Review | The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

The Shadows Between Us

by Tricia Levenseller

Published by Feiwel and Friends on February 25th 2020

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Format: ARC

Source: Kindly provided by the Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Summary from Goodreads: 

Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:



1) Woo the Shadow King.

2) Marry him.

3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.



No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.



But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Indigo

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Review

The Shadows Between Us is a centred upon Alessandra, the second daughter to a nobleman, who has high ambitions to (1) woo the Shadow King, (2) marry him, and (3) kill him and take his kingdom for herself. Knowing her worth, Alessandra will do anything to secure her chances of obtaining the notorious Shadow King's mysterious unknown powers and kingdom...except she's not the only one planning to kill him. As Alessandra gets closer to the Shadow King and saves him from constant danger, ensuring he survives in order to marry her, she begins to question her plans and everything she thought she wanted.



The summary is what initially drew me towards this book but the writing and plot itself is what made me want to continue reading. The story does move a bit faster to what I am typically used to but it works perfectly for this story. I absolutely adored all the little mysteries revolving the Shadow King and seeing the process that occurred of dispelling the rumours and figuring out what is true about his character.



Alessandra's character is unapologetically herself, brutal and manipulative, and  knows what she wants. This combined with her sense of humour and high ambitions makes her character truly well rounded. With all eyes on her, including that of the Shadow King, she manages to captivate her audience and intrigue them all at once while setting style trends that makes it way throughout the castle as well as outside its bordered walls. While all this occurs, someone is trying to kill the Shadow King themselves and unknowingly attempting to ruin all that Alessandra has worked so hard for. Now Alessandra, who not only challenges people but the stereotypical roles given, plays damsel to achieve whatever she wants and then quickly sheds that role once she has received it - this typically lands her in a mess of trouble. It was fun to read how she planned to get out of the mess as well as the female empowerment shown throughout the book, particularly through her relationship with her friends who pushed to help one another through all the craziness of court life.



Overall, The Shadows Between Us is definitely one I recommend checking out and picking it right away, especially if you are the type to root for the villains.

Rating

★★★★

About the Author

Initially from a small town in Oregon, Tricia now lives next to the Rocky Mountains with her bossy dog, Rosy. She received her degree in English Language and editing and is thrilled that she never has to read a textbook again. When she’s not writing or reading, Tricia enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing volleyball, playing OVERWATCH, and watching shows while eating extra-buttered popcorn.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Instagram│Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday {39}

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, Hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating. 

Title:

House of Earth and Blood

Author:

Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:

March 3rd, 2020

Publisher:

                                       Bloomsbury Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas launches her brand-new CRESCENT CITY series with House of Earth and Blood: the story of half-Fae and half-human Bryce Quinlan as she seeks revenge in a contemporary fantasy world of magic, danger, and searing romance.



Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.



Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.



As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.



With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love.

                                                     

Review | Storm from the East by Joanna Hathaway

Storm from the East

by Joanna Hathaway

Published by Tor Teen on February 11th, 2020

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance

Series: Glass Alliance - Book Two

Format: ARC

Source: Kindly provided by the Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Summary from Goodreads: 

Battles, revolution, and romance collide in Joanna Hathaway's stunning, World Wars-inspired sequel to Dark of the West



Part war drama, part romance, Storm from the East is the second novel in Joanna Hathaway’s immersive, upmarket YA fantasy series that will appeal to readers of Sabaa Tahir, Marie Rutkoski, and Evelyn Skye.



War has begun, and the days of Athan’s and Aurelia’s secret, summer romance feel a world away. Led by Athan’s father, the revolutionary Safire have launched a secret assault upon the last royal kingdom in the South, hoping to depose the king and seize a powerful foothold on the continent. Athan proves a star pilot among their ranks, struggling to justify the violence his family has unleashed as he fights his way to the capital—where, unbeknownst to him, Aurelia has lived since the war’s onset. Determined to save the kingdom Athan has been ordered to destroy, she partners with a local journalist to inflame anti-Safire sentiment, all while learning this conflict might be far darker and more complex than she ever imagined.



When the two reunite at last, Athan longing to shake the nightmare of combat and Aurelia reeling from the discovery of a long-buried family truth come to light, they’ll find the shadow of war stretches well beyond the battlefield. Each of them longs to rekindle the love they once shared . . . but each has a secret they’re desperate to hide.

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Indigo

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Review

A World Wars inspired sequel to Dark of the West collides battles, romance, and revolution to create an amazing sequel.

Storm from the East once again centres upon Aurelia and Athan as they try to navigate the increasingly complex political world they live in from the viewpoint of opposing sides that quickly leads to a full-blown war. Throughout the novel, Hathaway deals with tough and often serious topics, such as the ever increasing reality of war and the impact of PTSD. 



The action had me on the edge of my seat, the romance was absolutely swoon-worthy, and the world building as well as the characters were completely fleshed out. Between the family dynamics that keep getting more intriguing to read as the story progressed, I especially adored the relationship between Arrin, Athan, and Kalt. The writing was also occasionally so emotionally powerful that one couldn't help but sit there and absorb every moment in.



There was generally more development in Storm from the East, particularly regarding the intense plot and characters, compared to the previous book in the series. I enjoyed reading Aurelia's and Athen's point of view, especially as they began to uncover truths and secrets that have been kept in the dark. Also, their expansion in perspective was entertaining, especially as Aurelia learns more about the world outside of Etania. The romance also made this book that much more adorable to read! The letters Athan and Aurelia sent to each other were exactly what I would expect, given the historical context, and made it that much more entertaining to read. 



With that being said, I did feel a sense of disconnect to Aurelia's character compared to Athen's. I think this was mostly based on how she never really committed to any action, due to her lack of conviction, despite the numerous opportunities to make a difference. When she finally does decide on a course of action, she is typically late to the party. However, besides the disconnect with Aurelia's character, the entire novel immerses its readers and takes them on a journey through the story of various characters  and their exploration of not only the war but the world around them. 



Overall, Storm from the East was an amazing sequel and one I definitely recommend checking out if you're a fan of action-packed historical fiction, romance, and adventure. 

Rating

★★★

About the Author

Joanna was born in Montréal and is an avid storyteller who was inspired to write after reading her great-grandfather’s memoirs of the First World War. A lifelong history buff, she now has shelves filled with biographies and historical accounts, and perhaps one too many books about pilots. She can often be found reading, traveling, or riding horses.



Her debut novel, DARK OF THE WEST (Tor Teen, February 5th, 2019), is the first in a WWII-infused fantasy series of forbidden love and deadly revenge.

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Instagram│Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday {38}

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, Hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating. 

Title:

Chain of Gold

Author:

Cassandra Clare

Publication Date:

March 3rd, 2020

Publisher:

                                Margaret K. McElderry Books

Summary from Goodreads:

Chain of Gold is the first novel in a new trilogy that stars the Shadowhunters of Edwardian London.

Welcome to Edwardian London, a time of electric lights and long shadows, the celebration of artistic beauty and the wild pursuit of pleasure, with demons waiting in the dark. For years there has been peace in the Shadowhunter world. James and Lucie Herondale, children of the famous Will and Tessa, have grown up in an idyll with their loving friends and family, listening to stories of good defeating evil and love conquering all. But everything changes when the Blackthorn and Carstairs families come to London…and so does a remorseless and inescapable plague.

James Herondale longs for a great love, and thinks he has found it in the beautiful, mysterious Grace Blackthorn. Cordelia Carstairs is desperate to become a hero, save her family from ruin, and keep her secret love for James hidden. When disaster strikes the Shadowhunters, James, Cordelia and their friends are plunged into a wild adventure which will reveal dark and incredible powers, and the true cruel price of being a hero…and falling in love. 

                                                     

Pick A Book & Hear A Song | Issue 4

Pick A Book & Hear A Song is an original feature here at I Write, You Read. This featured was created because I enjoy listen to music while reading. If a book is quickly becoming one of my favourite reads of all time, I create a playlist specifically for that book. I'd love to share my faves with you and would also enjoy to see what songs you listen to well reading!



Every month I will be posting a new issue with a different theme.

This month's theme is:

All Time Favourite Romance Reads

Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige

When I met Donovan Kincaid, I knew he was rich. I didn’t know he was filthy. Truth be told, I was only trying to get his best friend to notice me.



I knew poor scholarship girls like me didn't stand a chance against guys like Weston King and Donovan Kincaid, but I was in love with his world, their world, of parties and sex and power. I knew what I wanted—I knew who I wanted—until one night, their world tried to bite me back and Donovan saved me. He saved me, and then Weston finally noticed me, and I finally learned what it was to be in their world.



And then what it was like to lose it.



Ten years later, I’ve found my way back. Back to their world. Back to him.



This time, I’m ready. I've been down this road before, and I know all the dirty, filthy ways Donovan will try and wreck me. 



But it’s hard to resist. Especially when I know how much I’ll like it.



From NYT Bestselling author Laurelin Paige, discover a whole new world filled with sex, love, power, romance and dirty, filthy rich men.

Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen

Series: All Saints High - Book 1

Penn 



They say revenge is a dish best served cold. 

I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart was completely iced. 

I took her first kiss. 

She took the only thing I loved. 

I was poor. 

She was rich. 

The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast. 

Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project. 

Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain of the rival football team she hates so much. 

Yeah, baby girl, say it—I’m your foster brother. 

There’s a price to pay for ruining the only good thing in my life, and she’s about to shell out some serious tears. 

Daria Followhill thinks she is THE queen. I’m about to prove to her that she’s nothing but a spoiled princess. 



Daria 



Everyone loves a good old unapologetic punk. 

But being a bitch? Oh, you get slammed for every snarky comment, cynical eye roll, and foot you put in your adversaries’ way. 

The thing about stiletto heels is that they make a hell of a dent when you walk all over the people who try to hurt you. 

In Penn Scully’s case, I pierced his heart until he bled out, then left it in a trash can on a bright summer day. 

Four years ago, he asked me to save all my firsts for him. 

Now he lives across the hall, and I want nothing more than to be his last everything. 

His parting words when he gave me his heart were that nothing in this world is free. 

Now? Now he is making me pay. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

                       

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

A portrait of love, silence, and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship.

Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography--and fate--introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War--as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.

Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more. 

Have you read any of the books mentioned or currently have them on your TBR? If so leave a comment below letting me know whether or not you liked it or are excited to read! 😄

~ Aimie

Review | The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne

The Stars We Steal

by Alexa Donne

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on February 4th, 2020

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Retelling, Romance, LGBT

Format: ARC

Source: Kindly provided by the Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Summary from Goodreads: 

Engagement season is in the air. Eighteen-year-old Princess Leonie “Leo” Kolburg, heir to a faded European spaceship, only has one thing on her mind: which lucky bachelor can save her family from financial ruin?

But when Leo’s childhood friend and first love Elliot returns as the captain of a successful whiskey ship, everything changes. Elliot was the one that got away, the boy Leo’s family deemed to be unsuitable for marriage. Now, he’s the biggest catch of the season and he seems determined to make Leo’s life miserable. But old habits die hard, and as Leo navigates the glittering balls of the Valg Season, she finds herself falling for her first love in a game of love, lies, and past regrets. 

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Indigo

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Review

The Stars We Steal is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion with a dash of The Bachelor set in space.

Humans now fly in spaceships throughout the galaxy, with nobility having greater access to the luxurious ships. On board The Scandinavian, Leoine's family is on the verge of becoming penniless. In order to save her family's fortune, Leoine alongside her sister and cousin all take part in the Valg, an extravagant match-making ceremony that will enable them to meet and wed those with their necessary requirements. However, the last thing Leo expected was to come face-to-face with her childhood friend and ex-fiance, Elliot, who left her angry and heartbroken. Now that he is back as the captain of a ship that manufactures whiskey, Leo can't help but to want him still all the while wishing that she didn't. Trying to keep her mind off of Elliot, Leo focuses on endeavouring to establish a deal for a new water filtration system that will save her family without making it necessary for her marry as well as investigate strange things occurring on the ship itself.



I enjoyed a variety of things from The Stars We Steal. From its very concept to the incorporation of science fiction throughout the book, which was pretty light and nothing extreme like space opera, it really draws a reader's attention and hold it from beginning to end. I also liked seeing how Leoine, the protagonist, was an inventor and how the plot fit around her filtration designs as well as her relationship with other women - though she is often jealous of her sister and cousin, it does not head into girl hating and/or shaming. It was nice to see the influence Persuasion had on this new tale, though one can see how difficult it must have been to merge Victorian and modern sensibilities to create a cohesive story.



With that being said, I wish there could have been a bit more action involved, instead it was a bit too slow in my opinion with a focus more based upon the romance between the characters. I normally don't mind romance heavy books but I didn't really enjoy the amount of will they/won't they regarding Leo and Elliot relationship. The story was also a bit predictable, especially regarding the villain, and fell rather flat for me. I think it was mostly due to how it was written and how the story progressed. Overall, The Stars We Steal wasn't perfect but was a nonetheless okay book to read.

Rating

★★★

About the Author

Alexa Donne is a Ravenclaw who wears many hats, including teen mentoring, college admissions essay consulting, fan convention organizing, YouTub-ing and podcasting. Her debut novel, Brightly Burning, is a YA retelling of Jane Eyre set in space. Her next book, The Stars We Steal, is Jane Austen meets the Bachelor, and is set in the same universe as her debut. When she's not writing science fiction and fantasy for teens, Alexa works in international television marketing. A proud Boston University Terrier, she lives in Los Angeles with two fluffy ginger cats named after YA literature characters. Visit her at www.alexadonne.com or on most social media spaces @alexadonne. 

Author Links:

Website│Twitter│Instagram│Goodreads