stars above – Zakiya N. Jamal

‘Lady Midnight,’ ‘The Haters,’ And Other Books I Read This Month (March Wrap-Up)

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

Unfortunately I did not read as much as I wanted to this month and now I’m behind on my Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge. However, all the books I read this month I loved so this will be a pretty tough wrap-up because it’ll be hard to choose a favorite. But I’ll try!

Number Of Books I Read This Month: 4

1. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. I was so excited to get back into the Shadowhunters world and I loved the new characters. Emma and Julian were great and I’m a sucker for forbidden love. I also really liked all the Blackthorns and Mark was really funny. The plot was perfectly paced and I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait until I buy my own copy so I can reread it again and again.

2. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

I wasn’t a big fan of Red Queen but I really loved Glass Sword. I know a lot of people didn’t like how much Mare changed but I loved it. She was fierce, ruthless, and a little scary. I was 100 percent in support of the new Mare. And the ending? Crazy! I can’t wait until the next book. I need to know what happens!

3. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

It was great to jump back into The Lunar Chronicles world again. I missed all these characters and I really enjoyed learning more about Winter and Jacin since we don’t get to see a lot of them in the first four books. I like Jacin way more now than I did by the end of Winter. And of course that second epilogue with the wedding was everything I wanted and more. I can’t wait until Iko’s graphic novel comes out. I need more!

BOOKS I RECEIVED THIS MONTH

Unfortunately I didn’t receive any books this month but I did buy some books for the first time in a while. I ordered eight books from Book Outlet that I’ll hopefully get this weekend and I also won a giveaway so I should be getting Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell soon. I hope! I can’t wait to finally get some new books to add to my shelf.

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Book Review: Stars Above

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews, Books to Buy

Synopsis from Amazon:

The enchantment continues. . . .
The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories – and secrets – that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?
With six stories – two of which have never before been published – and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

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

I was so happy when I finally got a copy of Stars Above. I desperately needed more Lunar Chronicles in my life and I loved all these short stories, some more than others.

My favorite has to be the extra epilogue, “Something Old, Something New”. I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read it yet but one of the four couples is getting married and it’s absolutely adorable. Seeing all my favorite characters together again and all of them happy made me so happy. Also, I think Iko might have a love interest in her new graphic novel, at least based on this short story. That should be interesting since she’s an android but I support it.

My second favorite was definitely “The Princess and the Guard”. To be perfectly honestly, I wasn’t really a big fan of Jacin in the series. I don’t know why but I didn’t really like him. However, after reading this short story I like him way more now. It was so cute reading how he and Winter’s friendship slowly developed into something more. It also reminded me why I hate Levana.

The story I probably liked the least was “The Little Android” mainly because it didn’t really have anything to do with the central characters of The Lunar Chronicles. Cinder appears in it briefly but that’s about it. I knd of skimmed this one because I found it difficult to care about an android I’d never met before.

Overall, I really loved this short story collection and hopefully I’ll be able to purchase a copy to keep on my shelf forever. Until then, I’ll probably read Fairest soon since I still haven’t read it. I highly recommend reading Stars Above though. It will give you all the feels.

Borrow or Buy: Buy! I want to reread these stories over and over again so I never have to leave these characters behind.

Stars:

Favorite Line:

“I will accept any amount of monsters my mind wants to give me, but I will not become a monster myself.”

Other Reviews

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The Book Wars

‘Stars Above,’ ‘All the Bright Places,’ And More Books On My March TBR

Posted on February 26, 2016February 25, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

February is quickly coming to a close, which is crazy because where is this year going, and it’s time to share my to-be-read list for next month. Check out the list below and let me know if you’ve read or plan to read any of these books.

1. Multiple Listings by Tracy McMillan

I got a digital ARC of this book and I can’t wait to read it! Tracy McMillan is a screenwriter (she wrote for Mad Men!) and this novel is somewhat based on her real life. The main character Nicki Daniels is a real estate agent who’s ex-con father just got out of jail and is looking for place to stay. But Nicki is just getting her life on track and the last thing she needs is her father messing things up. I get a filling this book will be filled with family drama and I love it.

2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

I’ve hard so much about this book and it’s been sitting on my shelf for months now. I’m hoping this month will be the month I finally dive in. The novel follows Violet and Finch who meet on the ledge of a bell tower. Their friendship/relationship grows from there. Dealing with love, depression, and so much else this sounds like a great read.

3. After You by Jojo Moyes

After reading Me Before You (and crying for days!) I absolutely have to know what happens next. I loved Lou and I’m excited to know what happens to her. In this sequel, we see Lou back with her family struggling to figure out her next steps and hopefully, discovering love. I’m sure this book will make me cry just as much as the original but I’m going to read it anyway.

4. Playing Defense by Cate Cameron

I got a digital ARC copy of this book from Entangled teen and it sounds really interesting to me. Claudia has never been kissed but when she starts tutoring popular hockey player, Chris, she begins to fall for him. Honestly, I’m a sucker for the nerd gets with the popular person type of story. Haley and Nathan on One Tree Hill, anyone? This book is sure to make me swoon.

5. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

I want this book so badly. Unfortunately I’m currently on an indefinite book buying ban but thank God for libraries. If you haven’t read the Lunar Chronicles yet definitely check it out because it’s amazing. Stars Above is a collection of short stories about the characters in the books plus a special epilogue to the last book.

6. Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield

This is another book that’s been on my shelf for months and I’m so ready to read it. This book is like two books in one. On one level we have the story of Darcy who got a book deal and moves to New York and then on another level we have the story she wrote about Lizzie. Also, I love that the main characters names are Darcy and Lizzie. Pride and Prejudice feels everywhere!

7. Prodigy by Marie Lu

I read Legend so long ago and I loved it. Now I need to know what happens next. June and Day are on the run to Vegas and there’s a new Elector in charge. June and Day have to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong as they’re forced to pick a side as a revolution begins.

8. The Haters by Jesse Andrews

I got this lovely ARC from Abrams and I’m supper excited to read it. I haven’t read Me and Earl and the Dying Girl yet but I will. Until then I really want to read this book because it sounds super good. Wes, Corey, and Ash decide to leave band camp and hit the road, leading to a music filled adventure that I’m sure I’ll love.

6 Books I Can’t Wait To Read In 2016

Posted on January 1, 2016February 7, 2016 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

Happy New Year! As we begin 2016 I’m absolutely excited for all the great books that are coming out this year. Here’s the top six books that I can’t wait to read.

1. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (Jan. 5)

I loved The Darkest Minds trilogy and I can’t wait to read something new by Alexandra Bracken. This novel follows Etta Spencer, a violin prodigy, who can time travel. She gets caught up in a web of trouble that she, of course, didn’t sign up for. Along for the ride is Nicholas Carter who has to help Etta find a stolen object in order to keep her safe. An adventurous, time traveling novel that also includes some romance? Count me in!

2. Stars Above by Marissa Meyer (Feb. 2)

I binged read The Lunar Chronicles last year and it was probably the best series I read in 2015. I was so sad when I finished reading Winter so when I found out Marissa Meyer was releasing a collection of short stories featuring all my favorite characters I was over the moon. Thankfully the wait for this one isn’t long.

3. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (March 8)

The Mortal Instruments is another series I binged read in 2015 and I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m currently finishing Clockwork Princess and then I need to read all the Shadowhunter Academy stories so I’ll definitely be kept busy until the release of Lady Midnight. I’m excited to be sucked back into this amazing world Cassandra Clare has created and I can’t wait to see what happens next with these new characters and the old ones.

4. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead (April 5)

I’ve been in love with Mead’s writing since the Vampire Academy series so when Bloodlines ended I was devastated. Therefore, when I heard Mead was coming out with a new series (not in the Vampire Academy world) I was over the moon. I can’t wait to jump into this new world filled with arranged marriages and secret romances. I know it’ll be great!

5. The Crown by Kiera Cass (May 3)

The next and final book in The Selection series comes out this year and I can’t wait to read it! But I’m also sad to see this series go. I’ve been obsessed with this series for so long that’ll it be bittersweet to see it come to an end. But I also really need to know what happens to America. And Eadlyn, of course. But mostly America.

6. Heartless by Marissa Meyer (Nov. 8)

Meyer’s retelling of fairytales in The Lunar Chronicles was so well done that I know her retelling of Alice in Wonderland in the form of the Queen of Hearts backstory will be amazing! I’m excited to read something new from Meyer although I’m still 100 percent open to a Lunar Chronicles spinoff series.

What books are you excited to read in 2016? Let me know in the comments below! Happy New Year!

Tag: stars above