A-spec August

Hi guys! Yesterday was August 1st, which means A-spec August, hosted by Imi and Ellie from Beyond a Bookshelf, has officially started. I will be participating, and reading as many a-spec books as I can find, and I hope you guys will join me. 

Backlist Shelf Control: Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughters of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor

Backlist Shelf Control is a new weekly feature hosted by The Reading Faery that will run on Fridays, which is dedicated to sharing backlist books that have been on your TBR for too long. Each week, you talk about a backlist book (any book published 2018 or earlier) that you're excited to read and why you want to read it. If you participate, feel free to comment on my post and share your link, so that I can check out your post!

Excerpt Reveal: Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Would you dare to defy destiny? Are our destinies written in stone? Do we become nothing more than the self-fulfilling prophesies of other people's opinions? Or can we dare to become who we believe we were born to be?

"A gorgeous, heartfelt journey of redemption and love" (Wendy Higgins)

"Haunting, authentic, and ultimately hopeful" (Tamara Webber)

Only a Breath Apart is a young adult contemporary novel from critically acclaimed Katie McGarry, and will be available on all retailers on January 22, 2019!

Blog Tour + Discussion: The Demon Race by Alexandria Warwick

Hey guys! I'm so excited to share the blog tour for The Demon Race by Alexandria Warwick with you guys today! The Demon Race is a new Young Adult Fantasy book, being publisher September 18th by Wolf Publishing, and it's written by debut author Alexandria Warwick. Keep reading for more info on the book, my discussion with the author about YA tropes, and a giveaway!

Synopsis:

Hidalgo meets An Ember in the Ashes in this Middle Eastern-inspired YA fantasy debut.

A race across the desert.

An unimaginable prize.

It occurs once every thousand years: the Demon Race. A test of will and strength, it is a race across the Saraj, a fight for the prize of a lifetime. And it is the key to Namali Hafshar’s freedom.

When shy, seventeen-year-old Namali learns of her arranged marriage, she flees home and enters the Demon Race for the chance to change her fate. But to compete, she must cross the Saraj on a daeva, a shadow demon that desires its own reward: to infect her soul with darkness.

Namali soon learns the desert holds more dangers than meets the eye. The only person she can trust is Sameen, a kind competitor seeking his own destiny. As her affection for him grows, however, so too does the darkness in her heart.

In this race of men and demons, only one can win. But the price of winning might be more than Namali is willing to pay.

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37821651-the-demon-race

Amazon Pre-order Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Demon-Race-Alexandria-Warwick/dp/0692068031/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Emotional and surprising - Ruin of Stars ARC Review

*Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader's Copy from Netgalley for review consideration. This does in no way affect my opinion, and all thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.*

Title: Ruin of Stars

Series: Mask of Shadows #2

Author: Linsey Miller

My rating: 4 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: August 28th 2018

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Synopsis: The thrilling conclusion to the Mask of Shadows duology that weaves a tale of magic, shadows, and most importantly, revenge.

As one of the Queen’s elite assassins, Sal finally has the power, prestige, and permission to hunt down the lords who killed their family. But Sal still has to figure out who the culprits are. They must enlist the help of some old friends and enemies while ignoring a growing distaste for the queen and that the charming Elise is being held prisoner by her father.

But there’s something terribly wrong in the north. Talk of the return of shadows, missing children, and magic abounds. As Sal takes out the people responsible for their ruined homeland, Sal learns secrets and truths that can’t be forgotten. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Blog Tour + Review: How to Breathe Underwater by Vicky Skinner

How to Breathe Underwater
Vicky Skinner
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: August 14th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
My rating: 4 hearts

Kate’s father has been pressuring her to be perfect for her whole life, pushing her to be the best swimmer she can be. But when Kate finds her dad cheating on her mom, Kate’s perfect world comes crashing down, and Kate is forced to leave home and the swim team she’s been a part of her whole life.
Now in a new home, new school, and faced with the prospect of starting over, Kate isn’t so sure that swimming is what she wants anymore. But when she decides to quit, her whole world seems to fall apart. But when Kate gets to know Michael, the cute boy that lives across the hall, she starts to think that starting over might not be so bad. There’s only one problem: Michael has a girlfriend.
As the pressures of love, family, and success press down on her, can Kate keep her head above water?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Blog Tour: The Impossibility of Us by Katy Upperman

I'm so excited to share the blog tour for The Impossibility of Us by Katy Upperman with you guys today! It's a new Young Adult Contemporary Romance, published by Swoon Reads. Keep reading for more info on the book, an excerpt and a giveaway!

The Impossibility of Us
Katy Upperman
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: July 31st 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

The last thing Elise wants is to start her senior year in a new town. But after her brother’s death in Afghanistan, she and her mother move from San Francisco to a sleepy coastal village.
When Elise meets Mati, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Mati is new to town too, visiting the U.S. with his family. Over the course of the summer, their relationship begins to blossom, and what starts out as a friendship becomes so much more.
But as Elise and Mati grow closer, her family becomes more and more uncomfortable with their relationship, and their concerns all center on one fact—Mati is Afghan.
Beautifully written, utterly compelling, and ultimately hopeful, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US asks—how brave can you be when your relationship is questioned by everyone you love?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Fierce and feministic - Grace and Fury ARC Review

Title: Grace and Fury

Author: Tracy Banghart

My rating: 5 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: July 31st 2018

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Synopsis: In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.

Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace - someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir's eye, it's Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.

Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Blog Tour: Drink Your Way Through Kiss of the Royal: Tea Edition

Hey guys! I'm really excited to share the blog tour for Kiss of the Royal with you guys today! It's a fun, romantic new fantasy novel by Lindsey Duga being released on July 3rd. I had so much fun reading it, it was unique and I loved Ivy, the feisty heroine, and Zach, the swoon-worthy love interest. Keep reading for my creative post (Drink Your Way Through Kiss of the Royal: Tea Edition), where I've picked out perfect teas to represent the characters, my review of the book and a giveaway!

Title: Kiss of the Royal
Author: Lindsey Duga
My rating: 5 hearts
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pub. date: July 3rd 2018
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Synopsis: In the war against the Forces of Darkness, the Royals are losing. Princess Ivy is determined to end this centuries-long conflict once and for all, so her new battle partner must succeed where the others failed. Prince Zach’s unparalleled skill with a sword, enhanced by Ivy’s magic Kiss, should make them an unstoppable pair—but try convincing Zach of that.

Prince Zach has spent his life preparing for battle, but he would rather be branded a heretic than use his lips as nothing more than a way to transfer magic. A kiss is a symbol of love, and love is the most powerful weapon they have—but try convincing Ivy of that.

With the fate of their world on the line, the battlefield has become a testing ground, and only one of them can be right. Falling for each other wasn’t part of the plan—but try convincing their hearts of that.

Book links:

Goodreads ** Amazon ** B&N ** Book Depository ** Kobo ** IndieBound ** iBooks

Revet & Excerpt Tour: The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young

Hey guys! I am so excited to share the blog tour for The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young! The Fragile Ordinary is a new Young Adult Contemporary Romance. It's a heartfelt and beautiful new young adult novel, set in Scotland, about daring to dream and embracing who you are. Order your copy today! And keep reading this post for my review of the book, an excerpt and a giveaway!

A true emotional roller-coaster - This Savage Song Review

Title: This Savage Song

Series: Monsters of Verity #1

Author: Victoria Schwab

My rating: 5 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: July 5th 2016

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Synopsis: There’s no such thing as safe in a city at war, a city overrun with monsters. In this dark urban fantasy from author Victoria Schwab, a young woman and a young man must choose whether to become heroes or villains—and friends or enemies—with the future of their home at stake. The first of two books.

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives. (synopsis from Goodreads)

An easy and light read - Fallen Crest High & Fallen Crest Family Combined Review

Title: Fallen Crest High and Fallen Crest Family

Series: Fallen Crest #1 & 2

Author: Tijan

My rating: 4 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pub. date: October 31st 2012

Synopsis: Mason and Logan Kade are two brothers who did their own thing. They were rich and expected to attend her school, Fallen Crest Academy. They chose public school and now Samantha has to live with them. The problem is that she doesn't care at all: about them, about her friends, about her cheating boyfriend, or even about her parent's divorce. But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe change is a good thing. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Blog Tour + Characters as Dancers: The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen

Hey guys! I'm so excited to share the blog tour for The Bird and the Blade with you all today! Blog tour is hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club. The Bird and the Blade is a Young Adult book by debut author Megan Bannen. It's a retelling of the Opera Turandot, and an amazing read. Keep reading for my creative post (the characters as dancers), my review of the book, and a giveaway!

An amazing new world - Chase the Dark Review

Title: Chase the Dark

Series: Steel and Stone #1

Author: Annette Marie

My rating: 4 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: October 17th 2014

Publisher: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.

Synopsis: Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to annoy the crap out of her, but he isn't as harmless as he seems. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust — no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons ... See problems one and two. (synopsis from Goodreads)