Waiting on Wednesday (27): United by Melissa Landers

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

This week's "waiting on" is...

United

by Melissa Landers!

Expected publication date: August 2nd, 2016

Publisher: EverAfter

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

After thwarting a deadly coup and saving the alliance between their worlds, Cara and Aelyx have finally earned a break. Their tiny island colony is everything they dreamed it would be―days spent gathering shells on the beach and nights in each other’s arms.

But the vacation is short-lived.

The treaty between Earth and L’eihr has awakened an ancient force that threatens to destroy them all. The Aribol, mysterious guardians charged with maintaining interstellar peace, deem the alliance a threat to the galaxy. They order a separation of the races, decreeing humans and L’eihrs must return to their own planets within the month or face extinction. In fact, they already have agents in place on Earth, ready to begin.

With the clock ticking, Aelyx and Cara assemble a team of colonists and race back to Earth, where they unite with old friends to solve the mystery of who the Aribol are, what they want, and the real reason the alliance has provoked them. As tensions build to a full-scale war, Aelyx and Cara must fight harder than ever―not just for their future, but for the survival of both their worlds.

The first two books were such light and fun reads (My review of ALIENATED). I cannot wait for this one!

What is your waiting on?

Waiting on Wednesday (26): P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

This week's "waiting on" is...

P.S. I Like You

by Kasie West!

Expected publication date: July 26th, 2016

Publisher: Point

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?

While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets. When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she's flustered -- and kind of feels like she's falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer -- but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart?

From beloved author Kasie West (The Distance Between Us) comes an utterly charming story about mixed messages, missed connections, and the magic of good old-fashioned secret admirer notes.

Kasie West's novels never disappoint. Such light and fun reads!

What is your waiting on?

Brisingr (The Inheritance Cycle #3) by Christopher Paolini: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: Bought

Publication date: September 20th, 2008

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY(from Goodreads):

Oaths sworn... loyalties tested... forces collide.

It's been only months since Eragon first uttered "brisingr", an ancient language term for fire. Since then, he's not only learned to create magic with words — he's been challenged to his very core. Following the colossal battle against the Empires warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still, there is more adventure at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon's oath to his cousin, Roran: to help rescue Roran's beloved from King Galbatorix's clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength — as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices — choices that will take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

REVIEW:

I have no words to express how much I love this book. So I will express my feelings in gifs.

In short, you should read this book. You will not regret it!

Waiting on Wednesday (25): Heartless by Marissa Meyer

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine

This week's waiting on is...

Heartless 

by Marissa Meyer!

Expected publication date: November 8th, 2016

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans. 

Another fairy tale retelling by Marissa Meyer? Yes, please!

What is your waiting on?

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: series review

SERIES RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: C.S. Lewis

Publisher: Collier Books

Source: Bought

Find The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (from Goodreads):

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, completed in the winter of 1949 & published in 1950, tells the story of four ordinary children: Peter, Susan, Edmund & Lucy Pevensie. They discover a wardrobe in Prof. Digory Kirke's house that leads to the magical land of Narnia, which is currently under the spell of a witch. The four children fulfill an ancient, mysterious prophecy while in Narnia. The Pevensie children help Aslan (the Turkish word for lion) & his army save Narnia from the evil White Witch, who's reigned over the Narnia in winter for 100 years.

REVIEW:

After 20 years of life, I finally read this series. And, needless to say, I was not disappointed. 

The way C.S. Lewis crafted the story was amazing. It was really very simple, and was told very simply; but there was an extremely complex aspect to it. I have gone to Catholic school my whole life: grade school, middle school, high school, and now college. In all of my years of Catholic school, I have had to take many theology classes, whether I wanted to or not. But in reading this series, I can definitely see the Catholic influence in these books. There were so many little references to the Catholic faith and theology, and it was so cool to be able to recognize them. I am glad that I waited until college to read them, because if I hadn't had that knowledge, I wouldn't have enjoyed them near as much.

But, even if you have no knowledge of religion, you will definitely still enjoy the books. The story is complex enough to keep adult readers entertained, but simple enough for young children to read. It is a great series to read to kids!

Each of the books had their own unique story, but also connected to each other. I read them in  the original publication order (The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, The Last Battle), and I highly suggest reading them in that order. Recently they rearranged them so that the books were in chronological order, and you can totally read them that way. There's nothing wrong with it. But reading them in the order that he originally wrote them made more sense in the way that certain aspects of Narnia were revealed. 

 In short, I highly recommend this series!

Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini: Review

REVIEW: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: bought

Publication date: August 23rd, 2005

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Darkness falls... Swords clash... Evil reigns.

Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesméra, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust.

Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall – one that puts Eragon in even graver danger.

Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life...

REVIEW:

Even better than Eragon!

Everything about Eldest was great. I could go on forever about what I love about this book, but I am going to focus on one single character that really made the book for me: Roran.

Roran, Eragon's cousin, wasn't really present in the first book. But he REALLY came into his own in Eldest. He was absolutely bad-ass! He has such a fierce loyalty to his family, and his leadership skills when it came to getting his men to fight were amazing. The outcome of the story would be totally different if not for Roran and his hammer. The chapters from his point of view were my absolute favorite to read; he is no doubt my favorite character in this series. Christopher Paolini, you know how to craft amazing characters. 

If you have not read this series, I highly suggest you do so soon!

Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1) by Christopher Paolini: Review

RATING: 5/5 stars!

Author: Christopher Paolini

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Source: bought

Publication date: August 26th, 2003

Find it on Goodreads here!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire.

REVIEW:

If you are like me and have let this series sit on your shelf for years, I have a message for you:


Do not be intimidated by the size of this book. Do not be intimidated that it is just like all of the other high fantasy dragon books out there; because it is not. Do not worry that because this book was written by a fifteen-year-old, it is going to suck; because it doesn't. Do not worry that the book is going to be as bad as the movie, Eragon, was, because the book is so different and sooo much better. And, most importantly, do not let this book gather any more dust; read it. Right now. You will not regret it!