Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Star Cursed

Star Cursed

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Pages: 384
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles, book two
Source: Requested review copy

This is book two! SPOILERS FOR BOOK ONE AHEAD!

About the Book: With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England. (goodreads)

My Thoughts: I'm not sure I can talk about this book like a rational human being. When I think of it my main thought is, "NO! Just... Gah! I can't even..... $%£*&@#%$&! Jess! That ending... are you trying to kill me!!" And after that my next coherent thought is, "Kissing... sigh" followed by a swoon. Hopefully now that I have that out of the way I can actually give you something you might want to know.

First things first, I was so happy to be back in the world of the Cahill Witch Chronicles. I mean, I would never actually want to live in the world but I loved visiting it again as a reader! As I said in my review of Born Wicked I love a good alternate history setting. And Jessica Spotswood has created a GREAT one! I couldn't wait to learn more about the world, the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood and especially the asylum! I was not disappointed.

Cate has just joined the sisterhood and is not so pleased to be there. She is plagued with doubts about her powers, her sisters, Finn (FINN!!!!) and basically every decision she made that brought her to where she is. It is decidedly not easy to be part of a prophecy! As in Born Wicked, my heart just broke for this girl! Yes, she has made mistakes. But she is doing the best she can with the knowledge and power she has. There is so much responsibility on her young shoulders! Poor motherless girl!

And Finn. Oh dear goodness, I love him! I so hated that Cate left him behind in the last book (although I totally get why!) It was interesting to see how he has changed in this book and how his relationship with Cate evolves now that she is in the Sisterhood. I was so glad to see more of him than I expected in Star Cursed.

And of course there are Cate's sisters, Maura and Tess. So much of what Cate has done has been for or because of them. I love young Tess but Maura and I have some things to discuss! She is very misguided and, in my opinion, selfish! A lot of it I can understand... it must be hard to always be a step behind Cate. But still, I just cannot justify her actions! You'll know what I mean as you read the book!

I haven't really talked much about the events of the book because I really enjoyed discovering everything for myself and learning new truths about the characters. I wouldn't take that from you! Let's just say I was very pleased to see that Star Cursed didn't suffer from "lame second book syndrom." Action, mystery, secrets, and romance! I loved it all!! 

Top Ten Books on my Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature run by the lovely crew at The Broke and The Bookish

Top Ten Books on my Summer TBR List
It's been awhile since I've done one of these but I'm hoping this will keep me honest! I have so many books to read I'm doing two lists! One of physical copies I have and one of e-galleys!

Physical Books:

1. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder: I recently listened to the audiobook of Poison Study and LOVED it! I need more Valek ASAP!
2. The Elementals by Saundra Mitchell: I love, love, love Saundra's books and feel like I've been waiting for this one forever! Also, my last name is used for one of the characters!
3. Awaken by Meg Cabot: FINALLY get to know what happens for Pierce!
4. Jessica Darling's It List #1 by Megan McCafferty: I've only read the first couple Jessica Darling books but I love them! Maybe I should finish those too!
5. Scorched by Mari Mancusi: Here there be dragons. Need I say more?
6. The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater: I was late to the game on The Raven Boys but I make up for it with EXCITEMENT! Love!!! Cannot wait to see what happens next!
7. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black: Yeah, it's Holly freaking Black. Like I need to explain this one?!?!?
8. Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier: Ruby Red totally surprised me. I couldn't put it down. Loved Sapphire Blue too!
9. Altered by Gennifer Albin: Duh. Crewel was awesome and I love Genn!
10. Mistwalker by Saundra Mitchell: More Saundra!! It's a good year!

E-Galleys:

1. The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White: Love her! Plus, Egypt!
2. Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan: After the cruel ending of Unspoken this one scares me a bit! But I need to know!
3. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger: Oh how I loved Etiquette & Espionage!!!
4. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas: Recently read Throne of Glass and I need to know if my theories are right!
5. Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike: Loved all her other books! Plus, gorgeous cover!
6. Starry Nights by Daisy Whitney: No brainer. Love her writing.
7. This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready: More Jeri!!!!
8. Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller: I've been hearing amazing things...
9. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein: I am terrified to read this. Still haven't recovered from Code Name Verity.
10. The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas: Love her adult historical romance! Can't wait for this one! 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Blog Tour: Star Cursed

Welcome to the Star Cursed blog tour! 
You guys! I am so, so, so, so, so excited to be on this tour! I absolutely LOVED book one, Born Wicked. I think it may contain my favorite kissing scene of all time :) And Star Cursed? Just as good! Be excited!!!!! 

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to BORN WICKED, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

As part of the blog tour, each day Jess is revealing an annotated snippet from STAR CURSED. 



If you add up the page number from each stop during the tour, you can enter to win a one-of-a-kind annotated ARC plus a star trio necklaceFind the other stops below, and on June 21, enter the Rafflecopter here:

Tues, 6/4:  Ex Libris Kate 
Wed, 6/5:  Mundie Moms 
Thurs, 6/6:  Presenting Lenore
Fri, 6/7:  Hobbitsies

Mon, 6/10:  Green Bean Teen Queen 
Tues, 6/11:  I Read Banned Books
Wed, 6/12:  Two Chicks on Books
Thurs, 6/13:  Forever Young Adult
Fri, 6/14:  The Story Siren

Mon, 6/17:  YA Bibliophile
Tues, 6/18:  Marie Lu 
Wed, 6/19:  Beth Revis
Thurs, 6/20:  Veronica Rossi
Fri, 6/21:  Marissa Meyer

STAR CURSED releases on June 18. You can read the first chapter here

Pre-order links: Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Find Jess online: blog | Twitter | Facebook | Cahill Witch Inspiration pinboard

Friday, June 14, 2013

Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's 
Publication Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Pages: 404

Series: Throne of Glass, book one
Source: purchased

About the Book: After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. 

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. 

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. 

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

My Thoughts: This has been the year of me finally getting around to reading fantasy novels everyone told me I should read and then absolutely falling in love with them! First it was Grave Mercy. Then came Poison Study. And now Throne of Glass. Oh Throne of Glass. There is just so much awesome in this book! 

Basically, Throne of Glass is made up of everything I love in a fantasy novel. There is the fierce female main character. I mean... she's a freaking assassin. AND! She survived in what is basically a death camp for way longer than most people would. And then there's the setting. I love getting to venture to a new kingdom and learn all about the politics, history, and culture! Plus there are all the characters found in a court. In this case I especially love the Crown Price! Throw in the captain of the guard and you get another point of reference for the story. And I haven't even touched on the danger, mystery, and adventure yet!

I loved following along with the twists and turns of Throne of Glass. I have some very definite theories about what is going to happen and some of the secrets the reader doesn't know yet (especially in regards to Celaena's past!) I cannot wait to read Crown of Midnight to find out more! 

I know I'm not doing Throne of Glass justice. All of you fantasy fans out there need to pick this one up ASAP. Don't be like me and deny yourself the pleasure of the story any longer.