Monday Meme:: If You Liked: THRONE OF GLASS

Although I haven't personally read this series by the NYT Bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, most of my friends have, and the above meme seems to describe their opinions perfectly. According to them, it's a roller coaster of love and rage and tears and every other emotion in the book. This series is going to be six books in the making, and you may be wondering what to read while you wait for book 5 next year. Here are a few suggestions. 

The Winner's Curse: Marie Rutkoski- Though this world is not so dramatic and wild as the one in Throne of Glass, I believe it is one of the most elegantly crafted fantasy worlds I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Kestrel is a complicated heroine, and you won't want to wait for the third book once you've devoured this book and its sequel, The Winner's Crime. Click here to request a copy.  

Falling Kingdoms: Morgan Rhodes- In another six book epic fantasy, royalty and commoners entwine, and fates are tied that cannot be broken. I've heard many good things about this series as well, and if you think you'd like to learn more, click here.  

The Grisha: Leigh Bardugo- A trilogy that begins with Shadow and Bone, The Grisha books are a winding path of dark and light, good and evil, and convoluted notions of who is true and who is a lie. The gifted ones have powers to control the elements, and when one normal girl discovers that she is a Grisha, her life changes forever. See what happens by clicking here. 

Monday Meme Spotlight: WAITING

So, I know kwatanabe is all over the Waiting on Wednesday, and I LOVE her picks. But I want to tell you all about some 2016 picks that I think are going to steal the scene! These are mostly early 2016, so hopefully the wait isn't too terrible!

Blackhearts- Nicole Castroman: It's a pirate origin story. It's the story of Blackbeard and how he came to be, as well as the girl he loved. Trapped by society and destinies that seem inescapable, can two vastly different people find a way to change the world? I'm dying for this book. Pirates? Yeah, that's the only thing you need to say before I'll pick your book. And Nicole Castroman, whom I've had the pleasure of talking to just a little bit, is an absolutely awesome person. So GET READY, because this one is shaping up to be fabulous. 

Passenger- Alexandra Bracken: Time travel can be dangerous, as a violin prodigy finds out when she finds herself mysteriously sent hundreds of years into the past and thrown into the middle of a sea battle (so, basically, more pirates). She's been drawn there for a reason, and as she searches for a stolen object, her chance to get home gets less and less possible. Seriously. Cannot wait. 

(I'm realizing just now that I seem to have a theme with my books that I want. Pirates, things in bottles, etc. But look at how pretty they are. Can you blame me?)

The Winner's Kiss- Marie Rutkoski: Let me break the trend. This is a total fantasy novel, the conclusion to a series that I could rave about for years. You don't want to get me started on The Winner's Curse series- you may die of starvation before you can get away. But this will be the climax, the end-all be-all of Kestrel and Arin and their heartbreaking story. *Crossed fingers for a happy ending*

Monday Meme Spotlight: Book Worlds

 

      Have you ever been so immersed in a book that you forgot it wasn't real? Have you ever found yourself surprised because you reached the last page and you don't know how it happened? Have you ever been awake until the early morning hours because you had to know what happened? I have. It's a great feeling, isn't it? To know that there are writers out there who can so fully tug at your heart and really make you want to live in the world they created. Here are a few books that made that happen for me.

1. The Wrath and the Dawn- Renee Ahdieh: This book came out very recently. The moment I saw the cover, I felt that it was something special, and I was right- that book sucked me in and didn't let me go until I had turned the last page. And then I yelled at it, because it wasn't supposed to end so soon. I loved everything about it- the characters were all so engaging, the settings were elegantly described, and the writing was so beautiful that I couldn't breathe during some of the more intense scenes. I like a lot of books, I do. But this one surpassed them all. As soon as I put it down, I wanted to turn it back over and read it again, just like that (but it was past midnight, so I only read a few of my favorite parts again before I fell asleep). If you would like to be entranced by an elegant retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, click this link.

2. The Winner's Curse- Marie Rutkoski: This is a novel that I affectionately call a time-melter. The reason for that is because the first time I picked it up to read a few chapters, I read for what I thought was ten minutes and turned out to be almost forty-five. The world was reminiscent of a Roman empire, and the interwoven stories made for an intriguing, exceptional read. Rutkoski's writing sweeps over you in original, beautiful descriptions of the opulence and decadence that surrounds Kestrel (the main character) at every turn, as well as the discontent of the Herrani slaves and their plans for revolt. You can get it here.

3. Some Quiet Place- Kelsey Sutton: Admittedly, this book takes place in the present, with one small exception- the main character does not feel emotions, but sees them, as well as elements like Fog, Mist, Nightmare, etc., as physical manifestations. People. And she can interact with them, too- like Fear. Fear is one of her best friends, in a strange twisted way. He's fascinated with why she can't feel his influence, and he makes it his mission to find out why. The novel, although short, grabs you and shakes you and makes you want to see emotions as well, and then leaves you with a new perspective after the last page. If you think it sounds interesting, you can put a hold on a library copy by clicking right here.

     These are just three of the books that I've found to totally drown you in their engaging detail, creative worlds, and unique perspectives. What books do that for you?