Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books I've Read So Far in 2015

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Tuesday, June 30, 2015 10:23 AM


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Click the link for more info and join in!

This week: Top 10 Books I've Read So Far in 2015

1. The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows - As most of you know, I LOVED The Orphan Queen this year. It was funny, full of magic and a super hot guy in a mask. I mean, super hot! Read it if you haven't!

2. The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker - This book was such a surprise to me! It was WAY funnier than I anticipated. I really didn't expect that but I loved it! It was funny and had such wonderful secondary characters. Lots of fun and adventure!

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - This has been my first read of Maggie's and WOW I was blown away. This book has made it up on my Top ALL-TIME favorite books!

4. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen - Probably my favorite couple ever is in the Scarlet series, Scarlet and Robin. The love they share for each other is beautiful, real and compelling. Such a wonderful Robin Hood Retelling!

5. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers - This book is historical/fantasy fiction. Such a great read with a wonderful slow burn romance!


6. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli - I heard nothing but great things about this book and I was NOT disappointed. This book is full of mystery, fun and such heart warming romance. LOVED IT!

7. The Revenge Playbook by Rachael Allen - Girl power! This book is full of wonderful girl friendships and it's super funny!

8. Rebound by Noelle August - This is book two of the Boomerang series and features new main characters. It's HOT and a lot of fun! I can't wait for the last book, Bounce to come out in August.

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - The world Sarah J. Maas created in ACOTAR is wonderfully rich. And this book is also freaking hot (like NA hot!).

10. Stitching Snow  by R.C. Lewis - This was such a fun Snow White retelling! It's a SciFi full of adventure and a hot prince. What else could you want?  

What have been some of your favorite reads this year?



Sunday Street Team: The Revenge Playbook by Rachel Allen - Review + Giveaway!

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Sunday, June 21, 2015 12:00 AM

This post is part of the Sunday Street Team. If you'd like more information or sign up to become a part please click here

The Revenge Playbook

by Rachel Allen


Synopsis (GR):
In this poignant and hilarious novel, Rachael Allen brilliantly explores the nuances of high school hierarchies, the traumas sustained on the path to finding true love, and the joy of discovering a friend where you least expect.
Don’t get mad, get even!
In the small town of Ranburne, high school football rules and the players are treated like kings. How they treat the girls they go to school with? That’s a completely different story. Liv, Peyton, Melanie Jane, and Ana each have their own reason for wanting to teach the team a lesson—but it’s only when circumstances bring them together that they come up with the plan to steal the one thing the boys hold sacred. All they have to do is beat them at their own game.
Brimming with sharp observations and pitch-perfect teen voices, fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Mlynowski are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp tale—by the author of 17 First Kisses—about the unexpected roads that can lead you to finding yourself.

My Thoughts 4.5 Stars


I was very surprised (in a great way) by this book. I hardly EVER read contemporary but I last minute was added to this Sunday Street Team tour for The Revenge Playbook and it did NOT disappoint! WOW, this book is HILARIOUS!!!!

The story:
The story is about a group of four girls who over time have been very mistreated by the football team at their high school. Fate brings these girls together to enter an adventure together of revenge. They band together to steal a prized possession of the football team.

The humor:
The humor in this book was exactly my kind of humor. There were so many fantastic pop culture references that were so perfect. (The Neverending Story, Games of Thrones, Labyrinth) I LAUGHED A LOT while reading this book.

The characters:
All four girls are totally different. There is the prim and proper girl, the flirtatious and free spirited girl, the shy but sweet girl, and the cool and tough girl. I love each one of them and wish they were all my best friends. 

My personal issue:
I rated this book 4.5 instead of a 5 solely because of this issue. I didn't like the way the "church" people were portrayed. Two of the main characters, Melanie Jane and Peyton are regular church goers but the experiences they go through at church or with other "church people" are quite horrible. As someone who regularly goes to church I was uncomfortable reading these scenes because people from my church would not behave in this fashion or make the girls feel like such crap. I am sure there are people who claim religion and are terrible people, but I know so many fantastic people who love God and wouldn't act this way. 

Overall:
I HIGHLY recommend this book! It was such a delight and surprise for me. I actually put this up on my top 5 books I've read this year. Despite my slight problem with the book, I found it utterly perfection. READ IT! 



About the Author:
Rachael Allen lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband, two children, and two sled dogs. In addition to being a YA writer, she's also a mad scientist, a rabid Falcons fan, an expert dare list maker, and a hugger. Rachael is the author of 17 FIRST KISSES.


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Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Tuesday, June 9, 2015 7:41 AM



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

These are my...

Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For the Rest of 2015


Ordered Below by Release Date:
  1. A Book of Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes - June 23rd
  2. Hollywood Witch Hunter by Valerie Tejeda - July 20th
  3. Court of Fives by Kate Elliot - August 18th
  4. Bounce by Noelle August - August 25th
  5. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas - September 1st
  6. The Rose Society by Marie Lu - October 13th
  7. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff - October 20th
  8. Soundless by Richelle Mead - November 10th
  9. Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner - December 1st
  10. Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes - December 15th

What are yours?

Tangled Webs by Lee Bross ARC review!

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Sunday, June 7, 2015 12:00 AM

Tangled Webs (Tangled Webs #1)

by Lee Bross 

Release Date: June 23, 2015

Goodreads Summary: 
London, 1725. Everybody has a secret. Lady A will keep yours—for a price. This sumptuous, scandalous YA novel is wickedly addictive.

Lady A is the most notorious blackmailer in the city. With just a mask and a gown to disguise her, she sweeps into lavish balls and exclusive events collecting the most valuable currency in 1725 London—secrets.

But leading a double life isn't easy. By day Lady A is just a sixteen-year-old girl named Arista who lives in fear of her abusive master, Bones, and passes herself off as a boy to move safely through the squalor of London's slums. When Bones attempts to dispose of his pawn forever, Arista is rescued by the last person she expects: Jonathan Wild, the infamous Thief Taker General who moves seamlessly between the city's criminal underworld and its most elite upper circles. Arista partners with Wild on her own terms in the hopes of saving enough money to buy passage out of London.

Everything changes when she meets Graeden Sinclair, the son of a wealthy merchant. Grae has traveled the world, has seen the exotic lands Arista has longed to escape to her whole life, and he loves Arista for who she is—not for what she can do for him. Being with Grae gives something Arista something precious that she swore off long ago: hope. He has promised to help Arista escape the life of crime that has claimed her since she was a child. But can you ever truly escape the past?


My Thoughts 4 Stars

I knew nothing about this book going in! I mean, nothing.  

  • I didn't know it was historical fiction set in 1725 London.
  • I didn't know it was about political games and blackmail scheming.

The Hidden Prince (The Orphan Queen novella #1) by Jodi Meadows - Review

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Thursday, June 4, 2015 12:11 PM



The Hidden Prince (The Orphan Queen 0.1) by Jodi Meadows4.72 of 5 sta

The city of Skyvale is in trouble. Magic use is rampant. Crime is spreading. Told from the perspective of Tobiah, the crown prince with a dangerous secret, and set two years before the heart-racing action of The Orphan Queen, this 100-page digital novella brings to life one of Jodi Meadows's most beloved characters.

Tobiah Pierce knows he is a spoiled, sheltered prince, and he's tired of it. His only chance for freedom is if his cousin, James Rayner, passes the trials to be one of his bodyguards. But when Tobiah takes a rare opportunity to escape a courtly celebration and he witnesses a horrible—and magical—crime, he must make a momentous decision: return to the ignorance and comfort of the palace, or risk everything to discover the truth?

The Hidden Prince is the first of four prequel novellas that offer existing fans a deeper insight into a favorite character and the complex city of Skyvale, while new readers will find a stunning introduction to this rich world and the heart-pounding fantasy of the Orphan Queen series.
 

My Review - 5 Stars




All great characters and acts of bravery start somewhere. The Hidden Prince novella sets the stage into the mind and life of Prince Tobiah, heir to the Indigo Kingdom!


I loved being able to hear Tobiah's point of view and understand how certain choices in his life came about. I also enjoyed the comradely between Tobiah and James, his cousin. This relationship is in The Orphan Queen but now we get a better peek into their friendship.

There is lots of intrigue and mystery that unfolds inside and outside the palace of Skyvale. Plus seeing the back story to characters like Meredith and the King and Queen are quite eye opening. 

The Hidden Prince definitely makes me want the follow up novellas! I can't wait for the rest!

Bonus


 As a bonus each novella comes with two chapters of the sequel, The Mirror King! This novella includes chapters 1-2. They pick up right where The Orphan Queen leaves off and you will WANT to read it!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I'd Love To See As Movies/TV Shows

Posted by The YA Book Traveler , Tuesday, June 2, 2015 10:35 AM

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is.....Top Ten Books I'd Love To See As Movies/TV Shows!


This is hard because SOOOO many books I'd love to see on the big or small screen. Here is my list!