February Bookhaul

So my February book haul was a little larger than expected. Take a look below and see what I got!

Pre-Orders were as follows;

Dawn Study by Maria V Snyder, Kings Cage by Victoria Aveyard and The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury.

The next 6 books I got were on a 3 for £10 offer on Amazon.

I got Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton, Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, Stealing Snow by Danielle Page and Four A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth.

  

I also got the next 5 books in charity shops and these were Shatter Me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me and Unite Me by Tahereh Mafi and A Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

In my February Fairyloot box I got Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza, so I guess this can kind of go on my expected list.

Then because I fell in love with Rebel of the Sands I ordered Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton and then added Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman to get free delivery.

I then made the mistake of going to Tesco and as a result I now own Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs and Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare both of which were on a 2 for £7 offer. I do already have a special signed hardback edition of Lady Midnight but I wanted the paperback because it's so pretty and this one has sprayed green edged pages.

Then I decided that since everybody is talking about this series and it is now complete I would order A Darker Shade of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows and A Conjuring of Light by VE Schwab.

And finally Amazon had an offer on the following ebooks at 99p each so I got Passenger by Alexandra Bracken, Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin and The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh.

So there it is, my book haul for February 2017. 21 paperback books, 1 hardback and 3 ebooks bringing the total to 25 books. March should hopefully be quieter as I start to work my way through them.

Let me know what you hauled in February and if there are any I got that you liked/didn't like/were indifferent to, etc.

The Goodreads Book Tag

 Originally this tag was from Spiralbookmark on booktube (http://youtube.com/SpiralBookmark)

GOODREADS BOOK TAG QUESTIONS 

1. What was the last book you marked as 'read'?
Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

2. What are you currently reading?
Traitor to the Throne by Alwyn Hamilton

3. What was the last book you marked as 'TBR'?
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare

4. What book do you plan to read next?
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

5. Do you use the star rating system?
Yes I do, I've only really started using it recently but I do tend to use it.

6. Are you doing a 2017 Reading Challenge?
Yes and I set my challenge to 20 books since last year I only managed 11 in total but so far this year I have already read 10. I may need to increase my challenge number.

7. Do you have a wishlist?
I tend to put books on my To Read list which I want to buy buy I also have an amazon wishlist too.

8. What book do you plan to buy next?
Probably Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst

9. Do you have any favorite quotes, would you like to share a few?
I love 'One must always be careful of books, and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us' from Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.

10. Who are your favorite authors?
I will buy anything written by Cassandra Clare, Sarah J Maas, Maria V Snyder and Alwyn Hamilton.

11. Have you joined any groups?
This year I have joined a few YA groups as well as the Fairyloot group on Goodreads.

12. Are there any questions you would like to add?
No, are there any you readers would like to add?

Review #10 - Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza

Details:

Title: Empress of a Thousand Skies

Author: Rhoda Belleza

Publisher: Razorbill

ISBN 13: 978-1101999103

Synopsis:

Crown Princess Rhiannon, known as Rhee, has deadly accuracy with a blade and a thirst for vengeance. After her family perished in a suspicious spacecraft accident when she was just a child, Rhee grew up in exile while a corrupt government ruled in her stead. Now, Rhee has finally come of age to claim her title as Empress...and to avenge her family. But on the eve of her coronation, Rhee is brutally attacked by a government assassin and only narrowly escapes with her life. 

Without knowing who she can trust, Rhee goes into hiding, relying only on her sharp instincts and her trusty blade to survive.Across the galaxy, pilot Alyosha has risen above his war refugee origins to find fame as the popular star of a reality holo-vision show. But when Aly is framed for the attack on Rhee, he goes from celebrity to fugitive in an instant. On the run from the formidable UniForce army, Aly knows that his only hope is to find the princess and clear his name. 

Thrown together by an act of violence, Rhee and Aly eventually discover the attack is just one part of a larger plan with devastating, far-reaching consequences for the entire galaxy. 

Review:

February Unboxing - One True Pairing by Bookwormcandlescraft

So today I am going to be unboxing the February 2017 Bookwormcandlescraft box which I ordered on a whim when it mentioned Mortal Instruments and A Court of Mist and Fury (What follows will contain spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to know what is in the box)

Bookwormandlescraft is a monthly subscription box which contains 6-8 bookish related items always including a candle, soap and other surprise items all pertaining to the theme.

The theme for the month of February was One True Pairing. (Spoiler filled post under the cut)

February 2017 - Fairyloot Unboxing

So today I am going to be unboxing the February 2017 FairyLoot box which I was anticipating greatly after the incredible January box. (What follows will contain spoilers so please do not read if you don't want to know what is in the box)

FairyLoot is a monthly book subscription box mainly focusing on fantasy YA and YA crossovers. Each month you receive a new release book, mostly hardback and 4-6 bookish items which fit in with the theme.

The theme this month was Emperors and Fugitives. (Spoiler filled post under the cut)

Review #9 - Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Details:

Title: Rebel of the Sands

Author: Alwyn Hamilton

Publisher: Faber and Faber

ISBN 13: 978-0571325252

Synopsis:

"Tell me that and we'll go. Right now. Save ourselves and leave this place to burn. Tell me that's how you want your story to go and we'll write it straight across the sand."

Dustwalk is Amani's home. The desert sand is in her bones. But she wants to escape. More than a want. A need.

Then a foreigner with no name turns up to save her life, and with him the chance to run. But to where? The desert plains are full of danger. Sand and blood are swirling, and the Sultan's enemies are on the rise.

Review:

Review #8 - Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

Details:

Title: Dawn Study

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: HQ

ISBN 13: 978-1848456891

Synopsis:

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond―and a family―that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall―and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician…and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.

Review:

Valentine's Day Special - OTP Post

Hello! 

So since it's Valentine's Day I have decided to chose my top 9 OTP's - for those who don't know OTP stands for it means One True Pairing and it's essentially your choice of characters which you think make a great couple. 

I'm not going to go into too much detail about the books in case people haven't read them so I'll essentially just fangirl about the pairings instead.

1. Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane - Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare.

I've always loved this pair, they complement each other so much and despite the books not really focusing on them their relationship builds and grows and faces problems and there's just such a sense of realism to them. I basically just adore them.

(Tarot card art by Cassandra Jean)

2. Yelena and Valek - Study Series by Maria V Snyder.

I love the progression of their relationship and just how much they have both grown and developed over the series. Both as individuals and a couple. They're at times sweet, argumentative, protective and caring. 

3. Lysandra and Aedion - Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas.

It may seem odd that I haven't chosen Aelin and Rowan or even Manon and Dorian and while I do love both of those pairings there's just something about Lysandra and Aedion. It hasn't been easy for them and they're not officially even a couple yet but I have hope they will be - if we can just fix the end of Empire of Storms that is.

4. Feyre and Rhysand - A Court of Thorn and Roses series by Sarah J Maas.

I cannot explain quite how much I love this pairing. They're just meant to be together, they're perfect and yeah, just perfect.

(Art by Taratjah)

5. Haymitch Abernathy and Effie Trinket - Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins.

Now this one I kind of have to blame on the movies. I admit it passed through my brain briefly when reading the books but it wasn't until the films and more specifically Elizabeth Banks' hardcore shipping of them that made me jump on the Hayffie bandwagon.

6. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley - Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.

I love Ron and Hermione. I think Ron is such an underrated character and both he and Hermione bring things out in each other which they need to round out their personalities. I think they're just a down to earth cute couple and I will always love them.

(Art by lberghol)

7. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

I re-read Pride and Prejudice every year and it was probably one of my first OTP's. I have pretty much always wanted to be Elizabeth and adore her character. I like how both she and Darcy have to learn some truths about themselves before they can be together and that they are willing to do that. The BBC version is also the only adaptation I can watch.

(Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle from BBC's Pride and Prejudice)

8. Tiberius Blackthorn and Kit Rook - Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

So we don't really see much of these two characters but what we did see struck me immediately and I absolutely have high hopes for Lord of Shadows when it comes to developing these characters more. 

9. Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs - Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.

I know some people view this as controversial but I always loved these two and kind of wanted them to be together - with or without Tessa I am not too fussy lol. I love their relationship and how it was Jem who worked his way into Will's heart and how much he is willing to give up for his parabatai. 

Review #7 - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Details:

Title: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Books

ISBN 13: 978-1594746031

Synopsis:

A mysterious island. 
 
An abandoned orphanage. 
 
A strange collection of very curious photographs. 
 
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow impossible though it seems they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Review:

I started this book thinking I’d read it quite quickly as I had already seen the film and at first the differences were minor things – gender change and different minor characters but as I continued reading the changes got bigger and I realised that the film really had taken artistic licence with the story.

The book itself I found really interesting, the characters are good and story well-paced. I did feel some of the background characters could use a little development but am hoping the next two in the series might do that more. I am definitely interested to see what happens next. The writing style is easy to read, I love the pictures spaced throughout the book they definitely add another dimension to it and the chapters are split into manageable chunks.

I give Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children 4.5 out of 5 stars.

 **** .5

January Wrap up and February TBR

So in January 2017 I managed to read a total of 6 books which, considering I read 11 books in the whole of 2016, is pretty good I think. 

I read, in order, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard, Magisterium: The Bronze Key by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard, Red Rising by Pierce Brown and Caraval by Stephanie Garber.

By far my favourite was Caraval followed by Red Rising. Caraval was definitely easier to read and I devoured it quite quickly while Red Rising required a little more concentration but it was just as incredible. 

So in February I am going to aim for 5 books as I am a little busier and the month is shorter. I am currently reading Miss Pereguine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, then I have 3 new releases this month which are all continuations or conclusions to series I read. These are The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury, Dawn Study by Maria V Snyder and King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard. Then if I have enough time I want to read Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton.