This meme is hosted by Steph at A little but a lot. The weekly prompts for 2019 can be found here.
This week’s prompt is 2018 Books Still Unread. Here’s my list:
Did you write a #SixforSunday post? What was your list of 2018 Books Still Unread?
Title: Carmilla
Author: Kim Turrisi
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
An adaptation of Shaftesbury’s award-winning, groundbreaking queer vampire web series of the same name, Carmilla mixes the camp of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the snark of Veronica Mars, and the mysterious atmosphere of Welcome to Nightvale. Newly escaped from the stifling boredom of a small town, college freshman Laura is ready to make the most of her first year at Silas University. But when her roommate, Betty, vanishes and a sarcastic, nocturnal philosophy student named Carmilla moves into Betty’s side of the room, Laura decides to play detective. Turns out Betty isn’t the first girl to go missing ? she’s just the first girl not to come back. All over campus, girls have been vanishing, and they are completely changed when (or if) they return. Even more disturbing are the strange dreams they recount: smothering darkness, and a strange pale figure haunting their rooms. Dreams that Laura is starting to have herself. As Laura closes in on the answers, tensions rise with Carmilla. Is this just a roommate relationship that isn’t working out, or does Carmilla know more than she’s letting on about the disappearances? What will Laura do if it turns out her roommate isn’t just selfish and insensitive, but completely inhuman? And what will she do with the feelings she’s starting to have for Carmilla? Produced by Shaftesbury, and available on the YouTube channel KindaTV, Carmilla is a global sensation. A scripted transmedia series that puts a modern spin on the cult-classic gothic vampire novella by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu, Carmilla has generated over 71 million views and 245 million minutes of watch time across three seasons since its launch in 2014. It has been translated into more than 20 languages and also been made into a feature film. Author Kim Turrisi brings her trademark humor and sensitivity to an adaptation that offers a deep dive for existing fans and a portal for new fans around the world.
I read Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu years ago when I was in university. I loved the book! I was always fascinated with it because it is a vampire story that came out years before Dracula. Carmilla was the original vampire story.
This story was a fun adaptation. I haven’t read a vampire story in years! There were some serious parts, but many things were quite funny. In particular, the frat boys were funny. They insisted on “protecting” the girls from whoever was kidnapping the other students, but they always showed up when they weren’t wanted.
This story is also an adaptation of a Canadian movie. It didn’t read like an adaptation of a movie. I’ve read other books that were written after a movie, and they weren’t as well written. They often sound like the closed captions that would go with the movie. This book was like an original story.
I really enjoyed this story. I’m going to watch the movie version next!
Have you read Carmilla? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
I received two of my preorders from Indigo:
I received four books from Simon and Schuster Canada:
I was approved for an ARC on NetGalley from Penguin Random House Canada:
I was approved for an ARC on NetGalley from Page Street Publishing:
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada, Simon and Schuster Canada and Page Street Publishingfor these books!
What books did you get this week?
Title: Defy Me (Shatter Me #5)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
The gripping fifth installment in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shatter Me series. Will Juliette’s broken heart make her vulnerable to the strengthening darkness within her?
Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.
Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.
This book definitely lived up to my expectations! It was fast paced, and I flew through it. It felt short because I read it so quickly.
I can’t say much about the plot without giving away spoilers for this book or the other ones. This one had more of a scientific theme, with time spent in laboratories with medical tests and operations being conducted. There were some horrifying science experiments being conducted, including one on a newly discovered character, Emmaline. That one was disturbing and difficult to read.
As I was reading this book, I kept thinking of the first book in the series, Shatter Me, and how much has changed since then. Juliette and Warner have grown so much throughout the series. There have also been lots of new characters introduced, including some new ones in this book. There were some parts of this book that echoed the first one, with some characters being kept in a prison/asylum, like how Juliette was imprisoned in Shatter Me.
Now that I’m caught up on the series, I’ll have to wait a long time for the next one.
Have you read Defy Me? What did you think of it?
This is a weekly meme hosted by Wandering Words, where you give the first few lines of a book to hook your readers before introducing the book.
Here are my first lines:
“OMG, Mom’s gone insane.
Not normal Mum-insane. Serious insane.”
Do you recognize these first lines?
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And the book is… Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella.
Audrey can’t leave the house. she can’t even take off her dark glasses inside the house.
Then her brother’s friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again – well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she’d thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable.
Have you read Finding Audrey? What did you think of it?
This was a fun, original story! The magic in this story was in the form of magical illusions, rather than fantasy. There was more than just card tricks, including magical portals to other worlds, but it seemed a little more realistic than other stories.
Title: Order of the Majestic
Author: Matt Myklusch
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Aladdin
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
Fans of Brandon Mull and James Riley will love this action-packed, accessible fantasy story about one kid’s journey to discover magic as he’s caught up in an epic battle between two powerful ancient orders.
Twelve-year-old daydreamer Joey Kopecky’s life has been turned upside down. After acing a series of tests, he’s declared a genius and awarded a full scholarship at a special (year-round!) school. He’s understandably devastated, until he takes one last test, and the room around him disappears, replaced by the interior of an old theater.
There, Joey meets the washed-up magician, Redondo the Magnificent, and makes a shocking discovery…magic is real, but sadly, there isn’t much left in the world. It may be too late to save what little remains, but for the first time in his life Joey wants to try—really try—to do something big. Soon he’s swept up into a centuries-old conflict between two rival societies of magicians—the Order of the Majestic, who fights to keep magic alive and free for all, and the dark magicians of the Invisible Hand, who hoard magic for their own evil ends.
The endless battle for control of magic itself has reached a tipping point. For Redondo and the Order to survive, Joey must inherit the lost legacy of Harry Houdini. Will he prove himself worthy, or will the Invisible Hand strike him down? The answer will depend on Joey’s ability to believe, not just in magic, but in himself.
This was a fun, original story!
The magic in this story was in the form of magical illusions, rather than fantasy. There was more than just card tricks, including magical portals to other worlds, but it seemed a little more realistic than other stories. I loved that this was a world built on magic tricks, because it is more accessible to kids. I had a set of magic tricks that I loved playing with as a kid. I think this setting makes the story much more relatable for young readers.
I loved the comparison of magic and science. A few times the characters say “Magic is just science that people don’t understand yet.” I love this description of magic. Some things that people used to think of as magic centuries ago are now classified as science, such as medical advancements. I loved the way this brought the magic into the real world.
I also appreciated that Joey has both of his parents in this story. Often in children’s stories, the main character is either an orphan or from a single parent household. That is supposed to put the characters at a disadvantage right from the beginning, but it doesn’t always have to be like that. I liked that this was a different way to start a middle grade fantasy novel.
I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great magical story!
Have you read Order of the Majestic? What did you think of it?
My pick this week is The Becoming of Noah Shaw by Michelle Hodkin.
TBR Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, where you post a title from your shelf or e-reader and find out what others think about it.
My pick this week is The Becoming of Noah Shaw by Michelle Hodkin.
In the first book of the Shaw Confessions, the companion series to the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer novels, old skeletons are laid bare and new promises prove deadly. This is what happens after happily ever after.
Everyone thinks seventeen-year-old Noah Shaw has the world on a string.
They’re wrong.
Mara Dyer is the only one he trusts with his secrets and his future.
He shouldn’t.
And both are scared that uncovering the truth about themselves will force them apart.
They’re right.
Have you read this book? What did you think of it?
I love Tahereh Mafi’s books, so I wanted to try her middle grade stories. This book was a lot of fun.
Title: Furthermore (Furthermore #1)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Publisher: Puffin Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 30, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★
Alice Alexis Queensmeadow 12 rates three things most important: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. Father disappeared from Ferenwood with only a ruler, almost three years ago. But she will have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is Oliver whose own magic is based in lies and deceit. Alice must first find herself—and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.
I love Tahereh Mafi’s books, so I wanted to try her middle grade stories. This book was a lot of fun.
This fantasy story reminded me of A Wrinkle in Time and Alice in Wonderland. Alice lives in a magical world called Ferenwood. She is unique because her hair and skin lack colour, when the rest of the world has tons of colourful magic. In this story, she embarks on a quest with Oliver to travel through the magical world of Furthermore to find her missing father.
This story was fast paced. Alice and Oliver traveled through many different towns in the world of Furthermore. They met different kinds of people, including tiny women in suits and people who live in tall trees. There were also a lot of funny magical parts, such as a ruler that measures the time you can spend in Furthermore.
This story was a fun read. I think kids and adults would love it!
Have you read Furthermore? What did you think of it?
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley. The release date is June 11, 2019.
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is The Last Resort by Marissa Stapley. The release date is June 11, 2019.
The Harmony Resort promises hope for struggling marriages. Run by celebrity power couple Drs. Miles and Grace Markell, the “last resort” offers a chance for partners to repair their relationships in a luxurious setting on the gorgeous Mayan Riviera.
Johanna and Ben have a marriage that looks perfect on the surface, but in reality, they don’t know each other at all. Shell and Colin fight constantly: after all, Colin is a workaholic, and Shell always comes second to his job as an executive at a powerful mining company. But what has really torn them apart is too devastating to talk about. When both couples begin Harmony’s intensive therapy program, it becomes clear that Harmony is not all it seems—and neither are Miles and Grace themselves. What are they hiding, and what price will these couples pay for finding out?
As a deadly tropical storm descends on the coast, trapping the hosts and the guests on the resort, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested and not one single person—or their marriage—will remain unchanged by what follows.
What books are you waiting on this week?
This week’s prompt is Bookish Things I’ve Changed My Mind About. I’m listing the characters that I changed my mind about throughout the book/series. Here’s my list:
This meme is hosted by Lainey from Thoughts on Tomes. The Goodreads Group for Top 5 Wednesday can be found here.
This week’s prompt is Bookish Things I’ve Changed My Mind About. I’m listing the characters that I changed my mind about throughout the book/series. Here’s my list:
What characters did you change your mind about?
Jill's Book Blog 