forthesakeofreadingya

Series Recap: Thrones of Glass series by Sarah J Maas

Published on August 25, 2015October 24, 2016 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

Welcome to Series Recap! A quick recap of what to remember before the next new book hits the shelves.

Today we’re going to tackle the THRONE OF GLASS series by Sarah J Maas. Currently standing strong at 1 book of prequel novellas, 3 novels and book 4, QUEEN OF SHADOWS, releasing in September I think its safe to say folk really dig this assassin’s life. Even if she seems to do less assassinating then you’d think given her title. But how much do you remember?

Warning: Spoilers abound. I don’t suggest reading these if you haven’t read the series in question first. I don’t pull punches and I won’t give you another warning before telling you your favorite character’s pet cat dies in a horrible fire.

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Book Review: The Shadow Behind the Stars

Published on August 21, 2015August 20, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingya2 Comments

Heed this warning, mortal: stay far away from the three sister Fates. For if they come to love you, they might bring about the end of the world…

Chloe is the youngest. Hers are the fingers that choose the wool, that shape the thread, that begin it. The sun smiles upon her. Men love her without knowing who she is. She has lived forever and will live forever more. She and her sisters have been on their isolated Greek island for centuries, longer than any mortal can remember. They spin, measure, and slice the countless golden threads of human life. They are the three Fates, and they have stayed separate for good reason: it is dangerous for them to become involved with the humans whose lives they shape.

So when a beautiful girl named Aglaia shows up on their doorstep, Chloe tries to make sure her sisters don’t become attached. But in seeking to protect them, Chloe discovers the dark power of Aglaia’s destiny. As her path unwinds, the three Fates find themselves pulled inextricably along—toward mortal pain, and mortal love, and a fate that could unravel the world.

Pros – The Three Fates!, no romance, a lot of sage advice from Chloe

Cons – Its hard to really pinpoint the main plot at times, Aglaia is not particularly likable at times, the pacing may throw others off

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YA Review (Horror): Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake

Published on August 15, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

Anna #1 • 316 Pages • Young Adult
TasCH’s Rating:
Published: October 17th, 2011

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. They follow legends and local lore, destroy the murderous dead, and keep pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

Searching for a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas expects the usual: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he’s never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

Yet she spares Cas’s life.

..ggg

I think of her again. Anna. Anna Dressed in Blood. I wonder what tricks she’ll try. I wonder if she’ll be clever.
Will she float? Will she laugh or scream?
How will she try to kill me?

Anna Dressed in Blood left me giddy. I started this book on a whim, on an airplane going back home, and by the time I landed in my town I was already past page 200. It is addicting and amazing and horrific and SO VERY DAMN GOOD. Continue reading “YA Review (Horror): Anna Dressed in Blood (Anna #1) by Kendare Blake” →

Book Review: Crane

Published on August 13, 2015August 13, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

The Horseman is unending,
his presence shan’t lessen.
If you break the curse,
you become the legend.

Washington Irving and Rip Van Winkle had no choice but to cover up the deadly truth behind Ichabod Crane’s disappearance. Centuries later, a Crane returns to Sleepy Hollow awakening macabre secrets once believed to be buried deep.

What if the monster that spawned the legend lived within you?

Now, Ireland Crane, reeling from a break-up and seeking a fresh start, must rely on the newly awakened Rip Van Winkle to discover the key to channeling the darkness swirling within her. Bodies are piling high and Ireland is the only one that can save Sleepy Hollow by embracing her own damning curse.

But is anyone truly safe when the Horseman rides?

Pros – Not your average murder mystery, intriguing way to incorporate American legends, Ireland Crane is a different kind of main character

Cons – The alternating chapters disrupt the flow of the story, at times the story gets lost in its own mythology, Ireland gets super annoying at times

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Book Review: The Pirate Code

Published on August 11, 2015August 10, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

Fresh off a fearsome encounter with the Neverland crocodile, Jocelyn Hook decides the most practical plan is to hunt down her father’s famous fortune. After all, she’ll need the gold to fund her adventuring in the future. (And luckily, Hook left her the map.)

But the map proves to be a bit harder to crack than Jocelyn had hoped, and she’s convinced that the horrible Peter Pan might be the only one with the answers. Of course, he doesn’t really feel like helping her, so Jocelyn takes the only reasonable course of action left to her: she kidnaps his mother. Evie, though, is absolutely thrilled to be taken prisoner, so Jocelyn’s daring ploy doesn’t have quite the effect she’d planned for.

Along with the problem of her all-too-willing captive, Jocelyn must also contend with Captain Krueger, whose general policy is that no deed is too dastardly when it comes to stealing Hook’s treasure. And with the ever-shifting Whens of the Neverland working against her as well, Jocelyn, Evie, Roger, and the rest of the Hook’s Revenge crew have their work cut out for them.

In this rambunctious showdown between characters new and old, Jocelyn puts her own brand of pirating to the test in a quest to save her future and those she loves. !

Pros – Lots more pirate’ing fun, bonding over pillaging (well, sort of) and several people getting their just desserts (good and bad)

Cons – You need tissues and if you don’t have any you’re in a bit of trouble, Peter Pan (I really don’t like this kid) and not enough Tiger Lily

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Graphic Novel Review: Heart in a Box

Published on August 6, 2015August 5, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

When the Man with No Name breaks Emma’s heart, she wants to die. But you never die from these things; you just want to. In a moment of weakness, she wishes her broken heart away and a mysterious stranger–who may or may not be totally evil–obliges. But emptiness is even worse than grief, and Emma sets out to collect the seven pieces of her heart spread across the country, a journey that forces her to face her own history and the cost of recapturing it, and leads inevitably to a confrontation with the Man with No Name himself!

Pros – Heartfelt, honest and relatable to anyone who has ever been hurt

Cons – a little confusing at times, artwork may not appeal to everyone

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GGB July: Clever Girl Brunch Part 1: The Brunch

Published on August 1, 2015August 2, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

Have you heard of Geek Girl Brunch? No? Let me fill your earholes with some information. Geek Girl Brunch started as a get together for a group of friends that has since become a worldwide association of chapters. Chances are no matter where you are there’s a Geek Girl Brunch chapter fairly close by. Gather ye Geek Girls each month (or whenever) for boundless fun, food and of course the brunch staple of mimosas, Bloody Marys and fruity drinks.

In my particular area there’s the New York (founding) chapter, the Philly chapter and hopefully by the end of the year a Central Jersey chapter. On July 26th 50 or so Geek Girls got together at Bourbon Street Bar & Grille for a day of Jurassic sized fun.

Bourbon Street Signage — I can’t say I don’t agree with this…

Continue reading “GGB July: Clever Girl Brunch Part 1: The Brunch” →

Mockingjay Part 2: A New Trailer is Here and it is AMAZING.

Published on July 24, 2015July 24, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

jjj
Hello, and welcome to my “fangirl-mode on” time. The Mockingjay trailer has been released and it has restored all my faith in not only movies but humanity as a whole.

I love how you see destruction alongside joy; however short lived it may be. I wonder if they’ll go through all the deaths in the movie same as the book. I also cannot wait for Coin to get hers. I love these movies; Jennifer Lawrence definitely brought Katniss to life. I cannot wait to see it!!

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Review: The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

Published on July 22, 2015July 22, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

Bourbon Kings #1 • 400 Pages • Adult
TasCH’s Rating:
Published: July 28th, 2015

For generations, the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege—as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet.

For Lizzie King, Easterly’s head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life. Falling in love with Tulane, the prodigal son of the bourbon dynasty, was nothing that she intended or wanted—and their bitter breakup only served to prove her instincts were right. Now, after two years of staying away, Tulane is finally coming home again, and he is bringing the past with him. No one will be left unmarked: not Tulane’s beautiful and ruthless wife; not his older brother, whose bitterness and bad blood know no bounds; and especially not the ironfisted Bradford patriarch, a man with few morals, fewer scruples, and many, many terrible secrets.

As family tensions—professional and intimately private—ignite, Easterly and all its inhabitants are thrown into the grips of an irrevocable transformation, and only the cunning will survive.

..ggg

So this is what a good soap opera should look like. Well, good as far as I am concerned anyways. The Bourbon Kings hits all the right notes, it has revenge, evil plots, romance, characters you will love to hate, some you will take pity on, and others that are just plain hateful. As well as it has those male characters that JR Ward is well known for writing: strong, willful, a little lost but also in control of themselves. Dark sexy beasts all around, Bourbon Kings is not lacking in this department (even though the gentlemen are as human as you and I). It also has flawed female characters and strong heroines you can root for, I mean what else can you ask for? Oh right, an interesting plot. Check on that one! While I would argue JR Ward’s strength lies in character development, the plot in Bourbon Kings is a well established one… if not one that will surely resonate for those BDB fans out there. Continue reading “Review: The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward” →

YA BOOK DEALS: HARDCOVER PRE-ORDERS FOR ONLY $10 > OR LESS?! YES PLEASE!

Published on July 13, 2015July 14, 2015 by forthesakeofreadingyaLeave a comment

At approximately 4:30 pm this afternoon I was made aware that Marie Lu’s upcoming title, The Rose Society, was being sold on amazon for only $9.94… I being a savy consumer went online and instantly pre-ordered it. Only I also started looking at other pre-orders I was interested in and well…

This is either a day for miracles or great deceit. All the hot YA books for this upcoming fall (or most of them) are all either on the $10 range or less.

$10 FOR A HARDCOVER? YES PLEASE!

Here is a list of those awesome titles, but if I were you I wouldn’t hesitate, just pre-order to your hearts contempt before amazon gets wise!

Taschima’s Loot:

$9.94 – $9.94 – $9.94

$10.47 – $6.96 – $8.49

Lexie’s Loot:

$9.94 – $9.94 – $9.42

$9.89 – $7.86

PRE-ORDER DEALS:

MORE DEALS!

These deals are amazing, like out of this world. Better get on getting before they become wise at Amazin headquarters. Or maybe we are all a part of an awesome marketing experiment or something, either way I am game.