with it beautiful writing.

Most thought-provoking/life-changing read? It Ends With Us was an eye opener. So different from anything CoHo has written before. Dark, gritty and very real.

Book I can't believe I waited so long to read? Over the years I've slowly been making my way through Jojo Moyes backlist, but I'm kicking myself for not having read The Last Letter From Your Lover till this year. Perfect and emotional(soul destroying).

Favourite quote of 2016? I won't go for the super obvious ACOMAF one. Instead I'll go for the second obvious Krista and Becca Ritchie quote from Some Kind of Perfect.
“Our bad days have the ability to become better. It may be a horrible month. A horrible year. But there will be good days, good moments, great seconds.”



Shortest read? Longest read? A stupid novella from Tales from The Shadowhunters; Nothing But Shadows comes in a 74 pages(and a waste of 74 pages at that). And the monstrous tome(that I read twice this year) that I wish was even longer because Calloway comes in at a whopping 664 pages(this is a contemporary romance(at its finest)).

Book that shocked me the most? I want to say The Long Game because that book is 300+ pages of shockers. But Torn has that one scene that was hilariously shocking; and God I loved it soooo much.

OTP of the year? Just one! You guys know I live for finding new ships. It is my purpose in life! I mean Feyre and Rhys are my everything now. But also Jamie and Wes, Liam and Lissa, Jesper and Wylan, Damen and Laurent, Audrey and Thomas, Nora and Crosbie; I can go on for hours here. I am going to sneak in a TV one because #obsessed; Yuri and Victor. You guys don't even know my level of creepy obsession I have for this anime.

Favourite platonic relationship? Always and forever the Calloway sisters. But for something that isn't obvious, Sloane and Vera from This Adventure Ends. Total friendship goals.

Favourite book I read in 2016 from an author I'd previously read from? This is hard because I read favourite authors all the time. P.S. I Like You was the first to jump into my mind. So it wins. It deserves it though. Cute and adorable and awwww.

Best book I read in 2016 based solely on a recommendation? Sure, Becky Albertalli said read How to Repair A Mechanical Heart if you love Simon. So I did. Obviously. Although it isn't Simon, it's still perfect for Simon fans or anyone.

Newest fictional crush? Again, do you even know me? Rhys. Rhys. Oh and Rhys. This guy because clearly.

Best 2016 debut? I didn't read as many debuts as I would have liked to. But the ones I read were pretty damn great. I think I have to give The Summer of Sloane the nod here. It was just a really solid contemporary.

Best worldbuilding/setting? A Gathering of Shadows has a pretty spectacular and vivid setting. Numerous fantastical London's are a thing I didn't know I needed until I did.

Book that made me smile the hardest? The Hating Game in all its weird and lovely hate love romance so wins. I fucking smiled so hard for 90% of this book.

Book that made me cry the hardest? I hate you Sally Green for making me shed my precious tears and soul in Half Lost. Ten months later and I still hate it and her. #dramaqueen

Hidden gem of the year? Undecided has a terrible cover but is a wonderful New adult romance. Crosbie and Nora and the banter and the sexiness and ugh, it's perfect. So perfect I read it three times in 2016. #noregrets

Book that crushed my soul? I feel like this goes hand and hand with the one that made me cry the hardest. So see above. ACOMAF, Crooked Kingdom and A Gathering of Shadows had their fair share of soul destroying moments too.

Most unique read of 2016? Of course it's Gemina. That book is fucking spectacular in its unique format.

Book that made me the angriest? Cursed Child. Need I say more?....



book-blogging

Favourite new blog I discovered in 2016? Ummmm.... I didn't? I was a horrible blogger this year. I could barely keep up with my own. So I clearly sucked at being an active member of the community.

Favourite review I wrote? Surprise(not); A Court of Mist and Fury.

Best discussion/non-review post I had on the blog? Based on the many I post? #sarcasm. I did a few TAG's that were fun. But I also posted a Let's Chat about mid-year because 2016 was sucking as
much then as it was at the end of the year.

Best event I participated in? The Raincoast Teen Reads are always super fun!

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2016? It was my third blogoversary. Not like I celebrated. #oops But sticking around for three years is a decent chunk of time.

Most challenging thing about blogging in 2016? Blogging. Keeping myself motivated to blog and write reviews. I didn't do a very good job of it. I blame it on the curse of 2016.

Most popular post on the blog from 2016? By views, my stop on the Heartless Blog Tour. Guess that's not too surprising seeing as everyone and their mother were eagerly anticipating that book.

Best bookish discovery? And the most lethal on my bank account- Society 6.

Completed goals I set for 2016? My reading challenge and re-reading challenge.


looking-ahead-books-2015

A book I didn't get to in 2016 that is the number 1 priority for 2017? A Brandon Sanderson book. I NEED to finally experience his writing and story telling. It NEEDS to happen.

My most anticipated release for 2017? Is there anything besides A Court of Wings and Ruin? Am slowly dying from impatientness.

2017 debut I'm super eager for? Daughter of the Pirate King; it's being compared to Pirates of the Caribbean! Good thing I begged and pleaded to get myself an ARC. :D

Series ending/sequel my grabby hands are all over? The last book in The Illuminae Files. AHHHHHHH

The number 1 thing I hope to accomplish in my blogging life in 2017? Staying consistent. Haha.

A 2017 release I've already read and am dying for everyone else to read? Obviously The Upside of Unrequited. You guys are going to love it!








How was your 2016?

Happy reading!

Brittany




Thursday 5 January 2017

2016 Reads


2016 Reads

January
1. Tied to Trouble(Gamers #3) by Megan Erickson- 175 pages
2. The Deal(Off-Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy- 384 pages
3. The Mistake(Off-Campus #2) by Elle Kennedy- 297 pages
4. Stay With Me(Wait For You #3) by JLA- 448 pages(re-read)
5. Built(Saints of Denver #1) by Jay Crownover- 352 pages
6. Pucked Over(Pucked #3) by Helena Hunting- 261 pages
7. First by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn- 323 pages
8. The Year We Fell Down(The Ivy Years #1) by Sarina Bowen- 270 pages
9. The Year We Hid Away(The Ivy Years #2) by Sarina Bowen- 274 pages
10. The Understatement of the Year(The Ivy Years #3) by Sarina Bowen- 281 pages
11. The Shameless Hour(The Ivy Years #4) by Sarina Bowen- 317 pages
12. The Return(A Titans Novel #1) by JLA- 344 pages(re-read)
13. Giant Days Vol 1- 128 pages
14. We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson- 464 pages
15. Appealed(The Legal Briefs #3) by Emma Chase- 304 pages
16. Starflight(Starflight #1) by Melissa Landers- 358 pages
17. The Last Letter to Your Lover by Jojo Moyes- 400 pages
18. Play On(Lewis Creek #1) by Michelle Smith- 258 pages
19. The Score(Off-Campus #3) by Elle Kennedy- 360 pages
20. Frigid(Frigid #1) by JLA- 260 pages(re-read)
21. Bad Romeo(Starcrossed #1) by Leisa Rayven- 417 pages(re-read)
22. A Bad Romeo Christmas(Starcrossed #2.5) by Leisa Rayven- 3 pages
Total = 6678

February
23. Broken Juliet(Starcrossed #2) by Leisa Rayven- 358 pages(re-read)
24. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer- 400 pages
25. The Naturals(The Naturals #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- 315 pages
26. Wicked Sexy Liar(Wild Seasons #4) by Christina Lauren- 384 pages
27. Amulet Vol 7- 224 pages
28. Captive Prince(Captive Prince #1) by C.S. Pacat- 270 pages
29. Disarm(Disarm #1-6) by June Gray- 384 pages(re-read)
30. Arrest(Disarm #7) by June Gray- 352 pages(re-read)
31. Prince's Gambit(Captive Prince #2) by C.S. Pacat- 404 pages
32. Kings Rising(Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat- 352 pages
33. A Darker Shade of Magic(Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab- 398 pages
34. Hero by Samantha Young- 404 pages(re-read)
35. You(You #1) by Caroline Kepnes- 448 pages
36. Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman- 384 pages
37. How to Repair a Mechanical Heart by J.C. Lillis- 296 pages
38. Robot Dreams by Sara Varon- 224 pages
39. A Gathering of Shadows(Shades of Magic #2) by V.E. Schwab- 512 pages
40. The Power(A Titans novel #2) by Jennifer L Armentrout- 344 pages
41. Killer Instinct(The Naturals #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- 400 pages
42. Beautiful Player(Beautiful #3) by Christina Lauren- 432 pages(re-read)
43. Beautiful Boss(Beautiful #4.5) by Christina Lauren- 144 pages
44. The Pact by Karina Halle- 379 pages
Total = 7808

March
45. The Play(The McGregors #3) by Karina Halle - 434 pages
46. Winter Wishes(The McGregors #3.5) by Karina Halle - 87 pages
47. When We Collided by Emery Lord - 352 pages
48. Us(Him #2) by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy - 328 pages
49. The Devil You Know by Trish Dollar - 246 pages
50. Daughter of Smoke & Bone(DoSaB #1) by Laini Taylor - 420 pages(re-read)
51. Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg - 276 pages
52. Sustained(The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase - 272 pages(re-read)
53. Us(Him #2) by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy - 328 pages(re-read)
54. Half Bad(Half Bad #1) by Sally Green - 384 pages(re-read)
55. Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell - 96 pages
56. Collide by Riley Hart - 332 pages
57. Wicked Heart by Leisa Rayven - 320 pages
58. Half Wild(Half Bad #2) by Sally Green - 412 pages
59. Pucked(Pucked #1) by Helena Hunting - 380 pages(re-read)
60. Welcome to Shadowhunter Academy(Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #1) by Cassandra Clare - 78 pages
61. Out of Frame(Out of Focus #3) by Megan Erickson - 202 pages
62. Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan - 282 pages
63. Eight Ways to Ecstasy(Art of Passion #2) by Jeanette Grey - 384 pages
64. Undecided by Julianna Keyes - 292 pages
65. Dear Thing by Julie Cohen - 432 pages
Total = 6337

April
66. Half Lost(The Half Blood Trilogy #3) by Sally Green- 352 pages
67. Forever Pucked(Pucked #4) by Helena Hunting- 318 pages
68. The Lost Herondale(Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #2) by Cassandra Clare- 96 pages
69. The Whitechapel Fiend(Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #3) by Cassandra Clare- 96 pages
70. Off the Record(Record #1) by K.A. Linde- 445 pages
71. Too Late by Colleen Hoover- 150 pages
72. Nothing but Shadows(Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #4) by Cassandra Clare- 74 pages
73. Sidebarred(The Legal Briefs #3.5) by Emma Chase- 101 pages
74. The Winner's Curse(The Winner's Trilogy #1) by Marie Rutkoski- 355 pages(re-read)
75. The Winner's Crime(The Winner's Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski- 402 pages
76. The Winner's Kiss(The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski- 496 pages
77. Days of Blood Starlight(DoSaB #2) by Laini Taylor- 517 pages(re-read)
78. The Raven King(The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater- 438 pages
79. The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian- 432 pages
80. The Wrath and the Dawn(The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh- 432 pages(re-read)
81. Dirty(Dive Bar #1) by Kylie Scott- 288 pages
Total = 4992

May
82. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover = 384 pages
83. Forever With You(Wait For You #5) by Jennifer L Armentrout = 384 pages(re-read)
84. A Court of Thorns and Roses(ACOTAR #1) by Sarah J Maas= 419 pages(re-read)
85. A Court of Mist and Fury(ACOTAR #2) by Sarah J Maas = 624 pages
86. For the One(Gaming the System #5) by Brenna Aubrey = 432 pages
87. The Rose and the Dagger(The Wrath and the Dawn #2) by Renee Ahdieh = 420 pages
88. One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid = 352 pages
89. Charged(Saints of Denver #2) by Jay Crownover = 384 pages
90. Rebel Belle(Rebel Belle #1) by Rachel Hawkins = 345 pages
91. Summer of Sloane by Erin L Schneider = 291 pages
92. The Hidden Oracle(The Trials of Apollo #1) by Rick Riordan = 376 pags
93. Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins = 400 pages
94. The Way Back to You by Mindi Scott & Michelle Andreani = 384 pages
95. Wicked Heart(Starcrossed #3) by Leisa Rayven = 320 pages(re-read)
96. Some Kind of Perfect(Calloway Sisters #4.5) by Krista & Becca Ritchie = 692 pages
97. The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone = 352 pages
98. Cream of the Crop(The Hudson Valley #2) by Alice Clayton = 384 pages
99. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson = 449 pages
100. Breath, Annie, Breath(Hundred Oaks #5) by Miranda Kinneally = 320 pages
101. Gemina(The Illuminae Files #2) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff = 659 pages
102. All In(The Naturals #3) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes = 384 pages
103. Wanderlost by Jen Malone = 316 pages
104. The Witch Hunter(The Witch Hunter #1) by Virginia Boecker = 362 pages(re-read)
Total = 9433

June
105. The King Slayer(The Witch Hunter #2) by Virginia Boecker = 368 pages
106. Me Before You(MBY #1) by Jojo Moyes = 372 pages(re-read)
107. Dark Wild Night(Wild Seasons #3) by Christina Lauren = 352 pages(re-read)
108. Dirty Rowdy Thing(Wild Seasons #2) by Christina Lauren = 336 pages(re-read)
109. Moonlight on Nightingale Way(On Dublin Street #6) by Samantha Young = 336 pages(re-read)
110. This is One Moment(Come Back to Me #2) by Mila Gray = 384 pages(re-read)
111. Linemates by Van Barrett = 408 pages
112. Always With Love(Billy and Me #2) by Giovanna Fletcher = 400 pages
113. All the Feels by Danika Stone = 336 pages
114. The Falconer(The Falconer #1) by Elizabeth May = 392 pages
115. Dearest Clementine(Dearest #1) by Lex Martin = 368 pages(re-read)
116. Finding Dandelion(Dearest #2) by Lex Martin = 232 pages
117. The Vanishing Throne(The Falconer #2) by Elizabeth May = 475 pages
118. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid = 342 pages
119. Scoring Wilder by R.S. Grey = 404 pages
120. Settling the Score(The Summer Games #1) by R.S. Grey = 432 pages
121. The Allure of Julian LeFray(The Allure #1) by R.S. Grey = 354 pages
122. The Allure of Dean Harper(The Allure #2) by R.S. Grey = 282 pages
123. Undecided by Julianna Keyes = 301 pages(re-read)
124. Losing It(Losing It #1) by Cora Carmack = 280 pages(re-read)
125. The Memory Book by Lara Avery = 368 pages
Total = 7522

July
126. The Year We Fell Apart by Emily Martin = 316 pages
127. After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid = 352 pages
128. Forever Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid = 352 pages
129. The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase = 352 pages
130. Pucked: Area 51 by Helena Hunting = 112 pages
131. The Fixer(The Fixer #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes = 372 pages
132. The Long Game(The Fixer #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes = 360 pages
133. Wicked(The Wicked Saga #1) by JLA = 375 pages(re-read)
134. Torn(The Wicked Saga #2) by JLA = 299 pages
135. Stay With Me(Wait For Me #4) by JLA = 448 pages(re-read)
136. Fractured by Dani Atkins = 289 pages
137. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover = 384 pages(re-read)
138. The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne = 390 pages
139. Miss Mayhem(Rebel Belle #2) by Rachel Hawkins = 273 pages
140. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne = 320 pages
141. United As One(The Lorien Legacies #7) by Pittacus Lore = 449 pages
Total = 5443

August
142. Their Fractured Light(Starbound #3) by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner = 425 pages
143. Head Over Heels(Geek Girl #5) by Holly Smale = 446 pages
144. How to Keep Rolling After a Fall by Karole Cozzo = 272 pages
145. I'm Still Here by Clelie Avit = 256 pages
146. Labyrinth Lost(Brooklyn Brujas #1) by Zoraida Cordova = 336 pages
147. SMUT by Karina Halle = 315 pages
148. Some Kind of Perfect(Addicted # 3.5 & Calloway Sisters #4.5) by Krista & Becca Ritchie = 664 pages(re-read)
149. Out of Bounds(The Summer Games #2) by R.S. Grey = 442
150. This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills = 320 pages
151. The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon = 344 pages
152. Saga Vol 6 by Brian K Vaughan & Fiona Staples = 152 pages
153. Overexposed(In Focus #4) by Megan Erickson = 177 pages
154. Been Here All Along by Sandy Hall = 240 pages
155. Roman Crazy(The Broads Abroad #1) by Alice Clayton & Nina Bocci = 336 pages
Total = 4725

September
156. Something Real by Heather Demetrios = 406 pages(re-read)
157. Results May Vary by Bethany Chase = 340 pages
158. The Fifteenth Minute(The Ivy Years #5) by Sarina Bowen = 313 pages
159. Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan = 345 pages
160. Time Served(Time Served #1) by Julianna Keyes = 283 pages
161. Shameless by Lex Martin = 394 pages
162. The One Real Thing(Hart's Boardwalk) by Samantha Young = 352 pages
163. Get Inked: A Pucked and Clipped Wings Crossover by Helena Hunting = 164 pages
164. Last Will and Testament(Radleigh University #1) by Dahlia Adler = 414 pages
165. Rookie Move(Brooklyn Bruisers #1) by Sarina Bowen = 336 pages
166. Puddle Jumping by Amber L Johnson = 127 pages
167. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West = 330 pages
168. Beautiful(Beautiful #5) Christina Lauren = 416 pages
169. Stalking Jack the Ripper(Stalking Jack the Ripper #1) by Kerri Maniscalco = 336 pages
170. Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter = 304 pages
Total = 4860

October
171. Six of Crows(Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo = 465 pages(re-read)
172. Crooked Kingdom(Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo = 536 pages
173. TheUpside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli = 352 pages
174. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne = 384 pages
175. Pucked Under(Pucked #4.5) by Helena Hunting = 204 pages
176. Every Hidden Thing by Kenneth Oppel = 368 pages
177. Lady Renegades(Rebel Belle #3) by Rachel Hawkins = 264 pages
178. Kiss Cam by Kiara London = 272 pages
179. Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake = 352 pages
180. Invaded(Alienated #2) by Melissa Landers = 356 pages
181. Giant Days Vol 2 = 128 pages
182. United(Alienated #3) by Melissa Landers = 317 pages
183. The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily(Dash & Lily #2) by David Levithan & Rachel Cohn = 272 pages
184. The Goal(Off-Campus #4) by Elle Kennedy = 350 pages
185. The Fever Code(The Maze Runner #0.6) by James Dashner = 347 pages
186. Fly With Me(Wild Aces #1) by Chanel Cleeton = 320 pages
187. Let it Snow by Jeanette Grey = 120 pages
Total = 5407

November
188. Into the Blue(Wild Aces #2) by Chanel Cleeton = 320 pages
189. Bad Blood(The Naturals #4) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes = 384 pages
190. Royally Screwed(Royally #1) by Emma Chase = 276 pages
191. Heartless by Marissa Meyer = 449 pages
192. Four Letter Words(Dirty Deeds #1) by J. Daniels = 416 pages
193. Beloved(Salvation #1) by Corinne Michaels = 391 pages
194. Beholden(Salvation #2) by Corinne Michaels = 369 pages
195. Bad Romeo Christmas(Starcrossed #4) by Leisa Rayven = 252 pages
196. Fractures in Ink(Clipped Wings #3) by Helena Hunting = 269 pages
197. Fire In You(Wait For You #6) by Jennifer L Armentrout = 360 pages
Total = 3486

December
198. Ever the Hunted(Clash of Kingdoms #1) by Erin Summerill = 400 pages
199. Dawn Study(Study #6) by Maria V Snyder = 384 pages
200. Naughty Boss by Whitney G. = 127 pages
201. Fall With Me(Wait For Me #4) by Jennifer L Armentrout = 389 pages(re-read)
202. Reasonable Doubt Vol 1 by Whitney G. = 86 pages
203. Reasonable Doubt Vol 2 by Whitney G. = 76 pages
204. Reasonable Doubt Vol 3 by Whitney G. = 183 pages
205. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig = 272 pages
206. Frostblood(Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake = 389 pages
207. Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli = 320 pages(re-read)
Total = 2626

Total Reads = 207
Total Pages = 69 317


Happy reading!

Brittany

Tuesday 3 January 2017

Top 16 of 2016



Friends, we made it. 2016 was a brutal year in many ways; which means I'm very happy to see it end. Reading may have been a rollercoaster for me in 2016, but I still managed to end the year on a high note. And a not too shabby 207 books read. I want to say this list was super hard to narrow down, but that would be a lie. Although I read A LOT of great books, there are some very clear standouts. I honestly could have done a Top 10 list this year and been happy. But there are 16 books deserving of singing their praises and being my 2016 winners. Here they are:


16. We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
We Are the Ants
We Are the Ants was a surprise and a half. I hoped to love it. But the story turned out to be even more special. Just try not to tear up well rooting for Henry to come out okay and do the right thing.

15. The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh
The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)
A phenomenal sequel/ending to a stunning series. Shazi brings so much to strong fictional ladies. Kind of shows them up. Even though the story had some imperfections they are so easily overlooked because this book can be nothing but glorious in my mind. 

14. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles, #4.5)
How I will take and love any Lunar Chronicles book I get. Aces, these characters kill me no matter what age they appear at. And literally "The Wedding" made my life. So naturally Stars Above became an instant favourite of the year.

13. Torn by Jennifer L Armentrout
Torn (A Wicked Saga, #2)
It's not a top anything list without JLA showing up. The long wait for Torn was so worth it. I think that one scene with Tink alone made up for the year and a half wait. Holy shit I'm still LOLLLLing. Of course, my fave author can make me love a fae story. 

12. P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
P.S. I Like You
Adorable. Perfect. Sweet. Absolutely everything I've come to expect, need and want in a Kasie West contemp. 

11. Undecided by Julianna Keyes
Undecided (Burnham College, #1)
I think it's easy to call Undecided the gem of my reading year. I know I love NA(and read a lot of it), so finding something different and special in that huge pool is hard. BUT I FOUND IT! I re-read this special snowflake like four times. I FEEL SUCH NEED, CROSBIE. Crosbie + Nora = life

10. This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills
This Adventure Ends
Mills has proven that she is and will be a YA contemp force to be reckoned with. Two major hits in a row. This Adventure Ends gives me friendship, family, relatability and of course a ship. But Sloane, she is sarcastic and witty and so uncomfortable with strong feelings that I get her so so much. 

9. Wicked Heart by Leisa Rayven
Wicked Heart (Starcrossed, #3)
Let me sum it up; Wicked Heart is dripping in sexual tension and banter. It's hilarious and hot. It is a book you finish in one sitting, sigh and flips right on back to the first page to give another go. It is not a hidden gem, it is a star.

8. Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Naturals (The Naturals, #1)The Fixer (The Fixer, #1)
2016, the year I found Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This lady needs more readers. Her stories are insanely amazing. They're so smart. I wore my shocked face for at least 50% of each of the six books I read of hers. They're just fucking good. 

7. It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
It Ends with Us
The book that destroyed my soul. It Ends With Us was the most important fictional story I read this year. It Ends With Us is a deeply emotional story that is an important one. Tragically bad things happen and books like this one tell that story that many people are living. But also it doesn't have to end tragically; there can be a happy ending and that not everyone is alone.

6. Gemina by Amie Kaufmann & Jay Kristoff
Gemina (The Illuminae Files, #2)
I feel like I'm throwing insane and intense around a lot here, but I guess that sums up my reading year. Gemina was as glorious as Illuminae. Talk about upping the ante. Gemina was hilarious and absolutey the most unique book of the year.

5. Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Bardugo has created a masterpiece. I mean it. The story is insanely intense and high stakes. But this group of characters is the show. I think about them and how much I adore them and even though I'd be killed, want to live in Ketterdam just to catch a glimpse of one of them(Kaz please). 

4. Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy
Us (Him #2)
When an unexpected sequel is given to you; more Jamie & Wes is given to you, one is allowed to scream like a child. #acceptable I mean, Jamie & Wes bring me happiness by just being their wonderful perfect selves. OTP status overachieved. Just so you get it, I've reread this book at least ten times this year.

3.Some Kind of Perfect by Krista & Becca Ritchie
Some Kind of Perfect (Calloway Sisters, #4.5; Addicted, #3.5)
Perfection.
10 books. 6 phenomenal characters. 3 complex and wonderful loving couples. And this is it. SKoP is beyond satisfying and the most beautiful wrap-up to one of my ultimate favourite series. My love for these characters and their lives knows no bounds. The ups and downs. The highs and lows. I felt them all like I was right there in each and every moment. Reading that last chapter, knowing that's the end, had my heart breaking for my happiness.

2. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
The Upside of Unrequited
Relatable. Amazing. Perfect. Diverse. Adorable. 
1000% on par with Simon. I love Molly and this book just as much. Pure and utter happiness in a book.

1. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)
Is this any surprise?! Seriously?! Maas fucking killed it with ACOMAR. The Night Court! Rhys! Feyre! Rhys and Feyre together ARE GOLD AND GIVE ME LIFE! My emotional journey through this book was one I both appreciate and hate. Maas is the queen destroyer of feels; she continually proves that. Months and months later and my head is still spinning with my obsession over this tome of perfection. ACOWAR may murder me, and I CANNOT wait.



Any of these books make your favourites of 2016? What was your top read of 2016?

Happy reading!

Brittany