Review: A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

Genre: Fantasy
Series: Shades of Magic #3
Publication: 2/21/2017 by Tor Books
Pages: 642 Pages
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: 
Witness the fate of beloved heroes - and enemies.

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED...
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell - once assumed to be the last surviving Antari - begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace - but never common - thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?

And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

My Thoughts
This book is everything. I am obsessed with this series and this finale exceeded my expectations! I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, hoping that all my babies make it through. Everything comes to a head in this last book and stakes are raised. It's been ages since I have been obsessed with a series like I am with this one.

The characters in this series are amazing. I loved every single one of them. I even came to love one character that I didn't think was even possible to love. V.E. Schwab knows how to write a character that you shouldn't love but you just do. This book also has great representation of LGBT characters and their romance was everything you want in a good romance.

I listened to this book on audiobook. The narrators for this book were fantastic and I highly recommend it. I finished listening to this book as I walked into school and I let out an audible squeal. Which everyone around me heard and looked at me like I was crazy. I will recommend this series until the cows come home. I can't wait to start re-reading it.

Short & Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #10

Lumberjanes Vol 3: A Terrible Plan 
Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak

This is officially my favourite graphic novel series. Everything about it is so quirky and I love it. You get some good quality time with Mal and Molly in this volume which was fantastic. It was a crazy adventure like always and if you aren't reading this series, then what are you doing?

5 out of 5 Stars 



Chew Vol 6: Space Cakes
John Layman, Rob Guillory 

I haven't picked up a volume of Chew in ages and I have really been missing out. This is another fantastic series that I need to sit down and just work on finishing. I am getting close, kind of. This volume focused on Toni, and she is awesome. Another comic book series that I recommend to everyone.

4 out of 5 Stars 



Deadly Class Vol 3: The Snake Pit 
Rick Remender, Wes Craig, Lee Loughridge 

This volume got hella dark. Every volume worse and worse things keep happening to these characters. They are all dark characters and it's an interesting point of view to read from. Lots of blood and murder. I have been enjoying this but am still not completely blown away.

3 out of 5 Stars 

Review: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Genre: Memoir
Publication: 04/17/2012 by Putnam
Pages: 318 Pages
Format: Audiobook
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Summary
Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.


My Thoughts
I loved Jenny Lawson's second book so I had to pick up the first one. I relate so much to Jenny, it's hilarious. I love the way that she mixes humour with her anxiety. I also have anxiety and I think it's hilarious when she finds the humour even in those situations. Plus, she get's herself into the most ridiculous situations. I can't help but die laughing just listening to this book. She combines heart-felt stories and funny ones so well. I highly recommend both of her books. Especially on audiobook, just hearing Jenny tell her own stories is 100% the way to go. I found myself laughing on public transit and getting looks from the other people on the bus. But I didn't really care because this book was so good.

Review: Windwitch by Susan Dennard

Genre: Fantasy
Series: The Witchlands #2
Publication: 01/10/2017 by Tor Teen
Pages: 394 Pages
Format: Hardback
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Goodreads Summary:
Sometimes our enemies are also our only allies…

After an explosion destroys his ship, the world believes Prince Merik, Windwitch, is dead. Scarred yet alive, Merik is determined to prove his sister’s treachery. Upon reaching the royal capital, crowded with refugees, he haunts the streets, fighting for the weak—which leads to whispers of a disfigured demigod, the Fury, who brings justice to the oppressed.

When the Bloodwitch Aeduan discovers a bounty on Iseult, he makes sure to be the first to find her—yet in a surprise twist, Iseult offers him a deal. She will return money stolen from him, if he locates Safi. Now they must work together to cross the Witchlands, while constantly wondering, who will betray whom first?

After a surprise attack and shipwreck, Safi and the Empress of Marstok barely escape with their lives. Alone in a land of pirates, every moment balances on a knife’s edge—especially when the pirates’ next move could unleash war upon the Witchlands.

My Thoughts
This series is exactly what I am looking for. It's my favourite kind of fantasy and I have been very much enjoying it. I was so excited to get back into this word and get to know our characters more. We have 5 different points of view in this instalment and I was interested in reading from all of them. The one character I am having a hard time connecting to is Merik. Especially in this book, I felt him to be distant and his sections were my least favourite. Dennard is doing something really interesting with his character though and I am excited to see where she takes him.

I really liked hearing from Merik's sister Vivia. Getting her point of view really helps to see a different side to the politics. She is a strong female leader, her father is still king but she is making most of the political decisions. I really loved her character and can't wait to see more.

I was happy with this instalment in the series. It was a strong sequel and I enjoyed it more than the first book for sure. I attached to many of these characters and can't wait to see what happens next. There are is still a long way to go in the series and I really want to know what happens to these characters right now!

Top 10 Tuesday: Books on my Spring TBR

TTT is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
I love making TBRs but I never seem to keep them. I am such a mood reader that can never stick to anything. This spring is going to be a pretty crazy time for me. I am finishing university, moving and going on a cruise. I am excited to see what spring brings and here are the books I hope to read.

  

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst - I got this one on an Amazon Daily Deal recently and I can't wait to read it. It was one my most anticipated released from last year.
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson - I am planning on read this this when I finish school. I'll have lots of time to dedicate to this once I finish exams.
Frost Like Night by Sara Raasch - I need to read this book! I don't know why I haven't already. I am excited to see how this series ends.

  
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir - Another book I grabbed off an eBook deal recently. I enjoyed the first book and am hoping to read more soon.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - I read Crown of Midnight last summer so it's time that I continue on with this series. I have been hesitant after many people haven't enjoyed the newest releases but I still want to make my own opinion.
Stolen by Lucy Christopher - I feel like this one has made a few TBR lists. I keep forgetting I have it, so it's time I read it and not forget anymore.
   

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda - This book has had a ton of praise and it sounds like a great book to bring on vacation with me.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer - This is one of the series that I am determined to start this year. At the moment, spring seems like a great season to get started! 
The House of Hades by Rick Riordan - I am determined to finish reading this series this year, so I sound continue on with The House of Hades soon.
The Leavers by Lisa Ko - I received this for review and it comes out in May. It sounds really interesting so I need to check it out.





Short and Sweet Reviews: Graphic Novel Edition #9

I received a copy of these books from Netgalley for an honest review.


The Backstagers #1 - #2 
James Tynion IV & Rian Sygh 

The publisher provided me with a copy of the first issue of this series and I adored it so much that I picked up all the singles that are currently available! This series is hilarious and endearing. It reminds me a lot of Lumberjanes, in that it follows a quirky group of characters that have ridiculous adventures. I highly recommend checking this series out. The art and the colours are awesome. I can't wait to finishing reading the issues that I haven't got to yet.

5 out of 5 Stars


Goldie Vance, Volume 1 
Hope Larson & Brittney Williams

This is an adorable comic. I love the setting and how Goldie is an aspiring detective. It's a great all-ages comic that is still engaging for all readers. The mystery in this arch was interesting and it felt high stakes. I highly recommend this comic series to anyone who is tired of superheroes and wants to try something new. AND as an added bonus, there is an LGTB romance blooming!

4 out of 5 Stars 

Finished Series | March 2017 Update

I have been working through A LOT of series, and I am really trying to finish the series I have started. I have finished quite a few series over the last few months and that makes me really excited. Some of these I am sad to see go but I can always re-read them. I am counting a series complete if I read all the main books in the series, I generally don't read addition novellas.

1) The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson
  
Average Rating: 3.6
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this series. For me, it only got better as it went along. I didn't immediately fall in love with the first book but the second book really hooked me into this story. If you are looking for a fantasy with heavy romance elements and an amazing villain check this one out.

2) The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
 
Average Rating: 3.5
Thoughts: I am not sure what I really want to say about this series. I really liked the first book but the sequel didn't blow me away. In the end, I find it kind of forgettable. I barely remember what happened in either of these books. I still recommend this series, and many people will love it.

3) Grim Reaper by Christopher Moore
 
Average Rating: 4.5
Thoughts: A Dirty Job is one of my all time favourite books and I never expected it to get a sequel. Secondhand Souls came out almost 10 years after A Dirty Job was published, which is kind of crazy. I didn't love Secondhand Souls as much as A Dirty Job but I still really enjoyed it. The characters are the best part of this series. Highly recommend.

4) Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab
  
Actual Rating: 4.75 
Thoughts: This is one of my new all time favourite series! I adored this series so much. Delilah Bard is my new favourite character. She is the badass, gender-role bending, character I have always looked for. I do see that the first book in this series can be a little hard to get into but it gets better every page. I already want to re-read it.


Stacking the Shelves #19

STS is a weekly meme hosted by Tyngas Reviews.
I signed up for Daily Deal emails and now I end up buying lots of cheap eBooks. I also recently went crazy at my local library. I realized that I am going to be moving soon and I wanted to support my library here as much I can before I leave. These are the book that I have acquired since my last STS post a few weeks ago.

Purchased
   

Library
  
   

That's everything! I am currently reading A Conjuring of Light and I am loving it so far. I can't wait to check another series off my list. I went crazy on graphic novels as always but I love them! Let me know what you picked up recently or if you have read my of these books.



Review: Wenjack by Joseph Boyden

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication: 10/18/2016 by Hamish Hamilton
Pages: 112 Pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Indigo

Goodreads Summary
An Ojibwe boy runs away from a North Ontario Indian School, not realizing just how far away home is. Along the way he's followed by Manitous, spirits of the forest who comment on his plight, cajoling, taunting, and ultimately offering him a type of comfort on his difficult journey back to the place he was so brutally removed from.

Written by Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author Joseph Boyden and beautifully illustrated by acclaimed artist Kent Monkman, Wenjack is a powerful and poignant look into the world of a residential school runaway trying to find his way home.

My Thoughts
If you are a Canadian, read this book. Seriously.
This story is based on the true story of Chanie Wenjack who tried to walk home from his residential school in Norther Ontario. This story is absolutely heartbreaking, I felt sad just from opening the front cover. This book is so important because we don't talk about residential school enough. This is a terrible thing that happened in Canadian history (modern history even!). As a Canadian my whole life, I didn't learn anything about residential schools until fairly recently. Not in school, not anywhere. I even found out the town I grew up in had a residential school and I had no idea until a few weeks ago. I think we all need to learn more about this, and this is a good place to start.