Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

Name: SNEAK PEEK:
A Darker Shade of Magic SAMPLE
Author: V.E. Schwab
Number of Pages: 150 pages in Ebook Sample
Published: November 2014 by Tor Books
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction

Kell is one of the last Travelers—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel universes—as such, he can choose where he lands.
There’s Grey London, dirty and boring, without any magic, ruled by a mad King George. Then there’s Red London, where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London, ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne—a place where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. And once upon a time, there was Black London…but no one speaks of that now.
Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between the royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see—a dangerous hobby, and one that has set him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations, who first robs him, then saves him from a dangerous enemy, and then forces him to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—and that is proving trickier than they hoped.

I’m so thankful that Tor/Forge approved my request of this book from NetGalley since I’m pretty sure I’d love it. I have a problem though. Not quite sure if there’s a mixed up or something. Sent a request for the Sneak Peek for 150 pages and got an uncorrected ARC instead. As in the full book. Not that I’m complaining. To make sure, I sent the book to my Kindle again and got the Sneak Peek this time. I’m so guilty since I’ve already finished reading it. I can’t sleep thinking about it last night so I’ve sent them an email first thing today. They haven’t replied yet. I really think it was a mistake since the book will be published February next year. What do you think? Is it really intended for me?

So in lieu of that incident, I won’t be discussing the book as a whole. As much as I want to talk about it, I can’t ’cause the first email they sent me indicated this.

“PLEASE do refrain from posting your review on a publicly-available website until no more than 2 WEEKS before the on-sale date. (Exceptions can be made in the case of preview excerpts, which we invite you to discuss via posts as early as you like.)”

Okay. So this should be short, but sweet. I’ll be very careful as to not give out spoilers and only talk about the book until the end of the Sneak Peek. To start with, I really really love the book. I believe the book is for me specifically because this is exactly how the book begun..

“FOR THE ONES WHO DREAM OF STRANGER WORLDS.”

Teaser Tuesday #23

I’ve decided to join this ’cause I think it’s pretty fun and easy. Plus I really want to quote smart retorts, full blown bullying, words of wisdom, swoon worthy lines and the like without giving much to readers about the entire book. A quote or two won’t hurt I guess.
So this is how you do it:
1. Grab your current read.
2. Randomly open a page.
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!
You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
4. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants
can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This is for this week’s Teaser Tuesday

A Darker Shade of Magic
by V. E. Schwab

“He was young and handsome and kind. Perhaps he played the part of rake too often and too well, but behind the charismatic smile and the flirtatious air was a sharp mind and a good intent, the desire to make everyone around him happy.”

“Pretty wouldn’t serve her well. And Lord knew she didn’t envy the ladies with their cinched corsets and abundant skirts, their falsetto laughs and the ridiculous way they used them. The way they swooned and leaned on men, feigning weakness to savor their strength.”

I initially thought of reading A Thousand Pieces of You first then this, but this book really intrigued me so I started it instead. I’m enjoying it so far. Will post the review as soon as I’m finished. 😉 Anyway, you could share some teasers on your current read too. Comment the link of your own Teaser Tuesday so I can check it out and have an idea of amazing books that I would want to read.

Teaser Tuesdays (TT) is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Currently Reading│Book Beginning : A Thousand Pieces of You & Sample: A Darker Shade of Magic

Currently Reading #35

Name: A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird #1)
Author: Claudia Gray
Number of Pages: 368 pages in Hardcover
Published: November 4th 2014 by Harper Teen
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him. Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

Finally. Reading this. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, perhaps you would remember me posting a blog about Claudia visiting the Philippines for a book signing tour and unfortunately, I’ve missed it. Imagine the frustration I felt when Claudia is just a couple of blocks away signing books and I’m sitting in my office so unaware. I’ve read it in an article a day after only to learn that Claudia’s already in Cebu and that’s far from where I am. As in you need to take an airplane far. How in world could I missed it? Anyway, I moved on. I just want to share it for those who missed that blog I posted about it. Here’s a five star, three star and one star review respectively. Got them from book lovers on Goodreads.

One of the most interesting, unique stories I have had the privilege to read in quite some time. I can’t even begin to capture a picture of the basic story for you, all that would do is serve an injustice. Just trust me, you need to go pick this book up and me as captivated as I am now. I can def see this being made into a major motion picture. Why can’t all stories take you on a journey such as this one?!  Now, I’m going to need Claudia Gray to hurry up and finish the 2nd book in this series so I can finish it in a day. 🙂  MUST READ!
— Jessica of My Kaleidoscope Heart 

Book Review: Illusions of Fate

Name: Illusions of Fate
Author: Kiersten White
Number of Pages: 275 pages in eBook
Published: September 9th 2014 by HarperTeen
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance

“I did my best to keep you from crossing paths with this world. And I shall do my best to protect you now that you have.”
Jessamin has been an outcast since she moved from her island home of Melei to the dreary country of Albion. Everything changes when she meets Finn, a gorgeous, enigmatic young lord who introduces her to the secret world of Albion’s nobility, a world that has everything Jessamin doesn’t—power, money, status…and magic. But Finn has secrets of his own, dangerous secrets that the vicious Lord Downpike will do anything to possess. Unless Jessamin, armed only with her wits and her determination, can stop him.

I’ve picked this book merely by its gorgeous cover and its intriguing blurb. I have read quite decent reviews so I’ve decided to get it and felt so excited when I finally got it. I’ve never tried reading any of Kiersten’s books so I thought this is something that could jump start my enthusiasm to check out her collection, but I’m afraid it turned out bad. Really bad. Believe me, I tried.

I can’t say that I hate the book, but it’s more of “I’m so disappointed”. I figured the plot has potential, but the writing messed it up drastically. It’s like singing a popular song with the wrong lyrics. Imagine how bad that is and you’ll understand how I feel about this. I didn’t like how this is written. I’ve skimmed it. I got jaded.

Currently Reading│Teaser Tuesday : The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

Currently Reading #28

Name: The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1)
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Number of Pages: 384 pages in eBook
Published: August 26th, 2014 by Harlequin
Genre: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.
Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.
Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

Here’s another edition of Currently Reading and got some pretty torn reviews about the book. I’ve looked for a five star, three star and a one star review so we would know what readers have to say.

GAH! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book this was soooooo good! Ms Frost’s pacing was great even though I guessed a couple of things before they happened it didn’t affect my love for this book. What a tragically great beginning to what I hope turns out to be an amazing new series. This one is definitely making my favorites list. I’d say it qualifies as a New Adult Paranormal. There wasn’t anything too steamy but there was a moment that I had to fan myself so I’d say 17+ but nothing too shocking. The chemistry between Adrian and Ivy is off the charts good! They are constantly fighting what they feel(for different reasons) but its an incredible rush anytime one of them breaks the others walls. *sigh the side characters were wonderful compliments to the storyline and fit marvelously. Get ready to devour this in one sitting, its that good!
— Ria of A Bookish Escape

Book Beginning #5: The Beautiful Ashes

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader, where we share the first sentence (or so) of the books we are reading, along with initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.

Name: The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1)
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Number of Pages: 384 pages in eBook
Published: August 26th, 2014 by Harlequin
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Romance

In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.
Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.
Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn’t mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn’t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…

This is a feature from my November Random Reads and honestly, I haven’t started reading it since I’m still taking my time absorbing Stone Cold Touch (An excuse for not having the needed reading time. Fail). The very reason I’m featuring this today is because I’m really thinking of reading it alongside my current read. Not advisable, I know. I’ve already peeked on it and I’m so convinced that this is going to be something I would like, though it’s really too early to tell. Don’t you think?

Anyway, here’s the book’s beginning:

“I’m twenty, and already, I’ve got nothing left to lose. That’s why I didn’t care that Bennington, Vermont, looked like a postcard for autumn in the country. The two-story bed-and-breakfast I pulled up to was no different. It even had a white picket fence and a steady swirl of sunset-colored leaves drifting down from the many trees in the yard.”

Waiting on Wednesday #23

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Breaking the Spine and serves to showcase those books that aren’t released yet, but that we’re eagerly awaiting!

Name: Suspicion
Author: Alexandra Monir
Number of Pages: 368 in Hardcover
Published: December 9th, 2014
by Delacorte Press
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller

Mysterious. Magnificent. Creepy. Welcome to Rockford Manor.
“There’s something hidden in the Maze.” Seventeen-year-old Imogen has never forgotten the last words her father said to her seven years ago, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family’s English country manor. Haunted by her parents’ deaths, Imogen moves to New York City with her new guardians. But when a letter arrives with the news of her cousin’s untimely death, revealing that Imogen is now the only heir left to run the estate, she returns to England and warily accepts her role as duchess.
All is not as it seems at Rockford, and Imogen quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind the mansion’s aristocratic exterior, hinting that the spate of deaths in her family were no accident. And at the center of the mystery is Imogen herself–and Sebastian, the childhood friend she has secretly loved for years. Just what has Imogen walked into?

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately so I checked it out and got intrigued right away. I’m not into the mystery/thriller genre, but when I’ve read Don’t Look Back, I thought why not? A different genre won’t hurt once in a while. Also, this falls under fantasy anyway. The book cover looks amazing. Don’t you think? 🙂 I’ve heard this is available on NetGalley for an eARC, but I’m unsure if I’ll be requesting it. It always left me brokenhearted every time I’m denied. LOL. Anyway, I found this awesome giveaway from Lindsay of Young Adult Hollywood and it really got me excited. 😀

Pre-order Suspicion and Get a Chance
to win an iPad Mini

Book Review: The Strange & Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

Name: The Strange & Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Author: Leslye Walton
Number of Pages: 301 in Hardcover
Published: March 25, 2014 by Candlewick Press
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Romance

Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.
Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.
In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.
That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.
First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.

I featured this on my October Random Reads and decided to read it right after Winterspell. I can’t even remember when I got this for I have hauled a lot of books lately. I’ve joined Random Reads so I could read all the neglected books I’ve got. When I first see this, I am so intrigued by the cover and I recalled, I assumed that this is another one of those Angel books that’s good versus evil stuff. Then, I realized “Hey wait. Wings of a bird you say?” Not so Angel I thought.

Book Review: Winterspell

Name: Winterspell
Author: Claire LeGrand
Number of Pages: 464 in Hardcover
Published: September 30th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Retellings, Historical Fiction, Paranormal

“The clock chimes midnight, a curse breaks, and a girl meets a prince . . . but what follows is not all sweetness and sugarplums.
New York City, 1899. Clara Stole, the mayor’s ever-proper daughter, leads a double life. Since her mother’s murder, she has secretly trained in self-defense with the mysterious Drosselmeyer.
Then, on Christmas Eve, disaster strikes.
Her home is destroyed, her father abducted–by beings distinctly not human. To find him, Clara journeys to the war-ravaged land of Cane. Her only companion is the dethroned prince Nicholas, bound by a wicked curse. If they’re to survive, Clara has no choice but to trust him, but his haunted eyes burn with secrets–and a need she can’t define. With the dangerous, seductive faery queen Anise hunting them, Clara soon realizes she won’t leave Cane unscathed–if she leaves at all.
Inspired by The Nutcracker, Winterspell is a dark, timeless fairy tale about love and war, longing and loneliness, and a girl who must learn to live without fear.”

A review of this, at long last. The cover is so gorgeous. Who would have resist not reading it? Especially if you know your fairy tales well. Do I know? No. I don’t. As for me, I still haven’t Google what The Nutcracker is all about after reading the book. Wondering if the fairy tale is somehow like it or not. Others confirmed that it is loosely based on it. I think the statue is just the mere thing that connects it with the fairy tale, but then again I learned that the prince on the book is not trapped to a Nutcracker as per the fairy tale and as per the reviews I’ve read before reading this so that didn’t compute.

Teaser Tuesday #15

I’ve decided to join this ’cause I think it’s pretty fun and easy. Plus I really want to quote smart retorts, full blown bullying, words of wisdom, swoon worthy lines and the like without giving much to readers about the entire book. A quote or two won’t hurt I guess. So this is how you do it:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Randomly open a page.
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This is for this week’s Teaser Tuesday:

Winterspell (Winterspell #1)

by Claire LeGrand

“”I’ll follow your impressive example, but I might stay away from the.. whatever it is on the ground that you’ve pasted over you front.” “You’d do well to use it.” Her breath thinning; she found it increasingly difficult to tamp down her building sobs.”

“”We’ve got to help her.” The figures threw the girl to the ground. “Please don’t!” the girl screamed. “Please!” Clara rose and turned away. She itched to run to them, to wreak havoc with her blades. But the threat of being caught held her still — her family depended on her. That did not ease the sick feeling in her stomach.”

What are your thoughts about my teasers? 🙂 Anyway, you could share some teasers on your current read too. Comment the link of your own Teaser Tuesday so I can check it out and have an idea of amazing books that I would want to read.

Teaser Tuesdays (TT) is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.