Prettiest Covers On My TBR

Top Ten Tuesday (21)

Hello my fellow book lovers!

I could honestly do nothing but posts about book covers, I love book covers! So today I’m going to share with you guys the prettiest covers of books I still have on my TBR! I do own physical copies of most of these books with the exception of two, so it’s worse because their pretty covers stare at me accusingly wondering why I haven’t read them yet….

Anywho! There are also a TON of beautiful covers for books I’ve read, because I’m more likely to read the book sooner if the cover is pretty and shiny. Why? I suspect I may be part Niffler…..

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But I will be doing up another post in the future mentioning my favorite pretty covers for books I’ve read! Also probably another post about pretty covers on my TBR as well because there definitely are a ton more!

Enjoy!

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Caraval by Stephanie Garber

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I’m not 100% sure if I’ll truly enjoy this book or not since it sort of has mixed reviews even though it’s such a hyped book! Although I have to say I’m willing to risk it for that gorgeously, dark looking cover!


Dreamstrider by Lindsay Smith

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I remember seeing this before it was released in 2015 and HAD to have it because it’s got “Inception” vibes and this beautiful cover! Of course I still haven’t read it though because I’m a terrible person……But anyways it’s about espionage inside of dreams so it sounds awesome!


Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love how the black contrasts the orange and purple and makes them pop so much more, plus that peacock is so pretty! I also really like how there are throwing stars mixed in with the flowers it just makes it a little bit more badass.


Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

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I pretty much love ALL of Rosamund Hodge’s covers because they’re always this gorgeous! I think the way the stairs wind into the rose petals is really unique and the font is also really pretty as well. I didn’t really enjoy reading “Crimson Bound” her other book but I’m hoping maybe I’ll like this one better.


After The Woods by Kim Savage

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A huge part of why I ended up buying this book was because of the cover, I mean it’s just so beautiful and I love all the shades of green. It’s a mystery thriller and the premise sounds a lot darker than the cover would make you think!


Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

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Probably one of my favorite covers ever! I really love birch trees so that’s probably a big part of it but I also love the way the cover looks like it’s burning away. Very unique and very pretty! I have heard this book is quite the blend of genres too with some fantasy, paranormal creatures, western, and steampunk!


The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

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I really love the starry smoke (if that even makes sense?) that’s on here as well as the gorgeous orange sunset! I’ve also heard that the writing is very beautiful as well so really I think I could say judge this book by its cover.


Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor 

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This is the UK cover even though the US one is pretty as well, I really love the blue and the sort of constellation looking patterns on it as well. Plus the back has some pretty galaxy patterns! I’m not a big fan of moths at all but the cover is so pretty that I can easily look past it.


Bad Romance by Heather Demetrios

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It probably might sound a little weird to say that I find the dead flowers pretty? I think it’s really neat looking with them popping out of the frame and I think it fits the title really well since it’s all about a bad romance, hence the dead flowers.


Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde

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I love, love, love the pink hair on this cover! I don’t know why but something about pink hair to me is just gorgeous and awesome. I also like how it weaves through the font too it just adds a little more to the cover. I’m currently reading and loving this book too by the way!

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Do you think any of these covers are gorgeous as well? 

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? 

What are some of your favorite covers on your TBR?

Let me know in the comments!

The Sassy

Top 5 Wednesday: Books That Aren’t Set in the Western World

Top Ten Tuesday(1)

Top 5 Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Thoughts on Tomes and created by Lainey @ Ginger Reads Lainey. You can check out the group’s Goodreads page for this month’s topics!

This week’s topic is books that aren’t set in or inspired by the Western World, so nothing in North America or Western Europe! That also means no Fantasy or Sci-fi that may have been inspired by these places so nothing medieval based in a fantasy for example!

This is such a fun topic that calls for us to really think outside the box and opens the way for us to potentially find more diverse reads!

These are also in NO particular order and if I have reviews I will link them up as well!

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5.) Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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While this is YA fantasy not directly set in the real world it’s pretty clearly based off of Russia and Russian culture. Therefore I’m just going to say it counts! It’s also a very well written, fast paced, heist book and I say the hype is worth it!

You can read my full review of “Six of Crows” here.


4.) And I Darken by Kiersten White

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This is a historical retelling with a gender bent Vlad the Impaler as one of the main characters. It’s set in the 1400s in both Wallachia, which is modern day Romania, and the Ottoman Empire, which is mostly modern day Turkey.

I personally thought White did her research very well for this story!

You can read my full review of “And I Darken” here.


3.) The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

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This is a 1,001 Nights (a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories) retelling set in the Middle East and it also has some fantasy elements but they’re clearly inspired by Middle Eastern culture as well.

You can read my mini review of “The Wrath & The Dawn” here.


2.) The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury

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This is a YA fantasy story but it’s also a retelling of “Aladdin and His Wondrous Lamp” which is a story from 1,001 Nights (which as stated above is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories). The story and it’s setting are inspired by the Middle East.

You can read my full review of “The Forbidden Wish” here.


1.) Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

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This is a fantasy and steampunk story that was inspired by Japan or the Eastern World if you will. I, personally, really enjoyed this book but I have heard people mention that it was not researched very well and the Japanese vocabulary wasn’t used correctly. That’s why I’m saying the book is “inspired by” versus saying “based on” and I acknowledge other people’s claims that this wasn’t necessarily the best book as far as the cultural representation goes.

However, it’s still inspired by the Eastern World so I decided it applies here and as I said I did still enjoy the story. It’s nice to see steampunk elements in a book that isn’t set in Western Europe!

You can read my full review of “Stormdancer” here.


Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

What are some books you’ve read or have on your TBR that aren’t set in the Western World?

Do you have any recommendations?

Let me know in the comments!

The Sassy

May Releases I’m Excited For!

Top Ten Tuesday(55)

I’ve decided to do a post up the beginning of each month about upcoming releases, I used to do them up way ahead of the time (like the first half of the year etc.) but it’s much more exciting to talk about them when they’re coming out right away! Plus May is PLUMP full of some amazing releases!

I’ll link up each title to their Goodreads page so you can check them out or add them to your TBRs as well! Also keep in mind these are ordered by release date from the beginning of the month to the end.

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Into The Water by Paula Hawkins

Release Date: May 2nd, 2017

Into the Water

So I really enjoyed “The Girl on the Train” but it wasn’t something that completely blew me away like, let’s say, Gillian Flynn’s books. However, like I said I did like it and people who didn’t like it are saying this new book of hers is even better so of course I’m excited to read it! Especially since I love dark, twisted, and slightly confusing mystery/thrillers!


Dreamfall by Amy Plum

Release Date: May 2nd, 2017

Dreamfall (Dreamfall #1)

This one sounds super unique and exciting, it’s about a bunch of kids in an experimental procedure to help insomnia and end up getting trapped in a dreamworld with their worst nightmares. This just seems like it’d have a super eerie atmosphere too!


The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember

Release Date: May 4th, 2017

The Seafarer's Kiss

This was SUPPOSED to be released on the 30th of this month and I do have an ARC of it but now I have to hustle up and read it right away since it’s May 4th. Anyways though this is a short retelling of The Little Mermaid with a F/F romance!


The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

The Love Interest

This sounds like a really fun twist on a YA trope! It’s about two guys who were “trained” as love interests and must both compete for the same girl but end up falling for each other.


Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist, #1)

Okay must I explain this one? I think we are ALL pumped for Renee Ahdieh’s new book! There’s a lot going on in the plot but mainly it’s set in a type of Japanese style fantasy world where the main character dresses as a boy in order to infiltrate an enemy clan in order to exact revenge. It sounds like non-stop action and is almost guaranteed to be a five star read!


Violet Grenade by Victoria Scott

Release Date: May 16th, 2017

Violet Grenade

A homeless girl, Domino,  is offered a spot in a Madam’s girl’s home where she competes with other girls to gain the Madam’s approval. Everyone in the home has secrets but Domino’s is the worst of them all.

I’m not 100% sure what exactly this book is supposed to be about but it sounds super interesting, I like when all the characters are dirty, twisted, secret-keeping manipulators!


When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

When Dimple Met Rishi

This book seems like it is going to be fun, heart-warming, and absolutely adorable! It’s about two Indian-American teenagers whose parents have arranged for them to be married.


One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

One of Us Is Lying

When I first read the premise I was 100% sold on this book because it sounds almost EXACTLY like The Breakfast Club but with detention ending in murder.  It just sounds awesome!


House of Furies by Madeleine Roux

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

House of Furies (House of Furies, #1)

I’m down to read anything that is remotely creepy since there aren’t enough YA Horror books! This one is about a boarding house where the owner and staff pass judgement and execute their guests……


Dark Breaks The Dawn by Sara B. Larson

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

Dark Breaks the Dawn

YA fantasy with magic powers, shapeshifting, wars, and evil kings! I’m worried this may be another standard YA fantasy book but one can hope……


Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Release Date: May 30th, 2017

Royal Bastards

Basically this book’s title is self explanatory, it’s about the kingdom’s royal bastards teaming up to prevent a civil war. Sounds fun since we usually read more stories about true-born princes and princesses but never the King or Queen’s bastard children!

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Are you also looking forward to any of these books?

Have you read any of them yet (ARCs etc)?

What are some May releases I didn’t include that you’re looking forward to?

Let me know in the comments!

The Sassy

Book Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

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description

In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, each dawn brings heartache to a new family. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When sixteen-year-old Shahrzad’s dearest friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows vengeance and volunteers to be his next bride. Shahrzad is determined not only to stay alive, but to end the caliph’s reign of terror once and for all.
Night after night, Shahrzad beguiles Khalid, weaving stories that enchant, ensuring her survival, though she knows each dawn could be her last. But something she never expected begins to happen: Khalid is nothing like what she’d imagined him to be. This monster is a boy with a tormented heart. Incredibly, Shahrzad finds herself falling in love. How is this possible? It’s an unforgivable betrayal. Still, Shahrzad has come to understand all is not as it seems in this palace of marble and stone. She resolves to uncover whatever secrets lurk and, despite her love, be ready to take Khalid’s life as retribution for the many lives he’s stolen. Can their love survive this world of stories and secrets?

review

WOW. That is the only word to describe this book, it’s absolutely amazing!

First off, the writing is beautiful and descriptive there were an abundance of adjectives constantly describing things you didn’t know could even be described so beautifully! Seriously, it’s enchanting it definitely will keep you reading and hanging on to every little word. It’s also very cultural, there are a lot of Arabic terms and phrases used to give a very authentic feel. But it also doesn’t leave you feeling confused or have you constantly looking up words while you’re reading.

The characters are so well written and developed. Believe me when I tell you, if Renee Ahdieh wants you to like a character, you like them. If she wants you to hate a character, you hate them. I developed so many feelings towards all of the characters in this book it’s unbelievable, I grew attached to every single one. I found myself constantly changing my mind about how I felt about certain people, it’s all very conflicting. You’ll love all of the characters for very different reasons, but they’re just so good!

And that romance! Now let me tell you that I am NOT a romance reader, I hate it. I prefer books with little to no romance. But “The Wrath and the Dawn” is absolutely heart-warming, I LOVE Shazi and Khalid. I LOVE THEM I TELL YOU! I was sniffling my way through parts of the book because it gave me the warm and fuzzies. There is NO insta-love, which is perfect. However, there is a sort of love triangle but you can easily disregard that notion since you really have to think about it to realize it’s there. I can’t gush enough about how much I love the romance though, I really can’t. It’s sweet, endearing, and touching.

And the plot/story is very engaging, it’s fast paced, it’s perfect. It’s a good mix of YA romance and YA fantasy, since there are subtle hints of magic throughout the book that are very intriguing. If you’re wanting answers for some of that though you’ll have to wait for the next book in the series like the rest of us! One minor complaint I have about the book is that it didn’t have as many stories within stories as I wanted. This is a sort of retelling of One Thousand and One Nights so I was expecting to read some of the stories Shazi uses to keep herself alive! There are a couple and I loved them, so I was disappointed when I wasn’t graced with more throughout the story. There are also plenty of secrets and surprises along the way to keep you guessing and entertained.

I can’t recommend this book enough! Even if you’re like me and you’re put off by the notion of a very romance driven story please consider pushing it aside and giving this book a go. It really is worth it!

I think while I wait for the sequel I will be ordering a beautiful hardcover of this book, it’s gorgeous.

Links: Goodreads / Amazon

The Sassy
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