Tag: Firebird Trilogy

Recommendations Series #3: Science Fiction

Hi y’all! Today I’m back at it with some recommendations, but this time focusing on science fiction novels! I will admit that I’ve been slacking on this genre over the last year or so and I would like to apologize to all of the amazing looking science fiction books currently staring at my with annoyed faces from my TBR bookshelf. I see you, babies! I’m coming for you soon!

The Firebird Trilogy by Claudia Gray

This isn’t your typical science fiction novel, as it’s not set in space. However, there is cross-dimension travel involved and non-stop action that I promise you won’t be able to get enough of. Also, a swoony romance to warm your heart. Can we also agree how gorgeous these covers are? Um yes!

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A fairly well-known book, and soon to be movie directed by Steven Spielberg, this one is an epic adventure that is chock full of pop culture references from the 80’s. If you love video games and science fiction movies, you should enjoy this one!

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The Diabolic (The Diabolic, #1) by S.J. Kincaid

This story is definitely a great place to start if you’re looking for a YA science fiction novel. It’s got political intrigue, a socially inept MC (who kills me with her social skills), and a completely engrossing plotline. It was originally going to be a standalone but is now being turned into a duology with the sequel due to release this fall. TW: Death of a LGTBQA+ character.

The Illuminae Files Series by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

To say that I’m obsessed with this series would be an understatement. Illuminae may actually be one of the most original stories that I’ve read. The first novel also contains a character who will always be the greatest character that I’ve read. If you don’t become obsessed with AIDAN too, I’ll be very surprised.

Starflight Duology by Melissa Landers

Now don’t go into this series thinking that it will blow your mind, because it probably won’t. However, you will have buckets of fun and will fall in love with this adorable crew of outcasts. Pick this one up when you’re just looking for a good time! TW: drug addiction (Starfall)

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Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

Oh, I’m sorry, did you really think that I wouldn’t list my all-time favorite series (with the exception of HP, of course!)? HA! The joke is on you, my friend, because I will never not recommend this series to someone. Also, the first book in a new trilogy set 10 years later is being released in January! My body is probably going to spontaneously combust with excitement. TW: violence

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Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton

A classic, to be sure. The book actually delves quite deeper into the science behind the park that the film wasn’t able to cover. So if you like that sort of stuff, then you will appreciate Crichton’s writing. I haven’t read any of his other novels but I do believe that’s a common trait with his writing.

Across the Universe Trilogy Beth Revis

I will admit that it’s been quite a while since I read this series, but I do remember really enjoying it. I haven’t seen the movie but I assume based on what it was about, that this series is kind of like a YA version of the movie Passengers. Except better. Because I definitely heard that that movies was awful. Also, yes there was a cover change in the middle of this series. WE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT.

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The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I don’t tend to hate on the Twilight series because we all read it when we were teens and devoured it. It’s okay to admit these things, instead of acting like we were too mature for that. With that being said, this book is FAR superior to Twilight. I honestly wish more people would read this and see for themselves. I actually think I’ll be rereading it this fall! Also, there was a movie adaptation of it starring Saoirse Ronan.

Star Wars: Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig

Like I would do a science fiction recommendations post and not include something involving Star Wars! But seriously, I thought this was such a fun series, that just got better with each book. I know some people don’t like that Wendig writes this series in the present tense but I didn’t even notice it after the first book. If you like Star Wars, then these books are a must!

P.S. This post might have been written while listening to the Star Wars soundtracks.

What are some of your favorite science fiction novels? Which ones would recommend? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?

Book Review: A Million Worlds with You (Firebird, #3)

While very enjoyable and as exciting as the first two books in the series, A Million Worlds with You (Firebird, #3) by Claudia Gray, just didn’t quite measure up to the previous books in the series.

A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine’s hands. Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe using her parents’ invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation—and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.

Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite’s side, but Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man—angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite’s efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.

So it’s up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite—wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.

In the conclusion to Claudia Gray’s Firebird trilogy, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed. It’s a battle of the Marguerites…and only one can win.

As always, Claudia Gray knows how to keep the action going. You never have any trouble with growing bored or tired, as her pacing is always a steady wave. I loved how exciting this book was from start to finish. Basically this entire trilogy is one wild ride that you never want to get off of. I’ll probably read any book that Gray ever writes now, if this suspenseful action is her M.O.

My wonderful characters are still just as amazing in this finale. Marguerite has developed into such a feisty and strong character. She doesn’t let anything stand between her and saving her family. I loved how a strong family unit is portrayed in this series, as families or even parents, are usually nonexistent. But not here! Marguerite’s parents are so adorable and amazing. I always enjoy when they go off on one of their science tangents, so cute! Paul continues to be such a dreamy book boyfriend. I loved how his character goes through a transformation in this book. I found it interesting how much he changes and has such a realistic reaction to everything he’s gone through. And I finally really enjoyed Theo in this book. I always found him kind of shifty and didn’t really trust him as a character. I almost felt like Gray was trying too hard to create a really cool character, an opposite of Paul. However, I finally grew used to him though and was able to enjoy his personality.

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My only issue with this final book was that the ending was a bit too clean and easy. I’m sure y’all know by now how much I prefer my endings imperfect and bittersweet. It just doesn’t feel so real if things turn out perfect. I mean I know it’s fiction, obviously, but I still want them to be a little messy. I actually thought that Gray would give me that kind of ending, but unfortunately (for me), that wasn’t the case. Happy endings galore for those of you who prefer that sort of thing! Everything just felt too quick, too perfect. I almost felt like if you blinked then you could’ve missed that it was over.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. It was an incredibly fun ride, full of all sorts of twists and turns. I loved never knowing what was going to happen or where Marguerite’s dimension traveling would bring her to next. If you’re looking for a science fiction novel that is fun, full of a swoon-worthy romance, and the cutest family ever… this is it.

Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars

Have you read A Million Worlds with You? What did you think of the Firebird trilogy? Did you enjoy the ending? Which Marguerite was your favorite?

WWW Wednesday – June 21st, 2017

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

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Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) by Victoria Aveyard

This book is decent so far. I wouldn’t say that it’s as exciting as the first book, but it’s still decent. I have about 70 pages left though and hope to finish it today. I’ve been going slower with this book but I’m also currently in the process of moving so I haven’t been doing much reading this week so far.

If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

So if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll probably have heard that I started my first audiobook earlier this week. Well I finished it yesterday on my way home from work and decided for my next one, that I would go with this book that’s been on my TBR list since forever ago. When I saw that Audible offered the full cast production of it, I knew I had to have it. I just started it this morning and am already in love! I definitely recommend this version if you’re interested in it.

After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod’s family…

Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor
  • A Million Worlds with You (Firebird, #3) by Claudia Gray

The Lost Letter was my first audiobook ever and I loved it. It was a great love story, told in such a unique way that it didn’t feel like the same ol’ same ol’ WWII novel. I loved how it went back and forth between 1938 and 1989, showing how the two different POVs were connected. I also recommend the audiobook for this one, as the narrators did a great job!

A Million Worlds with You was a great conclusion to this trilogy. I do think that the ending was a bit wrapped up too easily, but other than that, it was a really thrilling story. If you want a good romance story full of action and adventure, then this trilogy is probably what you’re looking for.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • King’s Cage (Red Queen, #3) by Victoria Aveyard
  • The Crown’s Game (The Crown’s Game, #1) by Evelyn Skye – Hype or Like Friday June BOTM

I have decided to extend Smashing Series Round 2 through the end of July. I realized I actually have more series that I originally thought, and I think it’s time to knock them all out. I’ll be posting my July TBR next week sometime but until then, I’ll finish out June with these two beauties.

What are you currently reading? Have you read any good books this past week? Have you ever listened to an audiobook? What do you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – June 14th, 2017

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

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A Million Worlds with You (Firebird, #3) by Claudia Gray

Yes, I’m still currently reading this one. I had to put it aside for a few days last week so I could finish up the book for my book club meeting. But I will say that I’m absolutely loving it! This last one has really upped the stakes and I am SO obsessed.

A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine’s hands. Marguerite has been at the center of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe using her parents’ invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation—and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.

Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite’s side, but Triad’s last attack has left him a changed man—angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite’s efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.

So it’s up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension’s Marguerite—wicked, psychologically twisted, and always one step ahead.

In the conclusion to Claudia Gray’s Firebird trilogy, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed. It’s a battle of the Marguerites…and only one can win.

What did you recently finish reading?

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Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

This was the novel that I had to read for my book club. In all honesty, this just was not a very good novel. There’s a reason that this story wasn’t published when Lee first wrote it and it should have just stayed that way. If you’re looking for some literary fiction and have heard good things about Harper Lee’s books, just stick with To Kill a Mockingbird. Trust me on this.

From Harper Lee comes a landmark new novel set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird. Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch–“Scout”–returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise’s homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in a painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past–a journey that can be guided only by one’s conscience. Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor and effortless precision–a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context and new meaning to an American classic.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) by Victoria Aveyard
  • King’s Cage (Red Queen, #3) by Victoria Aveyard

Still continuing on with my Smashing Series for this month by catching up on the Red Queen series. I’ve heard fairly mixed things about the rest of the books in the series, but I still plan to finish it. One of my biggest issues is quitting series in the middle. Unless the first book is just awful, I will always complete a series. Call me a glutton for punishment that way. I’m sick, I know!

What are you currently reading? Did you finish any good books this week? Have you read any of the books on my list? What did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

Book Review: Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2)

The obsession with Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2) by Claudia Gray is real, y’all. This trilogy is giving me life right now and I’m so scared to see how it’s going to end.

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents’ invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

The Good

  • Plot that rocks! – This is one of those stories that it’s almost impossible to get bored with. You’re constantly following Marguerite through the different dimensions, and with each one being so incredibly different, there’s never any time for you to lose interest. I didn’t think it was possible for the plot to get any more exciting after the first book, but I was so happy to see that I was wrong. SO INTENSE!
  • Oh, those consequences… – I know that some people had some issues with the first book because Marguerite was never having to deal with any backlash for her actions and decisions (especially that really important/bad one). However, don’t fear because all of those choices are finally coming back to haunt her. And you might think, now that’s not very nice to get excited about, Larkin. But I don’t care! It makes the book so much better knowing that there’s some realistic issues coming about. You can’t just go bumbling through life without ever suffering any consequences! Luckily, Gray knows that and it was definitely a great piece added to the overall story.
  • Can’t stop, won’t stop. – This kind of goes hand in hand with the overall plot, but the pacing is just so on point. It never slows down to even a walk, it’s just a non-stop sprint from start to finish. If you’ve been feeling the need for something a bit more upbeat, then this is the trilogy you’re probably looking for.
  • Tortured Paul – Paul is such an amazing character. I loved that in this book we get a little bit more of his history and finally see some more depth in his character. I thought it was great writing to finally build a real story behind Paul. Huge thumbs up.

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The Bad

  • Sometimes it’s just too much. – Listen, the romance has a huge part in this trilogy, that’s a given and something that I didn’t really have a problem with in the first book. However, in this book it finally started to annoy me just a tad. Like I get it, you’re in love and all, blah blah blah.. But it’s just laid on a little thick, I think. I would’ve preferred Gray to just pull back a bit on all of the love references.

This series really has turned into one of my all-time favorites. Unless it just has the shittiest ending ever, I can definitely see myself recommending this to literally every person I know.

FYI: Currently in the middle of the third book and it is freaking awesome. YESSSSSS!

Final Verdict: 5/5 stars

Have you read Ten Thousand Skies Above You? What did you think of it? Did you enjoy the entire trilogy? How do you feel about books where the romance can sometimes overpower the plot?

WWW Wednesday – June 7th, 2016

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

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 A Million Worlds with You (Firebird, #3) by Claudia Gray

I can’t even tell you how much I’m addicted to this trilogy. I’m seriously kicking myself for putting off finishing it for so long. IT’S SO DAMN GOOD. Also, those covers are freaking stunning.

I’ll also be starting Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee tonight for my book club. I’m not real thrilled about it… Blahhhhhhhhh

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Aftermath: Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath, #2) by Chuck Wendig
  • Aftermath: Empire’s End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig
  • Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2) by Claudia Gray

I really enjoyed the Aftermath trilogy. It was exciting, full of action and political intrigue. I can see where people might have an issue with his writing style in the first book, but I think it gets a lot better in the following two books. If you’re a Star Wars fan, or just a science fiction fan in general, I recommend these for some fun reads! But if you like your science fiction with a bit of contemporary and a whole lot of swoony romance, then pick up the Firebird trilogy. Seriously, Paul is a total book boyfriend.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) by Victoria Aveyard
  • King’s Cage (Red Queen, #3) by Victoria Aveyard

I’ll be carrying on with my Series Smashing June by catching up on the Red Queen series. I didn’t want to like the first book in the series when I read it back in January, but I did find it very entertaining. I’ve heard mixed things about the following books though. It’ll be really disappointing if they aren’t very good.

What are you currently reading? Have you finished any books this week? Did you enjoy them? Have you read any of the books of my list? What did you think of them? What are some series that you need to catch up on? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

Teaser Tuesday – June 6th, 2017

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme currently being hosted by Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker. All are welcome to participate!

Rules:

  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share two ‘teaser’ sentences from somewhere on that page.
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! You don’t want to give too much away so as to not ruin the book for others!
  • Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

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Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2) by Claudia Gray

The unbearable terror of the past hour expands, explodes. Every thought I have vaporizes. Nothing remains but the hard truth: Paul kidnapped me.

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Oh my gosh, why is this series so good?! Read it. Don’t even question it, just do it.

What are you currently reading? Have you read the Firebird trilogy? What did you think of it? Leave a link to your Teaser Tuesday in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – May 31st, 2017

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

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Aftermath: Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath, #2) by Chuck Wendig

I started this one last night and am about 50 pages into it. I’m enjoying this one so far, as it started with a really fun opening that was full of action. I will say that it is taking me a bit to get reacquainted with Wendig’s present tense writing… I will never understand why he does that.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) by Laini Taylor – 4/5 stars, FULL REVIEW
  • Heartstone by Elle Katharine White – 4/5 stars, full review will be posted tomorrow

I had a very good reading week. I finished up Strange the Dreamer for the Hype or Like Friday May BOTM. I really enjoyed it, though I do feel that it was a little too dragged out for me personally. It’ll be interesting to see how the sequel does, as Taylor originally had it as a standalone but has now changed it to a duology. I also really enjoyed Heartstone. I thought it was a fun twist on the classic, Pride and Prejudice. It was groundbreaking or perfect in any sense, but it was an entertaining quick read. I also find myself craving some more dragon books so if you have any recs, please leave them in the comments!

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Aftermath: Empire’s End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig
  • Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird Trilogy, #2) by Claudia Gray

June begins my Smashing Series Round 2, even though I started 2 days earlier (hey, it happens!). So all month I’ll be catching up or finishing series that I’ve already started. You can read my original post about it HERE. As you can see, I’ve decided to go with 2 sci-fi trilogies to start the month off with. I really enjoyed A Thousand Pieces of You when I read it back in December and I can’t wait to see how the story ends.

What are you currently reading? Have you finished any good books this week? Have you read any of the books on my list? What did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday in the comments below!

Smashing Series Round 2: June Summer Smash TBR!

So I’ve been looking over my stacks of TBR in preparation to start packing to move, when I realized that once again, I have a butt load of series to read. Now when I say series to read, I mean any series that I need to finish or catch up on. Such is the curse of being a bookworm! With that being said, I thought June would a good month to try and do a little summer cleaning on the old TBR. I originally came up with Smashing Series back in September and it was a success. I got caught up on and finished so many series! You can go read my announcement and wrap-up posts, HERE and HERE.

Now anyone can join if you’re interested! This is a very casual and fun way to help clear out some series from your TBR. It’s like a reading challenge but more of a personal one! If you’re like me, then you know how crazy those TBRs can get and it’s always nice to check some of those books off that list!

My June TBR

Aftermath: Life Debt (Star Wars: Aftermath, #2) & Aftermath: Empire’s End (Star Wars: Aftermath, #3) by Chuck Wendig

I will finally get to finish this trilogy after reading the first book. I’ve heard that the final book is fairly good so I can’t wait to see how it all ends!

Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2) & King’s Cage (Red Queen, #3) by Victoria Aveyard

I thought the first book was fun, if lacking on originality. However, the ending was really my favorite part as I love a good plot twist. Now I haven’t heard great things about the next two books in the series but hopefully they aren’t too bad.

The Bone Season (The Bone Season, #1), The Mime Order (The Bone Season, #2), The Song Rising (The Bone Season, #3) by Samantha Shannon

I read the first book back when it was first released but I plan to reread it before diving into the rest of this series. I’ll be honest and admit that I don’t remember anything that happened. Oops!I can’t wait to dive back into this series!

Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird Trilogy, #2) & A Million Worlds with You (Firebird Trilogy, #3) by Claudia Gray

I really enjoyed the first book in this trilogy when we read it for the Hype or Like Friday December BOTM. I honestly cannot believe I waited this long to finally finish this series! I wish I had a good excuse for putting it off, but I don’t. Also, can we all just gush over these insanely gorgeous covers? LOVE LOVE LOVE.

To say that my TBR for June is setting the bar extremely high, would be a bit of an understatement. But my reading has been really slow since I came back from my break and so I’m hoping this will finally kick it back into gear, especially since I’ll be revisiting series that I’ve already started. The first time I did was a resounding success and I flew through my TBR list, so I hope I can recreate that this time around!

What do you think of Smashing Series? Do you have tons of series that you’ve started but haven’t finished? What series do you need to finish? Have you read any of the ones on my TBR? Would you like to participate in this round of Smashing Series?

Book Review: A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird Trilogy, #1)

I am so sorry that I missed the review date in December for Hype or Like Friday! I was out of town that weekend and due to the holiday, was lazy as hell and didn’t get anything posted. That’s also my excuse as to know updates for January Hype or Like Friday. Don’t worry though, I will have the BOTM and weekly topics posted by the end of the day! If you want a little heads up, the January BOTM is going to be The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. I’ve heard amazing things about this novel and cannot wait to dive in and more than likely, bawl my bloody eyes out. Oh yes, I expect much emotional turmoil from this book. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand… I really did enjoy A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebired Trilogy, #1) by Claudia Gray. I’ve been reading tons of fantasy lately, so it was nice to get back to my other love, science fiction.

Cloud Atlas meets Orphan Black in this epic dimension-bending trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray about a girl who must chase her father’s killer through multiple dimensions.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite’s father is murdered, and the killer—her parent’s handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul— escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite refuses to let the man who destroyed her family go free. So she races after Paul through different universes, always leaping into another version of herself. But she also meets alternate versions of the people she knows—including Paul, whose life entangles with hers in increasingly familiar ways. Before long she begins to question Paul’s guilt—as well as her own heart. And soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is far more sinister than she expected.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores an amazingly intricate multi-universe where fate is unavoidable, the truth elusive, and love the greatest mystery of all.

The Good

  • OPENING!!! – I just want to rave a little about the opening of this book for a moment. From the very first page, your attention is grabbed and you are immediately sucked into this adventure. It had me completely hooked as soon as I read it! There is nothing more satisfying to me, than coming across a book that is able to grab you right from the start. I hate having to wait 50,100, or even sometimes 200 pages before anything happens. Pacing is a very big thing for me and I need excitement. Luckily, this book did not have any problems there!
  • My Beautiful Little Cupcake, Paul – I’m a sucker for a good swoon worthy character. I mean, come on, I’m a woman! But there was something about Paul that had me fanning myself even more than usual. I don’t know if it was his intensity or what, but I’m a little obsessed now. Haha! I found his character to be so intriguing. He was mysterious, intense, stoic, basically a total babe. I would have preferred him to maybe have been a little less protective and more willing to let Marguerite be independent, but she was kind of a dud so I understand his reasoning.
  • Unique Plot – I loved the story. I thought it was so unique and compelling. It was really interesting to see how Gray explained the interdimensional traveling and how it worked. I loved how we get to experience and see the different dimensions that our group is involved with and they all come together in each one. My favorite was definitely the throwback Russian monarchy one. As a history buff, that one just spoke to me. I think it helps that we view Russia pre-Revolution as some fantasy world full of opulence, which this book was able to really bring to life. Can I please go there, like right now?!
  • Family Love! – How often do we complain about how there are never strong family units represented in YA literature? All of the time! Well luckily, this book is all about family. The entire storyline revolves around the Caine’s trying to protect, save, and revenge each other. It’s nice to see a complete family actually having a presence in a YA story, especially such a cool one like the Caine’s.

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The Bad

  • Marguerite – It wasn’t that Marguerite was just an awful character, it was more like she was too overshadowed by everyone else. Her personality wasn’t one that sticks out or really catches your attention. She’s just kind of bland, you know? I’m hoping that we see a little bit more personality from her as the series goes along.
  • That Certain Problematic Scene – So as to not to give away too many spoilers involving plot (I really hate when people do that!), I’m going to be intentionally a little vague here. There is a scene in the book that, while given a brief acknowledgment as an issue by the main character, is not really recognized and given enough thought to for some readers, including myself. Now whether this was done intentionally in this book for the repercussions to make a bigger statement later on in the series, I can’t say because I haven’t read them yet. However, I found it to be handled a little too nonchalant by the MC and frankly by the author for writing it this way. I’d like to think that Gray wrote it to purposefully show the reader that using the Firebird to take over another body is inherently wrong, that you’ve basically kidnapped a person and used them for your own selfish gain, but I doubt it was used that way. If you would like to know more about the situation that I am talking about, you can visit a post that Liam & Hey Ashers! wrote HERE. He is very thorough in his thoughts and explanations on the issue with this scene.

All in all, I thought was this was a fun book. I was never bored nor found myself struggling on whether or not I actually wanted to read. It grabbed my attention and never let it go! I got wound up in the romance and found myself fangirling over Paul. While that one scene was uncomfortable and unsettling in how it was handled, I still enjoyed the book overall. I do plan on finishing the series and seeing whether the repercussions of Marguerite’s adventure come back to bite her in the ass… And oh man, do I hope they do.

Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars

Have you read A Thousand Pieces of You? What did you think of it? Is the series worth finishing?