Hear The Wolves Cover Reveal

Alrighty guys! I am so excited to be sharing the cover of Hear The Wolves by Victoria Scott! I absolutely love being apart of the VMafia and getting to share this exciting news with all of you. I've been holding onto this cover for at least 24 hours and the excitement is killing me. So first, a little about the book. 

SUMMARY:

It's survival of the strongest in a contemporary, girl-versus-wild middle-grade debut from Fire & Flood author Victoria Scott! 

Sloan is a hunter.

So she shouldn't be afraid of anything. But ever since her mom left the family and she lost hearing in one ear in a blizzard, it's been hard to talk to people, and near-impossible to go anywhere or do anything without her dad or big sister within eyesight -- it makes her too scared to be on her own.

When they leave her home alone for what should only be two nights, she's already panicked. Then the snow starts falling and doesn't stop. One of her neighbors is hurt in an accident. And the few people still left in Rusic need to make it to the river and the boat that's tied there -- their only way to get to a doctor from their isolated Alaska town.

But the woods are icy cold, and the wolves are hungry. Sloan and her group are running out of food, out of energy, and out of time. That's when the wolves start hunting them . . .

AND Finally, here we go with the cover real. (Also, just an FYI the entire cover is HAND-DRAWN!) 

DO YOU NOT LOVE IT?! I am so excited to get my hands on this wonderful book by Victoria Scott! There's not much about the exact release of this book other than sometime in April 2017. Until then, spend your time catching up on all of Victoria's amazing books, found HERE. (Hint, Hint: I recommend Titans) Tell me what you think about the cover in the comments below. Stay tuned for ANOTHER cover real (a tiny bit late) later this weekend! Subscribe and never miss a post.

Illuminae Book Review

Title: Illuminae
By: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Release Date: October 20, 2015 
Pages: 599
Publisher:Knopf Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardback
All thoughts and comments are my own.

SUMMARY:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:

I bought this book at the very beginning of the summer, and has been on my original TBR for months now. I am so glad I actually got into it. I know it's a BIG book, 600 pages is very intimidating, but it took me two sittings to finish it! I never would have thought that I'd be able to read 400 pages in a day. I absolutely loved the format of this book. It's not 600 pages of just straight reading, it's an adventure. Being able to read all of the emails, IMs, files, and reports, and more is so mysterious. It definitely helped to move the story line along by making you feel like a sort of detective trying to figure out exactly what's happening on board the ships. 

I know a lot of people automatically go "eew, sci-fi", but it's so much more than that. There's a love story going on, a bit of horror, and so many plot twists. It's not only about the sci-fi aspects. Speaking of plot twists, at first it's about a planet being blown up (not a spoiler, you can read that on the first page), then changes again and again and again. I literally describe it based on the different plot twists, but will refrain from doing that now. I think the best way to go into this book is without any real idea of where the story should go! It's more of mystery and adventure that way. 

I got about halfway in and could not imagine how much more intense the book could get. Well, It did! It's a fast paced, roller coaster of a plot line. It will suck you in and never let you go. If you think you know what's going to happen next, YOU'RE WRONG. I thought I had everything figured out by the last 100 pages, then the plot changed on me again. I thought everything was going to be okay and wrapping up at about 10 pages from the end, then there was another plot twist that I should've seen coming, but didn't. It's hinted at in the book, but I honestly don't think anyone would catch unless doing a reread. 

Did I mention the characters are amazing? Kady and Ezra will steal your hearts from the very beginning. I'm kind of sad that the next book, Gemina, will not feature them as the leads, but am excited to meet new characters. Kady is the perfect sass queen and following her journey was so incredible.

RATING:

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 5/5 Stars

OVERALL:

This is probably my favorite book ever. It was a whirlwind adventure and I cannot wait for Gemina. (Literally! If you have an arc you want to trade email me! Or just one I could borrow and send back.) I don't know how much more I can rant about this amazing book. It broke my heart and then mended me again by the ending. Go get it if you haven't!

Subscribe and never miss a post! Stay tuned for more reviews, TBRs, and some upcoming super exciting news! Trust me, you won't want to miss what's happening soon!

Destined For Doon Book Review

Title: Destined for Doon
By: Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Pages: 368
Publisher: Blink YA
Format: Hardback
All thoughts and comments are my own.

SUMMARY:

The second book in the popular new Doon YA series that takes on a classic story, Brigadoon, and spins it in a new way to give readers a fresh, modern experience.

In this sequel to Doon, Kenna Reid realizes she made a horrible mistake-choosing to follow her dreams of Broadway instead of staying in the enchanted land of Doon. Worse, she's received proof she and Duncan are meant to be, along with torturous visions of the prince she left behind. So when Duncan shows up and informs Kenna that Doon needs her, she doesn't need to think twice. But even if Kenna can save the enchanted kingdom, her happily ever after may still be in peril.

The Doon novels are a part of Blink, HarperCollins Christian Publishing's new YA imprint that delivers empowering and heartening literature while maintaining a tradition of imaginative and impactful storytelling.

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:

I really enjoyed being able to go back into Doon. After the events of the first book, I knew there was still some things to tie up with the witch (HA! cause she tied up Jamie) and also with MacKenna leaving Doon. Just letting you guys know, I was so disappointed in Kenna for deciding to leave Duncan on the bridge. I understand that she has dreams that she can't accomplish in Doon with the theatre, but no ma'am. We do not leave the people we are Called to. I was very frustrated with her starting this book. 

That being said, I wasn't expecting Jamie and Veronica's relationship to grow the way it does in this sequel. It was nice to see what's happening with them in addition to more of Kenna and Duncan. There was a good bit of the relationships in the story, but still focuses on the main problem in Doon, the Witch. I also really enjoyed how there was more of a backstory and presence of the Witch in this book. I wanted to know more about her and her family's history in the first book, and finally got that in this one. Guys, that witch's cottage is creepy! But I love all the detail they put into it. 

I feel very attached to the characters now, and felt like they should have ended the series at this book. It would have provided for a very safe, happy ending. However, it's not. There's still two more books that will probably break my heart. I'm not quite sure what is in store for our characters in Shades of Doon but I am so excited to find out. I'm still uncertain about one of the characters introduced in Destined for Doon, if you've read it, then you know EXACTLY who I'm talking about. My theory is that she's helping the witch. Maybe it's just because I prefer MacKenna with Duncan and I don't need a minor character breaking up my ship. 

OVERALL:

I was happy with this sequel. I think it stood up to the first book, which is normally hard to do in a series. I can't wait to go back in for another round of Scottish princes, Doonians, kilts, and evil witches. Also, I'm still very much okay with all of the pop culture references they make. I often find myself laughing out loud when I read them. It almost always makes me think of Castiel from Supernatural when he says that he doesn't get that reference. Another great work  by Carey and Lorie.

RATING:

Destined for Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon 4.5/5 Stars

Stay tuned for more on the Doon series. I have some super exciting reads for now until the end of the year, so subscribe and never miss a post! Also if you preorder the final book in the Doon series, Forever Doon, before it's release on August 2, 2016, then email a picture of your receipt to Doon@Harpercollins.com for exclusive Doon swag! Coloring Pages, Posters, and Even the first two chapters of Forever Doon!

July TBR + News

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to start out by saying I am so so sorry that I haven't been around for two weeks, but let me tell you why. Okay, so you have to first understand that I live in the middle of nowhere, which means that we get power outrages and things like that quite frequently. My wifi has been disconnected thanks to my neighbors for two weeks now! You guys don't know how lost I've been without wifi. No wifi = no blog posts. I'm sorry for this everyone. I hope you forgive me. Now, on to more fun things.

I've been trying to figure out my TBR for before I go back to college in August and just can't seem to nail done anything in particular since there's so many I want to read. Therefore I'm going to do something exciting, or well exciting to me because I'm overly excited about everything related to books. So anyways to the idea, for the first two weeks of August I am turning over my TBR to...*drum roll please* YOU! Towards the end of this month, I'll shamefully tell you what I haven't read yet and have you vote to see what books I read before I go back. The goal is to read 3-4 books during that time, depending on size.

For now though, I'm going to try and tackle a couple of Must-Reads this month! *These are listed in no particular order, and shows no real preference. I love them all equally*

Well, all equally except for this one.
1) Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard I haven't gotten around to the short stories yet, and it is killing me to go back to Norta. Please don't hate me, but I kind of love Maven. He's the YA equivalent of Goffrey and I love when the villains are written so perfectly hate-able, which makes me love how that character is written so thoughtfully. Though I'm not saying that I support his actions in the books and would probably enjoy having Mare send her lightning into him.  Also, I just really love how Victoria writes. I never feel like I'm forcing myself thru her books and I absolutely love that. I would honestly read anything she wrote--grocery list, King's Cage edits, a restraining order--literally anything.

2&3) Shades of Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon I am slowly, but surely working my way thru this series! I truly enjoy being transported back to Doon in each new book. I was originally planning on binging the series because my friend Elizabeth over at her blog, Literary Froggy so graciously sent me an ARC of Forever Doon. I just finished Destined for Doon a few days ago, so be on the look-out for a review THIS WEEKEND. Which brings me to book (3) on this list, Forever Doon. I want this series finished. I HAVE to know what happens with my two favorite Scottish princes and the kingdom.

Speaking of, if you preorder Forever Doon before it's release date on August 2, 2016, you can get SWAG! It's a swag pack of printable posters, coloring pages, AND the first two chapters of Forever Doon! All you have to do is preorder, snap a picture of your receipt, and email it to Doon@Harpercollins.com I'm actually about to go do that now and you should too!

(Yes, I'm blogging extra this week to make up for not having wifi recently. Did I mention my power was out for 7 and a half HOURS yesterday?)

4) The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye I've heard so many great things about this book and actually preordered it and became a member of the Tsar's Guard, but sadly haven't read it yet. I was signed up to do the read along with Brittany (Brittany's Book Rambles), but my copy came in late and did not have time to catch up over 20 chapters in a day. (I may have also experienced a reading slump).

These are the books that I absolutely want to get done by the end of the month. If I read more then, go me! I'm also going to start a new segment on my blog next week called, The First Time I Met...
It's going to be all of the embarrassing and occasionally amazing stories about the first time I met a particular author of that week. Stick around and subscribe to my blog, so that you never miss a post! Also, if there's something you think I need to read this month, then just leave a comment below. I love hearing from you all!

P.S. I've been working on here a lot today since I finally have wifi, so if you're on here way late at night or early in the morning and things start moving or going wonky. HI! that's me you're interacting with. Just making changes to the blog.