Showing posts with label brother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brother. Show all posts

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Book Review - City of Beasts by Corrie Wang + Giveaway


Photo Credit - Amazon

Seventeen years ago, the fees separated themselves from the beasts. The divisions of the genders have allowed them to keep the world peaceful.  Glori Rhodes is like most fees her age. She likes her neighborhood, can bench press her body weight and knows twenty-seven beast counterattack moves. Like many other fees, she never questioned why the genders are separated or the laws that govern them. However, when her mother secretly gives birth to a baby beast, Glori can't help but grow attached to the child.

When her brother, Twofer was snatched during a raid with the beast, Glori is willing to stop at nothing to save him. Glori and her best friend, Su, decide to infiltrate the City of Beasts to get her brother back. Glori thought it would be a simple grab and go mission but, quickly discovers that she is in for an adventure of a lifetime. Will Glori and Su be able to save her brother?

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect from the novel but, it turned out to be an interesting read. I like how it showed how things could have turned out if genders lived segregated lives. My favorite character was Twofer and how the bonds of love and family can change what society dictates to us. Overall, I thought the novel was enjoyable to read but, was predictable.


**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**


About the Book:
Author: Corrie Wang
Pub. Date: September 17, 2018
Publisher: Freeform
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 384
Find it: GoodreadsAmazonKindle,  B&NiBooksKoboTBD

"If you see a beast, and you have the shot, don't hesitate. Kill it."


For seventeen years, fees have lived separate from beasts. The division of the sexes has kept their world peaceful. Glori Rhodes is like most other fees her age. She adores her neighborhood's abandoned Costco, can bench her body weight, and she knew twenty-seven beast counter attack moves by the time she was seven. She has never questioned the separation of the sexes or the rules that keep her post-nuclear hometown safe. But when her mother secretly gives birth to a baby beast, Glori grows to love the child and can't help wondering: What really is the difference between us and them?

When her brother, at the age of five, is snatched in a vicious raid, Glori and her best friend, Su, do the unthinkable - covertly infiltrate the City of Beasts to get him back. What's meant to be a smash-and-grab job quickly becomes the adventure of a lifetime as the fees team up with a fast-talking, T-shirt cannon wielding beast named Sway, and Glori starts to see that there's more to males, and her own history, than she's been taught. Glori, Sway, and a motley cohort of friends will go to the ends of the earth to find her little brother. And maybe save their divided world while they're at it.

About Corrie: 


Corrie Wang is passionate about libraries, recycling, and eating all the food, everywhere. Corrie grew up in Buffalo but spent her formative years in Brooklyn, where one of her last paying gigs was managing a three-story nightclub on the Lower East Side. 

Writing to fix things that make her angry and explore things that frighten her, Corrie’s novels are about girls unapologetically conquering scenarios they should have little control over. Tired of seeing women and girls lose in this culture - spoiler - they never do in her stories.

Her debut novel, The Takedown was chosen as one of the best books of 2017 by the New York Public Library and a 2018 YALSA selection for Best Fiction for Young Adults. City of Beasts is her second novel.

Seeing, as Corrie wrote an entire novel about the freakiness and perils of socializing too much on the internets her existence there is haphazard at best. Now, more than ever, she feels it is time for everyone to look up. (Also stand up, step up, and eat up.
Woot!) That being said, you may follow her poor photography skillz on INSTAGRAM. 
AND P.S. Wang rhymes with 'song' y'all.


BLOGGERS WHO HAVE POSTS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 16TH, PLEASE POST THIS PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN INFO!

CITY OF BEASTS PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN
Please submit proof of purchase to CORRIEWANGBOOKS [at] GMAIL [dot] COM. All formats apply (physical & e-book). Open to the United States only. Last day to submit is MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 at 11:59 PM.

PRE-ORDERS FROM BLUE BICYCLE BOOKS
Each signed pre-order copy of City of Beats will come with:
  • 1 set of 5 Battle Cards featuring different mercenaries
  • A special paperclip necklace made by Mouse which makes you a part of the City of Beast family
  • Entry to win 1 of 3 raffle prizes
    • 1st prize is a Jackrabbit Filly t-shirt/patch/ $10 gift card
    • 2nd prize $10 gift card to Jackrabbit Filly and t-shirt
    • 3rd prize $10 gift card to Jackrabbit Filly

ANY PREORDERS FROM AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
Pre-order City of Beasts at your local indie and you will receive:
  • A signed bookplate
  • A set of 5 Battle Cards featuring different mercenaries
  • A special paperclip necklace made by Mouse, making you part of the City of Beast family

PRE-ORDERS FROM ANYWHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD!
ANY PREORDERS FROM AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
Pre-order City of Beasts anywhere else books are sold you will receive:
  • A signed bookplate
  • 1 of 5 Battle Cards at random

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive finished copies of CITY OF BEASTS, US Only.


Rafflecopter link:


Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/2/2019- Country Road ReviewsExcerpt
9/3/2019- Two Chicks on BooksExcerpt
9/4/2019- Character Madness and MusingsExcerpt
9/5/2019- Shelf-RatedReview
9/6/2019- BookHounds YAReview

Week Two:
9/9/2019- Lifestyle of MeReview
9/10/2019- Daily Waffle - Excerpt
9/11/2019- A Dream Within A DreamReview
9/12/2019- Life of a Simple ReaderExcerpt
9/13/2019- Here's to Happy EndingsReview

Week Three:
9/16/2019- Jena Brown WritesReview
9/17/2019- Kati's Bookaholic Rambling ReviewsExcerpt
9/18/2019- Wishful EndingsExcerpt
9/19/2019- Book-KeepingReview
9/20/2019- Jade Writes BooksReview

Week Four:
9/23/2019- Eli to the nthReview
9/24/2019- two points of interestReview
9/25/2019- The Layaway DragonReview
9/26/2019- Smada's Book SmackReview
9/27/2019- PopTheButterfly ReadsReview

Week Five:
9/30/2019- lori's house of reviewsReview

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Book Review - Rules For Vanishing Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

Photo Source - Amazon

Once a year, a magical road appears in the middle of the forest. Near the end of the road, the ghost of Lucy Gallow is waiting for new travelers. The game isn't for the faint of heart as losing can cost you everything. 

One year ago, Sara's sister, Becca disappeared. Sara knows that Becca went to find the ghost of Lucy Gallows. However, Becca is trapped on the road and unable to return to back to Briar Glen. Nobody believes that the tale of Lucy is real. However, Sara knows it's real and she is going to prove it.

Sara gathers her friends in the woods to search for Becca when the road appears in front of them. All they have to do is walk down the path. However, they soon learn that the path is filled with mysterious things and many of them are not from this world. They learn that following the path means following its rules and there will fatal consequences for anyone who breaks them. Will Sara be able to pay the toll necessary to find her sister?

The novel was an interesting and engrossing read. I like included "transcripts" of text messages and voicemails. However, I did find portions of the book confusing and the ending left me with a lot of questions. I am hoping that there is a sequel or this is made into a movie because it was a really interesting story!


  **Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Book Review - The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman

Photo Credit - Amazon

Three people have their faith interlocked with each other during a winter storm. Alice is a victim of domestic abuse and flees from her current relationship. She is desperate to protect ten years old, Oren. He is an avid Star Wars fan and is seemingly wise beyond his years. He bonds instantly with Mattie, a social worker in her fifties. She lives in a huge run-down house in the middle of nowhere.  Mattie takes in the duo for the night as she has plenty of room. However, she doesn't mention that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died over thirty years ago at the tender age of ten. As the storm progresses and traps them indoors, Mattie will soon to learn, she isn't the only one keeping secrets. And some secrets can't stay buried forever.

I thought the novel was an interesting read with a few unexpected twists in the end.  I was surprised that the novel had a few supernatural twists. I usually don't mind books that include supernatural elements but, I was expecting a story about abuse and survival, not a ghost story. Overall, it was a good read but, slow in some parts.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Book Review - Save Me from Dangerous Men by S.A. Lelchuk

Photo Credit - Amazon

Nikki Griffin might look like your average bookstore owner but, she is much more than your typical private investigator. She uses her office above the bookstore to find solace among her books but, she also tracks men who hurt people. More notably, men who hurt the women they claim and promise to love. Nikki likes to teach these men a lesson on how it feels to be helpless and hurt. She helps make sure that their victims are safe from being harmed them again. 

Nikki receives a PI job tailing a woman, Karen, who might be selling her company's secrets. However, things turn ugly and Karen's life is in danger causing Nikki to break cover. Karen tells Nikki that there are dangerous people after her and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Will Nikki be able to stay alive long enough to solve the case?

First, the title is awesome. I wish I had a button with that title. But, the main character is seriously awesome. She is brilliant and quite the fighting beast. I almost wish there was someone like this in real life looking out for people who need help. The book was an awesome read and I can't wait to read the next books in the series.


 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Friday, July 26, 2019

Book Review - Tarnish by Katherine Longshore

Photo Credit - Amazon

Anne Boleyn arrives at the court of King Henry VIII feeling out of place. From her French-style clothing to her outspoken mannerisms; Anne doesn't quite fit in. When the beautiful poet Thomas Wyatt offers to coach Anne to help her find a place in the court, Anne jumps at the chance.  Together they concoct a plan where they try to convince the whole court they are lovers. Anne becomes popular but, she realizes she wants to be in love and keep her voice. However, when Anne finds herself in a tough position, she is forced to make a choice that will change her life forever.

Anne Boleyn is probably one of the most famous women in history. The novels take on a fresh new approach of describing Anne when she is younger and the beginning stages of her relationship with King Henry VIII. It shows Anne as a young woman managing what her heart and what her mind wants. I thought the novel was beautifully written and look forward to reading more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Book Review - Theodore Boone: The Accomplice by John Grisham

Photo Credit - Amazon

Woody Lambert is one of Theo's good friends. Theo has noticed Woody been acting differently lately. Woody has been making poor choices and is failing in school. However, when Woody and his brother is arrested for being an accomplice in armed robbery, Theo knows that Woody is innocent. With Woody sitting in jail surrounded by malice, Theo needs to race against the clock to help his friend. Will Theo be able to help his friend before it is too late?

I have not read a book by John Grisham recently but, I know he is a famed storyteller. I was very excited to read one of his books that is targetted to a younger audience (let's be honest, who has time to read a 500+ page novel some days). I thought that this book would have all the elements that John Grisham is known for such as intrigue, suspense, and thrills. However, I was quite disappointed as I didn't find this novel to be interesting and rather boring. The novel had a very basic premise of an impoverished person being chewed out by the justice system while the rich are given privileges. I felt that this book is geared towards parents who want to "teach the kids" about staying on the right side of the law than providing entertainment for young minds. I felt like some of the dialogue felt far fetched like the author was trying to talk like someone younger or a judge being "afraid" of a lawyer so he bends to the lawyer's wishes. Overall, it was a good read for teaching kids the value of going to school and working hard.


 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Sunday, March 17, 2019

Book Review - Beast Rider by Tony Johnston and Marí de Rhoads


Photo Credit - Amazon

 Manuel is just twelve years old when he leaves his small town in Mexico. He travels across the US border, on a train to join his older brother in Los Angeles. Becoming a "beast rider" is dangerous but, Manuel faces other perils even if he manages to survive the jump on the train. 

The first time he is on the train, he is robbed then beaten and arrested by the Mexican police. Manuel doesn't allow his first defeat to deter him. He is attacked by an infamous Mexican gang and they leave him for dead. When he was about to lose hope, the villagers help restore his spirits and health. He leaves again for his journey and finally arrives in LA to be with his brother. He is excited that he is back but, then realizes he feels something is missing.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. However, I have conflicting feelings about this novel. While I thought it was brave that  Manuel risked everything to be with his brother. But, when he finally is reunited to his brother, he realizes that isn't what the heart wants. It's an interesting premise about what the heart and the mind wants. Although, I feel like Manuel risked and lost a lot before he learned what he really wants. I personally hoped Manuel would have found out what defined him before he lost his innocence.


 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**