Cinderella is Dead

It’s 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over.

Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she’s tiny until the night she’s sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball . are forfeit.

But Sophia doesn’t want to be chosen – she’s in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the idea of being traded like cattle. And when Sophia’s night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she must run for her life. Alone and terrified, she finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s tomb. And there she meets someone who will show her that she has the power to remake her world.

It wasn’t exactly a fairytale retelling, it was what happens after if people take what happened to cinderella as their laws. I loved the idea of the ball, every toung woman getting her happily ever after. But it quickly became clear that this was not the case. Not only were women viewed as pretty objects rather than humans, but what happens if you do not fit the mould.

Sophia does not fit their mould, she wants to create her own ahppy ever after which does not include a prince. I really enjoyed this book. It was full of magic, love, friendship and mystery. I loved how I had no idea where this story was going. It was full of twists and turns. It made me question everyone, made me think “are they who they say they are?”. Which I loved.

Overall it was a fantastic read and I will be reading more from this author.

5 out of 5 stars

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ARC Review: Ignite the Sun

Once upon a time, there was something called the sun… In a kingdom ruled by an evil witch, the sun is just part of a legend about light-filled days of old. Luckily for everybody in the kingdom, Siria Nightingale is headed to the heart of the darkness to try and restore the light–or she will lose everything trying.

Sixteen year-old Siria Nightingale has never seen the sun. The light is dangerous, according to Queen Iyzabel, an evil witch who has shrouded the kingdom in shadow.

Siria has always hated the darkness and revels in the stories of the light-filled old days that she hears from her best friend and his grandfather. Besides them, nobody else understands her fascination with the sun, especially not her strict and demanding parents. Siria’s need to please them is greater even than her fear of the dark. So she heads to the royal city–the very center of the darkness–for a chance at a place in Queen Iyzabel’s court.

But what Siria discovers at the Choosing Ball sends her on a quest toward the last vestiges of the sun with a ragtag group of rebels who could help her bring back the Light … or doom the kingdom to shadow forever.

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing. It was full wonder, magic and love. With lots of danger, friendship, backstabbing and even a little romance. I loved Siria as a main character, she was different and learned all about magic and the sun children as the book went on. I loved how the history was revealed bit by bit.

I loved the suporting characters. They added a lot to the book, I felt as much for them as I did for Siria. The setting was amazing, it was well described and felt very real. The pacing was great and the ending was well planned and good. There was enough explanation about what happened after to leave me satisfied.

Overall it was a great fantasy book, that I would be happy to read again and again.

5 out 5 stars

Bone Crier’s Moon

Bone ​Criers have a sacred duty. They alone can keep the dead from preying on the living. But their power to ferry the spirits of the dead into goddess Elara’s Night Heavens or Tyrus’s Underworld comes from sacrifice. The gods demand a promise of dedication. And that promise comes at the cost of the Bone Criers’ one true love.

Ailesse has been prepared since birth to become the matriarch of the Bone Criers, a mysterious famille of women who use strengths drawn from animal bones to ferry dead souls. But first she must complete her rite of passage and kill the boy she’s also destined to love.

Bastien’s father was slain by a Bone Crier and he’s been seeking revenge ever since. Yet when he finally captures one, his vengeance will have to wait. Ailesse’s ritual has begun and now their fates are entwined—in life and in death.

Sabine has never had the stomach for the Bone Criers’ work. But when her best friend Ailesse is taken captive, Sabine will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means defying their traditions—and their matriarch—to break the bond between Ailesse and Bastien. Before they all die.

Review

I was really looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint. I loved the idea the bone crier’s, they ferry the dead, but they have a lot more to do an that, and sacrifices.

I love reading books set on myths and legends, especially ones I do not know very well. I have been reading quite a few lately and this one was the creme of the crop. It wsa full of everything I love, myths but not just the normal, embelished to make it super exciting.

Ailisse was a fun character to read about, her growth was astounding, she thought she knew it all and never doubted her beliefs, until things go wrong. Sabine was strong all the way through even though she didn’t think she was, it just took her time to show her true strentgh. Bastien was a great character, he knew what he wanted but never stopped being a good person, even when the lines were blurred. I did likehow much things were turned upside down many times, so much so that you will not know which way is up by the end.

I cannot wait for the second book, please write it quickly, I need to know what happens.

5 out of 5 stars

Woven in Moonlight

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.

When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.

She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.

Review

I LOVED this book. It was exciting, full of intrique, it kept me guessing the whole way through.  My only quip is that I wouldm have liked a little more history of the war that started everything.

Ximena was an amazing main character. She did make some rash decisions but it added tot he drama and since it all came from her heart it made sense. I do think she was a little reckless at times but the story would’ve been boring without a little danger.

The setting was great, it sounded really beautiful. I couldn’t really gauge the size of the county though. But I loved the idea of the different people in it and all the types of magic.

Ximena’s magic was so unique, I loved the idea of it. Without giving anything away, it was magic that was fun and pretty but really useful, which I actually loved, it was nice for the MC to not have a power that could overcome everything. Everything she overcame was becuase of hard work and her choices.

Rumi was an amazing side character. It was hard to see his intentions but it was fun trying to guess. El Lomo was interesting, I would have liked a little more detail on what exactly what he did. He was kind of a robin hood like character, taking from the rich and giving to the poor, mainly focussing on the King.

Overall it was a fantastic read, unlike anything else I have ever read and cannot wait to see what else will happen in the next book.

5 out of 5 stars

Review: Weathernose

Kids are just too damn smart these days.

In the Cerulean Universe, the world is only just awakening to scientific discovery and invention. There’s no room for an old-fashioned weatherman like Tart Morning. And now, thanks to a ground-breaking invention called “the weathernose” – a machine that calculates weather predictions, Tart’s career is on the line. His only choice is to destroy the weathernose, but the machine’s smug little inventress, Cypress Korkul, is far too clever for him.

In his scrambling efforts to keep up with the times, Tart finds himself willing to go to ever more dastardly lengths. How far is he willing to go to get his job and his old life back? What will he find out about Cypress – and himself – along the way?

Review

I recieved a free copy of this book via booksirens in exchange for an honest review.

I found this a really sweet and fun book. I love the writing style, it was melodic. The characters were great and very believable. Tart came across mostly as a bitter man but with good reason. Cyrpess seemed a little too adult at times, but it added to her arogance which came across well.

The story progressed well and I found it charming. I loved where it went and how it ended. I would read more in the series. I would love to know more about the setting, seems like a really interesting world.

5 out of 5 stars

Reread Review: Kiss of Frost

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword…

Original Review

I enjoyed this one more than I did the first. Maybe it’s because you got see a different side of the characters. I like Daphne and Carson, it does any me a little that Gwen keeps referring to Carson as the band geek, there must be other ways to describe him or just use his name? I liked how Gwen seemed to enjoying her time at Mythos more. She was actually learning to use her knowledge to her advantage. Finally.
Logan seems to switch his mood more than he switches clothes. One minute he is not talking to Gwen, next he is making sure she doesn’t go off with some guy. I am surprised he doesn’t have whiplash. Savannah, she doesn’t seem like a very nice person, of course I am guessing that’s on purpose.

I liked the action and the story very much. I actually read this in two or three days, just forgot to put review up.

Reread Review

I really enjoyed this the second time round, I think the characters were fun and I am enjoying getting to know them again. I really like Oliver, I cannot remember if he is in later books but I hope he is, since he is one of my favourites. If you have not picked up the first one in the series yet I s

ARC Review: Bright Blaze of Magic

As a thief, I’m good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families–and kill every last Sinclair. What they don’t know is that I’m on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I’ve got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…

“An adventurous ride you will never want to get off.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout on Cold Burn of Magic.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I had reviewed this a while ago but unfortunately I forgot. I loved this series. The magic was complex yet easy to follow. The plot had lots of twists and turn, some where expected some were not.

This last book lived up to the good name of the series. It had a really great end that left me feeling satisfied, there was no loose ends.

The characters had good growth from the last book and Lila got of some good fixes again, like always in creative ways.

If you liked the first two I highly recommend you reading this book.

5 out 5 stars

Similar books in my opinion

 

Review: Threats of Sky and Sea

Sixteen year-old Breena Perdit has spent her life as a barmaid, innocent to her father’s past and happily free from the Elemental gifts that would condemn her to a life in the Egrian King’s army. Until the day that three Elemental soldiers recognize her father as a traitor to the throne and Bree’s father is thrown in jail—along with the secrets from his last mission as the King’s assassin. Secrets that could help the King win a war. Secrets he refuses to share.

Desperate to escape before the King’s capricious whims prove her and her father’s downfall, Bree bargains with him: information for their lives. It’s a good trade. And she has faith she’ll get them both out of the King’s grasp with time.

But that was before the discovery that she’s the weapon the King’s been waiting for in his war.

Now, time is running out. To save her father’s life and understand her own, Bree must unravel the knot of her father’s past before the King takes his life– and uses her to bring a nation to its knees.

Review

Wow what a start to a series. I was hooked from the very first page which is extremely rare. I was wanting to know more and more, I kept guessing at what was going to happen, something things I did manage to work out and some only half guessed, but certain parts I completely clueless, which is the perfect combination. I like to at least feel I work some of it out.

The characters were amazing, Breena’s spunky attitude was great, I kept looking forward to quips. It also helped that she was learning along with the reader, made the writing smoother and flow better.  Prince Caden was swoon worthy and hopefully one day make a just King (if he ever gets that far).

Princess Aleta was a mystery to me at first, I wasn’t sure how things were going to with her, but as the story went on, we got to know her better and things made sense.

Lady Kat is force to be reckoned with. I didn’t think anything could shock her, nice to know one thing could. She is definitely a good baddie.

Adept Tregle was another character who’s loyalty’s I was unsure of but by the end his side was clear, he was a good background character.

The unfolding of this story was superbly done, I read this in a day and I still want more. I want to know what happens now, and the story behind Breena’s Da’s disappearance. And what happened to her mum?

I love stories with magic and this was about people have abilities to do the four elements. I loved the magic in this, it was exciting but not overbearing. I hope there is plenty more in the next book.

If you haven’t read this I suggest you do it soon. It’s really worth it.

5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for people who enjoyed:

ARC Review: Five Little Ducklings go to School

It s time for the five little ducklings to go to school. Four of the little ducklings shout, YIPPEE! HOORAY! OH BOY! THAT S COOL! The fifth little duckling sobs, BOO-HOO! I won t go to school! I m going to miss you! But when Mama reminds them, Even though we ll be apart, we ll still be in each other s heart, the little ducklings go forth and soon discover School is great! “

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the bright colours and art work in this book. The story had a good message and the rhyming was well done and charming. I wanted the book to keep going, keep telling me the story of the five ducklings. I think kids would love this book, it’s quick and fun and has some great pictures for them too look at.

5 out 5 stars.

ARC Review: Akarnae

With just one step, sixteen-year-old Alexandra Jennings’s world changes–literally.

Dreading her first day at a new school, Alex is stunned when she walks through a doorway and finds herself stranded in Medora, a fantasy world full of impossibilities. Desperate to return home, she learns that only a man named Professor Marselle can help her… but he’s missing.

While waiting for him to reappear, Alex attends Akarnae Academy, Medora’s boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts. She soon starts to enjoy her bizarre new world and the friends who embrace her as one of their own, but strange things are happening at Akarnae, and Alex can’t ignore her fear that something unexpected… something sinister… is looming.

An unwilling pawn in a deadly game, Alex’s shoulders bear the crushing weight of an entire race’s survival. Only she can save the Medorans, but what if doing so prevents her from ever returning home?

Will Alex risk her entire world–and maybe even her life–to save Medora?

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off a little slow for me, but once I got to the third chapter I was hooked and had to finish it that day. It reminded me a little of Harry Potter, just in the way how magical it was and how much it sucked me in.

Alex was a great main character, I love books where you learn with the character, it was really well written and I was just lapping up the whole story. The beginning was a little lack luster but the rest of the book made up for it.

The friendship between Alex, Jordan and Bear was great and only got better over time. It was a fun and loyal friendship which made me smile a lot.

The world of Medora was complex and completely inviting. I loved learning all the magic and technologies of the world. It all made perfect sense and always left me wanting more.

I wish I could gush and explain exactly what I loved about this book but with revealing too much I cannot. So if you want to know how good it is, click on the picture which which will take you to the goodreads page.

5 out of 5 stars.