Book review: Stolen - Erin Bowman

Title: Stolen
Authors: Erin Bowman
Publication Date: February 4th 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 104
Link to Goodreads: Here
Part of a Series: Book 0,5 of the Taken

Plot: Before Gray Weathersby uncovered the truth about Claysoot and the Laicos Project, a girl named Bree came of age in the coastal settlement of Saltwater—and made her own surprising journey to the world beyond its borders. In Stolen, discover the story of Bree’s life before she was Snatched from her home, before she joined the rebellion, and before she met a boy named Gray…

Reading period: February 02, 2017 - February 05, 2017

Book Review: The rising - Ryan Troske

Title: The Rising
Authors: Ryan Troske
Publication Date: July 7th 2016
Publisher: Troske Titles
Pages: 416
Link to Goodreads: Here
Part of a Series: Book 1 of the Supernaturals

Plot: Ethan is just an ordinary teenage boy--infatuated with sports music and, of course, girls. Or so he thinks. Heading home on a rainy night from an amateur guitar gig, he finds his life turned completely upside down--literally. His car spins and flips out of control after what he believes to be a small animal jumps out in front of him. The horrific accident is only the beginning of a series of mysterious and seemingly unrelated events that will change his life forever.

After awaking in the hospital, and following an encounter with an enigmatic doctor, Ethan discovers that something that occurred during the wreck allows him to hear others' thoughts, and even more perplexing, move objects with his mind. While trying to wrap his head around this mystery, he realizes he's not alone. There are others out there with special powers. Not long after learning of this new world, Ethan's ever increasing lack of control places those around him at serious risk. In order to protect those he loves, he makes the difficult decision to leave and accepts an offer to attend specialized training along with other so called Supernaturals to gain command over his newfound gifts. Shortly after beginning his schooling, Ethan is sent on a mission to kidnap who he believes to be the enemy leader in a well concealed Supernaturals war. But the further he becomes embedded in this new world, the more he discovers things are not quite what they seem and doesn't know who can be trusted.

In this first installment of the Supernaturals series, Ethan discovers that super powers aren't always so super, and is faced with difficult decisions that will not only affect his own life, but which may determine the life or death of his newfound companions and mentor.

Reading period: January 20, 2017 - January 31, 2017

Book review: Gemina - A. Kaufman & J. Kristoff

Title: Gemina
Authors: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publication Date: October 18th 2016 
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 660
Link to Goodreads: Here
Part of a Series: Book 2 of the Illuminae Files

Plot: Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Reading period: January 10, 2017 - January 17, 2017 

Beat the Backlist reading challenge

Hi, I've just found this reading challenge hosted by Novel Knight and since one of my resolutions this year  is to read many of the books I have on my TBR list, I think this idea is perfect!!!

Plus there's an extra motivation in joining the Hogwarts House Cup mini challenge.

Here are some of the book I have planned to read this year:

Dystopia Reading Challenge 2017

Book Review: Ashen Winter - Mike Mullin

Title: Ashen Winer
Author: Mike Mullin
Publication Date: October 16th 2012
Publisher:  Tanglewood Press
Pages: 594
Link to Goodreads: Here
Part of a Series: Book 2 of Ashfall

Plot: It’s been over six months since the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. Alex and Darla have been staying with Alex’s relatives, trying to cope with the new reality of the primitive world so vividly portrayed in Ashfall, the first book in this series. It’s also been six months of waiting for Alex’s parents to return from Iowa. Alex and Darla decide they can wait no longer and must retrace their journey into Iowa to find and bring back Alex’s parents to the tenuous safety of Illinois. But the landscape they cross is even more perilous than before, with life-and-death battles for food and power between the remaining communities. When the unthinkable happens, Alex must find new reserves of strength and determination to survive. 

Reading Period: May 6, 2016 - May 12, 2016

Book Review: A Bond of Venom and Magic - Karen Tomlinson

Title:  A Bond of Venom and Magic
Author: Karen Tomlinson
Publication Date: October 14th 2016 
Publisher:  Smashwords Edition
Pages: 324
Link to Goodreads: Here

Part of a Series: Book 1 of The Goddess and The Guardians

Plot: The Wraith Lord is hunting; his prize, the key to unleashing darkness and Chaos upon the eight Kingdoms.

For Diamond Gillon the war raging in the south seems a remote danger until her home is brutally attacked. Having lost everything she holds dear, Diamond is catapulted into a terrifying new world in which legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned and half blood fae, like her, have no rights. Despite her growing feelings for her saviour, Commander Hugo Casimir, he remains a paradox – not only is he a heartless killer, he is owned by the cruel immortal fae queen; a queen who will murder her own people for magic.

As Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous she is drawn deeper into Hugo’s world and discovers the lengths to which he will go to save what he holds dear. Will Hugo become her friend, her protector, or – an enemy not worthy of her trust?

A Bond of Venom and Magic is a tale of two people bound by magic and secrets, but trapped in the complexities of love and betrayal. It is the beginning of an epic journey, one that will test Diamond’s resolve and determination to battle an evil that threatens not only her world but that of Eternity, the land of The Goddess and The Guardians.

Reading period:  November 18, 2016 - December 08, 2016