Stacking the Shelves # 61

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a way to share with everyone all the goodies you've received through out the week. 

Just click the covers to be taken to their goodreads pages. 

Purchased

So I'm currently reading The Elite and I kind of want to slap America. She's pissing me off a bit, but this series is addictive. Jess and I can't put it down. So this is the only one so far I didn't have, I didn't even know it existed, actually. So I grabbed it. :)

For Review

I grabbed this one off Netgalley because it's Julie Kagawa. I have not found the time to read Talon, but I bought it back when it came out. So now I have an excuse to read it sooner! :)

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday. :) 

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Labels: stacking the shelves

The Weekend Update - 4.4.15

So, since my end-of-the-week post isn't just about what I got in my mailbox or on my Kindle each week -- though that is a big part of it, I won't lie -- I decided to change up the title and intro a bit.  I might tweak the format a bit over the next few weeks, but for the most part, it'll contain the same stuff: stuff I got, stuff I did, and stuff that's coming up on the blog.  Plus, I get to use the awesome GIF you see here and blow kisses to all the people who sent me lovely books and bookish things.  Oh, and I've started linking up to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews since I'm not using a specific meme title anymore.  April's also doing her own Stacking the Shelves posts on Sundays.  Stop by and say hi!  =)

Happy Easter weekend, guys! I am psyched that it's a three day weekend and not-so-psyched that we're not going to have such lovely weather for egg hunting and outdoor reading. We'll make do, though. I will likely be in a sugar coma after all of the jelly beans I consume this weekend, so it all evens out. :P

It's also our 8th wedding anniversary today, but because it falls on Easter weekend this year, we probably won't do much because of plans with family. We've technically been together for 12 years, though, so we've celebrated a lot over that time. I'm just happy to be married to such a great guy, and that we have such a wonderful little girl to show for it. :D

Anyway, here's what I scored this week:

For Review:



The Wondrous and the Wicked by Page Morgan
Silver in the Blood by Jessica Day George
The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker (I actually won this from the lovely Erin but plan to review it later)
The Improbably Theory of Ana & Zak by Brian Katcher
The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West
The Prom Goer's Interstellar Excursion by Chris McCoy
Jack: The True Story of Jack & the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff (MG)
The Fearless by Emma Pass
Under the Spotlight by Angie Stanton
Emancipated by M.G. Reyes

Gifted/Traded:

Nothing this week, though I'm thinking of doing a "Have You Seen This?" post to complete some of my collection. :)

Library:



The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace (ebook)
Mr. Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars #2) by Rob Thomas (audiobook) - had a review copy but I loved the audiobook performed by Kristen Bell so much that I waited for this audio, only to discover that it's NOT narrated by her; however, I love Rebecca Loman, especially after Fangirl, so I'm still happy to have this

Purchased:



Sea of Stars by Amy A. Bartol (audiobook) [review]


So, that's my haul. :) How about you? What did you get this week?

The Week in Review:

Reviews:

• The Start of Me and You - Jen
• The Dark Water - April (audio)

Current Giveaways:

Please check back soon for more contests...I'm still in the middle of Spring Cleaning, so there will definitely be more giveaways to come! Plus, our 4 year blogoversary is on the horizon, so expect something epic soon!

Promotional/Discussion Posts:  

• The #TopTen books we recently added to our ever-growing TBRs
• #WoW - this week, we're waiting on The Iron Warrior & Queen of Shadows
• My Latest Obsession...Resides at 221B Baker Street, wherein I talk about all things Sherlock Holmes

Jen's Currently Reading/Listening To:

Technically, I'm about 15% into The Girl at Midnight, but it hasn't grabbed me yet, so I'm contemplating starting this bad boy. I have no doubts I'll love it, but I'm also afraid that it will make me even less-inclined to read TGaM. :( What to do? (Probably start this anyway by the time this posts, lol.)

Caught this in an Audible sale last week. I adored Flat-out Love, and I love Tavia Gilbert as a narrator, so this should be fun. Not very far into it, but I'm already reminded of why I loved Celeste in the first book and why she deserves her own story.

Upcoming Reviews:

Like honest reviews & giveaways?  Be sure to follow us on Bloglovin' so you never miss out!

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Labels: in my mailbox (imm), stacking the shelves, the weekend update

My Latest Obsession...Resides at 221B Baker Street

Okay, so...technically this isn't a recent obsession...more of an evolved one. I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes mysteries since I was in the fifth grade and read The Hound of the Baskervilles for the first time. (Coincidentally, that's probably my favorite episode of the BBC show Sherlock, too...so much fun!)

But in recent months, I've discovered a whole slew of young adult novels that are either directly related to Sherlock Holmes, are retellings of sorts, or have a very Sherlockian-vibe, a la Benedict Cumberbatch's character. In case you're also a fan and missed out on them by some chance, I thought I'd showcase the ones I've become a huge fangirl for.

First, though, I must confess that though I was late to the party, I have become the hugest fan of the BBC version of Sherlock. In mere months, I've already watched the whole series twice on Netflix. And I know that's not saying a lot, considering the seasons are only three episodes long and there have only been three glorious seasons so far. But I truly enjoy this series so much more than the recent movies, and that's considerable since I kind of love RDJ.

So, it kind of goes without saying that this is the version that I will now hold all other versions -- print, screen or otherwise -- up to. That might be a little unfair, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and my Sherlock-loving heart wants more Benedict Cumberbatch sociopath types and more surly Martin Freeman-like Watsons. :)

It seems as if Sherlock Holmes invades my life at every turn. My older sis and I even had a discussion on our trip because our shuttle was noticeably absent one evening when we were ready to leave Universal Studios, and we were just heading out in search of a cab, when some guy offered us a ride. Considering there were four of us, we thought it would be safe since we were technically only going about two miles up the road. And we were. But we got to talking about that episode with the killer cabby, and well, you know...we let our imaginations run a little wild after that. :P As one does...

The Ones That Dare to Re-Imagine

The Every Series

I am absolutely enamored with this series. It features a young Mycroft Holmes and a female Watson, by way of Mycroft's next door neighbor Rachel Watts. When the series starts off, they're best friends, trying to solve the murder of an acquaintance of Mycroft's. But as things progress, things really heat up between them, much to my delight.

This series is written by Aussie author Ellie Marney and has recently been picked up by Tundra Books. The second book will release in the States later this year. I, however, am still waiting on my pre-ordered copy of Every Move to arrive direct from Australia. The series is that good that I had to spend a little extra dough to get it now instead of waiting for it to release here. Also, I'm very impatient. =)

The Jackaby Series

What first drew me to this series was the cover for Jackaby itself. It's vivid and stunning and just utterly gorgeous. And everyone and their mama was touting it as Sherlock meets Doctor Who, which it most certainly is. Jackaby is definitely drawing on Sherly's idiosyncratic behavior and the paranormal aspect is reminiscent of the creatures you might see on any episode of Doctor Who.

This series is set in turn-of-the-century New England, and the author and narrator -- I listened to the audio so I could get to it sooner rather than later -- did a fantastic job of immersing the reader/listener into the story. These books are more focused on the mystery and paranormal aspects and less on romance, which works well for the type of story being told. And also serves as a reminder that Jackaby is very much like Sherlock in that respect.

Those That are Sherlock-Approved

The Paper Magician Trilogy

I think Sherlock would very much approve of Magician Emery Thane and his eccentric ways in this series. Maybe not so much his evolving relationship with apprentice Ceony Twill, though. Still, I couldn't help but picture my dear Benedict as Emery while reading, and it only gets worse as the series unfolds.

This series forces you to suspend your disbelief (A LOT, considering this is a book that focuses on magic) and just go with the story, and for that reason, it's not for everyone. If your appreciation of Sherlock stems from the character in the show, though, I have no doubt you'll find Emery Thane's character quite intriguing.

There are elements of mystery and magic in this book that initially appealed to me, but it was the characters that kept me reading. The third book comes out later this year, and I'm very anxious to get my hands on it.

And the Sherlock Experiences I Can't Wait For

Lock & Mori

At first, I thought this was kind of a copycat of the Every series mentioned above, but once I read the synopsis, I was all in. Sherlock and Moriarty as allies?!? That's going to be so fun! I mean, they're still going to be über competitive, but how interesting could it be if they weren't?

It is going to be difficult to picture a female Moriarty, especially after Andrew Scott did such a fabulous job playing the role on Sherlock, but if we can have a female Watson in the Every series, why not a female Moriarty, right?

I actually already have a copy of this for review, and you know it's high on my priority list. I do think the cover leaves something to be desired, though. I am really enjoying the trend of Sherlockian young adults right now, whether they take place during the Victorian era or in a more contemporary setting. I hope this one lives up to my expectations!

The Sherlock-related item that I am most anticipating this year, though? That's right...The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes at the Perot Museum right here in Dallas! It's open through Mother's Day weekend, so I still have another month or so to check it out. Luckily, my family is as interested in seeing this exhibit as I am, so we'll be making a day of it very soon. :D

The tagline for the exhibit is "See how Sherlock Holmes used science to solve mysteries -- then try it yourself!" How fun does that sound?!? The Perot Museum is very hands-on and interactive. Katie went with her class for their kindergarten field trip last year and they all had a blast.

Here's a video the local news station ran on it (and how I first heard about the exhibit):


Doesn't that just look like an amazing time?

As you can see, my Sherlock obsession runs deep. Even deeper now, after my re-watch. :) I'm always looking for new ways to let my inner-Sherlock out. :)

While we were on vacation, and after the taxi fiasco, my sis asked if I watched the "bastardized US version," too. I do not. I just know it won't be as good. Even if Lucy Liu is awesome. ;) So, I do have my limits, I suppose. =)

Whew, I am so happy to finally get that off my chest! ;0) What movie/show/book/character are you so obsessed with that it seems to invade all other areas of your life? Or is that just me, lol???

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Labels: benedict cumberbatch, favorites, mystery, obsessions, sherlock holmes, sir arthur conan doyle

{Audiobook} Review: The Dark Water by Seth Fishman

Title: The Dark Water
Author: Seth Fishman
Narrator: Katie Schorr
Series: The Well's End #2
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks
Publication Date: March 3rd, 2015
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

To escape Blake Sutton’s army at the end of the enthralling The Well’s End, Mia and her friends jump into the newly gurgling fountain of youth and swim to its very bottom. When they resurface, an astounding world awaits them—an entire underground civilization of humans, the Keepers of the Well.

But instead of finding a safe haven, Mia and her gang are quickly embroiled in a dangerous, high-stakes battle royale. If Mia wants to save everyone she loves and make it back home alive, she’s got to get to the water’s Source before Sutton and his troops, who are still hot on her trail.

With new characters and new threats, Seth Fishman has upped the ante fantastically and delivers another tense, fast-paced adventure in a richly imagined world just below our feet.

I've been waiting ages for this book to come out. I pre-ordered the Audible version and started listening right away. Last year I reviewed book 1, The Wells End. While I didn't love this one as much, I still think it was a great follow up. 

If you haven't read The Wells End yet, you should read no further because there will be spoils. 

The Wells End leaves us with a crazy cliff hanger. So The Dark Water picked up right where it left off and it was marvelous. Mia and her friends dive to the the bottom of the Well. Not just any Well, this well is special and it has healing water. They dive down and some how end up in this whole other world. The End. 

So I was dying to get my hands (or I should say ears) on this book. This whole world place they are in is crazy. I was so fascinated. It would have received a 5 star rating, but the group of friends is split up, so the POV's are as well. Just when things were getting exciting with Mia's group, the narration would switch to Jimmy on the other side of that well. Which was fine, because we kinda needed to know what was going on there too, but at the same time, I found myself just waiting for Mia's chapters. 

There were some deaths in The Dark Water. I suppose that was to be expected, but one of them made me really sad. I'm still holding out hope that it wasn't real, but it seemed pretty legit at the time. There are some pretty gross gory scenes as well. I cringed while driving. lol. 

Over all though, great follow up. I'm really curious to see where they will go with the next book. While it leaves us hanging a bit.. it wasn't as steep of a cliff hanger as The Wells End. For that I'm thankful. lol.

This is how I felt for much of the story

About the author:

Seth Fishman (me) was born and raised in Midland, Texas (think Friday Night Lights) and received his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England (think cold and rainy and millions of castles). His YA thriller, The Well's End, is the first in a series and the protagonist, Mia Kish, is roughly inspired by a hometown drama that (when I was young) really blew him away: (http://articles.latimes.com.).

When not writing, Seth is a literary agent at The Gernert Company (www.thegernertco.com), and thinks writing and agenting are the two very best jobs in the world. Thanks for checking in!

Find Seth:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

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Labels: audiobooks, blackstone audiobooks, reviews, seth fishman, The Dark Water, The wells end

Waiting on Wednesday: The Iron Warrior & Queen of Shadows

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:

Title: The Iron Warrior
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #3
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: October 27th, 2015

The Iron Prince—my nephew—betrayed us all.

He killed me.

Then, I woke up.

Waking after a month on the brink of death, Ethan Chase is stunned to learn that the Veil that conceals the fey from human sight was temporarily torn away. Although humankind's glimpse of the world of Faery lasted just a brief moment, the human world has been cast into chaos, and the emotion and glamour produced by fear and wonder has renewed the tremendous power of the Forgotten Queen. Now, she is at the forefront of an uprising against the courts of Summer and Winter—a reckoning that will have cataclysmic effects on the Nevernever.

Leading the Lady's Forgotten Army is Keirran himself: Ethan's nephew, and the traitor son of the Iron Queen, Meghan Chase.To stop Keirran, Ethan must disobey his sister once again as he and his girlfriend, Kenzie, search for answers long forgotten. In the face of unprecedented evil and unfathomable power, Ethan's enemies must become his allies, and the world of the fey will be changed forevermore.

I feel like I've been waiting forever for this book. Cannot freaking wait! :)





's Pick:



Title: Queen of Shadows
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass, book #4
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: September 1, 2015

Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

I heart this series SO MUCH. If you know me at all, you know that I prefer fantasy over pretty much anything else, and this series tops my list of favorites. Big things are coming and Celaena's finally on track to greet the destiny she was meant for. I see no mention of her love or a certain captain of the guard in the summary above, but I'm sure hoping they'll at least be reunited as some point in this installment. *bites nails*


What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: assassins, beautiful covers, bloomsbury, fantasy, favorite authors, favorites, julie kagawa, sarah j. maas, the iron fey series, The iron Warrior, throne of glass, waiting on wednesday (wow)