Must Reads – Page 4 – Destiny Cole

September 13, 2015

Recommended: The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima

The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima

Hardcover, 506 pages

Published October 6th 2009 by Hyperion Books

Summary:

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can’t sell—the thick silver cuffs he’s worn since birth. They’re clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he’s never been able to get them off.

One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana‘Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She’s just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her…

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.

My Thoughts: I was definitely in the mood to get lost in a series… I was looking for something that had been out for awhile so that I could read the complete series start to finish and something with a kick-butt female protagonist because well… duh. Then I saw Amy from Reading Teen mention this series as one of her all-time favorites. I picked it up and really enjoyed it! If you’re looking for a good series to just get lost in, I definitely suggest this one!

August 8, 2015

Recommendation: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline

Hardcover, 374 pages

Published August 16th 2011 by Random House NY

Summary:

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

My thoughts:

Man this was a fun book! I will admit, it took a little bit to get emerged in the story because there was a LOT of world-building, but once it picked up… I was in. I loved all the vague 80’s references that I’m a little young for, but still really enjoyed. Overall, the book was a lot of fun and I’m so glad I picked it up (thanks to a friend’s recommendation).

July 8, 2015

Living Dead Girl: Elizabeth Scott

Hardcover, 170 pages

Published September 2nd 2008 by Simon Pulse

Summary:

Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn’t know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends — her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice’s story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget

My thoughts:

Y’all… this book! I had to write about it because I got sucked in and read it in one setting! It is as dark as it comes, but man did the author do an amazing job!

I loved how she stylistically wrote it. I loved the voice that seemed hollow and vacant. I love the freedom the girl found in the end. I loved that this book wasn’t about redemption and it didn’t have a classic happy ending (though I thought it was as happy as it could be under the horrific circumstances.)

Hands down the most thought-provoking book I’ve read in a long time.

Oh, and I’m never letting my kids out of my sight again.

May 9, 2015June 28, 2015

Recommend: A Court of Rose and Thorns by Sarah J. Maas

Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (May 5, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1619634449

Summary:

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

My thoughts:

Man oh man, I loved this book! I’m normally not one for fairytale retellings, but I would read Sarah Maas’ grocery list she is so amazing. I knew there was no way this book would disappoint and it didn’t! This is a must read, so read it!

March 25, 2015June 28, 2015

Recommend: Fire and Thorns trilogy by Rae Carson

Print Length: 433 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0575099143
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 20, 2011)

Summary:

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

My Thoughts:

I’ve been hearing about this series for several years and everyone loves it. So I figured, enough was enough. I needed to read the dang series. And guess what? The reason everyone loves it is because it’s awesome! Read this trilogy!!