Tag: Scott Westerfeld

December Wrap-Up: Reviews, Reading Challenges, etc.

2017 is finally behind us. Can you believe that we’re already a week into 2018?! Seriously, time is just flying by us and I’m not really sure how I feel about it. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I might have just teared up a bit thinking about how quickly the time is gone. I mean, this blog is now 2 years old!!! EEEEEEEEE!!!! Looks like it’s time to change things up a bit… like maybe a new blog design?! 😉

Books Read

  • The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh – 4/5 stars
  • Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1) by Claudia Gray – 5/5 stars, REVIEW
  • Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) by Tricia Levenseller – 4/5 stars
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook, 4/5 stars
  • The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman – 5/5 stars, REVIEW
  • This is Our Story by Ashley Elston – audiobook, 5/5 stars
  • Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1) by Morgan Rhodes – 3/5 stars, REVIEW
  • Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) by Romina Russell – 4/5 stars, REVIEW

Total Books Read: 8

Overall in 2017: 89

Reading Challenge Updates

POPSUGAR

  • A book from a nonhuman perspective – Defy the Stars
  • A book by an author from a country you’ve never visited – The Dark Days Pact

Beat The Backlist

  • Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)
  • Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3)

Goodreads Challenge

  • Total: 89/100
  • Previous Total: 81/100

Blog Posts

Book Reviews

WWW Wednesday

Hype or Like Friday

Discussions/Misc.

How did your reading month go in December? Were you able to read all of the books that you wanted to in 2017? What was your favorite read of the month? Least favorite? What books are you wanting to read this month?

WWW Wednesday – December 27th, 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?

  • This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston – audiobook
  • Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang – physical book

I’ve only got about an hour left in This Is Our Story and I’m OBSESSED. I can’t wait to find out what really happened. I’m usually not one for thrillers, but this book is so addicting!

I’m only about 50 pages into Beasts of Extraordinary, as Christmas was a bit hectic with all of my family in town. It’s very cute so far though!

What did you recently finish reading?

  • The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh – 4/5 stars, physical book
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – 4/5 stars, audiobook

I finally finished Goliath and completed this trilogy. It was a fun read and I really enjoyed how it all came together. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoy steampunk or alternate history novels.

The Blinds was definitely a different read than what I would typically pick up. I enjoyed the plot, characters, and the really unique setting. The ending wasn’t all that twisty, but the interesting story was enough to keep my attention the entire time.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine
  • The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

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

WWW Wednesday – December 20th, 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?

  • The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh – physical book
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook

I’m finally almost done with Goliath. I’ve only got about an hour left to listen to and I can’t wait to see how this series ends.

I’ve only barely begun The Blinds but I’m enjoying it so far. I really like the writing style and the characters. This seems like it’s going to be a really interesting read. The setting is what really sets it apart from other books that I’ve read.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) by Romina Russell – 4/5 stars, Hype or Like Friday BOTM
  • Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1) by Morgan Rhodes – 3/5 stars

I really enjoyed Zodiac! The world building in this book is truly phenomenal. I haven’t heard a whole lot people talk about this series so I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, the story is fast-paced, the writing is good, and as I mentioned, the world building is awesome. I definitely plan to continue with this series and pick up the sequel next month.

Falling Kingdoms was a bit of a letdown. I think it was about 50 pages longer than what it needed to be and could use a bit of editing. I think the overall story was really interesting and enjoyed the different points of view. However, the romance seemed a bit forced and all of the male characters just come across as terrible people. I do plan to continue with this series, if only to see if it gets better with the next book.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Ash and Quill (The Great Library, #3) by Rachel Caine
  • Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang

I’m just really excited to get to both of these books. I want to kick myself for putting off picking up Ash and Quill for so long because that cliffhanger in the previous book has left me dying to see what happens next!

What books are you currently reading? Have you finished any good books this week? What do you have coming up next on your TBR? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – December 13th, 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?

  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook
  • Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) by Romina Russell – physical book, Hype or Like Friday BOTM

Still working my way through Goliath. I still haven’t really been listening to it lately but hope to get back into it and finish it up this week sometime.

Currently about 130 pages into Zodiac and am actually pleasantly surprised so far. I hadn’t really seen a many reviews on this series and so I was expecting it to be silly and superficial. However, that hasn’t been the case at all. The world-building in this book is FANTASTIC. Russell has done an amazing job creating this science fiction world and mythology around astrological signs. It was a little difficult keeping up with all of the new terminology at the beginning, but it’s much easier now. I’m really excited to see where the story goes from here.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman – 5/5 stars, Review
  • Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) – 4/5 stars

Both of these books were really fun. I absolutely loved The Dark Days Pact. I’m seriously trash for this series and I’m not ashamed to admit it. It’s soooo good and I need the next book immediately!!! Daughter of the Pirate King was really fun too. I loved how sassy Alosa was. I think my only complaint is that I had already figured out both “reveals” early on in the story.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh
  • Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1) by Morgan Rhodes

Since I’ve been reading a lot of science fiction and fantasy (typical, Larkin!) lately, I decided to mix it up with a contemporary psychological thriller. This is obviously not a normal genre for me but I’m pretty excited about it because that premise sounds so intriguing. Falling Kingdoms has been on my TBR for foreverrrrrr. It’s about time that I actually pick it up, especially since this series sounds so me.

What are you currently reading? What books have you finished this week? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Do you ever get the itch to deviate from your typical genres? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

Books That Need Adaptations

I would like to thank Britt for giving me this idea because I was completely out of inspiration today. I just hate when that happens!

Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

I feel like the steampunk/alternate history WWI setting of this book would translate so well onscreen. All of the interesting contraptions and creatures could really be so vivid and amazing with the right director, like Steven Spielberg or Guillermo del Toro. In fact, the more that I think about it, the more that I want it to happen. Anyone know anyone in Hollywood?

The Bone Season Series by Samantha Shannon

I would seriously die if this series hit the big or small screen. I want to say that it was optioned for television but I can’t remember for sure. I’d be all up on that for sure if it was though!

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Armada by Ernest Cline

I know that Ready Player One is coming out in March, but I think that Armada would have been a better book suited for adaptation. There’s an actual war going on in this plotline and if you’ve read the book, you’ll know that that opening scene is great. I might’ve had some issue with this book, but I’d definitely pay some money to see it in 3D.

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Revenge and the Wild by Michelle Modesto

I think we can all agree that there aren’t enough good Westerns being made anymore. And one that’s mixed with fantasy and steampunk elements, starring a kickass female main character? It’s the movie that we didn’t even know we needed but now we have to have it!

 

Gold Seer Trilogy by Rae Carson

Oh, did you think I was kidding about Westerns? I wasn’t.

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The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

If I’m being honest, I really just want this brought to screen so I can obsess over Nikolai and the Darkling. Maybe I’ll get really lucky and they’ll change the storyline up enough to kill off Mal. Oh, what a glorious day that would be!

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Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

This series has actually been optioned for the big screen but nothing has moved forward past that. I don’t know what the heck is wrong with Hollywood because this could be the next great science fiction series! I definitely seeing this one becoming a total blockbuster hit.

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The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

I’m already a sucker for any WWII setting movie and for my favorite historical fiction novel to show up on the big screen would be a match made in Heaven. I’ll go ahead and get the tissues ready.

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The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer

Okay, I know every single one of you has been thinking the same thing when it comes to this series. I’ll actually take this one as a tv show so we can really flesh out this world and the characters. Who’s with me?!

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The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

Now this is actually a thriller that I would go see at the movies. The atmosphere, the story, the characters… Yeah, I think this would be a really good movie right about now.

What books would you like to see turned into a movie or television show? Do you agree with the ones on my list?

WWW Wednesday – December 6th, 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?

  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook
  • The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman

I swear, I am just as annoyed seeing Goliath still on my list as you are. I haven’t made any progress on this audiobook at all over the past few weeks. Hopefully that’ll change soon! As for The Dark Days Pact… Yeah, I’m still obsessed with this series. It’s incredibly detailed about life in Regency England, while still completely engaging you with the suspense and action. More people need to read this and join my obsession!!!

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1) by Claudia Gray – 5/5 stars, review to come
  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1) by Melissa Grey – 3/5 stars, review to come

I think The Girl at Midnight was just mediocre. I really enjoyed the characters but I kind of got a bunch of vibes from a few different books. I think it was lacking just a bit on the originality side. However, I do plan on continuing with the story to see if it becomes more of its own thing as the story goes on.

Defy the Stars is just simply awesome. Claudia Gray can do no wrong, seriously! I really don’t know if I can wait for the second book to come out in the spring or I might die. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1) by Tricia Levenseller
  • Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) by Romina Russell – Hype or Like Friday BOTM

Can I just say that I’m super excited to pick up both of these books, because I am. Like really excited. #nochill

What are you currently reading? What books did you finish this week? What do you have next on your TBR? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

November Wrap-Up: Reviews, Reading Challenges, etc.

Can y’all believe that December is already here? My mind is seriously blown right now, it’s crazy!

Books Read

  • An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson – 5/5 stars
  • Behemoth (Leviathan, #2) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook, 4/5 stars
  • Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer – 4/5 stars
  • Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer – 5/5 stars
  • Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch – 5/5 stars
  • City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson – 4/5 stars
  • Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1) by Winston Graham – 4/5 stars
  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1) by Melissa Grey – 3/5 stars
  • Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress, #1) by Julie C. Dao – 2.5/5 stars
  • A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – 5/5 stars

Total Books Read: 10

Overall in 2017: 81

Reading Challenge Updates

POPSUGAR

  • A Book You’ve Read Before that Never Fails to Make You Smile – Cinder (I’m counting it since I read it once before, shhhh…)
  • A Book with an Unreliable Narrator – Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
  • A Book Set in a Hotel – A Gentleman in Moscow

Beat The Backlist

  • Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
  • A Gentleman in Moscow
  • Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1)
  • Behemoth (Leviathan, #2)
  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1)

Goodreads Challenge

  • Total: 81/100
  • Previous Total: 71/100

Blog Posts

Book Reviews

WWW Wednesday

Hype or Like Friday

Discussions/Misc.

How did your reading month go in November? Are you meeting all of your reading goals for 2017? What was your favorite read of the month? Least favorite? What books are you wanting to read in December?

WWW Wednesday – November 29th, 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?

  • Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1) by Claudia Gray – physical book
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook

I’ll be honest that I’ve been too busy at work this past week to listen to Goliath any. OOPS! But I do hope to finish it by Friday. We shall see though!

And due to the holiday weekend with family and friends in town, I never had time to really pick up Defy the Stars. Luckily, things have finally settled back down and so I plan to really dive into this one today!

What did you recently finish reading?

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  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1) by Melissa Grey – physical book, 3/5 stars

I enjoyed this book for the most part, though I never felt really sucked into the story. I liked the humor and characters, but the plot wasn’t the most original. I’ll chalk this one up to it being a really young debut author and so I’ll continue with the series to see if the overall writing improves.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman
  • Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1) by Neal Shusterman

What are you currently reading? Did you finish any good books this past week? What do you plan on reading next? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – November 22nd, 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?

  • Defy the Stars (Constellation, #1) by Claudia Gray – physical book
  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook
  • The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight, #1) by Melissa Grey – physical book

Currently working my way through Defy the Stars and am really enjoying it! Why is Claudia Gray just soooo amazing at writing science fiction? Gah, I’m obsessed.

One of these days I will finish Goliath, I promise! Work has just been a tad busy the past few days so I haven’t really had any time to listen to it… but eventually! It is a really fun series and I’m a tad sad to finish it.

Started buddy reading The Girl at Midnight with Britt a few days ago. This is quite an intriguing story and I’m really interested in seeing where it goes. I’m also rooting for a little hate to love romance to happen. IT BETTER!

What did you recently finish reading?

  • City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson – Hype or Like Friday BOTM, 4/5 stars
  • Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1) by Winston Graham – physical book, 4/5 stars

I have to say that I really enjoyed both of these books. City of Saints & Thieves was a great quick read and I loved how it was set in Eastern Africa. It touched on some real issues happening in the DRC and I loved that. Definitely recommend this book!

Ross Poldark was just as good as I thought it would be. I’m kind of obsessed with the tv show and so I’ve been dying to finally pick up the book. I’m so happy that it didn’t disappoint and I plan to continue and finish out this series.

What do you think you’ll read next?

  • The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman
  • Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1) by Neal Shusterman

Can’t wait to start both of these books!

What are you currently reading? What do you plan on reading next? Did you finish any good books this past week? Have you read any of the books on my list? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – November 15th, 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?

  • Goliath (Leviathan, #3) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook
  • Ross Poldark (Poldark, #1) by Winston Graham – physical book

I’m powering through this finale of the Leviathan Trilogy. This is definitely an interesting series and I really wish more people would pick it up. I think we could all use a little more steampunk in our reading lives.

I just started Poldark last night and so I’m not too far into it. I already know that I’m going to love this series though, because I watch the tv show which is just finishing up its 3rd season. You could say that my mother and I are just a tad obsessed with it. IT’S SO SO SO GOOD.

What did you recently finish reading?

  • Behemoth (Leviathan, #2) by Scott Westerfeld – audiobook, 4/5 stars
  • Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) by Marissa Meyer – physical book, 5/5 stars, Review
  • Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch – physical book, 5/5 stars, Review
  • Forest of a Thousand Lanterns (Rise of the Empress, #1) by Julie C. Dao – physical book, 3/5 stars
  • City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson – Hype or Like Friday BOTM, 4/5 stars

I had another pretty good reading week as I finished up buddy read, Love & Gelato with Britt @ Geronimo Reads. Such a cute contemporary! I also finished up listening to Behemoth, as evidenced by my currently listening to the finale, Goliath. I read Scarlet, which I loved even more than Cinder. I am so jumping on the Captain Thorne bandwagon. He kills me, haha!

Then I moved on to Forest of a Thousand Lanterns. I have very mixed feelings with this book, y’all. I loved the overall story but I HATEEEEE Xifeng as a main character. Now, I’m all for antiheroes and what not, but she’s not even an antihero, just a terrible person. I literally spent the whole book wanting to punch her in the face. I’m going to continue with the series, but only because I’m hoping the next book follows Jade as the MC. If it doesn’t, I’m going to be really freaking pissed.

I really enjoyed City of Saints & Thieves. I’ll have a full review posted up for that book on the last Friday of the month, so be on the look out!

What do you think you’ll read next?

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The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen, #2) by Alison Goodman

I was originally planning to participate in Tome Topple, but I’ve since changed my mind as I wasn’t really in the mood to pick up any of the TBR books over 500 pages that I have. So, instead I’m just going to focus on reading what I am in the mood for – namely diving back into this series that I’ve become obsessed with after finishing The Dark Days Club last month. So excited!!!

What have you read this week? What are you currently reading? What are you reading next on your TBR? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!