Review: Taken by Erin Bowman

Taken

By: Erin Bowman

Synopsis From Goodreads:

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Okay, so Taken is another book from my "Forgotten" TBR pile. I honestly cannot remember when or where I purchased this book but I have a feeling it was after reading The Maze Runner series. That was one series I powered through with zero interest in putting down and Taken had a very similar vibe.

This is another book I went into with little hope of enjoying but after reading the first chapter I was hooked. The book was fast-paced, with to-the-point and captivating writing. 

Taken follows Gray, a young teenage boy as he sets out to discover the truth behind his home, Claysoot. No men live in Claysoot, at eighteen all boys are Heisted, but Gray questions everything when he finds a mysterious letter from his mom. He's been lied to his whole life and now he is determined to discover the truth.

Taken had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning. There are new twists and turns around every corner. Sure some are predictable but there were many bombs that I never expecting in a million years. 

I can't wait to get my hands on book two, already purchased and not so patiently awaiting its arrival. 

Published by: K

#FirstLinesFriday: 5.15.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“When Tess Dombegh was six and still irrepressible, she married her twin sister, Jeanne, in the courtyard of their childhood home.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Tess of the Road

By Rachel Hartman

Blurb:

Meet Tess, a brave new heroine from beloved epic fantasy author Rachel Hartman.

In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, stubbornly, is a troublemaker. You can’t make a scene at your sister’s wedding and break a relative’s nose with one punch (no matter how pompous he is) and not suffer the consequences. As her family plans to send her to a nunnery, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a journey across the Southlands, alone and pretending to be a boy.

Where Tess is headed is a mystery, even to her. So when she runs into an old friend, it’s a stroke of luck. This friend is a quigutl—a subspecies of dragon—who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road. But Tess is guarding a troubling secret. Her tumultuous past is a heavy burden to carry, and the memories she’s tried to forget threaten to expose her to the world in more ways than one.

Returning to the fascinating world she created in the award-winning and New York Times bestselling Seraphina, Rachel Hartman introduces readers to a new character and a new quest, pushing the boundaries of genre once again in this wholly original fantasy.

Goodreads | Amazon

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I received an ARC from Goodreads a couple of years back and absolutely loved this book. I flew through the chapters, eager to see what awaited Tess. Click here to check out my full review. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: 5.13.2020

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

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Right now, Young Adult Fantasy are some of my favorite books to read. They are a great way to escape into a world of magic and just forget about the real world for a while, this next book sounds prefect for that. The dark and alluring cover drew me in, intrigued by it's mysterious appearance and once I read the premise I was sold. I am truly looking forward to this books' release! 

Forest of Souls

By: Lori M. Lee

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Format: Hardcover, audiobook, ebook

Length: 400 pages

Publication Date: June 23, 2020 by Street Page Kids

Blurb:

Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.

Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo.

And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life.

Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for.

Goodreads | Amazon

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What books are you eagerly awaiting to be released?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by The Book Date. A place for bloggers to gather to discuss what books they read and reviewed last week, what books they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read. This is a great way for me to plan my reading week, and get a sneak peek at what others are reading.

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What I read last week:

I finished yet another book from my forgotten TBR pile. When I started Unearthly I did not have high hopes, my interest in the premise had dwindled over the years and I wasn't sure I would enjoy it. But boy was I pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. 

Click here to check out my full review.

Unearthly

By Cynthia Hand

What I am currently reading:

Taken 

By Erin Bowman

Up next:

Hallowed 

By Cynthia Hand

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So many list changed a bit from last week, I had planned on reading Parallel next but after reading Unearthly I am hoked and have to finish the series. So while I wait for it to ship I am reading a not so lengthy book. 

What's on your reading list for this week?

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Unearthly

By: Cynthia Hand

Series: Unearthly Trilogy

Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Fantasy

Length: 435 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...
Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

During my college years I had a huge obsession with the angel world. Two of my favorites books were Fallen by Lauren Kate and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. So when I discovered Unearthly it was an instant purchase, between the angelic cover and the tempting premise what more could one want. However, as time passed and my college days ended - the real world opened up before me and it was time to adult - many of my college books became pushed to the side and forgotten. New and different genres waltzed in making it easier for those books to continue sitting on my shelf unread. 

But after buying a new house and having to do some serious book purging I was able to create a pile of books long forgotten with the intent to finally read and review. Unearthly found its way into this pile and honestly I did not have high hopes, over the years my interest in its premise dwindled. However, once I cracked open the cover and started chapter one I was hooked and flying through the pages. 

Clara Gardner has a purpose, to save a mysterious boy who she comes to know as Christian Prescott. The handsome popular boy at her new school in Wyoming. Thanks to her visions her mom has moved her and her brother, Jeffery to a small rural town so Clara can fulfill her destiny. 

But Clara runs into some unexpected problems along the way; another angel-blood like her, Black Wings and Tucker Avery (her new best friend's brother). She never intended to fall in love but after a summer hiking and fishing with the rustic, gentlemanly Tucker Avery, Clara finds herself in love and struggling over her destiny. 

Cynthia Hand has put together an intriguing and captivating world of angels, both pure and fallen. A world that sucks you in and has you eager to discover more. I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The characters felt so real, it was easy to struggle along with Clara and experience her emotions right alongside her. 

This book was fast-paced and had me on the edge of my seat. So many unexpected twists and turns at the end. So many questions I need answered. Book 2 has been ordered and I can't wait for it to get here, I am ready to jump right in. 

I'm glad I didn't right this book off and gave it a chance because Unearthly has re-ignited my love for angel related novels. And I have found a new favorite author!

Published by: K

#FirstLinesFriday: 5.1.2020

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Follow the rules below: 

• Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
• Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
• Finally… reveal the book!

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“Packs of teenagers, pumped for the official start of spring break, rushed past the black sedan parked across from the high school, unaware they were being watched from behind the car’s tinted windows.”

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Read on to discover what book this excerpt is from:

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Agents of Chaos (The X-Files: Origins)

By Kami Garcia

Blurb:

How did Fox Mulder become a believer? How did Dana Scully become a skeptic? The X-Files Origins has the answers.

The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos explores the teen years of Fox Mulder, the beloved character depicted in the cult-favorite TV show The X-Files. His story is set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news.

The book will follow Mulder as he experiences life-changing events that set him on the path to becoming an FBI agent.

Goodreads | Amazon

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I am a huge fan of The X-Files. I started watching the show about a year ago and was hooked right off the bat, so when I saw this book on Book Outlet during Black Friday I just knew I had to get it. Once I finish my "forgotten" TBR pile it is next on my list, along with several other new Black Friday purchases. :)

Down the TBR Hole: 4.30.2020

Down the TBR Hole is a meme created by Lia at Lost in a Story where we decide whether to keep or remove books on our TBR.

The rules for Down the TBR Hole:

• Go to your Goodreads to-read shelf.
• Order on ascending date added.
• Take the first 5 (or 10 if you’re feeling adventurous) books
• Read the synopses of the books
• Decide: keep it or should it go?

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It's been a while since my last Down the TBR Hole, I ran into a bit of a problem where many of the books on my list were already sitting in my "forgotten" TBR pile, which are all books I fully plan on reading. I am glad to announce that I am almost done with that pile!! :) So I had to jump ahead a bit in my ever growing TBR list. 

Let's see what we have this week!!

Unspoken

By Sarah Rees Brennan

Date Added: June 3, 2013

Blurb:

Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met... a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

***Unspoken was introduced to me in college by my roommate, we shared a passion for books and were constantly recommending books to one another. Sadly, like many of her recommendations this book got lost among my TBR list and forgotten. However, this premise still sparks intrigue and I have a feeling it is going to be a future book purchase. :)***

Verdict: Keep it

Tomorrow Land

By Mari Mancusi

Date Added: June 4, 2013

Blurb:
Can true love survive the zombie apocalypse?

Nineteen-year-old Peyton Anderson will never forget the day she was forced to make a choice--between her family--and Chris Parker, the boy she’d given her heart. Now four years later, as she steps out from the fallout shelter and into a zombie-infested world, he’s the only thing on her mind.

Thanks to her father Peyton is now built to survive: with razor tipped nails, ocular implants and cybernetics that make her stronger, faster, and able to protect herself in a world filled with monsters.

Yet all the weapons in the world can’t protect her heart when she runs into Chris again. The once sweet boy of her childhood has now grown into a tortured man--still furious at her for breaking his heart and never telling him why.

Now the two of them find themselves on the run, forced to fight their way down the monster strewn east coast to reach the last human outpost on Earth: Walt Disney World. Can they find a way to let go of old hurts and regain the love they lost--all while attempting to save what’s left of the human race?

***I completely forgot about this book. The cover had me just as interested as it did back in 2013. Zombies, fighting for survival and romance; what more could one want.***

Verdict: Keep it

One Moment

By Kristina McBride

Date Added: June 5, 2013

Blurb:
This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it’s the one she’d do anything to forget.

Maggie remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party. She remembers climbing the trail with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below–dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

***Mystery/suspense novels have always been some of my favorite books, so when I read this premise back in 2013 I was interested right off the bat. I'm a sucker for a good mystery novel.***

Verdict: Keep it

I Love You to Death

By Natalie Ward

Date Added: June 5, 2013

Blurb:

When Ash loses her boyfriend, she is consumed by grief, loneliness and an overwhelming sense of guilt for her role in not only his death, but the deaths of everyone she has ever loved. Refusing to let anyone in for fear of losing them too, she becomes withdrawn, spending her days reliving the nightmares from her past.

Until she meets Luke.

Initially scared by his intensity and interest in her, Ash tries to push him away. But as Luke slowly starts to chip away at the walls she’s built, Ash finds herself doing the one thing she swore she’d never do again — falling in love.

When the familiar feelings Ash had hoped were long buried with her past begin to resurface, she is forced to ask herself if falling in love again is really worth the risk.

***Over the years my love for romance novels has dwindled quite a bit. I used to love romances however over time they all started to sound the same. Aside from Nicholas Sparks I haven't read many romances that pique my interest.***

Verdict: Kick off

 

Altered

By Jennifer Rush

Date Added: June 6, 2013

Blurb:

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who has stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away. 

***This is another book recommended by my college roommate and I can't believe I haven't picked it up yet. The premise sounds amazing and I have heard so many good things about this series.***

Verdict: Keep it

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What books have y'all removed from your TBR this week?

Can't Wait Wednesday: 4.29.2020

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

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Okay, so I know I have said in the past that I am not one for romance novels. Unless it comes from Nicholas Sparks my love for romance has dwindled over the years, but when I saw this gorgeous cover I just had to dive further and after reading the premise I figured, why not. The vibrant and colorful cover caught my eye but the premise sealed the deal. :)

After boycotting the genre for so long I figure it is time to delve back in a see what it has to offer these days. 

Chasing Lucky

By Jenn Bennett

Genre: Young Adult Romance, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook

Length: 414 pages

Publication Date: November 10, 2020 by Simon Pulse

Blurb:

Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.

What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.

Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is…

Goodreads | Amazon

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What new releases are you eager to read?