I owe y'all an apology...

I apologize for the severe lack of posts.  I've been completely overwhelmed by school and placement and job hunting and everything else.  I will back to regular posting in April 10th, 2013.

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Published September 30th, 2012
Greenwillow Books
410 pages (Hardcover)

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy. (From Goodreads)

Oh.  My.  God.  I'm dying.  DYING!  This book was pure amazing-ness!

My biggest complaint with The Girl of Fire and Thorns (review) was the slow pace for the first half of the book.  That was not the case with this book.  Right from the start, the pace is great and I had a nearly impossible time setting it down. 

Then there is the romance that develops here (AND I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT IT).  Poor Elisa, she just deserves some happiness and a man that isn't dead (yet...).  The characters in this series are just plain fantastic.  The growth that we see throughout features all the characters, not just our main cast.  

I love the complexity of the world-building.  I felt like I had been transported to an ancient land for the whole friggin' book.  I seriously didn't want to leave either.  It all culminates a cliffhanger ending that I'm still not over.  

I'm not a high fantasy fan most of the time, but asdfghjkl; !!!  READ THIS BOOK!  

Much love, Samantha

"Waiting On" Clockwork Princess

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I am excited for...

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy. (From Goodreads)

I have theories (so many theories!) and, in less than a week, we shall also have answers!

Who will Tessa chose? (Jem)

Who will die? (Will)

What I really hope happens is that they all live together happily ever after in there little threesome.  Is that really so much to ask for?  So prepare yourselves guys, because March 19th, 2013 is just around the corner!  The roommate and I will be up early for a Chapters run (and if you don't wake up, Phee, I will go without you...)!

Much love, Samantha

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This week, the topic is...
Top Ten Books on my Spring TBR

I love making TBR lists, but I literally never follow them.  I go for whatever book happens to be screaming my name at that particular moment.  Nevertheless, here are some books that are currently on my radar, and will most likely be read as a means of avoiding studying...

Fragments by Dan Wells

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lover at Last by J.R. Ward

Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian

Mind Games by Keirsten White

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

The Essence by Kimberly Derting

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Supernaturally by Keirsten White

Published July 26th, 2011
HarperTeen
368 pages (Paperback)

Evie finally has the normal life she's always longed for, but she's shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. So when she's given the opportunity to work for the International Paranormal Containment Agency again, she leaps at the chance.

But then Evie's faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears, and tells her that a battle is brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole paranormal world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. (From Goodreads)

This series is a love-hate thing for me.  I enjoy the story and characters (to an extent), but the writing needs some work.

While the characters are interesting, Evie is one of the most annoying fictional characters I have ever read about.  Her personality is so obnoxiously girly that I simply cannot relate to her.  None of the other characters bother me at quite this level.

My biggest complaint is the speed of events in the book.  It seems as if any scenes with significance or action are rushed.  Similar to Paranormalcy (click here for my review), I found myself having to read chunks over and over in order to grasp what was going on.  Even with my re-reading, I still found myself confused several times.

I still liked Keirsten White's light, sarcastic writing.  This book doesn't take itself too seriously, and, if it weren't so confusing, would be a very easy read.  I also wanted to mention the chapter titles, which are adorable and fun.

Endlessly, the conclusion to this trilogy was released during the summer, and I do intend to read it (albeit, mostly for Lend).

Much love, Samantha

"Waiting On" Star Cursed

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week I'm waiting on...

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England. (From Goodreads)

Born Wicked did terrible things to me.  I became insta-attached to these characters, and loved how Finn was different from the typical love interest.  Did I cry at the end?  Yes.  I did some serious ugly crying.   I'm getting anxious over this one, and cannot wait until June 18th, 2013.

Much love, Samantha

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I'd Like To Start

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies over at

The Broke And The Bookish!

This week, the topic is...
Top Ten Series I Would Like To Start

Bookstores have become a torturous place, because I want to read everything.  I just want to read every series ever.  

A few of them are series that I have the first book of...

The Shades of Earth books by Maureen Johnson

The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams Chima

The Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Then there are some I eye up every time I visit a bookstore....

The Everneath trilogy by Brodi Ashton

The Newsoul trilogy by Jodi Meadows

The Unearthy trilogy by Cynthia Hand

The Legend trilogy by Marie Lu

All of the books by Stephanie Perkins

The Heist Society series by Ally Carter

So guys, which series should I start/pick up first?

Much love, Samantha

Book Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Published February 5th, 2013
HarperCollins
469 pages (International Paperback)

Juliette's world is beginning to unravel.
Everything is falling apart changing.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point-the headquarters of the rebel resistance. There she discovers other people with abilities. Abilities they have learned to control. And for the first time in her life, Juliette has hope. Hope that she can have a life with Adam. Hope that her touch can be used to save instead of destroy.

But Juliette is only just beginning to understand the depth of her power, and she's struggling to fight the desire to use it. She's still haunted by her past, terrified by her future, and too tempted by Warner, who still wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart-and Adam's life. (From Goodreads)

I must start by saying that I am 100% Team Adam.  Yes, you read that right.

I must also say that I did not read Destroy Me, the novella set between Shatter Me and Unravel Me, but intend to do so soon.

But holy crap, Tahereh Mafi writes a good book.   Non-stop action and a love triangle that didn't irritate the crap out of me!

When I say non-stop action, I mean it.  There was always some sort of drama going on, which made it impossible to set this book down.  The story would calm down and take off again right away.

At one point, Kenji (who is pure awesome) criticizes Juliette for living in her land of perpetual self-pity, which is pretty much what I kept thinking up to that point and through to the end.  It does start to get a little old, even though it's essential to her character.  The spin at the end suggest that we may get a little less of this with book three.

As far as all our other characters go, I have no complaints.  There are some good twists that I didn't see coming.  Like I said, I much prefer Adam and his self-brooding.  Warner hasn't won me over yet, but I like the contrast to Adam.

For a series I though I was going to dislike when I read Shatter Me last year, I'm hooked.  This dystopian setting is simple, yet complex, while being different from the rest of the pack.  Add Mafi's lyrical writing, and you've got a winner!

Much love, Samantha

February Favourites!

No intro today, because it's Sunday and I'm feeling quite lazy...

Favourite Read: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Plus, the cover is awesome.  And I'm always pleased by an
international paperback!

Favourite Song: The Only Way I Know - Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church

(aka The Eye Candy trio/ Bad Boys of Country...)

Favourite TV Show: Destination Truth reruns.  YETI!

Favourite Thing To Procrastinate On: I had 4 papers and a midterm due in the two weeks before reading break...

Favourite Caffeinated Beverage: Caramel Machiatto with an extra shot

(because everything is better after three shots of espresso)

Favourite Thing to Look Forward to About March: Free Leafs tickets?  Yes, please!

Much love, Samantha