Weekly Reading Update (WRU, #8)

Haven't done one of these in a while! Thinking about bringing these posts back if I can continue to read on a consistent basis especially since I'm out of college for the next couple of months for summer break.

  The Ring and the Crown

Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Pages: Currently reading on page 293 of 372
Acquired: Library
Published: 2014



Goodreads Blurb:
Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve?

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen.

But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard.

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

***** 

Tell me what you're currently reading or what you've read this week!

Since You've Been Gone

 

Author: Mary Jennifer Payne
Series: none
Pages: 224
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2015
Genre: Contemporary
Acquired: Netgalley
Rating: ★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.
Sydney promises her that that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.
Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she'll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life."

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Since You've Been Gone follows sixteen year old Edie Fraser as she struggles with her ever- changing life of constantly moving from city to city and school to school. Edie hasn't lived in a stable, permanent home since she was ten. That's when it happened, and she and her mother quickly packed and fled their home to never look back again. But as soon as things start to look brighter, he finds them.... he always finds them.

Starting off with Edie's character, I really liked her personality and determination. I also liked how real of a person she seemed to be... as in I didn't feel like I was reading about a made up character, this story has the very real possibility of happening in the real world .... and how as a reader I could connect to her story better because of this.

 I thought this book was good at portraying real life examples and events such as abuse, racism, bullying, and also sickness. Reading about these events whether they directly affected the main character, Edie, or not definitely makes connecting to the story easier as most people have gone through at least one or more of the same situations these characters have experienced.

Problems?... I felt some parts in the book were rushed through or either could have been explained more. Knowing more about Edie's past could have helped me to better understand why the main storyline in the book even happened. I just felt that I had a lot of questions about Edie's mother and father that could have been explained better.

Liked Most: the relatable events and mystery of the book as a whole
Liked Least: the pacing, rushed through some parts then dragged in others

For me, personally, the plot was predictable. I could accurately predict the ending and most of the other events in the book, so that was disappointing seeing as the mystery element in the book wasn't very strong. Overall the plot was okay.

Ending: Mehhh, the ending tapered off and stopped all at once. The main climax of the book was rushed and glazed over. I spent most of the book waiting for the climax to blow me away and leave me feeling like the book was worth it, sadly I didn't get that feeling. Actually the climax wasn't much of a climax, the mystery aspect of the book was summed up in what felt like half a page.

Rating: 3/5... it was an OK read for me
Recommend: I would recommend this to those who like reading about realistic serious issues like abuse, bullying, etc.

RECIEVED FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

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

*****

"Waiting On" Wednesday (WoW, #43)

 "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:

The Stars Never Rise

Author(s): Rachel Vincent

Series: (Untitled for Now)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Expected Publication: June 9, 2015

Pre-Order Now!: Book Depository

 Goodreads Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

What books are you "Waiting On" this week?