Top 5 Books of 2016

Top 5 Books of 2016!

         
            2016: A great year for reading, but a shit year for almost everything else. I read so many amazing books this year, I don't know how I'm going to cut it down to just five, but without any further ado (and in no particular order), here are my top 5 books of 2016!

A COURT OF MIST AND FURY

I could not make this list without including at least one Sarah J. Mass book, and ACOMAF beat out Empire of Storms for me. I thought that ACOMAF was incredible and far, far better than ACOTAR. ACOTAR was one of my favorite reads of 2015, so for ACOMAF to beat it out is simply amazing. I thought Mass did a fantastic job in developing the characters of Feyre and Rhys more deeply, and I absolutely loved all the new characters she added and where she is taking the story. I have an entire review for ACOTAR here and for ACOMAF here, and I suggest you go check them out if you're interested!

If you would like to purchase ACOMAF:

Amazon, Book Depository,Barnes and Noble

CROOKED KINGDOM

Another big surprise, Crooked Kingdom made my list. Crooked Kingdom was absolutely fantastic! 2016 may have been the year of sequels because there were so many amazing sequels released this year. Leigh Bardugo has earned the title as one of my favorite authors with her incredible novels. Six of Crows left me on the edge of my seat, and I waited so, so long to see what would become of the cliffhanger ending, and I was not at all disappointed. A full review should be coming soon, so be on the lookout for that, but for now, you can find my Six of Crows review here.

If you would like to purchase Crooked Kingdom:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

LADY MIDNIGHT 

Aaaaannnnd once again you should not be surprised to see Lady Midnight on my top five list. If you've been following me or reading my blog for any amount of time you should be able to tell how much of a Cassandra Clare fan I am. Lady Midnight was the perfect start to The Dark Artifices series, and is filled with even more amazing characters for me to love. I thought that it was fun filled, action packed, and is soon to be one of my favorite series when the rest of the books come out. If you want to read my full review on Lady Midnight, you can find it here.

If you would like to purchase Lady Midnight:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

P.S. I LIKE YOU

One of the most surprising books of the year for me was P.S. I Like You by Kasie West. I'm not normally one for contemporary romance, but when I received this in an Owlcrate box (Unboxing can be found here), I couldn't resist picking it up. This book was like a breath of fresh air as well as a nice break from all the intense fantasy books I was reading. It was so funny and cute, and it actually helped me get out of a reading slump. If you would like to read my full review of P.S. I Like You, you can find it here.

If you would like to purchase P.S. I Like You:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

THE RAVEN BOYS SERIES

Ok, so I'm kind of cheating with this one because it's not a book, it's a series, and only one of them came out in 2016, but I read this series for the first time this year, and it was incredible! I never quite understood what The Raven Boys was about from the synopsis, but I'm glad I went in blind because it made the reading experience so much more fun. I thought that Stiefvater did an amazing job in creating a story unlike any other, and making the reader really feel something for the characters. #SaveGansey

If you would like to purchase The Raven Boys:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

           And that's it for my favorite books/reads of 2016! These are only some of my favorite reads because of course I wasn't able to put them all in. I want to know in the comments what were your favorite reads of 2016 and what books are you looking forward to the most in 2017? Happy New Year!

- CG

The Little Paris Bookshop Review

Little Paris Bookshop

By Nina George

Synopsis: Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared. She left him with only a letter, which he has never opened.

After Perdu is finally tempted to read the letter, he hauls anchor and departs on a mission to the south of France, hoping to make peace with his loss and discover the end of the story. Joined by a bestselling but blocked author and a lovelorn Italian chef, Perdu travels along the country’s rivers, dispensing his wisdom and his books, showing that the literary world can take the human soul on a journey to heal itself.

Internationally bestselling and filled with warmth and adventure, The Little Paris Bookshop is a love letter to books, meant for anyone who believes in the power of stories to shape people's lives.(Goodreads Summary)

My Review: 

            I was sent a copy of The Little Paris Bookshop by Blogging for Books for review, and for that I am thankful, but for this book I am not. The Little Paris Bookshop pulls you in with a compelling summary and a beautiful cover, but those are just ploys to get you to purchase the book. The writing itself is amazing, and I think the author is truly gifted, but I could not find anything to love about the story, and I truly, truly tried to.

            The beginning was so boring and dull, and I kept waiting and expecting for something interesting to happen, but nothing did. Even once you get into the 'action' of the story it's still dull. The characters themselves weren't terrible, but there wasn't anything spectacular or special about them either. I believe that if this book wasn't sent to me for review then I might not have even finished it. It truly saddens me as a booklover when I have to bash a book, but The Little Paris Bookshop just did not cut it for me.

           In conclusion, I give The Little Paris Bookshop three out of five stars for the good writing and decent characters as well as the less than adequate story line. I think that the idea behind the plot was so interesting and so much more could have been done with it, and that it just fell flat for me.

                 

If you would like to purchase The Little Paris Book Shop

Book Depository

Barnes and Nobles

Amazon

-CG

Lorien Legacies Series Review

The Lorien Legacies

By: Pitticus Lore

Synopsis: 

            The series follow the story of nine human-looking aliens brought to Earth when they were six years old. Their purpose is to grow into their powers and return to their planet, Lorien, and get it back from the evil Mogadorians. The teenagers have been protected by a charm, which only allows them to be killed in a set order, and by non-gifted guardians called Cêpan. 

            Up to the beginning of the first book, six have survived and reached 15 years. As their powers, their Legacies, start to develop they can't stay hidden anymore. (Goodreads Summary)

My Review:

            I first started reading this series when I Am Number Four came out in 2010; as a young little fifth grader, nothing exited me more than aliens, and somehow this series managed to keep me interested for an entire six, almost seven, years. I recently picked up the final book in the series, and I must say I am sad to see it end. 

            Even though the Lorien Legacies is probably one of my favorite series of all time, I definitely  did not read them in a very orderly fashion. I read the first one when it came out because my librarian told me that I would enjoy it, and I counted down the days until the releases of the second and third books, but I honestly would forget about the series completely until I would see the newest installment in my local Barnes and Noble. Luckily, the story lie would be so rememberable that it would not be a problem that I momentarily forgot about its existence because as soon as I opened up the newest book, it would come right back to me.

            The story of John Smith is one full of many up and many, many, MANY downs, but it is overall very enjoyable to read. The author does a fantastic job in building up the character so the reader feels like they know them, but that really only makes it so much more heartbreaking when they are killed (which is an incredibly common theme in this series). Some of my favorite characters from the entire series are Nine (because he is a somewhat psychotic, sarcastic, smart-ass), Sarah, Six (she is the badass girl of my dreams), Eight, Marina, Sam, and Bernie Kosar.

          The action scenes are incredibly well written and described in a way that makes it easy to picture what is going on in my head, especially the scenes in Mexico. I only found myself lost a few times over the course of six books. SIX BOOKS! That is truly amazing. The story was fun, full of twists and turns (especially towards the end), but overall very easy to follow and very enjoyable.

           I truly am sad to see this series end because it feels like part of my childhood is ending with it. 

           In conclusion, I give this series four out of five stars for the incredible characters, well thought out story line, and fantastic writing. I highly suggest that anyone who is looking for a new series to love should go pick the first book, I Am Number Four, up and start reading it as soon as possible because as soon as you start, you won't be able to stop until the very end.

                 

If you would like to purchase I am Number Four

Book Depository

Barnes and Nobles 

Amazon

       -CG       

Most Anticipated YA Releases of September 2016

Most Anticipated YA Releases of September 2016!

           Today is September first, the somewhat official start of my favorite season, Fall! Even though it's still 100 degrees here in Texas, I'm ready to snuggle up with my most anticipated releases of the month and get reading.

EMPIRE OF STORMS

If you've been living under a rock for the past few months then maybe you don't know that Empire of Storms, the fifth book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Mass, is coming out on September 6th. If you've read this series or you are just a part of the ToG/SJM fandom, then you know that shit's about to go down in this book, and that it's going to be another epic installment of an epic series. I preordered my signed, personalized copy from Books of Wonder months ago, and I can't wait to read it!

If you would like to purchase Empire of Storms:

Amazon, Book Depository,Barnes and Noble

CROOKED KINGDOM

Another big release coming out on September 27th is Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. If you've seen my instagram, read my Six of Crows Review, or just know me in general, then you probably know I am a huge fan of Leigh Bardugo and all of her works. I was left for dead at the end of Six of Crows, and I am dying, DYING I TELL YOU, to know what happens next! I also preordered a signed, personalized copy of Crooked Kingdom from Good Choice Reading during the pre-order campaign.

If you would like to purchase Crooked Kingdom:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

THREE DARK CROWNS

 

Last, but not least, my final most anticipated new release of the month is Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake. I've never read a book by this author before, and I probably wouldn't have heard of it if not for Katytastic's BEA Book Haul Video. She described it as three triplets fighting to the death to be queen, and that had me intrigued enough to look it up on Goodreads. Three Dark Crowns sounds like an interesting and fun read, and I can't wait till it comes out on September 20th.

If you would like to purchase Three Dark Crowns:

Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

           And that's it for my most anticipated YA releases of September 2016! I want to know down in the comments: what books are you most looking forward to in the month of September? 

- CG

Switching Over to Wordpress

            Hey guys! I've been pondering over the idea of switching over to Wordpress for some time now, and I have finally gone and created a blog on there: https://vibrantreadsblog.wordpress.com/. I'm not completely sure yet if I want to completely make the switch seeing as I have all of my accounts connected to this blog in some way, as well as all of my readers on this blog, but I think I'm going to start posting my new posts on both blogs for some time and see where I go from there. If I find myself loving Wordpress I might switch over completely, and if I find myself hating it I will come back to Blogger completely. For now, it would be amazing if you would go to my Wordpress blog and follow me on there as well so I can see how many people will make the switch with me.

Thanks! -CG

LINK TO WORDPRESS BLOG: https://vibrantreadsblog.wordpress.com/

Children of Icarus - Book Review

Children of Icarus

By: Caighlan Smith

SPOILER FREE REVIEW!

Synopsis:It is Clara who is desperate to enter the labyrinth and it is Clara who is bright, strong, and fearless enough to take on any challenge. It is no surprise when she is chosen. But so is the girl who has always lived in her shadow. Together they enter. Within minutes, they are torn apart forever. Now the girl who has never left the city walls must fight to survive in a living nightmare, where one false turn with who to trust means a certain dead end."(Goodreads summary)
            I personally had an issue understanding the goodreads summary so here is an additional one: Children of Icarus takes place in a society that worships Icarus. In this world, an angel named Icarus was tricked by the gods to fly the sun where he was burned and fell to earth. A mortal built him a tomb underground so he could heal and one day return to the surface, and she put the tomb in the middle of a labyrinth which the city the main character lives in is build upon.
            The actual story takes place many, many years in the future. Every year up until they turn 16, children are chosen to go into the labyrinth, and they are told that if they make it to the center, they will be blessed by Icarus to become angels. The main character and her best friend are chosen and get put into the labyrinth, and all hell breaks loose.

My Review: (I received a copy of this book off of Netgalley in exchanged for my honest opinion)

            I put off reading Children of Icarus for so long because there wasn't a kindle version to download, and it was going to be uncomfortable to read on my laptop, but I really wish I read this sooner. It's like a combination of two of my favorite books-The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games-and Greek Mythology. I'm obviously obsessed with two of the greatest YA series of all time, and I also adore Greek Mythology so the story over all was quite enjoyable.

            The beginning of the book could've done with a little bit more explaining of the character, where they come from, and what they're like so it's easier to understand and connect to them more. Once they're in the labyrinth the pace really picks up and it gets to be very interesting, but after a while it gets boring and I endured the mid-book slump. Needless to say I was thrown out of that slump with the ending--it really caught me off guard and is probably one of my favorite endings to a book in a while!

            The main character, Clara, was quite frustrating for me to read. She was scared and useless for the majority of the book, and that got quite annoying quite fast. All the other characters I found quite enjoyable to read because they were all completely nuts, and after spending two years in the maze, they just got crazier, and that was really realistic seeming to me as well as fun to read.

            This was a fantastic debut novel for Caighlan Smith. The plot was intriguing, the characters interesting, and the writing was fantastic. The only complaint I had was that I wish she spent a little more time on the characters and their backgrounds so I could better understand and connect with them like I stated before. I tip my hat off to Caighlan Smith for both having an amazing name and an amazing debut novel--that's not something many people can say.

          
            In conclusion I give Children of Icarus by Caighlan Smith 4 out of 5 stars for the interesting plot and characters, along with the mid-book slump and annoying main character. I suggest that you pick this book up in you enjoy The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, or Greek Mythology because it is a really interesting take on all three.

                 

If you would like to purchase Children of Icarus

Book Depository

Barnes and Nobles 

Amazon

Author and publisher information:

Caighlan Smith Website

Switch Press Publishing

       -CG       

     

P.S. I Like You - Book Review

P.S. I Like You

By Kasie West

Disclaimer: There might be some spoilers in this review. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Synopsis: While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds that someone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mystery and juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out… (Goodreads Summary)

My Review:  P.S. I like this book. A lot. P.S. I Like You is so adorably cute! I don't normally find myself reading actual YA contemporary Romance novels, but I do love going through Wattpad and reading cute contemporary love stories and there, and P.S. I Like You was just like that....but better written (you can't always trust those Wattpad writers to spell check and fully finish plot lines [myself included]).
             From the minute I read the summary I knew I would enjoy this book. A girl writes down some of her favorite lyrics to find that someone finished them for her the next day? HOW INCREDIBLY AMAZING DOES THAT SOUND?!! I really enjoyed a majority of the plot, but found myself slightly annoyed that I was easily able to figure out who Lily's pen pal was much before the big reveal, even with all the red herrings. I also liked that West had other smaller plots going on with the main plot that were minor but somehow also very important to how the story was going to end (does that make sense??? It does to me). One example of this is the song writing competition that Lily wanted to enter. It wasn't as important as the whole pen pal plot, but they still went hand in hand with Lily's pen pal helping her to eventually write the song she is going to enter the competition with. Sidenote: I really liked how West ended the novel with Lily just figuring out what song she's going to enter instead of her actually entering and winning/losing. It really makes it feel likes there's so much more to the story, and allows the reader to imagine their own ending for the characters. Last, but not least, THE LAST LINE IN THIS BOOK MADE ME SOB HAPPY TEARS. "And then I mouthed 'I think I love you too.'" It's the perfect quirky ending line, for the perfect quirky character, in this perfectly quirky love story.
            Once we got past the whole sending letters back in forth bit (the first half of the book), and Lily knows who her pen pal is, I personally thought that the book got a whole lot better. Not that the beginning was bad-it was actually really reaaaallly good-but with Lily knowing Cade was her pen pal during the second half of the book made things a lot more interesting. There were so many amazing  moments in P.S. I Like You (I especially enjoyed every scene that included Bugs Rabbit), but I think that the entire Thanksgiving scene and the man bracelet scene tie as my favorites. The Thanksgiving scene was a perfect blend of humor and drama and the beginning of a romance, and the man bracelet scene is when I marked the beginning of their personal relationship (excluding letters). [Sidenote: I'm curious as to what your favorite scene in the book was, leave it down in the comments and let's chat]
            One thing West did particularly well was developing the characters. By only about halfway though the book I felt like I really knew Lily through the descriptions of her clothes, habits, and the way she acted around both herself and other people. I really felt like I connected with her, and one minor thing that really helped me personally connect with her was the way she talked to herself, which is something I do quite often. Lily is probably one of the funniest protagonists I've read in a while-if not all time. Cade Jennings is one hell of a love interest if I've ever read one. He's got the sad past, good looks, and enough charisma for more than one man. One really cliche thing this book did, but that I enjoyed because I'm trash, was make the bully and the victim fall in love. Even though Cade wasn't that big of a bully, and Lily seemed to take everything a step too far, it's just really cliche. 
            Aside from the main characters, I found myself liking many of the minor characters as well. I thought the way West described and developed Lily's family, especially her parents and Jonah, was fantastic, Isobel is the amazing best friend everyone wishes they had, and Sasha is the bitchy kind of girl everyone hates. The only character I found myself disliking and disconnected from was Lucas. I understand why he was there in the beginning, him being the guy that the Lily knows she'll never have but she'll pine over anyway, but once Lily got the courage to ask him out and they hung out once or twice, it was like he lost his purpose. He also just disappeared way too easily from the story, and I just found myself wishing he had a bigger purpose (like possibly stirring up some drama.....ohhhohohohohhh). Aside from my minor complaint about Lucas, I still believe that Kasie West did more than an amazing job in creating loveable and relatable characters.


           In conclusion, I give P.S. I Like You four and a half out of five stars for the humor, entertaining plot and amazingly written characters. I highly suggest you pick this up if you're in the mood for a cute, light read, or if you want to get out of a reading slump, because that's what this did for me.

                 

If you would like to purchase P.S. I Like You

Book Depository

Barnes and Nobles

Amazon

-CG