Candidate by Rachel E. Carter

'Isn't the best bit of truth always woven in with a lie?'

Oh.My.God.
I am lost for words once again after finishing one of Rachel's books. What can I say... I just didn't see that coming...

'Little girl, don't you know? The world is made up of shades of grey.'

This is the third book in this amazing series that keeps getting better and better. I thought that it was going to be only about the candidacy but I was wrong. It was more, so much more! It was full of powerful scenes from page one and an amazing plot that keeps you guessing. I loved the detailed candidacy fights, and let's just say that my emotions went up and down like a roller coaster throughout the book!

It was nice to meet again with Ryiah and Darren, as well as with some of the other characters we've seen before in books #1 and #2. All the characters seem to have evolved and you get to see different parts of their personality as well as their views and perceptions.  Also we are introduced to some new people that really add to the story.

'Evil. Corruption. Greed.'

I don't think that I've ever disliked a book character as much as King Lucius - Darren's father. Oh my, I just wanted to punch him in the face! Even though by the time I finished this book, there were some more characters that I wanted to give them a slap or two!

I was also a bit frustrated with Ry and her obsession of being better than Darren, being the best... Especially towards the end with everything that was taking place, I found her reaction very unreasonable.

Nothing though could prepare me for the last third of the book. You never know who to trust, who is your enemy and who's going to betray you.

Can't wait for book #4 to see how this amazing series is going to end.

Favourite Quotes:

'For every little girl who wished for a sword instead of a tiara. And for every little girl who wished for a tiara. Because tiaras are pretty cool, too. And for the girl that wanted both. Because that just kicks ass.'

Candidate
by Rachel E. Carter
Published: October 26, 2015

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Girl Power!

This book was full of strong female characters, amazing friendships and powerful magic. Loved it!

'Stasis. Stasis in your fingertips and in your toes.'

It took me a while to understand all this world building and I have to admit that I got quite confused in the beginning with all the different characters and their powers, along with the Twenty Year Truce, the three empires, the other small nations and the politics surrounding all that. However, after the first 1/3 of the book I was hooked and I just dived into the story!

'Sometimes justice was all about the small victories.'

I really liked the two main female characters; they're quite different between them like night and day, but together they were two very powerful and kick-ass heroines! Safiya was my favourite character of all. I loved her personality, her sense of humour, her powerful feelings and her sense of loyalty. At the same time she has a restless spirit and she will not settle for anything less than her freedom. I enjoyed reading about her friendship with Iseult - they're threadsisters after all!

The chemistry between Safiya and Prince Merik was unbelievable and I loved the love-hate relationship they had throughout the book. It made everything even more interesting.

I even liked Aeduan, the bloodwitch that is after Sadiya - he is presented as mean and evil, very powerful and smart - qualities that make him a very, very interesting character.

'Threadsisters to the end.'

Even though I don't generally like books with witches, I really like this one! It was a fast paced and very enjoyable adventure and I can't wait for book No.2!

Favourite Quotes:

'Why always me? There are a thousand shoulders for a gull to crap on, but they always pick me!'

'Give it to me now, Polly, or I shal castrate you with a fork.'

'If you wanted to, Safiya, you could bend and shape the world.'

Thruthwitch
by Susan Dennard
Published: January 5, 2016

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

"Red and Silver and stronger than both."

Oh my... I am lost for words...
I honestly didn't see this ending coming...

The second book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard begins with amazing action, while Mare and Cal with all the others try to run and hide from Maven and the Silvers that are after them. We are being reunited with old characters from the first book, both good and bad, some that have changed and others that haven't, some that I liked and some that I just couldn't stand reading about! We are also introduced to some new characters that really add to the plot and the story.

The Scarlet Guard is bigger and more organised than we (or Mare) thought, with connections to other countries too. It was very interesting getting to know all the newbloods and the amazing and different abilities that each one has. How they were trained and used to accomplish each mission.

"Trust no one."

It is evident from the very beginning that again Mare should trust no one, something that makes everything even more interesting! You can't stop guessing and double guessing who's with who, and if anyone is double crossing them and so on. There were at least a couple of instances where I was just left with my mouth forming a wide 'O' while still staring at the book and trying to come to terms with what I just read!

"To rise. And rise alone."

Even though I enjoyed reading the whole book and there was not a dull moment, the last third of it was simply amazing! I loved the last mission - realizing the dangers behind it, how difficult it was to plan and quite frankly how impossible it all looked. You can feel how scared the characters are through the pages and how determined they are to make this work. It totally kept me at the edge of my seat while reading it, and that ending.... woah .... I did not see that coming....  I was sad, frustrated and upset.

The only thing that I have to say left me a bit disappointed, was the relationship between Mare and Cal. I couldn't feel the bond between them, the connection. I could still feel it between Mare and Maven, which was quite strange. Chapter 27 gave me amazing feels... I understood where Cal was coming from, but I was very confused with Mare towards the end. I couldn't get her views, her plans and her intentions.

All in all an amazing second book in an equally amazing Series. Can't wait for the final book. 

Favourite Quotes:

'If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.'

'If you die, I'll kill you.'

Glass Sword

by Victoria Aveyard

Publication: February 9, 2016

:: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ::

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

'And we will rise up, Red as the dawn.'

I decided to re-read this book before I started reading book #2 and I'm so glad that I did! It was even better than the first time!

First of all let's take a moment and admire this amazing cover. I love it! Even before I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this book! :)

The writing is captivating... It grabs you and doesn't let you go.
The world building is amazing, with detailed descriptions of places and buildings, the family houses, the colours, the abilities, the histories... I could picture everything right in front of me while I was reading it. The characters are so intriguing combined with their unique abilities. Even the Reds are awesome! You could totally connect with them and their cause. The atmosphere is electric. The feels... oh, the feels you get from this book are all over the place... You're up and down and you just don't know what to think and who to side with till the very end. The pacing was great, not a dull moment and even though I was re-reading the book, I was still on the edge of my seat throughout reading it! There's so many twists and turns that you just can't put it down.

'Anyone can betray anyone.'

I was team Cal from the beginning but I have to admit I changed my mind multiple times throughout this book. I did not see that ending coming! OMG that was amazing and intense and way out there awesome!

I'm so glad I have book #2 in my hands right now so that I can literally jump in! ;)

Favourite quote:

'In the stories, the old fairy tales, a hero comes. But all my heroes are gone or dead. No one is coming for me.'

Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard
Publication: February 10, 2015

Suspended by Sarah Noffke

"There's still Magic in the World"

If you've been following me on Goodreads for a while, you should know by now that I have a soft spot for all books written by Sarah Noffke! I've read all of them (apart from one... Ren I promise you 2016 is your year ;) ). All her books are based on the very unique and fascinating concept of Dream Travelers, people with the power to travel while they're sleeping. I loved The Lucidites and The Reverians Series and of course I got all excited for the new Vagabond Circus Series too!

I absolutely loved it!

The circus world was mesmerising. I wish there was a circus like that in real life! It was unique and entertaining. The characters were so good, and different and perplexing and I enjoyed reading about each one of them. It was so interesting learning about their characters and their unique powers.

I liked Dave from the beginning. He was the best ringmaster and I enjoyed reading about his character. He is the soul of the circus.

The chemistry between Finley and Zuma was out of this world! I seriously couldn't get enough of it. And Finley, oh Finley! He was so mysterious, and interesting and drop dead gorgeous! Dare I say it that he was almost as good as Aiden???? (shocking I know!!!!) It goes without saying that I didn't like Jack much, for obvious reasons!

The suspense was killing me all through the book and the revelations of what was actually going on were so intriguing.

Can't wait to see what happens next. ;)

Favourite quote:

'She somehow always knew if one thing prevented her from doing something it was because something better was in store for her. She trusted life.'

Suspended (The Vagabond Circus #1)

by Sarah Noffke 

Publication: January 15, 2016.

*Free copy from author in exchange for an honest review*

Horde by Ann Aguirre

Excellent!

One of the most satisfying endings to an amazing trilogy.

I admire Deuce for her bravery and her courage and I loved everything about her! Her and Fade are ment to be together and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about their relationship and how it evolved. The plot thickens with strategies, army building and a war that they so desperately need to win.

It kept me glued to each page and it's easily one of my favourite trilogies!

Favourite Quote:

'It was frightening how happy he made me with a mere handful of words, but my heart, stupid bird that it was, sang on.'

Horde 
by Ann Aguiree
Published: October 29, 2013

Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Simply amazing!

I loved the second book even more than the first. There was not a dull moment. It was full of action, the building of stong relationships and desperate measures for survival. Deuce is definitely one of my best female characters ever and I love Fade so much!!!!

Can't wait to jump in book #3!

Favourite Quotes:

'People took reputations seriously, and mine was already bruised, due to my insistence on being myself.'

'If there had been another female for him since we arrived in Salvation, I needed to cut off all her hair and beat her half to death.'

Outpost
by Ann Aguirre
Published: September 4, 2012