SUMMER BIANNUAL BIBLIOTHON DAY 4 CHALLENGE

 

 

It’s Day 4 of the Biannual Bibliothon… where is the time going? Todays Blog Challenge is Hosted by Bursting with Books and is “A Book You Rated 3 Stars Or Less. Let’s begin.

 

 

The book I’ve chosen for this Challenge is:

 

Something in the Heir by Jenny Gardiner

 

 

 

Why did you rate it so low?

 

While this was an enjoyable book it did not leave a lasting impression on me. This lowered my overall rating to 3 stars. I will try something by Jenny Gardiner again, but this was by no means my favourite book.

 

Is 3 stars low on your rating system?

 

Not particularly, 3 stars on my rating system is an average read. Most of my books are 4 or more stars. 3 stars means that I enjoyed the book, but it lacked a little something that would really stick with me.

 

What could have made your reading experience better?

 

I guess the timing of reading this book was not the greatest either. I was just coming out / at the end of a reading slump and this could have affected my overall enjoyment of the book. There were some really great books around it which might have made this book paler in comparison.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this look into how I rate my books and am enjoying the Biannual Bibliothon 2017!

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

 

 

BOOK TRAVELING THURSDAYS

 

 

The concept of this is that every Thursday there is a theme and the bloggers who participate in this group take that theme and pick a book that they associate with the theme. From this the bloggers find and post different covers of the book they have chosen.

If you wish to know more or join in please feel free to have a look at their Goodreads Page.

The theme for this week is:

 

A BOOK YOU STILL WANT TO READ THIS YEAR

ORIGINAL COVER: 

 

This is the original cover of Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

 

COVER IN MY COUNTRY:

 

This is the edition available in Australia.

 

 

FAVOURITE COVERS:

 

 

 

*The first cover is the Original edition. This is a really understated cover. I love the simple detail on this cover.

*The second cover is the Polish edition. The artwork on this cover is absolutely stunning. I love the colour tone here and the simplistic elegance.

*The third cover is the U.K edition. This is my edition. I really like the strong warrior woman on the front cover really driving home what this book is about.

 

LEAST FAVOURITE COVERS: 

 

 

*The first cover is the Finnish edition. I just feel that this cover is a little dated. It looks like a Mass Market Paperback edition.

*The second cover is the Indonesian edition. Beautiful colours but the girl just does not seem right and this takes away from the overall effect of the cover.

*The third cover is the French edition. This one just does not appeal to me. It has potential but its just personal preference.

 

 

As always, I am happy to talk to anyone about this weeks theme and the chosen covers. I will be back next Thursday for another Book Travelling Thursdays Post.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

TOP 5 WEDNESDAY

 

 

 

This weekly book meme officiated in November 2013 and is still going stong! Every week there is a topic and your list will be based off this topic. For further information check out the Goodreads Page.

The theme this week is:

 

 

 

White Tiger by Kylie Chan

 

 

 

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

 

 

 

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Adhieh 

 

 

 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 

 

 

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

 

 

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

 

 

SUMMER BIANNUAL BIBLIOTHON DAY 3 CHALLENGE

 

 

It’s Day 3 of the Biannual Bibliothon and the Blog Challenge today is one I am particularly interested in completing. This challenge is hosted by Pirates N Pixie Dust. The idea is to pick a favourite book and write a synopsis for it, from the perspective of the antagonist.

I really thought about this and have came to the conclusion that I will be using City of Bones by Cassandra Clare for this challenge from the perspective of Valentine.

 

 

CITY OF BONES BY CASSANDRA CLARE

 

 

The hidden world of the Shadowhunters keeps the world safe from Demons and the things that go bump in the night. But, if something drastic is not done the Demons will win the war. In comes Valentine, a revolutionary who aims to win the war.

But, when a battle is lost and Valentine’s wife and unborn child vanish in thin air with the Cup that will ensure his victory all seems lost. Years later there is a glimmer of hope as Jocelyn is spotted and the Cup might finally be able to be retrieved.

If only his children will stop fighting against him and join him on this noble mission.

 

 

I really enjoyed completing this challenge. I chose Valentine as he is really is a villain character, but one that has such conviction that what he is doing is the right thing.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY

 

 

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

 

 

SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK:

 

 

UNEARTHED BY AMIE KAUFMAN AND MEAGAN SPOONER

 

 

PUBLISHER: Disney – Hyperion

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 09th January 2018

 

PAGES: 384

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying’s advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study… as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don’t loot everything first. Mia and Jules’ different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.

In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race’s secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race…

 

 

This sounds like a great Sci-Fi novel and this author duo have a track record of great books.

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

SUMMER BIANNUAL BIBLIOTHON CHALLENGE DAY 2

 

 

The challenge for Day 2 of the Biannual Bibliothon is to post a book review. This challenge is hosted by Miss Sassy Kassie. I am going to post a review on an audiobook I have recently finished.

 

 

 

PUBLISHER: Luna Books

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 01st March 2006

 

PAGES: 393

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

When a dragon storms the castle, what should a (virgin) princess do?

Why, turn to her studies, of course! But nothing practical-minded Princess Andromeda of Acadia finds gives a definitive solution. The only Traditional answer, though, is soothing the marauding dragon by a virgin sacrifice. Things are going fairly smoothly with the lottery–except for the women chosen, of course–until Princess Andromeda herself is picked!

But facing down the dragon doesn’t go quite as planned, and now, with the help of her Champion, Sir George, Andromeda searches for the dragon’s lair. But even–especially–in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, bucking Tradition isn’t easy. It takes the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way….

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

This continuation of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series was just as fun as the first with the introduction of whole new characters as well as the return of old favourites. The humour is there as well as the fairytale feel and the concept of the Tradition. The plot had some predictability to it but there was still enough twists and turns to keep the overall story entertaining.

Andromeda has major development in this book from a sheltered and rather naive princess to an empowered and intelligent woman who will fight for what is right. The introduction of Sir George as the champion to slay the dragon seemed a natural progression of a fairytale-esque storyline. However, Mercedes Lackey manages to twist the stereotypical story to make it more entertaining and add another layer into this fun and enjoyable read.

Overall, this was a great continuation to this series with fantastic character development. The plot had unexpected elements which kept me engaged in the overall story and the development of the characters.

 

 

I hope you are enjoying the Biannual Bibliothon as much as I am.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

SUNDAYS IN BED WITH…

 

 

Welcome to Sunday’s in bed with… The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which boom you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Kate from Midnight Book Girl.

 

 

This morning I am reading…

 

 

Girl off the Grid by Jillian Dodd

 

 

 

 

This sounds like a great book and I am very interested in the concept of disconnecting and being one with nature.

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

BLOG TOUR: THE DRAGONS OF NOVA

 

Today I am a host for the Blog Tour of The Dragons of Nova by Elise Kova. This Blog Tour is coordinated by Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours & Promotions.

 

 

 

PUBLISHER: Keymaster Press

 

DATE PUBLISHED: 11th July 2017

 

PAGES: 488

 

 

 

BLURB: 

 

Cvareh returns home to his sky world of Nova with the genius crafter Arianna as his temperamental guest. The mercurial inventor possesses all the Xin family needs to turn the tides of a centuries-old power struggle, but the secrets she harbors must be earned with trust — hard to come by for Ari, especially when it comes to Dragons. On Nova, Ari finds herself closer to exacting vengeance against the traitor who killed everything — and everyone – she once loved. But before Ari can complete her campaign of revenge, the Crimson Court exposes her shadowed past and reveals something even more dangerous sparking between her and Cvareh.

While Nova is embroiled in blood sport and political games, the rebels on Loom prepare for an all-out assault on their Dragon oppressors. Florence unexpectedly finds herself at the forefront of change, as her unique blend of skills — and quick-shooting accuracy — makes her a force to be reckoned with. For the future of her world, she vows vengeance against the Dragons.

Before the rebellion can rise, though, the Guilds must fall.

 

 

REVIEW: 

 

Just like with book one I was engrossed in the story from the get go. Elise Kova sure knows how to make an engaging story that ticks all the boxes for me. There was action, steampunk elements and a lot of tension.

With multiple perspectives the world was able to be greatly explored and a more well rounded perspective could be achieved. There was more exploration of the world introduced in book one.

I loved this book so much and don’t want to give too much away, because you simply must go and read this series. I loved the first book and this one just blew it away. The world of Nova is well thought out with perfect world building.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

 

 

Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she is not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the Loom Saga.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

LINKS: 

 

 

Link to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31686500-the-dragons-of-nova

 

 

Purchase Links:

 

Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks

 

 

GIVEAWAY: 

 

• Hard cover copy of The Dragons of Nova by Elise Kova and a swag pack

 

If you would like to enter this giveaway, click here.

 

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

 

 

 

COVER CHARACTERISTIC

 

 

It is Sunday again and that means it’s time for another Cover Characteristic meme post. This meme was created by Sugar and Snark. Every week a characteristic is chosen and we post 5 book covers with that weeks characteristic on it.

 

FORTUNE COOKIES

 

 

 

5. Confucius Jane by Katie Lynch

4. The Darlings are Forever by Melissa Kantor

3. The Fortune Cafe by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore

2. Sweet Misfortune by Kevin Alan Milne

 

 

And, my favourite cover was:

 

 

MISS FORTUNE COOKIE BY LAUREN BJORKMAN

 

 

What did you think of this weeks covers?

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati

FIRST LINES FRIDAYS

 

 

 

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? If you want to make your own post, feel free to use or edit the banner above, and follow the rules below:

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.

Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first…

Finally… reveal the book!

 

 

Dad didn’t show up.

The LAX baggage carousel kept rotating, but the tumble of arriving bags had ended about ten minutes ago. All around Ashley, passengers hugged their loved ones and headed towards the exits. Everyone paired up and moved on except her.

 

 

The book this first line is from is:

 

The Accidental Movie Star by Emily Evans

 

 

 

BLURB:

 

How did Ashley spend her summer vacation? Imagine the hottest guy in Hollywood. Do you see the girl next to him, the one handing him a cup of coffee? Yeah. That’s her.

Interning on a major motion picture is not all bad. She gets to watch some of the scenes and even offer her opinion. “That kiss looked lame. Laughably weak. There’s no chance at an MTV award with that kiss.” LOL.

Until the director says, “Hey, Intern. Yeah, you. Ashley. You’re right. So, teach Caspian how to kiss. Oh, and get in front of the camera. We’re going to need you in this next shot.”

OMG.

 

 

Keep Calm and Read On,

Kati