Saturday, September 24, 2016

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

"Eron DeMarchelle isn't supposed to feel this connection. He is a Sandman, a supernatural being whose purpose is to seduce his human charges to sleep. Though he can communicate with his charges in their dreams, he isn't encouraged to do so. After all, becoming too involved in one human's life could prevent him from helping others get their needed rest."-goodread synopsis 

This wont be a long review because Sleepless isn't a long book. I believed it was rocking somewhere around the 150-200 pages mark. Sleepless had one of the best concepts I've heard of/read in a long time, but the concept wasn't enough to make up for the few issues I had with it.

The two main characters, through likable, both are lacking in subsistence. Neither ever feel fully fleshed out. Julia is a nice character, but that's it. She just nice. Her thoughts are realistic and funny but there's not really much else going for her. Also though it is possible I didn't fully believe that 3, yes 3, guys could be head over heels freakishly in love with her. That leads me to Eron, our other POV and main character. Eron is a sandman. He sounded super sweet, but again, that's it. He too was highly lacking in depth. Both characters appearance wise sounded nice, but we also only got a tiny description of the two. When it comes to the side characters Julia's boyfriend and best friend, I had no real feeling towards them what so ever.  Neither were anything to write home about.

The plot of Sleepless could have really been something. The start of the book has this nice steady pace that matches most other books in it's genre. The middle of this book is 100% the strongest part. When things actually start happening, and it gets a little more spooky I was hooked. I was really excited to see how things were going to play out and what direction the author would take it. I was starting to get into the characters and started too feel like I was getting to relate to them. Sadly, this was short lived. The ending was a little anti-climatic. We had all this build up, things were setting up, characters were developing, relationships were forming, events were really coming together... then nothing. The ending is all shoved into a handful of papers and ended up being mundane and predictable.

Overall Sleepless is a nice light read it just had all this wasted potential. I wish the concept behind this book would have plated out better than it did. Sleepless wasn't the worst read ever, but wasn't the best. If this book had maybe had 100-200 pages more it could of used the extra space to fill it with more action and really highlighted more.

2/10 Stars 
-Angela 

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Fictional Book Boyfriends pt. 20- Queen of Shadows TV Show

After serving a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, the 18 year old assassin Celaena is brought in front of the King. She is offered her freedom, but on one condition: she must compete in a competition to become the Kings Champion (the new royal assassin).

Her opponents are all men. Thieves. Some even assassins as well. If she wins she will be under a four year contract and then released.

With the 5th book (Empire of Storms) now out, and the recent announcement of a TV show (Queen of Shadows) I think it's safe to say we can all start dreaming of who we would like to star in the show. I want to preface this by saying that I think it will be so hard to cast this show. The characters are complex and have so much background. I think this show will be either made or broken by their casting selections. Even though I'm excited to see what this could turn out to be, I'm also really nervous about it. I have the same feelings about this becoming a TV as I do with Shatter Me... I think that no matter who they cast it'll never reach the high standards we have all put on them (really hope that doesn't end up being the case). However, here are some of the people who I think would make the best choices. I'm going to choose several people for each character and have them range in age as well.  (My picks will be in no particular order.)

Celaena Sardothien
"My name is Celaena Sardothien. But it makes no difference if my name’s Celaena or Lillian or Bitch, because I’d still beat you, no matter what you call me."

 
 
Teresa Palmer: I recently saw someone mention her being a good choice. When I first saw it I brushed it aside thinking it was ridiculous, but the more I think about it the more I like the idea.
Natalie Dormer: We all know she's a complete badass. I don't think I need to explain.
Imogen Potts: This is probably one of my more interesting picks. I think she could give Celaena something really quirky and could bring out some of that hidden charm we see throughout the book.
Piera Forde: I know she sometimes jokingly (but seriously) mentions being Celaena, but I'm not going to lie, I'm not against it. I think she has the knowledge, a love for this series, and I would kind of like an "unknown" talent to be casted.
Dove Cameron: Yall are probably rolling your eyes at this one. "This little Disney star as the world's greatest assassin pfft"... However, I continue to think that Dove Cameron is underrated and overlooked. After seeing her more scandalous side on Shameless and her more sarcastic side in Barely Lethal she has easily become one of my front runners.
Jemima West: We all know she has the fighting skills. She's also no stranger of books to film adaptations either. Also, the more I see the actual picture I choose for her the more I like her as an option.

Sam Courtland
“She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest.”  

               

Matthew Noszka- He has this youthful but manly quality to him. He also has this "tough", but sweet appearance.
Sam Claflin- Sarcasm!!! Sam Claflin does it so well! I think he would be amazing at
being Sam Courtland.
George Mackay- Underrated actor alert!!! This guy needs to be spotlighted more. Think with all his boyish charm that he could do Sam right.
Daniel Sharman- This one I'm on the fence about, but at the same time I still can kind of see it.

Dorian Havilliard
"let me call you Mine for a dance or two."  



Richard Madden- He is no stranger to fighting, war, and political scandal.
Chace Crawford- Everything about him screams Dorian. Seriously, just look at that face!
Douglas Booth- I feel that naturally and as an actor Douglas Booth has this light to him that pulls you in. I feel like Dorian has that same quality. Something about him is just magnetic.
Drew Roy- I say this again, but boyish charm has me liking him as a choice.  

Chaol Westfall
“I have a friend. He is to be Lord of Anielle someday, and the fiercest warrior in the land.”


 

            Theo James- Tell me when you hear the words brooding and deep browed you don't think of Theo James right away?! You can't, because Theo and brooding go hand in hand.
Marlon Teixeira- Another man with deep brows! I think we would have to test his acting abilities, but look wise he has Chaol down.
Max Irons- Another actor that I think we just don't see enough of. Think he is a unique
youthful idea for a Chaol pick.

Nehemia Ytger
"For Nehemia, she had to try, had to try—"


   

 Deepika Padukemia- She is just so stunning! If her acting alone didn't get my vote, her
eyebrows would.
Kat Graham- Kat is my number one choice for the part. When I think Nehemia I see Kat.
Zoe Kravitz- Zoe is a very popular choice. Also someone I think could handle the role. Plus we know she can act.

Aedion Ashryver
"Aedion grinned at his queen as the entire world went to hell."  


Christopher Mason- I wish I had more than one choice for Aedion, one of my favorite
characters in the series, but for now all I can imagine is Chris Mason.

Manon Blackbeak
"This witch had been crafted from the darkness between the stars."


 Mary Kate Olsen- She has a witchy way about her.
Natalie Dormer- Again, bad-ass!
Cara Delevinge- I'm still on the fence about her acting. Sometimes I love it, sometimes
I don't. I also know so many people want to see her play Celaena, but I see her
more as a Manon.

Rowan Whitethorn
"If you're a monster, I'm a monster."


Matthew Noszka- Yes him again. I think he could also go from stone and
passive, to sweet, and us believe it.
Justin Zabinski- He seems like a more sweet choice, but I could still dig it.

Arobynn Hamel
"I do not expect you to trust me; I do not expect you to love me."



Michael Fassbender- He is my top pick! Think he could crush it! I can see him performing
the scene I quoted above so vividly in my head.
I also feel like I have another pick for Arobynn on the tip of
my tongue, but just can't put my finger
on it.


This is probably the longest and most in-depth fictional cast I've ever done... So I'll stop here (for now). There are so many characters in this books I could be making list for days.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

How many books do you own?

Today I answer the age old question... the one I get asked the most... How many books do I own? As you can probably guess I finally counted!

This number isn't including: Ebooks, comics/graphics, art books, books friends or family are borrowing, the order I'm waiting on, and the few books I have in the boot of my car.

Before I get to the big reveal I'll answer a few questions I also get asked a lot about my shelves.

How do you organize them?
I have mine in alphabetical order my authors last name.

Where do you buy your cases? Do you like them?
I own the basic bookcases from Target. I actually don't! I would say if you're one of those people who likes to mix books with pictures frames or little items they would probably be great. However, I use mine strictly for books and the shelves have started to bow a bit.

White, black, or brown case color?
I use to be all about those black cases... Until I bought white ones. They go so much better with rooms. It's easier to find furniture pieces to go with them too.

How many bookcases do you have?
For just books I have 6 full size cases and recently had to start putting some on a half sized case in my room. For comics I have two half sized cases.

Where do you get all your books?
Mainly Bookoutlet and Bookdepo. If I want to shop local I hit up Blue Bicycle books, and of course Barnes and Nobles.

Most books on one case?
The most I counted on one was 122!

Now for the biggie.
How many books do I own?..
640! Yes, you read that right! I own 640 books!
The weirdest part of this is that it landed on such a solid number.
Before counting I tried to guess how many I'd end up having and I figured around 400-450. Completely floored when it ended up being over 600!

Monday, September 12, 2016

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen, knew the time would soon come to prove just how much she'd bleed for Erilea.”  

Had to give myself some time after reading this epic book, to gather my thoughts, and pull myself off the floor. I think I've had some time to get it together and am finally ready to right a review for this book.

We're pretty deep into the Throne of Glass Series so writing reviews for it are getting harder and harder. It's getting harder to talk about events going on and where are characters stand without spoiling anything. I'm go to try my damnedest not to spoil anything! This will also be a shorter probably super listy reviw (is listy a word??). Also, if you're reading this review pre-picking up EOS and haven't read The Assassin's Blade I would suggest doing so. There are a lot of things and characters brought up in this book that are only in TAB.

This series holds such a special place for so many, and I am one of those people. I love everything about this series and where it's headed. Can't believe this series is almost over.

Everything I liked:
-Manon. I know everyone and their mom has been a fan of Manon since she first appeared, but I wasn't. I didn't not like her, but I wasn't in love with her. I am now! I was waiting for her POVS and events involving her. And there is a lot of Manon in this book.
-Dorian-Rowan Bromance going on. I like all their precious broments. Loved that these two finally got to do some bonding. Dorian is one of the sweetest characters in this series, and Rowan is Bae is I love getting to see these two hang.
-Celaena (Aelin) calling Rolfe “his Pirateness” and wanting Rowan to call her “milady”.
-Celaena's sarcasm hasn't gotten old. If anything it's gotten even better.
-How Rowan is opening up so much! I love Rowan! I love mysterious, powerful men, and with this book I feel like were actually starting to know the real him... and I can't get enough of it.
-The Smut!!!! This book is so hot I think it left grill marks on my hands from holding it. The sexy scenes are..... God they are hot!
-Seeing Dorian and Aelin referred to as the King of Adarlan and Queen of Terrasen.
-The insane amount of world building. It's stunning and phenomenal.
-Chaol not being in the book. I don't think this is a spoiler. However, I think it was a very boold, and smart choice for Maas to do.
-The importance of Rowan treating and presenting Celaena as his equal. This makes me want to cry. Like eyes watering typing this because it makes me so happy. "Rowan Whitethorn saw everything. From the moment he met her, he saw all of Aelin. And he was not afraid. I don’t blame either of them for falling in love. I don’t blame her… I was what Celaena needed after Endovier. But Rowan is who Aelin needs – forever.”
-New love interest.
-SJM love for girl power.
-Epic fight scenes. Including but not limited to sea battles.
I want to talk about 992830980293 more things, but I'll only talk about one more.
-The ending. HOLY SWEET MOTHER OF GOD! WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH THAT ENDING!!! HOW DOES SHE SUSPECT US TO LAST ANOTHER YEAR!!! The ending of this book... it BROKE me! I was gasping for air, I wanted to throw up, and I was sobbing all at the same time. I loved how it brought us back to the first book, while at the same time showing us how far this series has come. Just when I think Celaena can't get any stronger, more badass, or make me fall in love with her more she proves me wrong. Everything about this ending was perfect. It's everything I wanted. Seriously a sobbing mess! I ended up re-reading the last like 20 chapters a few days later, and still knowing what was going to happen didn't stop me from having another complete breakdown.


Everything I hated:
-

Yeah you read that right. I have no cons for this book. Feel so many people are hating on it because of the hype. People love to hate on things. This series though, is outstanding. Sarah J. Maas never lets down.

10/10 Stars

*side note: Dreamcast choices coming soon*

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Bright Side by Kim Holden

Kate Sedgewick is starting college at Grant this year. Moving away from her life in San Diego. Kate's life has never been easy, so when she arrives to Grant she just wants a low-key fun, and normal life. When she left San Diego she left behind her life long best friend, Gus. Gus recently signed a huge record deal nd his band Rook is taking off. Being "Bright Side" and all Kate decides that even though being somewhere new is tough, that she is going to make the best of everything. She plans on making the most of her college experience... That however, of course  doesn't include a relationship. We've all probably read enough Ya/Na books to know that doesn't go as planned. While getting her coffee fix Kate meets Keller. The baby faced-blue eyed-dream boat.

I wont lie... this book was pretty good, but I did have a few problems with it. My first problem was with connecting to the characters. I struggled hard to connect with Kate. She is so full of life, is laid back, and for the most part very interesting. However, something with her just didn't click with me, it's almost as if she was too laid back. It took me till almost the very end of the book to really feel like I understood her. Gus was another one that I was on the fence about till almost the end. I did warm up to him a lot quicker than Kate though. By the end of the book I was so fond of their friendship. Keller, however wasn't an issue. Right from the meet-cute he had me hooked. Loved everything about his character until the very end. The friendship, loyalty, and romance is all there and is very on point.

The only other thing that lowered the rating for me was the pace of the story was a little slower. This might just be a case of personal preference, but I thought the story was a little slower than I expected. Don't get me wrong, the strong was good and I was highly entertained, I think I was just expected something else. Again, even though this was a little slower I still really enjoyed the whole plot. Nothing ever really felt rushed or forced. I really enjoyed that the characters went out and did so much. That they're never really standing still (I know that sounds kind of like a contradiction to what I said about pacing, but I swear it's not). There were also some twist in this book... sadly I predicted them before they happened. Predicting them didn't really take away anything.

I was recommended this book by several people because I was asking for books that were tear-jerkers... When I got like 85% through this book I was worried that me predicting so much was going to make it so I didn't cry, but nope it didn't/ I was a blubbering mess by the end.



I really really liked Bright Side and I think if I wouldn't have struggled so much connecting with Kate, and would have had that immediate bond that this book would have received a prefect rating. I think this book would be perfect for anyone wanting to ease into NA, or readers who love Ya, but are looking for something that deeps it's toe into something a little more adult. I also thought this book would be one where I wouldn't be interested in reading the companion book, but thankfully I really want to read the book.

7.5/10 Stars 
-Angela

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Fictional Book Boyfriends Pt. 19

Summer heat is still hitting the south hard... and these stud are not helping!

Welcome back to my favorite post on my blog, Fictional Book Boyfriends or as some like to call it Dream Cast. This is where I fan cast leading guys in the books I read. If you want to see my previous choices Click Here.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher 
Girl sends mysterious tapes to boy explaining why she 
committed suicide.


Tye Sheridan as Clay Jensen
Because Tye is the boy you want living next door.
 
When Joss Met Matt by Ellie Cahill 
Best friends decide to strike up a friends with benefits relationship
and things of course get complicate.


Joan Pala Argemi as Matt 
He makes friends with benefits look easy

The Force of Gravity by Kelly Stevenson 
Girl starts secret relationship with new teacher.

Ian Harding as Elijah Slate 
I mean he's already my favorite teacher love affair.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre is trap in a life she didn't expect. She is also stuck between two guys.


Sean Biloski as Ryshand
I would run away to the night court this little muffin.
 

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

I was actually sent the funniest goodreads message from a friend on the site (thanks Heather G.) asking me to do this post! I've seen it floating around booktube and was really happy getting asked if I could do it! I absolutely love doing tags and seeing tag videos. I think it's one of the best ways to get book recommendation and add to my never ending TBR pile.

As you could guess it's all about your reading year so far. Hopefully this wont be a list of me just listing off one book over and over again! *fingers-crossed*. If I have a review for the book I'll link it with the title.

1) Best book you've read so far this year?
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout


2) Best sequel you've read so far this year?
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas 


3) A new release you haven't read yet but want to?
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (is this out yet?)


4) Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo


5) Most disappointed book you've read so far this year?
There's a few: Taking Chances by Molly McAdams, The Glittering Court Richelle Mead, and A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir


6) Biggest surprise?
Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino and A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout


7) Favorite new author?
Tarryn Fisher.after reading Mud Vein I have basically added every single one of her books to my TBR.


8) Newest fictional crush?
Rhysand from A Court of Mist and Fury (didn't like him in book one), Sam from The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas, and Luke from Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren


9) Newest favorite character(s)?
Nick from Never Stop Falling and Griffin from History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera


10) Books that made you cry? 
Guess I choose the ones that made me cry the hardest; wont lie a lot of books make me cry... it would be It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover and History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera


11) Books that made you happy?
The Force of Gravity by Kelly Stevenson


12) The most beautiful book you bought or received this year? (cover)
I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios. I can't get over this cover! If you see it in person it's so stunning. Also so fitting. 


13) What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
How much time do you have...
Besides the obvious ones (Crooked Kingdom and Empire of Storms):
Beautiful by Christina Lauren, The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, and Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes 

 

14) Favorite current book community members?
The Slutty Book Club is my favorite thing right now! They have some of the funniest videos I've watched. Their under the covers segment where they read the steamiest lines from books kills me.


-Angela