Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Cover Reveal + Giveaway!: Crystal Crowned by Elise Kova (Air Awakens #5)

Kay so I've done like a bunch of these now for the Air Awakens series, so I'm pretty sure they need no introduction!

Here it issssss!

I would totally cosplay everything about this.

Synopsis:

Long live Solaris.

One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn?

Release Date: July 12, 2016

(lol also i haven't even read the synopsis to avoid spoilers)







a Rafflecopter giveaway



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook. Visit her website, EliseKova.com, for news and extras about her books!

Saturday, March 26, 2016

The Tsar's Parade: The Girls of the Court (BFF Material?)

(Click the banner for the full tour schedule!)
Title: The Crown's Game
Author: Evelyn Skye
Release Date: May 17th, 2016
Pages: 416
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love . . . or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear . . . the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

You may or may not know that Evelyn is doing this thing where, every month, she releases the profile of one of the characters in her new book on her website, and I love it! It's fun and it leaves you wanting more about the characters, that smart woman. Obviously, because they are awesome, I'm most intrigued by the female characters we've gotten a peek at. So, I have decided to dedicate my stop on the Parade to them! It's totally unecessary to tell you this, but if you scroll down, you'll see the girls of the court and why I really, really, really want to be friends with them. (and it's not only because I don't want to be found in a ditch. I get the feeling that's very possible if you get on one of their badsides.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vika
Red flame of hair, with a loud streak of black. Like a volcano erupting in lava and ash, Vika Andreyeva is a force to be reckoned with. She can control the elements, but her emotions—particularly her mischievous streak—often control her.
Which makes her a touch unpredictable.
And yet, there is one constant about Vika: the black stone pendant around her neck. She’s had it since the day she was born.
Age: 16
Hair: Red waves with a lock of black
Eyes: Hazel
Favorite Food: Blini with wild strawberry jam
Favorite Color: The color at sunset when the sky is on fire
Favorite Pastime: Daydreaming about getting off the forest island on which she lives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vika screams passion to me. Everything about her is a force of nature- scorching red and black. I haven't read the book yet, but I imagine that this is someone who you could sneak out with in the middle of the night to go on an adventure! She'll push to to your limits and encourage you to do things you never would have done. If she catches anyone talking shit about you, she'll make them regret the day they were born with a series of humiliating and hilarious pranks/schemes. Or she might just be like "Fight Me" and knock them to next week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Yuliana
While Pasha is cavalier with his role as Crown Prince, his sister, Yuliana, is unsmilingly serious about being the Grand Princess. Although she’s two years younger than Pasha, she often acts as if she’s twenty older.
There is no political machination or negotiation that goes unnoticed by Yuliana. She may not be strong, physically, but she can bring almost anyone to their knees with her intellect. Even the Tsar’s secrets are not safe from Yuliana’s prying eyes.
Age: 15
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Favorite Food: Sturgeon soup with champagne. It was a favorite of Catherine the Great; therefore, it is a favorite of Yuliana’s.
Favorite Color: Who has time for colors?
Favorite Pastime: Studying maps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuliana is definitely different from Vika. I might be completely wrong, but I think that she's the kind of friend who's really hard to get close to, but once she feels you can be trusted, truly trusted, she's loyal af. She's very reserved and subtle. She knows how to keep her emotions in check. You could tell her everything, but you don't have to. She sees it written all over your face. If she found someone talking shit, she'd find so much dirt and blackmail that she could ruin their lives with one tweet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Renata
A servant in the house where Nikolai lives, Renata Galygina also happens to be the only person (other than his mentor) who knows that Nikolai is an enchanter. He didn’t mean to share that fact with her, but Renata quite literally stumbled upon it one day when she walked into his room.
However, Renata has a secret talent as well: she reads tea leaves.
It makes for a very interesting household.
Age: 16
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Favorite Food: Kulich, a traditional, sweet Easter bread
Favorite Color: Peacock Green
Favorite Pastime: Learning new ways to braid her hair
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renata is the type of friend who knows how to keep a secret-(I would hope lol). She always has a ear to confide in and a shoulder to cry on. She'll tell you that everything will be alright and make you smile. I feel like she's the friend that you go out to eat with and can sit in your pajamas eating day old pizza and never be judged. If she hears someone talking smack, I like to think she'll find someway to "accidentally" give them food poisoning or have bedbugs "somehow" find their way into their bedsheets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aizhana
Better not to know from whence Aizhana came.
Better not to see her face beneath her cloak.
And better not to feel her wrath and pain.
Age: Uncountable
Hair: Unknown
Eyes: Don’t look
Favorite Food: Better not to ask…
Favorite Color: The lack thereof.
Favorite Pastime: Some say Aizhana used to love to dance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ooooh, Aizhana. She's a tricky one. I know literally like nothing about her, and I think she likes it that way. I think she's someone who does not have many friends, but I'm not sure whether she even wants them or not. Nonetheless, I think that if you do get to know her, it will be a great privilege. Again, I'm getting all of this by looking at a short character profile, but if she even heard a rumor of someone talking shit, they'd disappear within the day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...and that's it!

Wow, I think it'll be really interesting to come back after I've read the book and see how wrong/right I was about everyone!

oh! if you didn't already know, you can find the girls and everyone else here: http://www.evelynskye.com/characters/

GIVEAWAY!:
One of you lucky people (totally not jealous or anything) will go home with an ARC!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



About the Author:

Evelyn Skye was once offered a job by the C.I.A., she not-so-secretly wishes she was on "So You Think You Can Dance," and if you challenge her to a pizza-eating contest, she guarantees she will win. When she isn't writing, Evelyn can be found chasing her daughter on the playground or sitting on the couch, immersed in a good book and eating way too many cookies. THE CROWN'S GAME is her first novel. Evelyn can be found online at www.evelynskye.com and on Twitter @EvelynSkyeYA.

Website | Twitter |Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr | Instagram

Friday, February 26, 2016

COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Water's Wrath by Elise Kova (Air Awakens #4)

Muahaha I'm finally able to share this cover, but I actually saw it for the first time when I met Elise three weeks ago! She is so awesome and even more talented in person you guys. I know, is that even possible?! It is.

*tearing up* She drew LAREL FOR ME.

And now....the cover for Water's Wrath:


There it is! I must admit that blue isn't one of my favorite colors, but I still really like it! (My favorite is pink though so I'm unapologetically biased lol)

RELEASE DATE: April 26th, 2016


Synopsis: 

Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.
The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elise has also given us a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Review: Ms.Marvel Vol. 2

I'm bad at naming things. I'm sorry I can't make catchy titles for things *raises hands*, but I try so just go with it?

Anyway....how have you been? *awkwardly ignores three month absence* Oh me? Well, you know how it is, busy doing work and school and blah blah.....and being in a weird reading slump where I desperately read trashy contemp. novels I don't care about to try to get myself back on the wagon. Don't ask. (Well you could ask, but that's a story for another time.) Turns out graphic novels work too.

Here's one I read:

Ms. Marvel Vol. 2: Generation Why

by 

Published April 7th 2015 by Marvel
Rating: 3 stars

Who is the Inventor, and what does he want with the all-new Ms. Marvel and all her friends? Maybe Wolverine can help! If Kamala can stop fan-girling out about meeting her favorite super hero, that is. Then, Kamala crosses paths with Inhumanity -- by meeting the royal dog, Lockjaw! But why is Lockjaw really with Kamala? As Ms. Marvel discovers more about her past, the Inventor continues to threaten her future. Kamala bands together with some unlikely heroes to stop the maniacal villain before he does real damage, but has she taken on more than she can handle? And how much longer can Ms. Marvel's life take over Kamala Khan's? Kamala Khan continues to prove why she's the best (and most adorable) new super hero there is!

Review:

I am clearly in the "unpopular opinion" category with this one, but I don't think this series is that great so far. I am actually considering if I should stop reading it. The problem for me is that the plot isn't anything special, and the dilemma I have is that I LOVE the fact that the main character is Muslim. I feel like that shows that the industry is finally starting to show more diversity and represent more of its audience, but that isn't enough for me to love the series. I want to, but I don't.

The Inventor as a villain is weird and uninteresting. He's a fucking bird. I don't care about his motives or why he isn't in a classic crazy-laughter straitjacket, even though he should be. Like seriously though, where does he even come up with his crap?

Her peers are ridiculous. I don't know what kind of backwards city she lives in, but I have a hard time believing anyone is that easily tricked or that anyone that age could be convinced by what the inventor said. Really, it's not even-like I can't understand-why?! He uses them as Human Batteries and they're volunteering for it? They must be really stoned all the time if they're believing whatever half assed explanation he's giving.

The Wolverine bit was really fun and informative, but I think he was written pretty OOC for this. He was too...nice and tame(?)

What I liked: art had some cute running jokes, Kamala tries, and a cameo by one of my favorite guys in spandex
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, November 14, 2015

COVER REVEAL + GIVEAWAY: Earth's End by Elise Kova (Air Awakens #3)

The cover for Earth's End is here! This series is quite entertaining, and I'm happy to be a part of this reveal.

Release Date: February 11th, 2016
Synopsis:
A woman awoken in air, a soldier forged by fire, a weapon risen from blood.Vhalla Yarl has made it to the warfront in the North. Forged by blood and fire, she has steeled her heart for the final battle of the Solaris Empire’s conquest. The choices before Vhalla are no longer servitude or freedom, they are servitude or death. The stakes have never been higher as the Emperor maintains his iron grip on her fate, holding everything Vhalla still has left to lose in the balance.


Also, the amazingly talented Merilliza Chan, cover artist for the series, has a post on her blog about her design process.

Here's a teaser:



UGH I wish I could draw like that! 00

GIVEAWAY: 



a Rafflecopter giveaway


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook. Visit her website, EliseKova.com, for news and extras about her books!

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Release Tour! ARC Review + Giveaway: Fire Falling by Elise Kova (Air Awakens #2)

Fire Falling Release Tour Banner


Fire Falling Cover Only
Title: Fire Falling
Author: Elise Kova
Release Date: November 19th, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy,
Rating: 3.9 stars
Links:


Synopsis:

Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?
Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?


Review:

Vhalla is such an interesting character. One moment I want to grab her by the shoulders, shake her, and ask her what the hell she thinks she's doing, and the next I feel so bad for her and can relate to what she feels. and now things get emotional im not going to say what happens but WHY WHYW HWYWDBFF FOR THE LOVE OF THE MOTHER LAREL WHY MY BABY MY SWEET SWEET AMAZING GIRL WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. i am not okay. I LOVE YOU.

So many things happen in this book, and it is drama after drama. I really feel like all the characters were much more fleshed out for me, however, and I learned a lot about them. I understand more about their motivations and beliefs. I like where Prince Baldair is heading, and I'm really curious as to the details of him and his brother's past. I want to know how their relationship came to be what it is now. Aldrik is soooo broody. Seriously though. He's classic broody, im-not-good-enough-for-you, dramatic, but I find it a little funny. (Am i insensitive lol).

Aldrik's uncle has major balls. I like this guy.

Daniel and Craig are so nice. They are good, well written, and people that Vhalla can lean on. I don't know if you can tell, but she doesn't have very many of those. (NO, reeeeeeally?)

The Emperor- again classic all powerful ruler, who wants to achieve his own ends. More than a little evil-ish, but I enjoy it. I'm hoping that we learn more about him and his plans. *crosses my fingers for something interesting*

L.A.R.E.L.

L.A.R.E.L.

*WHINES* WHINES* WHINES*



GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


About the Author:

Elise Kova has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.

View More: http://radred.pass.us/joseph-wedding-2015-jpegElise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom.” She loves talking with fans on Twitter (@EliseKova) and Facebook.
   

Monday, October 26, 2015

Blog Tour +Giveaway!: Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep (Review, Favorite Quotes, and Playlist)



Dark Heart of Magic (Black Blade #2)
by Jennifer Estep
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: October 27th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Supernatural,
Rating: 4 stars


Synopsis:

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...


Review:

I am so excited to be a part of this blog tour! Jennifer Estep is one of my favorite authors. Her Mythos Academy series is a part of my "I love you forever don't leave me" list of books. Seriously, I was so sad when she said it was done! ...But then she announced a new series, and I'm happy to say that we are now on book two and there is so much more to come. *sigh* (But pretty please still consider a spin off or something of Mythos: I love you.)

So I jumped headfirst into this book and read it entirely in one go. I already need the next one.

Honestly, I think my favorite character has to be Deah. She's not my favorite person, but definitely my favorite character. She has to go through a lot, and while people think she's so powerful and safe because she's one of the Draconis, that's not how it is at all. Lila sees that even though other people don't and it's only one of the reasons why I think they could truly be friends. They really do have a lot of history to sort out though. and I mean a lot. Even Felix, who is in love with her, is a little blind to what she's going through.

I'm probably mostly going to focus this review on Deah and Lila because they're cool and 'cause I can lol.

Anyway, I enjoy reading about Lila. She's one of the pretty few protagonists in a book that I don't feel like rolling my eyes every five seconds at, and I appreciate that. I really love how Jennifer's characters act, for the most part, rationally. There is nothing more annoying then reading about someone who just acts on impulse all the time. Lila is very focused. She knows what she wants to accomplish, and she is trying so very hard. I will say that at times things between her and Devon get kind of "either make out or don't" (Felix says it better than I do.), but it's a YA romance, what can ya do? Plus the girl loves food, and how can I Not respect that?

As for the rest of the characters, plot, etc. it was all enjoyable and I definitely want to keep reading. I just wanted to highlight Lila and Deah in particular because I find it so fascinating how they are basically opposite sides of the same coin.

PS OSCAR IS EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE ALL


Favorite Quotes:


"Tell me again why we have to dress up like extras from a Three Musketeers movie while we're fighting?"

-Lila Merriweather (with classic movie references)

"Bacon made everything better"

-Lila Merriweather (my god she loves bacon)

"Don't you worry about a thing, cupcake. I'm going to keep watch tonight."

-Oscar (i love him so much he's awesome)



Playlist:

1) The Veronicas- You Ruin Me

Kaita, I was really feeling this song for her. 

2) Phildel- The Wolf

You'll find out who this one is for once you read the book. It will creep you the hell out.

3) Brandi Carlile- Dying Day

Oscar, this one's for you! 

4) Adele- Skyfall

Lila and the Sinclairs' struggle in general I feel has this kind of edge to it.

5) Pain of Salvation- Sisters

Don't even look at me, I'm crying.



GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. Dark Heart of Magic, the second book in the series, will be released on Oct. 27.

For more information, visit Jennifer’s website at www.jenniferestep.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

AUTHOR LINKS: WebsiteBlogFacebookTwitterGoodreads

Follow the tour by clicking on the tour banner!~