Introducing: A Week Of Winter

As the days get shorter, our minds invariably turn to Winter. Cold weather and ... and I don't mean that kind of Winter.

Ah, there we go. That's the Winter I mean. The fourth and final book in The Lunar Chronicles releases soon - just a little over a week away! - and in celebration I am having a 'Week of Winter' here at Pages of Starlight.

This has been in the works since...well, since June. That's when I started planning it and deciding what I wanted to do and feature. I have a lot of fun things planned that I hope you all stick around to enjoy.

If you want to know which posts (in truth, most of them) are a Week of Winter, all you need to do is look for this banner.

It will be on every Week of Winter post. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have putting it together!

October Wrap Up

So, does anyone else want to totally pig out on Halloween candy tomorrow? I want to, but I didn't actually buy any. *pouts* I thought about it several times, but those bags are so huge I'd wind up eating more than I should. Besides, I would have had to read the labels on all of them to see which ones were dairy free.

And, to go with the candy I don't have, I've been thinking about what I'm watching for Halloween. I really think I'll be doing some Scooby-Doo - maybe a couple of the animated movies. Definitely leaning towards Loch Ness Monster and, maybe, Cyber Chase. Of course, they are my two favorites. And what are you watching?

I was actually planning on taking some pictures of the fall foliage - we usually get some really nice colors - and posting them. However, this year the leaves almost all turned a sick yellowish-brown and fell off the trees. While we were wet early in the summer, late summer and early fall was really dry so no fall colors. I'm really disappointed because I love when the trees look like fire.

I've actually not read a lot this month - at least, not compared to the craziness that last month was. (And one of these was an hour long audiobook!) You see, the first few books I started were ones I was really looking forward to, but they turned out disappointing. Also, at work I've been programing in a POS machine. That's 'Point of Sale' and it scans barcodes on products, much like the big stores have. Well, it's a lot of work entering in all the inventory in the store. I've been working on it for a few hours each day, until I start developing eye strain from looking at the computer screen so long and my fingers start missing the keys. Needless to say, it's exhausting and I've not had much time or energy to read after all that. (And then I've had a headache every day for over a week.)

I also, for the first time since I started it, completely failed with using my TBR Jar. It's been working wonderfully and hopefully next month I'll be able to get back to it. This month though...I really don't know what happened. I think, because I started with the books I really wanted to read, and they turned out so badly, I really didn't hold out a lot of hope for books that just barely caught my attention.


What I've been reading...

Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White - **

The Girl with the Windup Heart by Kady Cross - ** - Review Here

The Jester by Michael J. Sullivan - *****

The Master Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg - ** - Review Up 11/4

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor - **** - Thoughts Here

Cress by Marissa Meyer - ***** - Thoughts Here

The Spirit Rebellion by Rachel Aaron - ***** - Thoughts Here

What I've been watching...
I rewatched season three of Yu Yu Hakusho. Honestly, I just adore this show so much. I also watched season three of Elementary and this show is so great. And I have to say that I totally didn't think I would, but I love Kitty Winters! Watched season four of Once Upon A Time. Can I just say, that season finale was wow. It really seemed like during season four, the writers tried to solve the problems that made season three not the best. How well they worked, I don't know. There were certain things that were amazing - like that finale. Without a doubt, my favorite two episodes of the show yet.

For shows that weren't quite as awesome, but still good, I watched season two of Hakkenden. I like the show and think season two might be just a tiny bit better than season one - but it didn't blow me away like I was hoping it would. I also watched season two of Is This A Zombie? (subtitled: Of The Dead?) and it was quite an improvement over season one. Still too much stupid humor (and Seraphim) but the characters (except Seraphim) all got more likable. Watched season three of Koihime Muso (called Shin Tairan, I think). Definitely was a bit of a disappointment over the two previous seasons. For about three-quarters of the season there was really nothing happening.

Finally, I rewatched set two (or, as I call it, season two) of Cardcaptor Sakura. So, I liked the show enough to buy the official (crazy expensive and yet very cheap) release for two sets of the show. However, watching it in english has just been painful. Shaoran (or however they spell his name - Xiolang?) was still a creepy little brat, but the voice made him even worse. And Sakura has such a whiny voice that I just wanted her to shut up. When I do buy the third set/season, I'll definitely be watching it in the japanese with english subtitles.


So, how was your October? What's your plans for Halloween? Or, what did you do for Halloween? How was your fall colors? (Or, maybe you're in spring?) How has your reading went this month? Do you use a TBR jar? Have you ever totally slipped with it? How about watching, seen any good shows lately?

Now, I have one final note:

October Book Haul

You know, I actually went looking for a graphic for this and it turns out that I never made one. I thought I did, so I might sometime, but for now, enjoy the book pictures.

(Also, you know how I claimed last month that I had to buy an epipen. Well, I should have, but I didn't. I don't think I'll spend over 400 dollars plus a doctor's visit just to get a prescription for something I might not need and hope to never use. (And to just have to do it all again in a year.) I will just pray that I never get stung by a wasp and, if I do, I turn out to not be allergic. I know, it's a bad idea and probably stupid, but I think the medical field in my country is very crooked. Anyone live in Canada (where you don't need a prescription and where the epipens cost less than a fourth of what they do here) and want to mail me one?)

Needless to say, I kind of binged on my book buying out of frustration and because I bought none last month.

The Impossible Race by Chad Morris
Air Awakens by Elise Kova
Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis
Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell
Reawakened by Colleen Houck
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Briar's Book by Tamora Pierce
Daja's Book by Tamora Pierce
Tris's Book by Tamora Pierce
The Gate of Gods by Martha Wells
The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove
The Ace of Skulls by Chris Wooding
The Stone Kingdom by Danielle E. Shipley

The Fortune Hunter by Diane Farr
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman
The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell

Free for kindle...

Free audiobooks...

Have you read any of these books? What did you think of it/them? Have any that you want to push towards me? Does my book haul make you jealous? I think I might have went a little crazy...

Review: The Girl With The Windup Heart by Kady Cross

The Girl With The Windup Heart by Kady Cross

Series: Steampunk Chronicles #4
Genre: Steampunk
Add on Goodreads

London's underworld is no place for a young woman, even one who is strong, smart and part automaton like Mila. But when master criminal Jack Dandy inadvertently breaks her heart, she takes off, determined to find an independent life, one entirely her own. Her search takes her to the spangled shadows of the West End's most dazzling circus

Meanwhile, taken captive in the Aether, Griffin King is trapped in an inescapable prison and at the mercy of his archenemy, The Machinist. If he breaks, The Machinist will claim control of the Aether, and no one in either world will be safe.

Top Ten Songs for a Halloween Playlist

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

I'll admit it, I don't like horror as a genre. Which is kinda funny, because I like being scared. But in horror, you either get cheese (which sometimes can be so much fun but all I do is giggle) or psychological thriller (which can make me not sleep for a month). Plus, *spoiler* everyone dies. Always. For me, that's just not fun. (Yes, Alien vs. Predator, I'm looking at you.) If you want to know my kind of horror, go watch season one of Sleepy Hollow (not seen season two yet, but heard it wasn't as good) or season one of Supernatural (didn't like season two and have never watched more).

Needless to say, I'm very grateful to The Broke and the Bookish for giving us a freebie this week. Originally this was going to be atmospheric books. But then I realized, there's this very important part of both my life and Halloween for me that I hardly ever talk about. Halloween music!


Some of these will be cheesy Halloween songs, which is seriously something that is very necessary, but others will be maybe not quite so cheesy and I've got a few here that aren't really Halloween songs, but fit the season perfectly.

So, without further ado, here's my top ten songs for a Halloween playlist!

Cress Talk (#TLCReadalong) (Spoilers!)

taking place here

Spoiler warning!

Welcome all to my third and final The Lunar Chronicles Talk before the release of Winter. As usual, spoilers abound! So, if you're wanting to read a totally spoiler free review, click here. My Scarlet Talk post is here. My original, spoiler free, review of Scarlet is here. My Cinder Talk post is here. And, finally, my original, spoiler free, review of Cinder is here. (Whew, glad to be done typing those out.)

Onward!

Is There Such A Thing As Too Much World Building?

I've tried reading some of the big names in fantasy adult fiction. Brandon Sanderson. Scott Lynch. Brent Weeks. Honestly…I was bored. I hate that, but I was. The world building was so dense that I felt for every interesting conversation that lasted five pages, we got at least ten pages of descriptions of the world - some that don't even seem to play into the story.

It's like the authors are so pleased with the world they created that they have to tell you every minute detail. That makes me loose interest so quickly. I know, I know, you don't have to tell me: world building is super important in a fantasy story.

I don't disagree. However, I don't find it interesting to read three plus pages about gladiator fights against sharks (hello, Gentlemen Bastards) or page upon page of fights where no one throws a punch or casts a spell (hello, Mistborn). As fun as the idea of these books are, I think they both really need a strict editor. (Sacrilege, I know. I know, too, that I digress.)

Sometimes, when I'm sitting there reading a fantasy, I cannot even remember what the countries are called because it like this huge influx of information all at once. I love world building, but I'm starting to think there's too much. I've read books where the world comes alive so vividly I can remember cities and countries names long after finishing the book. But I've also read books that, even while I'm reading them, I not sure where it's supposed to take place. I've actually found myself flipping to the map at the front of the book just to remember the name of the country!

I do love heavy world building, and I'm definitely onboard for worlds that are vastly different than ours, but I don't want the world building to take over the story or - *shudder* - become the story.

I like world building that doesn't takeaway from the characters, either. I've even read some books where the world building is introduced through the characters and I think that's great. I also find conversational info dumps easier to process than page upon page of narration.

I like to feel that the world building is fully integrated and the author was picky enough to cut out the world building that doesn't have an impact on the story.

What do you think? Do you believe less is more when it comes to world building? Or do you like loosing yourselves in dozens of pages worth of culture and customs?

Introducing: Emperor Fuzwarts! (AKA: My WIP)

I fail. Okay, so if not at life, at least at writing and remaining true to what I said I was going to do. You know that story I said last month I was working on writing? Yeah, it fell through. That and I so don't know the kind of story it's even supposed to be. Let's say 'too many ideas and none of them coming clear.' So, while that story's on the back burner for awhile, I have decided to focus on a story that I've been thinking about for years.

WIP Codename: Emperor Fuzwarts
Progress: First Draft
I'm very early in the first draft of this story. I'm still ironing out the plot and characters and world building.

Why Emperor Fuzwarts?
I've never been good at naming my WIP. I either wind up with something that has no bearing to the story, or that I get way too attached to. The phrase 'Emperor Fuzwarts' just came to me. It's odd. It's something that I'm in no danger of wanting to keep. And it's unique. (No, the Emperor doesn't have fuzzy warts. At least, not yet.)

No, Why Emperor Fuzwarts
This story has been in my mind for years. Three people, members of the Royal Guard that would do anything for each other? Yeah, that's not what the story is now. Now we are actually seeing when they first meet and how they really don't get along. But the core has stayed the same. It's funny, I don't like moralistic stories, but I do like the ones that are trying to say something. Well, my fuzzy warted Emperor is certainly trying to say something through this story.

What is Emperor Fuzwarts?
EF is a fantasy/steampunk amalgamation set in a fantasy world. There probably won't be many - if any - fantasy creatures, but there will be gods and magic. More importantly though, EF is a story about three cadets training for the Guard. Early on in the story, they have their final test and, when the three characters are teamed up on their 'Field Exam' (basically sending the trainees out on a mission without instructors) they must learn to work together. EF is a story about misfits fitting in with each other, about friendship and what three people can accomplish.

What was Emperor Fuzwarts inspired by?
The Legend of the Legendary Heroes - anime show
Autumn's Journey - visual novel
Behind Closed Doors by Rise Against
Brother by NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Gavin Degraw

Or, to sum it up in one picture:

Fanart of Legendary Heroes

EF is about friendship, more than anything else and I have derived inspiration from some great friendships.

I hope I can actually work on this story - definitely not been having the time I want to - and that you enjoyed learning about my creative endeavor. Next month I plan to introduce my three main characters.

Review: Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly

Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly

Series: Monstrous #1 (companion novel/series)
Genre: Fantasy
Add on Goodreads

The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre’s inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.

Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.

Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre. 

And what he knows will change Kym’s life.

Top Ten Wishes For The Book Genie

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

Even though I don't usually wish for things I can't have, this topic is absolutely genius! As the brains behind TTT said 'you dream it and the book genie can do it.' <3

Thoughts, Predictions and Hopes for Winter

taking place here

Okay, so I am totally excited for Winter - like most everyone else that's a fan of this series, I'd think. Besides the huge fan base, that's also what happens when you have to wait over a year for the final book to come out. And, as someone that first read Cress close to when it came out, let me tell you, it has been a long wait.

But it has also given me plenty of time to think about the things that I want to see in the story as well as the things that we will probably see.

Seven Dwarves

I know there is probably no way that we could have actual dwarves in the story, but I'd LOVE to see a little nod to this. Seven somethings that kind of help Winter out. That'd be awesome! (Originally I was going to mention androids, but Levana hates them so I totally don't know how that would work.)

Poison Apple

I'm really curious to see if this iconic part of the tale makes it into Winter. In every adaptation or retelling I've seen, there's always this moment when Snow eats a poisoned apple and she's put into a coffin - or encased in ice. I'm definitely hoping there will be some reference to this in Winter.

Garan's Research

So, as I was rereading Cress I came across that scene where Cinder is telling Jacin about that little device that she had imbedded into her spine that kept her from going crazy even though she didn't use her Lunar gift for years and I got to thinking… We know that Jacin wants that device for Winter - but what about the rest of Lunar? I think it's going to be requested that all Lunars get one of those devices.

Ending Levana

One of my favorite things about this series is how there's so much more going on than just the romance. I am looking forward to seeing Levana die - preferably at Cinder's hands. I'm not sure the book will go that direction, but I'm hoping that Levana doesn't get to redeem herself - and that it's not her fault she dies. (No, hero offers to help but the villain trys to kill them one last time instead and falls to said villain's death.)

Happily Ever After

Yeah, I'm totally invested in the romances, too - no matter how happy I am that there's more to the story. However…I don't want to end with weddings. I mean, I know that some of these couples have been through a lot together, and romance builds quicker when you're in dangerous situations, but - really! How long have they even known each other? Besides, I don't like weddings in my YA books. So, please, no weddings. (I might not hate it if it were Winter and Jacin, because they, at least, have known each other for years. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I've not read the short story about them.)

Princess, Princess

I'm really curious to see how the Lunar queen plot is resolved. I totally think Cinder should become queen, but not fully sure it will happen. You see, she doesn't want to be queen, I think that's been pretty clear and it's going to take something major for her to actually want it - though I do think she'd be great at it. Also, there is the fact that a lot of people might disbelieve this cyborg from earth saying she's the long lost princess. Winter, on the other hand, has the kingdom's love, but no claim to the throne as she's merely the step-daughter to a princess.

There are also little notes that were mentioned in previous books that I'm curious about. Things like Jacin wanting to be a healer and how that might tie into the Letumosis cure. The fact that if Kai and the queen of Luna would marry, he wouldn't be a co-ruler, but just a consort. (And, how exactly would a long distance earth/lunar romance work?) Thorne getting his eyesight back (you know there's going to be a cute moment with Cress there). And Scarlet and Wolf reuniting (I demand a cute moment with them).

So, what are your thoughts on Winter? What do you think we'll see and what are you hoping to see?

Free E-Books = Best Idea Ever

Okay, I think something most readers can agree on is that they love getting free books. Be it as gifts or ARC's or, what I'll be talking about, free e-books. I'll be honest, I only discovered these recently. I bought a kindle this year, and before that I really hadn't downloaded e-books. (Even though I did have one of their apps for my computer.)

There are several author's I've found whose books I adore - and the great thing is that first book of theirs? I got it free. And that was perfectly legal! I got the books on Amazon for my kindle. I probably never would have bought the books - even if they'd only been 99 cents - but I have since bought one of the sequels and will be buying the other.

So, by offering the first book free, they have a new fan in me.

Everyone loves free books, right?

But, you know, I think free books are good for authors too, not just readers - especially when they're part of a series. Maybe it's not so helpful to those huge authors whose name everyone know, but if it's a new author - self-published especially - I think this is a great way to hook fans into the story.

Admittedly, I've gotten a couple of free books that I didn't like. But, oddly enough, instead of forcing myself through the book and then writing a rant-style review, I just quietly closed those books. After all, I wasn't out anything by buying it so, while I didn't enjoy the book, I also didn't feel compelled to warn people away from spending their money - because the books are free.

Have you found any new authors by getting a free e-book of theirs? I want to know the good and the bad so, do tell! 

The Coffee Book Tag

Fun fact about me: I don't drink coffee. I know, I know, how do I survive? By drinking tea - herbal tea, usually. Love peppermint or ginger to drink after breakfast especially. But, this tag looked like too much fun to do for me to refuse. Found it at Kayla's blog, The Thousand Lives. (But I am totally not doing this the right way, because I'm supposed to take pictures and have coffee mugs in them and I don't even own this many coffee mugs.) This is the perfect time of year to do this tag as the days are getting cooler and I can finally start drinking tea in the afternoons. (Or hot carob as I can't do chocolate.)

Review: The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa

The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa

Series: Galahad #1
Genre: Sci-Fi
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When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.

Two years of training have prepared the crew for the challenges of space travel. But soon after departing Earth, they discover that a saboteur is hiding on the Galahad! Faced with escalating acts of vandalism and terrorized by threatening messages, sixteen-year-old Triana Martell and her council soon realize that the stowaway will do anything to ensure that the Galahad never reaches its destination. The teens must find a way to neutralize their enemy. For if their mission fails, it will mean the end of the human race….

Top Ten Author Duos I'd Love To See Write A Book Together

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.

I tell you, those brains behind TTT's over at The Broke and the Bookish are giving us some great topics. Not only this week's and last week's, but some of the upcoming ones are totally awesome sounding! Anywho, this is going to be crazy difficult because I...well, let's just see what happens.

The Lunar Chronicles Book Tag

taking place here

I've been doing really well posting for this read along (yay, me!) but this month it was like 'zap! no more ideas.' (All the ideas I've been working on are being saved for my little pre-release Winter party.) So, I wanted to do this tag anyway - though when I still thought I might come up with something for Cress, I thought this would be awesome to add to my Winter posts.

Anyhow, this amazing tag was created by Brittany over at The Book Addict's Guide.

CINDER | The cyborg

a book that’s often misunderstood or underappreciated

So, I personally LOVE this book. It's absolutely amazing and even better than I could have ever hoped for. The problem? It is the lowest rated book at Goodreads that got five stars from me. And it's still a new book, so you all need to read it and love it and rate it so we can bring the rating up. Not getting pushy or anything. Nope, totally getting pushy.

KAI | The prince

a book about royals/royalty

Its even got royalty in the title. Seriously, this wasn't the book I would have went with, but all the other ones I've read recently with royalty turned out kind of bad. And I LOVE royalty in my books. Anyway, there are plenty of royals in this little book - a trend that doesn't seem to be stopping in the next in the series.

ADRI | The evil stepmother

a book with a horrible/cringe-worthy parent

The mother in this book basically told her adult daughter that she was flighty and selfish because she didn't want to give the man that broke their engagement (still don't know how) a second chance and said daughter was also told off because it didn't take her long enough, apparently, to find a new suitor. The mother also could be a poster parent for how to give your children eating disorders and body image problems. (Seriously though, I'd rather talk about the cringe-worthy children, because I've sure come across several recently.)

IKO | The spunky sidekick

a book with your favorite happy-go-lucky character

It's not that Carol is an airhead - although she kind of is - but she seems much more concerned about getting a boyfriend (a specific one, I might add) and things like food than the actual rescue at hand. However, she does come through when she's needed and can totally be counted on to lighten the mood. (And I have described the kind of sidekick I want to have.)

SCARLET | The rescuer

a book with a character on a mission

The mission: one heist that could set them up for life. If they survive the job. No, seriously, Loch is trying to get revenge/justice on the man that framed her and threw her into an 'inescapable' prison and stole a priceless manuscript from her family. However, the really fun part of the book is all the myriad ways the mission can (and does) go wrong.

WOLF | The fighter

a book with a brutal fight (with words or fists)

Okay, to be clear, I totally don't like brutal fights in my books. However, I am totally limiting this to books I actually like (except the bitch of a mother - which I've read hardly any books with truly awful parents) and I do recall some violence in these books. Though I totally need to reread them because, sadly, I can't remember. And they're are probably much less violent than you're thinking.

LEVANA | The villain

a book with the absolute worst villain

I decided to go with the villain in this book (nope, totally not going to say who) because they are a truly evil, manipulative villain. The amount of horrible things this villain does definitely leaves me saying 'no rehabilitation' and I dearly love villains that get their story told and/or are sympathetic.

THRONE | The rascal

a book with the biggest schmoozer

Let it be known that I love characters who never shut up as well as the 'rogue' character classes. That being said, this actually took some thought, because I wanted to make sure I got the perfect character for this. Well, with Maldynado Montichelu, I did. He was born into a wealthy, military family (basically the best families in this world) but didn't like - well, pretty much anything about it. He left, changed his last name (formerly Marblecrest) and when the main character finds him, he is *ahem* selling his wares as an 'escort.' (And what's the male equivalent of a call girl? Because I think he was that, too.) His self-admitted reason for doing the hero bit, even when it risks his neck? Because he wants a statue of himself in the capital city. (He also has a very unfortunate taste in hats.)

CRESS | The hacker

a book about technology, or sci-fi

So... This is a book about a luxury spaceliner getting destroyed (who would name their spaceship Icarus?) and the two people that escape to a mysterious planet. While the sci-fi in here isn't exactly what I'd call 'hard,' it is very well done and interesting and of huge importance to the story.

ERLAND | The doctor

a book with an illness or revolving around medical issues

I don't actually read books about medical issues or illness. (That's because I'm a bit of a hypochondriac - but also because I want my books to be fun and, usually, those books aren't.) However, this book focuses on a comet born plague that attacks an adults respiratory and neurological systems. It also is about over two hundred teens being humanity's last hope and set off on a spaceship for a trip to a new home. (Which is why, out of desperation, I switched which category this book was in.)

WINTER | The unsound mind

a book with the craziest character you’ve ever read

Can you define what you mean by 'crazy?' While I don't think Tremaine Valiarde is crazy in quite the same way I think Winter will be - then again, I don't believe I've ever read about someone that is - she has her own set of mental issues. When we first meet her, she is studying up on poisons that will bring about a verdict of 'natural causes' as opposed to suicide, accident or murder. She definitely has other traits that pop up throughout the series that leaves those around her (and sometimes herself) questioning her mental health.

JACIN | The soldier

a book with a military theme

Military sci-fi? That totally works, right? Anyway, this book's got a multiple race military (called the Confederation) to fight against the alien force that's pretty much fighting everyone and everything they come across.


Oooh, I think this might have been the longest tag I've done yet. Anyhow, it was a lot of fun and I tag anyone that had read The Lunar Chronicles! (Seriously, I'd tag everyone else, too, but I don't think you'd get quite as much out of it.)

Killed By The Hype Monster

If you know me, then you'll know that I'm not someone that really lets the hype for certain books get to her. I avoided City of Bones until the series was finished. I'm still avoiding Twilight and John Green. But that doesn't mean I'm immune to hype. Especially when fantasy books (aka: my bread and dairy-free butter) are the ones getting hyped.

This year I have been making it my goal to read all the books that I've bought that were released this year. That's a lot more than I was expecting and mixed in with some 'eh? what's that?' books have been a few that were hyped.

Let me clarify that. When I say hyped, I mean HYPED!!

BECAUSE YOU'LL LOVE IT!

So, I pick up the book and start reading and...it's good, I guess...I mean...I don't hate it...but I'm bored. (Seriously, happened to me with one of the most hyped fantasy books of the year.) Everyone has read the book and loves it. People that don't usually read these types of books are saying it's the best ever. (That should be a pretty big red flag warning right there.)

I'm not saying I regret reading the book. Not that at all. But I am wondering if maybe the book hadn't been so hyped if I would have liked it more? I was expecting it to be awesome - because it sounds awesome and everyone says it's awesome - that my expectations were built up to such a degree that I wonder if it could have ever met them.

Hype for a book is a great thing. It catches people's attention and makes everyone excited for the book. But I kind of wonder if hype might be bad for the book. I know getting burned had made me a lot more cautious about hype surrounding certain books. And also made me have more reasonable expectations for books.

Sound off. I'd love to know what you think about hype and your experiences with hyped books.

credit to here for picture

Series Spotlight: Dusk Gate Chronicles Quartet by Breeana Puttroff

Dusk Gate Chronicles Quartet by Breeana Puttroff

Let's start with the facts, the first four books of this series form the core of the conflict. They are four tightly connected books, though each solves the issues of that book. There is also two novellas/short stories that pertain to this story (which I haven't read) and at least three books that come after these four books and follow other plots.

See the whose series on Goodreads.

Synopsis of the first book, Seeds of Discovery
Quinn Robbins' life was everything she thought a teenager's should be. She has good friends, a family that she loves, good grades, and an after-school job she enjoys. And, she's just been asked out by Zander Cunningham, a popular football player and great guy. But one day when driving home after picking up her little sister from the baby-sitter's, she nearly hits a boy who, after running blindly into the street, mysteriously disappears.

The mystery only deepens as she figures out who the boy is; William Rose, a reclusive, awkward boy from school who always has his nose in a pile of books.

As she becomes more aware of his behavior it becomes more obvious how out of the ordinary William is and how hard he deliberately tries to blend into the background. This only intrigues her more and she finds herself working to find out more about him, and exactly where he keeps disappearing to.

On a whim one night she follows him and suddenly finds herself in a new world. One where William is a prince, literally, and she is treated like a princess. She also discovers that she is stuck; the gate back to her own world isn't always open.

Quinn finds herself smack in the middle of a modern-day fairy tale, on a course that will change her life forever.