Sunday Post 20th May 2018

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 Reading Reality 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.

This week I reviewed Elemental Claim by Miranda Grant which I loved - if you enjoy Paranormal Romance stories you should definitely check it out! 

Books We Got This Week:

There has been a lot of talk on Twitter lately about The Poppy War and it really intrigued me so I thought I'd pick it up! Hopefully I'll get to it this summer! The Wicked Cometh is really exciting because it's LGBTQ historical mystery/romance which is one of my favourite genres! Catching Stars was a surprise bonus book in a subscription box but I'm really happy about it because I've been following Oftomes for a while now and always want to support the publisher. Sky in the Deep has gotten nothing but rave reviews so obviously high expectations there. And finally Devils Unto Dust sounded like exactly my kind of read with survival elements! 

Reading Update:

You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan: 4 stars, For such a short book this did a great job with characters and relationships. I really enjoyed both perspectives which was nice and I'd love for these two to write more books together!

Style by Chelsea M. Cameron: 4 stars, I've been recommended this a lot. I did enjoy it, at times the perspectives felt too young for me (but that's just cause I'm so old now) and I really wish I'd read it as a teenager when it would have been perfect for me! 

Sight Lines by Michelle DiCeglio: 4.5 stars, I fully loved this. The relationship was good, the mystery was strong and the characters were well developed. I definitely want to read more by DiCeglio so will be keeping an eye out!

Ice by Lyn Gardner: 4 stars, Super romantic (cheesily so at times - which I loved) and had one of those perfect ever after epilogues you get so often in romance. Unrealistic maybe but so much more fun to read.

Clare Reviews: Elemental Claim by Miranda Grant

Title: Elemental Claim

Author: Miranda Grant

Series: War of the Myth #1

Format: E-book

Source: Received from the author for an honest review

Pages: 296

Rating: 4.5/5

Blurb: The mission always came first…until her.
Rogan’s dedicated his life to protecting the Seven Planes. So when an ancient evil rises, he doesn't hesitate to volunteer his team. But immediately, things start to go wrong. Their intel is leaked to a gang hunting creatures of the Myth. Emma, the woman they grab is the wrong twin and worse, she’s protected by the gods. Drawn into an intricate game where one wrong move means the annihilation of the Seven Planes, Rogan can’t allow himself to be distracted by the soft lips of his captive. Especially since Emma's very existence is a crime. But when her life is required for the success of the mission, Rogan finds that he'll chance everything to save her.
Within a few hours, Emma’s safe, little life crashes down around her. Driven off a bridge and drowned in a world of nightmares, Emma instinctively clings to the man that saves her. But when she wakes chained to a bed and interrogated over facts she doesn’t know, she realizes that her sexy savior might not have her best interests at heart after all. Forced to stay by his side, Emma is dragged into a terrifying reality where her twin sister stars as a mass murderer and Emma herself is wanted for being a descendant – a forbidden child of the gods. With so much at stake, does she dare listen to her heart and trust the very man meant to imprison her?

This is easily my favourite Paranormal Fantasy I've read all year. It was unique and brilliant, well written and fast paced with characters to die for (and a romance that I adored). 

Elemental Claim contains that most rare of characters - a totally realistic and likable heroine and hero. Seriously the way in which Emma reacts to all the things that happen to her just made me fall in love with her. Early on in the book she reacts to an attempted kidnapping with basic self defence. Not sudden unrealistic fighting moves, not panicked screaming - she just fought back and ran (we learn she has had self defence lessons so her natural instinct is cool and makes sense). And this pragmatism continues throughout the book. She does freak out at times and she doesn't instantly know the way out of every situation - but she does react naturally and this makes her come across as more real and so the story, by extension, feels more real. (Which, I mean there are gods and all sorts of paranormal stuff happening here so that's pretty impressive). 

Rogan is kind of my new favourite Paranormal Fantasy hero. Its a genre awash with possessive (sometimes creepily so) and never-ever-wrong men. And Rogan is, don't get me wrong, super-skilled at what he does. But he also makes mistakes (and admits them) and his confusion and the mental gymnastics he goes through to rationalise everything early on in the story is both adorable and hilarious. As could be expected from two characters I adore - the romance is also spectacular. It's rare for me to find a romance about which I have no reservations but here I wholeheartedly believed in Emma and Rogan and loved every moment they shared. 

There is a lot happening in this world and it did take me a little bit to get everything straight - but that's fine because Emma is just as lost so I got to discover everything alongside her. Which made this a way more enticing read because I constantly just wanted to get home and read what happened next and uncover more of the world and characters. Mythology is something I love (I studied it in college after all) so it's always exciting to see so many gods and mythological elements brought into the story - and really skilfully brought in as well. There were a lot of really lovely touches that I don't want to spoil. I especially loved how accurately Miranda portrayed the personalities of the gods. 

This was such a refreshing and exciting read and Miranda Grant is going straight on my list of favourite fantasy writers. I am lucky enough to have book 2 in the series as well and I will be reading it very soon - so keep an eye out for that review later! 

Monday Highlights #54

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 and discover more posts from blogs we may already follow!

Sunday Post 13th May 2018

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 Reading Reality 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.

Books We Got This Week:

No summaries for the books this week because I am exhausted from Pride and Eurovision - but you can click any of the covers to go to the goodreads page or if there are any you want to know more about let me know! 

Reading Update:

The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan: 4.5 stars, I love this series (and everything Riordan writes) and I am really looking forward to continuing it! 

Monday Highlights #53

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 and discover more posts from blogs we may already follow!

Sunday Post 6th May 2018

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 Reading Reality 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.

Last Week on the Blog:

• Monday Highlights #52
• Eight May Releases I'm Super Impatient For

Books We Got This Week:

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli: One of my absolute most anticipated for the year and I am really, really hoping it's amazing (also that they make a movie of it as they did with Simon please and thank you).

Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey: I have adored Anstey's books in the past and this one has the most gorgeous cover yet which hopefully means the story is similarly wonderful. (Yes I know that's not how stories work I just need to excuse my cover lust).

People Like Us by Dana Mele: Someone described this to me as Gay Mean Girls and I clicked buy so fast. 

The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the best burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding: This looks delightful and summery and I need it in my life. 

Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now by Dana L. Davis: Firstly I adore this cover. Secondly, I've heard amazing things and I'm a real sucker for finding a new family stories - especially when they get complicated!

Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman: It's Amie Kaufman. Enough said. I'm really getting back into Middle Grade lately and I'm so glad I can do that with one of my favourite authors. 

I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman: I've been a fan of Alice Oseman for so so long. I remember reading Solitaire when it was first released and freaking out over how incredibly wonderful it was. Radio Silence was somehow even better so I am beyond excited for this.

Beyond a Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake: This was the Fairy Loot book for April and, if I'm honest, I know very little about it. I know it features mythology and history which are two of my favourite things so I'm hopeful!

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas: Maas is my problematic fave so I needed this. Even if it is getting some very bad reviews at the moment. Fingers crossed I enjoy it anyway?

Your Turn to Die by Sue Wallman: Ann picked this one up and we had to get it for the title alone because that is so horror movie. 

The Designs of Lord Randolph Cavanaugh by Stephanie Laurens: I used to be addicted to Laurens' books (I own every single book in the Cynster series and spin-offs. It's a lot.) But it's been a while since I've read any of her books so I'm really looking forward to this.

The House on Half Moon Street by Alex Reeve: Because LGBT Historical Fiction is insanely hard to find (seriously recommendations please?).

Sammy Rambles and The Floating Circus/Land of the Pharoahs/Angel of 'El Horidore/Fires of Karmidor/Knights of the Stone Cross by J.T. Scott: A local author we met this week who was absolutely lovely. I immediately bought the whole series because magical school and dragons. You all know how much I desperately search for good dragon books right? And this just sounds amazing.

Reading Update:

Release by Patrick Ness: 5 stars, Just incredible. I mean, I expect nothing less from Ness at this point. But this truly was a favourite for me. I don't even know how to put it into words but everything about this was wonderful. It reminded me a little of The Rest of Us Just Live Here in that there is this big dramatic potentially world ending thing happening but it's a subplot to the everyday life and problems of the Main Character. Both were compelling but it was Adam's story I truly adored. 

Next Week on the Blog:

• Clare Reviews: Elemental Claim by Miranda Grant

Eight May Releases I'm Super Impatient For

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas: Releasing May 1st - My copy of this hasn't arrived yet and I am very, very much impatient. I've seen a few people who've read it and come dangerously close to spoilers so hopefully my copy arrives soon!

Ship It by Britta Lundin: Releasing May 1st - Another Pre-order that hasn't quite come yet. I actually only learned about this one fairly recently but I love it. It seems perfect for fans of Queens of Geek (which I 100% am). 

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne: Releasing May 1st - Jane Eyre in Space. Jane Eyre is one of my all time favourite classics (despite Mr Rochester's frankly appalling behaviour) and I'm really into Sci-Fi at the moment so this sounds fun! 

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson: Releasing May 8th - Everything about this book is completely up my street. Diversity, Strong Female Friendships, Basically Zombies, Mean Girls? So here for it. 

My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma: Releasing May 15th - My co-blogger over at The Regal Critiques, Ruzi, is obsessed with Bollywood films. I've only seen a couple (one at her recommendation) but they're so fun and the plot of this sounds like everything I want in a contemporary!

Game of Secrets by Kim Foster: Releasing May 15th - Victorian London and Magic. Two of my favourite things to read about. Plus I am in love with this cover! 

Legendary by Stephanie Garber: Releasing May 29th - I had some mixed opinions about Caraval but I loved the world building so I'm super excited for this one as well. There seems so much more story to tell and I am intrigued.

Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett: Releasing May 15th - This looks and sounds incredible. Every early review I've read is completely in love with this book so I am beyond excited!

Let me know what your most anticipated read(s) of May are and if you've read any of these already let me know what you thought!!