30 Day Book Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 - A book that makes you sad... "Mockingjay" (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Today I'm going to keep it short and sweet. Now, the ending of "Mockingjay" doesn't make me sad exactly. It more so brings out a bittersweet feeling in me.

Katniss and her crew prevailed in the end but they suffered many, many loses along that journey to freedom. One of the things I've always loved about the Hunger Games is how much I can relate to the characters. They have their good times and their bad times, their happy times and their sad times - just like every other person in the world. Katniss isn't a character that walks around with rose colored glasses and everything in the world is perfect.

"Mockingjay" is a wonderful book but it just makes me sad that Katniss ends up losing the one thing she was always trying to save. The one thing that started it all.

Coming up tomorrow: A book I find vastly underrated.

[Giveaway] The I have Way Too Many Books Giveaway - 4 winners - Ends May 20 - U.S. Only

So I have this pile of books stacked along my wall because I've run out of all available shelving space. As I was trying to figure out what to do with them I thought 'why not give them away in my first ever giveaway?' Thus, the "I Have Way Too Many Books" giveaway was born. But really, it's similar to the spring cleaning giveaways. These are all books I've read and don't have a place for anymore.

Here's how the "I Have Way Too Many Books" giveaway works. There are three prizes and at least 5 winners Prizes are:
1. The complete Trylle Trilogy by Amanda Hocking
2. The Kane Chronicles (books 1-3) by Rick Riordan
3. A pick from the mystery stack. The stack includes random stand alones and mis-matched series books.

The first winner gets his/her pick from the three prizes then I move on to the runner up who gets to choose from what's left and so on and so forth. Whoever chooses from the mystery stack will be able to chose from a list I reveal only to them. So you won't get stuck with a book you didn't choose.

**It may take up to/or more than a week to contact all winners. Winners must provide an address upon winning for me to send their prize to. Any questions can be posted in the comments or sent to my email: writingchamp34@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who participates in my first book giveaway! And don't forget to share it will all the other book lovers!

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30 Day Book Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - A book that makes me happy... "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles

I find it pretty sad that this was the hardest category for me to choose a book for so far. I think it's because when I'm reading I really like the books that deal with the grittier emotions and everything doesn't work out to be all hunky dory.

But I did find one book in my stacks that just makes me smiling thinking about it. "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles wasn't something I usually would read when I picked it up. And I must admit, it was the cover that drew me in.

I think I just like it because even though neither Alex nor Brittany are perfect characters they are perfect for each other. It's that appeal of forbidden love that brings them together in the first place but soon they come to realize that maybe they aren't as different as they first thought.

No matter what, by the end of the book I usually have a smile on my face and a few warm tinglies (yes, that's a word) in my belly.

The other two books in the series are pretty good too, although not as good as the first. And I like how you get more of Brittany and Alex's story even though they aren't the main characters in those two.

Coming up tomorrow: Meet Perfect Chemistry's counter part and a book that makes me sad :'(

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - Favorite book of your favorite series... "Clockwork Prince" by Cassandra Clare

Yesterday I revealed that the Infernal Devices series was one of my favorites. Out of the two books that I've had a chance to read so far it was number two, "Clockwork Prince" that came out on top for me.

At the end of book one we're left with a bit of a cliff hanger that had me begging for book two to come out sooner. When it did, it answered all my questions and flawlessly continued the story line from earlier. In the "Clockwork Angel" I connected with all of the three main characters, Tessa, Will and Jem. All the while rooting for Tessa and Will to be together.

Then in "Clockwork Prince," Jem came out of the woodwork and surprised me by getting more involved with Tessa that I would have guessed. But I love both Jem and Will so really if she ends up with either one it's fine with me.

We also find out more about what happened to Tessa brother. And we see more of Magnus Bane who is a character in the Mortal Instruments series and a character that I enjoy so much.

I can't wait to get my hands on the third book and see if it's better than it's predecessors. Until then, "Clockwork Prince" will remain by favorite book of my favorite series.

Coming up tomorrow: A book that makes me happy :)

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - My favorite series... The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

Picking my one, single favorite book series was difficult for me. In fact, it was a bit too difficult because there are many series I love. So I'm going to talk about one series that is definitely one of my top favorites.

*Drum roll*... It's the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. I originally started out reading her Mortal Instruments series which came out first. I really just fell in love with the world she created and the shadow hunter universe.

Then the Infernal Devices came out with it's first book titled "Clockwork Angel" and I fell even deeper in love. This series is a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments. It takes place in the late 1800s and Clare added a steampunk aspect to it.

This was my first time delving in to the steampunk world and I will never go back. Not only are all these books beautifully written but Clare's world building skills are absolutely phenomenal. There's always so much going on, but you never get lost.

So far there are three books in the series and I'm still working on the last one. As of right now I'm not sure if there will be a fourth or not.

In addition to the great writing, all the books have magnificent covers. That's right, I said magnificent. I go a little weak-kneed every time I see them in fact.

Coming up tomorrow: I'll let you know which of the Infernal Devices was my favorite so far.

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - A book that I've read more than 3 times... "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

I definitely grew up in the era of Harry Potter. I was 11 when I read the first book and 17 when the seventh and final book came out. For me it was like I was growing up alongside Harry, Hermione and Ron. 

The funny thing is that when the book was first given to me (a birthday present from my godmother) and just couldn't get in to it. I had read the first few chapters a few times and had given up each time. It wasn't until one fateful long car ride that I powered through my previous point of no return and finished the book in one sitting. I'm pretty sure my mom had to leave me in the car once we got to our destination because I refused to put the book down. 

Each time a new book came out I would start at the beginning and read every one in order and I always found something I missed in the previous readings. When the movie franchise ended it felt like a little piece of my soul went along with it but at least I'll always have my books.

Coming up tomorrow: Things get a little steampunky as I reveal my favorite series.  

30 Day Book Challenge - Day 1

Got this from Book Brainer and thought it was a fun idea. It's 30 days of bookish fun where I answer different questions about some of my favorite and not so favorite books. I'll be doing it from May 9-June 8. My goal is to not repeat anything so I'll come up with a new book each day.

Day 01 - Best book you read last year... "Sora's Quest" by T.L. Shreffler


It was hard for me to pin point this because I can't really remember all the books I read the entirety of last year. Then again, if I don't remember it, it probably isn't my favorite then. After searching through my stacks, both virtual and physical, and decided on "Sora's Quest" by T.L. Shreffler. 

This is actually one of the books I reviewed earlier this year (check out the review here) and while I didn't want to list anything I've already done on my blog (see above) I just couldn't help myself. This is just one book that I love and I've read it at least two or three times. One thing you should know about me is that I'm not much of a re-reader. 

"Sora's Quest" is one of the reasons why I started reading more indie authors and why I will never again overlook them again. There are two books in the series right now and a third set to come out in the fall. 

I won't ramble too much about this book since you can always read the review. But I will just say that I hope there is more coming from Shreffler. She's got an amazing potential to write something even more phenomenal. 

The best part is the first book is free for Kindle! You can get it here on Amazon. She also is having a second round book tour for "Sora's Quest" in honor of the re-edited issue. You can check out the schedule on her website.

Up next tomorrow: A book that Ive read more than 3 times. I'll give you a hint: It's pretty magical. 

[Review] You Are Mine

Author: Janeal Falor

Publish Date: Self-published on April 30, 2013, 293 pages

Rating: 4/5

I'm always a little hesitant when asking authors for a copy of their book to read or vice versa. It always seems like every time I commit to doing one I end up either hating the book or the author is (to put it nicely) not a very good writer. 

I decided to take a chance on Janeal Falor's book "You Are Mine" because it sounds like it was something I read anyway. 

This book is set in a society where women are little more than broodmares and their worth is dependent on how much magic runs in their veins. The main character, Serena, is the oldest of 15 girls which is considered a failure on her mother's inability to produce a male child. They are the only ones valued in Chardonia. 

One her 17th birthday, Serena is taken for testing to see just how much she is worth. Turns out she comes from good, magical bloodlines and her father can not wait to sell her off to the highest bidder. It doesn't take more than a week before she has a new owner and husband to be.

When we meet Thomas he's pretty much a spoiled little jerk who can't wait to have his way with her. He just has to wait until he finishes out the international, magical tournament and they can get married. Through a series of events, Serena finds herself at the mercy of another. A barbarian from another country who wins her ownership during the tournament. 

From the start I really found myself enjoying "You Are Mine." Sometimes, I must admit that I get a little angry with books where the main heroin is in a oppressive society but accepts it. Serena accepts it to a degree but there's no missing the small rebellions she has in subtle ways. 

She comes to find in time that her new intended husband, Zade, isn't like the rest of the warlocks in her country. He manages to show her that there are others out there fighting on her side, that laws can always have loopholes and that maybe being shunned by society doesn't have to be all bad. 

As far as the writing of this book is concerned I thought Falor did an excellent job. I'm not one to linger on a few spelling and grammar mistakes here and there but thankfully I didn't really even notice any. 

Overall, this book gets a thumbs up. 

Happy reading all!

If you liked this book check out "The Selection" by Kiera Cass.

Get it here: 

Hop on to some great blogs

[Review] Rogue Descendant

Author: Jenna Black

Publish Date: April 30, 2013 by Pocket Books, 384 pages

Get it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon

Rating: 4.5/5

I must admit. I've been waiting for "Rogue Descendant" to come out ever since I finished the second book in the series (Deadly Descendant) last fall. This is the third in the Nikki Glass series by Jenna Black.

I've mentioned it before but I might as well say it again: If there's one thing that gets my reading juices going it's a good story that incorporates Greek mythology into it. One of the reason's I fell in love with the series to begin with was the fact that the main character is a descendant of the Greek goddess Artemis. (Which is also the name of one of my kittens. The other is named after Athena - yes, that's how much of a freak for Greek I am). 

Now, I've read a few great series about Greek mythology such as Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson novels and the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. But what I love about the Nikki Glass series is that not only is there Greek mythology but Black mixes in other cultures like Indian, Egyptian and Nordic mythology. Basically, I get OD'ed on mythology. 

To recap (I'll try not to spoil anything here): There are two warring factions of descendants - the Olympians, aka the bad guys, who are pretty much elitist bastards who believe being a Greek immortal puts them above the rest of humanity and descendants from other pantheons. Konstantin and his son Cyrus lead this bad of the morally corrupt. 

Then on the other side you have the small group of "rogue" descendants who are either not Greek or have no desire to be an Olympian. The seven of them are led by Anderson Kane, who we found out in the first book is one BAMF you don't want to mess with. Together the two groups live somewhat peacefully under and old truce. A truce which will be tested many times in "Rogue Descendant"

The third book starts off a little slow and to me it felt like most of the it was spent wrapping up all the shit that hit the fan in the second book. Now, that doesn't mean it wasn't excellent. Black, thankfully is a great writer, and clearly it was a fantastic read since it just came out yesterday and I'm writing about it today. 

Naturally, things get the most interesting in the very last chapter (darn you Black and your cliffhanger) and now I will be counting down the days until book numero cuatro. 

The only thing I was a little disappointed in was that a few of the other descendants living with Nikki Glass barely show up in the book. Jack isn't in it at all, he only gets mentioned once in passing. Maggie has one scene in the middle and Blake doesn't have his one scene until the end where he stands there. So I'm hoping they get more page time in the next book since I really enjoy all of them.

All in all, definitely a must read. 

Happy reading my fellow nerds.