Tag: Books


Nov
2018

My 7 Favourite Fantasy Authors

categories: Books

I love fantasy novels. They allow me to escape the real world for an hour or two without having to leave the comfort of my bed (which IMO is the best kind of travelling). Here are seven of my top fantasy authors:

My 7 Favourite Fantasy Authors

  1. Sarah J Maas- Sarah J Maas is my QUEEN! I don’t even care about her “Throne of Glass” series but I am so very obsessed with the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series that I believe she should be mentioned first on this list. If you haven’t read ACOTAR yet go and get it. I promise it will be worth your while.
  2. Rachel Morgan- Rachel Morgan’s “Creepy Hollow” series has the same incredible world-building and crazy plot twists that you can find in a Sarah J Maas novel. Also, she’s South African so if you order her books directly from her you can get them SIGNED!
  3. Renee Ahdieh- I’ve only read “The Wrath and the Dawn” duology but I loved it so very much. I think Renee Ahdieh has beautiful writing and incredible world-building. Also the guy is TWATD is super-hot.
  4. Marissa Meyer- Marissa Meyer writes compelling adaptations for the stories that we know and love. Two of my favourites are The Lunar Chronicles series (a steampunk-ish kind of fantasy) and Heartless (a story about the terrifying Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland).
  5. Melissa Delport- Melissa Delport is another local author. I am utterly in love with the vampire, Drake from her Guardians of Summerfield series (I fall in love with alot of fictional characters if you didn’t already know that).
  6. Richelle Mead- Vampire Academy was one of my all-time favourite vampire series and that makes Richelle Mead one of my all-time favourite authors
  7. J.K Rowling- Because I will love Harry Potter. Always

Who are some of your favourite fantasy authors? Let me know in a comment.


Nov
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Opposite of Innocent by Sonya Sones

categories: Books, Reviews

The Opposite of InnocentThe Opposite of Innocent by Sonya Sones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lily has had a crush on Luke for years. Sure he’s almost twice her age and has seen her in diapers but no relationship is perfect and lots of girls get involved with older guys.
Here’s the thing, once upon a time I was a young girl with a crush on a much older guy. So I didn’t expect this novel to go down the way that it did.
When Luke returns from a visit to Africa, Lily is overjoyed. She is especially excited when she learns that Luke will be staying with her family. And when it appears that Luke might return her feelings, Lily is ecstatic.
Then he kisses her. Repeatedly.
Everyone who knows about Lily’s crush finds it harmless. However Lily’s friends are disturbed that a twenty-year-old would get involved with a fourteen-year-old. So Lily hides her new relationship from them.
But it isn’t long before kissing moves on to something more and Lily does not want more. She also does not want to lose Luke.
I read this book in one sitting and practically flew through the pages. I have never read a novel in verse before but I really enjoyed this one. This book had me heartbroken, horrified and in tears. It was an amazing rollercoaster of emotions which I loved immensely.
Definitely read this book.

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Oct
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (The Belles #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

The Belles (The Belles #1)The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the world of Orleans, people are born gray and colourless. Belles are the only ones who can add colour and beauty to the people of Oreleans. Camellia does not want to be just any Belle- she wants to be the Favourite. The Favourite is the most important of the Belles. She is the one chosen by the Queen to beautify the royal family.
However once it is time for the Belles to take over their new roles, it becomes clear that something very strange is going on in Orleans.
The people are obsessed with their looks-almost to the point of insanity. There is odd noises in the middle of the night and something is not right with the Princess of Orleans.
This was a really interesting read with incredible world-building. I felt like the first half of the book had very little in terms of plot but I found the world of the Belles interesting so I was happy to keep reading.
This is a well-written book with unexpected plot twists. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

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Sep
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose to read this book just so I could watch the movie when I was done. I was certainly not expecting to enjoy this so much.
Lara Jean writes letters to every guy she has ever had a crush on. She doesn’t send them to the guys or even speak to the guys about her feelings. She just writes her letters and keep them in a box. But one day Lara’s love letters are mailed out and Lara has to deal with the consequences- one of which leads to her dating the hottest guy in school. At first Peter seems like a flat character with absolutely no other quality besides being popular but this is quickly proved wrong.
I am not a huge fan of contemporary YA but I absolutely loved this story. Lara Jean and her family were colourful and it almost felt like they were welcoming me to their kooky world. This is a light-hearted fun read that I strongly suggest every fan of YA picks up. I just finished it today and I have already picked up the next book in the series. This book may have hooked me in to contemporary YA.

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Sep
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher (Love Me with Lies #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

The Opportunist (Love Me with Lies, #1)The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Olivia discovers that her ex-boyfriend (and the love of her life), Caleb has lost his memory, she takes advantage of the situation to wriggle her way back in his life. However it isn’t long before Caleb’s girlfriend, Leah finds out about Olivia’s plans and decides to wreck them.
It took me over a month to read this book because the emotions were just too intense. This is a book about severely flawed characters who do bad things just to get their way. This was a pretty long read but I was really interested to see where Caleb and Olivia went wrong (and where Caleb and Leah went right). If you are looking for a compelling read with an intriguing plot and unforgettable characters, this is the book for you.

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Aug
2018

Fiction Friday: Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart (Grace and Fury #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

Grace and Fury (Grace and Fury, #1)Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. I tried reading a few pages a day but was unable to focus. It took about a month for me to carve out time to read this nicely and I am so glad that I did. Once I got into this book, it was impossible to put down and I couldn’t read fast enough.
Nomi and Serina are two sisters who are very close but totally opposite in personality. Serina was raised to be a Grace, the perfect example of a gentle, subdued woman. Nomi, on the other hand, is defiant and has taught herself to read- something that is illegal for women.
When a twist of fate leaves Nomi as a Grace and Serina trapped on an island, both sisters have to fight for survival in two very different prisons.
This was an incredibly well-written book with characters you cannot trust (which is one of my favourite things in a book) and numerous plot twists. This book left me reeling and I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for the sequel. If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, definitely give this a go. You will not regret it.

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Aug
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Elemental Thief by Rachel Morgan (Ridley Kayne Chronicles #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

Elemental Thief (Ridley Kayne Chronicles, #1)Elemental Thief by Rachel Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Magic was once a common part of life until a global magical event went wrong, ruining cities and killing people. Ridley Kayne was one of those affected- she lost her mother and her family had to give up their luxurious lifestyle. Magic was banned and several people lost their livelihood. Now Ridley spends her spare time stealing from those who have too much and giving to those in need.
When Ridley steals a figurine from one of the richest families, she is drawn into a web of danger. A stranger follows her home and is then killed allegedly by Ridley’s best friend. Ridley is soon tracked down by Archer, the son of the family she stole from, to get the stolen figurine back or lives will be in danger.
I had doubts going into this book as I am not a huge fan of Urban Fantasy. I actually thought this was a Robin Hood retelling. However I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing where this series goes. I wish there was more romance because I ABSOLUTELY ADORE ARCHER. This book has really rich world-building and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy 0r anyone who has read Rachel Morgan’s books before. This may not be Creepy Hollow but it is definitely an intriguing read.

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Aug
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (The Hazel Wood #1)

categories: Books, Reviews

The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood, #1)The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alice has a pretty unusual life. She and her mother are constantly haunted by “bad luck” which follows them around wrecking havoc in their life. Alice’s grandmother is a famous author whose book about the creepy Hinterland had only one print run but gained fans with an almost obsessive interest in Alice and her family. When Alice learns that her grandmother has died, it seems like the obsessive fans will finally leave her alone. But it seems like more of them appear in Alice’s daily lives and it isn’t long before Alice’s mother is kidnapped. The only lead Alice has comes from the Hinterland itself, the supposed made-up world of her grandmother’s stories. Alice has to find her way into this magical land and find her mother.
I have been intrigued by this book ever since it first came out and was really excited to read it. However a large chunk of this book is basically just a road trip. I was close to giving up completely when the road trip finally ended and things got really interesting.
I loved the Hinterland tales. They were spooky, compelling and creepy. I would love to own a copy of my own.
“The Hazel Wood” was a really interesting read even with the excruciatingly long road trip. This was a great read with amazing world-building that I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys their fairytales with a twist.

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Aug
2018

Fiction Friday: The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney

categories: Books, Reviews

The Girl BeforeThe Girl Before by J.P. Delaney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The Girl Before” tells the story of two girls in two different timelines. Both girls, Emma and Jane have experienced tragedies in their lives that led to them seeking a new place to stay. Both girls fall in love with the same beautiful house. And both girls become involved with the house’s mysterious architect.
When Jane moves in the house she soon discovers that Emma had died in the house. If Jane is making the same decisions that Emma is, does that mean that she too will meet the same end?
I really enjoyed this book. I was not sure if it was Fate or someone else leading both girls to go through the same events. This book is well-written with a very compelling plot and characters that you cannot trust. Definitely pick this up if you are a fan of thrillers.

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Jul
2018

Fiction Friday: Book Review- Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

categories: Books, Reviews

AllegedlyAllegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
“Allegedly” follows Mary, a sixteen-year-old girl who is serving time for a crime that she may or may not have committed. When Mary was nine years old, she and her mother were watching over a friend’s baby. The baby died. Mary murdered her. Allegedly.
Everyone hates Mary for what she did but why would a child kill a baby?
I finished this book in one sitting and could not read fast enough. The plot was fast-paced, the writing was compelling and there was so many unexpected twists and turns. I absolutely loved every second of this book and was sorely disappointed when it was over (I have not read a book in a month and this was amazing. What am I to read next???).
This is a novel that draws you in and doesn’t let go.

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