The Bone Season Series Readalong and Pre-Order Campagin

It's no secret that I love Samantha Shannon's amazing series. Her creative world building, sharp writing, and amazing characters have made her series a must read for me.

With the third novel coming out March 7th it is the perfect time to start this series (if you have some how missed already devouring the first two). Bloomsbury is holding a readalong to ensure that you're caught up just in time for The Song Rising to be released. It doesn't matter if you're reading it for the first time, or reading it again in preparation of diving back into Paige's world. Everyone is welcome and it sounds like a lot of fun!

The readalong for The Bone Season will start TODAY January 9th and end on the 29th. The readalong for The Mime Order will begin on the 30th of January. Be sure to join the Goodreads group to chat with other fans of the series and share your excitement of the upcoming release.

There is also an incredible preorder campaign going on right now for The Song Rising. If you're a fan of this series you will want to get in on this!

You'll receive a set of buttons, and temporary tattoos. Who doesn't want a Mime Queen button? I also happen to love the I <3 nbsp="" one="" p="" warden="">
It is open to US, Canada, UK, ROI, AU and NZ residents and if you want a set as much as I do, be sure to claim yours by visiting the Bone Season series website and filling out the required information.

Stay tuned as I am sure I'll have much more to share about this incredible series as the release day nears. I encourage you to take advantage of both these amazing promotions and get swept away in Samantha's delightful series.

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)

I realized that I had not included many of the Christmas time gifts that I had gotten in one of these round up posts, so this week's edition is going to be filled with lots of goodies.

First up, I received and ARC of one of my most anticipated books of 2017!

Becoming Bonnie by Jenni L Walsh (goodreads)

I am so excited to read this. I have plans to spend a weekend with this VERY soon (perhaps while enjoying some drinks). Thanks, Jenni!

Next up, I hadn't yet shared my lovely gift from Jess who was my Secret Santa in the #OttawaBlogette exchange this year. She got me some of my favourite things!

I love the wine glass, and the entire relaxation theme of the gift was A+! Thanks, Jess!

Next, I got my Christmas gift from Christy who outdid herself this year! I love the t-shirt and my cute little Tinkerbell Pop! She's tiny and adorable.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle (goodreads)

Thank you again, Christy! The book was a fun holiday read too! 

Next up is my #TBTBSanta package which was amazing. Thank you so much to Lauren From Lose Time Reading for spoiling me AND my cat.

Aria got her own little present from Lauren's cat. She was very excited she even opened it herself! The catnip smell was too much for her to resist so she ripped open the package pretty quickly with her teeth since I wasn't doing it quickly enough for her liking.

My gifts were awesome too! I love the Belle Pop and the cute Rudolph ornament. 

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren (goodreads)
Even When You Lie To Me by Jessica Alcott (goodreads)
Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (goodreads)

Lastly, I have a few books for review from Raincoast.

Windwitch by Susan Dennard (goodreads)

Letters To The Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (goodreads)

Once again, thank you to everyone who totally spoiled me! I have had a pretty crazy mailbox this last little bit and am so thankful for the amazingness I now get to enjoy. 

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

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.

Lots of exciting things in this week's post. I am excited for a new year and new things to get excited about.

BOOK

Not Without You: A Stucky Anthology 

It is no secret that I love the Captain America movies. Part of what I love so much is the relationship between Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes. I fully ship them and wish the Marvel movies would just let it happy already. I mean, it is barely even subtext at this point.

My friend Jessica sent me a Kickstarter link for an awesome sounding collection of comics, artwork, and short stories that portray Steve and Bucky's relationship in a romantic light and I, of course, had to back it!

The Kickstarter is doing incredibly well and has already surpassed its main goal and many of the stretch goals. If you're a Steve and Bucky fan I highly recommend checkout this out because it sounds like it is going to be a great collection and a the final product is going to be really pretty! Just look at the cover!

Stephanie Perkins new book!

I squealed like the fangirl that I am when Stephanie Perkins announced her new book's title, and that it would be released in 2017. This is Stepahnie Perkins take on horror and I cannot wait to see what she does with this.

The title? Well, it's perfect for starters.

Does that not bring to mind classic horror movies and the tropes within? The whole 'the call is coming from inside the house' trope for one. Whenever I think of horror genre tropes I immediately think of Scream. A movie that played with those tropes and ended up redefining it. This is, from what I hear, influenced by Scream and I cannot wait!

Stalking Jack The Ripper sequel news

I loved Kerri Maniscalco's Stalking Jack The Ripper and was very excited about sequel news. This week she released that the book will be out in fall 2017 and its title.

I am so excited because the sequel deals with a character I LOVE and I cannot wait to see her tackle this classic. The title is ....

Hunting Prince Dracula 

Let the flailing begin! This is most likely going to be more Vlad The Impaler than vampire but it is still going to be amazing. I cannot wait for some seriously sexy banter and more bad ass Audrey Rose.

OTHER

DC Bombshells Joker Funko Pop

This may just be my favourite Joker Pop that Funko has released. He is perfect for Valentine's Day and I am pretty sure there will be a Harley Quinn Pop to match. I'll for sure be purchasing one of these. I just have to decide if I want the black and white or colour version.

I am leaning towards the black and white version. It is going to depend on the Harley Quinn that matches this as I want the set.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Release Date -  September 20, 2016

Publisher Website - HarperCollins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 398 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born—three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins.

The last queen standing gets the crown.

Three Dark Crowns opens with a sinister rhyme ...

Three dark queens

are born in a glen,

sweet little triplets

will never be friends.

Three dark sisters

all fair to be seen,

two to devour

and one to be Queen. 

and with it sets the tone for the entire book. Dark, and richly crafted, Kenadre Blake has created a different kind of fairytale. One with magic, sisters who are trained to kill each other, and some deliciously doomed romances. It also happens to boast Kendare Blake's usual sharp writing, and a compelling cast of secondary characters.

The world that Kendare Blake has created is deeply fascinating. The rituals, and ceremony that go into rather brutal and tragic events does little to mask the truth, but it creates a ruling system that you cannot wait to learn more about. Each of the 'gifts' that the potential Queens have come with their own 'factions' of sorts and history. It create a really rich feeling world, that has the potential to grow as the story continues.

Each of the sisters are incredibly compelling. Katharine, the poisoner who can craft deadly poisons. Arsinoe, a naturalist capable of controlling plants and animals. Maribella, a elemental who can summon flames and cause storms. Maribella is rumoured to be the strongest of the three, and her skills are certainly more advanced that her sisters. There are more similarities between the sisters than there are differences. They each are determined, strong, smart young women who have been told they are special their whole lives and it is interesting at how similar they became while being raised very differently. Each of these sisters draws you in and I loved spending time with each of them. Their storylines are all engaging and interesting as the story builds towards the moment when all are in the same place. My only minor issue is that I wanted to see more of them together, even as I recognized why that couldn't happen at this point in the story.

There is a unique feel to the sisterhood in this story. They barely know each other since they've spent most of the lives separated from each other. Even with being torn from each other there is a bond that exists between them. They've spent their lives being trained to kill the other, and taught to fear each other. It is an interesting dynamic, particularly when each of them shares concerns over killing the others. Kendare Blake ensures we feel that sisterly bond, even with much more sinister motives are present.

Politics are a strong force within this story. We see what each faction is willing to do to ensure that their Queen wins the coveted crown. It creates even more danger because you realize that things are not what they appear at first, and that each of the potential Queens needs to be wary of not just each other, but outside influences as well.

The romances, for me, were perfect. They are filled with the kind of delicious complications that make for some interesting plot twists. There is an unexpected love triangle, betrayal, forbidden feelings, and swoon worthy declarations. I have one particular ship that I adored, and even that was fraught with complications. None of the romances overshadow the main storyline, and they were often used to further other storylines which was a refreshing. I am curious where each of these love connections lead in the next book as none of them are without heartbreak.

This novel is more character driven than plot driven but I think that needs to be the case. We need to feel the stakes. The death that is to come needs to resonate with us. We need to feel for these characters and getting us to know them is the best way for that to happen. I feel I know these sisters and what makes them tick. You come to root for all of them, and that is going to be a problem in subsequent books as only one of them is to survive.

This novel increases the tension towards the end with events happening fast and furious. It offers a breathtaking set up for the subsequent novels in this series and moves closer to the inevitable tragedy that its very premise promises. I feel the next book will be filled with action, and probably more romance, as the sister's navigate this war for the throne.

This is a story of sisterhood that has been ripped away, deceit, power, love, and the lengths people will go to for power. Kendare Blake, once again, crafts a compelling tale filled with unforgettable characters. If you like your fantasy mixed with a fairytale feel, and sharp writing be sure to pick this one up. 

Waiting On Wednesday ..... Final Girls

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 Final Girls by Riley Sager

Here is the Goodreads synopsis 

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past. 

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.

I am a sucker for anything that twists horror movie tropes, and 'the final girl' is one of the biggest tropes out there. I cannot wait to see what twists this story takes and how Riley Sager uses the 'final girl' trope in new and exciting ways.

Expected release date - July 11, 2017

Jess, Chunk, And The Road Trip To Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark

Jess, Chunk, And The Road Trip To Infinity by Kristin Elizabeth Clark
Release Date -  November 8, 2016

Publisher Website - Raincoast Books
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 272 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

The last time Jess saw her father, she was a boy named Jeremy. Now she’s a high school graduate, soon to be on her way to art school. But first, Jess has some unfinished business with her dad. So she’s driving halfway across the country to his wedding. He happens to be marrying her mom’s ex-best friend. It’s not like Jess wasn’t invited; she was. She just told them she wasn’t coming. Surprise!

Luckily, Jess isn’t making this trip alone. Her best friend, Christophe—nicknamed Chunk—is joining her. Chunk has always been there for Jess, and he’s been especially supportive of her transition, which has recently been jump-started with hormone therapy.

Along the way from California to Chicago, Jess and Chunk will visit roadside attractions, make a new friend or two, and learn a few things about themselves—and each other—that call their true feelings about their relationship into question.

Road trip stories are some of my favourite stories. There is so much potential for character development, reflection and self discovery. They also have an urgency built in - the ticking clock that generally comes with the final destination and the purpose of the road trip. Kristin Elizabeth Clark's crafts a novel where the road trip element worked, but some of the other elements didn't come together for me in quite the same way.

The idea of Jess needing to confront her dad and using the wedding, and subsequent, road trip as a means to do so added a nice tension to the story. Through flashbacks we see various stages of Jess' transition and the support she did (and did not) receive. The road trip and Jess' character arc should have come together seamlessly. It was all there, and a great set up to the story.

The characters themselves were also well crafted. Jess is easily relatable as most teens can relate to having issues with their parents. This is vital because Jess also happens to be self absorbed, and dismissive at times. Her character is in an excellent place to learn and grow as the story progresses, and while there is character growth, I wish it had been the central focus of the story. Christophe is a beyond supportive best friend who has his own issues. He was used as more than just a side character to Jess' story and that allowed us to have a connection with his character as well.

The transition elements of the story were well written. I read that the author has a daughter who, along with other trans individuals, inspired her to write this novel and it shows. The worries that Jess presents on the page felt like they came from experience. Jess deals with finding safe places to stay along the road trip route, her worry about passing and the clothes she should or should not wear, along with the mention of stubble. This all creates a very vivid character, but also ensures those like Jess will see themselves reflected within this story.

The only real issue, at least for me, was the fact that it didn't register with Jess that having the nickname Chunk might be upsetting for Christophe. It is established, quite plainly, in the text that she is someone with body issues that stem from her transition and gender dysphoria. It is almost like she is two characters sometime with her being oblivious to anyone outside herself, but also being incredibly aware. She, in theory, should be more conscious of body shaming as a result. The shock she exhibits when she made aware of this didn't feel natural to her character, even if she is shown to be highly self absorbed. Even though she is called out about her behaviour in in the text, it still felt like a small misstep in an otherwise well crafted read.

I do also wish we had spent more time exploring Jess and Christophe's connection and feelings for each other. I felt the novel established their friendship perfectly. It also explores the often messy reality of realizing you like your best friend as more than just a friend. What didn't feel explored was deciding to act on those feelings, and the complications that could arise. It felt like the story sped past a lot of the build up and as someone who likes to see the characters falling in love, this stood out to me.

This book simply feels not quite long enough to adequately deal with the issues brought forth with its text. Many of them are just touched upon briefly when it would have been more beneficial to have them represented on the page. A reveal is made about one of the characters sexuality and it is never properly expanded upon. The novel could have benefited from fleshing this aspect out, and it would have allowed more representation within the story. It is a shame that it didn't quite follow through where it could have.

A novel that is obviously close to the author's heart and it is one that definitely hits the right note in places but sadly falls short in others. It offers a love story, a story of embracing yourself, and a road trip all in one. It's filled with diverse characters and important themes that I wish had been explored a little more within these pages and ultimately just left me wanting more in general. 

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 small but exciting mailbox post this week.

I received an eARC of Miranda Kenneally's latest book!

Coming Up For Air by Miranda Kenneally (goodreads)

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Negalley for the chance to review this.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!