Booktok: House of Flame and Shadow

I love Sarah J Maas and this trilogy. Here are reviews for the first two books.

 

And here are some thoughts on the third book. Without spoilers. 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Thanks to Bloomsbury for this book - I am a huge Sarah J Maas fan. I will read anything she writes. This was a spectacular end to a trilogy. Go forth and read! #sarahjmaas #booktok #romantasy #fantasybook #trilogy #bookhangover ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Top Ten Tuesday: Secondary Characters

 This week's topic is secondary characters. To be honest, many of the secondary characters get their own books in romance, which is wonderful.

 However, I have a major group of characters that I would LOVE to have their own book. 

I know I'm not alone when I say, I need to book about Manon and the Thirteen. 

BookTok: Favorite Adult Authors

Yesterday, I talked about my love for Ally Carter. Here are a few other adult authors I will always read

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Adult authors I will always read - who are your favorites? #booktok #romancebooks #favoriteauthor #mustread #Inverted ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Top Ten Tuesday: Books from the Past

 This week's topic is books that we read and loved 10 years ago. It was fun putting this post together and seeing what I read and loved back in the day.

@yabooknerdlibrarian 10 years ago I was reading these YA books and loving them! #booktok #toptentuesday #YAbooks #5starreads #booktalk ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Mini Review: House of Sky and Breath

 

This one is a mini review because it's hard to talk about the book without spoilers.

There's a LOT that goes on in this book.

It does have the usual Sarah J Maas elements:

Friendship, banter, smart heroine, danger, action, lots of trouble, secrets, double crossing, traps, snark, romance, and that twist you never see coming.

That last twist blew my mind.

So first, I'm a huge fan of the author. I will read whatever she writes. But I know that I need a large chunk of time to read these books. Because once I start, I'm not going to want to stop. Her books are addicting! 

A must have series for your public library's adult fantasy collection.

* Book sent for review

While this list is for the COURT series, these similar reads hold true

Book List: A Court of Silver Flames

Last weekend, I read A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas. I had a long weekend and yes, it took me the entire four days to read it. 

And I loved it. I'm addicted to her books.

This book stars Nesta the snarky sister who used to be human but was turned into Fae. And she was NOT happy about it. She stole powers from the Cauldron. After the war, Nesta loathes herself. She lashes out at everyone until Feyre gives her an ultimatum that changes everything. 

That's a very basic summary because it's an involved plot. But that's how the book starts. I loved learning more about Nesta. I enjoyed her banter with Cassian. I loved her moments with the House - especially their conversations about romance books. I loved her two friends: Gwyn and Emerie. I loved how they worked together and supported each other. Of course, I loved the library. And I loved seeing old favorite characters. 

So if you like Sarah J Maas's books and you want more similar, here is a list:

YA Books:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Adult Books:

Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep

Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill 

Not Pictured:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (YA)

Court of Fives by Kate Elliot (YA)

Falling Darkness by Morgan Rhodes (YA)

We Hunt the Flame (YA)

Top Ten Tuesday: Under the Tree

 This week's topic is books we wish were under the tree.

 I know that the pandemic has changed everything for the publishing world.

But I'm such a print girl (Librarian) and I would be thrilled to have any of these ARCs in no particular order. 

Are you excited to read any of these too?

Review: House of Blood and Earth

* First in a new series *

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it. - summary from the publisher

I'll fully admit, I'm a Sarah J Maas fangirl. And if you like her, this book will blow you away. I loved it. It has all the classic traits of a Maas book - forbidden romance, friendship, death, secrets, lies, betrayals, banter, action, danger, and fighting for a cause. But it was so much more than that.  It was half a murder mystery and half a fantasy novel - the fight against good and evil. It was also half a romance novel.  The stakes were high. The evil was so very evil. And there's that one part that slayed me. Tears - laughter - happy sighs = this book gave me all the feels. And a book hangover

I can't imagine where the next book is going, but I'm here for it.

Library Recommendation: A must have fantasy book for your public library.

If You Like:

I really am loving romantic fantasy and need more recommendations. If you have a series or book you love, let me know in the comments! Thanks.

** copy sent for review
*** This is an adult book

Embers of Memory Game

I was super excited about this game because I'm a HUGE Sarah J Maas fan.

I love that there's a card game because of a book series.

The art work in the cards is amazing.

It took us a little bit to get into the game.

We lost the game - with the way we shuffled the cards, winning was impossible.

How cool is it that a series of books became so popular that there's a game because of them?

I was surprised that the game was set before the Kingdom of Ash. I assumed it would be during Throne of Glass to hook more people into reading the book series.

I loved that it was a cooperative game, even though you're not allowed to speak about strategy. 

I really enjoyed played this game. Fans of the book will be interested in playing.

* Game sent for review

Mini Review: Kingdom of Ash

The final book in the Throne of Glass series.

Without spoilers, I'll try to share my emotions.

I love Sarah J Maas books and this one was no different. I read it in three days, but I had to take breaks because it was INTENSE!

Of course I cried at least once all three days - one the last day I cried like a baby.

One of the things I love about these books is the relationships - the friendships and the romance. And what people will do to save those they love.

I also love the plot twists and the moment I never saw coming - which happened frequently in this series.

While I'm sad that the series is over, it ended perfectly.

Red Book Tag

Created by Awkwordly Emma

Emma (Awkwordly Emma) created this tag themed around Taylor Swift's album Red 

I adore Taylor Swift and her songs.  I think I love them so much because each one tells a story. I think Red is probably one of my favorite albums ever. Since Jessica from Just Another Teen Reading tagged me, I've been listening to it nonstop in the car. Do you have a favorite song from that album? 

I'm going to try to fill this out with books I've read this year. I confess I took out the negative ones because I feel bad about answering them.

State of Grace - "And I never saw you coming/And I'll never be the same."

A book you unexpectedly loved.

I cried at the end of this book. It was powerful and blew me away.

Red - "Faster than the wind, passionate as sin/Ending so suddenly."

A book that was a whirlwind experience to read.

Sarah J Maas has a gift for writing twists that I never see coming.

I Knew You Were Trouble - "I knew you were trouble when you walked in/So shame on me now."

A favorite villain.

She was pure evil
Although I do Love Jessica's pick with Neverseen,  They'd be my second choice.

All Too Well - "But maybe this thing was a masterpiece til you tore it all up."

A book or series you think is a masterpiece.

Friendship - empowerment - love - being comfortable in your own skin. There's nothing to change about this book - it's just that good!

22 - "We're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way."

A happy, carefree book.

This book had me a feminist and ice cream. And it was Everything I wanted it to be.

Stay Stay Stay - "So I think it's best if we both stay."

A book with a happily ever after (or a happily ever for now).

I adore Jill Shalvis - her books always make me happy!

The Last Time - "Put my name at the top of your list."

A book written by two authors.

I adore this series - it's smart, cute, and the ladies always kick butt.

Holy Ground - "But I don't wanna dance if I'm not dancing with you."

A relationship that doesn't continue past the last page of the book.

I honestly don't think I've read one of these this year. 

Sad Beautiful Tragic - "What a sad beautiful tragic love affair."

Your favorite sad book.

I Read this one for Andi at Andis ABCs and it was great and I cried like a baby.

The Lucky One - "Another name goes up in lights, like diamonds in the sky."

A popular character (within their book or within the book lovers' community).

Percy Jackson!

Everything Has Changed - "All I know since yesterday is everything has changed."

A friends-turned-lovers story. (Inspired by that adorable music video.)

I had never seen that video before - it is cute!

This is one of my favorite tropes.

Starlight - "I met Bobby on the boardwalk, summer of '45."

Your favorite historical fiction story.

I love a great historical romance and Sarah's books always hit the spot.

Begin Again - "But on a Wednesday in a cafe, I watched it begin again."

A book you wanted to reread as soon as you'd finished it.

I don't do many re-read but this one was so fun, I didn't want it to end.

That was fun! Thank you to Jessica for tagging me! Please join in the fun if you feel inspired and haven't been tagged. 

Review: Catwoman

When the Bat's away, the Cat will play. It's time to see how many lives this cat really has. . . .

Two years after escaping Gotham City's slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. She quickly discovers that with Batman off on a vital mission, Batwing is left to hold back the tide of notorious criminals. Gotham City is ripe for the taking.
Meanwhile, Luke Fox wants to prove he has what it takes to help people in his role as Batwing. He targets a new thief on the prowl who seems cleverer than most. She has teamed up with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, and together they are wreaking havoc. This Catwoman may be Batwing's undoing. (publisher summary)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. Here's a list of reason why:
Sisters
Cover stories
Friendship
Back stories
Romance
Secrets
Heists
Plot Twists
More of Gotham City

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this series for your teen section

Top Ten Tuesday: 2016 Favorite Reads

This week's topic is favorite reads of the year. Usually my list is SUPER long (and it really is) but I've done a favorite for twitter's #libfav2016 and due to timing, I'm going to use that list too. I read way more than 10 amazing books this year. It's really hard to pair down or create an entirely different list. So here goes.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish