Chosen by Kiersten White

Chosen by Kiersten White
Release Date - January 7, 2020

Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster Canada

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  353 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Now that Nina has turned the Watcher’s Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she’s still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they’re not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher’s Council member and Leo’s mom.

And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there’s also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up everywhere, in connection with Sean’s demon drug ring as well as someone a bit closer to home. Because one near-apocalypse just isn’t enough, right?

The darkness always finds you. And once again, it’s coming for the Slayer.

A continuation of a series you loved is always a conflicting situation. You are excited to be part of that world again, but fear that the new addition to the story could not possibly measure up to what you remember. I think that Kiersten White manages to avoid this with her Slayer series. She gives fans something that both works with and sits along side the original series.

A large part of what worked about both Slayer and Chosen for me is that we are following brand new characters set in the same world. We can take what we love about the original and remember it fondly without irreversibly breaking it. The new characters keep the story feeling new while still feeling known.

Nina reminded me a lot of Faith. Nina struggles with being a slayer and, in particular, the darkness inside her. She makes a lot of really bad choices. She also has things in common with Buffy though. She relies on her friends to help her through, and really does what to make the right choice even if that isn't always possible.

The side characters are some of the most easily loved. Doug, a demon who loves Coldplay, was a personal favourite. Nina's friends become important to the plot in a similar fashion to the Scoobies and that enriched the story for me.

The love story was one of my favourite elements of this series. It has the same epic scope that made me love the Buffy and Angel relationship so fiercely. There are many love stories being told and all of them resonated with me in their own way.

My only real issue as I was reading was the character of Artemis. I felt like I understood Nina's motivations and character. I did not feel that Artemis was fleshed out in the same way. I wanted more from her and a deeper insight into what was driving her in this book. I did appreciate that the sister relationship was a central part of the story arc but I just didn't feel as connected to Artemis.

Nostalgia is baked into the premise of this series and the way it is used it masterful. There are some cameos that had me entirely losing my cool. Kiersten White captures the essence of these beloved characters that it felt like coming back home in a way. My emotions were always in the surface and that is because of the respect and care that was shown to the story and characters I love completely. I do not want to ruin any if the surprises but rest assured that fans of the television show will be satisfied. The amount of inside jokes (with a brilliant one included towards the end) warmed my heart and delighted me to no end.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans should immediately pick up this series. It is like returning to Sunnydale in a way but through the perfect means. It allows those perfect memories of the show to remain untainted while still giving us more of the world we love. It is exactly what I hoped it would be, I am just sad we have to leave these new characters so soon.

Waiting On Wednesday .... Chosen

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Chosen by Kiersten White

** Spoilers for Slayer**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Now that Nina has turned the Watcher’s Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she’s still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they’re not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher’s Council member and Leo’s mom.

And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there’s also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up everywhere, in connection with Sean’s demon drug ring as well as someone a bit closer to home. Because one near-apocalypse just isn’t enough, right? 

The darkness always finds you. And once again, it’s coming for the Slayer.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all time favourite shows. I was originally hesitant to read the first book in this series but I ended up loving it a lot. It's a perfect blend of nostalgia and something new.

I am now excited to see where Nina's journey takes her (and hopefully see more of her and Leo) next and what other cameos may happen in this sequel.

Expected release date - January 7, 2020

Slayer by Kiersten White

Slayer by Kiersten White
Release Date - January 8, 2019
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  404 pages
My Rating - 4.5/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Into every generation a Slayer is born…

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.

Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.

Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.

As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…

But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.

One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

It would be an understatement to say I was excited when the details of Slayer were announced. A story set in the Buffy universe and featuring an all new slayer? It instantly became a must read for me. I was even happier to discover that it not only hit that nostalgic sweet spot but offered up an intriguing story with an equally intriguing heroine.

The nostalgia elements are going to be the initial draw to this book. Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are going to seek this out simply because of the brand recognition. Those fans, luckily, will not be disappointed. The thrill of recognizing a reference made the experience of reading this incredibly fun. The familiar last names, beloved characters we get to see again, mentions of plot points that pull at our hearts. It creates an instant connection to the world that feels effortless. The nods to the source material never felt heavy handed or squeezed into the story. It felt organic and used sparingly. Those who have not read the comics that continued the series should be aware that the events of those comics are cannon to the universe and therefore part of the backstory to this novel. I do, however, think that you can jump into this without having read those comics and not feel like you're missing anything. This book does a fantastic job of filling in the backstory just enough so that the story works. Those who have never seen Buffy could even just right in (but it would be shame because they would miss out on so many amazing references).

Those worried that this wouldn't work without the Buffy connection will be relieved to know that it has a plot that could easily stand on its own. It is a story that uses the tropes of its genre to great impact and has all of the heart, humour, and snark that you could want. Nina's story really is a coming of age one ... it just also happens to involve monsters.

Kiersten White knows the Buffy universe. She knows how the world her character's inhabit works. Her writing has the fantastic one liners that the show is known for. It has the humour and wit that made Buffy herself so appealing. Nina isn't a carbon copy of Buffy but she has a sense of humour all  her own and the writing itself has the essence of the show all over it. As a fan of the television show reading this felt like reconnecting with old friends. It was comforting in a way that anything that invokes nostalgia is and that is because it captures what made Buffy so captivating.

Nina is a girl who never wanted to be a slayer. She, in fact, is more drawn to helping and healing. She wants nothing more than to continue her education as a medic. Fate, however, pushes her down a different path. Her journey of discovering what being a slayer means on her own terms is an empowering one. That message of female empowerment that Buffy is known for is carried on within these pages. Nina's self doubt and missteps while finding her way will be all to recognizable to anyone who went through, or is going through, the processing of growing up. Her impulses to heal and protect as well as the inner call to action and violence makes Nina a very interesting slayer and one I am excited to follow on her journey.

This story has a very 'Watcher' slant to the narrative. Nina is at the Watcher's Academy. Her family is part of the Council. We see everything through the lens of this group. It paints Slayers in a different light than what I had previously considered. Part of that journey was confronting how their actions, Buffy's in particular, would seem to this group. I was always Team Buffy when it came to whatever was happening with the Watchers but this provided something to think about. It didn't change my opinion (for a variety of reasons) but you can see, particularly through Nina, how things might look and why she would see it a certain way.

There is a romance within these pages and the less I say about it the better. It, however, has the potential to be just as heartbreaking, captivating, and romantic as the one between Buffy and Angel. It has so much potential that I am hoping this story arc continues in the subsequent books that will come in this series.

A new Slayer's journey begins and I could not be happier to be back in this world. Kiersten White's managed to create something that both scoobies and newbies alike will devour. I'll be eagerly anticipating when I can return to this story a

Waiting On Wednesday .... Slayer

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Slayer by Kiersten White

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes a brand-new series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that introduces a new Slayer as she grapples with the responsibility of managing her incredible powers that she’s just beginning to understand.

Into every generation a Slayer is born…

Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.

Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.

Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.

As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…

But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.

One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.

Buffy fans rejoice! There is a new Slayer for us to follow on her journey and I think it sounds AMAZING.

I honestly think the best way to approach any kind of new take on Buffy is to simply have it set in the same world but follow a different Slayer so this entire premise works for me. I cannot wait to meet Nina and her Watcher. I cannot wait to meet her friends and her love interest (if there is one).

The entire 'last Slayer ever' part has me very intrigued. I cannot wait to return to this world and see what Kiersten White has in store for us. It comes out just in time to use those holiday gift cards as it'll release in early January.

Expected release date - January 8, 2019

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

I am going to apologize in advance because literally the only thing I care about this week is the trailer for A Star Is Born. I am obsessed. OBSESSED. With that said, here is everything that made me excited this week.

TV/MOVIE  

A Star Is Born Trailer

As mentioned above this movie trailer has basically taken my attention from everthing else this week. It's so freaking good. I get goosebumps everytime I watch it.

 

Whatever Bradly Cooper is doing in this trailer really works for me. I love every single thing about this and cannot wait to see it on Oct 5th and get super emotional. There has been some Oscar nomination talk just from the trailer so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Side note that should also surprise nobody who knows me: I melt when he says "I just wanted to take another look at you". The chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS. The spark is totally there and I am here for it. Expect me to be obnoxious about this one as it gets closer.

A Star Is Born Movie Poster

Some official posters were released along with the amazing trailer. I specifically love this one.

 The other posters are just single shots of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. It is going to be interesting to follow this one and see which film festivals it appears at.

  
BOOK

Cover of Slayer by Kiersten White (goodreads)

I am a huge fan of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer television series. I was pretty excited when it was announced that Kiersten White was going to be writing a series about a new vampire slayer. The cover was recently unveiled and I really like it!

It screams Buffy to me and immediately makes it clear that it is part of that same word, but still obviously not Buffy herself. I am so excited to meet this new slayer and follow her on her own journey.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting On Wed ... The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness. 

I have always been fascinated by the Frankenstein story and am immediately interested in any retelling that I become aware of. Kiersten White has written one from the perspective of Elizabeth, the woman who loved Victor Frankenstein. This has so much potential because her character has always fascinated me and I am eager to have a story that has her as its center focus.

This book pretty much demands to be read in October as it seems like a perfect read for the Halloween season. Its end of September release means it'll be out just in time to enjoy with a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a cozy blanket, and the doors locked.

Expected release date - September 25, 2018

And I Darken by Kiersten White

And I Darken by Kiersten White
Release Date - June 28, 2016

Publisher Website - Random House Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 484 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point. 

There are certain characters who break the mold of those that have come before. Those characters who go against the grain and what is typically expected. Kiersten White's Lada is one such character for many reasons. And I Darken, in many ways, also breaks the mold of what we expect from this genre and the events within it.

Women in Lada's time were meant to be seen and not heard. They were meant to be 'proper' ladies and wish to make good marriages. Lada would rather lead an army. Lada is vicious, ruthless, and intelligent. She has a keen eye for military strategy. She may be driven by the desire to prove her worth to her father, but her actions provide her pleasure as well. She is not interested in becoming a wife and mother. She sees her worth as residing elsewhere and strives to prove herself in a male dominated world. Lada's progression from dark to darker feels natural for her character, and Kiersten ensures that we know this character. We get inside her head and heart and she is one of the most fascinating, and well crafted characters I've come across this year.

Radu, and Mehmed are both equally compelling and fascinating. They are also both equally developed. Radu is the golden sun to Lada's wild shadow. He proves himself just as cunning, and just as intelligent as his sister but in vastly different ways. His skills are more subtle but equally as deadly. There is a stark contrast between the two siblings that manifests itself in many ways. Jealousy, bitterness, love and loyalty all get blurred and twisted. Mehmed is the beautiful boy who would be King. He has the weight of his kingdom on his shoulders, and the toll it takes on him is evident. He is a mess of contradictions that equates to a fascinsting character.

The 'toxic triangle' mentioned in the blurb should not put you off. This is not really a love triangle. At least not in the way we're used to them. If this is a triangle it is one that is open ended. This is unrequited feelings, and longing on one side, and passion and tension on the other. We have three people who love each other in various ways and that creates a complex web of perceived betrayal, desire, and heartbreak. There is also something unique in the typical triangle model of two guys and one girl being upended. We have one guy who is the object of desire and that creates a different dynamic.

You may have noticed I haven't said much about the plot of the novel. This is very much a character driven story where the action is secondary to the characters and their emotions. This is a slower paced read, and at times feels like a lengthy lead in to the heart of the story. It feels like a prologue simply because the events that happen within the pages mostly serve to set other things in motion. There are character driven moments that shine, but it feels like we've only scratched the surface of the plot. I wish the pacing was a little more even as certain parts of it read much slower than others.

A fierce main character who is driven by a desire to prove herself worthy dominates this story of politics, revenge, redemption, betrayal and love. Kiersten White has created an intriguing start to a series that I believe will fair better when looked at as a whole. If you're into well crafted characters, and slower paced reads this one definitely holds appeal.

Waiting On Wednesday ..... And I Darken

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is And I Darken by Kiersten White

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

NO ONE EXPECTS A PRINCESS TO BE BRUTAL. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

This book had me with the promise of a female Vlad the Impaler. I am sure this is going to be an amazing story filled with wonderfully rich characters. I cannot wait to devour this one, but wait I must. This will not be available until the summer.

Expected release date - June 28, 2016

2016 Most Anticipated - And I Darken

The next selection for my 2016 Most Anticipated event is one that made me immediately want to get my hands on it after reading the synopsis. This book sounds absolutely incredible, and promises to be dark and deadly!

This Goodreads synopsis will immediately suck you in because it hits everything. Fantastic sounding characters, an incredible setting, action, romance, all wrapped in the most tantalizing of teases (and wrapped in very pretty packaging, too).

NO ONE EXPECTS A PRINCESS TO BE BRUTAL. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, who’s expected to rule a nation, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point. 

I mean... the main character is being called a female Vlad the Impaler. My curiosity is immediately piqued. I cannot wait to see what Kiersten does with this character and I hope she's as wonderfully complex as I am anticipating her to be.

Kiersten was kind enough to answer a few questions about her book. She showcases her humour (that drink... PERFECT), and definitely teases some fantastic things about And I Darken.

1 Describe And I Darken using only three words.

Buy . . . this . . . book? I kid, I kid. Actually, the title is the perfect three word descriptor. Only maybe "And we darken," for the two main characters.

2 If someone were to make a signature drink in honour of your book, what might be included?

The blood of your enemies, the tears of your broken dreams, the poison of your ambitions, and some club soda for that nice, bubbly touch.

3 Let us in on one secret about one of your characters, or the world they inhabit.

The two main characters, Lada and Radu, are sister and brother that seem like they couldn't be more different. But their hearts end up pointing in the same direction . . . which might end up breaking both of them.

4 Vlad the Impaler is mentioned as inspiring this novel, and the main character in particular. What about his story resonated with you and made you want to write this one?

Vlad is a fascinating historical figure. In a very brutal age, he still managed to be notorious. He engaged in guerrilla warfare, germ warfare, scorched earth tactics, you name it. I often wondered what it must have taken for him to get to the point where he could justify atrocities in the name of his country (and, at times, against his country for what he saw as its own good). When I decided to make him a her, everything fell into place. Even today in order to compete on the same level, women have to be smarter, work harder, be better than everyone around them. Any perceived weakness is immediately attributed to gender. So making Vlad into Lada upped the stakes. (Stake puns will never get old when talking about a series about Lada the Impaler. You've been warned.) It also shifted the dynamic between Lada and the brilliant young sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in some very fun, juicy ways...

5 If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I'd love to go to Istanbul during the height of the Ottoman Empire. The fountains, the palaces, the sights and smells and sounds--I can just imagine what it must have been like. (Literally, I have to imagine it, I'm contractually obligated right now.)

6 What 2016 release are you most anticipating?

My editor told me I was required to say my own. And that's true! I'm so excited for And I Darken to be out in the world. But aside from that, I can't wait for The Raven King, the finale to Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle. I also love The Cresswell Plot, by Eliza Wass, an intense family drama about faith and blood, and As I Descended, by Robin Talley, a boarding school retelling of Macbeth.

7. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of And I Darken

Vlad Dracul's heavy brow descended like a storm when the doctor informed him that his wife had given birth to a girl.

I am also excited about As I Descended (and it was one of my previous picks for this event this year), and this interview has only increased my need to read this book. The characters, especially Lada sound so fascinating and everything she mentions about how changing the character's gender changed everything makes me really curious to see what direction she'll take the story (the hints of some sexy romance also has me really excited, too).

And I Darken  releases June 28, 2016 and can be pre-ordered right now from any retailer.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble

You can also follow Kiersten on Twitter, visit her official website, and find out more about her books on the publisher website.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to find out the next book that made this year's list!

This novel twists true historical events and characters. Why do you think history continues to inspire years later? What draws us to it? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

The cover for And I Darken by Kiersten White (goodreads)

This cover is STUNNING! And the synopsis will have you desperate to get your hands on this! The selling point for me? A female character inspired by Vlad the Impaler! Please. ALL OVER  THIS. Join me in the excruciating wait for the June 28th release.

Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L Walsh (not currently on Goodreads)

I love stories inspired by true events. I also happen to be a little obsessed with dark, tragic romances. This story that is a fictionalized account of Bonnie and Clyde immediately piqued my interest. I am not 10000% obsessed and need to read this as soon as possible.

From the Publisher's Weekly announcement it seems to focus on Bonnie's life before and during her time with Clyde Barrow and I cannot wait.

Set in the 1920s, the historical novel follows 16-year-old Bonnelyn Parker, whose life plans—to become a teacher and settle down with her longtime boyfriend Roy—are dashed after her family falls into dire financial straits. The wholesome Bonnelyn is forced to take a job at a speakeasy in Dallas, where she meets a handsome wild man named Clyde Barrow.

Oh, and it also offers up this tantalizing tease...

“tells the untold story of how Bonnelyn becomes half of the infamous Bonnie and Clyde duo.” 

If Bonnie is an active participant and not some lovestruck girl blindly following her man I will be DELIGHTED and this will be a new favourite read.

TV/MOVIE 

Netflix's Jessica Jones

A female superhero who is flawed, damaged and badass?! SIGN ME UP! Jessica is so complex and nuanced and Krysten Ritter plays her with such conviction and heart that you'll immediately be captivated by her. The female friendship is refreshing and a major focus (and allows Trish to be equally awesome and complex on her own). It's an incredibly feminist show with Jessica basically fighting against the physical embodiment of male entitlement in David Tennant's Killgrave. He's every guy who considers himself entitled to a woman's time, body, smile, or anything else. The show also refreshingly calls having sex with someone while using mind control what it is - rape. All in all this show is smart, captivating and important. More episodes, Netflix...immediately (please).

What are you obsessed with this week?

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Release Date - September 9, 2014

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  288 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

Kiersten White captured readers’ hearts with her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy and its effortless mix of magic and real-world teenage humor. She returns to that winning combination of wit, charm, and enchantment in Illusions of Fate, a sparkling and romantic new novel perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, The Madman’s Daughter, and Libba Bray.

This book immediately piqued my interest with it's tease of a historical setting mixed with magic. Kiersten White captivates with fantastic characters, and a solid premise. However, the world building was not quite fleshed out enough for me to fully immerse myself in the story.

Kiersten White's specialty is characters. I've adored all of her characters in previous books. She makes them stand out brightly, and this novel is no exception. Jessamin with her spunky, driven spirit will captivate you. Finn will enchant you. You'll giggle, and fall in love with Eleanor. She paints them so vividly that even if you don't learn much about them, you feel like you know them.

This novel's world is filled with wonder. You'll immediately be charmed by not only the characters, but the world itself. From birds that can turn into books, to music made from magic, it made you want to crawl inside the pages to visit this world. The only element that is missing from this book is the finer details that would make everything jump out and let the story grab you. I wanted more from everything. I wanted to know the hows, and whys, and whens. The magic itself is so delightful that it makes you need more. It's a short novel, and could have benefited from a few additions to flesh out all of those details that I wanted to know.

The romance was a mix of hot and cold for me. The playful banter between Jessamin and Finn, combined with Finn's insanely charismatic personality ensured there were plenty of moments to swoon over. Everything seemed to happen so quickly, particularly in certain aspects. I understood why they would have been drawn to each other, but for me it was a case of timing. Expansion of the story could have allowed the romance to unravel a little slower. That being said, I did smile a lot from the cuteness that is Finn (and Finn with Jessamin).

A novel that is filled with magic, wonder and enchantment. This could have easily been a new favourite if it had been fleshed out a bit. The characters, the romance, and the premise itself are all very charming, and I do recommend it. I just wished it had been explored to it's fullest potential because I feel all the elements are there.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

My mailbox is packed with Harper goodness this week!

How To Build A Girl by Caitlin Moran (goodreads)
Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (goodreads)
Darling, You Can't Do Both by Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk (goodreads)

Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada and Edelweiss for the review copies. Excited to start reading all of them.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White    
Release Date - February 18, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 232 pages
My Rating - 3.5/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them

How far would you go to protect your family? How much would you sacrifice? For Fia and Annie the answer is everything. Fia and Annie are willing to kill to protect each other. Mind Games showed us the strength of their bond. Perfect Lies tests it. A compelling conclusion to this duology that delivered fantastic character development, but left me desperate for more backstory.

Annie changes quite a bit in this installment. As she learns to live for herself, and not be dependent on Fia, a strength emerges. It's something that was always there, but was unleashed when she realized it was within her. I felt like I got to know her character in a way that I didn't in the first one. She quickly became one of my favourites as we were let into her world.

Fia retains the qualities that endeared her to me in the first one. She's someone who follows her instincts, and worries about the consequences later. Seeing her hit rock bottom is crushing. The main thing you want for Fia is for her to depend on herself. She depends on others to keep herself together. Fia, and James are both used a crutch. The pain, and guilt she feels are just barely kept at bay with the coping mechanisms she uses. Fia's story is one that doesn't lend itself to a happily ever after, even if you wish she could have one, and her character captures this perfectly.

The romance in this novel is just as broken as you would expect. When secrets and lies dictate your life, any romance will be shrouded in the same. Fia and James exist on a knife's edge. Annie's tepid, and careful nature shows itself in her romance as well. Seeing Annie fall in love was one of my favourite parts of the story, because it helps her on the path to independence.

The school founded by the Keane Foundation, and the foundation itself, are still a tantalizing mystery. I wanted more details. I wanted to learn more about James' mother and her part in everything. I wanted to learn the beginnings of this school, and how it quickly grew into what it is for Annie and Fia. This was the only aspect that didn't quite meet my expectations. I just wanted so much more from this part of the story.

The ending is perfectly imperfect. It's an ending that fits not only the characters, but the story itself. It provides enough closure that you're content with it, but doesn't shove these characters into any boxes. If anything is clear, it's that these characters defy categories, and the ending keeps in line with that.

A novel that focuses on the strengths of sisterly bonds, and provides us with two broken, and compelling female characters. It provided enough character development to satisfy, but left me begging for more from the world building. Perfect Lies provides a fitting in to this duology, but left many questions unanswered.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. It's heavy on the pretty covers because it's cover reveal time!

BOOKS

This was the week of cover reveals because Harper unveiled almost all of their Fall 2014 title's covers.

Cover for Amy Ewing's The Jewel

It reminds me a lot of the covers for The Selection. However, the synopsis makes it sound like an ever darker world. I do love this cover though. It's really pretty.

Cover for Anna Carey's Blackbird

The premise for this sounds really intriguing. It's told in second person which, from all accounts, makes you fully immersed in this story. The cover is okay, but the tagline immediately has me saying "whoa!".

Cover for Caroline Pignat's Unspeakable

I always love underwater photos/art/etc and this is no exception. I think it's really pretty. The synopsis has me wanting to read this immediately though! It not only takes place in Canada, but has a heartbreaking romance at it's center. Totally intrigued. 

Cover of Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White

Oh! I love this. It's beautiful. The mixture of magic with a touch of historical has me really intrigued. Plus Kiersten White mentioned there would be kissing. I enjoy kissing in books. Add it to your Goodreads if you haven't already.

Cover of Bethany Griffin's The Fall

I helped reveal this on this blog this week. However, I LOVE it. It captures the haunting, creepy vibe of the synopsis perfectly. Bethany's previous books are some of my favourites so I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

OTHER

Book Expo America

Tickets are purchased. Apartment is booked. Things are happening. Why is it not May yet? The big news that was announced is that Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, and Alan Cumming are the Master of Ceremonies for the annual breakfasts BEA hosts. This is obviously awesome! I am looking forward to the autographing schedule being released so I can attempt to plan my days.

So what are you obsessed with this week?

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Another week of awesome books! My mailbox was packed on filled with awesome books!

Unforgotten by Jessica Brody (goodreads)

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White (goodreads)

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkosi (goodreads)
Starling by Fiona Paul (goodreads)

Huge thank you to Raincoast Books and Harper Collins Canada for the lovely books I received this week. I was beyond thrilled to see The Winner's Curse in my package. The ARC of The Winner's Curse is beautiful. I can only image how pretty the hardcover is going to be.

Huge thank you Jessica for lending me Starling! I can not wait to see how this series ends.

Cress by Marissa Meyer (goodreads) forgot to include this one before! Thanks Katherine!

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (goodreads) 

Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker (goodreads)

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige *CHAPTER SAMPLER* (goodreads)

Huge thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for Four Seconds To Lose! Excited to start reading it!

Cress is amazing! It's everything I wanted it to be, and I can't wait to post my review! A big thank you to Katherine for lending me her copy. The Dorothy Must Die chapter sampler was something I read almost right away and I am curious as to where this story is going to go. I like what I've read so far!

Before I Fall is signed! Lauren Oliver came to Ottawa and she is super lovely in person. I hadn't read this one yet so I purchased a copy to have her sign. It'll get read/reviewed sometime in January (hopefully).

Hope you had a fantastic book haul this week too!

Happy Reading, and Happy Weekend!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

Just finished this late last night, and words cannot even describe how good it is. The writing, the plot, the way everything unfolds. I will not say too much (want to save it for my review) but this book is going to be on a lot of beaches come it's August release date. 

Cover of Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd

I thought The Madman's Daughter had a pretty cover, but Her Dark Curiosity has outdone even that. It's the dress, the London backdrop, and the way the model stands out against everything. It automatically catches your eye. Needless to say after reading the INTRIGUING synopsis I am dying to get my hands on this book.

Cover of Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

 The sequel to Mind Games has a cover that matches, and is also awesome. I loved the Mind Games cover, and this one is equally eye catching. The synopsis was also released, and it sounds like it'll be an exciting conclusion to this duology.

Cover of Defy by Sara B Larson

The premise of this one caught my attention. Just read the synopsis and you'll be pining too! I love that she disguises herself as a boy to be part of the Prince's guard. The love triangle mention has me a little leery, but if done well they can be a fantastic plot point. I love the mixture of rose with the sword imagery this title uses. It's a nod to the main character, and it's genre.

Cover of Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

I have loved all of Katherine's previous novels, and I can't wait to get my hands on this one. It's been compared to Downton Abbey and I do love historical fiction, especially with a fantastic sounding synopsis. I think this is going to be a fun read.

TV


Primetime Emmy Awards pre-nomination voting

 The ballots to determine who will be nominated at this year's Emmy Awards were made available this past week. I become obsessed with the actual nomination themselves, but this year the pre-nomination voting has caught my attention. There are so many amazing performances that deserved to be recognized. High up on that list for me is Freddie Highmore for his performance as Norman Bates in Bates Motel. He, surprisingly, was put forward in the supporting category. I do think this helps his chances of getting a nomination, but it's a weird choice as his role is pretty much the lead in the series. I can't wait until the official nominations are announced in July.


So what are you obsessed with this week?

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Mind Games by Kiersten White
Release Date – February 18, 2013
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader
Pages - 256 pages
My Rating- 4.5/5
**Provided by publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

In a world where young women are used for their supernatural like abilities Fia and Annie are fighting not just for themseleves but each other. Mind Games is as darkly dangerous as the world it’s characters inhabit. A page turning look at two sisters, and the lengths we will go to for those we love. An unflinchingly look at ulitimate price of sisterly bonds.

Fia’s narration is a steady stream of thoughts that jump around and are often jumbled. This narration flawlessly suits the broken, haunted young woman that Fia is.  Fia also happens to be tenacious, and a survivor. She, however, has a vulnerable side to her that she tries to bury under her attitude and trying to lose herself in oblivion. Her desire for escape using  music and the dance floor felt logical to me. Her guilt is palpable and is such a strong aspect of her character. Every horrific thing she’s had to do to protect Annie eats away at her until she’s so damaged that even her own sister doesn’t recognize her.I predict that some readers may end up disliking Fia. I, however, adored her for all her flaws.

Annie is the more level headed sister. She’s a sharp contrast to the fiery Fia. Annie feels responsible for everything that Fia has done in order to protect her. Her guilt is as much a part of her as Fia’s, but so different because she also carries Fia’s guilt along with her own. The cold truth is that both sisters are willing and capable to be ruthless if it means protecting the other and are not that different when faced with bleak situations.

The relationship between the sisters felt incredibly authentic. They each would tear the world apart to protect the other, and are loyal to the point of destruction. Jealously, and rivalry are infused with realism into their relationship. Guilt, and resentment also plague each sister. The relationship is entangled with emotions that make their bond unshakable, even if at times it would make things easier if they could let go.

The introduction between James and Adam provides some steamy scenes. Each boy has potentially threatening secrets that are beginning to unravel during the course of the novel. These secrets could result in dire consequences for Fia and Annie. I liked the sense of danger that it brought to the story, and that there is the potential for hidden motivations. Trust is not something easily given in the world these characters inhabit and as a reader, it kept me guessing.

Those looking for the lighter tone that I’ve heard is prevalent in Kirsten’s Paranormalcy series will find this new series packs a darker, sharper edge to it than perhaps expected. The ending promises darker secrets, and more twists on what is hopefully the road to Fia and Annie's eventual freedom.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover for 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

I love the simplicity of this cover, and the slightly creepy vibe that matches the synopsis perfectly. I am loving that the title numbers look exactly like ones on an alarm clock (non digital obviously).

Cover of The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

So pretty! I think everyone immediately loved this based on the response on twitter. After reading the synopsis I am equally excited to read this one.

cover of The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Okay so this really has more to do with the name than the cover. I am not partial either way to this cover, but the name...oh the name is PERFECT! The Dream Thieves, for those who have read The Raven Boys, is such a fitting title. I am intrigued and am dying for a synopsis to be released. I can't wait for more Gansey!

Cover of Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Stunning. I really LOVE this cover. The striking red dress against that pale green wallpaper stands out and each of these covers has such an eye catching pose for the model on the front. I think this is actually my favourite of the three. Add it to Goodreads if haven't already.

Cover of Teardrop by Lauren Kate

The water cascading as her dress is quite pretty. The mystical look to the city behind her piques by interest, especially after reading the synopsis! 'A girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea' leaves me with thoughts of Atlantis.

TV

Once Upon A Time

This Sunday is the episode I have waited a long time for. The one in which we get answers. The one in which   not one but two of my favourite characters are set to return. Also one that will prove my guessing skills correct once again. I am so invested in this show that I literally have a bottle of wine, tissues, and chocolate ready for what is sure to be an emotionally draining episode for me. *Yes, I get too attached to TV/book characters. It's a thing*

So what are you obsessed with this week?

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

A quiet, but AMAZING mailbox week this time around. I was sort of freaking out at my apartment mailboxes when I opened this package!

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook (goodreads)
Mind Games by Kiersten White (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Harper Collins Canada for sending me these. Nobody But Us has been one of the titles I have been majorly pining for. I can't wait start both of these. *Shannon, you are amazing*

Also, a huge thank you to Nova Ren Suma for the amazing 17 & Gone bookmarks. I am pining for this book so bad right now!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!