BOOK REVIEW: Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch

This is a book review for Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch. 

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. The Winterians' only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been searching for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild their kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, Winter’s future king—she would do anything to help Winter rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of half of the ancient locket that can restore their magic, Meira decides to go after it herself—only to find herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics, and to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

I actually had no idea what this book was about when I bought it. I freely admit that I bought it 100% because of the hype. All I knew was that it was a type of fantasy dystopian book. Even though I hesitated to start yet another series, there were so many people who raved about this book. I am so happy to say that it completely lived up to the hype . . . and more.

Sara Raasch can build a world like no other. Her descriptions of the different Seasons and their kingdoms were breathtaking and so vivid. It did take me a few chapters to warm up to the characters and to get everything straight. The plot seemed complicated and confusing at first. For one thing, I am still not clear on the difference between Rhythms and Seasons or why there is so much hatred between the them. Maybe I missed that part?

I think Meira is my new favorite character. She is so freaking bad ass. She wants to be in front of the battle, with armor and everything, like everyone else. She is feisty and spirited and she also acts like a typical sixteen year old girl, which is to say that she can throw a hella good tantrum. Yes, I love her tantrums. I love every single thing about her. Don't change her, please? I could have done without the sudden love triangle. I barely got used to Mather and her feelings for him when Theron was introduced. Okay, there was no insta-love, which I appreciated. There was insta-chemistry, but let's face it: that is much more believable, right? I thought Meira and Theron had a lot more in common and Mather kind of irritated me. He was always so stoic and robotic. I know, I know. He's the future king so he has to hold his emotions at bay. I guess that was the reason, but because of it, I was kind of rooting for Theron. 

And then there there the twists . . . ahhhh this author messed with my head so much that it was spinning!! But it was so freaking glorious. Now the middle part did drag a little and I was waiting for something to happen. But when stuff did happen, I was not disappointed. There was SO MUCH ACTION. SO MUCH WAR!! I loved it!! I cannot wait for the sequel to come out!!

Buy/Borrow/Skip: Buy it!!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Most Anticipated Releases of 2015

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They feature a different top ten list every week. This week's topic is most anticipated releases for the rest of 2015!

1. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee - scheduled release date: July 14
Ahhhh!!! I am so excited for this sequel for To Kill A Mokingbird!!

2. Winter by Marissa Meyer - scheduled release date: November 10
I really should have thought ahead when I started this series. I didn't start it until this year. I really should have waited until November and read all of them at once. Now I have to wait for NOVEMBER for this book. Not fair!

3. Vivian Apple Needs A Miracle by Katie Coyle - scheduled release date: September 1
This is the sequel for Vivian Apple At The End of the World (read my review here). I really enjoyed the first one. I can't wait for the sequel!

4. Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes - scheduled release date: September 8
I pretty much went crazy over You: A Novel (you can read my review here) and the ending was insane! I was SO VERY, VERY HAPPY when I heard there was a sequel! 

No cover on this one yet! I can't wait until it's revealed.

And yes, I am aware that the first four books I am anticipating are part of a series. So many series, so little time.

5. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - scheduled release date: September 1
I have heard such amazing things about this one! 

6. Paperweight by Meg Haston - scheduled release date: July 7
A story about trauma, loss, and a girl in a treatment center for an eating disorder

7. After You by Jojo Moyes - A sequel for Me After You. That book was so incredibly moving. Jojo Moyes is an amazing writer so I am really excited for this one!

8. The Uninvited by Cat Winters - scheduled release date: August 11
This sounds like a really creepy ghost story and mystery.

9. What You Left Behind by Jessica Verdi - scheduled release date: August 4
a story about teenage pregnancy from the DAD'S perspective? HELL YES!

10. Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott - This one is released TODAY!
A story about a teacher student relationship . . . I really shouldn't be interested in this one, but I am.

What is your most anticipated release of 2015?

It's Monday: What are YOU reading?

It's Monday, what are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey to share what you have read over the past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.

Last week was kind of a slow reading week. I have been in the States enjoying some quality time with my family. At the beginning of last week, I had a messy case of jet lag and I had a horrible cold. Stupid airplane germs. So my energy was kind of off. I also tried Zumba for the first time with my mom. Talk about a fun workout!

I know I have been behind in replying to comments and behind in my blog reading. I would say I'm sorry but . . . I'm not. Ha. I promise I will get to them soon! But I am just eating some good food and spending some time with my family. This weekend I will be spending the weekend with my grandmother and she has no Internet. Shocker! I have been reading each and every comment though. Thank you guys for taking the time to read my posts!

Here is what I did read last week:

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson . . . I will be posting my review on this later this week AND I will be hosting a giveaway! This book was so incredibly good. It is a must read !!

Here is what I am reading right now:

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins . . . I only just started this one (literally about one chapter in), but I am excited about it!

What will I read next?

So hard to decide because I have so many books! I will probably read one of my ARCs. Maybe About A Girl by Sarah McCarry or Alive by Scott Sigler. Or maybe I will read The Young Elites by Marie Lu.

What are you reading next?

BOOK REVIEW: Unteachable by Leah Raeder

This is a book review for Unteachable by Leah Raeder.

Maise O’Malley just turned eighteen, but she’s felt like a grown-up her entire life. The summer before senior year, she has plans: get into a great film school, convince her mom to go into rehab, and absolutely do not, under any circumstances, screw up her own future. But life has a way of throwing her plans into free-fall. When Maise meets Evan at a carnival one night, their chemistry is immediate, intense, and short-lived. Which is exactly how she likes it: no strings. But afterward, she can’t get Evan out of her head. He turns out to be her new film class teacher, Mr. Evan Wilke. Maise and Evan resolve to keep their hands off each other, but the attraction is too much to bear. Together, they’re real and genuine; apart, they’re just actors playing their parts for everyone else. And their masks are slipping. People start to notice. Rumors fly. When the truth comes to light in a shocking way, they may learn they were just playing parts for each other, too.

After reading Black Iris and falling into a deep slump because of how amazing it was, I was fully prepared to adore this book. So imagine my surprise when I was just underwhelmed. There were still a lot of things I really liked. Leah Raeder knows how to write tough, but vulnerable, female characters that just make you hate them and love them at the same time. Maise is no exception. Maise made a lot of stupid mistakes, but I can forgive them since she is eighteen. I think part of my issue was that Maise was just too self aware. She kept referring to her attraction to older men as a reflection of her “daddy issues.”  I just don’t know that many eighteen year olds who would be smart enough to know this. 

Leah Raeder does something else really well: sex scenes. Seriously, her sex scenes are hot. One issue I did have was the romanticization of the relationship between Maise and her teacher (Evan). I get that Maise is eighteen and I understand that they slept together before she knew he was her teacher. But once they did know, it seemed like the forbidden part of it was the whole turn on. If they had the random hookup and then met without having that teacher/student relationship between them, their relationship would have ended as quickly as it began. But suddenly, the relationship turned from something that was purely sexual into an actual romance. I was really uncomfortable with all the chapters describing their romance as if it were some love story. There was only one way this relationship could end . . . or at least only one way it should end. As hot as the sex scenes were, I was able to see just how dysfunctional their relationship was. At one point, Maise did compare her obsession with Ethan as a kind of sex addiction. I think that is as self-aware as she got, but that didn’t stop her from wanting a happily ever after with him. Maybe because of all of these issues, I just found it really hard to root for them at all. I won't give away any spoilers, but I was not happy with the ending. 

Buy/Borrow/Skip: Borrow. 

Mini-Reviews: Miss Peregrine's Home, True Colors, and Between Shades of Gray

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Amazon Synopsis: A mysterious island.

 An abandoned orphanage.

 A strange collection of very curious photographs.

 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. 



This book had way more fantasy aspects than I believed it would and I loved every minute of reading it. The pictures of the children from the island really creeped me out. When I was reading the notes by the author, I realized that the pictures were real ones that he found. I am sure that all the tricks in the pictures were just that . . . tricks. But that doesn't stop them from being creepy. I was so engrossed in Jacob's story. The synopsis indicates that the children could be alive. I was thinking ghosts or a haunting of some kind. I won't give away any spoilers, but the way Jacob was able to communicate with them was quite a surprise. I need to read the next one in the series! Buy/Borrow/Skip: buy it!

True Colors by Kristin Hannah

Amazon Synopsis: The Grey sisters have always been close. After their mother's death, the girls banded together, becoming best friends. Their stern, disapproving father cares less about his children than about his reputation. To Henry Grey, appearances are everything, and years later, he still demands that his daughters reflect his standing in the community. In a matter of moments, everything will change. The Grey sisters will be pitted against one another in ways that none could have imagined. Loyalties will be tested and secrets revealed, and a terrible, shocking crime will shatter both their family and their beloved town.

If I had based my review on the characters alone, especially for the first quarter of the book, I would have hated it. There was a love triangle . . . or actually a love square and a whole lot of insta love. Winona hated her sister for dating a guy (Luke) that she was in love with, despite the fact that neither Vivi Ann, nor Luke, even knew about Winona's feelings. Vivi Ann agrees to marry Luke even though she doesn't love him and of course she begins cheating on him with the new ranch hand, Dallas. Ugh. I hate cheating. But Kristin Hannah does know how to write family drama. It ended up being a great story about sisters and redemption. I loved that the main point throughout the story wasn't even about the men; it was about family and being there for them when they need you. There were bumpy roads, but Hannah manages to give us the predictably happy ending I wanted. I felt like the ending was almost wrapped up too neatly and some of it was unrealtistic, but I still enjoyed the story. Buy/Borrow/Skip: Buy it, especially if you are a fan of Kristin Hannah's work.

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Amazon Synopsis: Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions. Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously-and at great risk-documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive.

I am not sure why, but this story just didn't grab me. It is a very important book on a very important subject matter, but it just wasn't that great of a book. Maybe it was the writing, but I just wasn't able to connect with Lina and her family. The author would add flashbacks to Lina's old life in unusual spots. I know the author was trying to illustrate what Lina had lost, but it distracted from the main narrative and did not add anything to the plot. I can forgive some of Lina's impulsive actions and her tendency to jump to conclusions because of her age. I saw a lot of character development and maturity with Lina over the course of the book. I wasn't a fan of the ending because it left too many questions about what happened with most of the characters. It doesn't even say whether Lina and her brother ever connected with their father again. The epilogue also took place fifty-four years after the last chapter and it wasn't even in Lina's POV. That is just another example of the author causing a disconnect between me and the characters. Buy/Borrow/Skip: Borrow it. It is an important book, but it was not as compelling as it could have been.

Top Ten Tuesday - PLEASE make these books into movies or TV shows!!

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. They feature a different top ten list every week. This week's topic is top ten books I would love to see a movies or TV shows.

First of all, I am usually equal parts excited and terrified when a book I love is being made into a movie or TV show. But these are books that, if they are done right, would be amazing on the big screen!

1. The Gone series by Michael Grant
If you know me at all, it will be no surprise that this is my #1 pick! This is one of my favorite series ever and I would love for it to become a TV series. And if a recent tweet by Michael Grant is any indication, it may just become a thing.

Cue insane fangirl squealing!!

2. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay - This is one of my favorite books so I am hesitant to put it on the list. I would be terrified if a movie would ruin it, but I think it could be a good one.

3. All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - This was such a beautiful book. It would make an excellent movie.

4. The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer - I know I haven't read the entire series yet, but really . . . this could be a great movie or TV show!

5. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black - I loved the faerie world that Holly Black created. I would love to see it come to life.

6. The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes - If you haven't read this one, what are you waiting for?!? It is an amazing work of historical fiction and the best part is that it takes place in Paris! Movie please!!

7. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel - I loved this dystopian novel and the best part was that it is a stand alone. So if it is made into a movie, there would only be one. And I think it would make a great one!

8. You by Caroline Kepnes - Yep, love this book. I know that making a movie might be a bit tricky since the entire book is in third person. It is basically Joe talking (in his mind) to his obsession. But I am confident it could be done!

9. I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios - This was an amazing book and I would love to see Skylar and Josh on the big screen!

10. Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill - This book was so incredibly creepy, but powerful. Yes, please make this one into a movie!

What book would you want made into a movie or TV show? Do you agree with any of these?

More Happy Than Not Blog Tour!

Welcome to the #MoreHappyThanNot Book Blog Tour!!

I have been so incredibly excited for this book ever since I first heard about it. 

Here is the synopsis from Amazon: Part Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, part Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Adam Silvera's extraordinary debut confronts race, class, and sexuality during one charged near-future summer in the Bronx. The Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-relief procedure seems too good to be true to Aaron Soto -- miracle cure-alls don't tend to pop up in the Bronx projects. But Aaron can't forget how he's grown up poor or how his friends aren't always there for him. Like after his father committed suicide in their one bedroom apartment. Aaron has the support of his patient girlfriend, if not necessarily his distant brother and overworked mother, but it's not enough. Then Thomas shows up. He has a sweet movie-watching setup on his roof, and he doesn't mind Aaron's obsession with a popular fantasy series. There are nicknames, inside jokes. Most importantly, Thomas doesn't mind talking about Aaron's past. But Aaron's newfound happiness isn't welcome on his block. Since he's can't stay away from Thomas or suddenly stop being gay, Aaron must turn to Leteo to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he is.

The scheduled publication date is June 2, 2015. You can preorder it here!

This book sounds so amazing. They had me at Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I am interested in the concept of someone who is so upset with who he is that he is willing to undergo a procedure that would cause him to forget everything. It sounds interesting . . . but also very sad. This has been my most highly anticipated book of 2015 and I really hope that it lives up to the hype.

Here is a question for all my lovely readers:

What makes you #morehappythannot?

For me, it would have to be these two beautiful faces. 

My husband and my dog are my family. They are the best family I could ask for. 

Also, my books make me more happy than not.

And of course my lovely readers. Thanks to all of you who keep reading!

So tell me: what makes you #morehappythannot?