Seraphina By: Rachel Hartman

 

When I picked up this book, I really had no idea what to expect. Part of me thought it would be just another lame dragon book, but luckily I was proven wrong. There was very extensive world building, which I noticed right off the bat. It really added to the overall story line and I quite enjoyed it. The characters were very well developed and I loved Seraphina. She is a strong, brave female character, but she isn’t perfect or whiny. The romance was subtle but sweet and developed nicely with the rest of the story. I really like what Rachel Hartman did with dragons in this story, I found it to be quite unique and thoroughly planned out. Overall, this book was a nice relaxing read without being boring and I look forward to the next one!

Winter By: Marissa Meyer

To say that I was excited about this book would be an understatement. And then to find out how long it was? So happy! And of course, it didn’t let me down. I jumped headfirst into this book and it didn’t let me go. I absolutely love the characters Marissa Meyer created in this series. They are flawed and they are full of life. The story was so well plotted with all of the fairy tales coming together perfectly. It was all so wonderfully done and I enjoyed every minute of it. So if you haven’t read the series at all. It begins with Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and then Winter. So go read them. If you haven’t, you’re really going to miss out. Who doesn’t love fairy tale recreations? Especially with a sci-fi twist? Hop to it! You won’t regret it!

Queen of Shadows By: Sarah J. Maas

All I can say about this is wow. Definitely the best book in the series thus far. This book drew me in immediately and didn’t let me go. Still hasn’t really. Everything developed so wonderfully, characters, plot, everything. Despite its length, this book felt too short. I really want to know what happens next. I really enjoy the different POVs in this series as well. It makes it much easier to get to know each character and see their development. I love Aelin because she seems like a character that could be real. I feel like I spent half of the time loving her and her decisions and the other half being frustrated with her. Anyway, loveloveloved this book and can’t wait for the next. Plus, awesome cover.

The Paris Winter By: Imogen Robertson

I’m not going to lie, the title and cover of this book drew my initial interest. The story involves a poor young artist in the city of Paris in the 1800’s. There is mystery, tragedy, art, romance and did I mention it takes place in Paris in the 1800’s? ‘Cause it does. And it was good. The writing was elegant, detailed and lovely. The protagonist is a young lady by the name of Maude Heighton and she is wonderful. She is tough, but kindhearted and I love that she is a fighter.  The twist, while expected was still surprising, if that makes any sense. Basically, you know something horrible is coming, but you don’t know when, what, or how. The story was brilliantly constructed and I loved every minute of it. If you are looking for a darker novel full of intrigue, mystery and very great characters, read this. Loved it!

 

Description from Amazon:

There is but one Paris.
Vincent Van Gogh Maud Heighton came to Lafond’s famous Academie to paint, and to flee the constraints of her small English town. It took all her courage to escape, but Paris, she quickly realizes, is no place for a light purse. While her fellow students enjoy the dazzling decadence of the Belle Epoque, Maud slips into poverty. Quietly starving, and dreading another cold Paris winter, she stumbles upon an opportunity when Christian Morel engages her as a live-in companion to his beautiful young sister, Sylvie. Maud is overjoyed by her good fortune. With a clean room, hot meals, and an umbrella to keep her dry, she is able to hold her head high as she strolls the streets of Montmartre. No longer hostage to poverty and hunger, Maud can at last devote herself to her art. But all is not as it seems. Christian and Sylvie, Maud soon discovers, are not quite the darlings they pretend to be. Sylvie has a secret addiction to opium and Christian has an ominous air of intrigue. As this dark and powerful tale progresses, Maud is drawn further into the Morels’ world of elegant deception. Their secrets become hers, and soon she is caught in a scheme of betrayal and revenge that will plunge her into the darkness that waits beneath this glittering city of light.

Death in theFloating City By: Tasha Alexander

Oh man, I’ve been so neglectful lately. I’m so sorry! I’ve been stuck playing Final Fantasy 14. Super addictive. Anyway, on to the review! This book is number seven in the Lady Emily mystery series. As the title suggests, it takes place in Venice, the floating city. This was a very interesting mystery. This author does not skimp on the details of the historical city and it is magical to experience. Venice has always been one of the places I want to visit. This book of course, is also a mystery and one Lady Emily has to solve for an old friend. This book has plenty of suspense, romance, and just a general cozy mystery feeling. I would definitely recommend this one and I also recommend continuing the series. I’m currently on number eight, Behind the Shattered Glass.

 

Dangerous to Know and A Crimson Warning By: Tasha Alexander

Alas, I didn’t get to do one review before I finished both books, so I’m kind of slipping them into one review. I gobbled these up very quickly. Dangerous to Know was a bit of a darker mystery involving a brutal murder, madness, an asylum and dark secrets. It was suspenseful and wonderfully written. A Crimson Warning, at first I thought it was the most boring of the books so far but then after a few chapters it didn’t let me go until 1:00am last night when I finished it. It was fantastic! It involved blackmail, deceit, kidnapping and of course, murder. So much suspense in this one! I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. I just love the relationships in these books and they are just fantastic. Unfortunately, the next two are in the mail so I don’t have them yet. So I’m going to re-read Silent in the Grave By: Deanna Raybourn in the meantime. Her books are how I found Tasha Alexander in the first place, so yay!

Tears of Pearl By: Tasha Alexander

In case you’re wondering how I’m reading these so fast, its because I have tons of time currently. I’m recovering from surgery. (Had my gallbladder removed) So I’m still off until Monday and am reading to my heart’s content. Anyway, back to the review! In this one, Lady Emily finds herself in Turkey, so a vastly different area altogether. This mystery was very intriguing and a lot of it was involved with the Sultan’s harem, which was very interesting to read and learn about. I always enjoy reading about other cultures and countries, so this book was great for that. Add in the still wonderful characters, descriptions and mystery and you have another great novel! Am already on the next one, Dangerous to Know.

A Fatal Waltz By: Tasha Alexander

This was also a re-read for me, but I remember having adored this book the first time I read it. I still do! In this installment, the main character travels to Vienna and the author did such a brilliant job of describing it. The snowy streets, the buildings, the cafes and culture. It was very well done and I enjoyed every minute of it. I devoured this book! The mystery in this one was a bit more suspenseful and had more of a sense of impending danger. The characters developed some more in a very interesting way and there was a lot happening. I really love this series. I picked up the next one, Tears of Pearl immediately and am almost halfway through it already.

A Poisoned Season By: Tasha Alexander

I finished this one last night. A Poisoned Season is the second book in the Lady Emily Mysteries. This one was just as good as the first if not better. The mysteries kept me guessing and I absolutely loved the chemistry between the characters. There was just enough romance and suspense and the descriptions of the time period and clothes was excellent. I love that the main character, Lady Emily Ashton, isn’t perfect. She is a strong, intelligent woman but is perfectly capable of making mistakes. But making mistakes never means she doesn’t get to the bottom of a problem and she is rather unstoppable. I do love me a strong female character that isn’t perfect and annoying. I truly enjoy mysteries and this one did not disappoint. I began reading the next one, A Fatal Waltz, immediately. I look forward to reading the rest!

My Books

So I finally decided to organize my bookshelves. It was a lot of work as I haven’t done it in a long while. Also, I’ve been running out of room on my shelves so I decided to lay all of the books down so I can pile them higher and leave room for more books. Because lets be honest, there will always be more. I organized them in a way that works for me, but doesn’t necessarily make any actual sense. So yay! Books!

This shelf is for classics, mysteries and general/historical fiction.

This shelf is all of my young adult books. There are a lot.

And this shelf is for fantasy, non-fiction and cookbooks.