September Update...Part 1

Hi Sweeties!

I know that this update is coming really really early! I did this because I wanted to give a small little update instead of an actual new post. :) So this week has been filled to the brim with homework and family stuff. So I haven't really had very much time to actually read (sadly) :( Everytime I try to wake up really early (5 am to be exact) to read something, I end up pressing snooze and end up sleeping until I have to get up (which is only really an hour more of sweet sleep) this gives me no time to read! I know it's like a stab to the heart! The good news about it is that it's given me a bit more time to really think about my reading schedule, which I may end up changing (slightly). Wow that is A LOOOOT  of parenthesis lol.

So because I've been a horrible blogger slash bookworm, I've decided to not leave you guys hanging AGAIN by posting at least something. Since it is the beginning of September, I had decided to do a quick monthly update. This won't be the FULL update of the month because my  brain came up with the wonderful idea to cut this month's update in half! I know right? My brain's patting itself on the back and doin' a fancy little jig over that idea!

ONTO THE UPDATE! 

As I've said before I am currently not reading anything, but I am planning to start Story of me and you this month...er...wait...or was it Story of us? I think it was Story of me and you....maybe. Any-who, technically I am currently reading it, I did read the first paragraph...but that probably doesn't count huh. Thought so.

Other than that I have only changed one book on my TBR list for August - September! I added Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck. The list is still subject to continual change, but probably won't be changed. I just like to say that in case I do end up changing it, which again I most likely won't. So for ALL of you sweet blog readers of mine that are following along on my TBR journey, I will most likely post a review for each of those books on my list! It might just take a little time (probably not as long as before) and some much needed downtime! Gah I am so bad! I just started classes and I'm already thinking of R&R?!

So what do you guys up to? Are any of YOU starting school, or have started school? If you have, do you all have time to read?? And those of you that aren't in school or work or etc. What are you guys reading/up to?

Alrighty sweeties! Paige over and out!

~ P

OH MY RED HOTS! It's The 'Red Queen'!

Hey Sweeties!

I am sorry for the late post! This past week has just been too hectic! I've been just working on my schedule and working in my classes. So I have just been busy! But luckily I have some time today to write a review on a book that I have been hearing EVERYWHERE! I mean on Instagram, Goodreads, and everywhere else you can hear about books! I decided that since it's one of those popular YA's, it would be great read to try. So let's get into the Review!

This Book is About...?

Red Queen is about a girl named Mare Barrows. She's a red girl living in the "slums" aka the Reds and under the thumb of Silvers. In this world the silvers and the Reds are enemies, both fighting an endless war. Suddenly, Mare is yanked out of her home and her impending doom at becoming a soldier stuck in the battlegrounds. Instead she is placed in the palace. Inside a castle with glass walls and cold blood. She must act like one, even worse, she will become their princess. As she lives with the Silvers she learns things that the Reds will never truly understand. She learns secrets, mysteries, and the true downfall of an already doomed kingdom.

What I Thought slash Rating:

Red Queen was like a cross between Hunger Games and possibly Throne of Glass. Although, they are really good books, this one didn't quite meet their standards. Out of five stars I am giving this sweet read a four. It didn't have that thing that truly reels you in, that spark, that connection that connects you to the character, but it did have an interesting story.

Another reason why I didn't give it a 5 star is because I feel like I felt more cons about Mare than pros. I feel like the reasoning for Mare's decisions weren't justifiable or clear. I don't want to spoil anything, but I just felt like she wasn't doing things for the right reasons. except maybe when she was doing things for her friends. I just felt like they were more selfish reasons than for the goodness of others. And I guess when I read books or even when I watch movies, I try to find stuff with protagonists with character. Morals. Rules that they live by even if they start out for the wrong reason, it ends up being for the greater good and becomes for the greater good. In other words...Character development.

This book didn't have much of that. It had some fighting, good people, and a lot of blah. There was just soooo much politics and craziness and I feel like I'm still wondering about some parts. Then again it was a great book in the sense where it kept you going. I mean I didn't DNF it and I have to say after a certain point there was no going back. I was invested and curious on how Red Queen was going to end! In fact, I was even blown away by some of those twists.

 Overall, it was a good book and even though I found some similarities to The Hunger Games and Throne of Glass, it was a pretty original story with twists that were pretty surprising. And I know it was surprising to many others too, by the reviews that I had read.

Who Should Read It?

Red Queen would be a great book for those who LOVE books with lots of different aspects and genres. It did have a lot of fighting (war), politics (between reds and silvers), and even a lovely Love Triangle. Yep ladies and gents, if you don't like love triangles (like me) this book isn't for you. It wasn't as strong as other books, but it is there. Those who love a strong romantic connection from beginning to end, this isn't for you. There is romance elements, but it's not like a connection that grows throughout the story (in my opinion). But the romance is still there! I know I'm being confusing, sorry!

Alright guys! I think that's about it. I did like this book and I hope you guys did too! What are you guys reading? Are any of you reading anything off the list I put in my update? If so, tell me about it in the comments below. :) I'd really like to hear from you guys so don't be a stranger!

~P

August Update!

Hi Sweeties!

Here's another August update! I wanted to post this as close to the beginning of the month as I could and since the month is already half way through! I can't believe it! Fall classes will be starting soon and I could have sworn that the summer had just started. I guess my brain needs to catch up with the times huh :)

As usual I do want to say that since Fall session is coming up. This doesn't mean I stop reviewing or posting. Even on my busiest months, I at least try to have an update ready for you guys. I just want to say...er...write this because it's just an update on my schedule slash life, lol.

So without further or do, I'm going to tell you what's coming up next! Basically, I had promised you all plenty of reviews this month and I had even created a new schedule and everything! And while I did post some, I hadn't posted as much as I wanted to. So this means that I'll just have to keep hoping to step up my game, or in this case my blog. ;) Okay cheesy jokes aside, I want to also add a little spiel about the books I'm reading now, pending a review (THAT WILL BE POSTED). Also the reason not all of the reviews went up as planned.

First off, I will explain my mishap in reviews this month! When I had planned the July/August TBR list, I seriously had planned on writing the reviews as numbered on the list. The reason I didn't was my own fault entirely! Obviously. *rolls eyes at myself* I didn't do this because I was feeling a little iffy about the books on the list to begin with. I didn't hate the books on the list, but I wasn't itching reading them either. Also most of the books that I had put on the list were rereads, which I am working on not doing anymore, unless truly feel the urge to. I mean, who can resist a really good reread every once and a while, right?

As for what I am currently reading, I have started a book called Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Right now, I'm kind of in the middle as far as feelings about this read goes. I am not exactly "in love" with it and I am not disliking it either! So that's a plus. :) I guess I like it because I am starting to understand the character and her decisions, but I don't love it yet because I wasn't in love with her in the beginning. I don't really want to explain more than that because this isn't the review, yet ;) But I am planning on doing one for this book sometime this week! You will get the full aspect of my feels then.

So what's next on my list?

Here is my schedule of this months TBRs:

1. Winter by Frankie Rose - The synopsis sounds pretty good, but it does sound a little darker than what I'm used to reading. So I'm a little apprehensive about reading this one, but it does sound good, so we shall see.
2. The Story of You and Me by Pamela DuMond - Although this one didn't get the highest of ratings on Goodreads, I'm kind of excited to read this one. From the Blurb, it sounds like a really nice book and I like the idea of the storyline. I'm not 100% sure I'll love it, but that's the whole point in reading it right?
3. Until It Hurts to Stop - This one is completely on my maybe list for two reasons. One is that it got not as great ratings on good reads (3.44 - not that it really deters me) and because it sounds like it might be a love triangle kind of book. I really dislike love triangles and there has only been a very rare few that really get my love :) So we shall really see with this one!
4. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi - This will be my very first Dystopian novel so I really really really don't know how to feel about it! I guess in a way I'm pretty psyched to start it because it will be my first. You can't hate something you've never tried before, so yeah...
5. Tattered Love by Lola Stark - I'm liking the synopsis and I hope I like the story!

Well, sweeties, this is what my reading schedule looks like for the next month. It looks like it's going to be four contemporary romances + one Dystopian (which I'm still pretty psyched for!). Now, for those newbies on my blog, this list is very LOOSE! I may read all of these and I may only read half, leaving maybe one or two out! This just depends on whether or not I DNF (don't finish) it or if I get around to it before my next update! Usually, if I don't get to it by the next update, they just roll over or I pick out some new titles depending on how I feel at the time :)

I know this post was long, but I hope it really answers some questions! Like I said before I just want to let you all know what I've been up to and what I'll be doing and reviewing next! I encourage you guys to read along with me if you'd like to prepare for my upcoming reviews :) If you don't that's perfectly okay too! If you do want to, you can pick any one of these babies and hopefully I'll have the review for it up by the time you're done :) Happy reading guys!

~ P

P.S. I just want to say too that I'm going to be trying out something new for my reviewing schedule! I want to try setting up a posting day which will be...Fridays/Mondays! Yup I will try posting something every Friday OR Monday. Even if I don't post a review, I will be posting SOMETHING! I hope this helps guys! For both me and you guys! Alright keep reading and smiling sweeties and I'll be posting soon!! :D 

Sweets, I Darken

Hola Sweeties! Paige here!

So today I wanted to review a recent YA favorite/Newby! It's called And I Darken and
let me tell you I wish I can darken it from my mind. Okay so that's a little bit of an overstatement, but I can't help it.

This book is about...

No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwlya likes it that way. Ever since she and her gentle younger brother, Radu, were wrenched from their homeland of Wallachia and abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman courts, Lada has known that being ruthless is the key to survival. She and Radu are doomed to act as pawns in a vicious game, an unseen sword hovering over their every move. For the lineage that makes them special also makes them targets.

Lada despises the Ottomans and bides her time, planning her vengeance for the day when she can return to Wallachia and claim her birthright. Radu longs only for a place where he feels safe. And when they meet Mehmed, the defiant and lonely son of the sultan, Radu feels that he’s made a true friend—and Lada wonders if she’s finally found someone worthy of her passion.

But Mehmed is heir to the very empire that Lada has sworn to fight against—and that Radu now considers home. Together, Lada, Radu, and Mehmed form a toxic triangle that strains the bonds of love and loyalty to the breaking point.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What I thought

This book was good in the sense that I was able to read it at least up to Chapter 15, which was roughly about 45% through. The writing was beautiful in a way, but at the same time, there was nothing really "special" about it. In fact, I was kind of thinking after a while that it was pretty boring. I was thinking to myself, "What's the whole point of the plot". By the time I got to 45% I seriously didn't really get a lot of the terms or what the heck I was reading or why I was even reading it. I mean it was interesting enough, but the story itself was flat, uninteresting.

One thing that bothered me up to this point was the characters. They were great to some extent, character sustenance wise, but they weren't exactly enjoyable. From the summary I thought that the book was going to be similar to Throne of Glass series, but it wasn't. It was far from it! I though Lada was going to be a strong character who was warrior-like, the way Celaena was in Throne of Glass. She wasn't and it burned me up! I was seething because instead of a strong character, I feel like I read about a girl who liked to bully people and sure was "streetsmart" to an extent, but she wasn't using any of her abilities for good. She was very selfish character who looked down on people and was constantly judging others. Where Calaena was rough around the edges, she eventually showed that she had a heart and cared about people, even though she was raised to be the opposite. These are the types of characters that I enjoy to read about, and I though Lada was going to be the same way. Although I understood some of her actions, like her need to not be repressed and married off to a man not of her choice, and who already has wives, I feel like this was understated. Also everything else she did was really rude and obnoxious. It wasn't strength or power.

The only character I can say that I truly felt was respect worthy was probably the little brother. I liked how Radu was respectful and was empathetic, the complete opposite to his sister. I just hated how people treated him and I hated that the author did really make his character more noticeable. Even when it was from his point of view none of his characteristics shined. They were dulled thanks to his sister who was mentioned constantly. I just wish that he stood out more since both Lada and Radu were considered protagonists.

My Overall Thoughts - Slash - Rating

I cannot give this book higher than a 2 star guys. I mean really, I just can't. I didn't like it, I felt that the characters could have been more well rounded and given a better purpose. I felt that they could've also had deeper Personality traits and characteristics. Ones that made them more diverse. Something that made me love them. I was waiting for a character development that never came and that really bites at me. I LOVE character development more than anything in the world of stories. Especially, when you start off hating a character (not too much) and then end up loving them and wanting MORE!

The story itself could've had more development too. I did like the way the author explained the setting and the world the story took place in, but halfway through I was bored. There was no sustenance there either. It was all politics and confusing things that moved too fast. Like Boyous .... I think that's what they were called. Anyways, although the author explained what that meant, I was still in the last scene and by then I was kind of like what the fudge is going on right now.

This is why I must give this book a 2 star. It doesn't mean you guys won't like it, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Still, there were plenty of others who LOVED this book! So please don't be discouraged by my low ratings or DNFs. They are just out there to inform and hopefully you guys can comment on what you guys thought about And I Darken. This would be great for YA lovers and people who like characters that you read from their childhood to their present selves. :) Alright over and out Sweeties! And have a GREAT weekend!

~ P

P.S. By the way, I just wanted to note that I am trying to use a new style of blogging. I want to know what you guys think? Is it making my blog too long? Or should I keep it up? Thanks for keeping up with my blog sweeties! Hope to have more for you soon!

My Favorite Brain Candy

Heeeloooo my sweeties! How are you all doing?

Today I have decided to change things up a bit and share something a little new with you guys! So I always post reviews and give updates, but I never really do anything different. So today - drum roll please -  I have decided to do my top five favorite Paranormal Romance books! Hopefully with this list you can maybe find something new to read :) Okay so on with the list!!

MY ULTIMATE FAVES (Paranormal romance)

Now these books are for all those paranormal romance junkies, who are especially really interested in YA ;) Yup that's right here are my ultimate faves that has stuff to do with romance and creatures that may or may not be scary. Okay so in these particular books, they're probably NOT scary, but they're still things like werewolves, witches, vamps, etc. Enjoy!

1. 1. The Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Okay so anyone who has been on this blog more than once and has looked at my older posts will notice that this is really one of my FAVORITE series. I can read these over and over and over again! Really anything by Jennifer is brain candy for me XD I LOVE her books! This series had aliens (that weren't like weird, nerdy kind, or super cheesy) that were creatively created and were a hoot to read. This series is funny and has those moments when you want to strangle the book and the moments where you want to actually hug the characters.

2. The Sweet Trilogy by Mary Higgins - This series I haven't read in a loooong while, but when I did - twice - It was the bomb! I mean this is seriously great for readers who love the whole demon genre. This series is working not so much with "demons" but with the demons that control sins or something of that nature. Honestly this book had me on the edge of my seat and I loved absolutely EVERY minute of it! I liked how all of the characters got along and how it wasn't "evil" like scary, but it held some very creative points of view on the whole sin shindig. This book has a lot of humor, friendships, and some real hottie (wink wink Kai)!

3.The Denazen series by Jus Accardo - OOOOH MY GAWSH! This read was one that I had wanted to read for soooo long and when I finally read it, it was soooo good! I couldn't believe how great it was! This book is all about a girl who runs into a boy who has powers. Powers that can destroy and are suuuper dangerous. This girl though can be with him and there's just a whole lot more that really needs to be read. This book is also pretty funny in some scenes, it's not a superhero novel, but it does have powers in it, and overall this was a really good book in general with great characters that were well developed.

4. Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas - What I loved about this book was the STORYLINE! The story is so captivating and I think that it's so great when an author can create a backstory that is both tragic and creative. It just really gets me into the story. When she makes a whole world and conflict that revolves around that creative and tragic backstory, you have me hooked! These books are filled with fantasy-like characters, there's a war in this series, there's angst and love squares? Okay so it's probably a love triangle. Now, for those of you who think that love triangles are a turn off. In this book it isn't!! I hate love triangles too, but this book handles these love triangles like a boss. 

5. The Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Wow! This book gets you. Yup the characters, the plotline, everything just grabs you by the shirt and pulls you in. Sherrilyn is another author that really gets down to the nitty gritty and writes some of the most creative plotlines EVER. She writes realistically, creatively, and isn't afraid to write a really tragic backstory. Every character is brought to life with their amazing backstories! This book is also of the demon nature, it has other creatures that go bump in the night, and it is really a mix of new things too. I love the morals and street smarts of the main character and really of all the characters.

Okie Dokie...So that's the end! All of these titles are my absolute faves no.1 being the best and no. 5 being still Great but not numbero uno :) I hoped you enjoyed my absolute random action of the day and I'll see you in my next post!

~ P

Paper Princess and Popsicles

I am absolutely in shattered right now. All of my feels are scattered in little fractures all around me and I don't even know which one to feel first! It's ugh! I want to just open the book right back up again, but I don't because it's just too soon and I'm still reeling from the first time! Grrr....I just want MORE! I want more of Reed and Ella. I want more of the other Royal brothers too. Can I though? Nope. Book 2 doesn't even come out until JULY! *sobs* I NEED THIS BOOK NOW! I literally feelHey Sweeties!  I am absolutely in shattered right now! *weeps* All of my feels are scattered in little fractures all around me and I don't even know which one to feel first! It's ugh! I want to just open the book right back up again, but I don't because it's just too soon and I'm still reeling from the first time! Grrr....I just want MORE! I want more of Reed and Ella. I want more of the other Royal brothers too. Can I though? Nope. Book 2 doesn't even come out until JULY! *sobs* I NEED THIS BOOK NOW! I literally feel like I'm going to burst if I don't get this book now!! This book was so phenomenal it's not even funny. Saying I love this book is an understatement. I can't even find the word to describe my love! This has definitely became my favorite book! It's way way way up on my favorites list and I have a Feeling it's not coming down ever. This book to say in the least was about a girl who was alone. She finds someone who needs her just as much as she needs him. At first I didn't love this book not until it opened up like a blooming flower and swallowed me whole. All of the characters were so real and they grew so many feelings in me. The major one was love. I fell in love with Reed. Even if he wasn't the most "conventional" guy he was real and he was imperfect. But ultimately he touches a part of your heart and makes you love his character sooooo much. I honestly loved all the brothers and the way the main character slowly became connected to them. The relationship that bloomed between the characters was just poetic and awesome! Before I started this book I really thought that it was going to turn out like one of my more recent "Suckerz" Corrupt by Penelope Douglas. I mean technically that was my fault for picking such a dark read, I mean it's all in the title right? But still. Anywayz, the point is, that I thought - based on the storyline - that it was going to be similar to this Corrupt. I don't know why I just did. Boy, was I surprised when it WASN'T! Nope it was way way wayyyyy better. In fact it really wasn't anything like the Corrupt and when I read the prompt I thought it might be darker romance, but it wasn't. In fact, even though they both have pasts, they weren't like SUUUUPPPER dark. Weeeell, that depends on how you look at it. What I mean by dark is that it's not disturbing dark. It's "she has a past that made her into the person today" dark. Where her childhood wasn't entirely conventional, so to speak. Still I LOVED the optimism the Ella had. Despite the situations, she mulled through and added a somewhat optimistic outlook on it. I won't she's perfect or that I agreed with all of her ideas, but she was a great character that was very "REAL". So was Reed and even now I'm still rooting for them no matter what! Overall I give this book a FREAKING 5 stars and if you want to be blown away I'd suggest this books 10 times over again!!! So read it because I want to reread it soooo badly! ugh! ~ P

Jupin' Jelly Beans! It's been a while...

Hellllooo Sweeties!

I hate that I've been M.I.A in a while. For those who are new, welcome! I haven't posted in awhile because school has kept me SUUUPER busy. That's no excuse! For those of you who are very not new and are frequent visitors, welcome back! This is summer so hopefully, I will be posting more stuff :)

Soooo...I haven't been doing a lot of reading lately either. There wasn't much time last semester. Summer semester is going to be hectic I won't lie, but I have been reading as much as I could before my classes start, which means more posts :D  Not to mention my upcoming schedule has a bunch of books hat I want to read!

Alrighty then here is the upcoming schedule:

Currently Reading

• The Forbidden Men series - I don't know if I've mentioned this series before on here, but I think I have. If I haven't then here's the bottom line...I LOVE this series! It's awesome and the newest two books just came out recently. This lovely series is written by Linda Kage and I have to say I was pumped to start on these two new babies that I went off my reading schedule a bit. The problem with starting a new book is it starts a chain of events that reminds me of If you give a mouse a cookie. If I start on a new book in a series I'm going to want to reread all of the past books too...and so on. lol XD So that is what I've been doing. To save some time though, I went ahead and just read my faves in the series and the one that I forgot the plotline to.
• Paper Princess by Erin Watt (Pseudonym), Elle Kennedy, Jen Frederick - So funny story...I started this book right after I finished The girl's got secrets by Linda Kage. I did this on purpose because I wanted to fit in a new book (in a series I haven't read yet) into the mix since I haven't done that in a while. I wanted to read it now because school will be starting on Monday and I also wanted to put a gap before I read the latest book in The Forbidden Men series. The reason for this is because it's one of the characters that was from a separate age group and isn't quite "part of the forbidden group" as the other characters are. So I decided to treat it like a spin off of sorts and put a little gap before reading it. *shrugs* plus I think I had a little overload of forbidden men...yeah way too much in one sitting. So back to Paper Princess. It's going good so far, but I'm not so sure I like it yet. I'm keeping an open mind though and I really really like the storyline :) Kind of reminds me of a novella called Maria del barrio. Only in book form and in English lol

To Be Read List

       

The following list is going to be in numerical order on what I will be planning to read next. I've never planned my TBR list this way before, but I'm going to try to stick to it. I'm hoping that this will help me post more while I'm busy with school and it will also be easier to know what I want to read lol. Okay so here it is sweeties!

1. Priceless by Linda Kage -enough said about this read lol
2. Fever - Melissa Pearl
3. The Nick Chronicles - I haven't decided yet whether or not I will be rereading this series or not. I don't believe that I really posted reviews on this series so I might reread in order to refresh my memory as well as get ready for the Newest addition to the series that just came out in May! I waited so long and it wasn't even funny how the author changed the release date!
4. Six of Crows (this may or may not change)
5. Grey Wolves series by Quinn Loftis - this is a definite reread since I'm 99.9% sure I haven't really posted a review on this series. Plus I haven't read this series in sooooo long! But it was one of my favorites so I'm willing to reread and read the newest baby in this series too! lol
6. Shadow and Bone (this may be subject to change)
7. Sweet evil series - this is loosely added to the list. I kind of miss this series so I've been planning on rereading this, but I want to read so many new books that I may not do this. Plus just look at this list! It's huge!

So this is the Plan plus a little update. I try to at least give you guys an update every month. SO that's something right? I will try to finish Paper Princess this weekend and also give you all a review on The Girl's Got Secrets as well. Okay sweeties I gotta go, but have a FANTASTIC weekend and I'll be writing soon so keep an eye out...well you should probably keep both open since it's dangerous to only keep one open. That, and people will start to think you have a stye or something. Just talking from experience lol.  ;)