7 Reasons Why I Couldn't Bring Myself to Like: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Title: The Sin Eater's Daughter
Author: Melinda Salisbury
Audiobook
Published: February 24th, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: YA - Fantasy - High Fantasy - Magic - Romance
Source: SYNC Summer Free Audiobooks

A startling, seductive, deliciously dark debut that will shatter your definition of YA fantasy.

Sixteen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she's engaged to the prince, no one speaks to her. No one even looks at her. Because Twylla isn't a member of the court.

She's the executioner. As the goddess-embodied, Twylla kills with a single touch. So each week, she's taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason.

No one will ever love her. Who could care for a girl with murder in her veins? Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to her touch, avoids her.
But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose playful smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he's able to look past Twylla's executioner robes and see the girl, not the goddess. Yet a treasonous romance is the least of Twylla's problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies-a plan that requires an unthinkable sacrifice.

Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?

Purchase at: Amazon | B&N | TBD | Kobo 

The Sin Eater's Daughter is a huge disappointment of a book. I think the only thing that salvaged this to 2 stars for me is the twist at the end, which I completely did not expect. Aside from that, I don't even know what to praise anymore. I mean, I guess the story is quite original, but nah, unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea.

Here's why I couldn't bring myself to like this book:
1. The world. The world was basically constricted to Tywlla's room and temple and a few parts of the castle. Yes, there were talk of other Kingdoms, but none of them were explored.

2. The plot. Because the world is constricted to Twylla's room and temple, there was not much of a plot except for the evil queen and the romance. Granted, there were a lot of revelations, but still, the world and plot seemed to be narrow-scoped to me, compared to most fantasy novels.

3. The love triangle. Oh, it was so predictable that she would fall for Lief! I mean, what ever happened to girls wanting to marry Princes as the cliché? In novels nowadays, cliché means loving the other guys, and thus it's what's predictable nowadays.

4. What is up with that ending? The novel has an open-ending that I don't get, and there were many loose ends still not tied. What ever happened to the Kingdom, the prince and Lief? There are still so many questions left unanswered, and overall I'm just not satisfied with that ending.

5. It was a boring read. I didn't feel compelled to read it, and the only reason that I didn't put it down is because I have a hard time not finishing books and feel the need to finish them once I reach pass 50%. I keep waiting for amazing things to happen, but until the twist and after the twist, everything was just boring for me.

6. I can't connect to the characters. Twylla is stupid and both Lief and Merek felt manipulative to me. The queen is evil, we all know that, and her mother is a bitch. Everyone in this novel infuriated me at some point, and I just couldn't find a single character that I liked.

7. Self-pitying Twylla. In the end, Twylla was talking about everything was her fault, bla bla bla, and said that she should stop pitying herself. But what does she do a few pages later? Go back to pitying herself, of course. Ugh, Trylla, you infuriate me!

Overall, I didn't like the world nor the plot, didn't get a proper ending, and dealt with characters that infuriated me. If it were not for the unexpected twist, this would have been a 1-star book. I think it's safe to say that I wasted my time trying to finish this novel, when clearly I didn't connect to it from the start. 

2 stars. Ah, it's okay. 

ARC Review: Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera

Title: Ruined (Ruined #1)
Author: Amy Tintera
Kindle, 368 pages
Published:  May 3rd 2016
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA - High Fantasy - Romance - Magic

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake. 

Purchase at: Amazon | B&N | TBD | Kobo

  Thank you, Amy Tintera, for giving me a new fantasy series that I can excited about! Ah, this book is wonderful, and it kind of hurts that I won’t get to read the second book anytime soon. Amy Tintera created a world that is easy to love, no matter how complicated the politics may be. As you guys may know, I am not much of a fantasy fan, so it always takes me by surprise whenever I really, really enjoy a fantasy novel. And Ruined? Well, Ruined did amazing in the books of a not-so-fantasy-fan. Ruined is told in a dual POV, which I just love so much, so that was definitely an added bonus.

  In Ruina, people are valued for the powers they possess. However, Emelina, a member of the royal family, is regarded as useless because of her lack of powers. When the King of Lera waged a war against Ruina, killed her parents and took her sister hostage, Em pretends to be Princess Mary of Vallos in order to execute a complicated plan to avenge her family and save her sister. As Princess Mary, Em had to marry Prince Casimir of Lera, where she realized that Prince Cas is not what she expected at all.

  One of my absolute favorite things about this book is the blood-pumping action that made it hard to resist to keep turning the pages. My heart was literally pounding because of the action-packed chapters, and I’ve never been more excited while reading a book! I felt everything as though I were the main characters, and that’s just one of the most amazing things ever. Although this book is action-packed, Tintera still managed to make this one well-paced.

  And the romance! The romance just made me feel so giddy. I’m a hopeless romantic, and I just love reading about romances like these. I feel like they’re full of tension, which just makes everything all the more exciting. Em and Cas slowly started seeing more of who the other truly is, and that process of liking each other despite not expecting to do so just makes me happy.

  Ah, Ruined truly is an amazing book, and I just cannot wait for the next books in the series! This is definitely a book that I would recommend. Oh, just please let me have the second book already!

 Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Blog Tour: The Cupcake Witch by Poppy Lawless (Book Review + Giveaway)

Hello everyone! Welcome to the review tour for The Cupcake Witch! I hope you all enjoy reading my review and be sure to enter the giveaway below to win some sweet prizes! 

Title: The Cupcake Witch (novella)
Author: Poppy Lawless
Release Date: 2015
Number of Pages: 151Genre: YA > Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Witches, Magic
Source: Author (ebook)

Julie - 

Buttercream. Vanilla. Fondant. Dark chocolate. Brown sugar. Molasses. Baking has always been my true love, but it wasn’t until my mother’s death, and the unexpected inheritance of Serendipity Gardens, that my bliss called me. Bittersweet. But Serendipity Gardens has more to offer than just a potential shopfront. An unusual recipe box left to me by a distant relative might be the key to unlocking my dreams.

Too bad the most powerful family in Chancellor has plans that could turn those dreams to ruins—literally.

Too bad the son of that powerful family is just the kind of guy I’ve been looking for.

Horatio - 

I suppose being heir to the Hunter family’s Blushing Grape Winery should make me happy, but nothing could be further from the truth. With my mother gone, my father has taken me under his wing, and I despise everything about the way he does business. Sour grapes, indeed. Instead of raising money for charitable causes, my true passion, I’m chasing my father’s manifest destiny.

Too bad his dream includes paving paradise.

Too bad the property owner is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.

They say the course of true love never runs smooth.

But that’s nothing a magical cupcake can’t solve. 

Purchase at: Amazon

If I had to pick two words to summarize The Cupcake Witch, it would be short and sweet, quite literally. While the story was short I found was very well written and was very lovely and has such a sweet romance. I've never read a book before where the main character was a baker so I really enjoyed seeing what desserts she made throughout the book. It actually made me start craving a cupcake myself. ;)

Julie lives with her Dad in a new town called Chancellor. Her Mother passed away in the Summer and since then Julie has decided to quit school to become a dentist like her Mother wanted her to be and fulfill her dream of being a baker. When the home of a recently deceased relative of Julie's become vacant she goes over to check out the place and finds an old recipe box. The recipes inside all have a magic spell written on them....and after trying one Julie realizes they REALLY work!

She sees this as an opportunity to turn the old but quaint house into a bakery and tea shop. Sounds like a dream, right? 

While in town, Julie meets a guy named, Horatio. Horatio is the son of a money hungry powerful man who thinks he owns the town. After Horatio's mother passed away, his father has been angry all of the time and mean to his children. He tries to force Horatio into buying the property that Julie now owns. Horatio is tired of living under his father hand and decides he rather follow his heart, which is leading him to a girl who make one heck of a cupcake! 

To find out what happens you're going to have to read the book...

I can't tell you how utterly sweet this book was. The romance between Julie and Horatio was so adorable! I do feel it was kind of rushed, so that is one of the reasons I didn't give it 5 stars. I guess it would have to be since the book is only 150 pages but I would have liked to have seen them grow more as friends before love was ever written into the story. Besides that, I do feel the author did a wonderful job of developing the characters throughout the book even though the book was a quick read. 

There are a few quick laughs tosses in which I liked and pinch of magic throughout the book. The story was not solely based on magic and witches but more so the magic between Julie and Horatio and how they both overcame their difficulties in life. One thing though I wish the author would have added in is more details on the witches, where their magic came from and why Julie now possess the powers as well. The ending is great but I feel it was a bit rushed but still it was quite magical. I definitely love happy endings!

Short and Sweet, The Cupcake Witch leaves readers feeling much like a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, all warm and gooey. If you're looking for a quick read with a sweet romance and dash of magic than this book is perfect for you!

 Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Romance author. Cupcake connoisseur. Certified herbalist. Beach bum. Fan of all things Starbucks. Holistic healing advocate. Surfer girl wanna-be. Lost guru. Maker of dandelion wine. Counselor. Paranormal buff. Etsy addict. Secretly Jedi. So not a geek girl. Gifted in sarcasm. Hot wife. Ninja mom. And now, I'm ready to share a whole head full of witty, mouthy, smart, lovely, heart-warming, and hot characters with the world. Are you ready?

Poppy Lawless is the author of the forthcoming series Love & Chocolate releasing in 2015 and The Glass Mermaid. Poppy holds degrees in English and Psychology. She is a counselor in the field of mental health and is a trained herbalist. Poppy's new series blends the best of romance with a Practical Magic or contemporary Bewitched appeal.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

 

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Book Tour Organized by:

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ARC Review: The Impostor Queen

Title: The Impostor Queen (Untitled #1)
Author: Sarah Fine
Kindle, 336 pages
Published:  January 5th 2016
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Genre: YA - High Fantasy - Romance - Magic

Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed. 

Purchase at: Amazon | B&N | TBD | Kobo

    Oh, man! I can't believe I haven't read a Sarah Fine book before because The Impostor Queen is absolutely stunning! I have been suffering from a reading slump since December, and this book effectively pulled me out of that slump. For that, I would forever be thankful.

    Elli was prophesied to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule, but when her Valtia dies and she finally takes the throne, no magic comes to her. After a series of tests executed by the high priests, it was confirmed that she has no magic at all. She barely escaped with her life to the outlands, where the banished people lives. There, she learns more about the prophecy, and the role that she has to play.

    I am not much of a fan of fantasy novels because I gravitate towards contemporary, but if I read fantasy books, these are the kinds of books that I love to read. It's light, yet the world and plot building are impeccable. Sarah Fine is a phenomenal author who knows how to find the perfect balance, and I loved her book for it. It wasn't like some other fantasy books where it's slow to start and then it's so full of excitement in the last few chapters. This one was balanced, and that made it more commendable and not at all boring at the first few chapters.

    It's been a while since I last read a book with magic, and I have to say that I absolutely loved it in this book! The kind of magic in this novel is very unique, and it really satisfied me. The world was just so interesting and engaging that I was always on my seat, eating up the story and being excited about the events. I also loved the manner in which the events unfolded, and just the general direction of where the story went. This very unique books just really piqued my interest.

    Gosh, I really can't wait to read the next book! Too bad I would have to wait such a long time for it! Oh, man, I feel like I'm being punished for reading this book so early. I recommend this for those looking for not-so-heavy fantasy books.

 Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J.K. Rowling
Paperback, 734 pages
Published: September 28th 2002
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: MG - Fantasy - Magic

When falling out of love, refuses to become an option…

The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can't wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and there are spells to be learnt and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to be attended. But Harry can't know that the atmosphere is darkening around him, and his worst enemy is preparing a fate that it seems will be inescapable ...With characteristic wit, fast-paced humor and marvelous emotional depth, J.K. Rowling has proved herself yet again to be a master story-teller.

Purchase at: Amazon | B&N | TBD | Kobo

  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is by far the most eventful and exciting of the four books yet. This is also the book where the 'dursleys - school - heroic act - dursleys' pattern was broken, which made me so glad. I rated this book 4 stars when I first read it, but I'm rating it 4.5 stars now.

  This is the book out of the first four that featured friendship in the greatest aspect. I liked how Ron, Hermione and Harry's friendship was not perfect. I liked how Ron was willing to apologize and Harry not wanting to embarrass him. I like how Harry and Myrtle sort of came to an understanding. I liked how things unraveled and mysteries were revealed. I also loved Harry and Cedric's friendship over the end. *sobs*

  I read this book years ago and have already forgotten most of the things that have happened, and in some scenes it felt like I was reading the book for the first time again, which of course felt magnificent. I loved seeing Sirius Black in this book again since he's one of my favorite characters. And most of all, I am anticipating all the exciting things that the reappearance of Voldemort will bring.

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

  The only thing that I didn't like about this book is how it doesn't feel like a single book. There two story arcs - the quidditch match and the tournament between schools, and I felt like there were so many things that was congested into this single book.

  Overall though, I still love this series with all my heart and will continue on with rereading the series.

 Totally Awesome! I loved it, would read again.

Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Hardcover, 310 pages
Published: November 1st, 2003
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: MG - Fantasy - Magic

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the "Harry Potter" series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts.

Purchase at: Amazon | B&N | TBD | Kobo 

I am not the creator of this image. No copyright infringement intended.

  Wow, rereading a book with the knowledge of what's going to happen is really awesome! I got to catch on things in the beginning that I never did before. I am not sure if this is my first or second reread, but when I first read this, I was still in grade school and I didn't think the same way that I do now. But I must say, Harry Potter is definitely amazing no matter how many times I read it. 

  Yes, it's a bit juvenile, but it's written for kids anyway. And even now that I am reading this one as a teen, I cannot disregard that this book is a work of art. Yes, art - bringing readers into a vivid, magical mystery that is filled with colors and easy to imagine. I definitely loved J.K. Rowling's writing style with this one! 

  I must say, J.K. Rowling is good at throwing people off haha! Of course I knew how things were going to work out in the end, but I can imagine how those who haven't read the book yet can be misguided.  

  My favorite scene from this book is when Nevile finally stood up to someone, which just happened to be Harry, Ron and Hermione. It cracked me up when Ron told Neville, "Yeah, but not to us." My second favorite is when the trio each had a certain "job" to complete in the end, so that each of them was useful, and it wasn't just centered on Harry.  

  Harry Potter is definitely a must-read for kids and adults alike.  

  On a side note, imagine the whole book in Hermione's perspectives. I bet there would be no chapter without mention of how stupid the boys are. Haha!

Totally EPIC! One of the best books I have read. A MUST read!

This was a reread and I would reread it again!

Waiting on Wednesday #38: Queen of Shadows + The Shadow Queen

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 This week, I'm waiting on...

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
Hardcover,  656 pages
Expected publication: September 1st 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre: YA - Fantasy - Magic

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world

Why I'm waiting:  I mean, it's Queen of Shadows! Do I even need to explain? This series opened doors for me. Last year, I only read about 5-10 fantasy books out of 100. I read Throne of Glass back in January, and boom! Now I'm reading more fantasy books and I'm so happy! <3

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  Beckie is waiting on...

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
Hardcover,  400 pages
Expected publication:  February 23rd 2016 by Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA - Fantasy - Fairy Tale Retelling

 

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose

Why Beckie is waiting: 

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What books are you waiting for this week?

Isn't it funny that we're both waiting for Queens and Shadows? Haha!
Leave a comment down below with the book that you are waiting for 

or a link to your WOW post so I can return the favor and visit you too! :)