WWW: 14 May

My favourite weekly meme! Thanks to MizB at Should Be Reading for hosting. As usual she asks three questions:

                                                     1. What have you finished reading?

 The Emperor's Edge (Goodreads)

Watch out Celaena Sardothien (Throne Of Glass), you have stiff competition from Amaranthe Lokdon, heroine in The Emperor's Edge! 

If you know anything about me and Celaena then you will know that is praise indeed. I've followed Lindsay Buroker's blog for ages now, so I fully expected the book to be good. It certainly didn't disappoint. If you love non-stop action with great characters, then this is for you. I will be doing a review and interview with Lindsay soon, but in the meantime, let me say that this FIVE STAR read has won a coveted spot on my Top Ten Reads of 2013 list.

2. What are you currently reading?

 I got this from Netgalley and am loving it. Yes, I admit, you have to be an Ender junkie to want to read a book of essays about him, but what can I say? Fantastic read. Review will probably be up next week.
(Review of Ender's Game)

3. What are you planning on reading?

Help! I'm torn between . . .

Aargh!!!! Goodreads is down for maintenance so I can't get the links. Amazon will have to do.

As I was saying, I'm torn between these two . . .

 

 

Perception (Amazon)

OR

Dare you To (Amazon)

 

 What do you suggest I read? 

As usual, leave a link and I will visit. Take care and happy reading everyone.

cheers

Gwynn

 

 

WWW & WoW

Thanks to Jill at Breaking the Spine and MizB for this meme. 

I've had the best kind of week - a book-filled one! 

1. I've just finished reading:

Throne of Glass was an amazing read. I loved it. You can see my review here.

 

If you like high fantasy, with the ultimate kick-butt girl, then you will love this too. A five star read.

 

Ah . . . Veronica Rossi! Amazing. She certainly didn't fail us in Through The Ever Night  

I wish I could say the same for the publisher. I absolutely hate the cover of this book. The American cover seen on the right is a million times better. You can see my review here.

2. Books I'm dying for has to include:

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis.

I am hooked on the Across The Universe series and cannot wait to see what happens when Elder and Amy reach the new planet . . .

And

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo. 

I'm so excited about this book, I can't wait. . .

  

3. What am I reading next? I'm not sure. Maybe you can help me. I'm torn between the following . . .

Shadow and Bone.

I've read this before and I loved it. Thinking of re-reading it.







OR

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord. 

This is the first novella in Throne of Glass series. I'm so tempted.

OR 

As a Veronica Rossi champion, Roar's and Liv's story seems like a good bet too.

Help me choose. What would you recommend?

Please leave me your link and I will most certainly visit you in return. 

Cheers

Gwynneth

Throne of Glass: Review

What were the publishers of the American version thinking with that boring cover? THIS is what Celaena really looks like! Way to go, girl!

  

Yes please! This is my idea of a kick-butt girl. Celaena Sardothien (magic name, I love it) is everything a heroine needs to be: vane, insecure, arrogant, sardonic, funny, deadly - and she eats candy like a kid. She is without doubt my new favourite heroine. (Eat your heart out Aria and Triss)

I devoured Throne of Glass, hardly coming up for breath. It has all the elements I love: strong, well-fleshed out characters, utterly believable world building, great bad guys, twisting plot that keeps you guessing to the last minute, magic, meddling of the dead, battles, bloodshed and hot boys. What more can a girl want?

The next book in the series.

Why oh why, do publishers make us wait so long for our books. In an ideal world, all our book boyfriends and girl friends would come alive and hunt them down. Celaena would take out most of them single-handily. But I’m getting carried away . . .

This book starts in Endovier salt mine where Celaena has been sentenced for life for her crimes as an assassin. Then she is offered a deal by Dorian, Crown Prince of Adarlan. He wants her to be his champion in a tournament his father is hosting. If she wins, she secures her freedom after four years of servitude to the crown. It’s an offer she can’t refuse.

For those who hate love triangles, be warned: there is a triangle of sorts in this book between Celaena, Dorian and Chaol, Captain of the Guard. But I think it was pretty much solved by the end of book one. I have my suspicions that a romance with one of these men would be an absolute no-no. Something to do with eye colour! But I will say no more. Also, in my view, the most deserving of the two hot guys won her smiles by the end of the book.

In case you think this book is all about romance, relax, it’s not. It has a very strong plot that left so many unanswered questions that I suspect the challenges Ceaena faced in book one will be nothing compared to what awaits her in book two. Bring it on!

As far as writing style goes, it could have been better. But hey, this isn't Literature 101, it's me connecting with characters and stories I love, so, over looking the flaws, I give this book five very sharp daggers.

Cheers
Gwynneth
PS: There are about four eBook novellas about Celaena's early life. Expect reviews! 

Waiting on Wednesday #1

This week I've decided to do WOW hosted by MizB As you know she always asks: 

• What are you currently reading?


I am an undying fan of Orson Scott Card in general and Ender Wiggin in particular.

In this book (the sequel to Ender's Game), Ender has just destroyed the Formics, the alien race threatening planet Earth. But although a thirteen-year-old hero, he's too dangerous a weapon to be allowed back to Earth.

This is the story of how ungrateful mankind - and the conniving politicians who control them - managed to exile Ender, sending him as Governor to a new world called Shakespeare. 


Thus far I'm thoroughly enjoying it. No surprises there!

Goodreads: Ender in Exile


• What did you recently finish reading?

I really enjoyed this book. It has more twists and turns than a spiral staircase. The characters are fun and the concept great. Basically Isabel is a shifter whose only purpose in life is to protect the prince/king. Trust me, she comes with some pretty special powers and fighting skills to achieve that end.

But, as usual in the books we love, nothing is ever as it seems, and there are complications. It's these complications which make the book so intriguing, keeping me guessing right to the end. I really thought I had the mystery figured, but I was so wrong!

 If you like beautifully written high fantasy you will love this.

Goodreads: Mistwood


 

• What do you think you’ll read next?

 

I'm enjoying kick-butt girls at the moment so I thought I'd take this out for a spin! 

Great cover, hey?

Goodreads: Throne of Glass












And you? I'd love to get some good recommends.

Cheers 
Gwynneth