Enchantment: The Moonstone ➳ Book Review

Title: The Moonstone (Enchantment #1)

Author: Evelyne Contant

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Self-published!

Synopsis: Fear, love… and betrayal; that’s what I feel about my new life.
It’s a life I never asked for, at least not like that.
I certainly dreamed of adventure, of escaping from my ordinary life, but nothing prepared me for what would happen when my normal life flipped upside down.
On that fateful day, a witch, a real one, revealed to me that I’m not human! That’s right, I, Lou Mills, am an enchanter like her! It seems that I’m the key to an ancient prophecy and that I must save the world from the imminent war between humans and enchanters. What waits makes no sense; in fact, nothing seems to make sense to me since meeting her.
And then there’s this man…dark and mysterious…but so attractive. If only I could forget him. Duality is the way the Earth remains in balance, black and white, right and wrong, love and hate. What side should I fight for when the war finally breaks out? How to choose between my family…and the people who I belong to?

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**Thank you so much to the author, Evelyne Contant, for sending me a copy of her book to review! This in no way affects my opinion.**

Well, this book was certainly an adventure.

Alex & Eliza: A Love Story ➳ Review!

Title: Alex & Eliza: A Love Story

Author: Melissa De La Cruz

Publisher: Penguin Teen

Genre: YA Romance/Historical Fiction

Synopsis: 1777. Albany, New York.

As battle cries of the American Revolution echo in the distance, servants flutter about preparing for one of New York society’s biggest events: the Schuylers’ grand ball. Descended from two of the oldest and most distinguished bloodlines in New York, the Schuylers are proud to be one of their fledgling country’s founding families, and even prouder still of their three daughters—Angelica, with her razor-sharp wit; Peggy, with her dazzling looks; and Eliza, whose beauty and charm rival that of both her sisters, though she’d rather be aiding the colonists’ cause than dressing up for some silly ball.

Still, she can barely contain her excitement when she hears of the arrival of one Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel and General George Washington’s right-hand man. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can’t believe his luck—as an orphan, and a bastard one at that—to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

In the pages of Alex and Eliza, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz brings to life the romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler

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I was so pleasantly surprised by this story! I didn’t have extremely high expectations, so it’s only because the arc arrived on my doorstep that I decided to pick it up – and I am so glad I did.

2017 ➳ Foresights and TBR

(Okay, so you may be wondering why I’m publishing this now, almost four months into 2017. In truth, I wrote this in the beginning of 2017, and – in typical Anna fashion – promptly forgot about it. I recently found it while going through old drafts, and decided to publish it to keep myself accountable. So… here we are! Better late than never?)

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Piecing Me Together ➳ Review

Title/Author: Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

Genre: YA contemporary

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Synopsis: A timely and powerful story about a teen girl from a poor neighborhood striving for success, from acclaimed author Renée Watson.

Jade believes she must get out of her neighborhood if she’s ever going to succeed. Her mother says she has to take every opportunity. She has. She accepted a scholarship to a mostly-white private school and even Saturday morning test prep opportunities. But some opportunities feel more demeaning than helpful. Like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for “at-risk” girls. Except really, it’s for black girls. From “bad” neighborhoods.

But Jade doesn’t need support. And just because her mentor is black doesn’t mean she understands Jade. And maybe there are some things Jade could show these successful women about the real world and finding ways to make a real difference.

Friendships, race, privilege, identity—this compelling and thoughtful story explores the issues young women face.

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Welcome to my post on the Bloomsbury blog tour! Thank you so much to Bloomsbury for providing me with a copy of Piecing Me Together and including me in this kick-butt blog tour. My part features a book review and a giveaway link!

To preface (and summarize) my review of Piecing Me Together: You should read this book. Of course, now you’re asking me: why should I read it? Well, get yourself a mug of tea & a comfy place to sit… (Plus, if you stay until the end… there may or may not be a rafflecopter link to a giveaway of a hardcover copy. 🙂 )

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer

Genre: Fantasy/Fairytale Retelling

Publisher: Macmillan

Synopsis: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

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This was an absolutely stunning work of literature. Marissa Meyer, hOw do you always manage to pull at my emotions so devastatingly well? Magic & whimsy & tension & mystery & unforgettable characters = an absolute fairytale. Not to mention – it was soooo yummy. Like, I want to bake every single treat mentioned and eat 902348579 decadent desserts.

The Ten Best Books of 2016

I can’t believe it’s already the end of 2016! It has been… quite a year. It was filled with books both good and bad, times up and down. But before the end of the year, I wanted to take the time to shine a spotlight on something positive: my favorite books of 2016. Only the books that truly have stayed with me (even months after reading them) have made it onto the list. These are the books I found to not only be good, but have that je ne sais quoi that really stuck with me.

Six of Crows ➳ Book Review

Title: Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Synopsis:Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

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So this was… something. Mainly, I’m not entirely sure where I stand on it. It was definitely good, but spectacular? I’m not sure. So, to make things easier, I’ve compiled two lists: one of things I enjoyed, and one of problems I had (because who doesn’t love a good list?)

Tiny Pretty Things

Title: Tiny Pretty Things

Authors: Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Contemporary

Synopsis: Gigi, Bette, and June, three top students at an exclusive Manhattan ballet school, have seen their fair share of drama. Free-spirited new girl Gigi just wants to dance—but the very act might kill her. Privileged New Yorker Bette’s desire to escape the shadow of her ballet star sister brings out a dangerous edge in her. And perfectionist June needs to land a lead role this year or her controlling mother will put an end to her dancing dreams forever. When every dancer is both friend and foe, the girls will sacrifice, manipulate, and backstab to be the best of the best.

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So, in short… THIS. BOOK.

The gist of it: backstabbing ballerinas, mental health issues, diversity, drama, and STRESS. It was oh, so wonderful. And, I might add SO ADDICTIVE.

Book Review ➳ Children of Eden by Joey Graffeca

 Title/Author: Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa

Publisher: Atria Books

Genre: Dystopian

Synopsis: Rowan is a Second Child in a world where population control measures make her an outlaw, marked for death. She can never go to school, make friends, or get the eye implants that will mark her as a true member of Eden. Her kaleidoscope eyes will give her away to the ruthless Center government.

Outside of Eden, Earth is poisoned and dead. All animals and most plants have been destroyed by a man-made catastrophe. Long ago, the brilliant scientist Aaron al Baz saved a pocket of civilization by designing the EcoPanopticon, a massive computer program that hijacked all global technology and put it to use preserving the last vestiges of mankind. Humans will wait for thousands of years in Eden until the EcoPan heals the world.

As an illegal Second Child, Rowan has been hidden away in her family’s compound for sixteen years. Now, restless and desperate to see the world, she recklessly escapes for what she swears will be only one night of adventure. Though she finds an exotic world, and even a friend, the night leads to tragedy. Soon Rowan becomes a renegade on the run – unleashing a chain of events that could change the world of Eden forever.

**A huge thank you to Atria Books for sending me a review copy of this book! This in no way affects my thoughts, feelings, or opinions.**

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Personally, I think that the biggest potential hindrance to a dystopian novel is that as the reader, you have to buy into it.

While logically speaking, I couldn’t quite get behind the concept of the future presented in Children of Eden, as I read further into the story, I warmed up to it and ending up loving the concept on a pure enjoyment level. There was intrigue within the world Graceffa created (i.e. a corrupt government–because this is a dystopian novel, after all), and I found that the world ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the novel.

Review ➳ P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Title/Author: P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Genre: YA contemporary romance

Publisher: Scholastic

Synopsis: Signed, sealed, delivered…

While spacing out in chemistry class, Lily scribbles some of her favorite song lyrics onto her desk. The next day, she finds thatsomeone has continued the lyrics on the desk and added a message to her. Intrigue!

Soon, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging full-on letters—sharing secrets, recommending bands, and opening up to each other. Lily realizes she’s kind of falling for this letter writer. Only, who is he? As Lily attempts to unravel the mysteryand juggle school, friends, crushes, and her crazy family, she discovers that matters of the heart can’t always be spelled out…

***Thank you to Scholastic for providing me with an eARC of this book! This in no way affects my opinion of it.***

This book was adorable. In the beginning, I was a bit skeptical. The writing wasn’t particularly remarkable, and I had yet to get a sense of the plot or the characters. But, all of the sudden, I found myself falling a little bit in love with it, from the premise to the adorable romance, as well as the family and friend dynamics.