EARC Review: A Breath of Frost

A Breath of Frost
Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Publication Date: January 2nd 2014 

~~A copy was provided by Bloomsbury Childrens, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.~


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In 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins.
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld.
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers.
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies.
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?
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Firstly, don't let my rating reflect how amazing this book is, it would have been a full five, because it is, amazing, it was quirky and funny and dark and dangerous and the romance electric. Just as all of Alyxandra Harvey's books' are.

The characters are fleshed out, and personality prominent, they're very much real and once you get into it, the voices are definitely distinguishable, but you have to get there first, which brings me to...

Special Review: Staying Strong- 365 days a year

Staying Strong - 365 days a year
Author: Demi Lovato   

Publication Date: November 19th 2013   

~A huge thank you to Headline, who provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.~   

 

Demi Lovato wakes up each morning and affirms her commitment to herself—to her health, her happiness, her being. Those commitments are the bedrock of her recovery and her work helping other young people dealing with the issues she lives with every single day.

Demi is a platinum-selling recording artist whose latest album—DEMI—is already a smash hit. She’s about to embark on her second season as a judge on X-Factor, and just launched The Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program. And she is an outspoken advocate for young people everywhere.

Demi is also a young woman finding her way in the world. She has dealt deftly with her struggles in the face of public scrutiny, and she has always relied, not just on friends and family, but daily affirmations of her self-worth and value. Affirmations that steady her days and strengthen her resolve.

Those affirmations have grown into STAYING STRONG, a powerful 365-day collection of Demi’s most powerful, honest, and hopeful insights. Each day will provide the readers with a quote, a personal reflection and a goal.

These are Demi’s words. Words she lives by and shares with the people she loves and total strangers alike. They are a powerful testament to a young woman standing up and fighting back.

 

 

When you hear the name Demi Lovato, what do you think of? Whether you know her as a singer, an actress, or an X Factor judge, whether you're a fan of her or not, you would have heard about her checking herself into rehab, and once out, her struggles.

We put people up on pedestals, and judge them by a look, on what you think you know without knowing that person. Especially well known public figures.

 

We judge on what we read, hear, see in a paper, or a misinterpreted interview. We judge them because you think they think they're better than everyone else, because of their job, their money.  Because they're in the public eye, you think you can without any thought, because they're free game, right? You judge them on your own misconceptions, but, what does that say about you?

So, I'll ask again.

Feature & Follow (8)

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly bloghop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

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This weeks Question:

Q: Tell us at least one new or unusual thing you’ve done in 2013.

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Well, the one new thing I started was blogging! I've always wanted to, especially reviewing since a lot of other reviews have helped me buy my next read. I've always put it off but now I'm doing it, and it is really not what I expected. In the best way, it's been so much fun. Unusual...I'd say the different genre's I've been reading since I started blogging. I was never really one for contemporary or historical but I've read quite a few this year.

How about you?

Booking Through Thursday: Otherwise

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme, hosted by btt2, about (mostly) books and reading.


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Outside of books, what’s your favorite thing to read? Newspapers? Magazines? Blogs? Fanfiction? Specific websites?

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I used to read loads of different Fanfiction, mainly now though I love reading lyrics, and war poetry and since I write them too, obviously I read them. Same with my own in-process writing. And of course, blogs. :)

Waiting on Wednesday (#22)

 "Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

 

The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Expected publication: February 25th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
 

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Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.

The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

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So this is up early because I have a blood test in the morning, yay. But...Look at that cover! And it sounds like it could be a fun read.

 

What're you waiting on? :)



 

Teaser Tuesday (20)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

 

 

 

Title: White Space

Author: Ilsa J. Bick

Release date: February 11th 2014              

Publisher:  Egmont USA   

Place: 10%

 

 

 

 Ilsa Bick’s WHITE SPACE, pitched as The Matrix meets Inkheart, about a seventeen-year-old girl who jumps between the lines of books and into the white space where realities are created and destroyed – but who may herself be nothing more than a character written into being from an alternative universe.

 

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"The doctors said her migraines were to blame for these pesky litte episodes. Her symptoms even had a name: the Alice in Wonderland syndrome."

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I've been reading this for five days. Five freaking days because it hurts your brain if you read more than an hour of it at a time. Also, I have 36 highlights and this is the only one I could use. So who else thought this is going to be awesome when they heard The Matrix meets Inkheart? I don't know whether to cry or go back to sleep. You know everybody who watched Lost from the beginning and towards the end thought we're finally going to get it and then it ended like that and you wanted 6 years of your life back? I want my 6 hours back, please. And then I realised it's only book one.

 

 

What're you reading?