Feature and Follow Friday #39

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

Tell us about a book character would you want to trade places with.

This Week's Answer: 

WOW! So at first I was like "NONE OF THEM!" I tend to read a lot of books where bad things happen to good people (I know you're thinking "dude, that's like all books") or Fantasies and Science Fiction novels where there are crazy or dangerous worlds, so my first thought was no one.

But then I thought of the perfect person, Victoria Darling in A Mad, Wicked Folly (check out my review of this amazing Young Adult Historical Fiction). I know she has had some difficulties but I would love to live in the Edwardian Era in England, attend art school in France, be an incredible artist, and be part of the women's suffrage movement. But mostly I would want to be Vicky for one reason... WILL! He is just so so dreamy!

How about you? What character would you want to trade places with? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

 And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. I'm also on YouTube now so you can check me out HERE and subscribe! I've been posting videos every Friday!

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard

Title: Strange and Ever After Series: Something Strange and Deadly #3 Author: Susan Dennard Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series, this is the epic conclusion to Susan Dennard's trilogy that started with Something Strange and Deadly and continued with A Darkness Strange and Lovely. With supernatural forces, epic romance, and a mysterious Egyptian city, Eleanor and her team are set for an adventure they will never forget. It has been a tumultuous time for Eleanor Fitt since life as she knew it in Philadelphia came abruptly to an end. While the Spirit-Hunters—Joseph, Jie, and Daniel—have helped her survive her brother's violent death and an invasion of Hungry Dead, Eleanor has lost just about everything. And now, Jie is missing—taken by the evil necromancer Marcus. Eleanor is determined not only to get her back but to finally end this nightmare. But to do so, she must navigate the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt amid the rising Dead, her unresolved feelings for Daniel, and her volatile relationships with Joseph and Oliver, her demon. And it won't be easy. Because Allison, her friend from Philadelphia, has tagged along, becoming strangely entangled in Eleanor's mission. It will take all of Eleanor's powers of black magic, and all of Daniel's and Joseph's trust, to succeed. But there will be a price. People will have to suffer the consequences of what Marcus has done, and what Eleanor, Oliver, and the Spirit-Hunters will do to stop all this deadly chaos.

For me this series is like a fine wine, it gets better with age. And while that is kind of a terrible analogy the sentiment is true, this series has gotten better and better with each passing book. The first book in the series I was emotionally distant from, I loved the world but found the plot lacking. The second book in the series was much improved with an even more interesting world and an interesting plot. This final book in the trilogy however was non-stop adventure full of thrills and feels.

My favorite part about this series is the world. Susan Dennard has created both an interesting and unique world that captures not only the historical setting but a fantastical and magical system within it. The magical system in this series has been becoming larger and more complex as the series goes on. In Strange and Ever After, there is no debate about whether and how Eleanor will be using her powers and she has gotten incredibly strong with them. But even better than that was the involvement of mythology in this book. Each book of the series takes the reader to a different and interesting locale. In Strange and Ever After it's Egypt. You can't explore Egypt without exploring the pyramids and with that comes the exploration of Ancient Egypt and it's religious and cultural aspects. Susan Dennard effortlessly balanced the history and mythology to craft an engaging and creative story that I just loved!

But just as good as the world is the characters. Eleanor has grown on me exponentially as this series has developed. In the first book I was not at all impressed with her and her lack of understanding. Then in the second book she grew on me as she explored her personal magic and the internal conflict that came with it. In Strange and Ever After she continues that character arc and becomes a strong female protagonist. There is no longer a debate about if and how she is going to use her magic. She is a full-fledged necromancer now, but she is still using her powers for good instead of evil. But still there is a lot for Eleanor to learn and I have enjoyed watching her Hero's Journey. She's become quite a favorite character and compelling characters.

Along with Eleanor there are those favorite secondary characters, most notably the Spirit-Hunters. The last book needed much more Daniel Sheridan but not Strange and Ever After. There was a lot of Daniel in this book and he was completely wonderful. His intelligence, selflessness, and kind heart make him not only a fantastic romantic lead but a character that I can't help but root for. There are absolutely wonderful swoonworthy moments in this book as far as Daniel is concerned. Jie is also back being kickass and tough but she's also had a great arc throughout the series. Joseph is back being not only the leader but conscience of the group. But the big surprise in this book was Oliver. He wasn't the petulant magic-hungry dubious sort of character that he was in A Darkness Strange and Lovely. He ended up being just as much the voice of reason as Joseph at times and I loved the development of his relationship with Eleanor. He had a great character arc throughout the series and ended up surprising me a little bit with his choices. Susan Dennard did a brilliant job in Strange and Ever After creating interesting and complex characters that you can't help but love and want to see succeed.

Although I do have to say, with those feelings of love and want for success comes some feels. This is the final book in a trilogy and after so much time being immersed in the world of these characters one can't help but become attached. And not all characters get that happy ending. Be prepared for the feels, this book is full of them. It's a glass case of emotions both good and bad. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me swoon, and it made me think. Like all good books it made feel things that I didn't want to feel.

What I think really solidified my enjoyment of this book was it's plot and pacing which also keeps getting better with each passing book. Strange and Ever After is full of action and adventure. It starts out with a bang and the thrilling moments of the book don't stop until the very end. This book is the exact definition of a page-turner. Things built to a thrilling conclusion and I was hooked on it for every second. In the first book the mystery was predictable, in the second book the mystery was solvable, and in this book there wasn't much mystery and still I was shocked by more than one twist. Like most good fantasy small things from previous books make a big difference in this book. Things really come full circle to create an exciting and interesting conclusion to a series that I really ended up enjoying.

I give Strange and Ever After a 9 out of 10

I recommend this series to fans of Young Adult Historical Fiction or Fantasy. If you're looking for a series with interesting and likable characters in complex situations than check this out. And if like me you don't fall in love with the first book, keep at it, it gets better.

Have you read Strange and Ever After? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Read That I Don't Own

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Initially this list was looking just like my list from last week. All the books I want to read are books that I everyone tells me I have to read. Then I thought of it a little differently and came up with  a different list.

Already in Publication

1.) Sabriel by Garth Nix 
I'm a big fan of fantasy but I really haven't read a lot of the modern classics. I don't know what I was reading in the 90's. I know I was reading the Chronicles of Narnia and The Phantom Tollbooth but I think I was too busy with Historical Fiction. I hear this series is amazing and has talking cats so basically I'm sold.

2.) Dangerous Women edited by George R.R. Martin 
I don't usually like short stories but Emily from Oh Magic Hour reminded me in her book haul that this collection features some of my favorite fantasy authors writing about badass women. Plus Lev Grossman writing in The Magicians universe and GRRM giving us something from the ASOIAF mythology is something I need to read!

3.) Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth 
You may know that I recently read and loved Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth. It was a dark and brilliant retelling of Rapunzel and is a fantastic piece of Historical Fiction. I then read on her blog a post about the Snow White tale and her book Wild Girl which I had seen a few times but now really want to read!

4.) The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove
You guys know I love maps, look at my blog design. I was initially intrigued by a book about a fellow map fan, then I read Icey Books' review and found out this book is full of adventure and pirates!

5.) The Diviners by Libba Bray
I love Libba Bray and her Historical Fantasy series The Gemma Doyle Trilogy. I've heard fantastic things about this book and series set during the 1920s. I've heard it's incredibly thrilling and a little spooky. The second book in the series is about to come out so this is the perfect time to read it!

Not Yet Released - aka ARCs I Would Love!

6.) Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch
I have wanted to get my hands on this book for months.... MONTHS! It sounds absolutely brilliant. It's supposed to be like a Young Adult version of A Song of Ice and Fire. It has the political intrigue, the different kingdoms, and the magic. Plus this magical system sounds amazing!

7.) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This is another Young Adult fantasy that has a lot of political intrigue. Clearly I have a type! But I'm also really intrigued by this magical system and the ambiguity between good and evil it appears to be betraying. Plus that cover? MUST OWN THIS BOOK!

8.) An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
An Epic Fantasy with a brutal Romanesque world, a strong female protagonist, and of course some political intrigue. This is another book that just sounds absolutely fascinating to me and I want to get me hands on an ARC.

9.) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
You say Victorial Schwab is writing a fantasy series with parallel universes set in London and I say "GET ME THAT BOOK!" I loved Vicious and not only the complex world-building but the odious characters, this book sounds wonderful!

10.) Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
I read the first book in The Reckoners trilogy a few months ago and was blown away by the twist. I predicted about 1/3 of what was going to happen and for YA fantasies that is a rarity for me, I usually figure it all out. Plus cliff-hangers are the worst and I need to know what happens next!

What about you? What books do you want to read that you don't own? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Title: Nest Author: Esther Ehrlich Published: September 9, 2014 by Wendy Lamb (Random House) Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.  Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.  Nest is Esther Ehrlich’s stunning debut novel. Her lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish Nest, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you

*** I recevieved a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest view in return. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I don't tend to read a lot of Middle Grade novels. Not because I don't like them but just because I am looking for something a little more complex. But I received a copy of Nest from the publisher and it sounded like a quick and enjoyable read so I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed. It was so much more complex and poignant than I was expecting.

I think one of the things that made the book so enjoyable for me was the setting. As a self-proclaimed New Englander (I lived in Providence, Rhode Island for six years) I have a special place in my heart for Massachusetts, the people who live in vacation destinations year round, and the Cape. Reading a book about a place that I have a fond affinity for, and miss a lot, made the book incredibly enjoyable. But more than the location of the book, the period of the book was enjoyable for me. Technically this is categorized as Historical Fiction, taking the reader to 1972 and the life of the Orenstein family in that time. But the Brady Bunch, bell bottom, and 70's pop music references were so subtle that it was hard to pinpoint the period, at times it felt downright current. As a fan of Historical Fiction who is picky about my Contemporary it felt like the perfect blend of the two well-suited to anyone exploring one genre or the other.

But what also made this book enjoyable and especially poignant was the writing. Ester Ehrlich's prose is beautifully heart-wrenching. It is hard to believe this a debut. Not only does it have the deep and poetic quality that even some experience authors don't capture but it was incredibly well-plotted and flowed with effortless ease. At times the tone of the book felt reminiscent of some favorite mid-20th Century Modern Classics like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, To Kill A Mockingbird, or The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. It had a similar coming of age poignancy that affected me on a much deeper emotional level than I expected.

Perhaps I was affected much deeper than I thought because Ehrlich created some truly memorable characters who perfectly capture the feelings of adolescence. The main character Naomi "Chirp" Orenstein was an instantly likable and quirky character. She knows a lot of interesting facts about the birds she has a particular affinity for and would much rather spend her time outside watching said birds. She's a bit anti-social and short-tempered but incredibly optimistic in the face of a lot of difficult circumstances. I could easily relate to her and introverted tendencies and her fixation on something off-beat. She's a realistic and flawed character that I was quickly able to empathize with her and root for her throughout the book.

But Chirp was just the start of the interesting characters in Nest. Joey, who developed into a real friend for Chirp, had a great character arc and was flawed and realistic like most young boys. Chirp's family was also fantastic and the relationship she had with them was so reminiscent of real familial relationships. While reading the book the relationship between Chirp and her mother struck me as so similar to the relationship I have with my own mother that I had to call her to check in and chat. I also loved the relationship with Chirp and her sister Rachel. It's such a perfect sibling relationship where one person is growing up faster than the other, or I should say, before the other. The characters and relationships within the book were so endearing, it made the book even more enjoyable.

My only qualm with the book is part of why I liked it so much. It deals with some pretty heavy concepts. Things are not easy for Chirp and Joey. I expected a heart-breaking story but things took an even darker and depressing turn than even I expected. I talked with some fellow bloggers about how this may be a little too dramatic for a middle grade audience. I don't think this is necessarily true, I mean I remember reading some poignant and depressing books when I was younger and being completely moved by their profound honesty and ability to allow young people to talk about some difficult concepts. To parents, librarians, or teachers who want to give this book to a young person, perhaps read it first and be prepared to talk to them about some of the things that occur in the book.

I give Nest by Esther Ehrlich an 8 out of 10

I recommend this book to fans of poignant and Middle Grade novels such as Bridge to Terabithia or Mid-Century Modern Classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. It is a beautifully written novel with likable characters and great relationships that will effect you emotionally.

Have you read Nest? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday #38

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

What book/series do you think would make a better TV show than a movie?

This Week's Answer: 

I love when books get turned into TV shows! There's so much more room to be true to the source material. I personally think These Broken Stars aka the Starbound series would make a fantastic TV show. And I'm not just saying that because there was talk of that happening back in the winter.

I love Science Fiction TV shows, space opera, and all that like Battlestar Galactica and Firefly. But also the format of These Broken Stars alternating narrators would be much better suited to a TV show format. With each episode you could switch to Lilac or Tarver (think Lost season 1). The atmosphere and mood of the book would be so good in the format of a TV show, again like Lost, where you are so confused and wondering what could possibly be going on here! Plus I think the mystery and big reveal would be a great cliffhanger to end an episode or season! It would be incredibly mean but it would be brilliant television!

How about you? What book would you like to see made into a TV show? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

 And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. I'm also on YouTube now so you can check me out HERE and subscribe! I've been posting videos every Friday!

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Title: Egg and Spoon Author: Gregory Maguire Read: June 2014 Published: September 9, 2014 by Candlewick Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: In this tour de force, master storyteller Gregory Maguire offers a dazzling novel for fantasy lovers of all ages.   Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years. One of her brothers has been conscripted into the Tsar’s army, the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. Her mother is dying, slowly, in their tiny cabin. And there is no food. But then a train arrives in the village, a train carrying untold wealth, a cornucopia of food, and a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg — a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. When the two girls’ lives collide, an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito, and — in a starring role only Gregory Maguire could have conjured — Baba Yaga, witch of Russian folklore, in her ambulatory house perched on chicken legs.

**** I received a copy of this book from the publisher at BEA for an honest review in return. This fact has not changed my opinion ****

This is the kind of book that defies genre specifications. I read it in June as part of my retellings theme, and while it includes elements for Russian folklore like Baba Yaga and the Firebird as well as a Prince and the Pauper vibe, there's so much more. It has elements of Historical Fiction, Fantasy, and even some distinctly dystopian elements. One things for sure, there's just something fun and entertaining about this book.

I have some experience with Gregory Maguire. I'm a big fan of the Wicked Years series and his combination of retellings with darker elements and political intrigue. Those themes are present in Egg and Spoon but unlike his other books, the target audience for this is much younger. The tone of the book is almost light-hearted with a unique narrative style. It's a third-person perspective by someone who is a secondary character in the story who comes of as an unreliable narrator giving a color commentary of the main characters actions. It was unlike anything I have experienced and really added to the fun and light-hearted feeling of the book.

But where Maguire really shines is in creating interesting and entertaining characters. Most notably in this book is the fabled witch Baba Yaga. I couldn't help but laugh out loud with her behavior and snarky comments throughout the story. But even better was her surly cat Mewster who was the perfect foil to the almost silly witch. In addition to those secondary characters, our two protagonists were very likable and interesting with great character arcs throughout the story. I was particularly attached to Elena, the peasant girl trying to find and bring home her brother who was taken off to fight the Tsar's war. Throughout the story both her and Ekaterina, the wealthy socialite, were faced with incredible hardships and eventually realized what was truly important to them.

I did however have some issues the with the plotting of this book. There were so many moving parts of this story and they didn't all work for me. They also didn't all seem important. I'm used to fantasy and mystery novels where small things become major later on but in the case of Egg and Spoon, small things were just mentioned offhand and then what appeared to be larger things were almost abandoned. There were a lot of different things happening at the same time and it only served to muddy the waters so to speak. But maybe that was just the nature of the book.

The most interesting thing was the combination of many different kinds of stories. I'm a big russophile and I loved the backdrop of the Tsarist regime with Russian mythology in a dystopian vibe.  This book perfectly fits into this months theme of Historical Fiction as it takes us through the goings on of rural and urban Russia under the Tsar. There's definitely some elements of politics involved but that's just the tip of the iceberg. I'm not all that familiar with the stories of Baba Yaga and the Firebird (which I learned about from the Grisha trilogy) but after reading Egg and Spoon I wanted to know more. Gregory Maguire brilliantly used their tales to explain a phenomenon which felt like a global warming allegory. I didn't quite pick up the Fantasy elements however. There was something fantastical at work but there wasn't much of a magical system unlike a lot of Maguires other work. Maybe that's because I'm a snob about that sort of thing. It was however wonderfully creative and added the the fun and interesting nature of the book.

I give Egg and Spoon an 8.5 out of 10

I would recommend this book to fans of complex and light-hearted retelling, someone looking for a book where they can laugh out loud but still think, and those who love Gregory Maguire and his combination of fantasy and politics. The audience for this book has been often talked about. Whether it is for more of a middle grade or young adult audience is unclear but one things for sure, it is fun and entertaining book that defies classification.

Have you read Egg and Spoon? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday - In the Afterlight

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: In the Afterlight Series: The Darkest Minds #3 Author: Alexandra Bracken Published: October 28, 2014 by Disney-Hyperion AmazonGoodreads Synopsis: Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. Only Ruby can keep their highly dangerous prisoner in check. But with Clancy Gray, there's no guarantee you're fully in control, and everything comes with a price. When the Children's League disbands, Ruby rises up as a leader and forms an unlikely allegiance with Liam's brother, Cole, who has a volatile secret of his own. There are still thousands of other Psi kids suffering in government "rehabilitation camps" all over the country. Freeing them--revealing the governments unspeakable abuses in the process--is the mission Ruby has claimed since her own escape from Thurmond, the worst camp in the country. But not everyone is supportive of the plan Ruby and Cole craft to free the camps. As tensions rise, competing ideals threaten the mission to uncover the cause of IANN, the disease that killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others with powers the government will kill to keep contained. With the fate of a generation in their hands, there is no room for error. One wrong move could be the spark that sets the world on fire.

Why I'm Waiting 

I had heard about this series a long time ago and was totally intrigued by the combination of a dystopian world with teen who have X-Men like superpowers. In April I read The Darkest Minds and Never Fade. I was blown away by the thrilling plot, amazing characters, and complexities in this series. I was almost instantly hooked on Ruby's story and her Hero's Journey. The final installment of this series comes out at the end of October and I have so many questions! There's just so many loose ends.

Can Ruby use her powers to make things right?
Will my ships sail? (I have two in case you were wondering, I'll tell you if you ask!)
Will Ruby reunite with her parents?
What's the cause of IAAN?
What's going to happen to the camps?
Is Zu ever coming back? (I haven't read In Time yet which may answer this question)
Is anyone to be trusted?

I was delighted to meet Alexandra Bracken at BEA! I told her how much I loved the books and theorized on a few things including how I wanted it all to end and my ships (ask me about my ships). Like a good author she played coy which of course got me more excited!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you as excited for In the Afterlight as I am? Do you have as many questions as I do? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday - Books Everyone Tells Me to Read

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Since joining this amazing book blogger community I have found some truly wonderful books. Some of my favorite books this year have come from recommendations from you all. But there are too many books and too little time, so here is the list of 10 books everyone tells me I need to read.

1.) Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Soon friends, soon. I was waiting for Heir of Fire to come out. September is High Fantasy month just for this series. Everyone raves about it and this is a series I would love!

2.) The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

I love Historical Fiction but WWII is far from my favorite period to read about. But when my brother who only reads non-fiction recommends a book then I have to read it.

3.) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

All the Isla talk just brings to the forefront the idea that I haven't read this series. It sounds good but I'm picky about my Contemporary and I'm not big on standard romances.

4.) Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

This series seems to be a lot of people's favorites but for some reason I've never been that interested in it. But it comes so highly recommended!

5.) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I have a few friends who are readers and every one of them has read and raves about this book. It's been in my TBR pile for years. Not sure when I can make it happen though.

6.) Legend by Marie Lu

Now that this series is complete I considered marathoning it in April when I did a dystopia month but read something else instead that I didn't really love. Should have done this one.

7.) If I Stay by Gayle Foreman

With the movie coming out, I feel completely out of the loop because I haven't read this one. But again, I'm picky with my Contemp and I don't usually like intentionally sad books (I'm already a crier)

8.) The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I read my first Gaiman this year and it wasn't what i expected. Everyone suggested I read this one instead. It's been in the TBR pile for awhile.

9.) The Selection by Kiera Cass

I'm a sucker for a girl in a pretty dress book but I haven't picked up this series. It was also on my list for dystopia month but I never got to it.

10.) Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Okay so this is only one person but she's really persistent. One of my good friends has been telling me I have to read this book for years, it's her personal favorite.

So which of these books should I prioritize? Any that I'm seriously missing out on? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for dropping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Neverhome by Laird Hunt

Title: Neverhome Author: Laird Hunt Published: September 9, 2014 by Little Brown Books Amazon  Goodreads Synopsis: She calls herself Ash, but that's not her real name. She is a farmer's faithful wife, but she has left her husband to don the uniform of a Union soldier in the Civil War. NEVERHOME tells the harrowing story of Ash Thompson during the battle for the South. Through bloodshed and hysteria and heartbreak, she becomes a hero, a folk legend, a madwoman and a traitor to the American cause.  Laird Hunt's dazzling new novel throws a light on the adventurous women who chose to fight instead of stay behind. It is also a mystery story: why did Ash leave and her husband stay? Why can she not return? What will she have to go through to make it back home? In gorgeous prose, Hunt's rebellious young heroine fights her way through history, and back home to her husband, and finally into our hearts.

**** I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher at BEA and via Netgalley for an honest review in return. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

When I started reading Neverhome I wasn't entirely sure if I was enjoying it. The synopsis is absolutely right when it mentions the gorgeous prose of this story. The book is beautifully written and I really enjoyed it.  But when the book started winding down I found myself emotionally invested in the conclusion of the story and wishing that it wouldn't end. The ultimate theme with this book is that appearances can be deceiving.

As the synopsis explains, this is a literal part of the book. The main character "Ash" disguises herself as a man so that she can go off to war in place of her husband. This is a common trope in literature and can often lead to "hilarious hijinx ensuing," but not in Neverhome. There were no cross-dressing jokes, no attempts to walk and talk like a man, no moments of almost being found out. If that's what you are expecting with this book you are going to be surprised to find that this is unlike any other story about a woman dressing like a man to fight in a war.

But fortunately, the main character and narrator of this story is like the kind of women in these types of stories. She is determined and strong both mentally and physically but far from perfect. She was an easy heroine to follow on this struggle. It seemed completely natural for her to go off to war and when she did get there she fit right in with the other soldiers. She fit in so well that sometimes I would even forget that the basis for this book is that she was disguised as man. And while at moments she seemed to be unphased by the task at hand, there are other moments that it hits her exactly what she is doing. It is these moments of humanity that make her likable and entertaining to read about. As the book winds down, it is these moments that make you realize you really do want her to succeed and get what she wants in the end.

Another surprise about this book is that despite the fact that it is about war, there is very little action and actual bloodshed. Now don't get me wrong, there are many moments of battle with bayonets stabbing people and gunshots hitting there mark, but unlike a lot of books on this subject, the actual battle aspect of war was not the focus of the book. What Laird Hunt does well is establish the mood of war without showing much war. As the reader I felt a sense of uncertainty and anticipation. It was more about marching around, waiting for the action to occur, and training. I usually get annoyed by lack of action but in this book, that seemed to work. The plot wasn't about battles and war, it was about a woman who was going to war in place of her husband. It was a character-driven look on the subject and was much more about the way that war effects the people who are fighting. If you are the kind of person who enjoys war stories for the action then you may be surprised by the lack of battles in this book, but appearances can be deceiving and this seems to be a much more holistic approach on the subject.

But the biggest deceiving appearance of this book is it's size. When you look at Neverhome and it's 250 pages you think it will be a quick read, but it absolutely is not. It is a hefty and dense 250 pages. It is not what I would call a page-turner. It is not the kind of book that you can read in one sitting. But it is the kind of book that you can become completely immersed in without even realizing it. Through the mood and the tone of the story, Laird Hunt forces you to slow down and focus more on the emotional aspects of the story. As the book winds down, the plot starts picking up, and the climax of the story arrives I was incredibly surprised by the twists and turns. It was as if the book lulled me into a false sense of security that things were one way only to find out that things were not what I expected.

I give Neverhome by Laird Hunt an 8.5 out of 10

This is definitely a book for fans of historical fiction looking for a book about a woman who faces adversity with strength and determination. If you liked Cold Mountain then check out Neverhome.

Have you read Neverhome? Leave me a comment with your thoughts? Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING.