[Review] The Valiant by Lesley Livingston

ABOUT

Title: The Valiant
Author: Lesley Livingston
Publisher: HarperCollins Canada
Release Date: February 17th 2017
Goodreads Page

Synopsis:

The youngest daughter of a proud Celtic king, Fallon has always lived in the shadow of her older sister Sorcha's legendary reputation as a warrior. But when Fallon was a young child, the armies of Julius Caesar invaded the island of Britain and her beloved older sister was killed in battle.

On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her rightful place in her father's royal war band. But she never gets the chance. Instead, Fallon is captured by a band of ruthless brigands who sell her to an exclusive training school for female gladiators—and its most influential patron is none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, Fallon's worst enemy, the man who destroyed her family, might be her only hope of survival.

Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, chilling threats and the dangerous attention of Caesar himself to survive the deadly fights that take place both in and out of the arena—and claim her place in history among the Valiant.

[Blog Tour] Caraval by Stephanie Garber

ABOUT

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber

Series: Caraval #1

Release Date: January 31st 2017

Goodreads Page

Synopsis:

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . .

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

I received an ARC from the distributor as part of the blog tour and in exchange for an honest review.

While Caraval tells a tale of the sisterhood between Scarlett and Donatella Dragna, the novel mostly focuses on Scarlett. Scarlett grew up hearing stories of the magic and wonder of Caraval from her grandmother and wrote letters to the mysterious troupe leader, Legend. Scarlett is arranged to be married and she eagerly awaits it, since she dreams of escaping her father's abuse and bringing her beloved sister with her. However, a week before her marriage, she receives tickets to Caraval and she is whisked away by her sister and a sailor to attend. Tella, as Scarlett calls her sister, is kidnapped by Legend. Finding her sister is the key to winning the game.

Caraval creates a magical world to get lost in and just as Scarlett becomes more involved in the mystery of the game, so does the reader. I found myself wondering what would happen next and making guesses on the secrets of the characters and the games. While it surprised me that Scarlett came to the same conclusions as me, it was also proven wrong, which was nice for me.

Scarlett loves her sister more than anything in the world and would do anything for her. Finding her is what drives her to keep playing the game, even when it becomes darker and more sinister and the fear of her father still echoes within her. She also seems to have a type of synesthesia where colours are associated with feelings.

Julian is a mysterious and handsome sailor who helps Tella bring Scarlett to Caraval. He has many secrets and he seems to have played the game before, and is trying to win the game this time for the prize -- a wish. He is dashing and charming, but also seems to have a dark side. Who knows, you'll just have to read the book to find out his secrets. ;)

There's a warning given out by Julian, that not everything is as it seems in Caraval. Some things are real and some aren't. It's a point that's important to this novel and since we're reading through the eyes of Scarlett, we only know as much as she knows. There's a surreal magic to the Caraval we see through her eyes that is both fascinating and terrifying

I really enjoyed this gorgeous and darkly magical novel. The characters have depth and are interesting and I love the world created in this novel. There seems to be a sequel and I'm interested to see where Stephanie Garber will take this world next.

Click up there ^^^^ for an excerpt! 

Happy Reading!

[Review] You Don't Know My Name by Kristen Orlando

ABOUT

Title: You Don't Know My Name 

Author: Kristen Orlando 

Series: The Black Angel Chronicles #1 

Release Date: January 10th 2017 

Goodreads Page

Synopsis:

Fighter, Faker, Student, Spy.

Seventeen-year-old Reagan Elizabeth Hillis is used to changing identities overnight, lying to every friend she’s ever had, and pushing away anyone who gets too close. Trained in mortal combat and weaponry her entire life, Reagan is expected to follow in her parents’ footsteps and join the ranks of the most powerful top-secret agency in the world, the Black Angels. Falling in love with the boy next door was never part of the plan.

Now Reagan has to decide: Will she use her incredible talents and lead the dangerous life she was born into, or throw it all away to follow her heart and embrace the normal life she's always wanted? And does she even have a choice at all?

Find out if you are ready to join the Black Angels in the captivating and emotional page-turner, You Don't Know My Name, from debut novelist Kristen Orlando!

Ri's Must Buy Books of 2017

One of my goals this year is to spend less and hoard less stuff. I have so so so many books that I've acquired and bought over the years I've been blogging that I have still yet to read and I really want to read them since I did buy them for a reason.

However, there are obviously books that I'm going to want but i'm going to try and hold out unless there's something really eye catching as a pre order or I might just be doing some impulse shopping. Which you should tell me to stop. Immediately.

The books that are on this list are the books that I will definitely probably read the moment it's in my hands. Anything else will be dropped immediately so that I can pick up this book.

Here are my list of books that I absolutely must have this year!

A Conjuring of Light

By V.E. Schwab

Shades of Magic #3

Goodreads Page | Release Date: February 21st

This is an absolute must for me. I cannot even fathom how this book is going to end and I'm both excited and terrified. I love this series and if you haven't read the Darker Shade of Magic series yet, then what are you doing?? Get on it!

Strange the Dreamer 

By Laini Taylor

Strange the Dreamer #1

Goodreads Page | Release Date: March 28th

I need this book like right now. I'm a fan of Laini Taylor's gorgeous writing and I absolutely adored her Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. That series also holds a special place in my heart since it's the book that got me back into reading after a little break. Anyways, I'm excited for the gorgeous writing that will probably be in this book and is confirmed to be magical and gorgeous by those who've read it. Need it. now.

Our Dark Duet

By Victoria Schwab

Monsters of Verity #2

Goodreads Page | Release Date: June 13th.

Can you tell that I'm a huge fan of Victoria Schwab? I adored the first novel, This Savage Song, and I'm once again excited and slightly terrified about this book since this too is the last in the series. I just want the precious darlings in this book to live and be happy. Is that so much to ask? It probably might be.

Iron Gold

by Pierce Brown

Iron Gold #1 

Goodreads Page | Release Date: August 22nd

I loved the Red Rising series and the world created by Pierce Brown in the novels. I'm excited to see more of this world and to see the aftermath of the actions from the previous series. Will it devastate me? Only time will tell.

The Ship Beyond Time

by Heidi Heilig

The Girl From Everywhere #2 

Goodreads Page | Release Date: February 28th

I loved the first book and I have an e-ARC of this one that I've yet to read (story of my life) and I'm going to get to it as soon as I read some others that have been waiting in line. I'm super in love with the cover and the world and I can't wait to see what happens in this book! Also I love Heidi.

Cashmere by Temple West

Velvet Trilogy #2 

Goodreads Page | Release Date: February 14th 

There's no cover for the book yet, but there is a teaser pic on Temple's site. I'm so so so excited for this book. I adored the first book and I looove the characters, the world and the humour presented in Velvet. I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel and to revisit the characters and the humour!

Wonder Woman: Warbringer

By Leigh Bardugo

DC Icons #1

Goodreads Page | Release Date: August 29th

This is really a maybe for me. I'm thinking about it. NGL, I'm a Marvel girl, but I love Leigh Bardugo and also it's Wonder Woman who I'm fond of. The synopsis sounds intriguing and I'm also excited to see what Leigh's writing is like outside of the Grisha universe.






So it turns out that this is a list of sequels and my fave authors. OH WELL. I'll probably be buying more books than this because let's be real, I have poor spending habits and it's gonna be a long year. These are really the books that I have at the forefront of my mind and there may have been books I've forgotten because I'm terrible at listing things on the spot. Anyways.

Happy Reading!