Book Review Request: Awoken by Sarah Noffke (The Lucidites, #1)

TITLE: Awoken
SERIES: The Lucidites, #1
AUTHOR: Sarah Noffke
GENRE: Young Adult, Time Travel, Science Fiction
RELEASE DATE: 21st November 2014
RATING:
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | B&N
BOOK BLURB:

Around the world humans are hallucinating after sleepless nights.

In a sterile, underground institute the forecasters keep reporting the same events.

And in the backwoods of Texas, a sixteen-year-old girl is about to be caught up in a fierce, ethereal battle.

Meet Roya Stark. She drowns every night in her dreams, spends her hours reading classic literature to avoid her family’s ridicule, and is prone to premonitions—which are becoming more frequent. And now her dreams are filled with strangers offering to reveal what she has always wanted to know: Who is she? That’s the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. But will Roya live to regret learning the truth?

REVIEW

First of all, thank you to Sarah, for the copy of her book. :) Thank you for taking your time into messaging me. I do apologize it taken me this long to finish the book though. Real life does sucks. LOL.

When I read the blurb (yes, I did read it!), I was left intrigued with it. Dreams are, in my opinion, a wide subject. But what made me read it was how will the author, Sarah, write about Dreams. Specifically, Dream Travel.

When I started reading it, I was a bit shocked. Shocked because it didn't start in a conventional way. I even doubted the book that maybe it was not book 1. Why? Because it started in the middle. It was right into the plot. Normally, first chapters are all about introduction. I'm not sure if I liked how it was done. But I still read it because I wanted to know what will happen. Although, I must say it's not the type of book that I'm so eager to read that I need to read it continuously.

I have a bit of an issue with the use of exclamation point. I feel that it's a bit excessive? And redundant. But maybe that's just me.

I still have questions even after reading it. Like, do they teleport their bodies or something? I don't know how the machine works. It was explained but like it was vague. Or it's just my brain not catching up? LOL. I still stand with the explanation vague though or lots of technical terminologies (and hey, I'm a Computer Engineer graduate, so I know my technical terms.) that I am actually not familiar with it. It jumbled in my brain.

And then there's Zhuang. He was mentioned a lot. But he never appeared until the last moment. And I don't know. I didn't imagine the fight scene a lot. I'm a very imaginative person so not having it visualize is... you know. I think it can be improved a whole lot more. But it was fun, nevertheless.

I like how she stand up in the end. She owned it like she should have from the beginning. So it's good that the character developed really well. :) Still kudos to Sarah. :)

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Teaser Poster #3 - Fuel the Fire by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Gahh! I'm part of the Blog Tour for Fuel the Fire!! OMG, can't wait for the story of these two. :)

TITLE: Fuel the Fire
SERIES: Calloway Sisters, #3
AUTHOR: Krista and Becca Ritchie
GENRE: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
RELEASE DATE: 3rd April, 2015
BOOK BLURB:

Protect your family. At all costs.

It’d take the impossible to hurt Connor Cobalt, even for a moment.

Protect your family. At all costs. 

At twenty-six, his narcissistic tendencies have made room for the people he loves.

Protect your family. At all costs.

And he loves Rose. But when his love is threatened, when his greatest dreams with her are compromised — what is the cost then? 

Protect your family. At all costs.

Love will guide his choices. 

For the first time in his life.

Cover Reveal: Dragons are People, Too by Sarah Nicolas

Today, I'm revealing the cover for Dragons are People, Too, a young adult contemporary fantasy by Sarah Nicolas releasing April 28th from Entangled Teen. Read all the way through and scroll to the bottom for a giveaway.

Book Blitz: Sweet Indulgence: A New Adult Clean Steam Collection

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this limited time collection of clean steam New Adult Novels. “All the heat; none of the nasty.” An indulgence that won’t leave you feeling guilty!

100% Profits to benefit the American Heart Association. 

Five Amazing Novels; One Amazing Cause

#AuthorswithHeart

Amy Evans – Jellybean Kisses (Pink, #1)

JELLYBEAN KISSES is the story of Jax and Jacey, two best friends who fake a relationship at the expense of something real. It’s going to take a hurricane, a goose, and a pound of jellybeans to get them to confess their feelings to one other. But can they find the courage before it’s too late?

Cassandra Giovanni – Flawed Perfection (Beautifully Flawed, #1)

River Alhers is the girl next door to the Beckerson Boys. The two brothers couldn't be more different, except for one thing: River.

Bobby loved River, River loved Adam and Adam only loved himself--or so everyone thought. Then one night everything changes, and life long friendships will be tested for the sake of love. As the romance threatens to destroy everyone involved, a tragedy strikes that will leave more than just a friendship broken.

Nikki Godwin – American Girl on Saturn (Saturn, #1)

When attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, the guys have to go into hiding ASAP with a secret service agent's family, which includes two teenage daughters and a five-year-old fangirl. But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what little sister Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

Deirdre Riordan Hall – To the Sea (Follow Your Bliss, #1)

To the Sea is the story of twenty-something Kira, freshly out of college and newly married, when she faces the unexpected loss of her young husband. As grief weighs her down, she uncovers the secrets he left behind. While trying to overcome tragedy, she learns to surf—on a surfboard and the waves in life. She navigates new feelings of lust with Australian hottie Jamie, and the depths of love with soul-surfer Ian, all while discovering her own strength, overcoming loss, and transforming her life.

Molli Moran – One Song Away

Sophie-Claire Wright keeps waiting for the lucky break that will launch her songwriting career, but lately her life feels more like a bad country song on repeat. When she moves home and tells a tiny lie--that she has a boyfriend--she turns to an old friend and crush to play the part of her fill-in boyfriend. Soon, sparks are flying between them, and Sophie can't tell which kisses are real and which are fake. Just as she decides to take a leap of faith, she receives a chance to return to Nashville and the songwriting dreams she left behind. Is the life she wants ONE SONG AWAY or has she already found it in Jake's arms?

Purchase from Amazon or B&N for only 99c!

BOOK REVIEW: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass, #3)

TITLE: Heir of Fire
SERIES: Throne of Glass, #3
AUTHOR: Sarah J. Maas
GENRE: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Magic
RELEASE DATE: 11th September 2014
RATINGS: 
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | B&N | TBD
BOOK BLURB:

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. 

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

REVIEW

Buddy read with Deniz! <3 01.21.2015

FINISHED IT! HOLY MOTHER------!!! SARAH J. MAAS IS ONE FREAKING BRILLIANT AUTHOR! 

I can't get over it! Sadly, I can't read anything else unless I pour out all my thoughts about this book. I have already done it with Deniz but I haven't been able to write it here so it kinda doesn't count.

What I wanna say is that for all of those who haven't read the series or specifically this book, READ IT NOW. It's so much better than the first or the second book which I barely say anything to my review. LOL. Although some would be annoyed at Celaena like Deniz and I did but hell, in the end it was all worth it.

I find Celaena moping repetitive but honestly? I don't care as long as she redeemed herself and she kick ass. lol. BUT if she'll be like this at the last three books, can I please kick her butt?! I honestly thought she kinda deserved all the moping or whining she did. But at the end of this book, I had enough, she had enough. FINALLY. Don't do it again on the last three books, okay?

I was annoyed at Chaol being whiny and all that crap. I mean, dude! Seriously? Get over it and man up! Do what you think is right. You already know the answer but you wanted to mope around and get away from all of it. Not responsible of you. Hoping you will finally step up and fight back.

Dorian. Oh yes. He was a bit irritating but then he changed. Something happened and I won't tell what. But he did changed and I love that that is his LINE (hint: scene towards the end). And it breaks my heart to see what his tyrant ass of a father did to him.

Rowan. Oh gosh, I am in awe of him. I liked him a lot. He's loyal, powerful, good for Celaena and not in that kind of way. He's brutal but patient. I'm voting for him to be Celaena's love interest. lol.

But I am definitely happy that Celaena doesn't have any love interest for now. :p And hope it stays that way. :D

Aedion. OH, I wish for Aedion is that he sees Celaena soon and everything he did will not be in vain. :(

MANON. I was wondering about her. And I really do hope she and Celaena will be side by side together. I can actually picture it in my mind.

Enough of the characters... The world building, I must say definitely improved from the last time. I kept on seeing the world in my mind. I kept on saying this will be awesome in movies. But I kinda hope that the producers will do it the same way the readers sees it in their own imagination. It was so cleverly written that I honestly say that Maas continue to improve her writing skills.

She had me turning the page excitedly, waiting for the next scene, what will happen to them. It was that exciting. I even cried when Celaena revealed her past. I cried with what happened to Sorscha and Aedion. I am excited for the fourth book, Queen Of Shadows.

I wish it's Fall already. :(

Thank you, Sarah J. Maas for the wonderful series! :)

BOOK REVIEW: Moymoy Lulumboy, Ang Batang Aswang by Segundo Matias, Jr.

TITLE: Moymoy Lulumboy, Ang Batang Aswang
AUTHOR: Segundo Matias, Jr.
GENRE: Children's book, Filipino Mythology, Fantasy, Paranormal
RELEASE DATE: 2014
RATINGS: 
WHERE TO BUY: National Book Store | PHR Stores
BOOK BLURB:

The novel follows the story of Moymoy who, although raised by humans, discovers that he is a child of a goddess. Upon learning that he has magical skills like shape-shifting, he journeys back to his world composed of magical creatures.

His adventure will evolve on how he discovers his true identity and of the magical world where he truly belongs.

Readers who like mythology, adventure, and graphic novels will love the rich plot involving humans, and Filipino mythological creatures like aswang, tikbalang, manananggal, kapre, and duwende among others.

These magical creatures, along with the story’s setting were re-imagined and illustrated in almost every page of the book.

REVIEW

First read for this year 2015, DONE! 

Since this book was written in Tagalog, my language, my review will also be in that language...

Sa wakas. Natapos ko rin ang Moymoy Lulumboy! Marami ako'ng katanungan. Kahilingan. Kagaya ng sana nagkita silang mag-ina kahit sa dulo. Na sana kahit isang araw lang pagbigyan siya na makita si Moymoy at makasama at makayakap man lang. That's the least you can do for a hero. Yung bigyan mo man lang ng kahit maliit na reward.

Yung storya, maganda naman. Medyo minadali nga lang. Sana ginawa na lang series kasi mukhang mas okay pag series eh. Ala Harry Potter ba. Pero Pinoy version. Kasi yung parang nangyari sa libro, halos kalahati nong book eh nagpapakilala ng mga characters. Sabay sa almost ending, bam! Digmaan na. :/ 

At saka... Ang nagpababa ng rating ko eh yung... As far as I know Children's book to. Sa title pa lang Moymoy Lulumboy, ang Batang Aswang. Oo, may matatandang characters but still, majority of the readers are kids who are between 8 and up. Or 10 and up. Oo rin na masyadong advance ang utak ng mga bata ngayon. Pero ewan ko. Sa akin kasi once na sinabing Children's book, walang curses. 

Walang mura. Kasi bata ang readers mo eh. It's like you're saying it's okay to swear. Na okay lang magmura. Ganon. Pero siguro ako lang yon. Hindi din naman laganap ang mura dito sa book mga twice or thrice lang naman. Still. *shrugs*

I still recommend it. Basta kids, wag kayong magmumura. Hindi maganda yun. Okay? :)

It's a really good one and I enjoyed reading it! :)

Book Review: The Girl in Between by Laekan Kemp

TITLE: The Girl in Between
AUTHOR: Laekan Zea Kemp
GENRE: Young Adult, Retellings,  Fantasy
RELEASE DATE: 30th September 2014
RATINGS: 
BUY LINK: Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Smashwords | Google Play
BOOK BLURB: 

Bryn Reyes is a real life sleeping beauty. Afflicted with Klein-Levin Syndrome, she suffers episodes of prolonged sleep that steal weeks, and sometimes even months, from her life. But unlike most KLS patients, she doesn’t spend each episode in a catatonic state or wake up with no recollection of the time she’s missed. Instead, Bryn spends half her life in an alternate reality made up of her memories. For Bryn, the past is a place, until one day a boy she’s never met before washes up on the illusory beach of her dreams with no memory of who he is.

But the appearance of this strange boy isn’t the only thing that’s changed. Bryn’s symptoms are worsening, her body weakening as she’s plagued by hallucinations even while awake. Her only hope of finding a cure is to undergo experimental treatment created by a German specialist. But when Dr. Banz reveals that he knows more about her strange symptoms than he originally let on, Bryn learns that the boy in her head might actually be the key to understanding what’s happening to her, and worse, that if she doesn’t find out his identity before it’s too late, they both may not survive.

REVIEW:

Ack! I totally forgot about posting this review last Saturday! I am so very sorry! I am so busy this month. T.T But here it is!

Surprisingly, this retelling of Sleeping Beauty is such a good one. I mean, I'm one of those people who like medical terms and think they are sexy. Lmao. Even though most of the time, I just don't get it. 😂

Anyway, I really liked the story of The Girl in Between and it really keep me on the edge of my toes while reading this. Been so busy with RL so it took me weeks since I barely read anything. 😫 I hate RL when it doesn't make me read anything. Lol.

One thing to know... When I started reading it, I researched KLS (can't remember the full name. Lol) cause I really thought it's just made up medical term albeit a really good one. 😅 But all the dreams mixed with memories, I wanted to know more. To see what will Kemp show me next. To know what is her Dad's role. I mean, maybe there is something with the dad's side since he's gone and all that shit. Or maybe it's the grandma? I dunno! I didn't get all the answers I wanted but I am so waiting for the next book in the series! Yay!

I want to know him more too! It's worth reading, for me. And such a good read. Thanks for letting me read the book, Laekan! Definitely enjoyed it!