Reign the Earth by A.C. Gaughen

Title: Reign the Earth (The Elementae #1)
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Published: January 30th 2018 by Bloomsbury
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Shalia is a proud daughter of the desert, but after years of devastating war with the adjoining kingdom, her people are desperate for peace. Willing to trade her freedom to ensure the safety of her family, Shalia becomes Queen of the Bonelands.

But she soon learns that her husband, Calix, is motivated only by his desire to exterminate the Elementae—mystical people who can control earth, wind, air, and fire. Even more unsettling are Shalia’s feelings for her husband’s brother, which unleash a power over the earth she never knew she possessed—a power that could get her killed. As rumors of a rebellion against Calix spread, Shalia must choose between the last chance for peace and her own future as an Elementae.

Reign the Earth was a book that I felt like held nothing back. It’s a story about a girl who refuses to let evil prevail over her life and wants to find peace for everyone. There is definitely violence both as far as the persecution of a certain people as well as in a relationship.

Shalia is a great character. She is a daughter of the desert and her feet will not fail her. She marries the villain of the story and this puts her in his direct path. I’m not sure I’ve read a story where the character is confronted in this way over and over. She comes into the story dreaming of peace and finding that things are not so simple. We see her change and grow as she sees both the horrors and kindness people are capable of. That blood and loyalty can have two different meanings. She might find herself hardening in some ways, but her love for others is her greatest strength and it’s not something that can be taken away.

One of the things I loved the most about this book was Shalia’s relationship with her brothers. Maybe it’s because i have three older brothers, I tend to gravitate towards these kinds of things. The bond she has Kairos (Kai) is something that is a great comfort to her and the reader. I’m like oh thank goodness Kai is there for her. You don’t have to be a lone wolf to be a hero and it’s okay to need support. Her whole family is the type that it doesn’t matter if they are separated by death or distance they are this constant force. I love that. She also has her best friend Kata, who is like a sister to her. They also have such a strong bond and no judgement towards one another.

So there is magic in this book. The Elementia are people who control the different types. Fire, Wind, Water and Earth. It’s very cool how the Earth element takes center stage. It always feel like that is the one nobody wants to be. You see how having the power over the Earth can be really cool! Shalia finds out that she also possesses powers, which puts her in a tricky situation. She doesn’t even realize the extent that Calix is willing to go in order to eliminate the Elementia, which is not limited to torture. As she comes into her own powers, she sees that you can’t hide who you are and this is where we also see growth in her.

The romance was a nice slow burn that is forbidden. It’s not overpowering to the story but it’s there in the vein. You find yourself rooting for Shalia to find happiness at least somewhere.

The book also deals with pregnancy, which is not something you often see in a YA and I found to be really interesting.

I really enjoyed Reign the Earth. I’m already desperate for the next one to see how things will go. I’m not sure what to expect. The book is violent and dark but also has a glimmer of hope that runs through.

Hiding Lies by Julie Cross Cover Reveal

About Hiding Lies:

At Holden Prep, dirty little secrets always have a way of coming to the surface.

Eleanor Ames has never been what she seems. Average high school student on the outside, but reformed con artist trying to break free of her past on the inside. When Eleanor receives startling news about someone from her previous criminal life, plans for a new operation coinciding with her school’s upcoming field trip quickly consume her.

But operations rarely go according to plan. And this is one her irresistible teen FBI agent boyfriend, Miles, would never approve of.

Now, more than just Ellie’s reputation is at stake. If she fails, it could be her life.

Want to read more? Pre-order your copy of Hiding Lies (Eleanor Ames, #2) by NYT bestselling author Julie Cross today!

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Julie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, Chasing Truth, Off the Ice and many more to come! Julie Cross was a longtime resident of central Illinois but has recently moved her entire family across the country to continue her academic studies at Stanford University.

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Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Title: Blood and Sand
Author: C.V. Wyk
Published: January 16th 2018 by Tor Teen

The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic--and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus....

Roma Victor. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to build an empire--an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master's favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end--and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus....

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How many drafts did you go through before you settled on a copy to submit?

Probably about three. I submitted my second draft of BLOOD AND SAND when I was querying agents (because I was a young noob who didn’t know what a truly polished manuscript looked like), and then my agent and I went through a third round of edits before submitting to publishers. It still took another three or four rounds with my editor though before we got to the final thing. Publishing can be a super long process.

How do you outline? (paper, post-its, google docs)

It really depends on the story. For BLOOD AND SAND, having a detailed timeline—literally writing down what happened to the characters day by day—helped pace the story and figure out what was logistically plausible in terms of travelling from one city to another. When I’m on the go, I jot down lines of dialogue or plot points in my Bullet Journal and on the Notes app on my phone. And when I’m just starting out a brand-new story…I totally pants it!

How did you celebrate the news that your book would be published?

I didn’t really. At least, not for a few days. When I first got the call from my agent that Tor had acquired the book, I got tangled up in my earphones and fell out of my chair. That bruised. After the call though, I just sat down, hugged my laptop to my chest, and closed my eyes. I was excited and happy, of course, but mostly grateful and awestruck and relieved. Someone else had read my story and thought it was worth publishing. After years of pursuing writing on my own, quietly, with no real hope of ever “making it,” that phone call was almost surreal. I needed a few days to myself just to process what was happening before I could fully share the news with others. When I finally did, a bunch of my friends and I went out for tacos 😊

Did you have any input into your cover?

Cover designs are really at the discretion of the publisher. But I saw a sample of text that looked like metal and fell in love with it. The artists at Tor were able to take that concept and run with it, hence the forged iron look of the text used for the title!

If your book was going to be turned into something ie, MMORPG, Graphic Novel, Movie. What would you want it to be?

MMORPG. I have no idea how that would work, but I’m an avid gamer, so it would be awesome to play as some of the characters from BLOOD AND SAND. Maybe they could make hambones and turkey legs options for melee weapons, too!

What genre do you typically read for enjoyment?

SFF is my go-to and how I’ve found some of my all-time favorite books. I also read a lot of YA (of course), historical non-fiction, and, lately, memoirs.


Describe your book in 5 words. This girl’s got a sword.

C.V. Wyk is the author of BLOOD AND SAND, debuting from Tor Teen January 16, 2018. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Wyk has lived in five states in the continental US (and hopes to add a few international locales to that list). Prone to wanderlust and getting lost, Wyk likes to explore local hiking trails, mountain ranges, dark caves where nefarious mythical creatures undoubtedly reside, and libraries. She currently lives in Maryland with a precocious mini poodle and a demanding guinea pig. In her not-so-spare time, she enjoys playing MMORPGs, kayaking, coding, staring listlessly at blank walls, and nursing a totally healthy coffee addiction.

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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Title: The Cruel Prince
Author: Holly Black
Published: January 2nd 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black definitely does not skimp on the word cruel. This was a twisty dark tale, where every character has a dark side. I loved the story and how intriguing it was. I admit it left me sad but also wondering how it will turn out in the end.

Jude’s character is interesting because if her upbringing had been different maybe she would be different. There is no way to really tell that though. After witnessing her parents murder and being whisked away to Faerie, she needs to harden herself in order to survive. Mortals are not celebrated in the Fey realm and many don’t appreciate their existence. Jude is not a perfect person and she finds that there is definitely pockets of darkness inside her. She deals with a lot of hating and loving her adoptive father, hating and loving Faerie. A need to belong and find a place and the fact that she can’t deny she is still mortal. There are things that will always be different about her. It was interesting to see her develop and almost find an understanding of herself along the way.

I was fascinated with Cardan because he is pretty much awful but there are moments. Moments that you kind of wonder. He never becomes a Knight or a bad boy with a heart of Gold. Of course not. He lives in this cruel world as well. There were just instances where his actions weren’t as they seemed and as we plunge more into Jude’s story, we see a bit more of his.

Taryn is Jude’s twin sister. They love each other with all their hearts I’m sure. There were many actions that Taryn chooses to take that made me not completely fond of her. If I had to pick of favorite sisters, it would have to be Vivi. Her love of her sisters almost seems the most human despite the mix of her blood. This is what makes these characters so interesting. There are so many good and bad things about them.

The story is full of Faere politics. Which often requires an awful lot of bloodshed. There are three princes. All of them are their own kind of cruel and the princesses, which we don’t get to know as well. The plot involves the coronation of a new High King of Faere and of course it’s no easy process. The courts are full deceit and suspicion. Jude finds herself sucked into all of this, having her adoptive father being the General. Fighting for her own place and life, she finds her ambitions intertwined with others.

The ending made me sad. I can’t say all the ways it made sad because I don’t want to give anything away. I was mostly sad for Jude. This strong, clever and foolish girl all rolled into one.

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

Title: Unearthed
Author: Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
Published January 9th 2018 by Disney-Hyperion

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.

In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race..

Unearthed is a Sci-fi that takes us on an adventure. I know everyone says it’s like Indiana Jones but I like to relate to Zelda a little bit. If you thirst for adventure, there is plenty of that included, plus great leading characters.

Mia is quite the savvy girl. I think people underestimate her, which is her greatest strength in a way. She’s smart and clever. She knows her way around a situation. She often is saving herself and Jules. I loved her devotion to her sister as well. That she is not motivated by greed.

Jules comes from a very different background than Mia. He hasn’t had to fight for everything he has like she has. I liked him because despite that, he is still kind and I think tries to understand where she is coming from. Despite how he was raised though, he’s waited under the pressure of his family's reputation. He wants to make things right and ultimately protect the Earth.

I loved Mia and Jules and the relationship that slowly brews between them. It starts out that they consider each other a kind of means to an end. They both need something and working together gets them there faster. As they spend time together though they find themselves moving to friends and then something more. They build trust up gradually and managed to find ways past secrets and betrayals. I really like the bond they form and how they get to that point.

The book has a great plot. The attempted exploration of other planets in order to find a new Earth or at least to save Earth. This is because Earth has burned out it’s resources which has caused environmental changes. I think I must always have Breath of the Wild on my brain lately because the Temple they go through on the planet, reminded me of the temples in Zelda games. Which of course I love, so it made it even more exciting. I love that they had to figure out puzzles in order to make it through, it added another element besides just racing against time. Mia of course is like Indiana Jones and Jules is her sidekick. They are not alone on the planet, however, and find themselves also running from villains. All these circumstances are put into motion by The Undying, an alien race, last transmission. Which leads to more questions as they search the surface as to who The Undying actually are and is following their bread crumbs good or bad.

Wow that ending. Wow. So many thoughts.

I really enjoyed Unearthed and can not wait for the next book.

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber

Title: The Evaporation of Sofi Snow (The Evapo-ration of Sofi Snow #1)
Author: Mary Weber
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: June 6th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Ever since the Delonese ice-planet arrived eleven years ago, Sofi's dreams have been vivid. Alien. In a system where Earth's corporations rule in place of governments and the human-oid race orbiting the moon are allies, her only constant has been her younger brother, Shilo. As an online gamer, Sofi battles behind the scenes of Earth's Fantasy Fighting arena where Shilo is forced to compete in a mix of real and virtual blood sport. But when a bomb takes out a quarter of the arena, Sofi's the only one who believes Shilo survived. She has dreams of him. And she's convinced he's been taken to the ice-planet.

Except no one but ambassadors are allowed there.

For Miguel, Earth's charming young playboy, the games are of a different sort. As Ambas-sador to the Delonese, his career has been built on trading secrets and seduction. Until the Fantasy Fight's bomb goes off. Now the tables have turned and he's a target for blackmail. The game is simple: Help the blackmailers, or lose more than anyone can fathom, or Earth can afford.

Goodreads : Amazon : BD : B&N : Kobo : IndieBound

The Evaporation of Sofi Snow is a fast paced Sci-fi that combines Aliens, Gaming and Mystery. What could be better than that. Once you start reading it’s hard to stop.

Sometimes you will find that Sci-fi stories have moments where they drag. It’s often because there are a lot of things that need to be explained and be part of the book in order to get you to the end game. The Evaporation of Sofi Snow never has that lag time. Every minute is interesting and is constantly moving. The first scenes revolve around a game arena and even though I enjoy gaming. I don’t always enjoy reading a game scene in a book. I think the fact that there are two POVs makes it very interesting. It keeps the story moving because you don’t have to try to guess the other main characters thoughts.

I loved Sofi! She is a great character because she is a no nonsense girl. Plus she is a master hacker! I love any girl character that knows her way around the net and give arrogant boys a run for their money. She always has her headphones with her to clear her thoughts by listening to music. She also has a very strong bond with her brother Shiloh. Who she has made it her life mission to protect.

We have Miguel who is also a great character and counterpart to Sofi. He has to wear his mask as he plays politics. He has a deeper goal in mind for the Delonese (aliens) but that is something that is uncovered as we move through the book.

Although Sofi and Miguel have had a past relationship and still care for eachother. The book really doesn’t focus on romance that much. There is a little but it doesn’t take away from the main story which is discovering more about the Delonese and what happened to Shiloh.

I don’t want to give anything away about the plot so I won’t even talk about it. It has a lot to deal with politics as the world is run by corporations. Ya scary right. It also has a lot to do with the Aliens (Delonese) and what does doing right for the greater good really mean. I thought there were a few things explored that can get you thinking.

Crap that ending!! I need the second book as soon as possible and I can’t wait to read it. This is definitely a book you want to pick up and if you are a little more hesitant with Sci-Fi. The pacing of this book is perfect for you. It’s a good one to try the genre out with.

Just a side note. Mary Weber also wrote the Storm Siren series, which is another series I love.


Okay so when I was making the playlist for this book I kind of struggled. Sofi listens to something called Funk Pop and I have no idea what that is. So I tried looking it up and finding songs that might go with it. Even trying to find radio stations for it. So I ended up mixing up some songs that I found interesting that might play in Sofi's ear. Maybe not. Definitely ones I felt like went with the story. The first song on the list I don't know what they are saying but I really liked the beat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Weber is the multiple-award-winning author of the bestselling young adult Storm Siren Trilogy, and The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series (all by HarperCollins). An avid high school, middle school, and conference speaker, Mary's passion is helping others find their voice amid a world that often feels too loud. When she's not plotting adventures involving tough girls who fre-quently take over the world, Mary sings 80's hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Comic-Con, and the ocean.

Mary's debut, Storm Siren, was featured in the Scholastic School Book Fairs, and her novels have been endorsed by bestselling authors Marissa Meyer, Jay Asher, Wendy Higgins, CJ Redwine, and Jonathan Maberry.

You can also find Mary's fun interviews in the paperback of Marissa Meyer's NYT bestselling, CRESS, and in Jay Asher's 13 REASONS WHY movie tie-in edition. Most recently, you can see her and her family as extras in the NETFLIX Original Series, 13 REASONS WHY.

She gets nerdy at @maryweber.com, FACEBOOK @MaryWeberAuthor, IN-STAGRAM @MaryWeberAuthor, TWITTER @mchristineweber, and GOOD-READS. Come say hi!!

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The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody

Title: The Chaos of Standing Still
Author: Jessica Brody
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: November 28th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Over the course of one chaotic night stranded at the Denver airport, Ryn con-fronts her shattered past thanks to the charm of romance, the uniqueness of strangers, and the magic of ordinary places in this stunning novel from the au-thor of Boys of Summer.

Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. And it’s been there for almost a year.

She hasn’t tried to read it. She can’t. She won’t. Because that one message is the last thing her best friend ever said to her before she died.

But as Ryn finds herself trapped in the Denver International Airport on New Year’s Eve thanks to a never-ending blizzard on the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death, fate literally runs into her.

And his name is Xander.

When the two accidentally swap phones, Ryn and Xander are thrust into the chaos of an unforgettable all-night adventure, filled with charming and mysteri-ous strangers, a secret New Year’s Eve bash, and a possible Illuminati conspira-cy hidden within the Denver airport. But as the bizarre night continues, all Ryn can think about is that one unread text message. It follows her wherever she goes, because Ryn can’t get her brialliantly wild and free-spirited best friend out of her head.

Ryn can’t move on.

But tonight, for the first time ever, she’s trying. And maybe that’s a start.

As moving as it is funny, The Chaos of Standing Still is a heartwarming story about the earth-shattering challenges life throws at us—and the unexpected strangers who help us along the way.

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The Chaos of Standing Still is an interesting contemporary by Jessica Brody. It deals with a teenager who is not only struggling to deal with grief but is also experiencing survivor's guilt. She has lost someone that she considers the better half of herself so she is stuck in this cyclone of emotions she can’t find a way out of.

I loved the setting of the book. Ryn is trying to get home and his flying a cheapo airline which makes stops in Denver. She ends up stranded at the airport due to a snowstorm that has completely shut down not only the planes, but the entire area. While I was reading I actually looked up things about the airport. I’ve been there before but Brody does such a great job of describing different things about it. Especially the artwork that I didn’t even notice in the times I’ve passed through there. (only on connecting flights). I loved how she made the airport come to life in my mind

I actually read an adult book where the main character was dealing with the grief in a similar way to Ryn. By that I mean the way she chooses to keep Lottie alive. The thing that is interesting is that being in her head you start to understand how she sees things this way. I really like that we learn more about Lottie and Ryn by the flashbacks she has. You see how Ryn really felt like she needed to take care of Lottie, it’s almost like that gave her a purpose and once Lottie is gone. She can’t find her place anymore, she doesn’t really understand where she belongs in the world. I think that also influences the guilt she feels because she doesn’t see herself as being someone who is worth anything on her own. She needs to figure out who this new Ryn is and she doesn’t really want to.

Xander is such a fun guy and even though he has his own things going. I like the way that he doesn’t just leave Ryn. He was just cute all around.

I love the other characters in the story as well. The various people they meet at the airport who have their own stories as well. It made the book fun, even though it deals with a heavier issue. Also it kept me drawn in. I felt like there was always something interesting going on.

I love a YA romance that reminds me of my own high school experience. I felt like this one gave me the same feels and it was easy to get on board with the cuteness of it. Of course it’s not perfect, Ryn is still dealing with some heavy stuff. I like the way Xander and Ryn come together and at times think they are going their separate ways but end up in the same place again.

I really enjoyed The Chaos of Standing Still. I loved Jessica Brody’s writing, she is able to keep a story interesting and moving. I liked the characters and setting. Of course this is the perfect time of year to read it with New Year’s just around the corner.

Jessica Brody knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. She started self “publishing” her own books when she was seven years old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples, and electrical tape.

After graduating from Smith College in 2001 where she double majored in Economics and French and minored in Japanese, Jessica later went on to work for MGM Studios as a Manager of Acquisitions and Business Development. In May of 2005, Jessica quit her job to follow her dream of becoming a published author.

Since then, Jessica has sold over twelve novels for teens, tweens, and adults in-cluding 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, The Karma Club, My Life Undecided, and the three books in the Unremembered trilogy, the first of which is currently in development as a major motion picture by the producers of The Vampire Academy, Zero Dark Thirty, Life of Pi, and Slumdog Millionaire. In 2016, she will release two new contemporary novels, A Week of Mondays (August) and Boys of Summer (April), and in 2017, her debut middle grade novel entitled, Addie Bell’s Shortcut to Growing Up, will hit bookstore shelves.

Jessica also writes books for the Descendants: “School of Secrets” series, based on the hit Disney Channel Original movie, Descendants!

Jessica’s books are published and translated in over twenty foreign countries. (Click here for a full list of foreign sales and publishers.) She currently splits her time between California and Colorado.

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