October Wrap Up and November TBR

Read in September: Magical Realism

Just as I suspected, it was a rough month for reading. Between my move to Rhode Island and my starting of my new job, I haven't been able to read much. But of I am being entirely honest I kind of underestimated just how little time. Although I think maybe that was because the past few months have been really good so in comparison this seems really slow. But I read a total of 7 books this month. But the good news is that most of them were really good reads. Although I did DNF one book, so there's that/

For challenges, I am doing okay but not as well as I would hope on some of the individual challenges. I made my Goodreads goal 120 books for the year and that was a really good decision because I am really close to finishing it. I wanted to finish it by the end of this month but that didn't work out so well. But I will definitely finish it in November. I was on track for the Debut Author Challenge of 25 debuts, but this month I didn't read any debuts, making my total for the year stil at 19. I'm not going to finish it but I'll probably end up with 20. For the Netgalley/Edelweiss Challenge, I read 1 book this months which makes my total to 31 for the year. My goal of 36 for the year is still doable as all I'll have to do is read 2 a month until the end of the year. For the Rock My TBR Challenge I didn't read any books for that this month towards my goal of 25 for the year bringing my totally up to 12 for the year. I'm definitely behind on this one but I might be able to meet the actual challenge goal of 15. My slow reading month definitely got in the way of me completing these goals as well.

The Books

1.) Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) Bad Dreams by R.L. Stine Rating: 6 out of 10 [Podcast Review]
 3.) All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Steifvater 
Rating 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]

4.) Wonder Woman Vol. 3: The Truth by Greg Rucka, Liam Sharp 
and Laura Martin Rating: 9 out of 10
5.) Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel Jose Older
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]

6.) Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) La Belle Sauvage by Phillip Pullman Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars [Review to Come]

Other Posts

Discussion Post: Life Update: I Quit My Job and I'm Moving
Waiting on Wednesday: Artemis by Andy Weir,
Blog Tours: The Memory Tree by Kali Wallace Promo

To Be Read in October: Science Fiction

I am hoping to have more time to read in November but I remain cautiously realistic in the fact that I am probably not going to be able to read much more than last month. But there are some books coming out that I am super excited about. Some that are among my most anticipated for the year. Plus I am excited to shift to a different theme as I have been reading a lot of fantasy and historical books lately.

Books for Review

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada - Add to Goodreads

I'm part of the blog tour for this book and am super excited to read it. I wanted a copy at ALA but I wasn't able to get one so I'm excited to be on the blog tour.

Artemis by Andy Weir - Add to Goodreads

I have been wanting another book from Andy Weir since I read The Martian over two years ago. Plus even if it wasn't Weir I'd want to read this book because it's about a female thief on the moon.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao  - Add to Goodreads
I read the first chapter of this last month but didn't have the time to finish it. But I liked it and I have heard good things and I want to read more.

Renegades by Marissa Meyers - Add to Goodreads

I am so excited to read this book. I love books about super heroes, I love Marissa Meyers, so could the two combined be anything but amazing!

 

The Knowing by Sharon Cameron - Add to Goodreads

I LOVED The Forgetting and I am super pumped that there is another book in this series. I wanted to read this last month but I didn't have the time. This month I am making time!

The Inevitable Victorian Thing by J. Acrum- Add to Goodreads
This is another perfect read for the Halloween season. It sounds really interesting and I know a few people who have read it and loved it.

Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray - Add to Goodreads

I have had a copy of this book for a very long time and I still haven't read it. I mean they did archive the book before I could download it and then randomly didn't after awhile.

New Releases

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid - Add to Goodreads
I LOVED The Diabolic and I was so excited about more. The second book comes out today and I am super excited to read it. I made sure I finished the audio for La Belle Sauvage before today so I could start it immediately.

Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray - Add to Goodreads
I started this book last weekend after seeing the delightful Libba Bray again. It's a pretty hefty read so I haven't been able to finish it so I'm still reading.

Backlist Books

Imprudence by Gail Carriger - Add to Goodreads
I planned to listen to the audiobook for Imprudence this month but I didn't get the chance. I still do want to read it and I think it fits this month's theme enough so I'll try again.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in November. As always, these are subject to change. I may read all of these or I may only read a few and then read a bunch of different ones. But honestly I think this list I can stick to. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Title: Retribution Rails Series: Vengeance Road #2 Written by: Erin Bowman Published: November 7, 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle. In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.

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

I loved Vengeance Road. It was one of many YA Westerns a few years ago that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a rare fad that when it's passed I still want more and that is Westerns for me. I still can't get enough of them and so I was super excited to here that a companion to Vengeance Road was coming out. And seriously, it was just as good.

One of my favorite things about this book is the way that it explored the historical setting. In this book we are taken ten years into the future where the "Wild West" is a little less wild and a little more settled and technologically advanced. But it was no less interesting. There was just as much great historical fiction feels to it as we were immersed in a world of train robberies, outlaws, and homesteaders. I could perfectly visualize everything and see it in away that made the setting and book really come alive. Plus once again Erin Bowman included slang and the manner of speaking that was used at the time which not only helped with characterization but also helped build the world and develop the setting. That's what this book did really well. As a fan of historical fiction, I really enjoyed the setting of this book.

The plot of Retribution Rails was just as immersive and interesting. The Old West is such an interesting period of history and you almost can't go wrong as far as the plot goes because there is bound to be plenty of exciting things like shoot outs, train robberies, narrow escapes, and many more. But I think a lot of times the stories can feel like it's the same old same old. And while this one was little bit more on the traditional side as far as Westerns go, it was still really interesting. The plot really developed in a way that had me always guessing. It kept me on the edge of my seat and surprised me more than once by the end. It was definitely a thrilling and engaging read.

But that being said, I do think that the pacing was a little slow. I feel like I'm constantly saying that books take their sweet time before getting interesting so maybe this just comes down to a personal preference thing. But for me, I want a book to really hook me in the first 50 pages or so. And while I was interested in finding out what would happen next I wasn't really hooked until halfway through the book. I feel like the beginning was just a lot of exposition and I wanted to get more into the plot. Because the plot was really good.

The best thing about this book, however, was the characters. I LOVED the characters in Vengeance Road so finding out that this was a companion novel had me a little nervous. With companions you really need to be able to connect with the new characters so you don't find yourself missing the original ones, unless they are all involved in the book. Erin Bowman was able to do both in this book. The first half of this book we got to know Charlotte and Reece. For both of them things have not been easy. But Charlotte has big dreams despite what is expected of her and I respected her for that. She is determined and smart and I really wanted her to succeed. Reece however wants to change his situation for other reasons. He is an unlikely outlaw who isn't about that life. It made his incredibly empathetic and I wanted him do just that. They both have great developments throughout the book. Erin did a good job in balancing character driven and plot driven in Retribution Rails.

On the whole, this was a fantastic read. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as Vengeance Road and that is exactly what I did. It had a fantastic historical setting, a thrilling plot, and likable characters that you wanted to succeed.

I give Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you liked the first book in this series then definitely check this one out. You will not be disappointed by what is next and you will love the new (and old) characters. And if you haven't read this series and you like historical fiction or want a thrilling book with an interesting setting then check this one out.

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Unique Book Titles

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish

1.) There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins - My Review
2.) I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You or basically all the Gallagher Girls book by Ally Carter - My Review
3.) To All the Boys I Loved Before and basically all the Lara Jean books by Jenny Hann - My Review
4.) Take the Key and Lock Her Up and the rest of the Embassy Row series by Ally Carter - My Review

5.) The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't by Gail Carriger - My Review

6.) Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston - My Review
7.) The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness - My Review
8.) A Tyranny of Petticoats by Jessica Spotswood et al - My Review

9.) The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie by Sue Hitchcock - My Review
10.) Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia - My Review
11.) Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar - My Review
12.) The Slow Regard of Silent Thing by Patrick Rothfuss - My Review

There you go, a handful of the books I think have unique titles. What books made your list? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel Jose Older

Title: Shadowhouse Fall Series: Shadowshaper Cipher #2 Written by: Daniel Jose Older Published: September 5, 2017 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Shadowhouse rising Sierra and her friends love their new lives as shadowshapers, making art and creating change with the spirits of Brooklyn. Then Sierra receives a strange card depicting a beast called the Hound of Light—an image from the enigmatic, influential Deck of Worlds. The Deck tracks the players and powers of all the magical houses in the city, and when the real Hound begins to stalk Sierra through the streets, the shadowshapers know their next battle has arrived. Worlds in revolution Sierra and Shadowhouse have been thrust into an ancient struggle with enemies old and new—a struggle they didn’t want, but are determined to win. Revolution is brewing in the real world as well, as the shadowshapers lead the fight against systems that oppress their community. To protect her family and friends in every sphere, Sierra must take down the Hound and master the Deck of Worlds…or else she could lose all the things that matter most.

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

Despite loving the first book and having an ARC of this one I took my sweet time to read this one. And like the first book I really wish I had read it sooner because it was a fantastic sequel and a great read.

One of my favorite things about this series is the fantasy world. I’m always looking for a unique and engaging fantasy world and this is one that is unlike anything I have seen before. Shadowshaping is so interesting and everything we learn about it has been intrigued and entertained. In Shadowhouse Fall the author does a great job building on the world that was established in the first book and expanding it. After the events of the last we book we get all new shadowshapers and some of them even very different ways that their powers manifest which were totally fascinating. Not to mention that we learned more about the larger world and how shadowshaping places into it. There were some really cool new aspects of that in this book and I’m excited to learn about that even more with the third book.

I also really like the characters in this series. It’s a book with a fantastic diverse characters which explores their culture and their place in the world. In the course of two books I have become incredibly connected to them and their struggles. In particular Sierra is a great main character. She’s one of those characters that is smart and resourceful and constantly comes out on top but at the same time she has this vulnerability about her. She cares so much about others and I love that about her. It’s one of the reasons she makes such a great leader and a good main character.

But the book also has a lot of really good secondary characters. I do feel a little bit like most of them didn’t get the chance to shine in this book like they did in the first book in the series but that’s okay. We were introduced, or well the role of one character was expanded here and that was Anthony or Pulpo. I really liked what the author did with this character. He handled his mental health situation really well. And honestly I related so much to him and what he was going through that it was really nice to see someone going through what I go through handled in such a great way. But there are plenty of other really good secondary characters here that I hope get the time that they deserve in the final book in the series.

As far as the plot goes, this is a book that does a really good job of balancing real life with fantasy. It definitely felt like a plot driven story as things developed in the world that the characters had to deal with which I appreciated. And those things were incredibly topical and appropriate for what teenagers today are dealing with, especially teenagers of color living in the city. This book didn’t shy away from the more serious issues but it also didn’t feel forced or overly political. It made you think, it made you empathize, and it kept you entertained. That, to me, is the mark of a good book. At times it did get a little convoluted as it tried to connect the two but it surprisingly came together in the end in a way that surprised and interested me. I’m excited to see where things go because I have a feeling the last book in the series is going to have some really interesting places to take the plot based on where things left off and what is happening in the world today.

I thoroughly enjoyed Shadowhouse Fall. It is a great example of a low fantasy that balances a fascinating and unique magical system with current and important social commentary. Plus it’s entertaining along the way. I’m invested in the world, I’m invested in the characters, I’m invested in the plot, I’m invested in what happens next.

I give Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel Jose Older 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you liked the first book in the series then you must read this one. And if you haven’t read this series I totally recommend it. It’s a really engrossing diverse fantasy that I think fans of the genre or anyone trying it for the first time will enjoy.

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

ARC Review: All The Crooked Saints by Maggie Steifvater

Title: All the Crooked Saints Written by: Maggie Steifvater Published: October 10, 2017 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Here is a thing everyone wants: a miracle. Here is a thing everyone fears: what it takes to get one. Any visitor to Bicho Raro, Colorado is likely to find a landscape of dark saints, forbidden love, scientific dreams, miracle-mad owls, estranged affections, one or two orphans, and a sky full of watchful desert stars. At the heart of this place you will find the Soria family, who all have the ability to perform unusual miracles. And at the heart of this family are three cousins longing to change its future: Beatriz, the girl without feelings, who wants only to be free to examine her thoughts; Daniel, the Saint of Bicho Raro, who performs miracles for everyone but himself; and Joaquin, who spends his nights running a renegade radio station under the name Diablo Diablo. They are all looking for a miracle. But the miracles of Bicho Raro are never quite what you expect.

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

I'm a huge fan of Maggie Steifvater and her style of writing so when I heard she was writing a book that is more of a classic magical realism story I was excited to read. And while this isn't my favorite of her books, it was still really good.

For one thing it had that classic Maggie style. If you have read any of her books you know what I'm talking about but if you haven't, I'm not sure I could explain. Maggie just has this style all her own. Her writing is beautiful and lyrical but it also has this atmospheric and cinematic quality. That was definitely on full display in this book. As usual, her writing drew me in and kept me enthralled.

The best example of this is with the world building. Maggie has a very distinct way in which she builds and develops a world. I think I enjoy her so much because she's not one for exposition. Sure, she explains things but she does it in a way where you get the information slowly throughout the book. It can be incredibly confusing at first because you have no idea what is happening but as you start to learn more you become more and more intrigued. It's a style that works really well for me and it's one that I think works really well for this kind of book. It somehow made the magical realism feel more magical and more real at the same time. And seriously, there was so much magic here. The miracles were so unique and Maggie's writing made them all the more interesting.

A lot of the uniqueness and magic of the book also came from the characters. This is a book that is full of a quirky cast of characters. It's a bit of a cliche to have a small town setting with strange and quirky characters but it kind of worked here with the premise. The book was full of pilgrims who had some sort of weird miracle happen to them and they couldn't leave. They were definitely interesting but I think I would have liked to spend a little more time getting to know them. Many of them were just there and even the ones that did have a little bigger role were still just kind of there. I usually love Maggie's characterizations but I think here it fell a little flat. There were a few exceptions though. Tony was really interesting and he was developed well, so was Marisita. They had some of the biggest roles of the secondary characters and so you got to know them better which was good. I also really enjoyed Pete. I'm not sure if he was a secondary character or a main character but he may have been my favorite. He was the easiest character to like and maybe the one I connected with the most. Although I did like all the characters more than I thought I did now that I'm done reading.

As for the main characters, sale goes for them. I liked them much more than I originally thought I did. They were interesting and likable. Maggie has this way of making books character-driven with a subtle coming of age story. That's how I would absolutely describe this book. So much of the plot and characterizations were focus on the development of Beatriz and Daniel. Because of this we got to know them both pretty well throughout the book and I was definitely invested in them getting what they wanted. I did like them both and I think they had good development throughout the book but the plot was still missing something for me. I'm not sure what, but it just wasn't my favorite.

On the whole, All the Crooked Saints was a good read. It had that classic Maggie style with an atmospheric and engaging setting, likable characters, and a character-driven plot with a subtle coming of age story. It didn't blow me away but I still really enjoyed it.

I give All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Steifvater 8.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you like Maggie's work than I would definitely recommend her latest to. She has a style all her own so if you are looking for a unique and engaging magical realism read with a subtle coming of age story then pick this one up.

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Artemis by Andy Weir

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Artemis Author: Andy Weir Published: November 14, 2017 by Crown (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.

Why I'm Waiting:

It's always the perfect storm of excitement when an author you love is writing a book you would read no matter what. That is this book. I loved The Martian and would honestly have read any book that he wrote. I'm sure that this one is going to have tons of action and great characters. Plus I mean look at that synopsis, it's science fiction with a female criminal ON THE MOON! How amazing does that sound? Super amazing. I absolutely need to read this book.

Like I said, the perfect storm of excitement for this book. I've been waiting on it ever since I heard that Andy Weir was writing a second book and I heard what it was about. I have a copy of this book from Netgalley and I am super excited to read it when we get closer to release date.  It's going to be great!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Artemis along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Autumnal Book Covers

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and Bookish

1.) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater

This is the book that came immediately to mind when I thought about a book cover that feels autumnal. First of all it has those red and browns that feel very fall but I just generally associate this book with fall because its plot.

2.) The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich
This book definitely has that creepy Halloween/fall feel to it. Like The Scorpio Races it has the colors going for it, yellow and brown in this case, but also the fact that it has trees, a creepy looking house, and the ominous girl in the background.

3.) And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich
Dawn's books definitely have a very autumnal feel to them. And the Trees Crept In definitely has the most fall feel to it. I think maybe its the trees. Or the fog. Both of those things are very autumnal. Then you have the UK cover which is super creepy.

4.) Windwitch by Susan Dennard
This book has what looks like leaves falling from the trees, it's very autumnal. Plus with the wind and the rain it definitely has that feel of a fall day, like yesterday here in fact.

5.) Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
I like to read Historical Mysteries all year but they are especially fun in the fall. So this one made my list for that reason. And also for the same reason as a lot of books on this list it has those reds and browns that scream fall.

6.) Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica
I tend to read Mary Kubica books in the summer but her covers have a fall feel to them. I mean they are mysteries so they have that autumnal vibe. I think that is because of the leaves. I'm so predictable.

7.) This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee
Here is another historical mystery for you. It's got the fog which gives it that feel. Plus it also has that rainy day thing going on which I definitely associate with fall.

8.) Before the Devil Breaks You by Libba Bray
I really like these redesigns. They have that YA horror vibe to them which is so fitting for this series. And because it has that horror vibe it also has the fall feel.

9.) Rooms by Lauren Oliver
This has all the trappings of an autumnal book cover. The colors are orange and yellow, and there are trees. All it's missing is fog.

10.) Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
This one is similar to The Scorpio Races where the cover has that fall feel because of the colors and the fact that it has this woods type vibe to it, but also because it's got an autumnal atmosphere to it.

There you have it, the book covers I think have an autumnal vibe to it. What books made your list? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

Title: Wild Beauty Written by: Anna-Marie McLemor Published: October 3, 2017 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Love grows such strange things. For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They’ve also hidden a tragic legacy: if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vanish. But then, after generations of vanishings, a strange boy appears in the gardens. The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he’s even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. *****

I have been really enjoying Magical Realism lately and thoroughly enjoyed both of Anna-Maria McLemore's previous books so I was really excited to read her next ones. And while this was not my favorite of her books but it was still a really good read.

One thing I loved about this book was the world. Magical Realism is so interesting because it has this great subtle magic to it, typically tied to the land or the family and their culture. This was a little bit of both. I loved seeing magic at work. First of all the stuff with flowers was really cool. Watching the Nomeolvides girls use their powers was really fascinating. So much so that I wanted more. But the magic of this series was more than just the flower magic. I don't want to give too much away because it's tied more to the plot of the book.

Speaking of the plot, that was one of the points that I wish would have been a little more complex. The synopsis of this book led me to believe that this had a pretty interesting mystery and it really didn't. There was a twist and reveal later in the book but it really was not the focus of this book. I wish it had been. A lot more of the plot revolved around the romance for my taste and I wanted more mystery. I'm such a plot driven reader that I just really need a super engaging plot and unfortunately I didn't find that here.

Either that or the pacing was slow. It definitely took me awhile to get into this book. This may have just been because it is a really busy time for me and I haven't had much of an opportunity to read, but it could also be this book. Much of what is explained in the synopsis doesn't even happen until much later in the book. It's one of those books that slowly develops into an exciting ending but it's also one of those books that really takes its time to get there. I wish the beginning had been a little more engaging but I am glad it got there in the end.

But much of this book was redeemed by the characters. The real heart of this book was the story of family. First of all we had the Nomeolvides girls. Despite being cousins they had this really great sisters feel to it. I love books about sisters and I really enjoyed the relationship between the characters. Most of them were a Amal part of the book but the main character was Estrella. She was definitely sympathetic and likable. The best thing about this book is the fact that there are so many diverse characters. Anna-Marie does these characters so well. There was great use of LGBTQ characters and I enjoyed them and how diverse this book was.

All in all this was a good read but not totally amazing. It had a fantastic and engaging world, and likable and complex characters but the plot wasn't as complex as I hoped and the pacing was pretty slow.

I give Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are a fan of magical realism, especially YA magical realism definitely check this book out, or this author on the whole. She's got some great reads. And if you do like Anna-Marie's work and haven't read this one then definitely check it out.

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

The Memory Tree by Kali Wallace Blog Tour: Promo Post and Giveaway

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Memory Trees
by Kali Wallace

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: October 10th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis: The Memory Trees is a dark magical realism novel about a mysterious family legacy, a centuries-old feud, and a tragic loss that resurfaces when sixteen-year-old Sorrow returns to her mother ’ s family orchard for the summer.

Sorrow Lovegood’s life has been shaped by the stories of the women who came before her: brave, resilient women who settled long ago on a mercurial apple orchard in Vermont. The land has been passed down through generations, and Sorrow and her family take pride in its strange history. Their offbeat habits may be ridiculed by other townspeople — especially their neighbors, the Abrams family — but for the first eight years of her life, the orchard is Sorrow ’ s whole world.

Then one winter night everything changes. Sorrow’s sister Patience is tragically killed. Their mother suffers a mental breakdown. Sorrow is sent to live with her dad in Miami, away from the only home she ’ s ever known.

Now sixteen, Sorrow’s memories of her life in Vermont are maddeningly hazy; even the d e- tails of her sister ’ s death are unclear. She returns to the orchard for the summer, determined to learn ore about her troubled childhood and the family she left eight years ago. Why has her mother kept her distance over the years? What actually happened the night Patience died? Is the orchard trying to tell her something, or is she just imagining things?

Buy Links:

Goodreads -  Amazon - B+N - Book Depository - Kobo - IndieBound

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kali Wallace studied geology and geophysics before she decided she enjoyed inventing imaginary worlds as much as she liked researching the real one. Her short fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, F&SF, Asimov's, Lightspeed Magazine, and Tor .com. Her first novel, Sha l- low Graves, was published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins in 2016. Her second novel, The Memory Trees, will follow in 2017. She lives in southern California.

Website - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Instagram

TOUR SCHEDULE :

GIVEAWAY :

1 signed hardcover copy of THE MEMORY TREES by Kali Wallace (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There is a preorder giveaway: anybody who preorders by 10/10 can get a signed bookplate and some bookmarks if they send an email to thememorytrees@gmail.com.