[Review] Golden Son by Pierce Brown

ABOUT

Title: Golden Son

Author: Pierce Brown

Series: The Red Rising Trilogy #2 

Publisher: Random House

Release Date: January 6th 2015 

Get it Here: Indigo B&N Amazon BookDepository

Goodreads page

Source: e-ARC from publisher via NetGalley

Synopsis:

With shades of The Hunger Games, Ender’s Game, and Game of Thrones, debut author Pierce Brown’s genre-defying epic Red Rising hit the ground running and wasted no time becoming a sensation. Golden Son continues the stunning saga of Darrow, a rebel forged by tragedy, battling to lead his oppressed people to freedom from the overlords of a brutal elitist future built on lies. Now fully embedded among the Gold ruling class, Darrow continues his work to bring down Society from within. A life-or-death tale of vengeance with an unforgettable hero at its heart, Golden Son guarantees Pierce Brown’s continuing status as one of fiction’s most exciting new voices.

[My Top] Anticipated Novels for 2015!!

There are so many books that I'm looking forward to in 2015. These are just a few that I'm anticipating. There are so many awesome new books coming out next year and I just can't wait. *parties* And there's also so many debut authors to celebrate! \o/

As always, no particular order!

This book is about crime and mafia families and oh my god. I love love love crime novels and also there's a whole starcrossed lovers aspect as the two main characters are from opposing crime families. I can't wait for this one. Seriously.

Release Date: February 24th 2015
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I adore V.E. Schwab's novels so much and this one is set in a fantasy world. You know how I feel about fantasies okay. I also got to read the chapter sampler for this and let me just tell you, it's pretty fan freaking tastic so far. Also, look at that cover!

Release Date: February 24th 2015
Goodreads page

Does this one really need any explanation? S.J. Maas is an autobuy author for me and I have been hearning NOTHING but fabulous things about ACOTAR. I can't wait for this book to be released!

Release Date: May 5th 2015
Goodreads page

This book is a fantasy with a brutal Rome-esque world and omygod I'm so excited. Fantasy + Rome + brutal. YES. Also, the book still has a crazy high rating on Goodreads after about 200+ ratings already. This is definitely one of my most anticipated novels for 2015

Release Date: April 28th 2015
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I don't usually read contemporaries, but there are certain types of stories that I absolutely adore. This one involves a fake boyfriend and the two falling in love. Um. YES.

Release Date: May 5th 2015
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I am SO looking forward to this novel. This book sounds fabulous and the quotes Temple has put on goodreads as well as on her twitter are so hilarious and great. This book is about a girl named Caitlin and she has a fake boyfriend in her neighbour, Adrian, who's a half-demon vampire, from his demon father. YES.

Release Date: May 12th 2015
Goodreads page

This isn't the North American cover for Every Word, but omygod I'm so excited for this book. I absolutely adored the first one and I can't wait for the next one! *screams silently into the void* HOLMES AND WATTS.

Release Date: September 8th 2015
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I don't know if all y'all know this about me, but I adore Kpop. I've been listening to it for a long time and I love the songs and stuff. This book is about a girl who goes to boarding school in Korea and falls in love with a Kpop star. I'm super looking forward to this!

Release Date: June 9th 2015
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I'm excited for this novel! My friends have been saying that it's fab and also MYSTERIES. I love mysteries and seeing if I can figure them out. Also crime. I love crime stories! \o/

Release Date: March 24th 2015
Goodreads Page

This book also, I am highly anticipating. It's inspired by A Thousand and One Nights. Omygod the synopsis sounds fantastic. It really does and it's a love story so YAS. I'm definitely going to pre-order this!

Release Date: May 12th 2015
Goodreads Page 

Those are some of my highly anticipated novels for the next year! What are you anticipating?

Happy Reading!

[My Top] Book Boyfriends of 2014!!

I have a book boyfriend harem. I think that should be indicative of how much I love my darling book boys. But anyways, here are some of the new babes that have been added to my harem as well has returning babes that I got to revisit this year.

As always, no particular order, because I love them all equally and in different ways.

Here are my darlings:

Prince Theron from Snow Like Ashes

This guy is a blonde prince with an interest in art and culture. He's so sweet to Meira and he's actually so freaking adorable. I've talked with Sara before on twitter about my love for Theron. I can totally see him as a Hufflepuff and I've said that if I were in the SLA universe, it would be my life mission to make Theron blush because he's kind of adorable. I also kind of love him.

Alexei from All Fall Down

While there isn't a lot of moments with Alexei in All Fall Down, where there are moments, he's very swoony. The book is in first person narrative and so we get to see from Grace's point of view, Alexei's utter swooniness. He's from the Russian embassy (obviously) and there's a sort of fancy event that they go to in the book so he wears a suit and Mmm. I love him. 

Liam from The Darkest Minds

How can I not include my darling Liam in this list? He's basically the sweetest to Ruby and he's so adorable! He reminds me a little bit of a less artsy and fantasy version of Theron. Liam also says "darlin'" a lot which makes me swoon so hard. Sorry Ruby. I want Liam. 

Jonah Griggs from The Jellicoe Road

Omygod I loved The Jellicoe Road. It's all dreamy and wispy and it's a fantastic read. Also there's this guy Jonah who is kind of enemy of the main character, Taylor. But you know how it is. There's a fine line between love and hate. ;) He's kind of great. He's also the guy involved in that super famous picture of a quote in a book on tumblr , that starts with, "If you weren't driving, I'd kiss you senseless." 

Daemon Black from the Lux series

How can I not include that swoon inducing hunk of a man in this list? I don't think I really need to explain his swoon-worthyness. I THINK YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW. 

Chaol Westfall from the Throne of Glass series

I love Chaol. He's one of those guys with great morals and he's not super righteous about them, which is great. I absolutely adore him, especially after some of those steamier bits in Crown of Midnight. There wasn't much of him in Heir of Fire, but those parts he was working through some stuff and I hope he does soon! I love him still though. If things don't work out with Celaena. . . . I'm available. ;) 

Wesley Ayers from The Archived series

I love Wesley and all his sassyness. He's a sassmaster and I love him. Also, he wears eyeliner. If that didn't make him any hotter, I don't know what will. I hope to see more of him soon when Victoria Schwab releases her short story in Wes's point of view, which will be great and probably full of sass. 

Jonah from Lailah

Yes another Jonah. This one is a vampire who is totally swoon worthy towards the MC, Lailah. And of course because he's a vampire he has to be super hot. He wears leather and rides motorcycles. He's got that damaged quota that I like. YUM. 

Adrian Ivashkov from the Bloodlines Series

You can't not like Adrian. He's so freaking sweet and he's got that sass that I enjoy. His devotion to Sydney is swoon inducing and I love it. I can't wait to read more of him and Sydney and also I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IN SILVER SHADOWS SO DO NOT. DO NOT EVEN. 

The Darkling from the Grisha Trilogy

I know that he's a villain, but there's something magnetic about the Darkling. I kind of really love him a lot. Maybe it's my Slytherin soul calling. But yes, THE DARKLING. <3 

Akiva from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy

Akiva and Karou are starcrossed lovers and despite their "starcrossedness" he's so loyal and in love with Karou that just really makes me swoon and also ache for a love like that. So swoony. 

So those are some of my book boyfriends from this year. Oh my boys. <3

Happy Reading!

Until Midnight has been released!!!

UNTIL MIDNIGHT is here…and it’s FREE!

Cara and Aelyx only have one day to spend together before he returns to earth and she travels to Aelyx's home planet, L'eihr. Homesick and worried about the upcoming year apart, Cara is desperate to make these final hours count. Worst of all, Cara is missing Christmas, stuck on board an alien spaceship. When Aelyx learns that Cara is forgoing her favorite holiday, he tries to recreate Christmas in space by researching traditional earth customs…but a few things get lost in translation.

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Happy Holidays, everyone! I’m Melissa Landers, author of the Alienated series, and I have a present for you—a brand new e-short from Disney Hyperion!

UNTIL MIDNIGHT takes place onboard an intergalactic transport, soon after ALIENATED ends and before the sequel INVADED begins. The story details Aelyx and Cara’s last day together before he returns to Earth to mend the alliance and she continues to his home planet. It’s sweet and romantic, and as a bonus, it includes a four-chapter preview of the sequel, which releases February 3rd.

Oh, and did I mention the best part? IT’S FREE!

You can download UNTIL MIDNIGHT from the following e-tailers:

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play

*If you live outside the USA, no worries. I’ve uploaded the story to Scribd for you. (The only downside is it doesn’t include the bonus preview chapters, due to technical reasons from the publisher.) Link: http://www.scribd.com/AuthorMelissaLanders

To celebrate this new release, I’m offering TWO lucky winners an autographed swag pack complete with a personalized bookplate, mini-poster, bookmarks, and stickers—open internationally! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melissa Landers writes romantic science fiction for teens and the young at heart. To learn more, or just to say hello, visit her at www.melissa-landers.com

Happy Reading!

[My Top] Debuts of 2014!

I love supporting debut authors! It's so much fun spreading their books to the world. Weeeeeeeee! It was SO hard picking books for this list because apparently, I haven't read that many debuts this year. A lot of them were firsts in series, yes, but not by debut authors.

Here are my top 10 debut novels from this year and as always, there is no order, because I can't choose between my children okay.

I recently read this novel when I found it in the library and holy crap this book is spectacular. I really really enjoyed this. Look forward to a review that will come out some time next year. The guy love interest in this is pretty freaking sweet. ;) 

This is the third time that SLA has been featured in my top lists and it won't be the last. I CAN'T HELP MYSELF OKAY. I LOVE THIS BOOK. This book is an incredible debut from Sara and I can't wait to read the next novel, Ice Like Fire. :D 

I really enjoyed this debut and it has one of my darling book boyfriends who's very yummy. ;) Also, Nikki is just the absolute sweetest and she's so adorable!

I really enjoyed this debut from Rosamund Hodge. This is a dark fairy tale retelling that didn't really turn out the way I had imagined, but I loved anyways. I can't wait to read her next novel, Crimson Bound!

You should know how much I love this book. I love it quite a lot and this is a fan-freaking-tastic debut from Pierce Brown. The situations only get more dire in the sequel.

This book broke my heart into pieces. I really love the concept and idea behind this novel and all the little historical aspects to this book. This is a great debut with an imaginative world. I look forward to whatever novel Kendall Kulper is putting out next!

This debut by Stormy Smith is fantabulous. I didn't have very high expectations going into this but omygod did I love this book. It's a fantastic paranormal/fantasy debut by Stormy and I hope you guys try it too! :D 

I really enjoyed the plot and world building to this novel and though there were things about the writing style that I didn't quite enjoy, I would still read on to find out what happens next because this on ends on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. 

I super enjoyed this witch book and this debut from Michelle Krys. I can't wait to see what else is in store for Indigo and the rest of her story. I love that there were some brutal moments in this book and Michelle Krys didn't hold back. 

I can't even with this book. This debut knocked it out of the park and then some. I love and adore this novel. There's the slow burn romance that I adore and also CRIME STORY. I love it. READ IT GUYS. READ IT. 

So that's my top debuts list for this year and I hope you enjoyed my picks. I KNOW I'M PICKING BOOKS AGAIN BUT SHHHHHH. I LOVE THESE BOOKS OKAY.

Happy Reading!

[My Top] Covers of 2014!

This post is dedicated to all the beautiful covers released into the world this year. There have been many. And I have probably ooh-ed and ahhh-ed over them. Because who can resist a beautiful cover? Seriously? Also, I cannot guarantee that I've read them all. I just like to appreciate beauty okay??

Again, these are in no particular order, because it's like asking me to choose a favourite child or a favourite book boyfriend. You just don't. I love them all equally and in different ways.

And here they AREEEEEE!

This cover is so so so gorgeous! Auuughhhh. The water colour at the bottom and the sort of contrast between the two skylines. The typography on top of it is super pretty too! I love it. The beauty is so unreal.

How could I make a list about the beautiful covers of 2014 without including this beauty? This cover was love at first sight for me. I do admit that I picked this one up like a week after it's released because I needed that cover in my life. I'm so glad that they made the cover so beautiful so that I could have this story enter my life. 

I am kind of in love with this cover. The details on the chakram and the blurring on the snow at the bottom of the cover to create focus. The contrasting of the seasons within the chakram. Yes. Yesssssss. I love this cover. I can't wait to see the cover of Ice Like Fire! 

Roses are my favourite flower and so I have a soft spot for them. But oh man. This cover is stunning! The way the spiral pattern of the rose blends into the spiral pattern of the staircase is so beautiful! I also love the way that the red stands out on this cover. So so so pretty. <3 

I loooooooooooooove this cover. And you may wonder why I put this cover since the "real" one doesn't use this cover. That's because the lovely book retailer in Canada has a special edition of The Walled City that uses this gorgeous cover. I mean. Hello, representation!! And also the dragon. The dragon and the girl are literally my favourite parts. 

Is there anything else to say about this cover outside of how cute it is?? It's super cute with all the swirls and little tidbits from the story and it doesn't take attention away from the title, which is awesome! 

I love this cover and it's simplicity! It really calls attention to the title. The rope is very symbolic towards the story and I suppose you have to read it to find the meaning. ;)

I really enjoy this cover and the sort of monochromatic colour scheme to it. The dark fade at the top brings the focal point to the middle and lower bit of the cover and obviously the road brings focus to the couple lying there on the road. ;) I also super love that flourish pattern behind the title. Love it. I need to read this book soon!

There's just something about this cover that I really enjoy. There's a creepy aura to it because of the lighting that reminds me of The Walking Dead. Also the hands. Because creepy hands are trying to get at Lailah. 

I adore this cover! It's so light and pretty and the Asian girl is gorgeous! Hello, representation! Also, I love how the title is written in marker. You can totally tell when you look closely at it. I seriously just love this cover. 

Could you handle all this pretty? The pretty is kind of overwhelming. ;)

Happy Reading!

[My Top] Reads of 2014!

Yes, it's THAT time of year, where all the top picks of the year are released! I decided to join the Top 10 of 2014 event being hosted by Two Chicks on Books!

Today's theme is my favourite reads for this year, including books that haven't released yet.

These are in no particular order, because NO. YOU CAN'T MAKE ME CHOOSE. It was hard enough picking ten okay. Okay. There's a lot of fantasy on this list. (Shhhhh. Don't judge me. )

Here are my picks!

Is this really a surprise in any way? I think I have expressed my love of the Throne of Glass novels on twitter A LOT. I am in love with Sarah J. Maas's incredible writing and she's an autobuy author for me, so you best believe that I'll be picking up her new series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, as well.

You can also read my somewhat incoherent 4AM ramble after I finished reading this novel here: \o/

There's a lot of mixed reviews for this book, but I personally loved it, with the beautiful writing and the whole mystery aspect. E. Lockhart is an incredible writer and I can't wait to read more of her writing! 

You can check out my review of the novel here: \o/

I absolutely adore this 2014 debut, and Sara Raasch is absolutely adorable on twitter! This fantasy is about countries that are divided by seasons and I love how winter (my favourite season, if you didn't know) is seen as the "good force" in this one instead of being seen as evil as it usually is in stories. One of my favourite book boys that I met this year also comes from this book. THERON, MY DARLING!

Check out my review here: \o/

I also had the incredible honour of revealing the title of the second book, which you can find out here: \o/

This is seriously really high up there on my favourites list. It made my all time favourite books list okay. Okay. This is a contemporary (shocker) with a focus on crime (nvm) since this is a retelling of Sherlock Holmes. The chemistry between Watts and Holmes is intense and their romance is a slow burn that makes me want to squish them together all the time. This book is seriously fab and I can't WAIT to read the sequel, Every Word.

You can check out my review here: \o/

This book is seriously fab. It's a sci fi dystopian with a super harsh world. Pierce Brown has created an incredible world with amazing characters to tell their story. I recently read the sequel and omg. It's just as fabulous. You guys seriously need to read this book!

You can check out my review here: \o/

This book is also one of my favourites of all time. This book has so many things that I love: fantasy, political intrigue, beautiful writing, etc. This book is so full of the feels and I really want to make the time some time soon to re read this novel. I have literally bought copies to push onto my close friends via christmas presents. I am so so so in love with this book.

You can check out my review here: \o/

What a conclusion. This book is a tome, but what a wonderful read it was. The ending was satisfying and I'll miss Laini Taylor's beautiful writing until she releases her next book, whatever it may be. I have this series to thank for my start in book blogging and I couldn't be happier. This series is one of my favourites of all time.

You can check out my review here: \o/

I discovered this book thanks to Booktube (Thanks booktube) and I absolutely fell in love with the story. I adore this book and I pushed it on both of my best friends and they loved it too! One of them is weirdly similar to V.E. Schwab in their interests.

(I won't be linking my review mostly because it was one of the first books I ever reviewed and I'm not a fan of my early posts) 

I admit I was a little wary going into this book at first, but I'm so glad I decided to join the blog tour for this novel and experience this incredible debut novel! The characters that Stormy Smith writes are so fantastic and I love them. I can't wait to read the sequel and experience more Aidan. ;)

You can read my review here: \o/

This is my only 2015 title on this list (because I've only read, like 2.) and this book could possibly go on my favourites of all time list. This is definitely Ally Carter's best book to date. I freaking love this novel and there's also a hot Russian boy that wear's suits. (YUM) This book releases January 27th!

Look out for my review of this book on January 13th and an IMPENDING GIVEAWAY FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK.

Goodreads Page

Weeeee! These books are all super fabulous and I hope you read and enjoy them too! What are your favourite reads of 2014?

Happy Reading!

The Twelve Days of Lailah: Lailah's Christmas Wear & My Quote Choices!

Hellooooooooooo! Welcome to Day 8 of the 12 Days of Lailah celebration held by the Styclar Street Team! Nikki Kelly is super sweet and I'm so excited to share with you my contributions to this celebration!

But first! Here's the details of the book:

ABOUT

Title: Lailah

Author: Nikki Kelly

Series: Styclar Saga #1

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: October 7th 2014

Get it Here: Indigo Amazon B&N BookDepository

Goodreads Page

Synopsis:
The girl knows she’s different. She doesn’t age. She has no family. She has visions of a past life, but no clear clues as to what she is, or where she comes from. But there is a face in her dreams – a light that breaks through the darkness. She knows his name is Gabriel.

On her way home from work, the girl encounters an injured stranger whose name is Jonah. Soon, she will understand that Jonah belongs to a generation of Vampires that serve even darker forces. Jonah and the few like him, are fighting with help from an unlikely ally – a rogue Angel, named Gabriel.

In the crossfire between good and evil, love and hate, and life and death, the girl learns her name: Lailah. But when the lines between black and white begin to blur, where in the spectrum will she find her place? And with whom?

Gabriel and Jonah both want to protect her. But Lailah will have to fight her own battle to find out who she truly is.

Let me show you what I think Lailah would wear at a Christmas celebration!

Lailah Christmas Outfit by astaraya featuring a shirt-dress

Lailah's a classy gal and so I could totally imagine her wearing a white eyelet dress and for festiveness and warmth, a sequined red sweater on top. Of course it's winter in France/England or wherever she is, so there's the cute grey beret. She doesn't like wearing heels either so I gave her some flats. A crystal ring is an important symbol in the book and of course I had to give her one!

I love putting together outfits on Polyvore and it definitely helps me imagine exactly what my characters are wearing.

I also made some quote picture things for some of my favourite quotes from Lailah! I had a lot of fun making this while I was procrastinating from studying for my last final. (I'm actually writing this post instead of studying. LOL) I hope you guys enjoy my little creations! :D

Follow the Tour!

*Sunday, December 14th: Beth at Curling Up With a Good Book shares a Lailah-themed Christmas playlist.

*Monday, December 15th: Brittany at Please Feed the Bookworm matches Lailah characters to their fitting ugly Christmas sweaters.

*Tuesday, December 16th: Rachel at A Perfection Called Books shares exactly what to get the Lailah, Gabriel and Jonah for Christmas.

*Wednesday, December 17th: Patricia at The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club shines some light on exactly how Gabriel and Jonah would celebrate the holidays in their respective realms.

*Thursday, December 18th: Pili at In Love With Handmade whips up some Lailah holiday cupcakes.

*Friday, December 19th: Andrew at Endlessly Reading showcases Jonah and Brooke's potential Christmas outfits.

*Saturday, December 20th: Jessica at The Book Bratz hosts a guest post by Lailah author Nikki Kelly where she shares her favorite Christmas traditions and memories.

*Sunday, December 21st: Ri at Hiver et Cafe releases some exclusive Lailah quotes and shares her take on what Lailah would wear for Christmas.

*Monday, December 22nd: Andrew at Endlessly Reading hosts a character interview with author Nikki Kelly, Lailah, Jonah and Gabriel.

*Tuesday, December 23rd: Genissa at A Story Diary hosts a guest post from Nikki Kelly about the Christmas scene from Lailah.

*Wednesday, December 24th: Dana at Dana Square bakes some Lailah-inspired Christmas cookies.

*Thursday, December 25th: Amber at The Book Bratz releases a brand-new rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas - Lailah style.

***GIVEAWAY!***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading!