"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #19)

 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine that highlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly awaiting!

This week's selection is:

Stolen

Author(s):Melissa de la Cruz

Series: Heart of Dread, #2
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication: November 18, 2014 

Pre-Order Now!: Amazon - Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

Who is Eliza Wesson?

Months after Nat and Wes said good-bye on the shores of the Blue, Nat is learning how to control and use her new power. She and her drakon are the last of their kind—and she’s risked her life for their reunion. When she receives a mysterious distress call, she races to help, soliciting the guidance of her new friend, the beautiful and aloof Faix Lazaved of the Blue.

Still heartbroken over losing Nat, Wes is racing cars on a New Vegas racetrack while his team is scattered and lost. When he finds out that his sister, Eliza, is being held in the golden domes of El Dorado, he does what he’s best at—running to her side—and gambles on luck to see him through one more time.

Magic, romance, and danger collide as Nat and Wes become entangled in a dark new adventure that leads right to the heart of the mystery of their frozen, broken world. They soon discover that the answer to both their quests lies in the same question: Who is Eliza Wesson—what is she capable of, and why was she stolen from her family so long ago?

What books are you "Waiting On" this week? 

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT, #19)

 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's post is:

Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book
Now my choices are very scattered because these are some of the first people to pop into my head. ALSO.... I have not finished a lot... mostly any.... of these series so some things I say may not be relevant considering that I haven't yet finished the series yet to know if these characters situations are better explained in future, further books. Just a heads up!

In no particular order...
And DISCLAIMER:: spoiler in the comments below (Divergent) as a warning!

 1. Lucas (Easy)

With more questions and concerns about Lucas's past and his parents, I would really like to know more about the event that happened and hear it from his POV. I think it would be interesting to have his character tell us what exactly went down and how life was before and after the incident.

2. Reyn (Immortal Beloved)

This was the most recent book that I finished reading so I naturally have questions about the characters with me having read just the first book so far. Reyn's character in particular has an interesting past that I would like to see from his point of view.

3. Dante (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)
I would really like to see this story either told from Dante's POV or have him get his own book about his life. I really liked the characters in this book and wouldn't mind learning more about Dante's character!

4. Dawson (Obsidian)
 I have only read Obsidian so far and I LOVED it! I just found out recently that Dawson actually has his own novella of sorts (Shadows, (#0.5 Lux)) so I'll have to read more about his story soon since there is more to find out about his mysterious story.

5. Caleb (Divergent Trilogy)
Now although while reading the trilogy I really didn't like Caleb.... But.... I would also like to know all that happened after he chose Erudite in the first book. I think a more in depth look into all that the events he experienced on his own as well as with the characters we know in the books would be interesting.

6. Kanin (Immortal Rules)
This pick literally popped into my head as I brainstormed characters to pick... but nonetheless, although I haven't read the Immortal Rules in almost 2 years I can remember his character being really mysterious and secretive.

7. Wolf (Scarlet)
I really think it would be interesting to know how Wolf grew up and more about his past.

8. Gale (Hunger Games Trilogy)
 So this one also randomly popped into my head, I guess I would like to know how he dealt with life in District 12 after Katniss left for the games as well as more on how he was involved with the events that happened at the end of the Quarter Quell.

9. Raffe (Angelfall) 
Since I read this book, I have always wondered what went through this character's mind. I think I could be cool to see him with his own book. I have yet to read Worldafter so I could get more insight there but until then... he gets his own book for now!

With this one I obviously cheated, I couldn't think of any more book characters so I'm stopping there! What were your pics?

What Are Some Characters That You Think Deserve Their Own Book?

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1)

 

 Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns, #1
Pages: 423
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014, 2014 Book Bingo Challenge
Genre: Fantasy
Acquired: Library
Rating: ★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.
Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Elisa's fate was chosen the moment they found out she was the chosen one. She is soon secretly wed to a king, whose country is heading towards great destruction. With Elisa being the chosen one, she is the only one who can save the people.

At first I found Elisa INCREDIBLY annoying! She constantly put herself down and thought less of herself and wished that she wasn't the chosen one. It was like a never ending whining party!.... I just wanted to forcefully shake her and tell her to have some self-respect and accept her situation. She fortunately gets off of her rain cloud...hallelujah!... and actually realizes her worth and impotance during the remainder of the book.

I absolutely loved the plot, for me it was new and different and I really needed that from the YA that I was reading. This novel explored so many elements and topics like deceit, relationships, self-worth and self-esteem, loyalty, suspense and more. I also found the supporting characters intriguing and necessary to the plot's twists and its progression.  

My favorite scene was the ending fight scene and its intensity. I loved just about any scene with Humberto in it, he was such an sweet character to read about. So as far as what I liked and disliked.... I liked Humberto as well as Elisa and her captors' journeys. Throughout the story their journeys made the plot that much more interesting and worth the read. It was definitely a major part of the story as well as the effect of Elisa being the chosen one.

Now as I have already mentioned... Elisa's problems with accepting herself ruffled me as well as the actual descriptions of Elisa's character in the novel. She was described as being overweight and loving to eat, and she didn't feel that she was as pretty as her older sister who was thinner. I didn't like that she seemed to dwell on the fact that she wasn't like her sister, who seemed to be their family's golden child. I feel that the author may have tried to incorporate real life issues into this fantasy plot to better connect with the readers, but honesty I felt that it was unnecessary within this plot. I felt Elisa used it as more of a handicap and excuse to some of the things that she did or went through. Maybe in a different novel or plot, this concept could have had a real meaningful impact but within this story I felt that it was just too much.

Okay lol.... done with my mini rant....

Now as far as other problems with the story I found the pacing to be a bit off. So hopefully this makes sense and you see what I mean....For some events that happened, they were brushed off and briefly mentioned or explained when at some times they could have been developed and further elaborated on to avoid ambiguity within the storyline. Vice versa, some events were explained to thoroughly and dragged out, when I felt that they could have been explained concisely and briefly since their relevance wasn't as significant as say some of the other plot events.

The ending was very interesting, it ended in a way that made me want to know what happened afterwards. I do really want to know how the story will progress in the other novels in the trilogy. Although there could have been better character development, I did really enjoy this book. It took me a minute to read this... like a week... but that could be in part due to the pacing issues I mentioned, if I got bored with an event or the chapter I was reading I would often put it down and come back about a day or so later. Overall I gave it 4/5 stars and I would recommend to those who like to read fantasy or those who are looking for a new and interesting plot.

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****