Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Theme: : Books With Your Favorite Trope/Theme
I do love an enemies to lovers so I am picking this trope (although the one bed trope is high up there for me!)
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas War by Laura Thalassa Steelstriker by Marie Lu Fear Me by BB Reid Untouchable by Sam Mariano Cruel Prince by Holly Black
When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
I’ve had this book for quite a while and have heard rave reviews so thought it was time to dive in!
Rin aces the test to attend Sinegard Academy, the most elite military school in Nikan. It’s very hard for her, the people there are privileged and down right nasty and she is behind on certain training. She finds out whats she’s made of and who she is in more ways than one. Then war comes.
It was dark, brutal and so violent, readers aren’t protected from any detail. Some parts were horrifying! But with all that it was such a great read with great characters, loads of action and the world building was incredible.
I grabbed this idea from Lucy (with permission!) from Bookworm Blogger! Go check out her blog!
I always hope that I read new-to-me authors every month and getting book box subscriptions really helps with that so thought it would be nice to look back and see what new authors I’d read this month.
In February I read 3 new-to-me authors! It probably would have been more but I was on a total series binge of Zodiac Academy!
It should have been the perfect summer. Sent to stay with her late mother’s eccentric family in London, sixteen-year-old Joan is determined to enjoy herself. She loves her nerdy job at the historic Holland House, and when her super cute co-worker Nick asks her on a date, it feels like everything is falling into place.
But she soon learns the truth. Her family aren’t just eccentric: they’re monsters, with terrifying, hidden powers. And Nick isn’t just a cute boy: he’s a legendary monster slayer, who will do anything to bring them down.
As she battles Nick, Joan is forced to work with the beautiful and ruthless Aaron Oliver, heir to a monster family that hates her own. She’ll have to embrace her own monstrousness if she is to save herself, and her family. Because in this story . . .
. . . she is not the hero.
Joan goes on a first date, everything goes wrong and tragedy strikes.
So we have Joan, half monster, her cousin, Ruth, full monster. We also have Aaron Oliver – monster and Nick – monster hunter. The monster families can time travel by using humans which obviously doesn’t go down well with the monster hunter!
I think my fave out of the cast of characters was Aaron!
‘We can see if someone is a monster or human just by looking at them. And you….you stink of new car smell.’
Aaah that new car smell. Like a new book smell. Books are better though and cost a lot less!
Anyway, I digress……
So all you need to know is that Joan has to save the day!
I loved the references to history, loved seeing the places and times and loved Holland House. Also the magic system so was unique, brilliant!
There was 1 thing that irked me (and it’s small in the scheme of things) but Joan says ‘no’ a lot! Like a lot! It did start to grate on me!
But this was a fantastic read and I can’t wait for more in this world!
Ruthless Fae #2 The Reckoning #3 Shadow Princess #4
RUTHLESS FAE
So obsessed part 2!
This book, even though some way dark stuff happens, was a hoot. Revenge is best served cold and those Vega twins can certainly dish it out!
We get different points of view in this book, not just the girls, and I actually quite liked seeing an insight to the boys.
I’m actually torn with the Heirs. Yes they are disgusting bullies but Caleb and Darius have wormed their way into my heart. I’ve been an Orion lover since book 1 and he’s still there ..right at the top of my list!
Another massive fave of mine is Geraldine! ‘Geraldine – Smell that? Tory – Um…no? Geraldine – It smells like the Heirs’ lives falling apart.’
Anyway no plot in here because you need to read but I’ll leave you with this…war has been declared on the fae.
The Reckoning
The Reckoning is here. Will we pass…I mean will the Vega’s pass?!!! Will their Order come out?
Firstly I just want to say that Geraldine wins this book for me…..look, look and tell me she is not the most fabulous creature on this planet! I swear if she ever dies in this series I will riot!!!
‘For the love of sanitary sausages, please tell me you aren’t bringing your depraved hobbies in here where we all eat our meals! It’s bad enough you paid a griffin to take a dump on your chest without bringing your randy rocket out with you for breakfast!’
So we have more in this book. More pranks, more laughs, more feelings, more lines that made my heart do back flips and just more of everything! OMG Darius, Caleb and Orion make my heart actually sing!
‘Because that’s what I do, I watch you and hunger for you and ache for you. It torments me like I torment you.’
I realise this isn’t much of a review but I’m in a rush to get to book 4!
Shadow Princess
Book 4, here we go!
Honestly at this point I want to make a book just of Geraldine and her comments! ‘I don’t keep a fil-o-fax of floppy fiddlesticks I’ve cadoodled with.’
I must admit Tory got right on my nerves for most of this book. I know she’s got a lot on her plate but she has lost that amusing snark and has gone into full treating people like crap mode constantly and I don’t like it. And honestly she is a fool.
Orion makes my life. Darcy is the 2nd best character next to Geraldine! Hated Seth a bit in this book. Caleb and Darius still make my life Washer still makes me gag Diego is just creepy.
This book was hot. There was one point halfway through where I nearly imploded with the anticipation and heat!
That ending. OMG x 100. No way. (I know I can’t even call this a review but I have zero f’s to give because I need to start that next book!)
You have been selected to attend Zodiac Academy, where your star sign defines your destiny.
If you’re one of the Fae, elemental magic is in your blood. And apparently it’s in ours. As twins born in the month of Gemini, we’re a rare breed even in this academy of supernatural a-holes.
Changelings were outlawed hundreds of years ago but I guess our birth parents didn’t get the memo. Which means we’re totally unprepared for the ruthless world of Fae.
Air. Fire. Water. Earth.
No one has ever harnessed all four of them, until we arrived. And it hasn’t made us any friends so far.
As the rarest Elementals ever known, we’re already a threat to the four celestial heirs; the popular, vindictive bullies who happen to be some of the hottest guys we’ve ever seen. It doesn’t help that they’re the most dangerous beasts in the Academy. And probably on earth too.
Our fates are intertwined, but they want us gone. They’ve only got until the lunar eclipse to force us out and they’ll stop at nothing to succeed.
We never knew we had a birthright to live up to but now that we do, we intend to claim our throne.
We can’t expect any help from the faculty when it comes to defending ourselves. So if the dragon shifters want some target practice, the werewolves want someone to hunt or the vampires fancy a snack then we have to be ready. But we’ve been looking after each other for a long time and fighting back is in our blood.
Today’s horoscope: totally screwed.
Ok. I am now obsessed!
Darcy and Tory grew up in the mortal world and they find they are something more. Fae. But not only fae. The lost Vega Heirs, twins, next in line for the throne. But they have competition in the shape of 4 guys, the Celestial Heirs, and they are not happy the girls are back!
I loved Tory, she’s outspoken and wont take anything from anyone although she gets trouble handed to her on the daily. I especially loved her inner monologue…….’There was no way in hell I’d be ending up in his bed tonight. I was at least sixty-seven percent certain of that.’
Darcy has more of a played down personality than Tory. She doesn’t jump into things and tries to placate situations. I really loved her vulnerable nature.
Now Orion……I really hope there is teacher/student romance here!
There were quite a few spelling errors but that didn’t take my enjoyment away and I will be reading the next book!
“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” ― Lewis Grizzard
By March, the worst of the winter would be over. The snow would thaw, the rivers begin to run and the world would wake into itself again.” ―Neil Gaiman
The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer It’s a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received.
Hiya, hope everyone is ok?
Not much to report really apart from it’s been a school holiday this week, I’ve had a stinking cold and we had 2 storms that were pretty bad, one after the other which was a bit scary!
I found myself with a new obsession, Zodiac Academy! So instead of reading the arcs I wanted to read early, I binged this series! I was addicted!
What I’ve Read
Zodiac Academy Series Ruthless Fae 2 The Reckoning 3 Shadow Princess 4 Cursed Fates 5 Fated Throne 6
My final February romance post and we have romancing the resiliant today!
Poppy from the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout is the embodiment of resiliant! She has gone through so much in a short time and she has come out stronger…..with even more to come!
Poppy and Hawke/Casteel make my life. My actual life. Look at these and tell me they don’t make yours!
‘With my sword and with my life, I vow to keep you safe, Penellaphe. From this moment until the last moment, I am yours.’
‘Promise me you won’t forget this, Poppy. That no matter what happens tomorrow, the next day, next week, you won’t forget this, forget that this was real.’
‘He was the first thing I’d ever truly chosen for myself.’
‘You need to understand that I will do anything and everything for my wife. No risk is too great, nor is anything too sacred. Because she is my everything. There is nothing greater than her, and I do mean nothing.’
CJRTB Books 