Top 5 Urban Fantasy

Fantasy is one of my favorite genre besides mystery and science fiction. Here are my 5 favorite urban fantasy novels and graphic novels. I realize that I actually read more middle grade urban fantasy compared to YA or adult novels.

1. Lumberjanes

I’ve been reading these volumes since 2016 and it is one of the few graphic novels that I actually enjoy. Not only are they great for children to read, but I’m pretty sure there are also a large number of adult fans out there as well.

2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

I actually enjoy all of the novels that I’ve read that Riordan has written, but I’m including this one on this list because this is the first book that introduced me to his writing styles. I still need to get my hands on the Kane Chronicles and The Trials of Apollo, but I’ll eventually get to those.

3. Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

Technically, I haven’t finished this series because it’s been awhile since I picked up the books. I’m not sure if I will try to finish it, but they are really great reads. A bit on the erotic side for my taste, but the writing is pretty well done and the characters are also well written.

4. Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch

I read these books so long ago and I really enjoyed them at the time. I don’t really think it’s a series for adults, but it’s really great for its intended target. There’s adventure, magic and mystery so what more could you want.

5. Jackaby by William Ritter

This is a new series for me but I’m definitely enjoying it very much. This is mystery, fantasy, historical fiction and paranormal all rolled into one. I’m fond of all the characters that Ritter has written and I also enjoy the different fantastical creatures that he uses in the book. Definitely a must check out series.

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TBR Challenge #2: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Series: Magnus Chase and the Guards of Asgard #1
Rating: 3.5/5
Theme: Backlist Glam (Author with multiple books in my TBR)

Why? Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors of middle grade novels. He has a way of writing really interesting characters and I enjoy his inclusion of different mythological gods. I own all of the Magnus Chase books and also the two of the Kane Chronicles books that I haven’t read yet, therefore, he is the author that I have the most unread books.

Review: I wasn’t planning on reading this trilogy when it was first announced. I’m not very knowledgeable with Norse Mythology and I thought I would be really lost while reading the book. However, when all the reviews started raving on how good the first book, and more recently when the last was released, I decided to grab it and take a chance. I’m glad that I did because I actually enjoyed it, not as much as his other series but it was still good.

Usually with Riordan’s books, I tend to not enjoy it as much as the rest of the series. It is the same for this book.  His first books are usually the ‘explanation’ book and it allows you to immerse and familiarize yourself with the world that he has created within our world. I think he does a great job, but the consecutive books are usually better and you get to see growth and development of all of his characters. I actually enjoy the characters that are introduced in this novel and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them and how each of there story will progress throughout the books. I’m a fan of Samirah, she’s the type of character that usually like, and I especially like the lack of romantic relationship between her and Magnus. I actually enjoy her character a lot more than Magnus, but that usually happens with Riordan’s books. I just think she writes awesome female characters AND sidekicks. Yes, I really enjoy Heath and Blitzen too.

Like I said before, I’m not very well known with Norse Mythology because its not really something I learned in school. The things that I do know, I know because of the movies about Thor. Its actually interesting to get to understand more of the mythology and their beliefs. I think Riordan does a good job in explaining things, and even if I’m still a little muddled, at least I understand the basic core information of the mythology. I’m also glad that Riordan didn’t really make Thor the center of the gods in this novel, it allowed the readers the learn more about the different types of gods and goddess within the Norse myth.

I’m happy a gave this book a chance and I can’t wait to read more of the books. Now I’m really not certain the reading order of these books, because I’ve heard that it should be read in publication order between Magnus Chase and The Trials of Apollo. I’m not really sure how Riordan will incorporate all three mythologies in within these books and I’m really excited to find out.

 

It’s Time: Books I NEED to Read in 2018

I’m a major procrastinator and it’s a big problem when you’re a reader because I tend to buy books I want to read, but end up putting them off until It’s been sitting on my shelf for years.

These are the 10 books I really NEED to read in 2018. I’ve had these books for more than three years and I feel like if I don’t get to these this year, then I most likely will unhaul them. Since I don’t want to unhaul them, then I NEED to read them.

I got this idea from Books and Lala with her Closet unhaul last year. I don’t really buy a lot of books each month so I’m trying to do just the books I’ve owned the longest and instead of monthly, I’m doing it for the year. I can’t do her massive monthly TBR and actually stick to it.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

I actually own all three books in the Trilogy and I was planning on reading all three in 2017, but like I said, I procrastinated and never got around to it. It’s been in many of my TBR last year.

Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

I’ve actually been putting this off reading because the books are huge, but since the third novel came out last year, I’ve been wanting to get back into this creepy world of the Roaring 20’s.

Shadow of Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t picked up a single Bardugo book and I want to remedy that this year. I’m a bit hesitant to get into this book, but I heard nothing but great things about the trilogy. I also definitely want to get to her other books, Six of Crows.

Tiger’s Curse by Colleen Houck

I know nothing about this book and it really was an impulse buy. I read the back and I was hooked, plus the cover is so drool worthy. Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten a chance to pick it up and actually see what the book is all about.

Also Known As by Robin Benway

I think this is the oldest book I own as of right now that I haven’t read. To be honest, I’m really not sure if I want to even pick this up. I bought this book during my ‘teen spies’ phase and I feel like I’ve already passed that stage. The only think that’s really keeping me from unhauling this book is the author. I’ve hear nothing but good things about Robin Benway’s books and I want to try her writing and since I have this book it’s the best way for me to check her out.

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

I don’t want to read this book, but I have all three books. So I feel like I’m stuck to read it. Which is the reason why I’m not picking it up. I’m annoyed that I need to read it, but I don’t want to. I feel like I’m whining and it’s not very flattering, it’s just I haven’t been in a contemporary mood in a while now and I want to be able to put these books as read on my shelves! ARGH!

More Than This by Patrick Ness 

I’m a fan of Ness’ books. I’ve read all of his Knife of Never letting go Trilogy and his Monster Calls. This is one of those books that I really wanted to read a few years ago but my want to it is starting to dwindle. I love how he writes, I’m just not sure if this book is for me. I’ve heard mixed reviews for it and that’s really not helping my want to pick it up. I will probably try to read it this year, give it 100pages and if I don’t want to continue I’ll most likely unhaul it. Sorry!

Oracles of Delphi by Victoria Laurie

This is a chunk of a middle grade book. It has 500+ pages which is quite a lot for a middle grade novel and for that reason I’m hesitant to pick it up, but it’s been on my shelf forever. The fact that I totally forgot that I own this book, until I cleaned out my book shelf, just goes to show you how long I’ve own it. So definitely a must in 2018.

Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

This trilogy recently wrapped up last year and that is how I found out I’ve owned this book for awhile now. Since the last book is finally out, I might as well pick it up. I’ve heard good things about it and other not so good things about it. I’m intrigued at which side of the fence I’ll fall in.

Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King

I lied when I said AKA was my longest book unread, because that award should go to Beekeeper’s Apprentice. I’ve owned this book when I was still unmarried and living with my parents and I’ve been married for a couple of years now, so this definitely should be read this year. I’ve tried starting it when I bought it and I remember the beginning to be very dense. So I’m really reluctant.

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That’s it. These are the books that I definitely need to read this year, or off to the Thrift Store it goes. So basically, ideally I have to read one book a month and I wave two months of free time. Since January is half way done, I basically have 1 free month.

TBR Challenge #1: Meet Cute by an Assortment of well known Authors

Meet Cute (Anthology) by Various Authors

Rating: It really depends on the story. My rating range from 3-4 out of 5

Theme: Short Stories, novellas, etc.

Why? This is one of those highly expected new release of 2018 and it works for me because it was perfect for the TBR Challenge. I also wanted to try out some of the authors that is in the book.

Review: A few years ago I read another anthology, similar to Meet Cute, My True Love Gave to me, and I wasn’t a fan of those stories. Mind you I’m not really much of a contemporary romance reader, but there are some occasional books that slip through and I actually end up enjoying them. This is one of those occasions that I had a memorable reading experience. Although I was really hesitant to pick this up, I’m glad that I did, I actually prefer these stories than the ones in My True Love Gave to Me. Also, I was able to try some authors I’ve been on the fence about in picking up their books, at least this way I was able to get a feel on how the author write.

There are some that was a hit and there are those that was a miss, understandable since authors doesn’t write the same way. I’m really not going to give a synopsis of the stories since they’re already pretty short. However, I will list the stories that I did like and those that I disliked.

Stories that I enjoyed:

• Click by Catherine McGee
• Somewhere that’s Green by Meredith Russo (This one by far is my favorite out of all the ones that I enjoyed)
• OOMPH by Emery Lord
• The Dictionary of You and Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout
• The Unlikelyhood of Falling in Love by Jocelyn Davies
• The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon

Stories that I wasn’t fond of:

• Printshop by Nina LaCour (this story reminded me too much of YOU with the whole social media stalking)
• 259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan (This had such potential, but that ending…)

 

 

 

Book Date Monday 2018 #1

My first Book Date Monday: What are you reading? for the year 2018! It’s been awhile since I posted one. So as usually this Book Date Monday is hosted by
Kathryn @ Book Date, so if you want to participate, make sure you check her blog out and tag her.

Last Week I Finished:

I actually enjoyed both these books and can’t wait to read the next book in the Diabolic Trilogy. I’ll be posting a review for Meet Cute so stay tuned for that one.

Currently Reading:

I’m currently in the middle of The Amateurs by Sara Shepard, but it’s not grabbing me as much as I wanted it too. I really want to start the re-read on Ready Player One by Earnest Cline and I think that’s hindering me from enjoying the former. I’m going to start Ready Player One this week and hopefully get it out of my system so that I can finish Shepard’s novel.

Upcoming Reads:

I’m really yearning for more fantasy or science fiction novels this past few months and I’m not complaining because I really need to get some of my Sci-fi and Fantasy novels read. I’m not really sure what I will be picking up with my current mood, but these two books are in my TBR for the month. So we’ll see.

Top 5 Books that I didn’t get to in 2017

There are a lot of books that I wasn’t able to get to last year. I feel like I had a bad reading year in 2017, but I did read a lot of great graphic novels.

Anyways, here are the top books that I want to for sure get to in 2018:

 

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

This is actually one of the oldest book in my collection and I’ve been meaning to pick it up for awhile now. I’ve heard good things about it and have always been intrigued by the cover. I always get distracted by other books. I made it my goal to read this last year and failed miserably. This year for sure, I’m putting it on the top of my list.

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This has been on my TBR list for a few months in 2017 and also in most of my Tome Topple readathon, but it just never happened. 2017 for me was really rough and I just didn’t get around to reading this book.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan

This trilogy finished last year and I actually wanted to power through them. I don’t really finish series in one year, but I thought maybe with this one I’ll make an exception. I heard really good things about the series and some even say its better than the heroes of Olympus series. I wanted to know if that was true. For sure I want to be able to read this this year.

A Gathering of Shadows by V. E Schwab

This trilogy also wrapped up in 2017 and I knew I wasn’t going to get to A Conjuring of Light in 2017, but I at least wanted to read A Gathering of Shadows, unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I think the reason I had such an awful reading year in 2017 is because I skipped on a lot of good books.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

I’m not a huge fan of Ruth Ware’s novels and I’ve read better thrillers out there, but I think her novels are always such quick reads. So I wanted to read this novel as soon as it came out, I even went as far as buying the book on release date. Too bad for me I just didn’t get a chance to read it.

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So that’s it for my first Top 5 for the year 2018. Let me know if you guys are participating in Top 5 this year!

Finishing the Series

Hosted by : Celebrity Readers

The title is basically self explanatory. I participated in a reading challenge like this a few years ago and I was actually able to finish some series. Last year I wasn’t able to finish any series at all and I need to fix that this year.

Anyways, I want to finish at least 8 this year. I’m being quite ambitious with this goal, but I want to at least read one book from each series. Here are the series and the books within it that I still need to read. All series, but one, are already finished. Obsidio, the third, and final (?), book in the Illuminae Files is coming out this year. If this is not the last book in the series then I will have to change that choice.

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Book 1: The Naturals
Book 2: Killer Instinct
Book 3: All In
Book 4: Bad Blood

Croak by Gina Damico
Book 1: Croak
Book 2: Scorch
Book 3: Rogue

Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke
Book 1: Assassin’s Curse
Book 2: The Pirate’s Wish

Winner’s Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
Book 1: The Winner’s Curse
Book 2: The Winner’s Crime
Book 3: The Winner’s Kiss

Deanna Madden by A.R. Torre
Book 1: The Girl in 6E
Book 2: Do Not Disturb
Book 3: If you Dare

The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Book 1: Illuminae
Book 2: Gemina
Book 3: Obsidio

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin
Book 1: Wolf by Wolf
Book 2: Blood for Blood

Jackaby by William Ritter
Book 1: Jackaby
Book 2: Beastly Bones
Book 3: Ghostly Echoes
Book 4: The Dire King