Quick Picks ~ This Week's Top 3 Reads

This past week has been pretty busy but I've managed to indulge in some amazing reads! 

It's been back to university and back to huge piles of mind-numbingly tedious essays this week, which you think would mean little to no leisure reading. Well all I can say is that you severely underestimate my ability to procrastinate, my friends!

Today I'm bringing three books to your attention that I hope will intrigue you, entertain you, and above all have you falling in love with their worlds and characters. I know I enjoyed them immensely as I read them to avoid my looming assessment tasks - so I hope you do too!

So let's. Get. Listing!

YA Fantasy Picks ~ Truthwitch & Reign of Shadows Reviews

YA fantasy is a tricky genre.

It's one of those genres that is really all about balance. Balance isn't easy to achieve by any means - it requires the author to immerse the reader fully in their fantasy world whilst retaining the reader's attention from start to finish. If the author focuses on one particular element too much - or too little - they risk their world and characters coming off as two-dimensional and cliche. 



I myself am a fan of YA fantasy books which contain a mix of romance, adventure, mystery, and paranormal/magic elements. I don't want a fantasy story that drags on forever about the kingdom's illustrious war-studded history for pages on end...or one that is overpowered by a sappy romance that stopped being romantic after the first twenty kissy scenes not that I don't love a good kissy scene but there's only so much cheesiness I can take!



Today's post is all about showcasing two amazing examples of YA fantasy at its finest: Truthwitch by Susan Dennard and Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan. I'm so excited to share my thoughts (and favourite quotes!) with you guys.

The Dreamcatcher by E. J. Mellow ~ Release Day Blitz

I am so incredibly excited...The Dreamcatcher by E. J. Mellow is finally here!

The Dreamcatcher is the highly anticipated companion novella to the Dreamland series. Author E. J. Mellow is here to dazzle us all again with her brilliant writing style, this time taking us on a journey through Dev's POV.

Keep reading for more info on this fantastic book!

Pros & Cons Of Predictable Storylines ~ Guest Post by Library Luv

The best part about blogging is the blogger community. 

Running this blog has given me the chance to meet so many incredible people, including fellow bloggers. 

One of these bloggers is Library Luv.

Library Luv runs Beyond The Book Reviews and is a book blogger of mostly YA fiction. And can I just say that I'm so excited to have her back on my blog as a guest blogger! Working with her is lots of fun and her posts are always so imaginative and a joy to read.

I hope you all love her post - a piece on the pros and cons of predictable book storylines. And if you enjoy what you read here be sure and check out more of Library Luv's musings and reviews over on her blog, as well as her previous guest post on my blog!

Enchanting Editions ~ The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

I'm so excited to welcome you back to the Enchanting Editions tag!

The Enchanting Editions tag covers some of the treasured and special books that have a home on my bookshelves - books which stand out, either due to their outsides or their insides.

I've really been having so much fun with this tag. It's gotten me to view my bookshelf in a whole new light, and I've stumbled across some treasures that have brought back so many great childhood memories...especially when it comes to today's pick!

Today's featured book is The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (illustrated by Pauline Baynes)

This edition contains all seven Chronicles of Narnia books and is dressed in a gorgeous dust cover which features a stunning colour version of the Narnia map. And since I simply adore maps in books, finding one on a book officially made my day! LOOK AT THE DETAILS IT'S SO PRETTY THERE ARE TINY BOATS AND PEOPLE!!

This book is living the life, chilling in my childhood rocking chair...whilst I hunch over it trying to get a good picture. THE THINGS WE DO FOR BEAUTY!

The gold behind the title is all shimmery and pretty. Also, did I mention the VIVIDNESS of the map?! The colours are TO DIE FOR.

The front (see image above) is flawless. The title is understated, a nice choice as the cover image the map of my dreams! speaks for itself. The cover is so richly coloured and detailed that I can't help but feel like it should be accompanied by some dramatic background music!

#CaptureTheFantasy Event ~ Fave Heroine Traits + YA Fantasy with Entangled TEEN

Like YA? Like fantasy? Then you'll love Entangled TEEN's #CaptureTheFantasy event!

Entangled TEEN has a number of thrilling YA fantasy titles releasing throughout the winter and into early spring/summer. To celebrate these, they're hosting #CaptureTheFantasy - an ongoing sales event that spotlights a new TEEN title every two weeks!

Titles include: 

Thief of Lies by Brenda Drake

Greta and the Lost Army by Chloe Jacobs

Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey

Atlantis Quest by Gloria Craw

Amid Wind & Stone by Nicole Luiken

Conspiracy Boy by Cecily White

Trial By Fire by Chris Cannon

True Born by L.E. Sterling

Live and Let Psi by D.R. Rosensteel

There are also a number of wonderful events going on during this time, including AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with a bunch of YA fantasy authors on Reddit. 

Want to find out more about these great events? Be sure to join the Entangled TEEN Fans Facebook group for updates, prizes and more!

To celebrate the #CaptureTheFantasy event, I decided to talk to you guys today about what traits - to me - make for an amazing YA fantasy heroine. Is it courage? A selection of amazing weaponry? Badass wardrobe choices which must include leather? Read on to find out!

Everyone loves a good fantasy heroine.

A heroine that represents change - who embraces her weakest moments because that way she is able to appreciate her strongest ones. Who radiates a quiet kind of power that not only affects those around her but which wraps itself around the reader, drawing them deeper into the story.

Fangirling Feels ~ The Power by Jennifer L. Armentrout Pre-Order Goodies

Welcome to Fangirling Feels - the blog tag where I basically fangirl like there's no tomorrow!

In other words, you will need large amounts of:

Today's book-related beauty that I am fangirling over is The Power by Jennifer L. Armentrout Pre-Order Site.

The Power is the second novel in the Titan series which is one part paranormal awesomeness to a million parts demigod hotness. It's TBR February 23rd...but to tide us fangirls over Jennifer L. Armentrout has a pre-order site filled to the brim with extras and goodies.

To reward fans for their support, Ms. Armentrout has released a bunch of sneak peeks from the upcoming book. And today I will be covering my favourites + my reactions to them.

Read on for lots of fangirling and lots of Seth ;)

Into the Fire by Kelly Hashway ~ Review

Being given the chance to review Into The Fire was a dream come true.

As many of you will know, I am always on the lookout for YA books with unique concepts. There's nothing better than reading a book and seeing the way an author has twisted and shaped familiar elements into something new and improved. 

That type of author is the kind that can turn an ordinary plot into a tale whose every word keeps you on the edge of your seat.



So get ready for a smoking hot book yes this is start of my use of Into the Fire puns YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Enchanting Editions ~ Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini

It's time for another Enchanting Editions post!

The Enchanting Editions tag covers some of the treasured and special books that have a home on my bookshelves - books which stand out, either due to their outsides or their insides.

Today's featured book is Eragon's Guide to Alagaesia by Christopher Paolini.

I remember the first time I ever laid eyes on this book and COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT BECAUSE WHO HASN'T DREAMED OF BEING A DRAGON RIDER?!  It was a truly a delight to own with its shiny gold lettering, breathtaking illustrations, and fun surprises.

The front (see image above) is a dream come true. I love tactile covers - especially ones that mimic dragon scales. Petting this cover is the closest I will probably ever get to being Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons. The fake gems on the front are cool to the touch and paired with the archaic gold borders make for a stunning cover. Not to mention the Inheritance series signature font has been used for the title *cue the fangirling*.

Earth's End (Air Awakens #3) by Elise Kova ~ Book Blitz

It's time to celebrate the release of Earth's End by Elise Kova!



Earth's End is the third book in the Air Awakens series.

Join us for a book blitz filled with Air Awakens series goodness - including an exclusive excerpt + giveaway.