Top Ten Tuesday: Wishes For A Book Genie

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

1.) Never Ending Bookshelves
You know when you are like "ugh, I need a new bookshelf because I'm addicted to buying books." So you buy one and you start reorganizing your shelves only to realize that this shelf is not big enough and now you need another one. I want my book genie to proactively produce a new shelf whenever I need one.

2.) The Ability to Stop Time While Reading

I'm such a slow reader so initially I was going to say I want to speed read but really what I would like is to be able to stop time while I'm reading so that I can just keep reading without losing any time. Imagine how great that would be. You read a whole book and no time has passed at all!

3.) A Maid
This sort of goes with wanting to stop time but this weekend I had to stop reading to do adulting things like clean. I'm just saying I could get so much more reading done if I had someone cleaning my apartment for me. I wouldn't have to stop to wash dishes or clean the bathroom. I could just read.

4.) Bookish Telekinesis

I was going to say that I want the most comfortable chair but then I realized most of the discomfort comes from having to prop the book up. So I want to be able to float the book in front of my face and to turn pages with my mind. I could read without lifting a finger. Wow! So many of these really show you all how lazy I am.

5.) For All My Favorite Authors to Visit Pittsburgh

Okay, change of subject. After two really amazing author visits I am totally wishing more amazing authors came here. I get about three great ones a year but I want more! I want to meet Brandon Sanderson, J.K. Rowling, Victoria Schwab, Sarah J. Maas. All my favorites.

6.) George R.R. Martin to Finish A Song of Ice and Fire
Originally I was going to say that I want Winds of Winter but really what I want is GRRM to finish writing the series. He just seems to be writing and writing. This series will probably never end. Normally I would be okay with that but I need to know what happens!

7.) For J.K. Rowling to Write Another  Harry Potter Book.

Unlike GRRM, I never want JKR to stop writing books. I want a next generation book, a Marauder's Era book, a book about the Hogwarts founders. I read some HP fan fiction but I want some canonical stuff.

8.) For Dust Jackets to Become Obsolete 

I hate dust jackets. They're stupid and always in the way. I want my book genie to make it so that hardcovers are designed with the pretty covers directly on the books so that dust jackets don't exist. 

9.) Books to Become Waterproof

I'm messy (hence the need for a maid). I like taking books places and then it rains and they get wet and ruined. I wish that we could make them so they could get wet and not get all messed up. Waterproof paper? Written on plastic? I don't care just make it so that if I spill my coffee on it I'm not SOL.

10.) A Bookish Time Machine

I think an actual time machine would be amazing but really what I want is a machine that will give me any book that isn't out yet. Wish you had the sequel to a book you loved? That debut that comes out in fall 2016? The book time machine has got you covered.

There you have it. The ten things I would ask a book genie for. What things are on your list? Do we have any in common? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Illuminae by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Title: Illuminae Series: Illuminae Files #1 Author: Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Published: October 20, 2015 by Knopf (Random House) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.   This afternoon, her planet was invaded.  The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.  But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.  Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

**** 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 am very rarely at a loss for words. I am full of opinions usually. Good, bad, indifferent. If you ask me what I think about something, especially books, I will tell you. But I really can't even begin to find the words to explain how brilliant Illumine was. I have read Aime Kaufman's work and I know that can write an absolutely amazing science fiction novel. I've also heard good things about Jay Kristoff and after reading this book I think I may need to read his fantasy. Together these two authors created something brilliant and creative that I loved reading.

One of the things that made this book so brilliant is the format. It is one of the most creative an interesting books I have ever read. Until recently I don't think I have really read a book written in the epistolary format but I've read two in as many months now and I have to say, I love that style. Illuminae is written from hacked records. Journal entries, emails, IMs, video footage. It all works together to create the story of a space adventure gone horribly wrong (more on that later).  From the blacked out works to the white writing on a black background, to the word art, to the commentary, to the vocabulary it was like nothing I had ever read. It took a little while to get accustomed to the style but once I did, I was absolutely hooked. I realize this style is not for everyone but I loved it. It's not that I would call it realistic but it was definitely immersive. And because it is so immersive when things go horribly wrong it gives you an extra punch to the feels. Maybe because it was almost like being part of the narrative.

And there definitely was a narrative here. Sometimes these kinds of books can get a little muddled and complex in a bad way. And yes, it did take me a little while to get used to the format and really get involved with the plot of the book. I mostly think that when you're creating exposition and context in an epistolary format it's hard to make the story interesting and not confusing. But this was still a very compelling story Fans of hard sci-fi will love this space adventure. There is a lot of computers and technology here but the most interesting plot point for me and the real story was about survival. And I mean this in more ways than one. There are so many other concepts and plot points at play here that threaten the safety of our characters like the threat of another spaceship arriving and destroying the fleet as we know it. But there are also threats from within the fleet including a really nasty virus that adds a lot of action and conflict plus one of the ship's artificial intelligence that thinks he is helping but he's really kind of making things worse. It was a complex and intricate plot but it was well-planned and executed in a way that build to a thrilling conclusion. 

But what really had me invested in this book was the characters. There was a lot of different people and "voices" throughout the book but they all felt distinct and interesting. Our main characters of course are Kady and Ezra who I both liked. Kady is this computer prodigy who uses her powers for her own personal gain until her survival is at risk but then again that could also be personal. Kady is not the easiest character to like but she is still really sympathetic and has a great character arc. Ezra on the other hand is easy to like. He's got a great sense of humor and just as interesting a backstory and development. But I also really loved them together. They had great banter and when they interacted I was waiting for the moment I could smooch their faces together. 

But the book was also full of complex and compelling secondary characters including Ezra and Kady's compatriots, military leaders, and members of the fleet. The best secondary character however was AIDAN, the ship's artificial intelligence who after suffering some damage in an attack become an antagonist for the book. And boy is he a great one. I've been loving AI villains lately because their cold nature makes them creepy in a way that is so entertaining. Plus AIDAN's logic and actions make him so sinister and yet somehow he's not a caricature because throughout the book his explanations about why he's doing this sometimes even makes sense. He's the kind of villain who is doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, a concept I always enjoy in my antagonists. With AIDAN, sometimes he's diabolical and sometimes he's downright sympathetic. That to me is the mark of a great villain. You are rooting for our heroes while also not rooting against the antagonist. And that to me is also the mark of great characterizations, something I think was abundantly clear here. 

But that's just one more example of why Illuminae is so unique and compelling. It's unlike anything I have read and it was so thrilling and compex. It may seem like an intimidating read. Seriously, this thing is a beast coming in at over 600 pages (something not often seen in YA novels) but it's also the kind of book that you will fly through both because the format makes it it quicker to read then a lot of descriptions and dialogue but also because you will not want to put it down. Then when you finally do finish it, it will probably wreck you. I mean it did me.

I give Illuminae by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you are a fan of science fiction then you must read this book. Even if you aren't a fan, if you are looking for a unique book that has complex characters and tons of action then pick this up. It really is a phenomenal and beautiful peice of literature.

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

ARC Review: City of Thirst by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis

Title: City of Thirst Series: The Pirate Stream #2 Author: Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis Published: October 13, 2015 (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis transport readers back to the boundless world of the Pirate Stream in this engaging and exhilarating sequel to the highly acclaimed The Map to Everywhere that is equal parts adventure, humor, and heart!  When the magical waters of the Pirate Stream begin flooding Marrill's world, the only way to stop the destruction is to return to the Stream and find the source of the mysterious Iron Tide. Reunited with her best friend Fin--who has been forgotten all over again--Marrill, her disbelieving babysitter, and the Enterprising Kraken crew must make the treacherous trek to the towering, sliding, impossible world of Monerva and uncover the secrets of its long-lost wish machine. Only there can Fin wish to finally be remembered. Only there can Marrill wish to save her world and all the people she loves. But to get everything they've ever wanted, Marrill and Fin may have to give up on the most important thing they already have: each other.

**** 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. ****

This is such a fun series. I read the first book, The Map to Everywhere, last fall and I fell in love with this world and the characters. I don't read a lot of Middle Grade but from time to time I like a good portal fantasy as a palate cleanse and this series is so perfect for that.

This is so very Fin if you ask me.

One of the things that I like so much about this series is the characters and it was great to catch up with them. Usually in a book my favorite characters are the secondary ones, and while The Pirate Stream has some really fun ones including wizards, pirates, and all many of crazy creatures they are not the ones that made the biggest impression on me. In this series it is all about our main characters who I found so endearing in the first book. So I was excited in City of Thirst to pick up with Marrill and Fin, two characters who are quirky in the best possible way. You can't help but want to see them to succeed and laugh along with them as hilarity and hijinx ensue. They are intelligent, resourceful, and funny. And as much as I love Marrill and her happy go lucky attitude, I like Fin a little bit more. But that's mostly because he's such a unique character being that no one can ever remember him. His so memorable in that he's so forgetful. But that's also what makes his so fun and quirky. All the characters in this series are fun and quirky.

But that is not the only thing about this book that is unique in a fun and quirky way.  The setting and world of this book is like that as well. It's such a creative world that I have loved exploring. It is a portal fantasy so the Pirate Stream is reminiscent of some other Middle Grade fantasies but while it feels familiar it is also so creative and silly in the best possible way. We get to explore more of the Pirate Stream in City of Thirst and everywhere that this book takes us within this world is so interesting. Here instead of exploring a lot of different parts of the Stream they stayed in one place but what a complex place it was. It was like peeling away many layers and finding something totally different under the surface. And while they essentially stayed in one place throughout the book it was so far from boring. This world has tons of magic and mystery and I loved being able to explore it.

Which of course brings me to my next point. The plot here was basic but so engaging. Yes, again I say it is a Middle Grade portal fantasy, and if you have read many of those like I have you know that usually those entail some kind of Hero's Journey and epic adventure. And yes, that's what happened here. It was really well plotted and paced. Little things from earlier in the book came together in the end to lead us to a conclusion that was full of surprises and fun. It built to a pretty high stakes climax that actually had me concerned and curious as to how it would all end. But it's not all sunshine and roses, there are some struggles along the way. I'm not sure if they were playing with the tropes or I'm reading too much into it but I really like that everything doesn't go perfectly. The characters make mistakes, they take risks, they do rash things that often get them into more trouble. It makes things all the more realistic and interesting. But on the whole, this book is full of tons of action that people for all ages will love.

I'm really enjoying this series and it seems to be the perfect palate cleanse for me to read during the fall when I tend to read more atmospheric and complex reads. This is just such a fun and quirky read that is full of adventure and great characters that I am becoming so invested in.

I give City of Thirst by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis 8.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you are looking for a book to get for the middle grade loving child in your life I would definitely recommend this one. But it's not just for kids. Definitely check this out if you are looking for a fun and unique Middle Grade fantasy that will make you laugh, have you on the edge of your seat, and remind you of the books you loved as a kid.

Waiting on Wednesday: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Passenger Series: Passenger #1 Author: Alexandra Bracken Published: January 5, 2016 by Disney Hyperion (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: passage, n.  i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.  ii. A journey by water; a voyage.  iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.  In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.  Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.  Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever

Why I'm Waiting 

This book combines so many things that I love. First off, who doesn't love a book about time travel? Not me. I'm a sucker for those kinds of books. I love the modern character in a historic setting. It's one of my absolute favorites. Plus this takes you back to one of my favorite periods, the Colonial era, and there are ships which mean pirates. Not to mention an epic quest for survival. Yup, sign me up.

But the biggest reason I'm excited for this book is because I'm such a fan of Alexandra Bracken. I absolutely loved The Darkest Minds trilogy. It is one of my favorite dystopias and I read it at a time when I was getting a little burned out from dystopias. But I loved the characters and the powers so much. I was incredibly invested in the final book that it gave me all the feels. I can't wait to see her write something else.

I know a few blogger friends picked this up at BEA, I didn't because I had heard it was an early draft and I wanted to wait, and the early reviews have been really good. I have this preordered and I can't wait to read it in January. I'm even hoping to do a whole time travel themed month around it.

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

Top Ten Tuesday: Author Duos I'd Love to See Write Together

A weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This is a really interesting topic. I never think about writing duos but I have read my fair share of co-authored works and I always really like them. They make for really complex novels usually. So here I picked a bunch of authors that I thought would be good together mostly because they have written some similar things and have done it really well.

1.) Brandon Sanderson and George R.R. Martin
Okay, so I love the idea of this pairing. For one thing they both right great fantasy series with intricate worlds and complex characters. But Sanderson is such a prolific writer he's basically a robot. GRRM takes forever to write things. If they wrote together then maybe it'd keep George on a timeline.

2.) Lev Grossman and Rainbow Rowell
So I heard Rainbow Rowell speak last week and she mentioned how much she loved The Magicians and that Lev played with the tropes which is what she did in Carry On. I love that and I think the two of them working together would be amazing.

3.) Leigh Bardugo and Ally Carter
I saw Ally say something on twitter when Six of Crows came out about Leigh joining the ranks of writers doing heist novels. They're both amazing writings but they're so different. I think it would be interesting for them to write a heist novel together.

4.) Victoria Scwab and Marie Lu
So both of these authors are really versatile writers but for me they are at their best when they are writing kind of dark characters with intricate worlds. I'd love to see what they come up together. I know there would definitely be some complex things happening.

5.) Libba Bray and Kim Liggett
Libba is one of my all-time favorites especially her mystery/supernatural books and while Kim is really new but I was blown away by how creepy Blood and Salt is. Plus they are both really funny and I think together they would create such an interesting book

6.)  Marissa Meyer and Mackenzi Lee
Both Marissa and Mackenzi are great with retellings. Like these are some of my favorite retellings because they are so creative. Plus Marissa's sci-fi experience with Mackenzi's steampunk would mix really well to create something I would read the crap out of.

7.) Sarah J. Maas and J.K. Rowling
When I finished reading Queen of Shadows it felt like I had finished a Harry Potter book. It was so intricately plotted with little things that were introduced earlier having a big impact on the climax. I think these two writing together would make a flawless fantasy series.

8.) Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
I read both of these debuts last year and they are so different, One of them had me laughing out loud while the other ripped my heart out. But they were both such real and honest portrayals of being young and gay. I think these two writing together would create a really interested and balanced story.

9.) Kate Forsyth and Naomi Novik
I've become such a huge fan of Kate Forsyth's retellings. They're dark, mysterious, and a little tawdry. Naomi Novik wrote what felt like a modern fairy tale and a book that was also really dark and mysterious. I think these two together could come up with something really amazing.

10.) William Ritter and Brandon Sanderson
Started with Sanderson and finishing with him too. I love Ritter's Jacaby series. It's fun and mysterious with great characters. I feel like some more elaborate Sandersonesque world building would make it even better,

What authors would you like to see writing together? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

*** This is the second in a series that is really the fifth book in a series. If you haven't read Mistborn proceed with caution. Also what is taking you so long? It is seriously flawless. Read this review and then read the series****

Title: Shadows of Self Series: Mistborn #5 (Wax and Wayne #2) Author: Brandon Sanderson (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.  This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.   Shadows of Self will give fans of The Alloy of Law everything they’ve been hoping for and, this being a Brandon Sanderson book, more, much more.

I'm not sure I can effectively articulate just how brilliant this book was. Last year was my year of Sanderson. I read eight of his books in 2014, including the Mistborn series, and loved them all. I mean I talk about Mistborn all the time it makes practically all me Top Ten lists and they're probably my most photographed books on my Instagram. So it should come as no surprise that the next book in this series was one of my most anticipated books of the year. And once again Brandon Sanderson blew me away with the world, the plot development, the themes, and the characters.

Starting this book was like returning to something so familiar and so different and unique at the same time. That can best be explained by my feelings of the characters of this book. One of the reasons I love the Mistborn series and Sanderson in general is that he is so brilliant at creating complex and likable characters. And quickly into reading I was reminded just how much I love the characters here. I absolutely adore Wax and Wayne. They are the perfect team. They are both intelligent, resourceful, great at solving mysteries, and tough in the face of danger but their personalities could not be more different. Wax a little serious and sullen while Wayne is funny and effervescent. They play off of each other and make the other person better. Marasi is also back and it seems like some of her quirkiness is gone but I still really liked her. She was off-set a lot by a new female character who is really interesting and adds a lot to their team of crime fighters. But what I also loved about Shadows of Self is that there was so many references to characters from the first series. This book definitely felt like it was bridging the gap between the old and the new with what we learned about the connection between the characters we know and love from both series. We learned so much more about all of both casts and how they are connected. The cameos and references to characters in the first series really added a lot to my enjoyment of it.

But that's what Sanderson does, he builds on what is already there and establishing something better. Especially with the world building. I love series where there is a history and a mythology as the basic for the world. What's so interesting here is that mythology is the previous series which I read and loved. It makes for almost an immersive experience. It's like you're a character too or at very least you have the same knowledge of the world as they do. It sounds like such a weird thing to say but it felt like this book was written for fans of the first series. Plus I have I have always loved the magical system here. The fact that it combines a hereditary ability and something physical, plus the variety of powers, and the fact their basically like superpowers. And here Sanderson once again gave me that magic and more. With every book he builds more and more on the established world. Sometimes he does it by adding something that better explains or develops a concept and sometimes it's elaborating and explaining things that have been there. Here we got to learn a lot more about Feruchemy and Hemalurgy. We also get to spend more time learning about some of the other creatures and cultures found within this world. With some series I when I'm finished reading it I spend hours, maybe days, falling down the internet rabbit hole that is theories and explanations about characters, events, and parts of the world. That is exactly what happened here. I was looking things and people up because I needed to know more, to find out more. I didn't think this world could get more interesting and complex but it continues to blow me away with just how intricate and interesting it is.

But the thing about the world that is the most interesting is the combination of religion and political intrigue. The way that the first book ended completely changed the world. It established two new religions, a new government, it shattered the old order. Now after years of relative prosperity and peace that is changing. So in this book there is a lot of discussion about power and control but from so many different angles. It's such a complex story. Sanderson has been the kind of fantasy writer who makes me think about human nature while entertaining me at the same time and he once again proved that with Shadows of Self. But I think my favorite part of that discussion is that it included references to characters from the first series. There were a few subtle ones in The Alloy of Law but here a few characters were a big part of the plot.

Speaking of that plot what an absolutely fantastic one. The first book in this series was much more of a standard mystery/heist kind of story. And while Shadows of Self had those elements it felt a little bit more like a traditional kind of fantasy. But of course it had tons of mystery. Sanderson has always been the kind of author who shocks me with his plot twists. I try to figure it out but I never do completely. Here I thought I had it. I was so proud of myself for solving the mystery but as our Sanderson Army shirts say, "there's always another secret." And so I once again found myself getting to the climax and being completely floored by the big reveal. But things were so perfectly paced here. It all built to that conclusion slowly but purposefully revealing the next piece of the puzzle to get you to the climax. But along the way of course there was tons of action and adventure to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat.

Sanderson once again created a book that left me blown away with characters to fall in love with, a complex world with a great magical system and themes about humanity, plus a plot full of mystery and adventure. I am now in desperate need of the next book and falling more and more in love with this series which I never thought possible.

I give Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson 10 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Mistborn fans will not be disappointed. This is an amazing and brilliant continuation of the series that we know and love. I can't wait to see where things go in the next two books but I know one thing for sure, I am once again hopelessly in love with the magic, mystery, and creativity that is a Brandon Sanderson book.

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

Book Review: A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston

Title: A Thousand Nights Author: E.K. Johnston Published: October 6, 2015 by Disney Hyperion (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next.  And so she is taken in her sister's place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin's court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time.But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong.  Far away, in their village, her sister is mourning. Through her pain, she calls upon the desert winds, conjuring a subtle unseen magic, and something besides death stirs the air.  Back at the palace, the words she speaks to Lo-Melkhiin every night are given a strange life of their own. Little things, at first: a dress from home, a vision of her sister. With each tale she spins, her power grows. Soon she dreams of bigger, more terrible magic: power enough to save a king, if she can put an end to the rule of a monster

I won a copy of this book from the lovely ladies of Read Sleep Repeat as part of their ARC August celebrations. I totally forgot about it so imagine my surprise when not one but two gorgeous copies showed up at my doorstep (check out my Twitter for a giveaway of the extra copy). I had a hole in my TBR waiting for new releases to come out so I dived right into it. And while there was a lot to really like about A Thousand Nights, it didn't blow me away.

One thing that did blow me away was the author's writing style. The prose here is incredibly gorgeous and engaging. It had a beautiful and poetic quality that flowed so well. It also had this old world quality to it and felt almost like epic poetry or some kind on ancient story being passed down to the reader. It absolutely fit with the plot and setting of the story and added a lot of dimension to the book. It also helped set the scene. From the descriptions of everything from the clothing to the locations is was all very lyrical and descriptive. It definitely helped you to immerse yourself in the world of the book.

Which was another thing that I really liked about it. The world that is created here is so lush and interesting. From the dessert setting to the politics and culture of the book even the magical system, it was all really engaging. I feel like books with desert settings are really popular right now in YA and going in I was a little nervous that it was going to feel very similar but it absolutely didn't. This had much more of a historical feel to it. The author definitely did her research into what life was like in the Middle East during the bronze age. Both the desert civilization and the palace setting felt detailed and realistic in an entertaining way. But the most entertaining thing about the world was the magical system. I'm always looking for a unique magical system and I found one here. It's interesting because not only was there specific and clear rules but there was also a lot of mystery around the magic too.You learned about it slowly and methodically. And the magic of the book wasn't a huge part of the overall plot development but it was the best part.

Unfortunately, the overall plot of the story did feel like it was a little lacking to me. I'm a very plot driven reader. I need there to be a really strong plot development and I didn't find that here. The best way to express this is that Tuesday I was travelling for work and one of my coworkers asked me what I was reading and I just couldn't really explain it. I wasn't entirely sure what was happening at all. But that may have been exacerbated by the pacing of the book. It's nor super long but I was just cruising through it mostly because so little was happening. The real plot didn't kick in until about 75% of the way in and the rest of it just felt like exposition and build up. I expect that a little bit from first books in a series but this is a standalone. Most of the plot development was just creating and explaining the world and magic. For me I think I would have liked it a little bit more if the larger narrative had come in a lot earlier.

But that may be because this was more of a character driven story. I think? I can't even say. But that may have also been because the characters didn't blow me away. I mean the main character was fine. I admired her love for her sister and the fact that she would risk her own safety and happiness to protect her. She was also incredibly brave and selfless when it came to other people around her but she just didn't jump off the page. And the antagonist Lo-Melkhiin was pretty ruthless and easy to root against but I would have liked there to be a little bit more depth to him. He felt a little flat. The thing that redeemed him a little was his mother and his love for her. She was pretty interesting though she didn't have that big a part. Same thing with the main character's family. I can't believe I'm going to say this but this book may have benefited a little bit from multiple perspectives. There was a little bit of that but it was all still through the MC's eyes. I think a little bit more exploration of some of the other character's thoughts and action would have helped me connect with them and the MC. On the whole none of the characters really made a big impression.

A Thousand Nights was an engaging read but it didn't quite blow me away. The writing was beautiful and the world was interesting with a great magical system but I didn't connect with the characters and would have liked more plot development.

I give A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are looking for something a little different and a fast read with an engaging world and interesting magical system then check this out the next time you are at your local library. I would say that fans of historical fiction or historical fantasy may like this one a little bit more than fans of straight fantasy. There were some really great elements especially the writing but it didn't blow me away

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