ARC Review: LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff

Title: LIFEL1K3 Series:Lifelike #1 Written by: Jay Kristoff Published: May 29, 2018 by Delacorte (Random House) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: On a floating junkyard beneath a radiation sky, a deadly secret lies buried in the scrap.  Eve isn’t looking for secrets—she’s too busy looking over her shoulder. The robot gladiator she’s just spent six months building has been reduced to a smoking wreck, and the only thing keeping her Grandpa from the grave was the fistful of credits she just lost to the bookies. To top it off, she’s discovered she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, and the puritanical Brotherhood are building a coffin her size. If she’s ever had a worse day, Eve can’t remember it.  But when Eve discovers the ruins of an android boy named Ezekiel in the scrap pile she calls home, her entire world comes crashing down. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic conscience, Cricket, in tow, she and Ezekiel will trek across deserts of irradiated glass, infiltrate towering megacities and scour the graveyard of humanity’s greatest folly to save the ones Eve loves, and learn the dark secrets of her past.  Even if those secrets were better off staying buried.

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

I have loved every Jay Kristoff book I have read. Whether he is writing fantasy or science fiction, the man knows how to writing a thrilling read full of surprises. I was super excited to read his first solo YA and I was not disappointed. This book was amazing and everything I was hoping for.

The best thing about this book was definitely the plot. It was a totally amazing book and from the very beginning I was enthralled by this book. It has tons of action, daring escapes, thrilling fights, and surprises. Basically it has everything I love. But the best part is the twists. What I love about Jay Kristoff books is that you never know what to expect and every time you think you have it all figured out, he proves me wrong. This book seriously was nothing but unexpected twists and turns that had me reeling. More than once I had my mouth agape looking like a total idiot. It really built to a thrilling and exciting conclusion and for someone like me who is a plot driven reader, I ate it up.

I also completely loved the world of this book. It's one of those hard sci-fi dystopian novels and I love those kind of worlds. This one definitely has a Mad Max: Fury Road sort of feel. It's a post-apocalyptic world where the planet is destroyed and only the strong survive. They do this with all kinds of cool technology. It's a gritty and bleak landscape that lends itself well to any kind of plot really, but definitely one full of surprises and action.

The other thing that this book really showed me is how well Jay Kristoff writes characters. He's really good at creating complex and dubious characters, which naturally are my favorites. This book had three main perspectives and I loved most of them. The main character is Eve, who is this badass girl who fights robots to help her sick grandfather. She's tough and carrying at the same time. She has some great development throughout the book as you learn more about her. The other amazing main character is her best friend Lemon Fresh. Lemon is a streetwise pickpocket who loves pretty things and has a heart of gold. She's more than just a sidekick though and I loved having some of the book from Lem's perspective. The only perspective I could have done without is Preacher. I mean it was fine seeing things from an antogonist's perspective but I think on the whole it didn't add a lot to the book.

But all in all this was a great read. It was full of action and surprises, the world was thrilling and engaging, and the characters were complex and likeable. I was really looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.

I give LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. This book is amazing and you should definitely read it. It's a great science fiction read whether you like hard sci-fi or dystopia. I would recommend this book to anyone whether you want to try more YA sci-fi or you are a huge fan.

Have you read LIFEL1K3? What did you think. Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Gave Me the Travel Bug

A weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

This list was surprsingly difficult to put together. Maybe because most of the books I read are genre fiction with fictional worlds or in dramatic historical time periods. So here is a list of ones I was able to put together.

1.) The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Obviously this book is on like every one of my lists. But to be honest, one of my favorite things about this book is the fact that it takes you to amazing places throughout Eastern Europe that I want to visit.

2.) The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
I distinctly remember reading this book as a teenager and wanting desperately to visit Santorini. I still want to visit there to be honest.

3.) The Custard Protocol by Gail Carriger
I wasn't sure which Gail Carriger series to put on this list because her books make me want to visit their locations. But this series definitely because it takes you to India, Egypt, and a lot of places along the way.

4.) The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
This is another one of those travel books that have plenty of places I want to visit. I think most notably Venice. I was only in Venice for only one day when I was in Europe in college and I want to go back.

5.) Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab
It might seem a little weird to include this book on the list because most of it takes place in a fantasy world. But a fantasy London and London is pretty much a character and it made me want to visit.

6/) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
In this book, in case you didn't know, takes place in Paris and it absolutely made me want to go to Paris again for a visit. You can never have enough time in Paris.

7.) Now I Rise by Kiersten White
I just finished this book and it definitely made me want to visit Istanbul and Eastern Europe. It was of course reminiscent of The Historian which may be why I liked it want to visit.

8.) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I would guess that everyone who reads this book wants to visit Scotland. It's makes Scotland sound beautiful and amazing. Plus maybe I'll go through some stones and marry a super hot Highlander.

9.) The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo
Another favorite book that had an amazing and beautiful setting. I wasn't exactly sure where Andalusia is but I'd like to go there, or to the Sahara Desert that the book takes you to. Why do deserts sounds so appealing in books?

10.) Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
I mean this may surprise you considering that this book is a crazy mystery but it also takes place in Aruba. I love the beach and so any book that takes place on the beach makes me want to go there.

There you have it, all the books that made my list. What books gave you the travel bug? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Audiobook Review: Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Title: Now I Rise Series: And I Darken #2 Written by: Kiersten White Published: June 27, 2017 by Delacorte (Random House) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: She has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada Dracul is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her. What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him? As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won…and souls will be lost.

I had wanted to read this book last year when it first came out but I didn't get around to it for some reason. I had liked And I Darken and was intrigued to see where to series would be going so when I saw that the audiobook was available to borrow from the library I thought this would be the perfect Pride Month read.

And I really liked this book. One of the things that I didn't love about And I Darken was the plot development. But the plot in this book was seriously on point. There was a ton of action and adventure, which you know I love, and it really built to a thrilling and exciting conclusion that had me excited and engaged. But what I think I liked most about it is that even though there were two characters with two distinct storylines, they felt connected. There was a lot of symmetry to the stories which I really appreciated. It felt like a cohesive story in that way. Plus I really like that it didn't drag things out longer than it needed to be. There was a clear ending in this book and I am still super excited to read what happens next.

I also really like the characters in this book. Both Lada and Radu are more of adults now so they are more secure in themselves and what they want which was really nice to see, but they both also have these great vulnerabilities. Kiersten White does a great job in creating characters that walk a fine line in being strong and resilient while also being vulnerable. It makes them really likable and complex. This is a good read for Pride Month because in this book we really see Radu struggle with his sexuality and his love for Mehmed who he's pretty sure doesn't love him back. Anyone who has ever felt unrequited love has to feel for Radu and the not always great decisions he makes here. I will say, I was particularly happy with Lada's characterizations in this book. When comparing her to Vlad the Impaler I thought she could be a lot more brutal and vicious in the first book, but her she was definitely more tough. I am psyched to see where her story goes because I have a feeling we are going to see a super badass Lada in the final book.

The other thing that impressed me with White's writing is the historical aspect. You can tell that she did her research into these historical figures. Obviously, this is a work of fiction as she changed the gender of one of the main characters, but so many of the other elements of the story are there. It made me completely fascinated with the real figures of Vlad Tepes, Sultan Mehmed, and Radu cel Frumos. Throughout the book I was googling them to find out what actually happened now I really want to learn more. She also really let the city of Constantinople (present day Istanbul) come to life. I've read a few books that took place there and it always seems like an amazing a vibrant place, especially during this historical time period.

This was a really fantastic historical read with great characters and a thrilling plot. And I am really glad that I listened to the audiobook. Fiona Hardingham did a great job with it and brought the characters to life. I think when I read the next book I think I will listen to the audio.

I give Now I Rise by Kierten White 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I definitely recommend picking up a copy of this book. If you liked the first book in the series I recommend the continuation and for those who haven't read it, it's a great dark historical fiction series.

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

Waiting on Wednesday: Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Escaping from Houdini Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3 Written by: Kerri Maniscalco Published: September 18, 2018 by Jimmy Patterson (Little, Brown Books) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this third installment in the #1 bestselling Stalking Jack the Ripper series, a luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of scandal, madness, and horror when passengers are murdered one by one…with nowhere to run from the killer. . Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly. But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I have loves this series from the beginning, from before the beginning. I remember hearing about it when it still had the original name #bookshipster. Either way, the first two books in this series have been some of my absolute favorite books of the past two years so clearly I am anxiously awaiting finding out what happens next in the series. Plus I mean, come on, how cool is that concept? A carnival on a ship with a magic show from Houdini and young women are disappearing... yes, please.

But if I am being completely honest, I want to read this book because I need to find out what happens to my favorite characters. I love Audrey Rose and Thomas so much and I ship them hard so I need them to see them together. And I am hoping for some more Daciana too (still holding out hope for a Daci novella. YOU HEAR ME, KERRI!)

I am definitely going to be picking up a copy of this book. I know that Kerri is going to ALA so I am really pumped to see her again and get a signed ARC but I am also very interested in these audiobooks. I love the narrator and kind of want to listen and refresh on the first two books before diving into this one. But either way I am planning to get my hands on this book and probably multiple copies because I need it real bad.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Did Not DNF That I Should Have

A weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

When I first started blogging I had a policy where I wouldn't DNF any books. But over time I changed that so that I wasn't forced to read a book I wasn't liking just to give it a bad review. But even then I don't really DNF a lot of books. So here are some I didn't DNF but wish I had.

1.) Three Princes by Ramona Wheeler
This is one of the first e-ARCs I got from Netgalley so I didn't want to stop reading it, even though I didn't really love it.

2.) Second Star by Alyssa Sheinmel
Peter Pan retellings are tough for me and this one just didn't do it for me. But it was a short book so I kept reading it, even though I didn't love it.

3.) Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi
I read a lot of YA Fantasies and they can't all be winners. This wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't one that I loved.

4.) The Huntress of Thornbeck by Melanie Dickerson
I thought this book was going to be a great YA historical but I didn't love the characters and the plot was super basic and I'm such a plot driven reader.

5.) The Blazing Star by Imani Josey
Another book that just didn't have a really great plot. I was excited about reading a book based on Egyptian mythology but I just didn't love this one.

6.) Girl About Town by Adam Shankman
I wanted this book to be a great mystery but it was not that at all. It was however a really short book so I kept reading it and finished it even though I wasn't enjoying it.

7.) Cure for the Common Universe by Christian NcKay Heidecker
I was super excited about this book with nerdy protagonists and an interesting setting but the characters were not at all likeable and you kind of have to like the character if the plot is their development.

8.) Glitter by Aprilynne Pike
This was such a cool concept and I had super high hopes but it just wasn't as good I was hoping. Another book that I wanted to have a great plot

9.) Sleeper by MacKenzie Cadenhead
To be honest, I don't remember anything about this book. That's not really a good sign, but also not abnormal for me. Although usually I remember the books I didn't like. With this book, blank.

10.) Thieving Weasels by Billy Taylor
Yeah, I thought this would be a fun and lighthearted heist novel. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't that. It was weird, like in a bad way.

There you have it, all the books I wish I had DNF'd. What books made your list? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Sightwitch by Susan Dennard

Title:Sightwithch Series: The Witchlands #0.5 Written by: Susan Dennard Published: February 13, 2018 by Tor Teen (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Susan Dennard, Sightwitch is an illustrated novella set in the Witchlands and told through Ryber’s journal entries and sketches. Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch... Before Merik returned from the dead… Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight. Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight—and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain. On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever. Set a year before Truthwitch, Sightwitch is a companion novella that also serves as a set up to Bloodwitch, as well as an expansion of the Witchlands world.

I really liked the first two books in The Witchlands series but it took me awhile to get to this book. But this month I was reading whatever I felt like and after a Twitter poll voted I should bring this on my trip to DC, I finally started reading it. It was a short and sweet read that gave a lot of information about the Witchlands.

This is such a deep world and setting. Susan has managed to create a fantasy world that has a complex and engaging history. It had me truly fascinated from the very beginning and the more we learn about it, the more interested I become. And we definitely learned a lot in this book. Not only did Ryber learn something that I think is going to come back in a big way in later books, but we also got even more of the history with flashbacks to a time 1,000 years ago. I loved being able to learn about it all and I have so  many questions I need answers to.

That being said, I am just not enjoying books with multiple perspectives lately. Both the current time period and everything happening in the past were fascinating, I liked both plot lines, but I just found it a little confusing. The voices were similar and I found it hard keeping track of whose storyline we were inhabiting. I wish there was a little bit more separation between the two. But plot wise they were really interesting. I was engaged in what was happening and it added some interest and color to the larger series.

But I think my favorite thing about this book was the format. It is a novella so it's a short and sweet read, which I appreciated, but it also was written in an epistolary format. You had journal entries, drawings, maps, puzzles, and plenty more unique things that made this book not your average novella. It only took me a few days to read and I loved that things were broken up even more with the images. I have been a very slow reader today and it was nice to have a book I could just breeze through.

All in all, Sightwitch was a good YA fantasty and a great addition to the Witchlands series. It added a lot to an already fascinating world, and had a plot full of mystery that I think will come back in a big way in future books. It wasn't perfect but it was thoroughly entertaining.

I give Sightwitch by Susan Dennard 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I would recommend picking up a copy of this book if you are a fan of the series. The cover is gorgeous and it is a great addition to the series.

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

May Wrap Up and June TBR

Read in May: No Theme

I think I should just realize that this is going to be the new norm for me. I am not going to be able to read 12-14 books a month. I have too much going on in my life and in my head. All that being said, I did have a pretty decent month. I read 11 books, including two comics, and really loved some of them. All and all I would say it was a pretty good month.

For challenges, this year I'm sort of only low key doing challenges. I set a Goodreads goal of reading 120 books in a year. I am a little behind on this one with 48 books total for the year. If I keep going with 11 books a month I can do a last minute push in December with comics and novellas to make it so I'm not worried. For the rest of the challenges I only low key set them. I want to read 20 debuts this year. I read 2 this month so I'm at 8 total for the year which is more or less on schedule. I want to read 36 books from Netgalley and Edelweiss and I read 1 this month which brings my total up to 9 for the year. I haven't really been reading e-books lately so I am very behind on this one so I'll probably need to lower it to 24. I also want to read 20 backlist books. This month I read 3 which brings my total to 10 for the year so I'm doing well on that. Now that I have a library card I can get some backlist audiobooks which is really helping when it comes to this one.

The Books

1.) Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy Rating: 9 out of 10 [My Review]

2.) The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Saenz 
Rating: 8.5 out of 10 [My Review]
3.) The Betrayal by R.L. Stine  Rating: 9 out of 10
4.)  People Like Us by Dana Mele Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
5.) Lumberjanes Vol 3: A Terrible Plan by Noelle Stevenson
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
6.) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
7.) Furyborn by Claire Legrande  Rating: 8 out of 10 [My Review]
8.) Lumberjanes Vol 4: Out of Time by Noelle Stevenson Rating: 9.5 out of 10
9.) Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson Rating: 9.5 out of 10 [My Review]
10.) Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee Rating: 9 out of 10 stars [My Review]
11.) Sightwitch by Susan Dennard Rating: 9 out of 10 [Review to Come]

To Be Read in June: 

My goal was to read ten books again in May. I think that is on the higher end of reading for me but I want to keep something a little bit more constituent and I think that is more doable. I want to keep on track for my goal of reading 120 books in the year and that will make sure I maintain that.

Books for Review

Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff  - Add to Goodreads

I am really excited to read this book. I love Jay Kristoff's books. I have only read a few of his solo books but I want to read more and I got a copy of this one for review and that seems to be a good place to start

Providence by Caroline Kepnes - Add to Goodreads

I loved the You duology. It was one of the most messed up thrillers I have ever read. And I mean this in the best possible way. I am excited to read her next read, especially because it takes place in the city that I live in.

Final Draft by Riley Redgate  - Add to Goodreads

I loved Redgate's book that I read last year. It was a unique contemporary which was the perfect combination of funny and serious. I am assuming this one will be the same.

Save the Date by Morgan Matson - Add to Goodreads

I am sooooo excited to read this book. I have loved all of Morgan's books that I have read and this one sounds amazing. I am pumped to be on the blog tour for this one.

Tell Me No Lies by Adele Griffin - Add to Goodreads

I may finally be able to read my first Adele Griffin book. I mean this one sounds great. It's a mystery set in the 80's you guys!

The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara - Add to Goodreads

I love a good historical mystery and this one sounds totally up my alley. I've had a review copy of this book for quite awhile.

New Releases

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh - Add to Goodreads
I loved Flame in the Mist. It was one of my favorite reads of last year so I am very excited to read the next book in the series.

Puddin by Julie Murphy - Add to Goodreads
I loved Dumplin so a companion novel is absolutely a book I want to read. This came out last month and I was going to get a copy but I never did. I may get the audiobook though.

The Belles by Jay Dhonielle Clayton - Add to Goodreads
Finally, finally I am going to read this one. I have the audiobook on hold from the library and it should finally come in. I kind of want to read it before I go to New Orleans at the end of the month.

Backlist Books

Now I Rise by Kiresten White - Add to Goodreads

I liked And I Darken although not as much as I thought I would. But I am interested in finishing the series. I saw the audiobook on Overdrive and it's narrated by Fiona Hardingham so I snagged it. The final book comes out in July so I thought this would be a good time to read it.


Mask of Shadows by Linsey - Add to Goodreads
I had a review copy of this book last year but I never read it. Now because it's Pride month I am interested in finally reading it or listening to the audiobook.

There you have it. Some of the books I hope to read in May. 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!