My 10 Best Reads of 2016

Hello everyone! Lots of things have happened this year. Whether it be good or bad. — I’m not here to talk about what happened this year though. I’m here to talk about books because this book blog is one of my happy places.

Reading wise, there were a lot of firsts for me last year. For instance: I started reading YA Mystery. I don’t typically enjoy mystery. Continue reading

January Wrap Up & Book Haul| 2016

Where did the time go this January? I swear time both froze and sped up. I don’t know what to say actually!! A lot has happened this month. Shadow Hunters aired on TV. Since I’m in Canada though, I have to watch it on Netflix. – I’m also thinking of re-reading the TMI / TID series?? I have no idea if I should. – Hmm. What else has happened…. My cousins birthday was on the 29th. I gained a follower here on WordPress, haha. Slowly but surely, my following is growing!!

In the month of January, I posted a some reviews, posted 2 Friday Finds, read 9 books, and was allowed access to an ARC! And of course, bought 5 books… Continue reading

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne | Book Review #62

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Growing up on Forge’s streets has taught Kyra how to stretch a coin. And when that’s not enough, her uncanny ability to scale walls and bypass guards helps her take what she needs.


But when the leader of the Assassins Guild offers Kyra a lucrative job, she hesitates. She knows how to get by on her own, and she’s not sure she wants to play by his rules. But he’s persistent—and darkly attractive—and Kyra can’t quite resist his pull.

Tristam of Brancel is a young Palace knight on a mission. After his best friend is brutally murdered by Demon Riders, a clan of vicious warriors who ride bloodthirsty wildcats, Tristam vows to take them down. But as his investigation deepens, he finds his efforts thwarted by a talented thief, one who sneaks past Palace defenses with uncanny ease.

When a fateful raid throws Kyra and Tristam together, the two enemies realize that their best chance at survival—and vengeance—might be to join forces. And as their loyalties are tested to the breaking point, they learn a startling secret about Kyra’s past that threatens to reshape both their lives.

In her arresting debut novel, Livia Blackburne creates a captivating world where intrigue prowls around every corner—and danger is a way of life.

By the time that I had finished reading Midnight Thief I was surprised. It’s been so long that I was actually engrossed in a book as I had been with this one. There are so many factors in this story. Continue reading

Library Reads | #10

Here’s a little story: I went out a couple towns over to get away from my sick mother, because she just turns into a blubbery baby who has just found their voice when she is sick. I don’t think I can ever be a mom; which is totally fine with me. Anyway, I went a few towns over via transit and was there for like, an hour. Which is a long time for me to be there! I went and sat down in the teen section to cool my body and to also check out the books. Got the books that interested me, then I went and got out the books that were in reserve. Then I went to my local library and got the books that were in reserve for me there, hahaha. All in all though, I was waiting for and using transit for at least 3.5 hours.

The day’s events have left me utterly exhausted from all the stress and anxiety attacks I had, but I got library books, so I feel that all of that was well worth it. Without a further ado, here are the books I’ve borrowed!

Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule
A young soprano enrolls in a remote music academy where nothing, not even her mysterious young vocal coach, is as it seems.
Outside Dunhammond Conservatory, there lies a dark forest. And in the forest, they say, lives a great beast called the Felix. But Sing da Navelli never put much faith in the rumors and myths surrounding the school; music flows in her blood, and she is there to sing for real. This prestigious academy will finally give her the chance to prove her worth—not as the daughter of world-renowned musicians—but as an artist and leading lady in her own right.
Yet despite her best efforts, there seems to be something missing from her voice. Her doubts about her own talent are underscored by the fact that she is cast as the understudy in the school’s production of her favorite opera, Angelique. Angelique was written at Dunhammond, and the legend says that the composer was inspired by forest surrounding the school, a place steeped in history, magic, and danger. But was it all a figment of his imagination, or are the fantastic figures in the opera more than imaginary? 
Sing must work with the mysterious Apprentice Nathan Daysmoor as her vocal coach, who is both her harshest critic and staunchest advocate. But Nathan has secrets of his own, secrets that are entwined with the myths and legends surrounding Dunhammond, and the great creature they say lives there.
Lyrical, gothic, and magical, Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule will captivate and enchant readers.

I originally got this book out from one library but had to return it, so I borrowed it from my local library! I’m a sucker for books that take place in schools. I am so looking forward to reading this book though! I hope I get to it soon. There’s a lot of potential in this book; and it’s a standalone!!! Hopefully what I’ve conjured up in my head plays out to be true in the book.  Continue reading

Library Reads | #9

So I went to the library, only expecting to get one or two books, and ended up borrowing six books. Libraries are seriously addicting. I can’t stop going and borrowing out books.

The reason why I went to the library today was to pick up this first book,:

A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
This book is a historical thriller novel. Thats all I really want to say about it. And while I dont normally like historical books, I really loved this one. Have you seen the cover of the book? It’s so friggin’ pretty. [EDIT: I’ve since reviewed this book.]

Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
OK, so I pulled this randomly off the shelf and and like “whats this all about” and then I read the synopsis and the book seemed familiar, but I know I hadn’t read it. Midnight Thief is about a girl (Kyra) who steals what she needs but when the “leader of the Assassins Guild” wants her to do a job, she’s very adamant about it. She doesn’t want to do it but (and this is literally what the book says) is that the leader of the AG is a “darkly attractive” dude. so. I was like, WHY NOT?!

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Let me be honest, I saw this book on my tumblr feed randomly and the title just stuck with me. The cover for this book is SO pretty and it has little gears in the background so maybe this is a Steampunk novel?? I hope there isn’t any love triangles in this book. I am seriously, *so done* with love triangles.

Fingerprints of You by Kristen-Paige Madonia
I hope that this book will have more insight on teen pregnancy. After reading the synopsis though, I think that will only become the background story? I think the main focus of the story will be finding her father.

The Storyteller by Antonia Michaelis
So i don’t know if this story will have a particular message that some books have, but I am excited about the novel anyway because the MC might be falling for a kid her age who, is a drug lord, and who is raising his little sister.

Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule
I’ve had this book in the back of my mind for a while now! I actually heard about this book a while ago and I’ve waited for a library to have it ever since. The story is about a girl who loves (and is really talented at) singing. Then, Sing (ironic name, no??), gets a part in the school play. I think then after that some rumours about the school; which Sing never payed attention to, are true? I have no idea about this one, but I am *so* intrigued.

That’s all for this week, folks! Thanks for reading! What are you reading this week?

Until next time,
Adele.
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