Can't-Wait Wednesday: Only Human (Themis Files #3) by Sylvain Neuvel

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. It's based on Waiting On Wednesday hosted at Breaking the Spine.

We always thought the biggest threat to humanity would come from the outside.

We were wrong.

As the human race picks up the pieces of destruction left behind, a new world order emerges. New alliances are formed. Old divisions are strengthened. And, with a power struggle fuelled by the threat of mutually assured destruction, nothing is certain.

At a time when the world's nations should have been coming together, they have never been more divided.

With the human race teetering on the brink of total war, Rose, Vincent and Eva must choose sides. But doing the right thing might mean making the ultimate sacrifice.

-- Goodreads.com description --







I had some issues with the first book Sleeping Giants, but I read the sequel, Waking Gods this week and really enjoyed it! Now, I'm really excited to read the third and final book! Another thing I love about this science fiction series are the stunning covers! This one might even be my favourite so far!

Have you read this series or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below! 

If you enjoyed this review, please follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads! I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Review: A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she is brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her. As Henrietta discovers the secrets hiding behind the glamour of sorcerer life, she begins to doubt that she's the true prophesied one. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city--and the one she loves?

-- Goodreads.com description --















I read this book last year, and I had most of this review written back then but I forgot to post it. Since I now have the opportunity to read the sequel from Netgalley, I decided to post this review after all. I quite enjoyed A Shadow Bright and Burning, however I do have some remarks.

Things I liked:

I definitely need to mention the stunning cover! It's one of my favourite young adult covers of last year!

I really enjoyed how quick this book read, if I had the time I would have finished it in a day!

I thought the monsters in this book were original and quite fun to read about! R'hlem was my favourite!

My absolute favourite character, though, was Fenswick, I don't want to spoil anything so I'll just say I hope to see more of him in the next books!

Things I didn't like: 

First of all, there is nothing innovating about this book. In fact, I would say it draws too heavily on other books (like The Mortal Instruments) to be anything new. In other words, A Shadow Bright and Burning feels like a mix of different books instead of an original story. You can even find Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in there, as Blackwood can be compared to Mr. Darcy quite well. Blackwood has a lovely younger sister, called Elizabeth, and he even mentions he does not have a talent to talk to people his own age. Strangely, though, this character based on Mr. Darcy, is not a real love interest for the main character (I suspect it he will in the second book, though).

Magnus on the other, is more difficult to pin down, but you wish, you could say he is Wickham in some ways. Because of this, I feel that the male characters are not in any way original. Henrietta, on the other hand, I could never compare to Elizabeth Bennet. Needless to say, I did not get attached to any of these characters as they heavily resemble characters from other books and barely get any character development at all.

Another thing I would like to mention is the lack of world building. This is a weakness is lots of other young adult novels which can annoy me to no end.
Furthermore, I thought the writing was very simplistic but this may be improved in the sequel.

All in all, I gave this book 3 stars! If I didn't read so many young adult books, I probably would have enjoyed it much more, but now it just felt flat and generic to me.

Have you read this book or are you planning to? Leave your thoughts down below!

Review Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda (Artist)

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers. 

-- Goodreads.com description --











Monstress is a fantasy comic published in 2016. I read this while I was in a reading slump but I still really enjoyed it! The artwork is what initially drew me in and got me to buy it! The visualization of these characters and their world is absolutely amazing. If I just had to review the art style I would give this 5 out of 5 stars without a second thought. It's simply that stunning! However, there is the storyline to rate as well.

I really enjoyed the characters, Maika, a foxlike creature Kippa, and a cat called Master Ren among others. Together with the art, the characters made me want to read on. The fantasy elements were interesting as well, however there are a lot of information gaps which some readers might find confusing. I was okay with most of them, although a little bit more world building wouldn't have done any harm.

I'm definitely picking up the next volume when it comes out! This was an amazing read! I liked the art the most, then the characters and the plot. I really want to know where these characters will end up! It ended on a plot twist that completely blew me away!

Be aware that this comic is graphic and explicit and contains both violent and sexual images. This comic is intended for a mature audience.

Since I do have some minor problems with the plot and the information gaps and at times not enough world building, I give Monstress 4 out of 5 stars! I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy comics!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten 2016 Releases I Meant To Read But Didn't Get To

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. This week's topic is 2016 releases you meant to read but didn't get to it. I'm hoping to read all of these books as soon as possible! Only the last two, I don't own yet. These are in no particular order.

1.  Heartless by Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favourite YA series! Can't wait to read Heartless!

2. Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Still need to read Six of Crows :o

3. Flashfall (Flashfall #1) by Jenny Moyer

This one was in my very first FairyLoot box! Can't wait to read it!

4. The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski

5. And I Darken (The Conqueror's Saga, #1) by Kiersten White 

6. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

7. The Trouble With Women by Jacky Fleming

8. The Forbidden Wish (The Forbidden Wish, #1) by Jessica Khoury

9. Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

10. The Muse by Jessie Burton

Which 2016 releases do you still want to read? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!

Top Ten Books of 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Each week bloggers post their top ten on a previously suggested topic. It is the time of the year again that best lists are coming out. This post will be no exception. The following books are my favourites ten books I read this year, which does not mean they have all been published this year, though. There is no particular order.

1. Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain

I had to read this book for my First World War literature class and I actually read it on the 11th of November. I believe it was the first time that date truly resonated with me.

2. Room by Emma Donoghue

Although I gave this book 4 stars, it still got onto my favourite list. It's a haunting story and I recently watched the movie as well. Both are brilliant and I highly recommend them.

3. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

I love this book! It's everything a romance novel should be, funny, romantic and heart warming.

4. Adulthood Is a Myth (Sarah's Scribbles, #1) by Sarah Andersen 

I have to admit I hadn't read anything by Sarah Andersen prior to this book and only now do I know what I have missed. I recognized myself so often in these comics I will forever by checking out Sarah's work.

5. Across the Black Waters by Mulk Raj Anand

Indian perspective on the First World War and also one of the books I'm writing my thesis on.

6. The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) by Brandon Sanderson 

Really loved this book! I made the mistake of not taking the rest of the trilogy with me on holiday because I kept thinking about this book and barely read anything else!

7. A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

This book blew me away! I liked the first book but I did have some problems with it. However, I can't find any flaws in this one! Can't wait to find out what happens next!

8. I Hate Fairyland, Volume 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young

This is such a fun and colourful comic, I couldn't help falling in love with it!

9. Starflight (Starflight, #1) by Melissa Landers

One of the first new releases I got this year and I enjoyed it immensely! I forced my friends to read it as well, and they all told my they loved it too! I believe if you are interested in this book and you liked The Lunar Chronicles you will really enjoy this book aswell!


10. Truthwitch (The Witchlands, #1) by Susan Dennard

Finally, Truthwitch, I was really engrossed whilst reading it but now I'm starting to wonder if it did in fact deserve a five star rating. It still remains one of my favourite books this year and I hope to read it before the second book comes out next month.

Which books were your favourites this year? Have you read any of the books mentioned above? Leave your thoughts down below!