Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Top Ten Books set in fantasy worlds


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.
 
This week I'm talking about my top ten favorite books set in fantasy worlds!
 
1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
 

2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
 

 
3. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
 


4. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
 

5. The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima
 

6. The Unicorn Chronicles by Bruce Coville
 
 
7. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
 

8. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
 


9. The Atherton Series by Patrick Carman
 

10. The Tunnels Series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
 
Order: Tunnels, Deeper, Freefall, Closer, Spiral, Terminal
 

Not pictured: Terminal
 
Well, technically this does partially take place in England. But since it mostly takes place under the ground, I'm including it.
 
What is your top ten?









Monday, August 12, 2013

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jenifer L. Armentrout: Review


RATING: 5/5
 
SUMMARY:
 
Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.
 
REVIEW:
 
 
I am on an alien kick this summer. First The 5th Wave, then In the After, and now Obsidian.
 
I am probably the last person in the world to read this. Everyone kept raving about how good it was, but I was very reluctant to buy it, because I didn't know if I would like it. Just this past week, my local library finally got it in, so I picked it up. And I am so glad I did.
 
Katy moves to West Virginia and meets the sexiest being that walks the earth: Daemon Black.
 
 
 
But then he opened his mouth, and got much less attractive.
 
I had such mixed feelings about Daemon. While almost everyone seems to absolutely love him, I really didn't like him all that much. Anyone who talks to people that way has some real issues. And, sadly, his attitude made me not like him very much. Which is very sad, because he is GORGEOUS!
 
 
But while I didn't like Daemon, I LOVED Katy. She has got a mouth on her, and she isn't afraid to use it. She wouldn't put up with any of Daemon's crap, and I loved that about her.
 
 
 
Dee was a wonderful supporting character. As Daemon put it, she is a "ball of sunshine". She was always so friendly and kind, and she wouldn't put up with Daemon either.
 
This book has been called a knock-off of Twilight, but since I never could make it past the first chapter of Twilight, I was blissfully ignorant of the twilight-ness. I thought Obsidian's story was really unique and intriguing. I haven't read anything quite like it!
 
I also love Jennifer Armentrout's writing. It was clear and fluid, and moved the book along so well.
 
Overall, Obsidian was a great novel. Good job, Miss Armentrout.
 
 
 
CONTENT: One very heavy kissing scene, numerous innuendoes, heavy swearing (but no f bombs), and lots of violence. 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (2)


Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
 
I've decided to switch to Stacking the Shelves instead of In My Mailbox, because most of my books do not arrive in my mailbox.
 
I haven't done one of these in a while, so bear with me.
 
 
 

 
 
BOUGHT:
  • Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott (hardcover)
  • Mortal Instruments: City of Bones Shadowhunter's Guide (paperback)
  • Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (hardcover)
  • I Am Number Four The Lost Files: Secret Histories by Pittacus Lore (paperback)
  • The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (hardcover)
  • Scorpion Shards (Star Shard Chronicles #1) by Neal Shusterman (hardcover)
  • Thief of Souls Star Shard Chronicles #2) by Neal Shusterman (hardcover)
  • Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris (hardcover)
  • Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway (hardcover)
GARAGE SALE FINDS:
  • War of the World by H.G. Wells (paperback)
  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin (paperback)
  • The Turn of the Screw by Kenry James (paperback)
  • Animal Farm by George Orwell (paperback)
  • Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Back (paperback)
  • Anderson's Fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson (Hardcover)
 
FROM PUBLISHER:
 

  • Ambuzzador Kit with The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton and Swag! Thanks Random House!
What did you get this week?



Friday, August 2, 2013

July Wrap-up and August TBR

BOOK READ IN JULY: 13
  • Terminal (Tunnels #6) by Roderick Gordon  and Brian Williams: 5/5
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman: 5/5
  • Insignia by S.J. Kincaid: 5/5
  • Goddess by Josephine Angelini: 5/5
  • Tidal by Amanda Hocking: 5/5
  • In the After by Demitria Lunetta: 5/5
  • In Time (The Darkest Minds #1.5) by ALexandra Bracken: 5/5
  • Reboot by Amy Tintera: 5/5
  • Dance of the Red Death (MAsque of the Red Death #2) by Bethany Griffin: 5/5
  • The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton: 2/5
  • Phoenix (Black City #2) by Elizabeth Richards: 4/5
  • Pivot Point by Kasie West: 5/5
  • No Safety in Numbers by Dayna Lorentz: 3/5
FAVORITE BOOK OF THE MONTH

Pivot Point by Kasie West

REVIEWS
CURRENTLY READING
  • Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • The End Games by T. Michael Martin
  • I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
AUGUST TBR
  • The End Games by T. Michael Martin
  • Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
  • What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
  • Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
  • City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (reread)
  • The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (reread)
  • The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson (reread)
  • The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
  • Elegy by Amanda Hocking
  • Infinityglass by Myra Mcentire
  • When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears by Kersten Hamilton