Unique but disappointing - Dwarves of Calcus ARC Review

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

Title: Dwarves of Calcus

Series: Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles

Author: Katie Hamstead

My rating: 2 hearts

Genre: New Adult, Retelling, Romance

Pub. date: March 6th, 2018

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Synopsis: When she was thirteen, Snow Sabbia crash landed on the dwarves' home planet of Calcus. After fleeing from her step-mother's huntsman, seven brother dwarves took her in to hide and protect her. She has hidden for years on the peaceful planet, tinkering with old automobiles and pushing papers in the mine office.

Then, Timothy White shows up.
The shy, nervous, nerdy heir captivates Snow before she even knows who he is, and quickly she falls in love. But his high profile in society draws unwanted attention from her vengeful stepmother, who wants Snow dead.
Geneva believed Snow died years earlier and she had consumed her innocent heart. With her late husband's wealth, Snow's inheritance, in tow, she married a young lord, Conrad. Both are using each other--Geneva for his title and to have a child, Conrad for her money and beauty. But when Conrad lays eyes on his boyhood rival's lovely fiance, Snow, his overwhelming desire for her reveals the truth to Geneva, that Snow lives.
Desperate to hold onto her wealth and power, Geneva seeks to kill Snow properly this time. Snow has the power to wield the one thing that can destroy her, so she cannot let the girl claim possession of the family heirloom, the Nevollo Sword. 
Snow soon learns her step-mother knows she is alive. But she is a pacifist, so she must outwit Geneva and remain hidden... until Geneva, disguised as a child, presents her with an apple. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Character Interview: Apolline from Princess of Tyrone by Katie Hamstead

Hi guys! I have something really exciting to share with you today! You have no idea how hard it's been to keep this from you the last few months, but it's finally here! A character interview with Apolline from Princess of Tyrone, the first book in The Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles by Katie Hamstead. I absolutely loved the book, and Apolline was so much fun to read about, she's totally badass and cool, and I'm so excited to have gotten the chance to interview her. Keep Reading for the interview, plus some teasers.

March Wrap-Up & April TBR

I really didn't follow my TBR last month. I read a lot in March, 12 books (yes, you read that right!) but most of them weren't on my TBR. I started reading The Marked Men series by Jay Crownover, and then I just couldn't stop, so I finished the whole series. But I've read a lot of books I've been wanting to read for a while, so all in all, I'm happy with how March went.

ARC Review: Myths of Mish (Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles #2) by Katie Hamstead

*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinion, and all thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.*

Title: Myths of Mish

Author: Katie Hamstead

My rating: 4 hearts

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: March 28th 2017

Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press

Synopsis: Hansel and Gretel Herrscher survived the witch in the woods, but the experience has made Hansel paranoid for the past ten years. He sees dark magic at every turn. When Gretel has a marriage arranged to a much older man, and Hansel discovers he's about to be sent halfway across the galaxy, he knows something sinister is afoot. 

Wilhelmine Nordon has plenty of experience with Hansel's quirkier side. So when she catches him and Gretel running away in the middle of the night, she follows to keep them from getting killed. The siblings have never left the capital of Mish on their own, so they need a babysitter. Except when she's discovered, Hansel gives her his usual cold shoulder, and Gretel secretly begs her to take them back. 

The problem is, Hansel's paranoia turns out to be well founded, and they're all being hunted. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Review: RoseBlood by A.G. Howard

Title: RoseBlood

Author: A.G. Howard

My rating: 4.5 hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Retelling, Romance

Pub. date: January 10th 2017

Publisher: Amulet Books

Synopsis: In this modern day spin on Leroux’s gothic tale of unrequited love turned to madness, seventeen-year-old Rune Germain has a mysterious affliction linked to her operatic talent, and a horrifying mistake she’s trying to hide. Hoping creative direction will help her, Rune’s mother sends her to a French arts conservatory for her senior year, located in an opera house rumored to have ties to The Phantom of the Opera. 

At RoseBlood, Rune secretly befriends the masked Thorn—an elusive violinist who not only guides her musical transformation through dreams that seem more real than reality itself, but somehow knows who she is behind her own masks. As the two discover an otherworldly connection and a soul-deep romance blossoms, Thorn’s dark agenda comes to light and he’s forced to make a deadly choice: lead Rune to her destruction, or face the wrath of the phantom who has haunted the opera house for a century, and is the only father he’s ever known. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Most Anticipated New Releases: Fall 2016

Hi everyone! First of all, I'm sorry that I've been so absent this summer. I got a new job in May, and I've been working more than ever, so I've been super busy. I've been working six days a week all summer, so I've been pretty exhausted. Anyway, you don't want to hear about my job. On a brighter note, school started this Monday, which means less work, which will (hopefully) mean more blogging. Of course, school will also keep me busy, but it will be easier to balance things. Anyway, to start off this autumn, I thought I'd do a post about my most anticipated new releases this fall. There are some books that I can't wait to read, so stay tuned! The books are in no particular order, as I can't possibly decide which one I'm looking forward to the most! I will include links to Goodreads and some preorder links if available.

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5) by Sarah J. Maas

Pub. date: September 6th 2016
Synopsis: The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

Book links: 

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

The Destined (The Dreamland series #3) by E.J. Mellow

Pub. date: October 17th 2016

Synopsis: I searched for you in the stars tonight. 

But I found none
that burned as bright as you.

—Part of a letter from Dev to Molly

With the loss of Terra’s greatest weapon, the war against darkness escalates rapidly, and time is on no one’s side. While Dev struggles to keep his home and hope alive, Molly and Rae find themselves forced to confront a desperately kept secret and quickly learn that a life-altering sacrifice is the asking price to restore order.

Nightmares, betrayal, the fate of two worlds, and one man’s hunger for vengeance lead Molly down a twisted and dark path she fears she might never come back from. Cornered into making a heart-wrenching decision, Molly teeters between deliverance and damnation. Who is worth saving most—a nation or the one she loves?

From Award Winning author, E.J. Mellow, comes the breathtaking conclusion of The Dreamland Series. A story that will take you on a spine-tingling and gripping ride through self-sacrifice, the true power of love, and the importance of friendship.

Book links:

Goodreads

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Pub. date: November 8th 2016

Synopsis: Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Book links: 

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire #1) by Jessica Cluess

Pub. date: September 20th 2016

Synopsis: I am Henrietta Howel.

The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

Book links:

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire (Untitled #1) by Rosamund Hodge

Pub. date: September 27th 2016

Synopsis: When the mysterious fog of the Ruining crept over the world, the living died and the dead rose. Only the walled city of Viyara was left untouched.

The heirs of the city’s most powerful—and warring—families, Mahyanai Romeo and Juliet Catresou share a love deeper than duty, honor, even life itself. But the magic laid on Juliet at birth compels her to punish the enemies of her clan—and Romeo has just killed her cousin Tybalt. Which means he must die.

Paris Catresou has always wanted to serve his family by guarding Juliet. But when his ward tries to escape her fate, magic goes terribly wrong—killing her and leaving Paris bound to Romeo. If he wants to discover the truth of what happened, Paris must delve deep into the city, ally with his worst enemy . . . and perhaps turn against his own clan.

Mahyanai Runajo just wants to protect her city—but she’s the only one who believes it’s in peril. In her desperate hunt for information, she accidentally pulls Juliet from the mouth of death—and finds herself bound to the bitter, angry girl. Runajo quickly discovers Juliet might be the one person who can help her recover the secret to saving Viyara.

Both pairs will find friendship where they least expect it. Both will find that Viyara holds more secrets and dangers than anyone ever expected. And outside the walls, death is waiting. . .

Book links: 

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

So, that was it for today! What are the books you just can't wait to read? These are just a few of the books I'm waiting for, there will be a lot of new books for me to read this autumn!

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas

My rating: 5 do-you-have-to-ask hearts

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pub. date: May 5th 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Synopsis: She stole a life. Now she must pay with her heart.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Review: Death in Neverland (Neverland #1) by Heather C. Myers

*I recieved a review copy from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinion, and all thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.*

 

Title: Death in Neverland
Author: Heather C. Myers
My rating: 3 hearts
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pub. date: November 12th 2014
Synopsis: In the Neverland, people don't grow up. Because they're dead.

Remy Cutler dies, and somehow escapes certain death. She returns to the land of the living with nothing but a ripped gown and a fear of heights.

Two years later, she plans to escape her arranged marriage by stowing away onto a ship in hopes to leave her home with no one none knowing. However, she is found out, and the sailors aren't happy. Before any damage can be done, she is yanked from her predicament back to The Neverland, a place where death resides - the very place she escaped from years ago. Souls are ferried by her savior. To her, he's known as Nick, but to The Neverland, he's the slippery Nicholas Grey.

The more time Remy spends with Nick and his crew, however, the more she realizes he's shockingly misunderstood. Pirates aren't all bad the way gentleman aren't all good. One such gentleman goes by the name of Peter, and he has nothing but power on his mind and revenge against Grey in his heart. And then there are those that are completely indiscernible, like James Hook, a Viking and ruler of The Other World, whose sole ambition is attaining more souls to rule over, no matter what the cost.

This dark retelling of Peter Pan infuses familiar characters created by J. M. Barrie with new characters and Greek mythology. It is the first in a trilogy. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Book Tag: R.I.P It or Ship It

Sorry for being absent most of the week. I just started a new job, which has kept me busy, and school seems to have decided to dump everything on us right now, so I have a whole bunch of very important tests and essays that I need to study for, so I don’t know how much I’ll be able to post in the next few weeks. On a happier note, I am posting today, and I think this is pretty interesting. I just came across this tag by accident while I was blogging and looking for something to blog about, and I thought it seemed interesting, so here we go. I have 20 scraps of paper with different characters on them. I will take two names, completely at random, that will make a couple, and then I will decide if I ship it or if I hate it. I have to admit, I’m a bit scared. I have all kinds of characters in there, from all kinds of books. Without further ado, let’s start!

Review: Princess of Tyrone (The Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles #1) by Katie Hamstead

*I recieved an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinion, and all thoughts expressed in this review are unbiased and my own.*

 

Title: Princess of Tyrone
Author: Katie Hamstead
My rating: 5 swoon-worthy, badass, spacey hearts
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Pub. date: March 31st 2016
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Synopsis: Apolline is happy hunting magical creatures on her pirate infested outer-perimeter planet. She is a fantastic shot, and doesn’t flinch at the blood and guts of her kills. Never once did she consider she could be the missing Princess of Tyrone.

All her life, she has heard the story of the Princess, cursed to sleep for eternity, unless her betrothed, the Prince of Oran, gave her true love’s kiss. Although Apolline knows she is betrothed, she thinks her fairy guardians arranged it out of ignorance of human ways. The thought she could be a princess is inconceivable.

Then Allard appears. Handsome, charming—but he’s not hers to have. He’s betrothed, too. Her guardians warn her against her new found friendship, but she and Allard meet in secret anyway. Despite her rough exterior, he sees beyond her gun-slinging bravado, and their love blossoms.

But the deadline for the sleeping curse is approaching. If Apolline falls in love with the wrong person, she could end up sleeping forever.

A quirky, adventurous retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a less than princess-ly princess! (synopsis from Goodreads)

Top 10: My most recent 5-star ratings

Here I will list the ten most recent books that I gave 5 stars, the most recent one being number one, and so on. With links to my review (if I have written one).

My Year in Books 2015

So, this post is a little late, it was supposed to be posted in January, but so far, I have had a very busy 2016, so it is a little late, but better late than never, right? In this post, I will sum up my 2015 in books. What books made me swoon, what books became new favourites, what books disappointed me? Without further ado, let’s start!

Keen Cover Friday: Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe #1) by Rosamund Hodge

Hosted by Keep Booked

 

Hi guys! Sorry for my absence this week, but I've been really busy with school, I had some pretty big tests and such, but now I'm back, and I'll post more next week, since I'm on break! Yay! Okay, so this week, I've picked Cruel Beauty for my KCF. Here's why:

Review: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter
Author: Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 perfect, emotional, sad-that-it's-over hearts
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Publication date: November 10th 2015
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? (synopsis from Goodreads)

"This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget."

Review: Alice Takes Back Wonderland by David D. Hammons

*I was provided with an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating or my review in the slightest. All thoughts expressed in this review is unbiased and my own.*

 

Title: Alice Takes Back Wonderland
Author: David D. Hammons
My rating: 4.5 hearts
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publication date: September 28th 2015
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Synopsis: After ten years of being told she can't tell the difference between real life and a fairy tale, Alice finally stops believing in Wonderland. So when the White Rabbit shows up at her house, Alice thinks she's going crazy.

Only when the White Rabbit kicks her down the rabbit hole does Alice realize that the magical land she visited as a child is real.

But all is not well in Wonderland.

The Ace of Spades has taken over Wonderland and is systematically dismantling all that makes it wonderful. Plain is replacing wondrous, logical is replacing magical, and reason is destroying madness. Alice decides she must help the Mad Hatter and all those fighting to keep Wonderland wonderful.

But how can she face such danger when she is just a girl?

Alice must journey across the stars to unite an army. She discovers that fairy tales are real in the magical world beyond the rabbit hole. But they are not the fairy tales she knows.

Fairy tales have dangers and adventures of their own, and Alice must overcome the trials of these old stories if she wants to unite the lands against Ace.

With the help of Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White and heroes old and new, Alice may have the strength to take back Wonderland. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Book Blitz: Hookah (Insanity #4) by Cameron Jace

 

I'm so excited to share the Hookah Book Blitz, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. I have an excerpt and a giveaway to share, so stay tuned!

Review: The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling

I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Ugly Stepsister
Author: Aya Ling
My rating: ❤❤❤
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publication date: June 12th, 2015
Summary: When Kat accidentally rips apart an old picture book, she's magically transported into the world of Cinderella--as Katriona, one of the ugly stepsisters! Life turns upside down now that she’s a highborn lady and must learn how to survive the social season, including how to get through the door in a huge metal hoop skirt. To get back, she'll have to complete the story, right to the end of happily ever after. But the odds are huge: the other stepsister is drop-dead gorgeous, the fairy godmother is nowhere to be found, and the prince, despite being insanely hot, openly dislikes balls. Can she ever return to the modern world? (summary from Goodreads)

Disney Book Tag

So, I was searching for something fun for my next blog post, and stumbled upon the Disney Book Tag. Since I love Disney, it seemed like the perfect tag for me, so here we go.

Review: Tear You Apart (Beau Rivage) by Sarah Cross

Title: Tear You Apart
Author: Sarah Cross
My rating: 4.25 hearts
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Release date: January 27th, 2015
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Summary: If you want to live happily ever after, first you have to stay alive.

Viv knows there’s no escaping her fairy-tale curse. One day her beautiful stepmother will feed her a poison apple or convince her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Henley, to hunt her down and cut out her heart before she breaks his. In the city of Beau Rivage, some princesses are destined to be prey.

But then Viv receives an invitation to the exclusive club where the Twelve Dancing Princesses twirl away their nights. There she meets Jasper, an underworld prince who seems to have everything—but what he really wants is her. He vows to save her from her dark fate if she’ll join him and be his queen.

All Viv has to do is tear herself away from the huntsman boy who still holds her heart. Then she might live to see if happily ever after is a promise the prince can keep. But is life as an underworld queen worth sacrificing the true love that might kill her? (summary from Goodreads)

Keen Cover Friday: Kill Me Softly (Beau Rivage) by Sarah Cross

Hosted by Keep Booked

 

 

Kill Me Softly

by Sarah Cross

 

My pick for Keen Cover Friday this week is Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross, because I think the cover is really cool. I love the rose, half white, half red, and how the red float from the rose, and looks kind of like blood (I love roses in general, though, so maybe it's just because it's a rose). And I also think it's pretty cool with the thorns on the letters. It's pretty obvious, if you really look at the cover, which story it's based on.

 

Summary: Mirabelle's past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents' tragic deaths to her guardians' half-truths about why she can't return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her sixteenth birthday—and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems—the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy who's a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again.

But fairy tales aren't pretty things, and they don't always end in happily ever after. Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own . . . brothers who share a dark secret. And she'll find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns. (summary from Goodreads)