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Book Review: The Good Girl

Posted on January 10, 2017January 9, 2017 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis:

“I’ve been following her for the past few days. I know where she buys her groceries, where she has her dry cleaning done, where she works. I don’t know the color of her eyes or what they look like when she’s scared. But I will.”

One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn’t show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia’s life.

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia’s mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family’s world to shatter.

An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted but honestly I haven’t been reading that much lately and I’ve been busy. I finished The Good Girl a while back, though, and I really wanted to post this before I totally forgot what this book was even about. So here we go.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was definitely different than I expected it to be, though. If you’re looking for a Gone Girl type of thriller this isn’t exactly like that. There was much more romance in this novel than I thought there would be but I actually liked it so that worked well for me.

The novel is told in alternating POVs of Collin, the kidnapper, Gabe, the detective assigned to Mia’s case, and Eve, Mia’s mom. The POVs also shift in time between “Before” and “After.” You kind of know what event occurs that makes the narrative take place in the form of before and after POVs but you don’t really find out it’s significance until the end. I thought this form of storytelling worked well but I was definitely much more interested in Collin’s point of view than the others because it was when we got to see the most of Mia and also I just found Collin to be the most interesting character. I’m a sucker for a complicated villain.

This novel definitely had a few twists and I was a little surprised by them but they were also expected. By that I mean, I didn’t freak out when the twists were revealed because I had a feeling that was how this story would play out. Still, like I said, I did really enjoy it and would still recommend it. I read it in two days because I just couldn’t put it down, which is always a good sign. Definitely give it a chance if you haven’t yet.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“I know how betrayal and disillusionment feel, when someone who could give you the world refuses even a tiny piece of it.”

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I Read 100 Books This Year! (My 2016 Wrap-Up)

Posted on December 31, 2016December 30, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

The amazing Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner made an End of Year Survey for book nerds (her 7th annual one!) and I’ll be using it for my yearly wrap-up. Check it out below and have a happy New Year!

2016 Reading Stats

Number of Books You Read: 100

Number of Re-Reads: 2

Genre You Read the Most From: YA Fantasy

Best In Books

1. Best Book You Read in 2016?

There’s no contest. A Court of Mist and Fury, for sure.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Didn’t?

All the Bright Places. It was SO overhyped.

3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read?

November 9 surprised me because I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. This was another overhyped book for me.

4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People to Read (And They Did)?

I attempted to push a lot of people to read ACOMAF but I don’t think anyone did lol.

5. Best Series You Started In 2016? Best Sequel of 2016? Best Series Ender of 2016?

This is tough. Best series I started this year has to be Throne of Glass. I binged all the books this year. The best sequel of 2016 is ACOMAF (duh!). Crooked Kingdom and The Midnight Star tie for best series ender. They were both so well done that I can’t choose.

6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2016?

Kasie West; I’m obsessed with her books now.

7. Best Book From a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/Was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

Illuminae and Gemina. I don’t read sci-fi that often but I love this series.

8. Most Action-Packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

Crooked Kingdom, for sure. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, worried about my Dregs.

9. Book You Read in 2016 That You Are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

ACOMAF, lol. Sorry not sorry.

10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2016?

The Raven King cover is GORGEOUS!

11. Most Memorable Character of 2016?

This is a really tough call but I gotta got with the High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand.

12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2016?

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. Just thinking about it makes me cry.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2016?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon. So beautiful and thought provoking.

14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2016 to Finally Read?

Definitely the last four Harry Potter books. Honestly, I really can’t believe I’d never read them before.

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2016?

“In my head I’ve been in love before, but it doesn’t feel like it. Being in love with you is better than the first time. It feels like the first time and the last time and the only time all at once.” — Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2016?

A Gallagher Wedding by Ally Carter was the shortest. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was the longest.

17. Book That Shocked You the Most?

Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin definitely shocked me the most. I’m still crying over that ending.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (You Will Go Down With This Ship!)

“Feysand” (Feyre and Rhysand)

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

Emma and Cristina from Lady Midnight.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2016 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

21. Best Book You Read in 2016 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. This book was everywhere on bookstagram and once my friend Jess told me she’d read it and liked it that was the final push for me to read it. A slow start but overall an awesome read.

22. Newest Fictional Crush From a Book You Read in 2016?

Magiano from The Young Elites trilogy

23. Best 2016 Debut You Read?

Dreamology by Lucy Keating

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

I hate to say ACOMAF again but the worldbuilding in that book is superb. Velaris alone is enough to make ACOMAF my first choice.

25. Book That Put a Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN to Read?

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2016?

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

27. Hidden Gem of the Year?

You Were Here by Cori McCarthy

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

The end of Empire of Storms definitely crushed my soul.

29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2016?

Definitely Illuminae and Gemina.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (Doesn’t Necessarily Mean You Didn’t Like It)?

Probably It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover just because it was so disappointing.

Your Blogging/Bookish Life

1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2016?

Twirling Pages

2. Favorite Review That You Wrote in 2016?

My review for Blood for Blood is pretty great, if I do say so myself.

3. Best Discussion/Non-Review Post You Had on Your Blog?

I really like my post on book hangovers.

4. Best Event That You Participated In (Author Signings, Festivals, Virtual Events, Memes, etc.)?

Definitely Book Con. I can’t wait to do it all again next year.

5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2016?

When I hit 2,000 followers on Instagram. It still doesn’t feel real, tbh.

6. Most Challenging Thing About Blogging or Your Reading Life This Year?

Definitely time management. I’m definitely going to be cutting back next year and reading less so I can focus on my writing more.

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

My book review of The Crown by Kiera Cass.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

My “9 Ways to Up Your Bookstagram Game” post, although to be fair I didn’t have a lot of followers back then so I can understand why no one trusted my judgement, lol.

9. Best Bookish Discovery (Book Related Sites, Book Stores, etc.)?

Definitely Book Outlet. I’ve gotten so many cheap books from that site this year.

10. Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals That You Had Set For Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

Yep! I reached my goal of reading 100 books this year, and just in the nick of time too.

Looking Ahead

1. One Book You Didn’t Get to in 2016 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2017?

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2017 (non-debut)?

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

3. 2017 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2017?

The last Throne of Glass book 😦

5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2017?

Read more diverse books by diverse authors

6. A 2017 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend to Everyone:

I haven’t read any yet. I’m so behind on my ARCs 😦

Book Review: P.S. I Like You

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis:

While spacing out in Chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk, and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters — sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery, and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

I am such a Kasie West fan now. I want to read all her books. They’re so good!

P.S. I Like You was the perfect romance novel and I wish I owned it so I could read it again. The story is told from Lily’s point of view and although I loved her I also liked that she had flaws. She knows how to hold a grudge and sometimes misjudges people but always apologizes when she realizes she’s made a mistake. Besides Lily though, I also really liked her family and her best friend, Isabel.

Although the person who Lily was writing the letters to was pretty obvious to me I was still really happy with the romance of this novel. Lily figures it out about half way through the novel and I like how that wasn’t the end of the story. It was kind of just the beginning actually. Lily was forced to come to terms with the fact that her letter writer wasn’t who she hoped it was but also that there’s more to some people than meets the eye.

I really liked the relationship between Lily and the letter writer and he was absolutely swoon-worthy to me. I also like that just because Lily liked the person in the letter she didn’t just automatically decide she was in love with him when she found out who it was. She had to grapple with her feelings and figure out how she felt about the whole situation. I also liked that there were other small conflicts in the story that didn’t take away from the romance but added to the main plot as well.

Overall, this is definitely a buy and I can’t wait to get it after my book buying ban is lifted. I’m literally counting the days because I plan on rereading it as soon as I get it. Definitely give this book a chance if you haven’t already.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“P.S. I like you. A lot.”

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Book Review: Fly

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Borrow

Synopsis:

Meet Colton Wade, FMX rider…

I’m just a small town guy who caught a lucky break. Now I’m living the dream, on the brink of high-flying super-stardom. But something’s missing.

That something is Taylor.

She’s my best friend. The one who makes me want to push harder and higher. The one I fall back on when shit gets tough. The one I’d give it all up for.

I’d do anything to protect her. To make her dreams come true too.

But a single night changes everything.

And now the one she needs protection from…is me.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

I’ve said this before but I am still a sucker for best friends turned lovers romance story. Even though I know how it’ll end I continue to read them anyway. It’s my guilty pleasure, I guess. Plus Fly is currently free on Kindle so I figured why not. That being said, if I actually had to spend money on this book I definitely wouldn’t have purchased it. Although it was certainly a quick read I wasn’t all that impressed with any of the characters.

The novel is told in alternating point of views between Colton and Taylor and while Colton certain sounds attractive he wasn’t swoon-worthy in the slightest. Nothing he did made me think, “Oh yes, I see what Taylor sees in him.” He was just okay. Speaking of Taylor, although I should probably expect this from books like this, it was intensely infuriating that Taylor not only failed to realize just how much Colton was into her but also how much her other friend, Matt, was into her as well.

That was my other big issue with this novel. I wasn’t sure what the point of Matt was. Just to make Colton jealous? Colton seemed jealous of every guy that came into contact with Taylor, though, so why was Matt necessary? He was just a nuisance and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to think of him. He’s clearly the villain but like did he maybe have real good intentions with Taylor and was just looking out for her? Or was he really just trying to get into her pants? I’m not sure.

Then there was also Colton’s ex Bria who floated in and out of the novel as well. I hate when authors make a woman a villain just because she also wants to me with the guy that the main character wants to be with. Colton slept with Bria, apparently multiple times, but how dare she wish Colton would still want her and be in a relationship with her. Couldn’t she see Taylor was here now and she should move aside? Yeah, no. Colton was in the wrong and while Bria definitely made some snide comments to Taylor that were unnecessary I also couldn’t blame her. I felt bad for Bria and I’m pretty sure the author didn’t want me to.

All in all, I thought this book was all over the place and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to get from this novel. This novel did end on a cliffhanger though, so of course now I want to know what happens next but I refuse to pay for this next book. However, if I can get it for free I’ll definitely read part two.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“He held me like he owned me, and in a way, he does.”

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Book Review: The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily

Posted on December 27, 2016December 24, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis:

Dash and Lily have had a tough year since readers first watched the couple fall in love. Lily’s beloved grandfather suffered a heart attack, and his difficult road to recovery has taken a major toll on her typically sunny disposition.

With only twelve days left until Christmas—Lily’s favorite time of the year—Dash, Lily’s brother Langston, and their closest friends take Manhattan by storm to help Lily recapture the holiday magic of New York City in December.

Told in alternating chapters, The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily reunites two beloved characters and is bound to be a Christmas favorite, season after season.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository

Review

I was nervous to pick up The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily because I read some bad reviews. However, it was just as funny and amazing as I thought it would be, and perfect for the holiday season.

The story picks up a year after Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares and it’s been a rough year for Lily. Her beloved grandpa had a heart attack, which led to a nasty fall and health complications. Lily being the kind person she is took it on herself to be her grandpa’s caregiver and that took a toll on her relationship with Dash. Of course, Dash being the best book boyfriend that he knows how to be, tried his best to be supportive but Lily, who handled her feelings in the worst way, kept pushing him away.

It broke my heart to see Lily and Dash going through a rough time and Lily drove me absolutely crazy. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to just tell Dash how she felt. However, I’m only 23 and still have a firm grasp on how it feels to be a teen and feel so much for a person and feel like they don’t feel the same way (even when they obviously do). So I found it in my heart to be sympathetic towards Lily and I had to give her points for when she really did try with Dash.

Besides, Dash and Lily, this novel also contained all my favorite characters from the first book, including Sofia, Boomer, Langston, and Mrs. Basil E. It was so great seeing these characters again and what was going on in their lives. I was even a little glad to see Edgar again. He’s still trouble, by the way.

Overall, I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this novel and Dash made me utterly swoon (I’m currently searching for my own Dash in The Strand). If you’re looking for a funny, romantic holiday read The Twelve Days of Dash & Lily is the perfect book.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“Sometimes you make plans. Sometimes plans make themselves.”

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Book Review: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

Posted on December 26, 2016December 24, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis:

16-year-old Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on her favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. Dash, in a bad mood during the holidays, happens to be the first guy to pick up the notebook and rise to its challenges.

What follows is a whirlwind romance as Dash and Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations all across New York City. But can their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions, or will their scavenger hunt end in a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Co-written by Rachel Cohn (GINGERBREAD) and David Levithan, co-author of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON with John Green (THE FAULT IN OUR STARS), DASH & LILY’S BOOK OF DARES is a love story that will have readers scouring bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

I first read Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares while I was in high school and I remember loving it the first time I read it but I didn’t remember the details enough to just dive into the sequel. So I decided it was time for a reread and I’m so glad I did because I loved it just as much as I remembered.

Told in alternating POVs between Dash and Lily, this is a cute holiday romance filled with amazing characters and the perfect amount of hilarity. I read the whole book in a day because I couldn’t put it down. It was that good.

The story began with Dash discovering a red notebook in The Strand (my favorite bookstore) that leads him on this adventure that’s presumably started by Lily, but actually it was her brother Langston’s idea. Lily absolutely loves Christmas but this year she feels utterly abandoned. Her parents went to Fiji to celebrate their 20th anniversary, her grandfather went to Florida to propose to his girlfriend, and Langston was totally wrapped up in his new boyfriend. Therefore Langston decided it was time Lily found a love of her own, hence the notebook.

Through the notebook Lily and Dash give each other dares while also sharing some of their best and worst Christmas memories. Along the way they enlist their friends and families to help them as they try to discover if they can really have a relationship off the pages of the notebook or if the person they thought they knew is nothing like how they really are in person.

I’m always surprised by how much I love this novel because although I’ve liked Rachel Cohn’s books I could never get into David Levithan’s writing. Even one of the other novels they wrote together, Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List, irritated me to no end and I never finished it. Somehow though Dash and Lily really works for me and I could see myself reading this novel every year during the holidays. Definitely give it a read if you haven’t already.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“I mean, what if love isn’t a yes-or-no question? It’s not either you’re in love or you’re not. I mean, aren’t there different levels? And maybe these things, like words and expectations and whatever, don’t go on top of the love. Maybe it’s like a map, and they all have their own place, and then when you see it for the sky—whoa.”

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Book Review: The Assassin’s Blade

Posted on December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis:

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin’s Guild, she’s sworn to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam.

In these action-packed prequel novellas to Throne of Glass, Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and avenge tyranny. But by acting on her own terms, will Celaena truly free herself from her master, or will she suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery?

This bind-up features all four of the previously published e-novellas along with a story now available in the US for the first time, The Assassin and the Healer.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

*This book is part of my POPSUGAR 2016 Reading Challenge.*

It took me forever, but I finally finished the Throne of Glass series. The Assassin’s Blade was the only book holding me back but after realizing I was behind on my Goodreads challenge I finally got the push I needed to finish it. It took me so long to read this book not because it was bad but because I knew how it would end and I wasn’t looking forward to that ending. In truth, the book was actually very good.

I really enjoyed learning more about Celaena’s past and her relationship with Sam. Now I finally understand why everyone loves him. He was amazing and my heart hurts for him and what he went through. This book also made me realize even more why I do not like Arobynn. He is honestly a trash human being and so incredibly manipulative that it tittered the line of unbelievable.

Reading this novel after I read Empire of Storms definitely cleared up a lot of questions I had about Empire of Storms. In The Assassin’s Blade I learned the history of the Silent Assassins, Ansel, and the Pirate Lord, all of which comes in handy with where the series is currently at.

Overall, The Assassin’s Blade was definitely worth a read and I’m glad I finally read it and can now say I’ve read all of Sarah J. Maas books this year. It’s crazy to think I didn’t even know who she was a year ago. Make sure to check out Maas’ novels if you haven’t yet. They’re all spectacular.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“I love you. And from today onward, I want to never be separated from you. Wherever you go, I go. Even if that means going to Hell itself, wherever you are, that’s where I want to be. Forever.”

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Bookish Sweet 16: Most Anticipated 2017 Releases

Posted on December 21, 2016December 20, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I can already tell that 2017 is going to be a great year for books. There’s already so many books I can’t wait to get my hands on. Here’s the 16 I’m most excited about, in order of release date.

1. The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins (Jan. 24)

I’ve always been a fan of Ellen Hopkins writing and I can’t wait to dive into this new novel that tells the story about Ariel who finds out she wasn’t actually abandoned by her mother years ago, her father kidnapped her.

2. Wires & Nerve by Marissa Meyer (Jan. 31)

I loved The Lunar Chronicles so I’m excited to see the series continue in this new way. I don’t read graphic novels often but the ones I’ve read I’ve loved and I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one too. Especially since it’s about Iko, who’s my fave.

3. By Your Side by Kasie West (Jan. 31)

I’ve only read one of Kasie West’s novels so far but I’m really interested in reading this one. It’s sounds like The Breakfast Club but in the modern day and with just straight up romance. I’m here for it.

4. King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard (Feb. 7)

Glass Sword ended on quite a cliffhanger and I need to know what’s happening with Mare. Is she okay? What’s Maven doing to her? Will Cal save her? I’m also under the impression that this novel will be told in various POVs and I can’t wait.

5. The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro (Feb. 14)

I absolutely loved A Study in Charlotte and feel it’s highly underrated. I can’t wait to see what happens next with Charlotte and Watson and hopefully see their relationship develop even more.

6. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston (Feb. 14)

Thanks to First in Line I was given an ARC of The Valiant and it sounds really interesting. Semi-historical, the novel tells the story of Fallon who wants to be a warrior like her sister, Sorcha, who was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar. Fallon’s plans are thwarted, however, when she’s captured and sold to an elite training school that’s owned by Caesar.

7. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Feb. 28)

One of my goals of 2017 is to read more diverse books by diverse authors and The Hate U Give seems the perfect book to start with. The novel tells the story of Starr who witness her unarmed best friend Khalil be killed by a police officer. The book has already received a lot of buzz and a film is already set to be made.

8. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (April 11)

I still haven’t read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda but that didn’t make me any less excited to read this book. The book follows the story of 17-year-old Molly who fears rejection, which keeps her from finding love. Until now of course.

9. Literally by Lucy Keating (April 11)

Stranger than Fiction is one of my favorite movies and Literally is pretty much the YA book of that film. Annabelle’s life is perfect until Lucy Keating shows up at her school and tells Annabelle’s actually the heroine of Keating’s novel.

10. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (May 2)

This is another book I’m hoping will me told in alternating point of views because I desperately need to know how Rhysand is handling life without Feyre by his side. I need this book yesterday, to be honest.

11. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (May 23)

I know some people don’t like love triangles but I love them. I can’t wait to see how Emma is going to handle this Mark/Julian situation. I ship her with both of them but I’m hoping Julian is endgame. This book can’t come fast enough.

12. Once and for All by Sarah Dessen (June 6)

When I was in high school I read almost every single one of Sarah Dessen’s books but then I stopped reading them because they all started to sound the same to me. However, when I read the synopsis of this book I figured I was ready to give Dessen another try.

13. Love Lies Beneath #2 by Ellen Hopkins (Aug. 1)

Love Lies Beneath is the first book Ellen Hopkins wrote in prose and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was excited to see something new from her. The first book did not disappoint and I’m very interested to see what will happen next.

14. Warcross by Marie Lu

I love Marie Lu and she’s become a bit of an auto-buy author for me. I don’t really know much about this book but here’s the synopsis according to Goodreads: Two teenage bounty hunters are “hired by a young billionaire to catch a hacker in the world’s most phenomenally popular virtual reality video game.”

15. Thorne of Glass #6 by Sarah J. Maas

Empire of Storms ended on a terrible cliffhanger that had me crying my eyes out. I need to know that Aelin is okay and then I need her to kick Maeve’s ass. In that order.

16. Illuminae Files #3 by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I loved the Illuminae trilogy thus far and I can’t wait to see how it ends. This last novel will involve a new couple as well as the old favorites and I cannot wait. But I must. *sigh*

What books are you most excited to read in the New Year? Let me know in the comments below!

Book Review: Nevernight

Posted on December 20, 2016December 19, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

Synopsis:

In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.

Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.

Now, a sixteen year old Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic ― the Red Church. Treachery and trials await her with the Church’s halls, and to fail is to die. But if she survives to initiation, Mia will be inducted among the chosen of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the only thing she desires.

Revenge.

Purchase From:

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Review

I’d been meaning to read Nevernight for the longest time so when I saw some people on Instagram were doing a readalong for it I decided to sign myself up. If you don’t know what a readalong is it’s basically exactly what it sounds like. Each week we were supposed to read a certain number of chapters then discuss it before moving on. It’s basically an online book club and I’ve liked it a lot so far. As for Nevernight itself, I actually really enjoyed it too. Just not at first.

Before the novel began, the reader is given this one page intro from the Narrator that tells us the hero is currently dying in the heroine’s arms. The heroine is Mia, the protagonist, but of course it’s unknown who the hero is. All we know is the Narrator is not going to sugarcoat this story and he was also in love with Mia. Interesting. This part drew me in but once the story actually began I was bored.

Mia’s journey to get to the Red Church didn’t really interest me and I’ve never been a fan of flashbacks, which a lot of the first third of the book entailed. However, once I got to the real action of the story I was hooked. Mia grew on me by the end but I really liked her friend and fellow acolyte, Tric, and Mia’s shadow friend, Mister Kindly. They were my favorite characters.

The narrator was also enjoyable although I could’ve done without all the footnotes. While some were short and funny, others were so long I just skipped them because they distracted me too much from the story and honestly, I didn’t care about the information they provided.

Despite these minor flaws I will definitely read the sequel because I want to see what happens next in Mia’s story and if the next book starts at about the same pace this book ended at, I know it won’t be a slow beginning like this first book. At least I hope not.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“Apologies,” Mia frowned, searching the floor as if looking for something. “I appear to have misplaced the fucks I give for what you think…”

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Bookish Sweet 16: My Favorite Authors

Posted on December 13, 2016December 12, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Thanks to #bookstagram I discovered a lot of new authors this year and I’m so glad I did. Here’s my favorite 16 authors of the year, in no particular order. Check them out if you haven’t read their books yet. They’re all great and I even got to meet some of them!

1. Leigh Bardugo (Crooked Kingdom)

Leigh Bardugo was absolutely hilarious and it was a pleasure to meet her. Besides that, her Six of Crows duology was absolutely amazing and one of my favorite reads of the year.

2. Colleen Hoover (It Ends With Us)

This year I read almost every single one of Colleen Hoover’s novels and loved most of them. So when her latest novel, It Ends With Us, was released on my birthday and I saw she was coming to New York I had to go and it was totally worth the insane line.

3. Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven King)

I’d never read a book by Maggie Stiefvater until this year but I fell in love with her Raven Cycle series and read all four books this year. I can’t wait to read her new series about Ronan. I need it yesterday.

4. Alexandra Bracken (Passenger)

Full disclosure, I still haven’t read Passenger because there’s been mixed reviews, but I love The Darkest Minds, which is why I was so excited to meet Alexandra Bracken at BookCon. She was so sweet and it was awesome meeting her.

5. Richelle Mead (The Glittering Court)

Even though I haven’t read The Glittering Court yet I had to go meet Richelle Mead when she came to NYC. I’m obsessed with her Vampire Academy and Bloodlines series and I think she’s amazing.

6. Morgan Matson (The Unexpected Everything)

I had never read any of Morgan Matson’s books when I went to her signing for The Unexpected Everything but after meeting her and seeing how awesome she is in person I had to read her books. So far I’ve only read two but I loved them both.

7. Nicola Yoon (The Sun is Also a Star)

I read Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star this year and they were both amazing in very different ways. It was awesome to hear Nicola Yoon speak about The Sun is Also a Star and read from the book.

8. Marie Lu (The Midnight Star)

Marie Lu is an amazing author but she also just seems like a really chill person. When I went to her signing at Books of Wonder she read a first draft of The Young Elites that was so wildly different from what the series became that it was absolutely hilarious. I’m so glad I got to meet her this year.

9. Victoria Aveyard (Glass Sword)

If you’re not following Victoria Aveyard on Twitter do it now! She’s so outspoken and funny and I can now guarantee she’s the same way in person. I’ll admit I didn’t love Red Queen but Glass Sword totally won me over and I can’t wait to get my hands on King’s Cage.

10. Sarah J. Maas (A Court of Mist of Fury)

I tried so hard to meet Sarah J. Maas at BookCon but had no success. That didn’t make me love her and her writing any less though. I read all her books (excluding The Assassin’s Blade) this year and I loved all of them. So good!

11. Brittany Cavallaro (A Study in Charlotte)

First of all, Brittany Cavallaro follows me on Instagram and that just makes me so happy. Secondly, if you haven’t read A Study in Charlotte yet you’re truly missing out because it’s amazing and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

12. Cassandra Clare (Lady Midnight)

Cassandra Clare is another author I attempted to see at BookCon to no avail. Still, Lady Midnight was so incredible that I let my disappoint of not meeting her go and just enjoyed the book. After all these books she still sucks me into the Shadowhunters’ world again and again.

13. Lauren Blakely (Mister O)

Prior to this year I think the only erotica I’d read was Fifty Shades of Grey, which is not the best. I’m not sure how I stumbled upon Lauren Blakely but I’m now obsessed with her writing, which is bad because she publishes at least five books a year. There goes my money.

14. Ryan Graudin (Blood for Blood)

I’d never heard of Ryan Graudin until I went to BookCon and snagged an ARC of Blood for Blood. I’d seen the first book in the duology, Wolf by Wolf, on Instagram and decided to take a chance and of course they were amazing. Definitely a must read and now I need to read her other books.

15. David Arnold (Kids of Appetite)

I fell in love with David Arnold’s writing style when I read Kids of Appetite and have now purchased Mosquitoland, his debut novel, so I can give it try. If you haven’t read either of his books yet definitely check him out.

16. Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Gemina)

These are two more authors that I hadn’t heard of until this year but thanks to an ARC of Gemina that I won I decided to give them a try. To be honest, sci-fi isn’t typically my thing but I was totally sucked into this series and how these books are written. Definitely a must read.

Who are some of your favorite authors of 2016? Let me know in the comments below.