The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M. Lee - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Amazon's Children's Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2)
Author: Lori M. Lee
Recent Release Date: March 10, 2015

Paul's Review of Gates of Thread and Stone #1

Synopsis: The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Review: One of the trends in YA right now that I am loving is the blend of sci-fi and fantasy. This series is a perfect example of this genre mash-up. There are immortal godlike beings, mechanical animals powered by gem stones, and a world recovering from an apocalyptic event. 

I really enjoyed Gates of Thread and Stone, the first book in this series, but I was unimpressed by the way it ended. There was a lot of exposition, so many reveals. This sequel picks up right after that with all those revelations' effects taking place. In my opinion, this book did not suffer from the ills of the first's ending. 

I loved the Grays of the first book. The scouts in this book were even cooler! Magic metal cats that you ride! They are just one aspect of this world that I absolutely adore. The worldbuilding in this series is so interesting. This book really delves into some political and economic issues. In Vethe, the farmers are the upper class. Lee really put a lot of thought into the worldbuilding. 

There are so many great characters in this book, especially females in leadership roles. There are hints of a love triangle, but it makes complete sense within the story. I really liked Mason in this book. Avan is in an interesting place. I liked how it was handled. 

Overall, I liked this book even more than the first! I give it a 5/5. I highly recommend this series and if you read the first and were a little turned off by the exposition in the ending, you don't need to worry. Read this book! 


--PAUL

The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2) by Lori M. Lee - Paul's Pre Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Amazon's Children's Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Infinite (Gates of Thread and Stone #2)
Author: Lori M. Lee
Recent Release Date: March 10, 2015

Paul's Review of Gates of Thread and Stone #1

Synopsis: The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known. 

------------------------------------------------------------

Why?: I really enjoyed the world of the first book. It blended sci-fi and fantasy in an interesting way. Magic and technology. I found the end of the first book a little heavy on the exposition, but I think this sequel won't have that problem. I want to learn more about the world. 

Expectations:  I'm expecting to learn more about the past of this world. I want to know what the Infinites are all about. I am excited to see more of the cool blend of magic and technology. 

Judging a book by its cover: I really, really, really like this cover. The gray in the form of a cat is really cool. Kai looks more like a weathered warrior. The red eyes of the feline are so captivating. This is definitely a good cover. 


--PAUL

BLOG TOUR: Some Fine Day by Kat Ross - Best Disaster Movies!

Hello! Today, we're really happy to be hosting Kat Ross (again!), author of Some Fine Day! Her book is out November 11, 2014 in Kindle format from SkyScape, with the paperback following in February 2015. This time, Kat's here to tell us her Top Disaster Movies. We had a lot of fun the last time with Kat's Top Ten Hybrid Creatures (in smackdown form!), and we hope that you enjoy this list as much as we did as well.

Before we get to Kat's list, here's some information about the book and Kat!

About the Book

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Some Fine Day

Author: Kat Ross

Publication Date: November 11, 2014 (Kindle)
February 17, 2015 (Paperback)

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Jansin Nordqvist is on the verge of graduating from the black ops factory known as the Academy. She's smart and deadly and knows three things with absolute certainty.

She knows that when the world flooded and civilization retreated deep underground, there was no one left on the surface.

She knows that the only species to thrive there is the toads, a primate/amphibian hybrid with a serious mean streak.

Most of all, she knows there's no place on Earth where you can hide from the hypercanes, continent-sized storms that have raged for decades.

Jansin has been lied to. On all counts.

Faced with the truth in the form of a charismatic young survivor named Will, Jansin vows that her former masters will regret making her what she is…

About the Author

I've always loved to read more than anything in the world, especially so-called genre stories—mysteries, fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, horror. I like books that take you by the hand and lead you out of the mundane. That ease back the curtain and show you the wondrous and dark and unexpected lurking just around the next corner. I worked in journalism for a long time before I returned to writing fiction. The two things are very different (in most cases), but I think any kind of writing at all, if you do it consistently, builds up those mental muscles.

I took a circuitous route to getting published—travelling, working a lot of different jobs, having a kid; in other words, just living—but I did get there eventually. I don't have any fine arts degrees, I've never been a member of a writing group, and I've been to one conference in my life (SCBWI New York, a few years ago). Which is not to say that those things aren't useful; they can be, but I don't think they're a prerequisite. The only cast-iron requirement is dreaming and then writing it down. On whatever schedule you set, but a schedule—not just when you're in the mood.

I grew up in NYC but now I live far enough outside the city that skunks and deer wander through my backyard and I can take my bike out for a 14-mile ride without passing more than a dozen cars. I meditate for a few minutes every morning to keep my head on straight, or at least pretend to. I don't eat meat because I like animals. Mostly, I eat a lot of this.

I'm represented by the kind and brilliant Jeff Ourvan of Jennifer Lyons agency, and I'm a member of SCBWI and FallFourteeners. I also have an Amazon author page.

You can find Kat on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Goodreads, and her website.

Kat's Top Disaster Movies

As we solemnly give thanks for the blockbuster holiday movie season, it seems fitting to take a moment to celebrate the comfort food of our favorite disaster flicks. From mysterious plagues to hostile extraterrestrials, Hollywood loves to clean the slate and watch the handful of survivors do terrible things they never imagined they'd be forced to do, while uttering lines like, "We can't just wait here for sharks to rain down on us."

So pass the popcorn!

In no particular order….

Night of the Comet (1984). 

Highlights: Bitchin' eighties outfits, gun-toting valley girls, zombies that talk.

Best line: [When her MAC-10 jams while target shooting] Samantha: Daddy would have gotten us Uzis.

They Live (1988). 

Highlights: Alien President Reagan, Roddy Piper's mullet.

Best line: Nada: I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum.

Dawn of the Dead (2004). 

Highlights: Birth of undead baby, nightmare-inducing credits, zombie Burt Reynolds.

Best line: [when the survivors have barricaded themselves inside the mall and zombie hordes are gathering outside]

Ana: Why are they coming here?

Kenneth: Memory, maybe. Instinct.

War of the Worlds (2005).

Highlights: The sound that alien ray gun made when it zapped people into a mist of pink goo was one of the most horrifying things I've ever heard.

Best line: Robbie Ferrier: What is it? Is it terrorists?

Ray Ferrier: These came from some place else.

Robbie Ferrier: What do you mean, like, Europe?

Ray Ferrier: No, Robbie, not like Europe!

Poseidon Adventure (1972).

Highlights: With an all-star cast and high-concept plot (escape from a capsized luxury liner), this is just 1970s big-budget disaster movie royalty.

Best line: Mrs. Belle Rosen: You see, swimming through corridors and up and down stairwells, I'm the only one trained to do things like that.

Linda Rogo: Will you shut up?

Sharknado (2013).

Highlights: Do I even need to answer that question?

Best line: Baz Hogan: Storm's dying down.

Nova Clarke: How can you tell?

Baz Hogan: Not as many sharks flying around.

Do you have a favorite disaster movie? Let us know in the comments! And don't forget to go grab your copy of Some Fine Day, as it's one you definitely don't want to miss! 

--Ashley & Paul

Killing Ruby Rose (The Ruby Rose Series #1) by Jessie Humphries - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Killing Ruby Rose (Ruby Rose #1)
Author: Jessie Humphries
Publication Date: May 1, 2014

Also be sure to check out this post from the Killing Ruby Rose vlog tour extravaganza!

Synopsis: In sunny Southern California, seventeen-year-old Ruby Rose is known for her killer looks and her killer SAT scores. But ever since her dad, an LAPD SWAT sergeant, died, she's also got a few killer secrets.

To cope, Ruby has been trying to stay focused on school (the top spot in her class is on the line) and spending time with friends (her Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks are nothing if not loyal). But after six months of therapy and pathetic parenting by her mom, the District Attorney, Ruby decides to pick up where her dad left off and starts going after the bad guys herself.

When Ruby ends up killing a murderer to save his intended victim, she discovers that she's gone from being the huntress to the hunted. There's a sick mastermind at play, and he has Ruby in his sights. Ruby must discover who's using her to implement twisted justice before she ends up swapping Valentino red for prison orange.

With a gun named Smith, a talent for martial arts, and a boyfriend with eyes to die for, Ruby is ready to face the worst. And if a girl's forced to kill, won't the guilt sit more easily in a pair of Prada peep-toe pumps?

Why?: This book sounds like it will be absolutely hilarious. A girl with killer style AND brains? Who wants to hunt the bad guys and right some wrongs in the world? Yes please! I don't usually go for the contemporary books (I love a great fantasy or sci-fi book and tend to stick to those), but this sounds like just the kind of contemporary YA book that I would enjoy.

Expectations:I've heard some pretty excellent things about this book, so I think my expectations are higher than they would normally be. I'm expecting a lot of laughs, but also some pretty intense scenes too - since Ruby is being hunted and all. And also a lot of fashion references which I am sure I will not get.

Judging a book by its cover: I actually really like this cover. I love the colors and I like how sassy Ruby (I'm assuming it's Ruby) looks, without having her face shown. The cover is what grabbed my attention in the first place, so I'd be really likely to pick it up off of a shelf based on the cover alone.


--Ashley

BLOG TOUR: Silvern (Gilded #2) by Christina Farley - Ashley's Review + GIVEAWAY!

Hello! Today, we're happy to be a part of the blog tour for Christina Farley's second novel, Silvern! This is the sequel to Gilded, and is definitely one that you'll want to pick up as soon as you finish reading Gilded.

As part of the blog tour, we have Ashley's review for you, as well as a giveaway. So make sure to enter via the Rafflecopter form at the end of this post!

About the Book

Title: Silvern (Gilded #2)
Author: Christina Farley
Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: September 23, 2014

Synopsis: Jae Hwa Lee has destroyed Haemosu, the dangerous demi-god that held her ancestors captive, and now she’s ready to forget about immortals and move on with her life. Then the god of darkness, Kud, sends an assassin to kill her. Jae escapes with the knowledge that Kud is seeking the lost White Tiger Orb, and joins the Guardians of Shinshi to seek out the orb before Kud can find it.


But Kud is stronger and more devious than Haemosu ever was. Jae is soon painfully reminded that by making an enemy of Kud, she has placed her closest friends in danger, and must decide how much she can bear to sacrifice to defeat one of the most powerful immortals in all of Korea.

Available at Amazon, BAM, IndieBound, and Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads

Praise for GILDED, the first book in the series:

“An amazing contemporary fantasy that explores the vast legends of Korea, this richly detailed novel kept me turning the pages well into the night. Jae Hwa starts off as a strong character and ends as a noble one, using both her brains and her brawn to win the day–she’s exactly the kind of girl YA literature needs.”

~from Beth Revis, NY Times Bestselling author of Across the Universe series

"Farley brings South Korea's fascinating culture and mythology into vivid detail in this shining debut, and Jae is a compelling heroine. An exotic, thrilling read, GILDED had me utterly entranced!"

~from Jessica Khoury, author of ORIGIN and VITRO

About the Author

CHRISTINA FARLEY, author of Gilded, was born and raised in upstate New York. As a child, she loved to explore, which later inspired her to jump on a plane and travel the world. She taught at international schools in Asia for ten years, eight of which were in the mysterious and beautiful city of Seoul, Korea that became the setting of Gilded. Currently she lives in Clermont, FL with her husband and two sons—that is until the travel itch whisks her off to a new unknown. Gilded is her first novel. For more details, check out her website at www.christinafarley.com. Christina holds a master’s degree in education and has taught for eighteen years. She is represented by Jeff Ourvan of Jennifer Lyons Literary.

Social Media Links:

Website | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads

Ashley's Review

You can also find my review for Gilded here!

Ok, so I really enjoyed Gilded. I love the fantasy elements, I loved the mythological elements, and pretty much just everything about the book. I was SO excited to find out about Silvern, which delves deeper into the Spirit World and Jae Hwa's life and puts her up against the Korean god of darkness. Because Kud was terrifying in Gilded and he was only there briefly. And Silvern really lived up to all of my expectations and I think I loved it every bit as much as Gilded!

Knowing a little bit of Korean mythology (all of which I learned from Gilded), made this book a little easier to read and a little more enjoyable. There are still creatures and gods/goddesses that I wasn't familiar with, but knowing the main ones (like Kud, Palk, Hachi, and some of the other creatures) meant that I spent less time trying to figure out who was who and who did what and more time reading the story. The new creatures that are introduced are absolutely awful, and I'm so glad that they don't actually exist (at least I hope...). Like I do NOT ever want to come across a blood weasel. That just sounds like the worst thing ever. They still give me nightmares.

Most of the characters from the first book are back, in at least some capacity. Jae is still with Marc, Michelle is still her best friend who knows nothing about what happened, her dad and her grandfather are still there and her dad wants her to be done with the Spirit World while her grandfather just hopes that she's done, and Komo is still in a coma and in the hospital. But there are new characters, which I really enjoyed getting to know. I was so undecided about Kang-dae for most of the book, and I just wanted someone to tell me what his deal was. When I finally found out, it was one of those I KNEW IT moment that I really hoped wouldn't happen.

Silvern is a little slower paced than Gilded, I think, but it didn't take away from the story and I actually enjoyed reading about how Jae and Marc and the Council were trying to figure things out instead of rushing headfirst into a battle with Kud. Jae is less annoying too, although she still doesn't listen when someone tells her "DON'T TOUCH THAT." Like I'm pretty sure she's got some complex about touching things. 

And then there was the ending. I hate when I'm reading on my Kindle and I see there's like 5% of the book left and there's still no resolution and then ALL OF A SUDDEN the book is over. I understand why Jae made the decisions she did and I understand why things happened the way they did, but I'm going to be so mad if this is the end of Jae's story. I am desperately awaiting a sequel, because I want things to work out better for Jae and her family and friends. I mean, things can't just end like that!

If you read and enjoyed Gilded, you'll definitely want to pick up Silvern. If you're looking for a YA fantasy with contemporary and mythological elements, you don't want to miss this series. And even though the end made me all rage-y, Christina's writing is still gorgeous and had me hooked and now I can't wait to see what's next. A 4/5! And a huge hope that the sequel comes out sooner rather than later!!!

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silvern (Gilded #2) by Christina Farley - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Amazon Children's Publishing/SkyScape  on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Silvern (Gilded #2)
Author: Christina Farley
Publication Date: September 23, 2014

My Gilded Review
My Gilded Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Jae Hwa Lee has destroyed Haemosu, the dangerous demi-god that held her ancestors captive, and now she’s ready to forget about immortals and move on with her life. Then the god of darkness, Kud, sends an assassin to kill her. Jae escapes with the knowledge that Kud is seeking the lost White Tiger Orb, and joins the Guardians of Shinshi to seek out the orb before Kud can find it.

But Kud is stronger and more devious than Haemosu ever was. Jae is soon painfully reminded that by making an enemy of Kud, she has placed her closest friends in danger, and must decide how much she can bear to sacrifice to defeat one of the most powerful immortals in all of Korea.

Why?: I read and really enjoyed Gilded, so I'm excited to what's going to happen next to Jae and her friends. And also, Kud was kind of terrifying in Gilded even though he's barely in it, so I'm looking forward to this book keeping me even more on the edge of my seat than Gilded did!

Expectations: Since I enjoyed Gilded so much, I have pretty high expectations for Silvern. Definitely a lot more of the Korean mythology. I also expect the stakes to be higher and the situations more dangerous, especially because Kud is way worse than Haemosu ever was. And I also hope that Jae learns her lesson quickly in this book and doesn't make as many ridiculous mistake as she did with Haemosu.

Judging a book by its cover: I absolutely love everything about this cover. I love how the tiger looks ethereal and shiny and like it's coming out of another world. I love the colors and how the title looks. I like that the title and the borders are silver to match Silvern. I cannot wait to have a copy of this book on my shelves, and I would totally pick it up based on the cover alone!


--Ashley