Sunday Post 30th April 2017

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, it's a chance to post a recap on the past week, show the books we have received and share what we plan for the coming week. Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and the aim is to show our newest books and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops or downloaded on to their e-reader. As always you can click on any of the pictures to be taken to the Goodreads page for that book if you're interested in finding out more about it or click the title to go to the review.

Films of the Week:

I finished Girlboss! Actually finished it towards the end of last Sunday but that was well after I'd posted the Sunday Post so I had to wait to gush about it! Sophia is an amazing character/person. It's hard to know exactly how much of the show is real and how much is fabricated but either way she seems incredible and I am now desperate to know more. There was a real nostalgia to it that, as a millenial, I greatly enjoyed. MySpace and Ebay there was a whole episode around the MySpace Top 8 which was SO IMPORTANT back then! Oh and that OC episode. It just felt very relatable. Britt Robertson was great in the lead role and all the supporting cast were awesome. Really hoping for a Season 2.
Ann and I saw Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. yesterday and it was incredible. I just love this film. So good. I don't have articulate words for it but just trust me it was great.

Last Week on the Blog:

• Monday Highlights #3
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Blog Tour: My Sister by Michelle Adams
• Friday Reads
• Guardians of the Galaxy Book Tag

Books We Got This Week:

For Review:

Beneath a Burning Sky by Jenny Ashcroft: Received via Netgalley, Honestly mostly drawn to this because it's set in Egypt and I love anything set there! 

Fairy Keeper/Mer-Charmer/Dragon Redeemer by Amy Bearce: Received from Curiosity Quills for review. Excited for these because fantasy and also it is a series of standalone novels and I love those!
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee: I've wanted this ever since I first saw the author's cover reveal on twitter so I was thrilled to be approved on Netgalley. 

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon: Received via Netgalley. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year so hopefully I get to read it soon!
The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott: I am really into adventure stories at the moment and I found the first 11 books of this series in a secondhand shop so I snagged them.
The Hunters by Chris Kuzneski: Like I said, super into adventure stories right now. Not too sure what this is about but it sounds like an intriguing new series. 

The Seafarer's Kiss by Julia Ember: Bisexual mermaid romance. I just needed it? Obviously. Plus really like that cover.

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein: I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Wein so this has been on my wishlist for a while and I am so glad I got it! It's a gorgeous cover and I can't wait to read it!

Geekerella by Ashley Poston: Bought this after reading the review Ashley @ What She Read linked up for Monday Highlights! This sounds cute and oh so fun!
#Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso: I mean I had to get this after watching the Netflix show because I clearly need to know more! 
Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher: I've been meaning to read this for a while and it was £1 in The Works so I decided to pick it up. I am a sucker for celebrity-falls-for-ordinary-person stories for some reason.
A Summer at Sea by Katie Fforde: This is the latest Katie Fforde book I believe and the only one I haven't read yet. I seem to be collecting a lot of happy-romance reads which will be great after all the thrillers I've been reading lately.
The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley: This is the third book in the series. I kind of want to collect all of them before starting the series but I'm not sure how many books there will be. 

Reading Update:

Ann:

Trust Me I'm Lying by Mary Elizabeth Summer: 5 stars, I loved this book, I didn't know much about the plot before reading but I loved the title and I think that the characters were amazing. The ending was also very shocking!
Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco: 5 stars, My friend brought this for me for my birthday and so I decided to read it and it was amazing. I loved the main character and how unique she was.

Clare:

Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen: 4.5 stars, This was... I don't actually have a word for it. I was so inside the MC's head that it actually got a little uncomfortable. In a good "this is super engrossing" kinda way. Just all around really impressed. 

The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier: 5 stars, I don't know what it is. I've read only this and Juliet (Anne Fortier has written only two books) but I count her as one of my all time favourite authors. Her books are beautifully written with characters that amaze me and exciting plots. And she researches everything so well! This just happened to be about something I spent two years of my life studying and it was so well done. Myth and history were integrated into the story seamlessly. I just loved it. I need more from Anne Fortier soon!

The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott: 3.5 stars, This was fun, I had some problems with the way characters spoke and acted at times but overall it was a good adventure story and I am excited to continue the series. 

The White Road by Sarah Lotz: Not gonna star this one because I actually didn't finish it. I made it a good way through and don't think it's the books fault because honestly this was so atmospheric and creepy. I just kept having panic attacks every time he got stuck in a small space. So I've passed it on to Ann and she will be reviewing it instead. I know a lot of people were really intrigued by this book so didn't want to leave you with no updates! 

Geekerella by Ashley Poston: 3.5 stars, Super cute. Wasn't as good as some other cinderella retellings I've read but I'd say its definitely worth a read. Very, very cute. Especially the last few chapters which were just so sweet. 

Next Week on the Blog:

• Monday Highlights #4
• Clare's April Wrap Up and May TBR
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Friday Reads
• Ann's April Wrap Up and May TBR

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Guardians of the Galaxy Book Tag

We will be going to see Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 today and in my excitement I totally forgot to prepare a post for today!! BUT, then I stumbled across this tag and it's kinda perfect timing (which is odd because my timing is usually awful)! So enjoy these questions and please consider yourself tagged if you're a Guardians of the Galaxy fan! Which, I mean, why wouldn't you be? This tag was created by G-Swizzel Books and you can check out the original video here.

1) Star Lord - An Unlikely Hero

All YA heroes ever? I mean Percy Jackson, Harry Potter - the best series' are full of unlikely heroes thrust into a whole new world and then battling their way to glory. And, you know, saving the world. But mostly glory. 

2) Gamora - A Lethal Weapon of a Character

Nemesis from The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid. Oh god, I feel like I never shut up about Nemesis but she deserves it okay??? She was so badass and awesome and just, so tough and lethal. 

3) Drax the Destroyer - An Unpredictable Character

Vidia Swanson from Tainted Angel by Anne Cleeland. This is one of those lesser known books that you should definitely read because wow. I loved Vidia from the first page and she was just so unpredictable. I never knew what she was going to do next or what her ultimate plan was - whose side she was going to be on but it was so exciting being along for the ride.

4) Rocket Raccoon - A Character with Killer Strategies 

Kaz from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. Is there any other answer? Is there?? He is the king of a winning plan. I just... I miss Six of Crows. 

5) Groot - A Bad Ass Character With a Big Heart

Rhysand from A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. This series has been on my mind a lot lately because it's only THREE DAYS until the release of A Court of Wings and Ruin!!! Three!! So close. I can't say much here without spoilers but god I love Rhysand. 

6) Mantis - A Friendly and Powerful Side Character

Fennrys in the Wondrous Strange trilogy (this is cheating because he is a main character in the spin off series Starling but shhhh). He was such a standout side character and I was thrilled when he got his own series. 

7) Nebula - A Character That Puts Their Mission Before Their Family

This is honestly kind of a tough one for me because I can't help but prefer characters who put family above everything. Cause that's what I'd do. But I am going to go with Valek from Poison Study. His dedication to his job surpasses pretty much everything. And I still love him.

8) Yondu - The Annoying Character That You Cannot Help But Love

Portia from Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. She is one of those characters who just grows on people. Or so I've learned. I kinda loved her from the moment she appeared annoyances and all.

9) Adam Warlock - A Character That Thinks They Are a God

Apollo from The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan. Hey check me out cheating again. But technically - technically - he has been transformed into a mortal. So totally not a god but still thinks he is. It works.

10) Angela - A Character Who is Different From the Rest of the Squad But Is a Vital Member

Matthias from Six of Crows. So moral. So accidentally plunged into depravity by the squad. Poor boy. But what would they do without him?

I very nearly wound up putting a Six of Crows answer for everything. It would have been so easy. I'm pretty impressed with my restraint at sticking to only two! 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Friday Reads 28th April 2017

Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice and Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share a sentence or so from the first page and the 56th page of the book you are currently reading!

Book Beginning: 

"I met the man who would save my life twice - and ultimately destroy it - on a potholed road in the arse-end of the Welsh countryside."

Friday 56:

Here's where I should say: the reality of my situation would end up being far worse than any scriptwriter could dream up..."

I just finished reading The Hunt for Atlantis by Andy McDermott and whilst I kind of wanted to continue the series I also felt like putting it aside rather than marathoning it might be wise so I decided to pick up The White Road by Sarah Lotz which I was sent for review. It's set to be released May 4th. It says "map to come" which is exciting for anyone who gets a finished copy but kind of disappointing for me (who doesn't love maps) but it intrigues me. 

If you're interested my review for last week's Friday Reads My Sister by Michelle Adams has now gone up and you can find it here.  

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Blog Tour: My Sister by Michelle Adams

Title: My Sister

Author: Michelle Adams

Pages: 375

Blurb: My Sister tells the story of Irini, who was given away by her parents at the age of three, whilst her volatile, destructive sister was kept within the family. Twenty years later Irini receives a phone call from her estranged sister to say that their mother has died, compelling her to return for the first time to the family home, and to uncover the shocking truth that has defined both their lives.

I am drawn to books about sister relationships always. And I am so glad I had the chance to read this. At first I was worried I wasn't liking the book. I felt uncomfortable and off balance - but then I realised that's what made it so good. 

Elle and Irini aren't really likable. Elle is terrifying. Charismatic and difficult with a long, long victim list. Irini on the other hand was unlikable only in her weakness. In her youth when she went along with everything Elle said and did - no matter the cost to other people. I found it hard in places to read about the hurt she caused others, her and Elle, and yet I never doubted Irini. I wanted her to get a good ending, to have the resolution she needed. 

What really struck me with My Sister is how real it felt. So often, in thrillers, I am along for the ride and enjoying it - but always conscious of how unlikely it all is! Here, there was none of that. Elle and Irini and all the other characters felt like real people to me, fleshed out and realistic. Their actions were human even when they were bad and I really felt for Irini towards the end as she lost control of what was happening. I didn't always agree with her decisions certainly, but I always believed in them.

The twists were ones I never saw coming which is always great! I am still processing the last few chapters and I have a few unanswered questions regarding the future. But this isn't frustrating to me so much as ensuring that I will keep thinking about this book for a long time to come. There were moments towards the end that I felt were a little too rushed, the pace changed abruptly and so many things were revealed in such a short amount of time that ultimately we didn't get to spend so long unwrapping them as I would have liked. 

Overall though this was an intriguing and exciting read with very human (though not always likable) characters. If you find family dynamics as fascinating as I do, especially in thrillers, then I really do recommend this and I am very interested to see what Michelle Adams will write next!

Trigger Warnings:

Definite trigger warnings for abuse, sexual assault, rape and mental illness. 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading. 

Wednesday Catch-Up 26th April 2017

Every Wednesday we are linking up with WWW Wednesday. WWW Wednesday is hosted at Taking on a World of Words and asks 3 questions: What are you currently reading?, What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you'll read next? You can click any of the images to go to the Goodreads page for that book!

Currently Reading:

I am currently reading The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier and loving it. She is one of my favourite writers (which seems odd when I've read one other book by her) but I get so absorbed in her writing and her characters. As someone who did Classics at University ALL the details of Troy, and the Amazons and Ancient Greece feel a little like coming back to an old friend (also really well researched). Just so good.

Recently Finished:

Wild Chamber was delightful, great characters, interesting mystery, well written. It was just a really fun, good read. My Sister on the other hand was super unsettling and uncomfortable to read at times but also a very good thriller. I was hooked the whole way through and I will have a full review going up tomorrow as part of the blog tour! Finally, Gone Without a Trace was awesome. I got so absorbed into the Main Characters mind that when all the twists happened I didn't know what to think or how to feel. It was another unsettling one and I highly recommend it!

Planning to Read Next:

Reading The Lost Sisterhood reminded me of how much I enjoyed Juliet so I want to do a re-read of that! And then continuing with the re-reading I'm going with Beauty Queens which I've been meaning to re-read for a while. And then, and god I keep saying this and then not reading it, but I want to read Origin.

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Monday Highlights #3

The idea is to just link your favourite blog post from the past week (for example a post you're very proud of or just had a lot of fun making) and then I, and hopefully others, can discover new blogs to follow and interact with!

I've decided to link up my own favourite blog post of last week! This week it was my first ever Discussion Post (Yeah it really took me TWO YEARS to actually write one) and it took so much courage for me to hit publish because it got a little personal! The response was great though and I definitely feel like doing more discussion posts in the future! 
ALSO; Today is Ann's birthday! So proud of her and everything she has done in the last 16 years and I hope she has an amazing day!! Love you lots Ann! 

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.

Sunday Post 23rd April 2017

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer, it's a chance to post a recap on the past week, show the books we have received and share what we plan for the coming week. Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and the aim is to show our newest books and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops or downloaded on to their e-reader. As always you can click on any of the pictures to be taken to the Goodreads page for that book if you're interested in finding out more about it or click the title to go to the review.

Films of the Week:

NOT a film (once again breaking the rules of my own post) but I just started watching Girlboss on Netflix and I am LOVING it! I never read the book - which I am now regretting - but I adore Sophia and the show and just everything. I'm about halfway through currently and will definitely have finished it by this time next week! Have you started watching it yet? Have you read the book? Should I read the book??

Last Week on the Blog:

• Monday Highlights #2
• Discussion Post: Trigger Warnings
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Friday Reads

Books We Got This Week:

For Review:

The Wishing Heart by J.C. Welker: Received via Netgalley, this is LGBT and involves theft and who doesn't love a nice bit of theft in their YA? Plus the cover is so pretty!

Den of Shadows by Christopher Byford: Received via Netgalley, AGAIN the cover! Either I am really superficial and won't request/buy books unless they're gorgeous or publishers have been upping their game! Honestly all I know about this is circus. I love the circus. I think I've probably mentioned that a hundred times before. 
Seven Days in Summer by Marcia Willett: Received from the publisher for review. This just looks perfect for Summer. I mean there is a beach on the cover, it says summer in the title!! I think I am going to save this for when the sun comes out but it looks great!
Owl and the Electric Samurai by Kristi Charish: All this blurb needed was an "Indiana Jane" and I was hooked. Think I might read this in the summer when I feel like an adventure! Received via Netgalley!

180 Seconds by Jessica Park: Requested this from Netgalley and I am super excited to get to it (hopefully soon but who even knows anymore). 
What Goes Around by Julie Corbin: Received from the publisher for review. I am very excited for this one! I've been promised an incredible twist!
The Irregular by H.B. Lyle: Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me a copy of this for review. I am so, so intrigued by the spy angle and also the Sherlock Holmes Baker Street Irregulars angle!
The Dragon's Legacy by Deborah A. Wolf: Thank you to Titan Books for sending me this for review. DRAGONS. This book is so gorgeous and it took all my self control not to immediately drop everything and start reading the second it came through the letterbox!

Purchased:

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies: I've been wanting to try some of Dinah Jefferies' books for a while now. This (and the next two) were in the three for £5 offer at The Works and I happened to get £5 for Easter so it had to happen. This even sounds a little Rebecca-esque which I love.
You Had Me at Merlot by Lisa Dickenson: This book had me at Italy. I'm a sucker for anything set in Italy. I also feel like after Spring Into Horror I'm going to need a lot of romance/happy books to restore my faith in humanity!
All She Ever Wished For by Claudia Carroll: This is the only one of Carroll's books that I haven't yet read. I'm pretty sure this is actually a Christmas read so I don't know whether to save it or just read it? 
Missing by Kelley Armstrong: I am a big fan of Kelley Armstrong in all genres (and she has written in pretty much all of them honestly) and this sounds great so I kinda had to.

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich: Recommended by Vera @ Regal Critiques. She said she loved this book and I am loving creepy reads at the moment so I went for it!
The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier: Whilst I was busy raving about Fortier's first book Juliet (which was released 7 years ago - and I love it) I noticed she released a second book 3 years ago and so I obviously had to have it! This is about a woman's search for Amazons? I mostly just trust Anne Fortier enough to not need a blurb but Amazons are pretty impressive as well!
Duels & Deception by Cindy Anstey: I'm always in the mood for Historical Romance. And I loved Love Lies and Spies. 

Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis: Oh boy, I've heard mixed reviews for this  one recently. But I trust Mindy McGinnis. I've loved every other book I've read of hers so just, fingers crossed?

Reading Update:

Ann:

Promises I Made by Michelle Zink: 5 stars, I really enjoyed Lies I Told and so Clare brought me this book and it was amazing. The ending was brilliant I loved it. Overall it was a really good book.

Clare:

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz: 3.5 stars, Fun but not hugely impactful. I liked that the romance was resolved relatively quickly and the remainder of the book was spent on the mystery element. It wasn't hugely mysterious since we got sections from the "bad guys" perspectives but it was still tense in places.
He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly: 4.5 stars, This was a weird one for me. I both wanted to keep reading non-stop and couldn't because it was too emotionally draining for me. There are major trigger warnings for this book for rape and sexual assault which were upsetting for me. Don't get me wrong Erin Kelly handled them wonderfully it's just always a difficult one. There were so many incredible twists in this and I adored the ending.
Wild Chamber by Christopher Fowler: 4 stars, Why oh why do I keep reading late books in a series I haven't started? I really enjoyed this and loved the characters. The mystery does work alone but also clearly has links to previous books so I'm definitely gonna have to go back and read them all at some point! Can be read as a standalone but I'd really recommend starting at the beginning.
My Sister by Michelle Adams: 3.5 stars, Unsettling and gripping. I was off balance pretty much the whole way through. The characters were fairly unlikable but I was ultimately gripped. My review for the blog tour will be up on the 27th.

Next Week on the Blog:

• Monday Highlights #3
• Top Ten Book Turn Offs
• Wednesday Catch-Up
• Blog Tour: My Sister by Michelle Adams
• May Releases
• Friday Reads
• Fairy Loot Unboxing - Dreams & Wishes

You can also find us on Goodreads (Ann and Clare), Facebook and Instagram to keep up with what we are reading.